A Hidden Jewel in St. Louis - Don't Miss the Magic Chef Mansion!…read more What a historic gem! The Magic Chef Mansion is one of St. Louis' most stunning and best-kept secrets. If you haven't taken a tour, you are truly missing out. This architectural treasure offers a glimpse into another era--where craftsmanship, elegance, and timeless beauty meet. What makes it even more special is the incredible care and devotion of Shelly, the current owner and resident. It's amazing how she has lovingly restored the entire interior, tracking down original furniture, lighting fixtures, and period-appropriate details to bring this mansion back to its former glory. What an act of love--and one that every visitor can feel the moment they walk through the doors. Every room is a story, and the guided tour is filled with fascinating history, local lore, and exquisite details. Whether you're a St. Louis native or a visitor, this is an experience that belongs at the top of your list. The Magic Chef Mansion isn't just a tour--it's a living, breathing piece of art and history. Don't miss the chance to be a part of it.

This is a wonder!!!! Beautifully maintained and decorated mansion. Owner guided tour for our…read moregroup. Charge for tours but well worth seeing this amazing turn of the 20th century mansion.

My wife and I spent a great hour exploring the underground Museum at the Gateway Arch. The exhibits…read morewere very informative, covering the rich history of the area and the impressive construction of the Arch. We loved the well-done displays and artifacts. Unfortunately the tram rides to the top were sold out, but we'll catch them next time. Highly recommend for a quick, educational stop! -- update -- My wife and I were in St. Louis and decided we had to do the Gateway Arch at least once. We tried getting tickets the day before and it was completely sold out, but we got lucky and snagged spots for the next morning. Totally worth the wait! The view from the top is absolutely stunning. You can see for miles across the Mississippi River and the city skyline -- it's one of those "wow" moments that makes the whole trip worthwhile. The architecture and engineering behind it are impressive too. That said, be ready for a cozy ride. The tram pods only fit about 5 people and it's very tight in there. You'll get to know your neighbors pretty well for those few minutes! If you're even a little claustrophobic or afraid of heights, this might not be for you. But if you're okay with both, it's a must-do experience. Highly recommend doing it at least once. We loved it and left with some great photos and memories. Just book your tickets in advance!

As part of our quest to visit all 63 U.S. national parks, we set off on a six-week road trip, and…read moreour first stop was Gateway Arch National Park. Although we had driven past it many times over the years, I have a personal rule: I only count a national park as "visited" if I actually spend time there, hike or walk through it, and experience it beyond simply driving by. Mission accomplishe, one down, thirteen more on this trip, bringing our total to 48 of the 63 national parks. The Gateway Arch itself is certainly impressive. Riding the tram to the top is a unique experience, and the views of downtown St. Louis and the Mississippi River are well worth it. We left Chicago at 10:00 a.m., arrived around 2:00 p.m., and had tickets for the tram at 3:00 p.m., which gave us enough time to explore the grounds beforehand. The park itself is beautifully maintained. We especially enjoyed walking along the promenade by the river and through the surrounding green spaces. It is a pleasant area for a stroll, even if the park itself is relatively small. Personally, I still struggle a little with its designation as a national park. To me, it feels more like a national monument than a traditional national park with extensive natural landscapes and hiking opportunities. That said, it is historically significant, beautifully designed, and certainly worth visiting. One thing that pleasantly surprised me was how family-friendly it is. The museum beneath the Arch is modern, interactive, and well done, with hands-on exhibits, films, and activities that make history engaging for children and adults alike. Families could easily spend most of a day here exploring both the museum and the grounds. Overall, Gateway Arch National Park is an enjoyable stop, especially if you're interested in American history, architecture, or you're, like us, on a mission to experience every national park. It may not offer wilderness, but it offers a fascinating piece of the country's story.

We joined a group of people to do a group tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright house in Kirkwood, MO. It…read moreis well worth the $20 tour fee. Anne was our docent. She was very knowledgeable about Wright and Russell and Ruth Kraus who the house was built for and the only residents. The Kraus house is one of the very few Wright houses that have not been remodeled and contains the original furniture designed by Wright. It has a cozy feel from the time you walk inside. I was intrigued by the esthetic design throughout the home.

I've been to about 150 Frank Lloyd Wright homes and have been lucky enough to have been inside…read morearound 30. We didn't know if we could get on the tour that day so we first stopped by to see it and take some pictures. We met an intern and found out that we could get in on a tour about 2 hours later. So we paid our fee and went to see Frank Lloyd Wright's mentor, Louis Sullivan's Wainwright Building in downtown St. Louis. I believe this is one of Sullivan's best work still standing. When we returned for the tour I was stunned. This is a great, late house by Wright that has many magical and playful elements to it. It's has most of the original furnishings and something totaling unexpected in a Usonian house--art glass windows. The tour guide was new and did an excellent. Everyone involved in this project should be very proud of the work they've done, and continue to do.

Very nice setting and atmosphere . , nice people. Food / is so so, but good enough. Selection not…read moregreat. Food appeared old at lunch , not crisp & fresh

Docent lead tour of an amazing and well loved house. So well maintained with commitment and love…read more Our docent was so knowledgeable! No doubts about her love of this house and keeping this beauty around for all to enjoy!

As I stroll up to the World's Fair Pavilion in ForestPark, just one of my routines before another…read morememorable show at TheMuny! There's just something about those luscious lavender blooms that keep me returning. I mean, who knew a Victorian-era bandstand would be my weekly hit of natural scent in the summer? This spot was built for the 1904 World's Fair and it's still as beautiful as ever! I recommend going prior to a Muny show or it's a nice digestive walk after eating at the Boathouse.

Ive been to many events at this large pavilion in Forest Park. Most recently, Veg Fest. Electricity…read morefor live music and/or speaker. Clean, maintained public restrooms. Plenty of spaces outside of pavilion for tents, vendors, etc. Parking throughout the park. Beautiful view over the park and fountain. Love this place!

It's worth noting that there are two Basilicas in downtown Saint Louis and this is the one that is…read moreadjacent to the Gateway Arch Park at the riverside. Officially named the "Basilica of St. Louis, King of France", this was the first cathedral west of the Mississippi River, built between 1831 and 1834. It is one of the only buildings that was not demolished to make way for the Arch and the park. That proximity makes it quite a popular tourist destination. Built in Greek Revival style, the church is noted for its marble altars, a painting of Saint Louis venerating the Crown of Thorns given by Louis XVIII, King of France and Navarre, and an accurate copy of the painting of the Crucifixion by Diego Velázquez installed in the church in the latter half of the twentieth century. Note: The parking lot here is specifically for cathedral visitors and can not be used for parking to see other stuff in downtown. [Review 17230 overall - 138 in Missouri - 747 of 2022.]

I was here for a wedding. The cathedral is beautiful, old world elegance. Large windows letting a…read moretremendous amount of light in. The service was excellent and the priest was kind, gentle and funny with the bride and groom. It was a delightful wedding.

This is a smaller movie theater, located within Plaza Frontenac. Please note there are several…read moresteps to get into the theater but they do offer a wheelchair elevator, but that may require assistance from a staff member. One thing unusual about this theater is there is not a concession stand. Bring your own snacks and fill up your water bottle before you go in because the bathroom and water fountain are not within the theater complex. Many of the movies that are shown here are independent films and more of the art house variety.

I can no longer recommend this cinema until the current renovation is done, (which they are open…read moreduring this process). Considering ticket prices, hard, flattened out seats, uneven sound, no fresh popcorn and a bathroom across the mall is not a desirable movie going experience. In the past this was a pretty good place to see some of the non mainstream movies but my recent visit here Dec 2023 made up my mind, I'll pass until thing get resolved.

I went here for a Friday night concert over the summer. It was very relaxing and entertaining all…read morein one. I forgot the name of the artist, but her performance along with the live band was so captivating. This place gives date night, solo date, and family trip all at the same time. I love events such as these. Also, I know downtown parking usually isn't the best. However, because of the time and people getting off work to head home, parking was quite easy to find. I was able to park within reasonable walking distance near the Hooters across the street.

Tours met here but we came over to get a picture of the old City Hall through the Arch. There's a…read morevisitor center here and a sculpture of a runner. The very interesting shrubbery caught my attention as well as the intricate playground here. There were people working in the garden that was very informative about the types of trees & told me the exotic Pagoda Tree is from Japan.

If you love all things dark, spooky, and STL, than St. Louis Paranormal Research Society's Lemp…read moreHaunted Neighborhood Walking tour. Despite being married at Lemp in 2021, almost everything I learned was completely new information. I especially appreciated the balance between history and legend and how the walking tour extended well beyond the Lemp. This made for a fun date night and I'd love to return in the future with friends!

What a spooktacular tour! Filled with history, lore and spirits! Our guide was super informative…read moreand passionate. Ghostly tales are one of the best way to keep our history alive and minds captivated. Keep it spooky!

Such a relaxing place. The fountain was clean and there were families strolling around and sitting…read moreon the benches.

Piazza Imo On the Hill 2109 Marconi Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110…read moreThere is a beautiful fountain that makes this place a peaceful spot to meditate, or reflect on your day a quiet place to release your frustration. It is in the heart of the hill. Benches surround the fountain honoring famous local celebrities. This location is near St. Ambrose Catholic Church, The new restaurant Marconi Mercado and Milo's tavern a local watering hole. I found a bench honoring the mailman of the Hill Roland DiGregario . My father (Gene) was a great friend of Mr. DiGregario and spoke highly of him. My father and brother both were mailman. My brother later had a route on the Hill. So this bench opened up a few pleasant childhood memories I relish. After leaving, there is a gelato shop around the block with a great looking patio to enjoy. Visit the Hill for a great meal, beer, or reflect over a gelato.