Beware!!! Google maps will take you to the wrong location! I'm on your side Apple Maps, you never…read moredo me wrong! From the Vandalia State House, take 185/40 (N. Kennedy Blvd) north, turn left/west on W. Randolph Street, then right/north on N. Perkin's Street one block to W. St Clair Street. Turn left and it's up on the little hill on your right/north side. I absolutely love state capitals, which would lead me to enjoy past state capitals. I had been in rural Illinois a few times and always wondered what Vandalia had to offer being that it was second Illinois Capitol City (an oldest one still existing, unlike Kaskaskia which is now under water). I followed Vandalia's tourist page to the few landmarks that existed. One was what is called "Little Brick House". It's an n example of simple Italianate architecture that has been preserved by the Vandalia Historical Society. It is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and is thought to have been constructed in the mid 1800's. According to the website, "Josephine Burtschi, local artist and historian, was born in this house. In 1956 she purchased the house and started restoring it to its original appearance. Over the years, the Little Brick House has been renovated and furnished with period pieces, antiques, and early Vandalia artifacts. Contained within the six rooms are furniture, china, engravings and books acquired from descendants of state officers, legislators and the Ferdinand Ernst Colony who lived in Vandalia when it served as capital. The library, called the Berry-Hall room, pays tribute to James William Berry, the first talented artist of Illinois, and to Judge James Hall who established Vandalia as the first literary center west of Cincinnati. (http://www.vandaliaillinois.com/littlebrickhouse.html)" There's a little history for ya!

We enjoyed a visit to the largest archaeological site in the U.S…read more Quick visit advice: Park at the visitor center or across the street at Monk's Mound (if there are any spots in this smaller lot). Walk to and up Monk's Mound, which is the largest. I recommend reading the signs about the history of the mounds. Background: I visited just after finishing a book called "America Before" by Graham Hancock. He extensively covers the geoglyphs (mounds) across the Americas and describes their site-line survey complexity. They are basically dirt mound versions of Stonehenge, and line up with solar events during the equinoxes. The amount of precision from an ancient hunter-gatherer society is absolutely fascinating. I highly recommend a read before visiting.

We were in the area so we had to go check this place out, right? The history along should garner…read moreinterest. Pulling up, my kids were not amused. "What's with the big hill dad?" Oh kids... I mean it does look like just a big hill but... As a history buff, I thought it was kind of cool. We climbed the stairs to the top (great work out, a couple folks were doing just that) to get a view of the area. Not much at all is built up around this area, the small town that it is located in is barely a blip before you enter the St. Louis metropolitan area. It is actually pretty remarkable how rural this area is being only miles outside of St. Louis. Anyways, I tried to get my kids to understand that the people that built these mounds did not have Bobcats, dump trucks, or any huge equipment. We are talking woven baskets and such. Still not impressed. At least we stood on the top and say we have been there. I suggest you do the same. Check it off the list and say you once stood on one of the tallest pre-Columbian structures in North America. Can't say that every day!

I had forgotten how interesting the free museum was and since I have been there it's been remodeled…read moreand it's great!! The arch is cool and the history of the arch and Saint Louis is very well done in the museum.

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!

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.

You will find this nice sculpture on the Mississippi Riverfront, in St Louis, just behind the…read moreGateway Arch. It is the work of Harry Weber who completed the piece, which is made of bronze and sits 22 feet tall, in 2006 The 3.5 ton sculpture depicts explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and their Newfoundland dog, Seaman. It is owned by the city of St Louis and was commissioned by the Greater St. Louis Community Foundation to commemorate the bicentennial of the explorers' return September 1806. According to Weber, it "took seven months of long hours to complete the structure in clay, make molds and reassemble it like a giant jigsaw puzzle. It is a nice sculpture and Weber does a great job encapsulating Lewis and Clark's feeling of accomplishment, sacrifice and pride. It is very detailed and well done. The viewer can really connect to the piece. The sculpture is designated a national Lewis and Clark site by the US Park Service and spending on how high the Mississippi River gets, sometimes the statue is submerged in the river. In 2014, the statue was removed and restored to repair damage it had received from the flood. In 2016, the statue was returned to the riverfront to a location slightly south and about 17 feet higher than before. Before it was moved, during a flood situation, it would look like the duo were sailing into shore Anyway, as with most sculptures that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 10 minutes. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip. I would recommend checking out the Gateway Arch and Park while visiting this sculpture.

There's a awesome plaza I would definitely recommend visiting when you're in St. Louis. Do you have…read morea cousin Nate sites in statues things to do?

Sadly, drained for the winter but the sculptures are still here. It is located across from the…read moreentrance to Union Station and aligned with the famous Gateway Arch. The caption reads, "The meeting of the waters. This fountain by the sculptor Carl Milles symbolizes the union of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. The two central figures represent the two great rivers while the lesser water creatures suggest the many tributaries and streams. Milles conceived the sculpture as embodiment of the freedom and primeval force of the waterways of the Great Mississippi Valley and he thought of the grouping as a marriage or festival celebrating the coming together of these great waters. The sculptor, Swedish born and a pupil of Rodin, was conscious that the fountain and plaza are a memorial to Louis P. Aloe (1669-1929), a civic figure and long time president of the board of Alderman whose vision established the Gateway Mall." Stop. Enjoy. Appreciate. [Review 14455 overall, 1781 of 2020, number 88 in Missouri.]

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!

This beautiful fall evening was perfect for a tour! We started the tour at the business and walked…read morejust shy of a mile. We visited major landmarks of Lemp Mansion, DeMenil Mansion, St.Agatha's church, and the Lemp Brewery. The guide structured the time the route to give us a great overview of the area and it's history. Make sure you check the weather before hand because the tour happens rain or shine. My favorite part was the excursion into the tunnels beneath the Lemp Brewery. We had special access to view the location serial killer victims were held in 1993. Turning off the light is not for the faint of heart. Storytelling and history 10/10 Route and sights 10/10

Visited on weekend celebrating the beginning of the expedition. The museum has a vast amount of…read moreinformation about the trip, supplies, people involved, readying for journey. This weekend had reenactors outside showing early 19th century crafts. Fun for all and great learning experience.

We stopped by on a whim when visiting the in-laws. It happened to be the anniversary & there were…read moreperiod actors interacting that were set up throughout, with assorted stations. This was both cool & informative. There was no entry fee, always a plus. The info desk had a guest book. It appeared most visitors who signed were from Illinois. The movie wasn't playing during our visit, I'm not sure if there was a mechanical issue or if it was because of the special celebration. So, I can't speak on it. It's smaller than I expected, yet very interesting & I did learn a few new details. We walked out to the cabins/fort & they were all locked with some of them having the roofs/walls collapsed. Perhaps an entry fee is in order for maintenance/upkeep. Overall, worth a stop, especially for those interested in the expedition.

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.