My brother & SIL live in the Central West End, my brother is in a wheelchair so it's good for them…read moreto be able to walk & wheel around to businesses & restaurants. The only negative tho is they've told me when it snows the sidewalks become inaccessible because no one plows or shovels. There is a ton of businesses & the restaurants were mostly all busy on the Saturday night we were there. The lighting is so pretty & all the buildings are super old so the whole feel is very quaint. I would definitely live here if I was looking for a place in St Louis

My heart is BROKEN. I've been gone 20 years. I just moved back to StL. The charming personality of…read morethe CWE I grew up with is GONE! The neighborhood was salvaged (in the 60s and 70s) by the LGBT community (30 + years ago) and made it a very desirable place to live and hang out. It's ALL gone! It's now over priced with straight Yuppie and now 'gentrified'. It breaks my heart. But most investors know after the gay community fixes up a suffering neighborhood, it's prime for a takeover. That means the original grand buildings will be torn down or 'fixed' to where the old neighborhood vibe is totally GONE. My heart is broken.

Maplewood has done numbers revitalizing over the last 10 years. It just gets better and better…read morewhat can I say. The home of great coffeehouses and breakfast nooks like Foundation Grounds, Living Room, Strange Donut, Tiffany's Diner and many more. Maplewood also has great retail and antique shops for your pleasure.

When I think of Maplewood, I think of that strip of Manchester Road and beyond. Maplewood offers…read moresoo many attractions from delicious eateries, grocery stores, boutiques, bars, a swimming pool and more. I grew up going to summer camp in Maplewood at the school across from the pool. I spent my summers at the library, bowling and swimming daily amongst activities. Maplewood will steadily surprise you with it's ever changing flare. It trully is a gem of a neighborhood to checkout.

We are Here at the world famous St. Charles Christmas Traditions celebration. We love coming to…read morethis every year. Jump in anywhere along old St. Charles - grab a program and start Colllecting cards from the performers is the kids favorite. I like hearing their stories from elves, singers and of course my friend Jack Frost. You haven't experienced this awesome event until you see Jack. This is the ultimate Christmas event and if you haven't ever attended- this should be on your list. Don't forget to stop by Grandmas Cookies - the line is worth the wait. lol Happy Holidays and happy new year to everyone.

Historic St. Charles is a quant town along the Missouri River. The streets are cobblestone and…read morethere are several antique shops, unique boutiques, museums and cafes . Saturday morning there was the farmers market and Oktoberfest, so plenty to do. The town is very walkable and a great way to enjoy the history.

Heard this was a must-see tourist attraction in St. Louis, so I HAD to see for myself! This area…read morewas really run-down and seemed really sketchy; the roads seemed pretty destroyed and surrounding buildings were mostly obliterated or inhabited. So, I wouldn't recommend visiting at night, as you never know what you may encounter. The Grafitti wall was much more longer than I thought it would be! The vibrant colors from various artists that join together to create a complete picture was truly astounding. It's actually so inspiring to see so many different artists working together, incorporating their own unique styles to create one single piece of artwork. If I took a few minutes to really take in and admire each grafitti, finishing the wall would take HOURS! I was skeptical that this mural was worth the trip to an abandoned area, but I'm truly so glad that I came to see this beauty. If you're in Saint Louis, you have to come take a look!

I've lived in STL my entire life and I'm kicking myself that I'm just now coming here! The amount…read moreof art and creativity that I found at the Graffiti Wall was mind blowing! I've seen several mural walls throughout the US and this is by far the most extensive one I've come across. Aside from the surprising length of this mural walls the quality and the meaning behind these works of art stood out to me the most. This wall is repainted every year during the Paint Louis festival on Labor Day weekend and it will definitely be worth checking out!

Clayton tends to be "upscale" and not super welcoming to those who are "outsiders". Go somewhere…read moremore fun like the Tower Grove farmers market!

Love Taste of Clayton! I've attended for 30 years! I love the various food and people I encounter!…read moreAlways top shelf and very diverse.

Festival of little hills!!!!…read more Great annual event in Historical Downtown St. Charles. Parking was very congested and bumper to bumper. Ample Shuttle services were available and next time I will utilize but eventually I did find a spot to park yay! Great exercise opportunities. Plenty of walking and bending and stretching. Vendor spaces were full of crafts, accessories, outdoor items, clothing, seasonal items etc. plenty of food and drinks available for purchase, live music, exhibitions, baked items. Plenty of direction to venture. Weather was hot and sweat was in high demand. Weight loss opportunity:) . I will definitely start attending this event. A fun time was had ..

One of the few cool history Missouri River towns that I'd thriving with a mix of Lewis and Clark to…read moremodern Casino. Lots of shops, restaraunts on a scenic cobblestone mile in St. Charles. Anchored on one end by the historic Academy of the Sacred Heart which dates to 1818.

The City of Edwardsville has really come a long way over the years. It's grown into a great college…read moretown while still keeping that welcoming, family-friendly feel. There's a nice balance here--plenty of shops and restaurants to choose from, along with a strong sense of community. Whether you're a student, a family, or just visiting, there's always something to do and somewhere new to check out. Overall, it's a well-rounded area that continues to grow and it's easy to see why so many people enjoy living and spending time here

From my yelp hub of St. Louis to home, you go over the bloodcurdling bridge, past the terrifying…read moretower of trash, left at the horrible hill, and north until you enter the heart of E'ville. My facetious "directions" are inspired by encounters with people who seem fearful of crossing the Mississippi, like the medieval cartographer who wrote on the edge of his map: "Beyond here, there be dragons." In response to this fear, I like to remind people that Edwardsville functions as a "suburb," using the second definition in Webster's Dictionary: "A smaller community ... within commuting distance of a city." I know many residents who commute to downtown for work, and some as far as west county. They'll tell you that the drive to downtown is easier than from places like Wildwood, St. Charles, or Lake St. Louis: commuting time is generally shorter, and morning into St. Louis and evening out, you have the sun at your back rather than in your face. There are at least six ways to approach E'ville, but, if you're coming from St. Louis, three make the most sense. If you happen to be looking for something on the east side of town, you could take I-55 to exit 23, then travel the new Governors' Parkway west. This is the way most people approach if they're coming from northern Illinois, or from eastern outlying areas to shop in grocery stores or strip malls. If you want a peaceful approach that takes you by the northern outskirts of SIUE, and through the historic St. Louis Street residential area, you could travel I-255 north to New Poag Road, then go east. Perhaps the best all-purpose route, not too busy, but takes you by or near restaurants, schools, and shopping, is to travel I-270 to exit #9, then left over the bridge, then veer right on Illinois 157 and northeast up the long hill on the bluff. You'll travel five or six miles through several traffic lights, and end up at the "T" intersection for St. Louis Street, where you'll turn right to find downtown. My LEAST favorite approach is I-270 to exit #12, which takes you north along Illinois 159, Troy Road, sort of the Manchester Road of our area. I've lived in Edwardsville very nearly ten years. It's the seat of Madison County, with a long history (third oldest city in Illinois). The establishment fifty years ago of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville slowly changed the flavor of the community, in many positive ways, I think. I moved here for two reasons: a fine job, and excellent public schools for my children. The bike trails are as good as any you'll find in the metro area. The shopping and dining options get better every year. I don't work for the city or the chamber of commerce, but I want to encourage you to try it sometime. It may be E'ville, but it's really not so scary.

This was an amazing event! Great for the entire family with so many different art forms to embrace…read more Oil, acrylics, acrobats, jewelry, sculptures...you name it, it's at the Clayton Art Fair. Streets are blocked throughout the perimeter so plan to park and walk. Bring a little cash (or a lot) depending on your lifestyle and pay grade lol.. There's so much to see and do. Make a day of it. Thank me later.

This year 2019 was even better. Great jazz bands! I loved…read morethe Syrian foods, and draft beers! The food court have improved tremendously. Love the art works! Excellent weather!!!!