Where to Stay in St. Louis – A Guide to the “Gateway to the West”
St. Louis is the most populated city in Missouri. Located along the Mississippi River, on the Illinois border, this major city is famous for playing a key role played a key role in the development of blues and jazz, its iconic Gateway Arch, and its love of baseball. In this post, we will explore the best areas to stay in St. Louis, MO.
The largest city in Missouri is especially renowned for its city parks and gardens and world-class museums dedicated to everything from arts and science to music and sports.
Some of the main tourist attractions in the heart of St. Louis include the iconic 630-ft. Gateway Arch, City Museum, Busch Stadium, Citygarden Sculpture Park, the National Blues Museum, St. Louis Union Station, and the historic Laclede’s Landing neighborhood. See accommodation in Downtown St. Louis.
Further west lies the expansive Forest Park, a beautiful urban green sprawl known as “The Heart of St. Louis.” Its grounds and surrounding districts are home to several of the most important cultural attractions in the city, such as the Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Science Center, The Jewel Box, the Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis Science Center, Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, and the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. See accommodation in the Forest Park area.
The Midtown section is home to the Saint Louis University, as well as the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis and the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. See accommodation in Midtown St. Louis.
Other unmissable attractions in town include the Missouri Botanical Garden and Tower Grove Park.
Because of its geographical location, St. Louis, like most of Missouri, has a damp subtropical climate. The summers are hot and humid, with average temperatures typically hovering around 77 – 97 °F (25 – 36 ºC). On the other hand, winters can be really cold. Low temperatures in January can reach 25 °F (-4ºC). Light snowfalls are common November through February. The best time to visit St. Louis and avoid extreme temperatures is during the spring and early summer (April to July) or during the fall.
To get to St Louis by air, the city is served by the St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Located about 14 miles (23 km) northwest of the city center, this major air hub offers a wide range of connections to several domestic destinations in the United States and a few international routes, mainly to Canada and the Caribbean.
Additionally, MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, located 21 mi (33 km) east of downtown St. Louis, offers a handful of domestic connections.
St. Louis is also very well-connected by train. Inter-city services depart from the Gateway Multimodal Transportation Center downtown and include the Lincoln Service to Chicago and the Missouri River Runner to Kansas City. The Texas Eagle connects St. Louis to San Antonio and Los Angeles. See train schedules, routes & fares. Likewise, St. Louis has excellent long-distance bus connections to many destinations in the Midwest. See bus schedules, routes & fares.
St. Louis offers several public transportation options to get around the city, including two light rail lines operated by MetroLink and several city bus routes. Additionally, St. Louis has local taxis, mobile applications, and car rental offices.
The best area to stay in St Louis is around Forest Park. This area is home to the city’s main cultural and tourist attractions and is well-connected via light rail to Downtown and other districts worth visiting. See accommodation near Forest Park.
Other great options when choosing the best location in St. Louis include Downtown, The Loop, Midtown, and the Tower Grove Park area.
Keep reading to find out more about the best areas to stay in St. Louis, Missouri.
Located in Saint Louis, a few steps from St. Louis Gateway Arch, Live! by Loews – St. Louis provides accommodations with a restaurant, private parking, a fitness center, and a bar. Featuring a concierge service, this property also provides guests with a terrace.
Best Location in St. Louis, Missouri: A Quick Guide
Below, you’ll find a list of the best areas to stay in St. Louis depending on your travel style and what you may be planning to do during your trip. Keep reading below to find all the specific information you need about each particular area mentioned here.
- Best location in St. Louis for sightseeing: Forest Park Area | Downtown St. Louis
- Best location in St. Louis for nightlife: The Loop | Downtown St. Louis
- Best location in St. Louis for families: Forest Park Area | Midtown
- Best location in St. Louis without a car: Forest Park Area
- Best location in St. Louis for first-time visitors: Forest Park Area
- Best location in St. Louis for business travelers: Downtown St. Louis
- Best location in St. Louis for hipsters: The Loop
- Best location in St. Louis for LGTBQ travelers: Midtown
Best Hotels in St. Louis, MO by Theme
Something more specific in mind? Here’s a list of some of the best hotels in St. Louis. No matter your reason for visiting the city or style, you’ll find it here!
- Most unique hotel: Angad Arts Hotel
- Best mid-priced hotel: Drury Inn St. Louis Union Station
- Best budget hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites St. Louis at Forest Park
- Best luxury hotel: Four Seasons St. Louis
- Best boutique hotel: Hotel Saint Louis, Autograph Collection
- Best hotel with a pool: Le Méridien St. Louis Clayton
- Best inn / B&B: Casa Magnolia B & B
The Best Areas to Stay in St. Louis, Missouri
1. Recommended area: Forest Park
Forest Park is the most prominent urban park in St. Louis.
Locates 3 miles west of downtown St Louis and covering over 1,300 acres, this expansive garden dates back to 1876 and is St. Louis’s most important cultural and recreational area.
Since its founding, Forest Park has hosted major events in the city, including the Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904 and the 1904 Olympics.
Forest Park is also home to St Louis’s Museum Quarter. Several city landmarks, including the St. Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum, and the St. Louis Science Center, are located within the park.
On the park’s southern edge lies the 90-acre Saint Louis Zoo, considered one of the best zoological gardens in the United States.
The area around the park is home to several mid-range and luxury hotels.
There are several ways to get from Forest Park to other city areas via bus and metro. Light rail system stops Forest Park-DeBaliviere, Central West End, and Skinker are located within a 0.5 mi radius of the park.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in St Louis:
- Forest Park
- Museum District
- Saint Louis Zoo
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Home2 Suites St. Louis / Forest Park
Offering both an indoor pool, Home2 Suites St. Louis / Forest Park is located in the Central West End area of St. Louis. Rooms come equipped with a full kitchen.
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Budget
Hampton Inn & Suites St. Louis at Forest Park
Across from Forest Park in central St. Louis, Missouri, this hotel offers enjoyable amenities and services such as a free, daily breakfast and free high-speed internet access.
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Luxury
The Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta St. Louis
This hotel is across from Forest Park and 3 mi from Downtown St. Louis. The hotel offers 4 restaurants, and a 5 screen movie theatre.
2. The Loop
The Delmar Loop, called simply “The Loop,” is an entertainment, cultural, and food district located in University City, on the western edge of St. Louis.
The area gets its name from a streetcar turnaround, or “loop”, which used to be located in the district.
This lively area of town is known for its music venues like The Pageant, a legendary live-music theater with frequent shows by local and international artists.
The St. Louis Walk of Fame, located on Delmar Boulevard, features brass plaques commemorating famous St. Louisans such as Chuck Berry, Miles Davis, and Tina Turner.
The Loop is the place to go in St Louis if you’re looking for local and international cuisine. Additionally, some of the best cocktail bars and clubs in the city are located in this area.
MetroLink Red Line station Delmar Loop is located on the east end of the area and connects the Loop to other districts of St. Louis including Downtown, Forest Park, and Central West End.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in St Louis:
- Best area in St. Louis for nightlife
- St. Louis Walk of Fame
- The Pageant music venue
3. Downtown St. Louis
Downtown Saint Louis is the beating heart of St Louis.
Here, you can live the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a night of cocktails in some of the best bars and nightclubs.
Downtown is home to the famous Gateway Arch, as well as several shopping centers, such as the Westport Plaza, which houses the best boutiques and fashion stores in St. Louis.
Downtown Saint Louis is the most touristy area in town.
It holds more than 200 annual events. It is also home to fast food venues and several attractions.
Downtown Saint Louis is well-connected to other areas by all means of public transport, including bus, metro and train.
Downtown is the best area to stay in Saint Louis for those who want to be surrounded by shops, live music and the main attractions of the city.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in St Louis:
- Central location
- Great nightlife
- Best area for sightseeing
- Best area to stay without a car
- Good public transport connections
- Historic buildings
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
Located in the former Union train station, this hotel offers a 19th-century atmosphere and a Tiffany stained glass lobby. The Gateway Arch of Saint Louis is less than 1 mile away.
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Budget
Holiday Inn St Louis Downtown/Convention Center
Located in downtown St. Louis, across from the Convention Center of America, this hotel offers a year-round indoor pool and classic-style rooms with cable TV.
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Luxury
The Westin St. Louis
This 4-star hotel is located in the historic district of Cupples Station, located in downtown San Luis. It offers modern rooms with a 37-inch flat-screen TV, a luxury spa and an international restaurant.
4. Midtown & Saint Louis University
Midtown and the area surrounding the University of Saint Louis are excellent areas to stay in St. Louis for their location and historic attractions.
In this district, you’ll find the Museum of Contemporary Art, the “Fabulous Fox” theater, the Moto Museum, and, of course, the University of Saint Louis, giving the area a mix of university and historical environment.
Other attractions in the area include the elegant Central West End, a small neighborhood within Midtown, which is full of vintage shops, cafes, galleries, and restaurants and is considered the hipster area of Saint Louis.
To move through Midtown Saint Louis and the University to other neighborhoods of the city, you can use the several metro stations and bus stops in the area.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in St Louis:
- St. Louis University
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Hipster area
Accommodation in this area
-
Top Choice
Hotel Ignacio – Saint Louis
This boutique hotel enjoys a central location and offers 2 restaurants and a gym, as well as free bicycles for guests. Hotel Ignacio is located next to Saint Louis University and offers rooms with free Wi-Fi.
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Budget
Holiday Inn Express St. Louis Central West End
Holiday Inn Express St. Louis Central West End offers accommodation in Saint Louis, a 5-minute walk from the forest park. Downtown St. Louis is 15 minutes away by car.
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Luxury
The Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta St. Louis
This hotel is opposite the forest park, 3 miles from downtown St. Louis. The hotel offers 4 restaurants, spa services and a cinema with 5 rooms. Rooms include a minibar and in-room movie service and free Wi-Fi.
5. Around Tower Grove Park
Tower Grove Park is located four miles southwest of Downtown St Louis.
This Victorian-era, 289-acre park is one of the most beautiful green spaces in St. Louis.
Directly north of Tower Grove lies the expansive Missouri Botanical Garden. These world-class gardens are home over 6.6 million specimens and are considered the second most important in the US, behind New York’s.
Both parks host many events and large festivals throughout the year, including the St. Louis LGBT Pride celebrations, as well as the Japanese Festival and the Chinese Culture Days.
The districts around Tower Grove Park and the Botanical Gardens are some of the oldest in St. Louis and offer quiet, tree-lined streets and victorian mansions.
This area is connected to the rest of St. Louis by the city’s bus system.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in St Louis:
- Botanical Garden
- Tower Grove Park
- Quiet area
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