The Gateway to the West has many landmarks and sites that have brought it to fame -- the 600-foot Gateway Arch, where travelers can ride to the top and see the Mississippi River below, Busch Stadium, where 11-time World Series champs, the Cardinals, call home, and one of the country's best, totally free, outdoor zoos. But many attractions have sometimes been overlooked -- despite the fact that they are some of the most exciting and interesting the Lou has to offer! Educated yourself and your student group with these eclectic attractions.
City Museum
Have you ever imagined what it’d be like to explore one of the world’s largest playgrounds, built inside a 600,000 square foot old shoe factory? How about one made almost entirely of found objects from urban Saint Louis? Two abandoned planes, old chimneys, miles of aluminum, salvaged bridges and so much more make up the City Museum, located in the heart of downtown Saint Louis. Internationally acclaimed artist Bob Cassilly and his team of 20 sculptors opened this one-of-a-kind museum’s doors in 1997, showcasing Enchanted Caves filled with creatures of the imagination, a firetruck seemingly suspended in mid-air, a whale just begging for you to climb inside and hundreds of secret tunnels for visitors to excavate. This destination will have your student tour learning, creating and discovering the magic of their own.
The Muny
Saint Louisans know summer is the best time of the year for theater! America’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theater is located in the middle of beautiful Forest Park, and June through August, your student group has the chance to experience some of the finest singing and dancing the Gateway to the Midwest has to offer. With an entire section of seats available at absolutely no cost, The Muny is just one of many free Saint Louis attractions. The fantastic lineup for Summer 2014 includes Tarzan, Grease and Hello, Dolly!
Cherokee StreetSaint Louis boasts countless historic districts for your student tour to explore, with Cherokee Street being one of the finest! Featuring 12 blocks of independently owned and operated specialty shops, cafes, bars, and the city’s best Mexican food district, Cherokee Street provides a more mature atmosphere for college-aged groups and beyond. For a travel group interested in the arts, Cherokee Street provides an excellent glimpse into Saint Louis’ thriving artistic community, with countless independent galleries, design studios, exhibition spaces, public art projects and artists’ studios lining the street.
