Meet Me in St. Louis

Whether visiting for business or pleasure, St. Louis, also known as the Gateway City, is bound to leave a lasting impression. Forget the headlines saying it’s one of the worst cities across the country. St. Louis is a magnet for young and ambitious folks. From eclectic cultural attractions and signature cuisine to exciting nightlife and live entertainment, each neighborhood has a unique style and character.

It may not have beaches or mountains, but this welcoming city located on the mighty Mississippi River will win you over with its charm and friendly locals. In addition, St. Louis is one of the most queer-friendly destinations in the country, with one of the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ Pride festivals. Listed below are some of St. Louis’ top neighborhoods every person, LGBTQ or not, should visit.

Central West End (CWE)

The Central West End has been an LGBTQ mecca since the 1960s. Known as one of St. Louis’ most cosmopolitan neighborhoods, the CWE is home to numerous sidewalk cafes, restaurants, galleries, trendy boutiques, and cozy pubs.

This is the perfect place to relax and watch people. Tree-lined private streets display stately turn-of-the-century homes, new high-rise condo towers, lofts, and apartments. Make sure to look for the family apartment of playwright Tennessee Williams, said to be the setting of his play The Glass Menagerie.

Other notable features include the luxurious Chase-Park Plaza; the breathtaking Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, which houses the world’s largest collection of mosaic art; and the World Chess Hall of Fame, home to the world’s largest chess piece. Annual CWE events include the Central West End Art Fair & Taste Festival in June, a Greek Festival during Labor Day weekend, and multiple Halloween festivities throughout October.

Cherokee Street

Cherokee Street is a vibrant center for commerce, culture, and creativity. This historic neighborhood has more than a dozen blocks of independently owned and operated design studios, shops, art galleries, cafes, and restaurants. An art community, Cherokee Street takes pride in collaboration, inclusiveness, diversity, and enthusiasm.

Also known as St. Louis’ Mexican-food haven, Cherokee Street has multiple Latino-owned-and-operated businesses and restaurants, showcasing a localized styling of delicious Mexican food. Visitors and locals do not want to miss out on the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Clayton

Classy and sophisticated, Clayton, Mo. is St. Louis’ other downtown and the heart of St. Louis County government. The city’s train, also known as the MetroLink, makes it easy for you to visit this bustling district, where you will find dozens of tasty restaurants, fine art galleries, and boutiques surrounded by elegant hotels, including the Ritz Carlton.

The Saint Louis Art Fair, rated top in the nation, attracts more than 150,000 people to Clayton’s streets every September. Other special events include the Taste of Clayton food festival, Gallery Nights receptions in the area’s art galleries, a seasonal farmers market, Parties in the Park cocktail gatherings each spring and summer, and the Big Read literary festival in the fall.

Forest Park

Do you love taking a walk or jog in the park? If so, Forest Park awaits. Located on 1,293 acres in the center of the St. Louis metropolitan area, Forest Park is 450 acres larger than New York City’s Central Park.

A natural oasis, it is home to several popular attractions, including the Saint Louis Art Museum; the Missouri History Museum; the Saint Louis Science Center; the Saint Louis Zoo; The Muny, one of the country’s largest outdoor theatres; and the Jewel Box, a flower conservatory that is a popular venue for special events. Annual events include the free Shakespeare in the Park Festival and LouFest, a two-day celebration of modern music and green living.

The Grove

Rainbow flags are proudly displayed along The Grove, located on Manchester Ave. Known as the epicenter of St. Louis LGBTQ nightlife, this neighborhood is constantly expanding and has more than a dozen popular hotspots, each with its own vibe. You can enjoy a cocktail at The Monocle or mingle on the massive patio at Just John. In the mood for a drag show? Make sure to check out Rehab and Attitudes. Who knows, you may just run into a queen from RuPaul’s Drag Race.

The Hill

St. Louis is historical in many ways, and the Hill neighborhood prides itself on world-class athletes and Italian cuisine. Baseball’s Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola grew up on the Hill, and today it maintains a traditional collection of authentic Italian bakeries, grocery stores, restaurants, and mom-and-pop trattorias. Every part of this neighborhood shows off its Italian pride. Even the fire hydrants are painted red, white, and green. Twenty-first-century additions include studios, coffee houses, retail spots, and small businesses that add energy to an already-vibrant area.

Laclede’s Landing

Laclede’s Landing, also known to locals as The Landing, is a collection of 19th century riverfront warehouses that have been converted into nightclubs and restaurants. This is the neighborhood where the old and new will always come together. Nineteenth century architecture meets 21st century dining and entertainment. Visit a brewpub, dance the night away, or have a drink at a dueling piano bar. The options are limitless. Feeling lucky? Then the Lumiere Place casino complex is waiting for you. This district hosts special events, such as the free Big Muddy Blues Festival on Labor Day Weekend.

The Loop

Named after an old streetcar turnaround, this one-of-a-kind neighborhood is home to over 150 shops, boutiques, clubs, and restaurants. From modern and vintage to funky and ethnic, the Loop has it all. Visitors are encouraged to check out popular late-night entertainment options, including Pin-Up Bowl, the Tivoli movie theatre, and the Pageant concert nightclub, or take a stroll down the St. Louis Walk of Fame to learn more about which famous actors, authors, politicians, and musicians call the Gateway City home. End the day with a relaxing and comfortable stay at the ever-popular Moonrise Hotel.

Soulard

Just a few minutes south of the Gateway Arch, Soulard is the city’s oldest neighborhood. These historic streets are lined with red brick townhomes that house restaurants and music clubs where you can hear the blues. Elaborate courtyards offer outdoor seating and dining from spring through fall.

In addition to the neighborhood’s rich history, visitors and locals alike flock to Soulard for its Mardi Gras celebration, the second-largest in the country; Oktoberfest in the fall; and the Soulard Farmer’s Market, which has been operating continuously since 1779 and is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. There’s nothing like the taste of fresh produce and the smell of baked goods.

South Grand

There are no words that can describe South Grand. This wonderfully diverse neighborhood offers a wide array of Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Latin, and Chinese restaurants, ethnic groceries, boutiques, vintage clothing stores, and Asian import centers. Eat, shop, and stroll around the world. It is essentially St. Louis’ Epcot.

Some popular LGBTQ hot spots include queer-owned businesses like MoKaBe’s Coffee House, Brickyard Tavern, and Cheap TRX, a shopping experience you will never forget. Also located within the area is Tower Grove Park, an elegant, 19th century Victorian walking park with whimsical picnic pavilions, statuary, and fountains, and The Missouri Botanical Garden, which welcomes visitors and researchers to one of the top three botanical gardens in the world.