Schmap St. Louis Neighborhood Guide

St. Louis - Neighborhood Guide
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Explorers, immigrants, and visionaries have all left their marks on St. Louis. The city was originally established in 1764 as a trading post on the banks of the Mississippi River and later became a launching point for westward exploration. It experienced a population boom during the late 1800s when German and Italian immigrants settled in large numbers. And thanks to the work of several visionary thinkers, the city became home to the first concrete stadium (Francis Field at Washington University), the first skyscraper (the Wainwright Building) and the first ice cream cone (served at the 1904 World's Fair), among other novel creations. A mix of Old World charm and modern life continues to be a hallmark of this vibrant midwestern city, in which each neighborhood has its own history and unique character.

Downtown St. Louis

This area offers most visitors their first impression of the city, greeting them with its signature Gateway Arch, historic Union Station, the Old Courthouse and Busch Stadium, where the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team plays their home games. The once industrial area of Laclede's Landing is now home to some of the city's favorite restaurants and finest hotels, as well as an entertainment district that features live music ranging from pop to jazz.

Soulard

This old, well-established neighborhood is situated south of downtown. Here you will find a fine selection of jazz and blues clubs, as well as the gargantuan outdoor Soulard Farmer's Market, which sells fresh produce, flowers and bakery items. It is the largest continually operating open-air market west of the Mississippi River. Homes in this area date from the mid-1800s, and many Victorian row houses have been lovingly restored.

Webster Groves

Established in 1896, Webster Groves was one of St. Louis' first suburbs and is located just 15 minutes from downtown. During the 1904 World's Fair, residents referred proudly to this neighborhood, with its stately houses and towering oak and elm trees, as the "queen of the suburbs." Some 300-plus homes here are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Grand South Grand

A large Asian community resides in the Grand South Grand area, offering a tantalizing selection of Asian restaurants on nearly every block. This neighborhood also contains Tower Grove Park and the expansive Missouri Botanical Gardens.

The Hill

Settled by Italian immigrants in the late 1800s, this area still offers some of the best traditional Italian fare this side of the Atlantic. Gian-Peppe's and Dominic's are highly recommended by the locals to those in search of fine Italian dining. Pride runs deep in this old neighborhood with well-tended lawns, where even the fireplugs sport the red, green and white of the Italian flag.

Central West End

The heart of the Central West End is Forest Park, which is larger than Central Park in New York City and is home to several free attractions, including the St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Art Museum and the St. Louis Science Center. Treed neighborhoods here feature stately homes from the early 1900s as well as bookshops, art galleries and coffee houses. Home to a large segment of St. Louis' gay community, this district also contains the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis and its breathtaking array of mosaic art.

North Side St. Louis

This neighborhood, also known as "The Ville," is rich in African-American history and culture. Sumner High School, located here, was the first high school to offer education to black students west of the Mississippi River; its alumni include tennis legend Arthur Ashe and musical greats Tina Turner and Chuck Berry. One of America's first African-American millionaires, cosmetics magnate Annie Malone, founded her Annie Malone Children's Home in this district, and a parade celebrates the institution and its founder each May.

Lafayette Square

The largely restored Lafayette Square neighborhood has nearly 400 Victorian-era homes, along with many charming restaurants and bed and breakfasts. The neighborhood circles the 30-acre Lafayette Park, the first public park to be established west of the Mississippi River. Though still in the middle of a major urban center, you'll feel like you're in a small town here.

University City

Called "The Loop" by locals, University City lies north of Washington University and is home to The Tivoli Theater movie palace as well as Blueberry Hill, where Chuck Berry still performs his rock standards on occasion. The area also boasts a diverse selection of affordable ethnic eateries, including Thai, Indian and Vietnamese.

St. Charles

The quaint historic town of St. Charles, which borders St. Louis proper, includes the restored First Missouri State Capitol as well as the Frenchtown district, with its antique and gift shops, tearooms and restaurants. The entire downtown area of St. Charles—all 26 blocks—is on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors will be charmed by its gaslights, brick streets and colonial ambience.

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Central West End

The heart of the Central West End is Forest Park, which is larger than Central Park in New York City and is home to several free attractions, including the St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Art Museum and the St. Louis Science Center. Treed neighborhoods here feature stately homes from the early 1900s as well as bookshops, art galleries and coffee houses. Home to a large segment of St. Louis' gay community, this district also contains the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis and its breathtaking array of mosaic art.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Central West End photo by Jason C. Townsend

Photo: Jason C. Townsend

Central West End photo by Dasha Anokhina

Photo: Dasha Anokhina

Photo: Matt Cornish

Photo: Sarah Kimmel

Photo: Zip_

Photo: Talan Cooksey

Clayton

The city of Clayton boasts a high standard of living, combining peaceful suburban neighborhoods with a bustling downtown. Characterized by picturesque tree-lined streets and upscale houses, Clayton is a scenic area that was originally residential but, given its proximity to downtown St. Louis, was expanded upon to include its own business district that is now recognized from miles away by its skyline punctuated with skyscrapers. Downtown Clayton is home to the headquarters of 80 Forbes and Fortune 500 companies, making it an important business district for Missouri.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: rockygirl05
Photo: Nick Findley

Downtown

This area offers most visitors their first impression of the city, greeting them with its signature Gateway Arch, historic Union Station, the Old Courthouse and Busch Stadium, where the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team plays their home games. The once industrial area of Laclede's Landing is now home to some of the city's favorite restaurants and finest hotels, as well as an entertainment district that features live music ranging from pop to jazz.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Carol Cotter
Photo: Matt Riggott
Photo: J.S. Hollands
Photo: Matt Riggott
Photo: Nick Thorn
Photo: Andrew Lipsett
Photo: Mirac Aktepe
Photo: Sarah Riopell

Photo: Mike Schepker
Photo: Tina M. Mcbride
Photo: www.plannersweb.com
Photo: Dan Hevey
Photo: Bill Sheridan
Photo: Jonathan Sharp
Photo: Joseph Catrett
Photo: John Brosz

Photo: David Walker
Photo: Ameya Malvankar

Grand South Grand

A large Asian community resides in the Grand South Grand area, offering a tantalizing selection of Asian restaurants on nearly every block. This neighborhood also contains Tower Grove Park and the expansive Missouri Botanical Gardens.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Karmic Depravity
Photo: Karmic Depravity
Photo: Joseph Holst (jyosep

Lafayette Square

The largely restored Lafayette Square neighborhood has nearly 400 Victorian-era homes, along with many charming restaurants and bed and breakfasts. The neighborhood circles the 30-acre Lafayette Park, the first public park to be established west of the Mississippi River. Though still in the middle of a major urban center, you'll feel like you're in a small town here.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Marjie Kennedy
Photo: Ryan Gavin
Photo: dustin phillips
Photo: Andrew D. Kerman
Photo: grateful1968

Midtown

Midtown's claim to fame is that it is the largest nationally registered historic district in St. Louis, and in keeping with that title the neighborhood is filled with beautiful historic homes. This beauty helps create a sense of community among neighbors living in the area, as well as an old-fashioned charm that stems largely from the antiquity of the houses. Midtown contains several of St. Louis' most important buildings, including the Fox Theater, Pulitzer Museum, several St. Louis University buildings, and the historic Westminster Place homes. The combination of a residential area with cultural attractions makes Midtown an appealing area in which to live or simply to visit for a while.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Nick Findley
Photo: Jim McDonald
Photo: Michael R. Allen

Soulard

This old, well-established neighborhood is situated south of Downtown. Here you will find a fine selection of jazz and blues clubs as well as the gargantuan outdoor Soulard Farmer's Market, which sells fresh produce, flowers and bakery items. It is the largest continually operating open-air market west of the Mississippi River. Homes in this area date from the mid-1800s, and many Victorian row houses have been lovingly restored.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Ken Stein/Runs With
Photo: Erich Ulmer
Photo: Russ Rosener
Photo: ColleenBlooms
Photo: Jane Linders

The Hill

Settled by Italian immigrants in the late 1800s, this area still offers some of the best traditional Italian fare this side of the Atlantic. Gian-Peppe's and Dominic's are highly recommended by the locals to those in search of fine Italian dining. Pride runs deep in this old neighborhood with well-tended lawns, where even the fireplugs sport the red, green and white of the Italian flag.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Carol Cotter
Photo: Catherine Hannah
Photo: Dan Bischoff
Photo: Leslie Contarini
Photo: M Noel

University City

Called "The Loop" by locals, University City lies north of Washington University and is home to The Tivoli Theater movie palace as well as Blueberry Hill, where Chuck Berry still performs his rock standards on occasion. The area also boasts a diverse selection of affordable ethnic eateries, including Thai, Indian and Vietnamese.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Nic Sedlock
Photo: William C. Hutton Jr
Photo: James Wehmueller

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