I’ve always enjoyed visiting Saint Louis, the wonderful Missouri locale strategically located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Saint Louis has the feel of a big city while seemingly rather small, local and comfortable. Most of the neighborhoods are unique and have a distinctive charm about them that makes you want to visit and explore. The city’s brimming with free attractions, professional sports teams and boasts an arts and culture scene that’s pretty much second to none. And, fans of the great outdoors, are usually surprised and delighted by the flourishing public parks, miles of biking and hiking trials and waterways. Due to its mid-continent location, the region has a strong history of leadership in transportation and logistics, but St. Louis also has established itself as a leader in health sciences and services and has become an emerging hotspot for financial services and investment advisors. All in all, it’s certainly an attractive place to visit and in which to do business.
St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is the largest and busiest airport in the state of Missouri. Since the April 2001 acquisition of Trans World Airlines by American Airlines, the airport has undergone tremendous change. The initial plan was for Lambert to become a reliever hub for existing American hubs at Chicago O'Hare and Dallas Fort Worth. But, the September 11 terrorist attacks depressed air service nationwide and domestic revenue passenger miles dropped precipitously, forcing American to close what was once the primary TWA hub. Southwest Airlines quickly replaced American as the carrier with the most daily flights and continues to dominate the airport to this day. In fact, just a decade ago, Southwest had between 10 to 15% of their traffic connecting through STL and this year expects to see upwards of 34% in connections there.
My business to the area routinely took me to nearby Clayton. Recognized throughout the metropolitan area for an outstanding quality of life, which has become its trademark, Clayton combines a bustling downtown with quiet, secure residential neighborhoods. From my standpoint, one of the best parts about visiting was the opportunity to stay at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. This AAA Four Diamond oasis is just minutes away from the airport and downtown St. Louis. Constructed in 1990 and renovated in 2017, the 18-story hotel features 299 standard, deluxe and premium guest rooms and suites with marble-accented upgraded bathrooms, Juliet balconies and thoughtful amenities. A special treat was a stay on the Club Level, one of two floors often referred to as “a hotel within a hotel.” Here, a dedicated concierge attended to individual needs in a well-appointed and relaxing environment offering no less than five food and beverage presentations per day, including full breakfast, light mid-day snacks, afternoon tea, evening cocktails with canapés and desserts. The Club Level lounge proved the ideal place in which to conduct private business or simply unwind after a full day.
Before heading home after each visit, I’d make a point of visiting one of the city’s signature attractions. One of the most famous, of course, is the Gateway Arch. The monument we know today began in 1935, when President Franklin Roosevelt designated property along the St. Louis riverfront to be developed as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (now known as Gateway Arch National Park). The land was cleared for construction, but the project was stalled by the Second World War. A nationwide design competition held in 1948 determined what shape the Memorial would take, but it took until 1963 for construction to begin on the winning design from architect Eero Saarinen for a stainless steel arch. Completed in 1965, the Gateway Arch stands as a symbol of national identity and an iconic example of mid-Twentieth Century design. Architect Saarinen is well known to aviation buffs as he also designed the innovative TWA Flight Center at Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York and the soaring edifice marking the entrance to the Dulles International Airport (IAD) terminal complex outside the nation’s capital. I strongly recommend taking the tram ride to the top of the arch and while it’s a bit claustrophobic up there, the 360-degree views are nothing less than stunning.
The Museum at the Gateway Arch is also well worth your time. It chronicles over two hundred years of history about the westward expansion of the United States with an emphasis on the paramount role which St. Louis played during that era. On the mezzanine level, a terrazzo floor depicts a map of North America with historic trails from St Louis and the East, which allows visitors to trace the pioneers’ journeys to the West. Interactive story galleries expertly guide you through time from the founding of St. Louis in 1764 to the building of the Gateway Arch. The galleries described the westward expansion with perspectives from the cultures involved and began with Colonial St. Louis, which detailed the indigenous and Creole culture that existed in the region prior to the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. The next gallery was titled Jefferson’s Vision showing how St. Louis shaped the West. It was followed by Manifest Destiny, which told about the settlers who came to the area as well as the trails they took and the conflicts which inevitably arose. The Riverboat Era showed how steamboats created an American metropolis on the Mississippi and the New Frontiers gallery described how the railroads helped shape the West. The final gallery was Building the Gateway Arch, which provided interesting information about the monument, its story and its symbolism. The Gateway National Park covers some 91 acres and the museum and the arch are not the only attractions.
Of special interest to me was the Old Courthouse, a beautiful Greek Revival building with a Renaissance dome which crowns the slope that faces the Gateway Arch. Constructed in several phases, the building was started in 1839 with a design by architect Henry Singleton. One of the most important cases ever tried in the United States was heard in this courthouse. Dred Scott v. Sandford was a landmark decision that helped change the entire history of the nation. Under the law of 1846, the issue considered by the court system was not whether all humans have the right to freedom, but a question of property rights. In spite of this manifest injustice, Dred and Harriet Scott and 300 other enslaved people found the courage to come to the Old Courthouse seeking freedom. The Supreme Court ultimately decided the case in 1857, and their judgement that the Missouri Compromise was void and that no African-Americans were entitled to citizenship, hastened the Civil War which ultimately led to freedom for the enslaved people of the United States.
Another of my favorite attractions was St. Louis Union Station, which aptly captures the essence of history, fun and entertainment that the city has to offer. I particularly enjoyed ascending some 200 feet above ground in the St. Louis Wheel and marveling at the bird’s-eye view of the historic train shed it afforded, There’s even a Fire and Light Show on the Lake set to themed music as well as an 18-hole miniature golf course. Anchoring the Union Station entertainment complex is the stunning St. Louis Aquarium. This 120,000-square-foot attraction features one-of-a-kind exhibits and tanks with 1.3 million gallons of water housing thousands of aquatic species from the rivers and oceans of the world. I never had to leave Union Station to get a bite to eat, either, thanks to the Soda Fountain, a 1950’s style diner which featured ice cream, candy, burgers and booze. Finally, on one occasion, I didn't have to travel far to take in all that Union Station has to offer as its on-site hotel is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton.
History, entertainment, world-class dining and excellent accommodations are all part of the charm and allure of St. Louis, a vibrant metropolis in the US heartland. I’m ready for another visit.
Until next time…safe travels.