4 Star St. Louis Photo Spot:
I am an avid hiker. Hiking is in my blood. And when I spent a week in The Lou, hiking did not leave my bloodstream. At every opportunity, I'd hike the urban streets. The longest hike led me, my dad, and bro to Union Station near Chestnut and 19th Street. When you are a hiker, the greater your walk the greater your reward. Aloe Plaza was my reward.
Aloe Plaza is the westernmost attraction of the St. Louis Gateway Arch Mall, which currently is in want of a listing. The best way to describe it is of a series of parks interspersed with Landmark buildings between Chestnut and Market Streets that extends from approximately 20th Street to the west to the Gateway Arch to the east. It includes City Garden, Kiener Plaza, and the Old Court House. In my two experiences in St. Louis in 1998 and 2018 this has been the westernmost point of my travels.
Tucked between the magnificent Union Station to the south and the Anthem Blue Shield/ Blue Cross Building to the north, this two block 3.5 acre park turned 77 years old on May 11. It is named after Louis P. Aloe. He was the President of the Board of Alderman from 1916 to 1923. And he is the man who envisioned this plaza.
Louis P. Aloe would be proud of Carl Milles's vision: "The Meeting of Waters" sculpture fountain. It was unveiled in 1941 and stands today as another example of St. Louis historic public art. This fountain is the centerpiece of the grassy parkland. It is a sight that held me captive for a good few minutes. The interesting statues towering over the water fountains and standing water celebrate the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. When I looked at the statues I saw a woman sculpture and man sculpture with mythical creature sculptures. In Carl Milles fountain, the man sculpture represents the union of the Mississippi River where the woman sculpture represents the union of the Missouri River. The supporting mythical statues represent the tributaries of the rivers. .
Speaking of union, this park also provides an awe-inspiring view of the St. Louis Union Station Hotel. When you combine the "Meeting of the Waters" with the St. Louis Union Station Hotel the result is a first-rate St. Louis picture moment. In my case it was a handful of moments. This is a very relaxing spot interspersed with shade trees to take a pause from the urban hiking on a comfortable shady bench. However, this is not the spot to lie horizontal on a bench. To discourage the homeless from sleeping on the benches there are black bars. And if nature calls, this is not the spot to be on a bench. There are zero restrooms. The closest one is across Market Street in the St. Louis Union Station Hotel.
Speaking of the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, if you are a visitor to the city, Aloe Plaza is a prerequisite to the St. Louis Union Station Hotel. After taking in the captivating vista of "The Meeting of the Waters" we made our way into the St. Louis Union Station Hotel where we would conclude the urban hike and experience more of the St. Louis magic. read more