We joined a group of people to do a group tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright house in Kirkwood, MO. It…read moreis well worth the $20 tour fee. Anne was our docent. She was very knowledgeable about Wright and Russell and Ruth Kraus who the house was built for and the only residents. The Kraus house is one of the very few Wright houses that have not been remodeled and contains the original furniture designed by Wright. It has a cozy feel from the time you walk inside. I was intrigued by the esthetic design throughout the home.

I've been to about 150 Frank Lloyd Wright homes and have been lucky enough to have been inside…read morearound 30. We didn't know if we could get on the tour that day so we first stopped by to see it and take some pictures. We met an intern and found out that we could get in on a tour about 2 hours later. So we paid our fee and went to see Frank Lloyd Wright's mentor, Louis Sullivan's Wainwright Building in downtown St. Louis. I believe this is one of Sullivan's best work still standing. When we returned for the tour I was stunned. This is a great, late house by Wright that has many magical and playful elements to it. It's has most of the original furnishings and something totaling unexpected in a Usonian house--art glass windows. The tour guide was new and did an excellent. Everyone involved in this project should be very proud of the work they've done, and continue to do.

If you know me, you know I'm fascinated by everyday historic landmarks. I prefer the places people…read moredon't always think about - like the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. So, fun facts. Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is part of the even more historic Route 66. It also helps to connect Missouri and Illinois (and yes, you can walk it - or wheel it in my case). Built in 1929, the bridge features a 30-degree turn halfway across the mile-long bridge. While today this area is very passable by ships, in 1929 a "chain of rocks" (a 17-mile shoal) made passage difficult. Originally designed to go straight across, riverboat men protested because the bridge itself would have created an additional obstacle. Essentially, it had to "bend" for the sake of safe passage. The bridge cost twice its original estimate ($2.5 million), but it was built as a "destination" from the beginning. The Missouri side had a park; the Illinois side had 400 elm trees. There was even an amusement park. Also, during World War II the red sections were painted green so it would be less visible from air. The bridge closed in terms of official function in 1968 - a new Chain of Rocks Bridge opened in 1967 and includes Interstate 270. Old Chain of Rocks Bridge was nearly destroyed in 1967. For several years, that seemed likely. In 1980 (another fun fact), John Carpenter used the bridge in Escape From New York). Obviously, the bridge has been restored to some fame. It's now part of the Route 66 Bikeway (as of 1999), and in 2006 was added to the National Register of Historic Places. I'm considering a Route 66 Tenderness Tour (or at least part of the 2,000+ mile highway). This bridge may become part of that, so I'm thrilled I got the chance to check it out. The pathway for biking/wheeling is nicely done, easy to maneuver, and stunning in beauty (though it was an admittedly beautiful day when I was on the bridge). The bridge offers connections to the MCT Confluence Trail, Mississippi River Trail (Isn't it weird? I've been out of school 30+ years and I still sing the Mississippi song when I spell it), and the St. Louis Riverfront Trail. There's free parking on the Illinois side at the bridge entrance and also at North Riverfront Park. The Missouri side has a park with a pavilion, native habitats, an event lawn, and a gated parking lot (the event space opened in 2024). The bridge, no longer used by vehicles, is open daily for bikers/pedestrians (and wheelchairs).

This old bridge is an awesome piece of Americana history. It is about a 1 mile walk to get across…read morethe bridge. There are 2 castle looking buildings in the ole Mississippi that use to be the water source for the city of St Louis. I would recommend parking on the Missouri side as it has be recently redone. Nice parking lot with picnic tables and overhead protection from the sun. No running water but there are 2 porta potties under an awning. The Illinois side is not as pleasant.

An iconic site for any St Louis visitor No visit to St…read more Louis would really be complete without taking the tram ride to the top of the Gateway Arch. We purchased a package deal that included tickets for the tram ride to the top. This begins at the base of the Arch next to the museum exit inside the Gateway Arch Visitor Center. When purchasing your tickets, you'll choose whether to depart from the north or south tram. Both reach the same observation area, but each serves one half of the top, so you'll only have access to the viewing windows on your assigned side. Before boarding, visitors walk through an interesting preshow area along the concrete walls of the Arch, where displays explain its construction and history. When your departure time arrives, attendants organize everyone into groups of five before leading you to the small tram cars. The ride to the top takes about four minutes in a compact capsule that seats five people. The cars are clean and fascinating from an engineering standpoint, but they are definitely small. Anyone who is claustrophobic, uncomfortable in tight spaces, or particularly tall or large should keep this in mind before purchasing tickets. Once at the top, you'll find an observation area with a sloping floor that follows the curve of the Arch. The unique windows provide beautiful views of downtown St. Louis on one side and the Muddy Mississippi River and Illinois on the other. After spending time enjoying the scenery and taking photographs, you simply board the tram for the ride back down. Overall, this was a very unique experience and one that I would recommend to fellow travelers visiting St. Louis. It offers great views, interesting engineering, and the opportunity to stand inside one of America's most famous monuments that has really withstood the test of time well. Enjoy!

I will come here again - come Hill or high Water Tower…read more I was hoping they'd cover the cost of this review, and luckily, they Compt me. This beautiful water tower dominates a gorgeous neighbourhood and makes me very happy in some ways. It's been here for a long time and is part of the charm and mystique of this popular and leafy neighbourhood of St Louis close to the centre. I'll always love it here and the way it looks and feels. I've been here so many times now and I think it's an excellent tower in a nice park - that could be kept a bit cleaner. It's a landmark for the whole neighbourhood and deserves the five stars I'm giving it, aesthetically and sentimentally It's in a beautiful park in the heart of German St Louis, and is a beautiful water tower that dominates the neighbourhood, and it's gorgeous. If they kept the park a little bit better and a little cleaner and safer at night, I would probably give it the extra star. But it is one of my preferred places to visit when I'm in St. Louis. And what's more, the tower can be seen from far around and I absolutely love it, and the feeling it gives this part of the STL.

Today was my first time at this park, and I liked it. It is spacious enough to walk your dog for…read moretheir potty break, and there is a playground, dog park, and tennis court. It is a well-maintained park, and I recommend it to those with pets!

It would be easy to walk past this building and miss the history so stop by and enjoy the early…read more1900's architecture. There's even a plaque! The plaque reads, "Cadillac-Chrysler Building. Built in 1919. This building, designed by Wm. A. Balsch, Architects, was built by Cadillac Automobile Company of Saint Louis when it outgrew its building at 2920-22 Locust Street. The dealership became Oliver Cadillac in 1927, and remained here through 1930." "During the time this building was a Cadillac dealership, Cadillac entered the "Classic Car" era and Cadillac sales doubled as its wheelbases grew, up to 152 inches in length on some models. Syncromesh transmissions and four wheel, vacuum assisted brakes were introduced and its V-8 motor grew to 353 cubic inches with 96 horsepower. By 1920, an optional, 452 cubic inch V-16 motor, producing 185 horsepower was available." "In 1927, Cadillac introduced the LaSalle, promoted as a "Companion Car to Cadillac". With Cadillac like quality, but slightly smaller , on a 125 inch wheelbase and with a smaller V-8 motor, the LaSalle was sold in Cadillac showrooms, until it was replaced by the Cadillac Model 61, in 1941." "From 1932 through 1948, this building houses the L.M. Stewart, Inc. Chrysler-Plymouth dealership. Chryslers ranged from upper middle price cars, to its Imperial model, which were direct competitors of Cadillac. In 1934, Chrysler introduced the Airflow, a marketing disappointment despite its revolutionary design and construction improvements, including the first American car with unitized construction." "This Plaque Dedicated By The Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri and Hilliker Corporation." [Review 14441 overall, 1767 of 2020, number 75 in Missouri.]

Attended the Mayor's Ball at City Hall and it really is the best venue for it! What better place to…read morehave the Mayor's Ball than the home of the Mayor! Just a great party in an Historical location!

City hall was designed & built from 1891 until 1898 by architects Eckel & Mann. Construction began…read morein 1891 and completed in 1898. Its stylistic characteristics evoke the French Renaissance Hôtel de Ville, Paris, with an elaborate interior decorated with marble and gold trim. The building features a striking foundation of Missouri pink granite on the lower levels, complemented by upper levels of sandstone & brick, all capped with a roof of burgundy-red clay tiles. City Hall's rotunda, which is 4 stories high, showcases floors of white Italian marble and walls clad in a mix of white marble, light &dark Tennessee marble, and black Glen Falls marble.

Beautiful little piazza, perfect spot to sit and enjoy your coffee & gelato, listen to the fountain…read morebabble, and watch the sunset. Immaculately maintained and just a gorgeous spot in the middle of the city.

Piazza Imo On the Hill 2109 Marconi Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110…read moreThere is a beautiful fountain that makes this place a peaceful spot to meditate, or reflect on your day a quiet place to release your frustration. It is in the heart of the hill. Benches surround the fountain honoring famous local celebrities. This location is near St. Ambrose Catholic Church, The new restaurant Marconi Mercado and Milo's tavern a local watering hole. I found a bench honoring the mailman of the Hill Roland DiGregario . My father (Gene) was a great friend of Mr. DiGregario and spoke highly of him. My father and brother both were mailman. My brother later had a route on the Hill. So this bench opened up a few pleasant childhood memories I relish. After leaving, there is a gelato shop around the block with a great looking patio to enjoy. Visit the Hill for a great meal, beer, or reflect over a gelato.

This should be your very first stop in Forest Park. So much information and the friendliest staff…read morewilling to assist you and answer any and all of our questions. We plotted our park visit there being sure to see all the points of interest to us.

The staff here were so helpful and friendly I had to make a point to leave 5 stars!…read more The park is massive so it's a great starting point to explore and get tips. They recommended a walking path to take to the Museum or Art and knew so much about the history of the area. They asked about my interests and how much time I had to give me additional recommendations and it was such a nice experience. Kudos to the team running the info desk :)