thepourlife Our 15-hour road trip from the east coast to Saint Louis was primarily about the American Eskimo Dog National Specialty dog show at Purina Farms and visiting Anheuser Busch Flagship Brewery, which put widespread beer distribution on the map. St. Louis has much more to offer than Budweiser beer and an arch, thus why it was worth being featured as a Pour Destination.
First and foremost, you absolutely have to visit the Anheuser Busch Flagship Brewery and take a tour of the brewery. The 2-hour Beermaster Tour presents a lot of history about of the people who established the brewery and its rich history. For $35, you’ll visit the Budweiser Clydesdale Paddock and Stables, the historic Brew House, Lager Cellar, Packaging Facility, and Finishing Cellar. It also includes a sample directly from a Finishing Tank.
Saint Louis isn’t only known for its beer. The Norton grape has a history in Missouri, which has its roots dating back to Thomas Jefferson’s foray into grape growing. Jefferson tried just about everything to grow grapes that rivaled anything in Europe. Two years before his death, Dr. Daniel Norborne Norton arrived in Richmond, Virginia but sadly Jefferson didn’t capitalize on it and died without producing a decent bottle of wine. Dr. Norton pursued cultivating the Norton and an American vine was born. German immigrants brought the vines to Missouri which adapted well to the long hot summers giving it extra time to develop its sugars. It’s also hardy enough to sustain cold winters. Norton found its home in Missouri and won coveted awards including the 2017 Governor’s Cup, won by Stone Hill Winery’s 2015 Norton.
Of course, a trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the top of the Gateway Arch. St. Louis is considered the “Gateway to the West”, as symbolized by the arch. The arch is a 630-foot structure sitting on the banks of the Mississippi River. There are two ways to get to the top – a set of emergency steps, or the more typical route, in a space-age looking capsule tram. The tram is a chain of eight cylindrical, five-seat cars with a small window on each door. The cars swing like Ferris-wheel compartments as they ascend and descend the arch so the occupants stay level. The trip to the top takes 4 minutes, and the trip down takes 3. From the top, you get a fantastic view of all of St. Louis and the Mississippi River. Because you walk at an angle in the arch, you might feel tipsy without ever having a drink.
Located beneath the Gateway Arch is the Museum of Westward Expansion. The museum has been closed for renovation, however is set to reopen July 3, 2018. The museum follows a circular pattern with galleries that tell the story of the United States’ nineteenth century expansion from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, interpreting 100 years of American history. The museum contains an extensive collection of artifacts, mounted animal specimens, an authentic American Indian tipi, and an overview of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
For art lovers, the Saint Louis Art Museum is a must. It’s rated one of the top art museums in the United States. Admission to the main museum is free and the special exhibits are free on Fridays. Currently the exhibit “Sunken Cities: Egypt’s Lost Worlds” is on the first stop of its US tour. Permanent exhibits include works of art from every culture and time period. The museum is located in the heart of historic Forest Park, famous for being the site of the 1904 World’s Fair. It also houses the Saint Louis Zoo, Planetarium, golf courses, and other recreational spots.
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis is a Roman Catholic Cathedral containing the most massive collection of glass mosaic pieces in the world. The mosaic contains 41.5 million glass pieces in more than 7000 colors. It’s a spectacle that you definitely don’t want to miss.
Of course, there’s also the option of checking out a professional sports game when you visit. The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the oldest franchises in Major League Baseball, having won 11 World Series. The St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey Team have appeared in 3 Stanley Cup finals.
While this is only a small sample of all Saint Louis has to offer, there’s many more sites, activities, culinary and night life experiences that you, your family, and your friends can get into. It’s a city that has something for everyone, with a surprise around each corner. We look forward to visiting again to continue our Saint Louis experience!
