There is poverty, of course, but also miles of elegant streets with beautifully maintained homes. Stadiums and convention centers are everywhere, all of recent construction, all with corporate sponsorships. We spotted a very nice looking campus for St Louis University, and the city also has a large Balboa Park type area with open space, museums, bicycle routes, and the zoo.
Many massive federal-style state and federal buildings, and the enormous 1894 Union Railway Station redeveloped into a Hyatt Regency using the original lobby, and in the old track area (no trains since 1978) a gazillion small shops and restaurants, mostly unfortunately of the food-court variety.
The St Louis Zoo is a treat, and is free (parking, however, is $10). We knew it had a world-class reputation, what we didn’t realize is that it is actually rather small. Very well landscaped and organized, animals excellently displayed, easily explored on foot in 4 hours, with lunch.
The St Louis Art Museum is also free but we didn’t get to it.
There was more to do in St Louis and we would happily come back, but not in the summer. In mid-September we experienced low 90s and mild humidity, cooling adequately at night.
Wise decision....do NOT go there in July!!! Temperature and %humidity both approach 100....miserable! I have fond memories of the Italian neighborhood where my grandparents lived...
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