St. Louis County

St. Louis County is an area in the St. Louis Area of Missouri. It received its current boundaries in 1877, when St. Louis City split off to become an independent city (basically, a county of its own). It is the most populated part of the St. Louis area, though it has fewer sites of interest than the City. It mostly consists of suburban residential areas.

• Delmar Loop. The vibrant Delmar Loop district is shared between St. Louis city and the inner suburb of University City. This culturally, ethnically, and economically diverse neighborhood is a popular area for college students and post-graduates to live and interact. The Loop itself is one main street of storefronts, restaurants, music venues, bookstores, and a great independent movie theatre.
• Museum of Transportation, 2933 Barrett Station Road, Kirkwood, +1 314 965-6212. 9AM-4PM daily, 11AM-4PM Sun. Planes, trains, and automobiles! Take a step back into history and explore this unique collection of cars, locomotives, trolleys and airplanes. Train and trolley rides, guided tours, car shows and even boats are on offer here. Good fun for adults and kids alike. Rail and transit collections encompass more than 190 major exhibits, ranging from an 1833 Boston & Providence Railroad passenger coach and the largest successful steam locomotive ever built to a 6,600-hp, two-engine Union Pacific diesel #6944 (“Centennial”) built in 1971. $8/adult, additional $5/person for rides and $2/person for Creation Station..
• Laumeier Sculpture Park. Accredited by the American Association of Museums, Laumeier Sculpture Park is one of a handful of open-air museums around the world and a unique compliment to the cultural landscape of St. Louis. Free to all and well worth a visit.
• Downtown Kirkwood. Kirkwood's newly developed downtown area contains many local shops and restaurants. Also located downtown are Kirkwood City Hall and Kirkwood's historic Amtrak station.
• Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Road, +1 314 842-3298 ext 245. This is the one time home of President and General Ulysses S. Grant's father-in-law, Frederick Dent. The estate was known as "White Haven" consisting of over several hundred acres, but as the Dents came under hard times, the land was sold off. Eventually, the estate passed into the hands of the President. The property now consists of about 10 acres and preserves the history of the President and the area. Another property known as "Grant's Farm," is actually part of the "White Haven" estate, although Grant's home, known as "Heartscrable" has been relocated to the property. Administered by the National Park Service. Free.

  * Grant's Farm, 10501 Gravois Road, +1 314 843-1700. Located across the street from Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, Anheuser-Busch Companies runs and administers this attraction. Part historical site, part zoo and part fun, this location takes you to the ancestral home of the Busch family. Here you will see animals from common goats to camels and tortoises. The home that Ulysses S. Grant built after resigning his commission in the 1850s has been relocated to the property. Free; parking $12.

Delmar Loop. The vibrant Delmar Loop district is shared between [[St. Louis]] city and the inner suburb of University City. This culturally, ethnically, and economically diverse neighborhood is a popular area for college students and post-graduates to live and interact. The Loop itself is one main street of storefronts, restaurants, music venues, bookstores, and a great independent movie theatre.

Museum of Transportation, 2933 Barrett Station Road, Kirkwood, +1 314 965-6212. 9AM-4PM daily, 11AM-4PM Sun. Planes, trains, and automobiles! Take a step back into history and explore this unique collection of cars, locomotives, trolleys and airplanes. Train and trolley rides, guided tours, car shows and even boats are on offer here. Good fun for adults and kids alike. Rail and transit collections encompass more than 190 major exhibits, ranging from an 1833 Boston & Providence Railroad passenger coach and the largest successful steam locomotive ever built to a 6,600-hp, two-engine Union Pacific diesel #6944 (“Centennial”) built in 1971. $8/adult, additional $5/person for rides and $2/person for Creation Station..

Laumeier Sculpture Park. Accredited by the American Association of Museums, Laumeier Sculpture Park is one of a handful of open-air museums around the world and a unique compliment to the cultural landscape of St. Louis. Free to all and well worth a visit.

Downtown Kirkwood. Kirkwood's newly developed downtown area contains many local shops and restaurants. Also located downtown are Kirkwood City Hall and Kirkwood's historic Amtrak station.

Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, 7400 Grant Road, +1 314 842-3298 ext 245. This is the one time home of President and General Ulysses S. Grant's father-in-law, Frederick Dent. The estate was known as "White Haven" consisting of over several hundred acres, but as the Dents came under hard times, the land was sold off. Eventually, the estate passed into the hands of the President. The property now consists of about 10 acres and preserves the history of the President and the area. Another property known as "Grant's Farm," is actually part of the "White Haven" estate, although Grant's home, known as "Heartscrable" has been relocated to the property. Administered by the National Park Service. Free.

* Grant's Farm, 10501 Gravois Road, +1 314 843-1700. Located across the street from Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, Anheuser-Busch Companies runs and administers this attraction. Part historical site, part zoo and part fun, this location takes you to the ancestral home of the Busch family. Here you will see animals from common goats to camels and tortoises. The home that Ulysses S. Grant built after resigning his commission in the 1850s has been relocated to the property. Free; parking $12.

• Sky Zone Fenton.,
• Swing-A-Round Fenton. - located in Fenton
• Sky Zone St. Louis. - located in Chesterfield
• Six Flags St. Louis, +1 636 938-5300. An amusement park with 40 rides, including 9 roller coasters and a water park. $53 at the gate.
• Hidden Valley Ski Resort, 17409 Hidden Valley Drive, +1 636-938-5373. A small ski area with 14 runs, 3 aerial lifts, and 3 surface lifts. Generally open in the months December to March.
• Greentree Festival. Held every year in September in Kirkwood city park. At this festival are live band, arts and crafts, shops selling hand crafted items, and many games and fun for kids. A staple of the festival is the addition of Folk Life which features folk crafts, foods, and displays showing what life was like nearly 250 years ago.
• Westport Plaza. Over 18 restaurants, bars and entertainment spots in suburban St. Louis.
• Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Opera festival every May and June at the Loretto-Hilton Center in Webster Groves.

• Castlewood State Park. A beautiful park with forested hills overlooking the Meramec River. There are extensive hiking trails, and it's a good place for a picnic.
• Greensfelder County Park, 4515 Hencken Road, Wildwood. 8AM to 30 minutes past sunset. Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and wildlife watching trails. Free.
• Rockwoods Range Conservation Area, Fox Creek Rd, Wildwood, +1 636-458-2236. Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and wildlife watching trails. Free.
• Rockwoods Reservation, 2751 Glencoe Road, Wildwood, +1 636-458-2236. Hiking trails, road biking. Free.
• Route 66 State Park, 97 North Outer Road (near Eureka, +1 636-938-7198. Located on the former site of the town of Times Beach, which was evacuated in 1985 after a dioxin scare that made national headlines. It has since been successfully decontaminated, and transformed into this beautiful park. Free.

Castlewood State Park. A beautiful park with forested hills overlooking the Meramec River. There are extensive hiking trails, and it's a good place for a picnic.

Greensfelder County Park, 4515 Hencken Road, Wildwood. 8AM to 30 minutes past sunset. Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and wildlife watching trails. Free.

Rockwoods Range Conservation Area, Fox Creek Rd, Wildwood, +1 636-458-2236. Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and wildlife watching trails. Free.

Rockwoods Reservation, 2751 Glencoe Road, Wildwood, +1 636-458-2236. Hiking trails, road biking. Free.

Route 66 State Park, 97 North Outer Road (near Eureka, +1 636-938-7198. Located on the former site of the town of Times Beach, which was evacuated in 1985 after a dioxin scare that made national headlines. It has since been successfully decontaminated, and transformed into this beautiful park. Free.

Sky Zone Fenton.,

Swing-A-Round Fenton. - located in Fenton

Sky Zone St. Louis. - located in Chesterfield

Six Flags St. Louis, +1 636 938-5300. An amusement park with 40 rides, including 9 roller coasters and a water park. $53 at the gate.

Hidden Valley Ski Resort, 17409 Hidden Valley Drive, +1 636-938-5373. A small ski area with 14 runs, 3 aerial lifts, and 3 surface lifts. Generally open in the months December to March.

Greentree Festival. Held every year in September in Kirkwood city park. At this festival are live band, arts and crafts, shops selling hand crafted items, and many games and fun for kids. A staple of the festival is the addition of Folk Life which features folk crafts, foods, and displays showing what life was like nearly 250 years ago.

Westport Plaza. Over 18 restaurants, bars and entertainment spots in suburban St. Louis.

Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Opera festival every May and June at the Loretto-Hilton Center in Webster Groves.

• Plaza Frontenac. 1701 S Lindbergh. Exclusive shopping in an upscale mall. Featuring stores such as Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus, Sak's Fifth Avenue, J. Crew, Banana Republic, Tiffany & Co, Talbot's, and Williams and Sonoma. A small, six-screen independent movie theatre shows the latest non-blockbuster releases.
• Saint Louis Galleria. An upscale mall in the suburb of Richmond Heights, near the Clayton business district. Sometimes there are ads at the entrance suggesting that you buy a certain gift for your secretary! Occasionally free fashion runway shows are held in the mall. Look for the two-story-tall indoor sculpture of water running down the outside of a rough stone pillar - it is mesmerizing.
• St. Louis Outlet Mall. Huge shopping center, with some outlet stores. The Mills includes an ice rink, a NASCAR speed track, over 175 stores, and a 130,000 square foot Cabela's super store.
• South County Center. Suburban shopping mall.
• West County Mall. Suburbs, featuring the only Nordstrom department store in the region until 2010 when a new Nordstrom opened at the St. Louis Galleria.

Plaza Frontenac. 1701 S Lindbergh. Exclusive shopping in an upscale mall. Featuring stores such as Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus, Sak's Fifth Avenue, J. Crew, Banana Republic, Tiffany & Co, Talbot's, and Williams and Sonoma. A small, six-screen independent movie theatre shows the latest non-blockbuster releases.

Saint Louis Galleria. An upscale mall in the suburb of Richmond Heights, near the Clayton business district. Sometimes there are ads at the entrance suggesting that you buy a certain gift for your secretary! Occasionally free fashion runway shows are held in the mall. Look for the two-story-tall indoor sculpture of water running down the outside of a rough stone pillar - it is mesmerizing.

St. Louis Outlet Mall. Huge shopping center, with some outlet stores. The Mills includes an ice rink, a NASCAR speed track, over 175 stores, and a 130,000 square foot Cabela's super store.

South County Center. Suburban shopping mall.

West County Mall. Suburbs, featuring the only Nordstrom department store in the region until 2010 when a new Nordstrom opened at the St. Louis Galleria.

• Eureka Music Center, 113 Hilltop Village Center Drive, Eureka, +1 636 587-3838.
• Harvest Arts, 104 W. Frisco, Eureka, +1 636-938-7667.

Eureka Music Center, 113 Hilltop Village Center Drive, Eureka, +1 636 587-3838.

Harvest Arts, 104 W. Frisco, Eureka, +1 636-938-7667.

• BARcelona, 34 N Central, +1 314 863-9909. One of the best places in St. Louis for tapas, this place is great for large parties and hanging out with friends. One of the louder places in the city, expect a long wait - but it's worth it.
• City Coffeehouse and Crèperie, 36 N. Brentwood Blvd, +1 314-862-2489. Always busy and crowded for a reason. Best crèpes in the city - and about two dozen of them. A Clayton landmark.
• Benito's Gelato, 14 North Central Ave, +1 314 863-3366. A friendly staff and a colorful and chilled-out atmosphere only make the handmade gelato taste better. Try the blood orange and dark chocolate combination: yum.
• Pomme, 40 N Central, +1 314 727-4141. A very small, very intimate French restaurant. On the pricy side, this is a great place to have a romantic, elegant, amazingly delicious dinner in Clayton.
• Kaldi's Coffee, 700 Demun Ave, +1 314 727-9955. ". St. Louis's finest coffee roaster. Delicious vegetarian food, traditional espresso drinks, hand-brewed drip coffee, and a relaxed atmosphere.

BARcelona, 34 N Central, +1 314 863-9909. One of the best places in St. Louis for tapas, this place is great for large parties and hanging out with friends. One of the louder places in the city, expect a long wait - but it's worth it.

City Coffeehouse and Crèperie, 36 N. Brentwood Blvd, +1 314-862-2489. Always busy and crowded for a reason. Best crèpes in the city - and about two dozen of them. A Clayton landmark.

Benito's Gelato, 14 North Central Ave, +1 314 863-3366. A friendly staff and a colorful and chilled-out atmosphere only make the handmade gelato taste better. Try the blood orange and dark chocolate combination: yum.

Pomme, 40 N Central, +1 314 727-4141. A very small, very intimate French restaurant. On the pricy side, this is a great place to have a romantic, elegant, amazingly delicious dinner in Clayton.

Kaldi's Coffee, 700 Demun Ave, +1 314 727-9955. ". St. Louis's finest coffee roaster. Delicious vegetarian food, traditional espresso drinks, hand-brewed drip coffee, and a relaxed atmosphere.

• Chick-n-Elly's, 122A S. Central Ave, +1 636 938-6705.
• China King, 185 Hilltop Village Center, +1 636-587-7888.
• China Wok, 98 The Legends Parkway #100, +1 636 587-8288.
• Gibby's, 108 Hilltop Village Center Dr, +1 636-777-2333.
• Joe Boccardi's Ristorante, 128 Boccardi Lane, +1 636-938-6100.
• Michelle's Cafe, 104 S. Central Ave, +1 636-938-5595.
• O'Dell's Irish Pub, 141 Main St, +1 314 587-2552.
• Poor Richard's Restaurant, 108a Hilltop Village Center, +1 636-938-4666.
• Super Smokers BBQ, 601 Stockell Drive, +1 636 938-9742.

Chick-n-Elly's, 122A S. Central Ave, +1 636 938-6705.

China King, 185 Hilltop Village Center, +1 636-587-7888.

China Wok, 98 The Legends Parkway #100, +1 636 587-8288.

Gibby's, 108 Hilltop Village Center Dr, +1 636-777-2333.

Joe Boccardi's Ristorante, 128 Boccardi Lane, +1 636-938-6100.

Michelle's Cafe, 104 S. Central Ave, +1 636-938-5595.

O'Dell's Irish Pub, 141 Main St, +1 314 587-2552.

Poor Richard's Restaurant, 108a Hilltop Village Center, +1 636-938-4666.

Super Smokers BBQ, 601 Stockell Drive, +1 636 938-9742.

The Loop features award-winning dining, and has everything from sidewalk cafes to upscale restaurants. This is a great street to walk and find something that appeals to your palate. Many ethnic restaurants, including Lebanese and Thai, are on the Loop.

• Salt + Smoke, 6525 Delmar Blvd, +1 314 727-0200. Sit down barbeque with patio seating, excellent for people watching on the loop. They have an emphasis on whisky and a wide array of cocktails.
• Seoul Taco, 6665 Delmar Blvd. Korean-Mexican fusion restaurant that started as a food truck.
• Blueberry Hill, 6504 Delmar Blvd, +1 314 727-4444. A true landmark restaurant and bar, open till 3AM. Chuck Berry frequently on the calendar to play. Absolutely filled with pop-culture memorabilia spanning decades, including lunchboxes, concert posters, toys, sports trading cards, and other Americana. This place is definitely not one to miss.
• Fitz's Rootbeer, 6605 Delmar Blvd. American Bar and Grill, Family friendly, watch the bottle factory go to work as you dine.
• The Melting Pot, 6683 Delmar Blvd, +1 314 725-4141. Fondue. Reservations are essentially required here.
• Mission Taco Joint. Hip gourmet street-taco specialist with a San Francisco theme & menu of creative cocktails.
• Pi, 6144 Delmar Blvd, +1 314 727-6633. The crowds don't lie - this is terrific pizza.
• Gokul Indian Restaurant, 6101 Delmar Blvd., +1 314-721-1888. Kosher sit-down restaurant serving Indian/vegetarian/vegan fare.

Salt + Smoke, 6525 Delmar Blvd, +1 314 727-0200. Sit down barbeque with patio seating, excellent for people watching on the loop. They have an emphasis on whisky and a wide array of cocktails.

Seoul Taco, 6665 Delmar Blvd. Korean-Mexican fusion restaurant that started as a food truck.

Blueberry Hill, 6504 Delmar Blvd, +1 314 727-4444. A true landmark restaurant and bar, open till 3AM. Chuck Berry frequently on the calendar to play. Absolutely filled with pop-culture memorabilia spanning decades, including lunchboxes, concert posters, toys, sports trading cards, and other Americana. This place is definitely not one to miss.

Fitz's Rootbeer, 6605 Delmar Blvd. American Bar and Grill, Family friendly, watch the bottle factory go to work as you dine.

The Melting Pot, 6683 Delmar Blvd, +1 314 725-4141. Fondue. Reservations are essentially required here.

Mission Taco Joint. Hip gourmet street-taco specialist with a San Francisco theme & menu of creative cocktails.

Pi, 6144 Delmar Blvd, +1 314 727-6633. The crowds don't lie - this is terrific pizza.

Gokul Indian Restaurant, 6101 Delmar Blvd., +1 314-721-1888. Kosher sit-down restaurant serving Indian/vegetarian/vegan fare.

• Bellaluna Ristorante, 451 S Kirkwood Rd, Kirkwood, +1 314 909-0455. Fine Italian cuisine.
• Gus’s World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken, 7434 Manchester Rd, Maplewood, +1 314 899-9899. Su–Th 11AM–9PM, F Sa 11AM–10PM. Fried chicken.
• Imo's Pizza. Multiple locations. St. Louis style thin crust pizza. Locals favorite.
• Kobe Steak House of Japan, +1 314 434-2600. Japanese Steak house.
• Kohn's Kosher Meat and Deli, 10405 Old Olive Street Rd., Creve Coeur, +1 314-569-0727. Full-service kosher delicatessen, bakery and butcher doubling as a small grocery store.
• Pointer's Delivery, 1023 S. Big Bend Blvd, Richmond Heights, +1 314 644-2000. The Pointersaurus, the world's largest regularly delivered pizza, measures in at 28" in diameter. Pointer's has been featured on the Food Network and the Travel Channel.
• Robust Winebar. Excellent wine bar with good food and tapas in Webster Groves.
• Woofie's, 1919 Woodson Rd, Overland, +1 314 426-6291. A St. Louis landmark featuring Chicago-style Hotdogs.

Bellaluna Ristorante, 451 S Kirkwood Rd, Kirkwood, +1 314 909-0455. Fine Italian cuisine.

Gus’s World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken, 7434 Manchester Rd, Maplewood, +1 314 899-9899. Su–Th 11AM–9PM, F Sa 11AM–10PM. Fried chicken.

Imo's Pizza. Multiple locations. St. Louis style thin crust pizza. Locals favorite.

Kobe Steak House of Japan, +1 314 434-2600. Japanese Steak house.

Kohn's Kosher Meat and Deli, 10405 Old Olive Street Rd., Creve Coeur, +1 314-569-0727. Full-service kosher delicatessen, bakery and butcher doubling as a small grocery store.

Pointer's Delivery, 1023 S. Big Bend Blvd, Richmond Heights, +1 314 644-2000. The Pointersaurus, the world's largest regularly delivered pizza, measures in at 28" in diameter. Pointer's has been featured on the Food Network and the Travel Channel.

Robust Winebar. Excellent wine bar with good food and tapas in Webster Groves.

Woofie's, 1919 Woodson Rd, Overland, +1 314 426-6291. A St. Louis landmark featuring Chicago-style Hotdogs.

• Eureka Wine House, 107 South Central, Eureka, +1 636 938-5411.

Eureka Wine House, 107 South Central, Eureka, +1 636 938-5411.

The southern and western parts of St. Louis County are mostly well-off suburbs which are as safe as anywhere around. However, some of the northern suburbs, particularly those adjacent to north St. Louis City, have high poverty and crime rates. In University City, the area north of Olive Boulevard is best avoided, particularly at night. Further north, the suburbs of Wellston and Pagedale are very dangerous and should never be visited on foot. However, there is little reason for visitors to go to any of these areas.

In 2014, the suburb of Ferguson was subject to sporadic but considerably dangerous rioting, protesting, and other violence over the Michael Brown death. However, as of 2016 things are quiet again.

Although most of Kirkwood is quite safe, the Meacham Park neighborhood (the area between I-44, Kirkwood Road and Big Bend Road) should be avoided after dark. Meacham Park recently had a number of shootings. This small neighborhood is one of the few dangerous areas in the south or west of the county.