Explore St. Louis Guide

When the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency announced its intention to build a $1.75 billion headquarters in St. Louis, the region enthusiastically doubled down on the geospatial sector. This vision is well underway. A full geospatial ecosystem is shaping the sector from talent pipeline to synergistic alignments with major industry sectors, like agtech and mobility and transportation. The first-of-its-kind Taylor Geospatial Institute, housed at Saint Louis University, advances geospatial science through the collaboration of eight of the Midwest’s leading research institutions. In addition to the NGA, major geospatial employers like Maxar and Leidos are locating offices here. T-REX located next door to America’s Center, for example, houses a Geospatial Innovation Center alongside Moonshot Labs, a collaboration with the NGA — the first ever unclassified innovation space for NGA professionals to work with community colleagues. St. Louis is clearing the way for the future of geospatial — and the businesses that have the tenacity and vision to evolve alongside it.

Here’s a collection of highlights of the many things to see and do while you are here.

Check Off That Bucket List

Start your experience at the tallest monument in the United States and the tallest arch in the world. You can touch it, take a selfie with it and tram to the top of the 630-foot-tall Gateway Arch, located in the center of the only urban national park in the country. While at the top, get a 30-mile-wild bird’s eye view in either direction of the Mighty Mississippi.

Sports City

If sports are your game, come in a little early and take in a Cardinals baseball game. Home to the 11-time World Champions, the city will throw out the welcome mat for you starting at Ballpark Village, located steps from Busch Stadium. Take time out to visit the Cardinals Museum and Hall of Fame, play games and eat and drink at the myriad of sports bars and restaurants just a pitch away from the game. And speaking of pitch, you can score a hat trick with the fun, food and atmosphere at CITYPARK Stadium, home of St. Louis CITY SC, the newest MLS club venue where every seat is within 120 of the pitch.

Repurposed Fun

To add some insanely good fun to your time here in St. Louis, visit City Museum, a wacky, repurposed all-ages architectural playground just blocks from the Convention Center. Climb, slide, explore and dream. Play inside and outside, in tunnels, caves, slides and rides.

Bets are High, You’ll Have a Good Time

Located along the Mississippi River, in the shadow of one iconic Arch, Horseshoe St. Louis Casino has you prepped for epic wins, mouthwatering dining options, a virtual golf suite and spectacular skyline views.

An Underwater to Sky-High Adventure

For a great view of the city’s skyline, we invite you to hop aboard the 200-foot-high St. Louis Wheel at Union Station. The 42-fully-enclosed climate-controlled gondolas will give you a bird’s eye view. The one-stop entertainment mecca, located in the city’s former train station, features a daily fire and light show, a soda fountain, mini golf, a rope’s course, mirror maze, and plenty of bars and restaurants. Make sure to take a deep dive into the facility’s St. Louis Aquarium with more than 13,000 animals and 257 underwater species.

Where Food and Play Unite

If you consider yourself a foodie, satiate your palette at the 18 kitchens – all in one space — hosted by award-winning chefs serving their tastiest creations at City Foundry STL. While you’re there, have some fun at Alamo Drafthouse, City Winery, Puttshack and Sandbox VR! Deemed America’s next great food city by Food & Wine magazine, St. Louis can take you on an edible global tour. With scores of one-of-a-king restaurants and 60 micro and craft breweries in the vicinity of downtown, dozens of award-winning chefs, a phalanx of food trucks and pop-ups, St. Louis can color your plate. Within walking distance to America’s Center: 360 Rooftop, Blood and Sand, Broadway Oyster Bar, Bridge Tap House, Sen Thai, Rosalita’s and Sugarfire BBQ and so much more! Bon Appetit!

Forest Park — The Gem of St. Louis

Wander outside and explore everything nature has to offer at Forest Park, just minutes from downtown. At 1,300 acres, it is the largest urban park in the country (500 acres larger than New York’s Central Park!) with three golf courses, the Boathouse restaurant, miles of paths to hike and bike and lakes to paddleboat. Forest Park is also home to one of the top ranked zoos in the country – Saint Louis Zoo – as well as the Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum and Saint Louis Science Center. General admission to all of these world-class venues is free! Yes, you read that right – free! We hope you have a wonderful time in St. Louis! We look forward to seeing you.

Courtesy of Explore St. Louis. Republished here with permission.