Explore St. Louis

Explore St. Louis
Name	Explore St. Louis
Settlement type	Cultural and Tourism Initiative
Coordinates	38.6270°N 90.1994°W
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	Missouri
Established title	Founded
Established date	19th century (as tourism focus)
Population density km2	auto

Explore St. Louis is a regional tourism and cultural promotion initiative centered on the city of St. Louis, Missouri and the surrounding metropolitan area. It highlights landmarks such as the Gateway Arch, civic institutions including the Missouri Historical Society and Saint Louis Art Museum, and events ranging from St. Louis Cardinals baseball games to Saint Louis Art Fair gatherings. The program links heritage sites, museums, parks, and festivals to strengthen connections between Downtown St. Louis, Forest Park, Laclede's Landing, and suburban nodes like Clayton, Missouri and Chesterfield, Missouri.

History

The origins of tourism promotion in St. Louis, Missouri trace to 19th-century commerce on the Mississippi River, the influence of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904) and later initiatives tied to urban redevelopment, including projects by the National Park Service at the Gateway Arch National Park and civic planning efforts influenced by the City Beautiful movement and leaders from Wash U affiliates. Postwar economic shifts involved actors like the Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC and the municipal administrations of Mayor Vincent C. Schoemehl Jr. and Mayor Clarence Harmon collaborating with cultural institutions such as the Missouri History Museum and the Saint Louis Science Center. Revitalization phases invoked partnerships with Great Rivers Greenway and heritage organizations like the Missouri Botanical Garden and Historic Preservation Commission to leverage festivals including Fair Saint Louis and commemorations of figures like Dred Scott. Contemporary strategy aligns with regional planning bodies such as the East-West Gateway Council of Governments and corporate stakeholders such as Boeing and Express Scripts.

Geography and Climate

St. Louis occupies a strategic position on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, opposite East St. Louis, Illinois, within the Missouri River watershed and proximate to geological features associated with the Ozark Plateau. The metropolitan area spans municipalities like Florissant, Missouri and University City, Missouri and includes suburban counties such as St. Louis County, Missouri and St. Charles County, Missouri. The climate is classified as humid continental with significant influences from the Gulf of Mexico and frontal systems tracked by the National Weather Service; seasons feature spring convective storms tied to Tornado Alley activity and hot summers similar to conditions in Memphis, Tennessee and Kansas City, Missouri. Floodplain management intersects with agencies like the United States Army Corps of Engineers and historic flood events documented alongside infrastructure such as the Chain of Rocks Bridge.

Attractions and Landmarks

Prominent destinations promoted include the Gateway Arch, Forest Park—home to the Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Zoo, and Missouri History Museum—and entertainment districts like The Loop (St. Louis). Cultural venues such as Fox Theatre (St. Louis), Peabody Opera House, Scottrade Center (now Enterprise Center), and heritage sites like Old Courthouse (St. Louis) and Lindell Boulevard anchor visitor itineraries. Botanical and scientific attractions include the Missouri Botanical Garden, Saint Louis Science Center, and specialty museums like the City Museum (St. Louis). Riverfront and industrial heritage are interpreted at locations including Laclede's Landing, Union Station (St. Louis), and the National Blues Museum. Historic neighborhoods with architectural interest include Soulard, Benton Park, St. Louis, and Compton Heights.

Culture and Arts

The city's cultural ecosystem features institutions such as the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Saint Louis Art Museum, Museum of Contemporary Religious Art, and performing companies like Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and The Muny. Festivals and events include Saint Louis Art Fair, CWE PrideFest, and music traditions tied to Chuck Berry and T-Bone Walker within the Missouri Blues lineage and venues that nurtured artists associated with Motown Records and Stax Records circuits. Literary and academic presence links to Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, and collections in the St. Louis Public Library. Visual arts, street murals, and public commissions collaborate with organizations such as Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and Powell Symphony Hall initiatives.

Sports and Recreation

Sports anchors promoted include the St. Louis Cardinals (baseball), formerly St. Louis Rams (football), and historical teams like the St. Louis Blues (hockey). Recreational resources include Forest Park, the Missouri River trails, and greenway projects by Great Rivers Greenway connecting to park systems administered with partners like the Metropolitan Parks and Recreation District (MDNR). Collegiate athletics draw fans to games at Washington University in St. Louis and Saint Louis University facilities. River-based recreation ties to historical boating on the Mississippi River and competitive events inspired by heritage regattas and community programs run with organizations such as the YMCA of Greater St. Louis.

Economy and Infrastructure

Economic promotion integrates tourism with major employers including Express Scripts, Boeing, Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC, and healthcare systems like Barnes-Jewish Hospital within the BJC HealthCare network. Hospitality clusters center in Downtown St. Louis and near convention venues such as America's Center. Redevelopment of former industrial corridors has attracted investment from firms like Edward Jones Investments and urban planning projects coordinated with Bi-State Development Agency and the East-West Gateway Council of Governments. Heritage tourism leverages museum endowments (e.g., Saint Louis Art Museum Board of Trustees) and philanthropic entities such as the Charles H. Revson Foundation-style donors and local foundations.

Transportation and Accessibility

Regional access is provided by St. Louis Lambert International Airport, interstates including Interstate 70 in Missouri and Interstate 64, and rail connections via Amtrak at St. Louis Gateway Transportation Center. Local transit options include the MetroLink (St. Louis), MetroBus (St. Louis), and historic streetcar projects like the Loop Trolley. River access for freight and tourism involves the Port of Metropolitan St. Louis and towboat operations regulated with the United States Coast Guard. Pedestrian and cycling infrastructure is expanded by Great Rivers Greenway and urban design initiatives with partners from Washington University in St. Louis and municipal planning offices.

Category:St. Louis culture Category:Tourism in Missouri