St. Louis

St. Louis is a city of superlatives. First bridge over the Mississippi River (Eads Bridge); first bridge anywhere to use steel truss construction; largest outdoor grotto in North America (Our Lady of Snows); Missouri's oldest winery (Stone Hill Winery); world's largest collection of mosaic art (Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis); largest prehistoric Indian city north of Mexico; oldest institution of higher learning west of the Mississippi (St. Louis University); world's largest manmade caverns and lake; one of the top 10 haunted houses in America (The Darkness). Located on the Mississippi near its confluence with the Missouri River, St. ...

St. Louis is a city of superlatives. First bridge over the Mississippi River (Eads Bridge); first bridge anywhere to use steel truss construction; largest outdoor grotto in North America (Our Lady of Snows); Missouri's oldest winery (Stone Hill Winery); world's largest collection of mosaic art (Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis); largest prehistoric Indian city north of Mexico; oldest institution of higher learning west of the Mississippi (St. Louis University); world's largest manmade caverns and lake; one of the top 10 haunted houses in America (The Darkness). Located on the Mississippi near its confluence with the Missouri River, St. Louis ranks as one of the country's industrial giants. Among its major products are aluminum, copper, iron, lead, magnesium and zinc, chemicals, and transportation equipment. The city's iconic Gateway Arch (at 630 feet, the nation's tallest man-made monument) marks the starting point of the country's western expansion. It also symbolizes success in converting the formerly decaying waterfront area into the showplace for some of the city's top attractions. Among the St. Louis treasures, more than two dozen museums exhibit everything from classic cars and vintage aircraft to bowling memorabilia and children's toys. Its 1,371-acre Forest Park ranks as one of the country's largest; the Missouri Botanical Garden, founded in 1859, is a National Historic Landmark.

About the Expert

Connie Emerson is the author of more than a dozen books, including The Cheapskate's Guide to Branson, Missouri and Eyewitness Top Ten Travel Guide – Las Vegas.