Cheap Flights To St. Louis

St. Louis is a huge port city in the state of Missouri located on the banks of the world-famous Mississippi river. Today's city was founded by French fur trappers in 1764, but the area had been inhabited by Native Americans for many centuries before this. Its location on the mammoth Mississippi made it an integral trading post, and to this day the city's economy is still reliant on trade and transportation.

The city has a history of hosting events; in fact, it became the first non-European city to ever host the Summer Olympics. Today, sports are still huge in St. Louis as it is home to Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League. Their largest baseball team, The Cardinals, have won 19 National League titles. Sporting events in the city are filled with classic American food, patriotic parades, and a passionate atmosphere that infects everyone around. Fans of something a little more sedate will enjoy the joyous local symphony orchestra that plays at events such as the Festival of Freedom.

The city is home to many memorable attractions. One of the most famous places to visit is the 630-foot Gateway Arch, which is the highest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere. It was built to celebrate the expansion of the United States into the western area of the country, which had St. Louis at the forefront of this exploration. The Botanical Garden is another striking structure, as is the Science Centre.

Things To Do

Fans of culture will never get bored in St. Louis. It is also a great place to visit with kids thanks to its variety of family-friendly zoos and interactive museums.

• Relax in The Missouri Botanical Garden
  This is a beautiful and relaxing space filled with trees, flowers and water features. There is even a special children's garden for little ones.

• Take in a museum with the family
  This is a unique experience, with exhibits that have to be seen to be believed such as vast outdoor sculptures that double up as climbing obstacle courses and giant model insects. The Science Centre is also a must-see for inquisitive minds.

• For architecture lovers
  The Cathedral Basilica is an architectural gem with exquisite domes and intricate mosaics.

Calendar Of Events

From football games to music festivals, St. Louis has a packed events calendar for both young and old.

• NFL Games at Busch Stadium. This stadium can seat 45,529 football fans, and watching a game here is a great way to experience a taste of the city's sporting culture.

• Festival of Freedom. Not only is this festival hosted in the jaw-droppingly beautiful History Museum, but it offers the chance to catch a performance from the city's award-winning Symphony Orchestra and musicians such as Alison Harney, Jessica Cheng and Chris Tantillo.

• Cherokee Cinco de Mayo. This yearly festival gives locals and tourists the opportunity to try traditional Native American dishes as well as to listen to music and buy souvenirs. There is also a parade from the Community Arts and Movement Project.