Hotel at a Glance: Magnolia Hotel St. Louis

From its stately columns and chandeliers to the intricate moulding that runs along its walls, the Magnolia Hotel St. Louis continues the glamorous story that began when it first opened as the Mayfair Hotel in 1924. Guest rooms and suites have welcomed guests ranging from Cary Grant to LBJ, but their timeless furnishings and minimal designs belie the hotel’s love of today’s technology; guests can expect complimentary WiFi and flatscreen TVs as part of their stays.

• Start the morning right with complimentary continental breakfast, and end the day with beer, wine, and soft drinks at the also-complimentary evening reception.
• Eat up at Robie’s Restaurant and Bar, located in the lobby, or call up room service for in-room dining.
• Stay active at the fitness center, open 24 hours a day and located on the hotel’s 18th floor.
• Get around town with complimentary town car service in house Tesla.
• Nearby landmarks include Busch Stadium, the Edward Jones Dome, the Americas Center, and the iconic Gateway Arch.

St. Louis, Missouri: Urban Park Space and Brewery Tours in the Gateway City

The first thing you notice about the St. Louis Gateway Arch is its height: at 630 feet, it’s the tallest manmade monument in the United States, and it dwarfs the other buildings of the St. Louis skyline. Less obvious is the fact that the Arch is exactly as tall as it is wide, stretching out along the banks of the Mississippi River. You can take a ride to the summit for a bird’s-eye view of the city’s skyline and riverboats riding the Mississippi. Make sure you get to the Arch before 10 a.m.; after that, the lines start to get long, and tickets sometimes sell out in the afternoon.

Forest Park’s more than 1,200 acres of green space are also worth a visit. Contained in this space is the Saint Louis Zoo, which corrals hundreds of species in several different habitats; it’s frequently cited as one of the best zoos in the country, and entrance is free. At high noon, sunbeams create a natural light show on the geometric façade of the Jewel Box, a 1936 art-deco greenhouse in the southeast quadrant of the park. To the north, there’s the Boathouse, where you can rent a pedal-powered boat to explore Post-Dispatch Lake.

Though it was originally a hub for railroads and the fur trade, St. Louis eventually became known for being the headquarters of brewing giant Anheuser-Busch, which began producing there in 1852. On a tour through the red-brick brewery, you can sample beers and visit the stables where the company keeps its iconic clydesdale horses.

Love to travel? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for travel tips, inspiration, and photos from around the world.