Car Hire St Louis - Mini guide to St Louis

St Louis, often called the 'gateway to the west', is situated between Kansas and Illinois, in the heart of the United States. Its city skyline is a glittering, modern mix of marble, granite and glass. Set up in 1764 as a French trading post on the west banks of the mighty Mississippi River, St Louis has retained its status as a significant centre of commerce.

The city's trademark symbol is the massive Gateway Arch, located in the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Park. At 190m high and crafted from stainless steel, the arch is the country's tallest monument, and commemorates the pioneers of America's west.

Visitors to the Gateway Arch also have the opportunity to relive the epic journey of these early settlers in the Museum of Westward Expansion. Additionally, admire the spectacular view from the observation room at the top of the monument, or pop into Levee Mercantile, an 1870's-style general store located beneath the arch.

Union Station is a restored, century-old rail terminal that was once the city's busiest. This historical building, located at 1820 Market Street, contains a proliferation of specialty shops and eateries, and even a small-scale lake complete with paddleboats.

Sports fans may want to wander four blocks east of Union Station to catch a game of hockey, indoor soccer or basketball, at the hugely popular St Louis Savis Center, where over 200 entertainment and professional sports events are hosted every year.

Situated north of the Gateway Arch, Laclede's Landing is a nine-block historical industrial area named after St. Louis' founder, Pierre LaClede. Nights here are made especially atmospheric by live music and horse-drawn carriages, and nearby sightseeing excursions and casino boats are just a short walk away.

Another area of historical and architectural interest is Washington Avenue, with a wealth of beautifully designed brick buildings representative of Old St. Louis. Other notable buildings in the city are the Basilica of St Louis and the Old Courthouse.

If you visit the St Louis Art Museum, be sure to take note of the Beaux-Arts structure in which it is housed. The structure dates from the early 20th century, when it was constructed for an international trade show. Inside are exhibits covering historical periods up to the modern day, and inclusive of ancient and anthropological collections.

Alternatively, the Missouri History Museum tracks the region's development and major events over the course of time, with permanent and changing exhibits. Anheuser-Busch Brewery is one of the world's biggest beer brewers, established in the 1860's, sampling the delicious brews is a fun way to celebrate your St Louis experience!

The major suburbs in St Louis are: Bridgeton, Ballwin, Collinsville, Fairview Heights, Florissant, Granite City, Jennings, Kirkwood, Madison and Marryville.