ABOUT ST. LOUIS Long regarded as the “Best Kept Secret” in the Midwest, St. Louis is a beautiful city filled with wonderful restaurants, elegant architecture, and numerous educational and cultural offerings. Famous as the launching pad of Lewis and Clark’s expedition to the Pacific, the city also boast numerous architectural and historical monuments. The city’s skyline is defined by the towering Gateway Arch, a 630-foot monument of stainless steel, built as a tribute to the Louisiana Purchase and the Westward Expansion of the United States. A four-minute trip to the top offers stunning views of the city and the wonders that lie below. Things to Do From the world famous symphony to the zoo to the sports arena, St. Louis offers something for everyone. The area is a culinary melting pot, featuring eclectic cuisines from every region in the world at numerous casual and fine-dining restaurants. Find great shopping at St. Louis’ Plaza Frontenac or Galleria, or explore neighborhood boutiques in upscale areas such as Clayton with its fine shops, elegant restaurants and galleries, the University City Loop with ethnic restaurants, galleries, and boutiques, the Hill, offering the finest Italian cooking, or the Central West End with its gaslights, historic mansions and fine dining. Forest Park One of St. Louis’ premier attractions is Forest Park. About 500 acres larger than New York City’s Central Park, Forest Park is home to the St. Louis Zoo, the Muny Opera, the Jewel Box, St. Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum, the St. Louis Science Center, a 27-hole golf course, and a 7.5-mile bike path. Forest Park was also the site of the 1904 World’s Fair, a 184-day event attracting more than 20 million people from across the U.S. and from more than 50 nations. Other popular St. Louis attractions include: Missouri Botanical Garden – world renowned for its Climatron designed by Buckminster Fuller and a breathtakingly beautiful Japanese garden Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis – housing the world largest mosaic collection Anheuser-Busch Brewery Union Station Washington University – one of the finest schools of higher learning in the country Art galleries in Clayton, the Central West End, and the University City Loop Authentic Italian cuisine on the Hill