St. louis, MO

St. Louis: Arches, Soul Food & City Surprises

St. Louis felt like a place layered in legacy. You’ve got the iconic Gateway Arch, deep music history, and neighborhoods full of personality. I didn’t go in with a big plan—I just wanted to feel the city. What I found was a mix of Midwestern pride, Black culture, and underrated experiences that made this trip way more than I expected.

🍽️ Best Places to Eat

• Sweetie Pie’s
  Of course I had to go. Fried chicken, greens, mac and cheese, cornbread—and all of it felt homemade. The line was long, but the food hit like Sunday after church. Comfort food with a story.

• Salt + Smoke – Delmar Loop
  The brisket here? Melted. I paired it with their smoked wings and bourbon sweet tea. Sat outside, listened to live street music, and got lost in the moment. Good food, no rush.

• Blueberry Hill
  This is where I got my burger fix. It’s a casual, quirky spot with music history (Chuck Berry performed here), and the inside is packed with memorabilia. Great energy and solid eats.

🏙️ Top Things to Do

• Gateway Arch
  Touristy? Sure. But it’s one of those things you have to do. I took the tram to the top and looked out over the Mississippi River and the city below. Being up there was peaceful and surprisingly reflective.

• The Delmar Loop
  This area had so much personality—murals, music shops, street performers, and Black-owned businesses. I spent an afternoon hopping from shop to shop, grabbing a smoothie, and catching a local jazz band outside a record store.

• Forest Park
  Bigger than Central Park, and just as beautiful. I walked through the trails, sat by the lake, and checked out the free St. Louis Art Museum while I was there. It was calm, open, and gave me room to think.

🌙 Best Nightlife & Evening Spots

• Ballpark Village
  Even if you’re not a baseball fan, this area stays active. Live DJs, rooftop views, and bars that serve drinks strong enough to forget the name of the place you started at. I went on a Friday night and the whole block felt alive.

• BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups
  This little venue brought soul into the room. Live blues, low lighting, and the kind of music that makes you close your eyes and feel it. I ordered food late and stayed until the last song.

• The Grove
  A neighborhood full of nightlife options—from dive bars to LGBTQ+ spots to lounges with hookah and live DJs. I bar-hopped here with zero regrets and ended the night laughing with strangers on the sidewalk like we were old friends.

St. Louis gave me more than I asked for. It’s one of those cities where you can feel the tension between history and progress—but in the best way. The food was fire, the music was healing, and the people had a kindness that stuck with me. Quietly bold. That’s how I’d describe it.