Audio Guide: Saint Louis Downtown Walking Tour (Self Guided), Saint Louis

Missouri’s main city, Saint Louis, is a vibrant metropolis, alive with culture, music, and art. But before the French fur traders ever showed up, this land was home to the Mississippian tribes, who had already built thriving communities along the river.

Fast forward to 1764: two French fur traders plant their flag and name the place after King Louis IX of France. Ironically, that very year, the land was handed over to Spain. By 1800, it was back in French hands, and just three years later, Napoleon sold it to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase. Best real-estate deal ever.

Then came the steamboats - the first one puffed into Saint Louis in 1817, instantly making the city a hot spot for trade and travel on the Mississippi River. Missouri became a state in 1821, Saint Louis was incorporated the following year, and the population began booming. Between 1840 and 1860, thanks to Irish and German immigrants, the city grew nearly eightfold. You could say beer halls and bratwurst became just as important as riverboats and fur pelts.

After the Civil War, Saint Louis cashed in on trade with the West, and by the early 20th century, industry and the Great Migration brought new life, new people, and a whole lot of jazz to the city’s streets. By the 1980s, downtown started getting a facelift, and today, the skyline sparkles with a mix of glass towers, historic architecture, and enough green spaces to make you forget you’re in the middle of a metropolis.

And then, of course, there’s the Gateway Arch - Saint Louis’ shining stainless-steel crown jewel. Built in the 1960s to commemorate America’s westward expansion, it stands 630 feet tall. Hop on the tram to the top, and you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views stretching up to 30 miles in every direction.

But the Arch is just the beginning. Stroll west along Market Street and you’ll hit the Old Courthouse, where the landmark Dred Scott case was heard. Then there’s Kiener Plaza, with fountains, playgrounds, and space for concerts; CityGarden, a whimsical sculpture park that doubles as an outdoor art gallery; and Union Station, where you can ride a 200-foot Ferris wheel or gawk at sea life in a 60,000-gallon aquarium.

Architecture buffs - Saint Louis has something for you too. Don’t miss the fiery red Wainwright Building, designed in 1891 and once the tallest office building in the world, or the elegant Campbell House Museum, the former home of one of the city’s most prominent fur traders.

With its broad, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, downtown Saint Louis practically begs you to explore on foot. Dive in, soak up the energy, and let Saint Louis charm you - one story, one building, and one bite at a time.