Our full day in St. Louis delivered a lovely mix of history, music, and unexpected surprises—a close up encounter with a Clydesdale! Here’s how we spent a day discovering the best of this iconic city.
Morning Light in Downtown St. Louis
We started the morning in downtown St. Louis, waking to the warm light revealing our beautiful hotel, which was built into an 1880s bank. Double vaults still intact.
Wandering the surrounding streets, it was impossible not to notice the historical markers—walking the same blocks once strolled by Mark Twain.
Gateway Arch National Park and a Walk-Through History
After breakfast, we headed to Gateway Arch National Park, starting with the Old Courthouse, where the Dred Scott trials unfolded. From there, we explored the Museum of Westward Expansion beneath the Arch. Interactive exhibits, rare artifacts, and the sweet relief of air conditioning made this stop unexpectedly excellent.
Then we took our ride all the way to 630 feet!
Behind the Scenes at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery
Of course, no visit to St. Louis is complete without the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. Even non-beer drinkers will appreciate the architecture, history, and cultural significance.
Anheuser-Busch | The best brewery experience in the world
Bonus: a lucky encounter with a passing Clydesdale brought these majestic horses right into our group. Watching them up close was amazing!
Balkan Treat Box: A Must-Eat St. Louis Spot
Lunch took us to Balkan Treat Box, a must-stop for authentic ćevapi and pide. The flavors and the James Beard Award finalist chef all lived up to the hype.
A Quick Menards Detour (Because Why Not?)
A quick detour to Menards because now Caitlin is hooked.
Outlaw Music Festival
We arrived at the Outlaw Music Festival just in time for a weather delay—and then for the music to start.
Trampled by Turtles
We made it to our seats just as Trampled by Turtles took the stage, despite a threatening weather delay. It was Caitlin’s first time seeing them, and their playing speed string-shredding mandolin were electric. One of Marc’s favorites, and now one of Caitlin’s
too!
Bob Dylan: A Living Legend with His Own Language
We both agreed he was absolutely worth seeing—after all, he’s a living legend. That
said… no one could fully decipher what he was singing. 😅 Thankfully, Marc’s spot-on Dylan impression kept us entertained.
Willie Nelson: Soulful and Timeless
Finally, Willie Nelson took the stage—and at 92 years old, he blew us away.
Hearing him sing “Always on My Mind” with that weathered voice, while he strummed his beat-up guitar with all the soul in the world, was something we’ll never forget. It was one of those rare concert moments that truly lives up to the legend.
Final Thoughts: The St. Louis Experience
From Mark Twain’s stomping grounds, amazing food, historic landmarks, and a night of unforgettable music, St. Louis gave us a full day of memories.
This city has so much character and little something for everyone—especially if you don’t mind a little mandolin fury or a rambling from Bob Dylan along the way. 😉