When most people think of visiting St Louis, the Gateway Arch National Park and the mighty Mississippi are the first things to come to mind. However, outside of those well-known spots, there are hidden gems to be unearthed in the city known as the ‘Gateway to the West’, where the Mississippi and Missouri rivers meet.
From Chuck Berry’s home to a mega-turtle playground, to the first rural cemetery west of the Mississippi, here are nine off-the-beaten-track sights you won’t want to miss in St Louis.
Turtle Playground
6401 Oakland Avenue
Get ready to climb atop a 40ft turtle sculpture at the aptly named Turtle Playground, a playful St Louis magnet for children of all ages. You’ll find five species of turtles — a snapping turtle, a soft-shelled turtle, a stink-pot turtle, a red-eared slider, and three box turtles — ranging in size from seven feet long to 40. Furthermore, a map of the Mississippi and oversized turtle eggs will test your balance while you enjoy the scenery atop a hard-shell creature.
Chuck Berry’s Home
3137 Whittier Street
If the walls in this home could talk… they’d sing. Rock-and-roll pioneer Chuck Berry, who was born in St Louis in 1926, lived here from 1958 until the 1970s. Berry and his wife Thelmetta resided in the 4,350-square-foot, three-story, red-brick property constructed in 1909 during the most critically acclaimed part of his career.
Bellefontaine Cemetery
4947 West Florissant Avenue
As the first rural cemetery west of the Mississippi, much of St Louis history is buried beneath the elaborate tombstones and mausoleums of Bellefontaine Cemetery. Notably, many former ‘beer barons’, scions of famous St Louis brewing families, chose this riverside cemetery as their final resting place. It’s also an official Arboretum featuring a rare dwarf redwood.
Whispering Arch at Union Station
1820 Market Street
Inaugurated in 1894, St Louis’ Union Station was once the largest passenger rail terminal in the world. Today, an elegant hotel occupies this former station. Moreover, the original architectural details, including green, glazed terracotta bricks and stained-glass windows, are beautifully preserved. One unique feature—an arch near the second-floor North Entrance—offers an unusual acoustic experience. Stand in opposite corners of the arch, whisper, and your voice will travel along the curve, allowing your friend to hear your whisper clearly.
Earl C. Lindburg Automobile Center at the National Museum of Transportation
2933 Barrett Station Road
The National Museum of Transportation spans 42 acres dedicated to car culture and the preservation of America’s transportation history. In the Earl C. Lindburg Automobile Center, over 200 rare, vintage vehicles beckon admiration. Earl C. Lindberg, a St Louis Cadillac dealer, developed car leasing in the U.S. The collection features an impressive 1901 one-cylinder St Louis Motor Carriage and a 1923 steam-powered Stanley Steamer. Visitors should try to time their visit with one of the museum’s car shows.
The Mural Mile
Chouteau Avenue and South Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard
Locals affectionately call this mile-long stretch of ever-changing public art the ‘Mural Mile.’ Notably, top street artists from across the country and around the world transform what was once an unremarkable floodwall along the Mississippi River into a vibrant, open-air gallery. The murals are continually refreshed, ensuring a new artistic experience with each visit.
Milo’s Bocce Garden on the Hill
5201 Wilson Avenue
Head to the highest point in St. Louis – the Hill – where vibrant Italian-American culture thrives. Here, the aroma of freshly baked bread and the buzz of espresso bars mingle as locals gather at street-side taverns. A visit to the Hill is incomplete without participating in a friendly bocce tournament at Milo’s Bocce Garden on the Hill. Beer and pizza add to the enjoyment, and spectators are welcome as neighborhood leagues compete.
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
10820 Riverview Drive
When the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge first began accommodating Route 66 traffic in 1929, it was seen as an engineering marvel. Five trusses form ten spans perched 55 feet above the river. After being repurposed for pedestrian and bicycle use in 1999, the bridge offers stunning views of the Mississippi and the Gateway Arch, allowing visitors to appreciate its architectural beauty at a relaxed pace.
Penrose Park Velodrome
4200 North Kingshighway Boulevard
If you’ve ever dreamed of whizzing around a velodrome, this venue is for you. Designed by Olympic cyclist Frank Burlando and introduced in 1962, the Penrose Park Velodrome features a circular track that boasts a 28-degree angle. Originally built to host the prestigious U.S. National Track Cycling Championships, it now serves local racing clubs and offers rental bikes for those without their own track bike, although riders must bring their own helmets.
