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Leaks of Starbucks’ new seasonal menu are going viral today, which means it’s the unofficial start to fall!
Pumpkin Spice Lattes will soon warm the hands, hearts, and souls of many who bask in the few months of crisp air and eye-popping colors transforming cities across the globe.
One such city everyone should visit is a place I’ve been exploring since I was a kid, and I believe you’ll enjoy it as much as I do.
Fear-mongering news stations have deterred travelers from one of the Midwest’s best cities, portraying it as a crime-ridden no-go zone.
Fall here is too good to pass up though, so don’t let some bad apples ruin a good time in the STL.
That’s right, the misunderstood city of St. Louis may get a bad wrap time to time, but it’s an amazing destination come fall.
Many attractions are free, surprising cultural delights abound, and vibrant forestry stretches for miles on end.
Chicago Is Cool And All, But Don’t Sleep On St. Louis!
No, St. Louis may not live up to the hype with deep dish pizza, a magnificent lake (and mile), or world-class architecture to ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ at.
BUT, St. Louis is a draw in its own right and boasts many surprises travelers will love if given a chance.
Comparing the’ Lou’ to Chi-Town probably isn’t fair in the first place, considering Chicago is a thriving metropolis while St. Louis is home to less than 300,000 people.
Of course, the claim to fame here is the iconic Arch highlighting the pretty skyline, but diving deeper into the city and surrounding region you’ll find a plethora of hidden gems.
Even more so, the popular attractions can’t be beat – literally. They’re free!
Located on the trendy Central West End (where I love to hang out!), you’ll find Forest Park. This is St. Louis’s version of ‘Central Park’, only bigger!
The city’s vast park is around 500 acres larger and morphs into a kaleidoscope of colors come autumn.
Within the park are some popular sites well worth visiting, and best of all, you can leave your wallet at home.
Free popular attractions in St. Louis:
Located within Forest Park:
- The Saint Louis Zoo
- Saint Louis Art Museum
- Missouri History Museum
The Cultural Delights Of St. Louis
In a city of less than 300,000 residents, it’s surprisingly cultural. Here is where it gets tricky.
Crime and traveler safety is tough to report on because there are bad apples everywhere. While there have been reports in the past declaring St. Louis as ‘Least Safe City in America’, I gotta be honest – those behind handing out this title obviously haven’t been to Los Angeles…
Are there bad neighborhoods in St. Louis? Yes.
Locals always told me to avoid East St. Louis as there’s just simply no reason to go there anyway. Other than that, be aware like anywhere else.
It would be a shame to shelter yourself here as there’s a lot more to explore than meets the eye. St. Louis is actually home to quite an underrated food scene.
Let’s start with The Hill, a neighborhood shamelessly showcasing its Italian roots. A St. Louis staple, indulging in the pillows of flavor that are Toasted Ravioli is an absolute must.
Then there’s Soulard, a district influenced by French, German, and Bohemian immigrants. Fall is a phenomenal time to visit, especially for Oktoberfest to get back to the area’s German roots.
Going outside the city limits, nearby St. Charles oozes charisma with historic buildings as one of Missouri’s oldest settlements.
Perhaps most underrated, Granite City is a deep-rooted industrial town evolving into a trendy hotspot. Located across the Mississippi River in Illinois, check out the revamped downtown with a booming arts scene.
Tip: Make sure to save room for dessert at Granite City’s Duke Bakery. Get the Ooey Gooey Butter Cake!
Who’s Up For A Road Trip?!
Road trips and fall go hand in hand, don’t they?
90 minutes south of St. Louis lies a vast region of astounding nature, even more so as colors transform from lush greenery to rustic reds and golden hues.
Potosi serves as a great gateway to access the Mark Twain National Forest, where you can stay at the 500-acre Trout Lodge as your base.
Home to 1.5 million acres, this seemingly untouched forest is like having your very own playground for fall foliage explorations with easy-to-moderate hiking trails and ample parking.
Tip: Stop at A.M. edition coffee & books to fuel up. It’s my favorite coffee shop in the area. Best of all, they’re friendly fellow travelers!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.