The landscape of St. Louis is beautifully diverse, and the city's splendor leaves locals captivated even after they move away. After you've lived in St. Louis, its most iconic features will always bring a wave of familiarity, and sometimes, a bit of homesickness. True St. Louisans will feel their hearts fill with warmth when they think of these iconic places:
1. Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis (4431 Lindell Boulevard at Newstead Avenue, Saint Louis)
This stunning structure is not one of the oldest buildings in St. Louis, but it is by far one of the loveliest. It was built in 1914, but the installation of its mosaic began even earlier, in 1912. It took until 1988 to complete its 41.5 million-piece mosaic, which covers a humbling 83,000 square feet. This structure's beauty never fails to mesmerize those that encounter it, no matter how many times you may have seen it.
2. The Gateway Arch
No list would be complete without the iconic Gateway Arch. This 630-foot monument is the tallest arch of its kind in the world, and it makes a striking addition to the St. Louis skyline. It has only been a part of the city's landscape since 1963, but this iconic landmark has become a source for national pride.
3. City Museum (701 North 15th Street, Saint Louis)
This structure is young, having only been in the city since 1997, but no local could mistake the bizarre layout of this building for anything else. City Museum is a funhouse made of upcycled architectural and industrial parts, and there truly is no place in the nation like it.
4. St. Louis Art Museum (1 Fine Arts Drive, St Louis)
This museum was originally founded as Saint Louis School and Museum of Fine Arts in the early 1880s. The collection was originally housed in Washington University in St. Louis, but following the World's Fair, it moved into what had once served as the Palace of Fine Arts. The building has expanded over the years, but its charming core has remained as lovely as the day it was first unveiled.
5. Missouri Botanical Garden (4344 Shaw St, Saint Louis)
We have Henry Shaw to thank for some of the most stunning natural spaces in STL, but nothing quite holds a candle to the immaculate grounds of the Missouri Botanical Garden. In fact, it was the second herbarium in the country, and its 6.6 million specimens are breathtaking. The gardens feature botanical wonders as well as man-made artwork, including incredible glass pieces by Dale Chihuly.
6. Saint Louis Science Center (5050 Oakland Avenue, Saint Louis)
This spectacular collection of structures started as a planetarium, and the institution we know and love today does a splendid job of preserving that legacy. Since 1983, the planetarium has fused with the Museum of Science and Natural History to create a massive display that honors and celebrates St. Louis' legacy of discovery.
7. Laumeier Sculpture Park (12580 Rott Road, Saint Louis)
This 105-acre park is also a museum to larger-than-life art works. Pictured here is "The Way," one of more than 60 statues that are showcased here.
8. Citygarden (801 Market St, Saint Louis)
This is another stunning sculpture park in The Gateway City that is still fairly youthful. It is less than a decade old, but it's already become a symbol of the city. Located in the city's Gateway Mall area, this incredible park is a mere stone's throw from the iconic Gateway Arch. Its 2.9 acres are jam-packed with 24 statues that will leave you in awe.
9. The Magic House (516 South Kirkwood Road, Saint Louis)
This gorgeous building may look prim and proper, but it houses one of the most exciting Children's Museums in the nation. Since it opened in 1979, this magical museum features over 55,000 square feet of fun across four stories.
10. St. Louis City Hall (1200 Market St, Saint Louis)
St. Louis City Hall could easily be mistaken for a sprawling castle. This iconic structure has housed the city government since 1898, a stark difference from the area homes in which government officials had previously gathered. If you're a St. Louisan, you'll recognize this stunning structure in half a heartbeat. And, after all this years, it will still render you speechless with its beauty.
There is so much to see here in the Gateway City, but there's a reason that these pretty places in particular have become so iconic. What local destination do you consider to be St. Louis' most iconic location? Tell us in the comments!
For more, check out these 15 fun facts you probably didn't know about St. Louis.
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