Living in St.Louis means there is always something exciting to do. We have great restaurants, top-notch festivals, and many interesting places to visit. It can be easy to take it all for granted, and always plan to go but never quite make it. Check out this list and make a plan to experience these places in 2017.
The 3D light show in the Grand Hall of Union Station is perfect for a romantic dinner or a special treat for the kids. Projected onto the 10 stories of the hall, and set to music, it is an incredible show.
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St. Louis Union Station Grand Hall Light Show: 1820 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103
Trapped in a room with only your detective and observation skills to escape is an exhilarating experience. Escape The Room STL offers several themed rooms to choose from on your adventure.
Escape The Room St. Louis: 1201 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103
Venice cafe is a combination of eclectic art, a live music venue, and neighborhood bar. Known for its friendly, relaxed atmosphere and great food, this place could be the place where "everyone knows your name."
Venice Cafe: 1903 Pestalozzi Street, St. Louis, MO 63118
The residents of St. Louis Hills bring Christmas to their streets with their larger-than-life Christmas Town display. Take a driving tour down Candy Cane Lane, Angel Avenue, and Snowflake Street, each all aglow with the magic of Christmas. This is a free event but donations are accepted to help support local charities.
This event is hosted by the St. Louis Hills Neighborhood Association.
The James S. McDonnell Prologue Room is a tribute to their long history of air and space travel. It is free to visit the exhibit for self-guided tours, but is only open in June, July and August. Group tours for school age children are available year-round.
James S. McDonnell Prologue Room: 100 Airport Road, St. Louis, MO 63135.
Test your nerve and ability with the help of the trusted staff of Upper Limits. All levels of experience are welcome and the staff will help you reach the top. There are three locations in St. Louis. The Chesterfield location can be found here:
Upper Limits Indoor Rock Climbing Gym: 17375 Edison Avenue, Chesterfield, MO 63005
Dedicated to all things chess, the World Chess Hall of Fame is open daily for tours. They feature monthly work shops, exhibitions, and a monthly music series. Daily visits are free, with a suggested donation, and they offer membership levels with many amazing rewards for your support.
World Chess Hall of Fame: 4652 Maryland Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108
Held in the Missouri Botanical Gardens, the Japanese Festival is a three-day-long event celebrating the history and arts of Japan. From bonsai displays to martial arts, there is something for everyone.
LouFest brings music, art, and food to Forest Park for two amazing days. More than 30 musicians and bands perform on four stages all weekend. True to our home town, LouFest chooses from local restaurants or vendors for food and drink choices. The fun starts at 11:00 a.m. and doesn't stop until 10:00 p.m.
Science fiction meets a weekend of fun at Contamination 6. Scheduled events include daily seminars, a dealers room, Friday Night room parties, a film makers showcase, and much more! This is a perfect Con, whether you have been to many or are curious about what you've been missing.
Contamination 6 The Mutation: November 4th and 5th, 2017
Crown Plaza: 11228 Lone Eagle Drive, Bridgeton, MO 63044
Make a plan and go, don't miss any of these exciting places and events in 2017. Do you know of other interesting events in St.Louis? Share them with us.
Best Travel Gifts of 2024, Hand-picked by Our Travel Experts
If you're looking for gifting ideas for the travelers in your life this holiday season, check out our list of our favorite, tried and true travel gifts.
Welcome to Hand-Picked, a curated series highlighting the travel gear and goods our staff truly love. From practical essentials to playful extras, these are the items that make travel fun—and shopping even better! Each pick is independently selected by our editors, and if you make a purchase through our links, Only In Your State may earn a commission.
There is nothing that makes me happier than picking out the perfect gift. Friends often ask me for ideas of what to gift to their family, children, partners, friends... the challenge of finding that special item (or experience) is my favorite kind of adrenaline rush. And because of this, the holiday season is like my version of sky diving.
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Our team of travel experts here at Only In Your State joined me in selecting our favorite travel gifts of the season. We've hand-picked 24 gifts that we own and love and would joyfully wrap up with a shiny bow for other travel lovers in our lives. We've chosen a variety of options, from candles to books, to the perfect travel shoes and bags. There is also a wide range of prices for any gifting budget. Pick out a few to gift this season and maybe even send some of these ideas to those who are shopping for you. It may be the holiday season, but it is also always travel season in our minds.
Why We Love Them: How fun is this candle? I love picking out meaningful gifts and this one is perfect for the woman in your life who can't help but plan another trip. Or, maybe this is you and this candle needs to make its way into your own stocking! The LEADO store on Amazon actually has several unique gifts and it's worth checking out. Where to Buy Them: Shop this candle and more on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 Bonus: Manager of Editorial Megan Shute swears by these rechargeable USB lighters – add one to your favorite candle lover's stocking, and they will not be disappointed.
Why We Love It: We've tried some pretty spiffy eye masks, but have you ever experienced an eye massager? The Bob & Brad EyeOasis 2 is as relaxing as it gets. With adjustable pressure & heat settings, this is a must-have if you want to tune out the world and treat yourself. It's the first thing we reach for when we feel a migraine coming on! Where To Buy It: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $59.99 (normally $74.99)
Why We Love Them: It's safe to say I am in my sneaker era and I know I'm not alone. When I discovered Kizik shoes, especially their sneakers, I felt like I discovered gold at the end of the rainbow. I love that the brand is size inclusive (I have big feet) and you literally just slip these on and go. Hands-free shoes! This makes them perfect for travel and the fact that these go with everything means no over-packing necessary. Where to Buy Them: Check out the Milan sneaker and several other styles (boots, too!) on the Kizik website. Price (at time of publication): $149
Why We Love Them: I discovered Frankie Jean while in Austin with my daughter and once I saw the Y'ALL Baseball Cap, I knew it would make the perfect souvenir -- and travel hat! I always travel with a baseball hat; they're handy for post-plane hair and offer protection from the elements. Frankie Jean has an array of adorable caps for non-y'allers, too, with all 50 states represented in the web store. Where to Buy It: Visit Frankie Jean online for this hat and many others! Price (at time of publication): $32
Why We Love Them: The Yoto Mini is an excellent gadget for kids on the go. Physical cards allow children to expand their imagination through audiobooks, music, activities, and educational audio. Manager of Editorial Megan Shute purchased the mini-player for her daughter's 4th birthday earlier this year ahead of an overseas move and has been endlessly impressed: "Not only did it replace her standard sound machine with its white noise options, but it has given us another portable screen-free entertainment option for at home and while traveling. The Yoto is also perfect for anyone who asks what your child wants for the holidays — cards for their new Yoto collection, please!" Where to Buy Them: Yoto is available on their website and Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $69.99 for player
Why We Love Them: The Vuori Performance Joggers might just be the most comfortable piece of clothing we own. The buttery-soft, stretchy material is the perfect weight, and the slim yet relaxed fit is one of the most universally flattering styles we've tried. Engagement Editor Meg Archer has gifted these to many people over the last few years: "I have yet to hear anything but rave reviews (and a bit of friendly shaming for spawning new obsessions). Don't be surprised if these just so happen to, umm... multiply... in your closet. I couldn't stop at just one pair." Bonus: The matching Vuori Halo Performance Hoodie is one of our favorite lightweight layers for all types of travel! Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From Vuori Price (at time of publication): $94
Why We Love Them: If you have a friend or family member who loves to travel and loves bags (who doesn't?), then this Calpak tote bag is the ultimate gift. When I say ultimate, I mean it, because this is the ultimate bag. My own tote bag is pictured above, when used on an overnight trip. I've also used it as a carry-on bag on flights, to tote sports equipment around for my kids, and for a weekend getaway. It is much larger than it looks in this photo and keeps everything organized. It also wipes clean! Where to Buy Them: Calpak has countless travel bags, but you can find this particular one on their website. Price (at time of publication): $131.75
Why We Love Them: I've purchased two of these portable hammocks with lightweight frames throughout the years — one as a gift for my father and one for myself after realizing how fantastic the hammock was. While it's not a travel product, per se, it has made my everyday life feel more like a vacation, something we could all use a bit more of these days. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $69.99
Why We Love Them: All of the staff at Only In Your State loves to represent their roots and Wear Your Roots allows you to do that in a fashionable - and comfortable - way. We love the wears from this Montana-based company and we happen to believe that these hoodies, shirts, hats, and more make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: Shop now on the Wear Your Roots website Price (at time of publication): Varies by Product
Why We Love It: It's taken several trips for me to figure out my perfect "weekender bag that's TSA approved," but I've found my perfect carry on with the TOBIQ Colorado 30L. An Instagram ad caught my eye during a late-night scroll session and I was intrigued by the colorful compartments and versatility of the bag, which can be carried as a duffle or as a backpack (I prefer the backpack for even weight distribution and airport navigation.) Made of durable, weather-resistant recycled materials, I've stashed this bag under my seat and in the overhead compartment; it's easy to maneuver and the top zip pocket is perfect for easy phone/ID access. Bonus: I loved this carry on bag so much, I purchased TOBIQ's Toiletry Bag; it fits perfectly inside one of the Colorado's four compartments and has a smart, intuitive design with the brand's signature "plethora of zippered pouches and pockets."
Where to Buy Them: Visit tobiqtravel.com to purchase the Colorado 30L and/or Toiletry Bag. Price (at time of publication): $199 (Colorado 30L)/$69 (Toiletry Bag)
Why We Love Them: The Zestt Dreamsoft Travel Scarf doubles as a blanket, making it the perfect travel accessory for year-round adventures – especially on airplanes! Made from organic cotton and easy to wash and care for, we have even used this piece as a makeshift picnic blanket while traveling. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $50
Why I Love It: This raincoat is absolutely perfect: it's light (12.4 ounces!) and super packable, "self stuffing" into one of its pockets in a Houdini-like feat. The hood is generously sized to fit over a hat and has a cord-and-hook design that keeps rain out (seriously -- this photo was taken after a trip to Portland, Oregon, where its water resistance was put to the test!). I purchased my Torrentshellfive years ago and it still looks brand new, the fabric has never snagged or ripped despite being put through the ringer! Bonus: The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket comes in men's sizes, too! Where to Buy It: Buy it now on REI. Price (at time of publication): $179 (both men's and women's)
Why We Love Them: I love gifting books. Maybe it's the writer in me or the nostalgia I feel every time I sit down and open up an actual book. Coffee table books make for great gifts and I absolutely love this collection of photography of New York City. Whether you know someone who loves NYC or has a wanderlust for the Big Apple, this gorgeous book just needs a bow on top and it's ready to gift. Where to Buy Them: Buy this book and others in the collection on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $19.78
Why We Love Them: A well-stocked first aid kit is essential for any traveler, and we love these small Welly kits. They're the perfect option to keep in your car, diaper bag, or carry-on for accidents on the go. Another excellent stocking stuffer for anyone in your life. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Walmart Price (at time of publication): $9.70
Why We Love Them: The OluKai Pehuea Lī Sneaker is lightweight and breathable, but also extremely comfortable and surprisingly supportive. It's our go-to shoe when we know we're going to be on our feet all day! We love that they can be worn as either sneakers or slides, so they're easy to slip off when going through TSA checks. Plus, the style goes with just about everything. Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From OluKai Price (at time of publication): $110
Why I Love It: Fact: Airplanes are notoriously dry, dry, dry. No matter how much water I drink both before and during the flight, I always find myself in a hydration deficit for days. My skin feels so tight and parched during flights, and while I've been known to slap on a sheet mask at 12,000 feet, my 11 year old's mortification on a recent trip had me rethinking this strategy. My solution? BioRepublic's Lost Baggage biocellulose eye masks. These mini moisturizers contain an uber-hydrating cocktail of peptides, hyaluronic acid, squalene, rose water, and vitamin E that feel oh-so-refreshing on parched skin. Bonus: Each of these little masks has enough moisture that I'm able to massage the excess into the rest of my face after my brief, in-flight spa moment. Where to Buy It: I have a BioRepublic Lost Baggage Under Eye Emergency Repair Mask Subscribe & Save order through Amazon -- you'll get a slight discount if you set this up! Price (at time of publication): 3/$15.00
Why I Love It: I am a dedicated Stanley girl, but when I travel, I like to keep things as light and portable as possible. A recent trip to Washington D.C. had me singing the praises of my Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle, especially after paying $6 for a tiny bottle of water the afternoon we arrived and embarked sans water. I love the bottle's muted color options (I have the Hydaway in Twilight), sturdy handle, and fuss-free cleaning; fully extended it holds 17 ounces of water, making this smart little number perfect for filling up on the go. Where to Buy Them: The Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle is available at several online merchants; I purchased through REI. Available here on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $27.95.
Why We Love Them: This is one of those things that we don't know how we traveled without them. Packing cubes keep things organized, save space in a suitcase, and take the pain out of the packing process. If you know and love someone who travels, this set would make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: There are so many options for packing cubes on Amazon, but we particularly LOVE this set. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 for 8 cubes
Why We Love Them: I've been a fan of Beis for years now, starting with the Weekender (it’s my absolute favorite travel bag for short car trips or flying and is surprisingly roomy). I recently purchased another Beis item — the backpack. With a padded interior sleeve, two water bottle pockets, and plenty of organization built-in — we’re talking zippered interior pockets, pen slots, a key leash, and more — this is the best backpack I’ve ever owned. It also has a full-zip opening, so it’s easy to pack, and the trolley pass-through makes it the perfect carry-on companion. This olive beauty is officially my new favorite personal item while traveling, and I’ve already brought it on several trips. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Beis Price (at time of publication): $88
Why We Love Them: We bought this set of two accessory organizers for a recent trip and think they would make a fun stocking stuffer filled with all sorts of small and useful travel goodies — chapstick, hair ties, mini lotions, bandaids, etc. The gift recipient can then use the organizers for travel. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $17.66
Why We Love It: The sleek style of the Away Everywhere Zip Backpack looks at home in just about any environment, making it a great transition bag if you need to hop right from a flight into a work meeting (or want to start exploring as soon as you land). It's water-resistant, has a padded laptop sleeve to keep your devices safe, and the full wrap-around zipper makes it incredibly easy to grab what you need in a cramped airplane seat. I love it! Where To Buy It:Buy Now From Away Price (at time of publication): $195
Why We Love It: Engagement Editor Meg Archer recently travel-testedthis high-end aluminum travel case, and it can only be described as the Lamborghini of Luggage: "The Sterling Pacific 40L Travel Case is hands down the best I've ever owned or reviewed. It's stunning inside and out, timelessly stylish, and rolls like a dream. Honestly, I didn't know luggage could move like this." It's undeniably a splurge, but if you're looking for a piece of eye-catching yet understated luxury-tier luggage, this is it. Where To Buy It: Buy Now From Sterling Pacific Price (at time of publication): $2,150
Why We Love It: Throw out all your assumptions about generators. The Anker Power Bank Portable Generator is all-electric (so it's totally silent), super compact, and has a massive 60,000 mAh capacity that can power multiple devices dozens of times on a single charge. It also retains an impressive 85% charge after a whole year of non-use, making it absolutely vital during emergencies. This bad boy kept us in touch with family during a multi-day blackout, but we also love it for camping trips and off-grid adventures. Where To Buy It:Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $149.99
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If you need anymore ideas for the best travel gifts of the season, we have you covered. Check out more of our travel-themed gift guides...
As of April 2017, St. Louis has the highest murder rate in the nation. The violence in the city is escalating at alarming rates. However, local government agencies are working with the governor of Missouri to clean up our streets and restore peace to our beautiful city. While that process is ongoing, it is good to know which areas to avoid in St. Louis.
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The following information is for the year 2017 through the end of June. I found the data in a current St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Crime Report. Please keep in mind I am not encouraging anyone to avoid these neighborhoods or attractions in these neighborhoods. With any big city, you should always be aware of your surroundings and be safe. Lock your car doors, don't pick up strangers, don't drive through neighborhoods you are unfamiliar with, and be aware of your surroundings when walking to your car.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department reported the following places as the top 13 St. Louis neighborhoods you don't want to get caught in after dark.
First on the list of dangerous parts of St. Louis is its downtown. It is listed with a total of 672 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are two homicides, two rapes, 27 robberies, 37 aggravated assaults, 26 burglaries, 542 reports of larceny, and 36 stolen vehicles. So,is downtown St. Louis safe at night? Downtown St. Louis is currently not a good spot to be once the sun goes down.
The Central West End is listed with a total of 549 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are one homicide, two rapes, 26 robberies, 29 aggravated assaults, 37 burglaries, 412 reports of larceny, and 41 stolen vehicles. It seems like a the Central West End of St. Louis is not a safe place to be at night.
Dutchtown is listed with a total of 536 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are two homicides, five rapes, 47 robberies, 132 aggravated assaults, 88 burglaries, 211 reports of larceny, and 49 stolen vehicles. Dutchtown is a place you might want to steer clear of in the evenings.
Downtown St. Louis West is listed with a total of 484 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are one homicide, six rapes, 42 robberies, 56 aggravated assaults, 16 burglaries, 311 reports of larceny, and 51 stolen vehicles. Downtown St. Louis West is a bad part of St. Louis after dark.
Tower Grove South is listed with a total of 363 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are one homicide, one rape, 35 robberies, 25 aggravated assaults, 49 burglaries, 216 reports of larceny, and 35 stolen vehicles. When it comes to areas to avoid in St. Louis, Tower Grove South is fairly high on the list.
Baden is listed with a total of 342 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are four homicides, four rapes, 30 robberies, 58 aggravated assaults, 81 burglaries, 110 reports of larceny, and 50 stolen vehicles.
Wells and Goodfellow neighborhood is listed with a total of 321 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are 8 homicides, four rapes, 17 robberies, 93 aggravated assaults, 64 burglaries, 99 reports of larceny, and 33 stolen vehicles.
Carondelet is listed with a total of 315 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are no homicides, four rapes, 15 robberies, 47 aggravated assaults, 41 burglaries, 165 reports of larceny, and 40 stolen vehicles.
Bevo Mill is listed with a total of 308 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are two homicides, one rape, 12 robberies, 48 aggravated assaults, 58 burglaries, 151 reports of larceny, and 35 stolen vehicles. It's best to be careful when you're around Bevo Mill, Missouri, one of the worst neighborhoods in St. Louis, after dark.
Tower Grove East is listed with a total of 302 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are no homicides, no rapes, 21 robberies, 19 aggravated assaults, 40 burglaries, 194 reports of larceny, and 24 stolen vehicles. Like all of the towns on this list, Tower Grove East features some cool hidden gems.
Gravois Park is listed with a total of 271 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are no homicides, five rapes, 38 robberies, 47 aggravated assaults, 45 burglaries, 104 reports of larceny, and 27 stolen vehicles. Gravois Park does have some interesting sites. In fact, it is considered one of the most historic neighborhoods in St. Louis.
The West End in St. Louis is listed with a total of 241 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are three homicides, four rapes, 16 robberies, 50 aggravated assaults, 33 burglaries, 101 reports of larceny, and 31 stolen vehicles.
Finishing up the list of neighborhoods to avoid in St. Louis is Jeff Vander Lou. Jefferson, Vandeventer, and St. Louis Ave - Jeff Vander Lou - is listed with a total of 241 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are three homicides, one rape, 17 robberies, 69 aggravated assaults, 28 burglaries, 92 reports of larceny, and 27 stolen vehicles.
Even though these are the realities of the world we live in today, there are steps you can take to keep your family safe. Many of these neighborhoods are also the best neighborhoods to live in. The culture and history cannot be beaten and there are many really great people in St. Louis.
The numbers are high and disturbing when broken down, but don't give up yet. Join your local public meetings and become a part of the solution. Our city is worth saving. If you think you won't make a difference you are wrong. The more people who are involved in our neighborhoods, the bigger difference we can make.
