St. Louis

The city of St. Louis lies along the Mississippi River, and is commonly referred to as the ‘Gateway to the West’. Made famous with its iconic Gateway Arch, passionate sports fans, and blues music scene, there’s always something interesting to do year-round. Best of all, many of its top attractions are free or cheap to visit, so you can enjoy a packed city break on a small budget.

A must-visit is its 630-ft-tall Gateway Arch, designed by Eero Saarinen. This stainless-steel structure marks the symbolic portal to the American West – rise via tram to the top of the Arch for sweeping views of St. Louis and the Mississippi River. Come back down to explore the rest of the city, which boasts live blues clubs and laidback joints serving the legendary Louis-style BBQ.