The United States bought St. Louis from the French in 1803. Before that, American Indians lived on the land that was settled by the French who named the land after King Louis IX in 1764. The economy of St. Louis is strong as the city is home to 20 Fortune 1000 companies, including Anheuser-Busch. The city has been home to many historical events such as the Olympic Games, the World’s Fair, and the World Series. St. Louis has a total population of approximately 5,566,000.

Climate

During the months of December, January, and February, the average temperature of St. Louis does not rise above 43 degrees while the city’s coldest month, January, sees an average high of 39 degrees and an average low of 21 degrees. July is the hottest month in St. Louis an average high of 89 degrees and an average low of 69 degrees. Throughout the months of June, July, August, and September, the average high in St. Louis is in the 80s.

Sports

St. Louis has been named North America’s Best Sports City by the Sporting News thanks to the homerun record breaking performances by Mark McGwire, who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, and Super Bowl victories by the St. Louis Rams. The St. Louis Blues also are of note as they offer a hockey fix for those tourists in the area who might want to take in National Hockey League action.

Attractions

Travelers are always eager to take a tour of the Anheuser-Busch brewery and see the world famous Clydesdale horses that have become associated with the beer. For those with a taste for gambling, St. Louis has many riverboats that can be found alongside the Mississippi River that offer casino gambling, as well as excellent dinners and entertainment. Laclede’s Landing can be a great place to shop and grab a bite to eat as the venue has cobblestone streets and its 19th century warehouses are home to many bars and restaurants. Of all the sights to see in St. Louis, the most well known is by far the St. Louis Gateway Arch that was erected in 1966. The Arch stands 630 feet tall.

Culture

For those looking to take in some of St. Louis’s culture, tourists can visit the National Bowling Hall of Fame or the St. Louis Zoo, Art Museum, Science Center, and the Jewel Box which can all be found at Forest Park.