Two miles from the hotel, on the other side of Forest Park, is the CENTRAL WEST END. This beautiful community is filled with gorgeous homes on private streets, restaurants and shops along with some of the finest commercial and religious architecture. Our favorite is the NEW CATHEDRAL or Cathedral Basilica, considered to be one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture in the country. The colors and magnitude of the mosaics are unrivalled in this country. The New Cathedral is a must visit for art lovers, no matter what their religious affiliation.

A few blocks north of the hotel, you'll find shops, dining and attractions on what is known here in St. Louis as THE LOOP. The Loop offers some of the best people watching and music in the city.  Visit the Pageant to see a live show, go bowling at the retro Pin-Up Bowling Alley and dine on some of the city's most eclectic food. 

The MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDENS boasts a vast geodesic dome called a Climatron which contains every climate from rain forest to mountain highland allowing plants from all these regions to grow in rich profusion. A one of a kind experience at 2101 Tower Grove, just a few miles from the hotel.

Located about six blocks north of the Cheshire, WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY presents the picture of the idealized campus. The classic old red stone buildings, ivy clad to perfection, have all the look of a movie set. You’ll have to get out of your car to penetrate the beautiful quadrangle. The 2004 U.S. News & World Report places 17 Washington University graduate and professional programs in their top-10 rankings.

POWELL SYMPHONY HALL was an old movie palace, doomed to extinction, saved at the last minute and restored to better than original beauty, a heady Baroque opulence that is widely acclaimed as one of the finest symphony halls in the world, both acoustically and artistically. Located in the artsy- Grand Center area, you'll also find the beautiful Fox Theatre, Contemporary Art Museum and Sheldon Concert Hall.

The MUSEUM OF TRANSPORT is a one-of-a-kind outdoor museum of all modes of transportation with particular emphasis on railroads. The collection includes the world’s largest locomotive and an almost unlimited amount of nostalgia. Brochures and directions are available at the front desk.

A short 10 minutes down the road you can explore the Museum of Westward Expansion underneath the GATEWAY ARCH and wander through the history galleries at the OLD COURTHOUSE. Tour the headquarters of the world's largest brewer at the ANHEUSER BUSCH COMPLEX finishing your day with a visit to see the Clydesdales at GRANT'S FARM. SOULARD MARKET, one of the last remaining outdoor markets in St. Louis, can also be a fun experience. Soulard is a large farmers' market, selling everything from produce and flowers to clothes, carpets and jewelry.

Check out St. Louis' famous blues and jazz music clubs, a CARDINALS, BLUES, RAMS OR ACES game, or take a nature hike to the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.

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The Gateway Arch