We are thrilled to welcome you to St. Louis! Our 2024 CGA-IGC Achievement Award Winner, 2011 President, and St. Louis resident Dr. Paul Wise has put together a list of local recommendations for CGA-IGC 2025 attendees! Check out his suggestions...
It’s great to live in an underrated city, and St. Louis as a typical “flyover city” in the Midwest is just that! We hope that you enjoy the meeting, but if you are able to step away for a bit, I offer a number of worthwhile experiences to enjoy while you are in town. Of course, this is not all-encompassing, so please check out Tripadvisor or your favorite travel site for more to do! Also, check out these sites with things to do in “the Lou” for 2-3 days:
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Gateway Arch & Museum of Westward Expansion – Definitely worth the short walk across the street from the meeting hotel, the iconic 630-ft stainless steel arch offers sweeping views of downtown and the Mississippi river via a short tram ride to the top. This is a National Park, so get your memorabilia while visiting! Beneath the arch, a modern, recently updated museum traces the western expansion of the U.S. 
Wikipedia, gatewayarch.com; combine it with a riverboat cruise! gatewayarch.com/buy-tickets/
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Old Courthouse – Just across the street from the Arch and meeting hotel, this was the starting point of the pivotal Dred Scott case. Newly restored and reopened in May 2025, it houses exhibits on regional and national history that a worth a look! gatewayarch.com/gateway-arch-national-park/old-courthouse/
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City Museum – Less than a 10-minute ride from the hotel, the most unique and surreal “museum” you have ever visited, be ready to get active, rent some knee pads! This artist-built adventure has slides, caves, and eccentric architecture. A playful favorite for all ages. citymuseum.org
Need a “Fright Night” excuse to go?
citymuseum.org/event/fright-at-the-museum/
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Food Scene! – St. Louis has become famous for its affordable and accessible restaurants, many a short ride from the hotel! Check out some lists here: stlmag.com/dining/best-restaurants-in-st-louis/ or by neighborhood: stlmag.com/dining/dining-guide/
Near the hotel: Salt + Smoke is great BBQ, Katie’s Pizza and Pasta is amazing and Broadway Oyster Bar will make you feel like you were transported to N’awlins!
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Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village – Even though our beloved Cardinals will almost certainly not be in the playoffs come October, you can still take a tour of the stadium or watch your favorite teams on the huge screens inside the Village while you check out the bars and restaurants that are all a short walk from the meeting hotel!
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Citygarden StL – Opened in 2009, this cool and unusual park has almost 30 large sculptures and multiple water features along two city blocks in the heart of “the Lou”. Just a short walk from the hotel, the area gets over a million visitors annually. citygardenstl.org
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Comic Nerds and Cosplayers Unite! – GalaxyCon StL 10/10-12 at nearby America’s Center. Join fans from across the galaxy and celebrate Comic Books, Pop Culture, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Anime, Gaming, Cosplay, and more!
Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade 2024
“Life of Pi” (Broadway Tour) – Opening weekend at the amazing and iconic art deco wonder that is the Fabulous Fox Theatre. A visually stunning, Tony-winning production that blends puppetry and theater magic – more here! The Fox is a fantastic venue and worth a visit, a short ride from the meeting hotel.
Image courtesy of nationalbluesmuseum.org
Music Events – Check out the National Blues Museum (less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel), including a live show on 10/12. Tate McRae (“Miss Possessive Tour”) on 10/11 at Enterprise. St. Louis Ballet does “Take Five” 10/11-12. At Chaifetz Arena (10 minute ride from the hotel), you can see Lorde (“Ultrasound Tour”) on 10/9 or Alex Warren (“Cheaper Than Therapy Tour”) on 10/12. Jazz St. Louis has the Bennett Wood Quartet overlapping with the meeting. Others include Sam Nash, Greensky Bluegrass, Leonard Slatkin and Emanuel Ax, Molly Tuttle, TaylorFest (yes, Swifties!), and many others across the city here! How about a 2000s Rave at the Pageant???
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Louis Blues vs Minnesota Wild (NHL Game) – The home season opener on Thursday 10/9 for our 2019 Stanley Cup Champion Blues at Enterprise Center. Expect high energy and plenty of local spirit! This is a short ride from the hotel. nhl.com/blues
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The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis – Completed in 1914, the cathedral (about a 12-minute drive from the hotel) was designated a basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1997. It was built as a replacement for the previous cathedral, the Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, still located along the Mississippi River just South of the Arch (and a short walk from the hotel). The church is known for one of the largest mosaic installations in the Western Hemisphere as well as for its burial crypts.
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Missouri Botanical Garden – One of the nation’s oldest (founded 1859) and highest-rated botanical gardens featuring the Climatron and tranquil Japanese Garden. It is a 10 minute ride from the hotel, and adjacent to lovely Tower Grove Park and not far from South Grand Ave shops and restaurants. missouribotanicalgarden.org
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Central Public Library – A brief walk or ride away from the hotel, this architectural wonder is worth a visit, even consider a tour on Saturday! Built in 1912 and renovated in 2012, it offers replicas of features from the Pantheon, Vatican, and Michelangelo’s Laurentian Library that bring the Italian Renaissance to life in the heart of downtown St. Louis, in addition to over 30 Printers’ Marks from throughout history: slpl.org/locations/9/
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Saint Louis Zoo – Just over a 10 minute ride from the meeting hotel, this FREE (!) zoo is top-rated and worth the trip! Home to exotic animals (including polar bears and penguins!) across expansive grounds in the lovely and celebrated Forest Park. stlzoo.org
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Union Station & St. Louis Aquarium – Historic train terminal (was at one point the busiest train station in the World!) now hosting an aquarium, restaurants, nightly light shows, and the 200-ft St. Louis Wheel! stlouisunionstation.com This is just across from the new MLS soccer stadium (City SC are not in town the weekend of the meeting, unfortunately!) and just up Market Street from the Hotel.
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City Foundry STL – Just over 5 minutes from the hotel, this is an industrial-chic, recently-revived complex with incredible and unique food hall, brewery, and entertainment—a great meal and hangout spot. cityfoundrystl.com Of note, there’s an Alamo Drafthouse here, Museum of Illusions, as well as Puttshack, and a fantastic innovative BBQ place by one of our James Beard Award winners (Gerard Craft): expatstl.com. Local tip: this speak-easy style cocktail place in the basement of the Foundry is fantastic, but get reservations! notastl.com
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Soulard Farmers Market – Just a 7-minute ride from the hotel, this market has been operating since 1779 (the oldest and largest farmers’ market west of the Mississippi!) and is packed with local produce, meats, and delicious ready-to-eat treats (open Weds-Sat). soulardmarket.com
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Forest Park – Despite being partially damaged by the recent tornado that hit StL, this is a quick ride from the hotel and is a true gem that is worth a visit! This fantastic city park was the site of the 1904 Worlds Fair and is more than twice the area of Central Park. It hosts the zoo, multiple museums, running/biking trails, boating, golf, and more! forestparkmap.org and check out the fall foliage sites to visit!
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Saint Louis Art Museum – Also located in Forest Park near the Zoo and sitting atop Art Hill (a popular sledding destination in the winter), this highly-rated and FREE (!) museum was founded in 1879. Multiple amazing exhibits run through October: slam.org/exhibitions/
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Missouri History Museum – Another FREE (!) museum located in the heart of amazing Forest Park, this museum covers St. Louis’s rich history, including exhibits on the 1904 World’s Fair and “Collected” with pieces marking regional defining moments, such as Missouri’s pivotal role in a heated national debate over slavery or the transatlantic flight that changed aviation. mohistory.org
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St. Louis Science Center and Planetarium – Just 10 minutes from the hotel, this fantastic museum is on the Southeast corner of Forest Park near Barnes Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, this museum offers over 700 interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and IMAX theater connected via skybridge over the highway. slsc.org
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Delmar Loop – Six blocks of music, dining, boutiques, and the St. Louis “Walk of Fame” (Scott Joplin to Andy Cohen!). The area is popular with WashU students and is home to Pin-Up Bowl, the Pageant, and Blueberry Hill, filled with nostalgic rock history where Chuck Berry often performed. visittheloop.com
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Soldiers Memorial Military Museum – Also a short drive or walk from the hotel, this state-of-the-art museum honors military service, veterans, and their families with a look at American military history through the lens of St. Louis. Revitalized and renovated less than 10 years ago, this is run by the Missouri Historical Society and offers free entry. mohistory.org/memorial
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Budweiser Brewery – Anheuser-Busch has a rich history in St. Louis and has been named the most historic landmark in Missouri! Their brewery space is less than a 10 minute ride from the hotel (!) and offers lovely tours of the old grounds (free and some for a small fee, but a beverage will be your reward, regardless), including tours with the Clydesdales and a beautiful beer garden. Nearby are great restaurants like Peacemaker for oysters and lobster rolls (yes, in the middle of the U.S.!) and delicious Sidney Street Café!
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Magic House (Children’s Museum) – Located in Kirkwood less than 20 minutes from the hotel, this play-oriented museum is filled with interactive exhibits like a bubble room and maker space. magichouse.org
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Grant’s Farm – A hybrid of history and fun: farm animals and wildlife, tram rides, and a piece of Ulysses S. Grant’s legacy. This is the Busch family home since 1903, and therefore free beer tastings are included! October offers Halloween Nights and Fall Fest. grantsfarm.com and events.
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The Hill Neighborhood – Famous Italian-American area known for bakeries, trattorias, and St. Louis’ own toasted ravioli — ideal for a memorable meal, gelato, or some bocce ball! hillstl.org/ Note: the Italian Heritage Parade and Festa is on October 12! Also of note, the best sushi in town is on the Hill (at Sado)!
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Castlewood State Park – Hiking trails (and some of the best mountain biking in St. Louis!) with views of the Meramec River; spectacular fall foliage in October. This is about 30 minutes from the meeting hotel. mostateparks.com Nearby is Lone Elk Park with bison, wild turkey, waterfowl, elk and deer. Other popular outdoor adventures include the Katy Trail (240 miles long!) which is great for biking and hiking, and some popular hiking trails along the Missouri River near historic St. Charles, also about 30 minutes from the Hyatt.