Breakfast at Home: One mile from The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis you will find Winslow’s Home, a delightful combination of a farm-to-table restaurant, European bakery, and gourmet kitchen boutique. Do not miss the selection of savory scones — the Parmesan and Bacon are particularly tasty.

The Best Culture Stop: If you have time for one culture stop in Forest Park, choose the world-class Saint Louis Art Museum in the historic Palace of Fine Arts, designed by renowned American architect Cass Gilbert for the 1904 World’s Fair. Admission is free, and the museum’s comprehensive collection spans works of art from every continent and era.

The Top of the Arch: The iconic Gateway Arch was erected in 1965 at the site of the city’s founding on the west bank of the Mississippi River. The 630-foot monument remains the tallest arch in the world and the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere. An enclosed tram zips visitors up the side of the arch in four minutes to the Observation Desk and its birds-eye view of St. Louis and the mighty Mississippi.

Beautiful Music: The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1880, making it the second-oldest symphony orchestra in the United States, behind the New York Philharmonic. The world-renowned ensemble performs at Powell Hall, a gorgeous French Renaissance-style theater in the Grand Center neighborhood; the city’s arts and entertainment district. If your visit does not coincide with a scheduled orchestra performance, the spirit of St. Louis can also be found in its jazz scene and nearby Jazz at the Bistro will definitely deliver.

Gaze Heavenward: The historic Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is breathtaking from the outside, an awe-inspiring blend of Neo-Byzantine and Romanesque Revival architecture dating back to 1907. It is even better inside, where the world’s largest collection of mosaics under one roof cover every wall, dome, and arch. Visitors are welcome to enter and behold the extraordinary interior; but unless you’d like to attend Catholic Mass, arrive after 8:30 a.m.

Explore a Superstar City Park: Situated in the heart of St. Louis, 1,371-acre Forest Park is what all other cities’ public parks aspire to be. It contains 10 cultural institutions and landmarks, including the Saint Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Zoo, and St. Louis Science Center, eight restaurants, and more than 20 monuments. This is not counting the abundant nature: forest, prairie, wetlands, lakes, a river, and a 75-foot waterfall or the recreational facilities, which are too numerous to list. Rent a bike from the hotel, with a picnic for two prepared by the culinary team, and explore.

Discover an Urban Oasis: Gateway Mall is not a mall at all but multiple blocks of green space tucked in between Chestnut and Market streets. Within it lies Citygarden, an urban sculpture park where a paved pathway winds around six gardens, several fountains and 24 significant works of public art displayed on wide-open grassy grounds.

Soulard Soul Food: One of St. Louis’ oldest neighborhoods, Soulard (pronounced SOO-lard) is the home of the historic Soulard Farmers Market, thought to be the oldest continually operating farmers market west of the Mississippi, since 1779. The area is a culinary hotspot, with more than 40 restaurants, many punctuated with festive outdoor patios or courtyards. Choose Molly’s for the bistro’s hip vibe and bold Creole-influenced menu.

Curtain Call: Two blocks from Powell Hall, savor a nightcap at Curtain Call Lounge at Fox Theatre. The Byzantine-inspired architecture and opulent décor lend an exotic flair to the sexy space; a throwback to the swanky clubs of the 1940s and 1950s. But even more than its ambiance, Curtain Call is known for its bubbly — serving up St. Louis’ best selection of fine champagne, available by the flute or bottle. Try one of the nightclub’s sparkling cocktails like The Star, made with chilled Amaretto, a dash of bitters, sparkling wine, and a star of anise garnish.

Morning

The Right Start: Forest Park spans 1,371 grassy, forested, lake-studded acres in the heart of the city. See it best from the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Saint Louis Art Museum’s ultra-modern restaurant, Panorama. The elegant weekend brunch menu changes seasonally — look for the eggs Benedict served over a split croissant.

Historic Highlights: Forest Park is 1.5 times the size of New York City’s Central Park, so forget about seeing it all. Thankfully, two beautiful (and historical) must-sees are nearby. The magnificent World’s Fair Pavilion was built in 1909, with proceeds from the 1904 World’s Fair, and the unique Jewel Box, with its 50-foot vertical glass walls, opened in 1936.

Midday

Wander the Grand Hall: A St. Louis tradition for 238 years, the Soulard Farmers Market runs year-round Wednesday through Saturday at the “Grand Hall,” an open-air space inside a Renaissance-style building. Expect more than 140 top-rated vendors, from farmers to artisans.

Lunch like a Local: Tangy-sweet St. Louis barbecue is the city’s most noteworthy contribution to American cuisine. If you have not already filled up at the farmers market, head to Bogart’s Smokehouse just around the corner for a plate of burnt ends or a slab of apricot-brûlée pork ribs.

Unique Shopping: Opt for an afternoon shopping antique row on Cherokee Street rather than the hustle and bustle of the mall. You can find rare gifts and treasures on the historically unique street.

Afternoon

More than Beer: Now world-famous, Anheuser-Busch’s very first brewery opened in St. Louis in 1852. Tour the original brewery in Soulard for a glimpse of St. Louis’ German roots, visit the Budweiser Clydesdale stables, and get a sneak peek at the company’s latest brewing technology.

The Grandfather of Botanical Gardens: The 79 spectacular acres of the Missouri Botanical Garden date back to 1859, making it the nation’s oldest in continual operation. Locals know it as Shaw’s Garden, for founder Henry Shaw, a botanist, and philanthropist. Do not miss the 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, one of his masterpieces.

Evening

Dine at the Biergarten: In addition to industry giant Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis also boasts a robust craft beer scene. Local standout Urban Chestnut Brewing Company creates award-winning beers in both American and European styles, served alongside gourmet pub fare with a German twist, like gravlax — cured salmon, créme fraîche, beet, and capers on crostini.

Dessert Like You've Never Had Before: St. Louis is big on the boozy ice cream trend, and no place does it better than Ices Plain and Fancy, where the ice cream is flash-churned on demand using liquid nitrogen. The best part? Liquid nitrogen is so cold that it can freeze alcohol. Try a Benjamin; with vanilla ice cream, whiskey, and pralines.

Morning

Best Brunch View: With approachable French cuisine served in an architecturally charming setting, Vin de Set personifies St. Louis. The bistro also has what is arguably the best view of the Gateway Arch and downtown skyline courtesy of its rooftop deck. 

Midday

A Scenic History Lesson: Take a step back in time aboard a replica 19th-century paddle-wheel riverboat on a one-hour sightseeing cruise along the Mississippi River with a National Park Service ranger. Soak in the city views and learn about the role the river played in St. Louis’ colorful past.

Stroll the Walk of Fame: Brass stars and bronze plaques embedded into the sidewalk of the Delmar Loop, named after an old streetcar turnaround, honor the city’s greatest stars like T.S. Eliot, Maya Angelou, and Chuck Berry. The Loop is also the hottest spot for clothing boutiques, funky shops, and art galleries.

An Unforgettable Burger: The Loop is the place for ethnic restaurants, but for a first-time visit to St. Louis, you must visit Blueberry Hill Restaurant & Music Club. Full of music memorabilia and pop culture kitsch, this local institution makes the best burger in town, including vegetarian versions.

Afternoon

The Weirdest Museum: There’s simply nothing else on earth like the City Museum. The 600,000-square-foot fun house and surreal architectural marvel was created by a team of artists using repurposed architectural and industrial objects and is housed in a former shoe company warehouse. You have to see it to believe it.

Take a Break: Inside The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis you will find one of the city’s top day spas. Relax with the 80-minute Missouri Red Rock Massage, inspired by the state’s volcanic red rocks, or the Black Walnut Massage with locally-sourced walnuts.

Evening

Broadway Oyster Bar: Enjoy dinner at Broadway Oyster Bar, affectionately known as Bob. The restaurant’s award-winning Cajun and Creole cuisine is second only to its rollicking music scene, drawing America’s best blues, jazz, and R&B acts.  

Nightcap: Round out your weekend at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis with one of the signature cocktails in the swanky Lobby Lounge, where classics like Manhattans and martinis are made to perfection. Or for a one-of-a-kind experience, sip, smoke, and relax in the warm ambiance of our private Cigar Club with a classic scotch and cigar.