Geography

Main article: Geography of St. Louis

Cityscape

Westward view of St. Louis skyline, September 2008.

Landmarks

Further information: Landmarks of St. Louis

Name	Description	Photo
Gateway Arch	At 630-foot (192 m), it is the world's tallest arch and tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere,.[25] Built as a monument to the westward expansion of the United States, it is the centerpiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.
St. Louis Art Museum	Built for the 1904 World's Fair, with a building designed by Cass Gilbert, the museum houses paintings, sculptures, and cultural objects. The museum is located in Forest Park, and admission is free.
Missouri Botanical Garden	Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the oldest botanical institutions in the United States and a National Historic Landmark. It spans 79-acres in the Shaw neighborhood, including a 14-acre (5.7 ha) Japanese garden and the Climatron geodesic dome conservatory.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis	Completed in 1914, it is the mother church of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the seat of its archbishop. The church is known for its large mosaic installation (which is one of the largest in the Western Hemisphere), burial crypts, and its outdoor sculpture.
City Hall	Located in Downtown West, City Hall was designed by Harvey Ellis in 1892 in the Renaissance Revival style. It is reminiscent of the Hôtel de Ville, Paris.
Central Library	Completed in 1912, the Central Library building was designed by Cass Gilbert. It serves as the main location for the St. Louis Public Library.
City Museum	City Museum is a play house museum, consisting largely of repurposed architectural and industrial objects, housed in the former International Shoe building in the Washington Avenue Loft District.
Old Courthouse	Built in the 19th century, it served as a federal and state courthouse. The Dred Scott case was tried at the courthouse in 1846.
St. Louis Science Center	Founded in 1963, it includes a science museum and a planetarium, and is situated in Forest Park. Admission is free. It is one of only two science centers in the United States which offers free general admission.
St. Louis Symphony	Founded in 1880, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest symphony orchestra in the United States, preceded only by the New York Philharmonic. Its principal concert venue is Powell Symphony Hall.
Union Station	Built in 1894, it was the city's main passenger intercity train terminal. Once the world's largest and busiest train station, it was converted in the early 1980s into a hotel, shopping center, and entertainment complex. Today, it also continues to serve local rail (MetroLink) transit passengers, with Amtrak service nearby.
St. Louis Zoo	Built for the 1904 Worlds Fair, it is recognized as a leading zoo in animal management, research, conservation, and education. It is located in Forest Park, and admission is free.