THINGS TO DO IN St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri, the host city for the 2027 Meeting, is a major port city along the western bank of the Mississippi River in the heartland of the USA. Offering a “down-home” feel with cosmopolitan benefits, the city offers world-class sports, theatre, live music, art, and more that are all within reach and all without the hassle and expense you’d find in “one of those overpriced cities.” St. Louis is a foodies’ delight, with many diverse dining options including Peruvian, Italian, French, Mediterranean, and more, all within walking distance. It’s also the home of the Blues and each night St. Louis is alive with the rhythm of live music including jazz, country, and rock featuring both national and local acts. There’s nothing like the Midwestern hospitality of a local when they greet you with a warm ‘hello’ and we look forward to sharing that very special experience with you at the SIVB meeting. Check out these opportunities available to you when not enjoying the scientific program.
The City Museum
City Museum is an ever-evolving, always-thrilling, artist-built playground with installations you can spin around, climb up, slide down, crawl through, and so much more. Part museum, part art installation, part playground, part jungle gym, part mystery, part adult playground, part kid zone – and the right balance of them all! Get lost in its twists, turns, tunnels, slides and more in this weirdly wonderful museum of play.
Missouri Botanical Garden
Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the nation’s oldest botanical gardens in continuous operation and a National Historic Landmark. The Garden is a center for botanical research and science education, as well as an oasis in the city of St. Louis. The Garden offers 79 acres of beautiful horticultural display, including a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, historic architecture, and one of the world’s largest collections of rare and endangered flora. For more than 167 years, the Garden has been an oasis in the city, a place of beauty and family fun—and also a center for education, science, and conservation. The Missouri Botanical Garden’s mission is driven by the need to protect and conserve plants and their ecosystems. They seek to inspire and educate all members of the local region about the benefits of being good environmental stewards through responsible and sustainable use of natural resources.
Gateway Arch
Take a tram ride to the top of this gleaming, 630-foot monument. After you squeeze into a futuristic, five-person pod, it takes four minutes to ascend. At the top, small windows reveal spectacular views of the Old Courthouse, downtown St. Louis, the 2027 Meeting hotel, and beyond to the west and the Mississippi River and Illinois to the east. Back on the ground, explore the on-site museum, which traces more than 200 years of our region’s history in six themed exhibit areas. Visitors to Gateway Arch National Park can also board a 19th-century riverboat replica for a narrated cruise down the Mighty Mississippi. Want to splurge? Soar above the city with Gateway Helicopter Tours.
St. Louis Union Station
Balancing the historic and the modern, St. Louis Union Station invites you to spend the day – and the night – at the downtown entertainment district. From bird’s-eye views on the St. Louis Wheel to underwater adventures at the St. Louis Aquarium, St. Louis Union Station offers unforgettable fun whether you’re traveling with friends, family or co-workers. The experience also includes fire and light shows, mirror mazes, ropes courses, diverse dining and more.
Saint Louis art museum
Located in the heart of historic Forest Park, the Saint Louis Art Museum is one of the nation’s leading comprehensive art museums. Its collection includes exceptional art from virtually every culture and movement, and its temporary exhibitions range from native art to French landscapes and global textiles to ancient armor. Beyond the collection, the museum offers unique shopping and dining experiences to help make your visit more enjoyable. The best part? It’s free!
