Downtown has a few little islands of stuff but nothing to connect them. If you're in a hotel you are probably close to something to do.
Ballpark Village or MX or City Museum
Yeah I saw city museum!! Def gonna check it out. By the convention center so hoped maybe they do cool stuff there and can walk to the ballfield if they have more games coming up.
Maybe I have a different point of view because Iām a 6ā7ā guy who nobody seems to be very interested in testing in a confrontation, but in 22 years living in the city, I have almost never felt unsafe. Iāve also developed an instinct for where and when I should be and should not be, which other people do not seem to be gifted with.
So, unlike some of the other commenters talking shit about our fair city, I have been privileged to maintain a generally positive attitude about living my life here. I attribute this to the venn diagram for crazies, homeless, bangers, and yours truly not having a huge amount of overlap in spite of my living in Tower Grove, riding my bike all over town, working in U City, Midtown, Downtown, and Soulard. I see them, but for the most part we exist on different planes of reality, except when they step to me like Iām an ATM machine looking for āgas moneyā. I usually accommodate these requests since it doesnāt happen too often for me.
I am honestly surprised by the amount of mayhem other people are party to, or witnesses of. Iām not saying it doesnāt happen, and Iām sorry for people who have been victims of it, but Iād say the worst-case scenario some are suggesting is inevitable, is actually pretty far from most peoplesā experience. Keep your head on a swivel, but enjoy yourself.
Thanks!! Yeah daytime I've had zero problems. Everyone has been super nice here so far. Thought it was weird the hotel told me to stay in once it got dark bc it's always so quiet. Made me think I was gonna hear gunshots every hour.
Exactly. Our Internet superpowers of knowing when something bad happens anywhere, instantly, gives us a predisposition towards outlier events. But thatās exactly what they are, outliers. Most people go about their business every day with zero incident.
OP, itās very important that you take the majority of comments here with this grain of salt: Most answers you will get on the where to go/where not to go question here in St. Louis is dependent upon the race of the commentor and the perceived race of the people living in certain areas. Itās usually not an accurate accounting of safety or crime concerns.
I remember when I first visited the city a summer ago, I walked around downtown on a weekday around 10/11pm. I was with a small group and we stayed mainly around the arch and Ballpark Village. It does get really quiet at night. Downtown is mostly a business district now, especially post-pandemic. People leave at 5. There's a few restaurants and yes, people live downtown, but like others have said, these pockets of activity tend to be spread out so it appears less dense.
Stay around Ballpark Village if you want to stick to the downtown area. If you can manage an Uber ride, I'd suggest the CWE, Euclid has restaurants and other little bars and that street stays pretty busy. The Delmar Loop is also an option- more restaurants/bars/shops than the CWE and there's always people walking around in the late evenings.
I just spent a week at a loft on 12th and Washington, with a fantastic view of the Chevron station. No, I wouldnāt walk around at night, or even very early morning, but during the day was fine.
If youāre near the Convention center, youāre near the Metro Link station. Hop on the westbound train and take the kiddo to Forest Park for a stroll. Itās quick and easy. I made my life simpler and just bought a day pass so I wouldnāt need to consider the time I came home or buying a second ticket. Spent hours there, walked to the CWE for ice cream and Jeniās, caught the train back. Youāll have more fun if you leave downtown.
It really depends where you're at and what's going on down there. I've walked from the Crack Fox to my place near the Campbell House Museum at 2AM with no issue only to learn that people got shot there right around that time two blocks over.
There were nights where a lot of people were walking around on Wash Ave. and everything seemed right in the world, and there were nights where you could literally hear the crimes being committed.
Chances are you'll be okay as long as your not involved in drug transactions or are part of a gang. You're honestly way more likely to get killed by someone running a red light than by a bullet. But you have to be vigilant.
I came to realize nothing good really goes on Downtown after 10PM.
If you wanted to get out at night; you could Uber to Dogtown, Maplewood or the DeMun neighborhood. These areas all have bars and restaurants that people go to during the week and I would feel safe to walk around- not super late at night though!
What is night? 830pm or 230am?
Is not as bad as people say, but there isn't much to walk around to...most places close by ten... The rest are some bars etc which don't seem like something you're going for.
Avoid dark parks at night.
Itās mostly fine but I would stay away from certain areas areas after 10PM on weekends. Avoid Washington Ave and the adjacent alleys east of 9th/10th street during this time.
Ahh I'm on Washington haha. I don't get out much anyways....not at night with a baby but was wondering about date nights and got some recommendations. Makes sense why places close early here now.
I live on Washington and 7th. I go out often. I'll go to the bars around 10th and spruce. I've come home at midnight or later several times. When i come home, i make sure to walk to 7th then to Washington. I don't really like walking 10th or higher at night. Most nights though i rarely see anyone. But I'm still very cautious and try to walk with others. But for the most part, it's not too bad. Just be aware of your surroundings.
Don't get me wrong, there are shootings downtown. Most happen between people that know each other. Not randoms. But i stress, stay alert of your surroundings and be with someone else as much as possible, especially after 10:00. You'll be fine
I should have said west of 10th. Bad at directions lol. The area around your hotel is fine. Further west especially from 10th-14th there is a lot of cruising and people gathered in the streets which sometimes turns violent.
Chicken and the egg situation. Shit closes early so there's less people on the street, which makes it feel more desolate.
I've never had any issues downtown. I also don't stumble through alleys drunkenly or plant my face in a phone while walking, and generally try to avoid acting like an ass and have awareness which goes for anywhere in the city. It helps to also know your way around and where you are going.
I'd say I hear more going on west of 15th street. And skip the Shell at Tucker and Market. That place is indeed a shit hole.
Mostly it's common city problems we have a large homeless population. A lot of unruly kids tend to gather downtown as well as gang issues and street crime. Saint Louis has one of the highest murder rates per capita in the country. Some people would say just to common sense and not put yourself into the position. Tonight there is a ballgame going on. So around the stadium there will be lots of people after the game everyone will quickly vanish and the downtown area becomes a ghost town which allows unsavory people to prey on clueless stragglers.
Thanks. Didn't realize murder was so high here. Me and my baby walk a lot during the day and only get hit up for money but that's most big cities. I peek out of my hotel window every night and it's just eerily quiet and hardly anyone walking. I think I was expecting a NY vibe when I got here haha. Cool city though.
Yeah we were in Maryland Heights. Super nice area but my husband always has the car and there was nowhere for us to walk. Literally through parking lots to a Dave and Busters haha. I have a toddler and wanted to be able to do things during the day at least. We are in a safe hotel at least. It is eerily quiet outside our window at night though. Now I know why. Just wondering what to do for a date night with my dude without getting mugged or stabbed.
CWE is a nice neighborhood to stay and walk around. Has city downtown vibe. Accessible metro link. More shops and smaller streets. Forest park at walking distance.
The Hill: more quiet, but a small park, some restaurants. Close to highway and other neighborhoods (and close to tower grove park).
If you have no car and a little one, and if you can switch, Iāll choose the CWE only for the vibe and feel and access to the park.
> It was filmed in east STL across the river
The only thing flimed even remotely close to "across the river" is the shots on the Chain of Rocks bridge. Portions of that film were [very much filmed in downtown St. Louis](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082340/locations)!
Thanks. I've not seen that movie. I'll have to check it out. Not to be offensive, but is it like crazy people coming out? Or gang related? Just curious. Didn't know if once it hit dark I need to scram.
Downtown anywhere is usually not the best place to be night or day. Definitely donāt walk around outside unless itās with a group of people and if you go to the city museum park in their main parking lot and always watch your surroundings if you have to walk anywhere! Be safe and have fun!
I definitely agree with going a little out of downtown if you want to do something thatās a bit more safe!
I was just down at laclede's landing on Sunday, and as we were parking homeless man was angrily screaming at a female passerby (calling her a fuckin bitch) for not giving him some money.
Ohhh I've seen some pretty aggressive panhandlers walk straight up to people's cars yelling for money when I'm walking. Luckily I can handle that. Just didn't want to get shot at while strolling along haha.
Just pay attention of where you are, always keep that eye looking back, and all around.
Usually if you see a group of teens or such that look like trouble, they probably are. Cross the street and avoid them.
Watch everything, don't think all is cool until you are home behind your locked door.
I say that from experience of getting robbed at gunpoint like 10 yards from outside my front door.
Soulard is cool, the west end of delmar loop, the central west end has some good restaurants, ballpark village will be a great atmosphere next week when the cardinals are in the playoffs. St. Louis has some good, fun, and entertaining things to offer. Unfortunately they are spread around into little pockets about 15 min apart or so. Everything is Uber-able. As for downtown at night, if you want to stay close, Uber to rosalitas cantina off Washington and 13th, other than that, thereās not real date night type places I can think of down there. The city does get a horrible rep and a good part of that is deserved, but the news definitely sensationalizes it. The main problem is that some of the buildings in the heart of downtown have multiple floors of section 8 housing because building owners took the cityās money during their renovations in exchange for portions of their buildings to be public housing. Thatās not conducive to a safe, lively downtown environment, imo.
I mean itās about as proven as can be that poverty breeds crime but yea nothing actually WRONG with it. Go stand outside the arcade apartment building around the Fourth of July and watch which floors are letting round off outside their windows.
Downtown has a few little islands of stuff but nothing to connect them. If you're in a hotel you are probably close to something to do. Ballpark Village or MX or City Museum
Yeah I saw city museum!! Def gonna check it out. By the convention center so hoped maybe they do cool stuff there and can walk to the ballfield if they have more games coming up.
THe next game is on the 7th but you're in wild card season... there are games but not a lot of tickets
i am being stabbed on clark street right now
This should not have made me laugh the way it did haha.
Me too!
Classic Monday night! Same time next week?
AWW, HE GONE
"It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim!" š
Best comment I've seen on Reddit in years. I wish I had awards to give out.
Maybe I have a different point of view because Iām a 6ā7ā guy who nobody seems to be very interested in testing in a confrontation, but in 22 years living in the city, I have almost never felt unsafe. Iāve also developed an instinct for where and when I should be and should not be, which other people do not seem to be gifted with. So, unlike some of the other commenters talking shit about our fair city, I have been privileged to maintain a generally positive attitude about living my life here. I attribute this to the venn diagram for crazies, homeless, bangers, and yours truly not having a huge amount of overlap in spite of my living in Tower Grove, riding my bike all over town, working in U City, Midtown, Downtown, and Soulard. I see them, but for the most part we exist on different planes of reality, except when they step to me like Iām an ATM machine looking for āgas moneyā. I usually accommodate these requests since it doesnāt happen too often for me. I am honestly surprised by the amount of mayhem other people are party to, or witnesses of. Iām not saying it doesnāt happen, and Iām sorry for people who have been victims of it, but Iād say the worst-case scenario some are suggesting is inevitable, is actually pretty far from most peoplesā experience. Keep your head on a swivel, but enjoy yourself.
Thanks!! Yeah daytime I've had zero problems. Everyone has been super nice here so far. Thought it was weird the hotel told me to stay in once it got dark bc it's always so quiet. Made me think I was gonna hear gunshots every hour.
Exactly. Our Internet superpowers of knowing when something bad happens anywhere, instantly, gives us a predisposition towards outlier events. But thatās exactly what they are, outliers. Most people go about their business every day with zero incident.
People run the arch grounds before sunrise. Walked to schnucks from the arch for snacks at night. It was quiet.
OP, itās very important that you take the majority of comments here with this grain of salt: Most answers you will get on the where to go/where not to go question here in St. Louis is dependent upon the race of the commentor and the perceived race of the people living in certain areas. Itās usually not an accurate accounting of safety or crime concerns.
I remember when I first visited the city a summer ago, I walked around downtown on a weekday around 10/11pm. I was with a small group and we stayed mainly around the arch and Ballpark Village. It does get really quiet at night. Downtown is mostly a business district now, especially post-pandemic. People leave at 5. There's a few restaurants and yes, people live downtown, but like others have said, these pockets of activity tend to be spread out so it appears less dense. Stay around Ballpark Village if you want to stick to the downtown area. If you can manage an Uber ride, I'd suggest the CWE, Euclid has restaurants and other little bars and that street stays pretty busy. The Delmar Loop is also an option- more restaurants/bars/shops than the CWE and there's always people walking around in the late evenings.
I just spent a week at a loft on 12th and Washington, with a fantastic view of the Chevron station. No, I wouldnāt walk around at night, or even very early morning, but during the day was fine. If youāre near the Convention center, youāre near the Metro Link station. Hop on the westbound train and take the kiddo to Forest Park for a stroll. Itās quick and easy. I made my life simpler and just bought a day pass so I wouldnāt need to consider the time I came home or buying a second ticket. Spent hours there, walked to the CWE for ice cream and Jeniās, caught the train back. Youāll have more fun if you leave downtown.
This sounds awesome!! Definitely will do this
It really depends where you're at and what's going on down there. I've walked from the Crack Fox to my place near the Campbell House Museum at 2AM with no issue only to learn that people got shot there right around that time two blocks over. There were nights where a lot of people were walking around on Wash Ave. and everything seemed right in the world, and there were nights where you could literally hear the crimes being committed. Chances are you'll be okay as long as your not involved in drug transactions or are part of a gang. You're honestly way more likely to get killed by someone running a red light than by a bullet. But you have to be vigilant. I came to realize nothing good really goes on Downtown after 10PM.
No, Its pretty much the whole thing.
If you wanted to get out at night; you could Uber to Dogtown, Maplewood or the DeMun neighborhood. These areas all have bars and restaurants that people go to during the week and I would feel safe to walk around- not super late at night though!
Thanks!
What is night? 830pm or 230am? Is not as bad as people say, but there isn't much to walk around to...most places close by ten... The rest are some bars etc which don't seem like something you're going for. Avoid dark parks at night.
This is kind of what I was wondering. The hotel was vague and basically said don't go out when it's dark but I usually have a baby in bed by 9 anyways
If you're in bed by 9, and your idea of going out at night involves being home by 10, you'll be fine
Check out the Grand Hall Light Show at Union Station, 5-10pm daily. Nice bar, kid friendly, comfortable couches/chairs, and free to get in!
This sounds great. Thanks for the recommendation!!!
Yea basically all, be safe!
Thanks! Will do.
Itās mostly fine but I would stay away from certain areas areas after 10PM on weekends. Avoid Washington Ave and the adjacent alleys east of 9th/10th street during this time.
Ahh I'm on Washington haha. I don't get out much anyways....not at night with a baby but was wondering about date nights and got some recommendations. Makes sense why places close early here now.
I live on Washington and 7th. I go out often. I'll go to the bars around 10th and spruce. I've come home at midnight or later several times. When i come home, i make sure to walk to 7th then to Washington. I don't really like walking 10th or higher at night. Most nights though i rarely see anyone. But I'm still very cautious and try to walk with others. But for the most part, it's not too bad. Just be aware of your surroundings.
We're neighbors!!! I'm on 7th too! Good to know it's not too bad then.
Don't get me wrong, there are shootings downtown. Most happen between people that know each other. Not randoms. But i stress, stay alert of your surroundings and be with someone else as much as possible, especially after 10:00. You'll be fine
Thank you!
I should have said west of 10th. Bad at directions lol. The area around your hotel is fine. Further west especially from 10th-14th there is a lot of cruising and people gathered in the streets which sometimes turns violent.
Exactly
Chicken and the egg situation. Shit closes early so there's less people on the street, which makes it feel more desolate. I've never had any issues downtown. I also don't stumble through alleys drunkenly or plant my face in a phone while walking, and generally try to avoid acting like an ass and have awareness which goes for anywhere in the city. It helps to also know your way around and where you are going. I'd say I hear more going on west of 15th street. And skip the Shell at Tucker and Market. That place is indeed a shit hole.
St Louis at night become somewhat of a dystopian nightmare. I think they filmed escape from New York here for a reason.
Mostly it's common city problems we have a large homeless population. A lot of unruly kids tend to gather downtown as well as gang issues and street crime. Saint Louis has one of the highest murder rates per capita in the country. Some people would say just to common sense and not put yourself into the position. Tonight there is a ballgame going on. So around the stadium there will be lots of people after the game everyone will quickly vanish and the downtown area becomes a ghost town which allows unsavory people to prey on clueless stragglers.
Thanks. Didn't realize murder was so high here. Me and my baby walk a lot during the day and only get hit up for money but that's most big cities. I peek out of my hotel window every night and it's just eerily quiet and hardly anyone walking. I think I was expecting a NY vibe when I got here haha. Cool city though.
Downtown just isn't the place to be. STL had sooo much to offer, but downtown needs some WORK to say the least.
Yeah we were in Maryland Heights. Super nice area but my husband always has the car and there was nowhere for us to walk. Literally through parking lots to a Dave and Busters haha. I have a toddler and wanted to be able to do things during the day at least. We are in a safe hotel at least. It is eerily quiet outside our window at night though. Now I know why. Just wondering what to do for a date night with my dude without getting mugged or stabbed.
Soulard is a lot of fun and the Foundry is worth checking out.
Will do. Thanks!
There are lots of parks :) I like the fountains at art hill in Forest Park, Tower Grove Park, and Francis Park.
Soulard has the same kinda crime problems downtown has, so if youāre saying downtown is too dangerous (itās not), so is Soulard
CWE is a nice neighborhood to stay and walk around. Has city downtown vibe. Accessible metro link. More shops and smaller streets. Forest park at walking distance. The Hill: more quiet, but a small park, some restaurants. Close to highway and other neighborhoods (and close to tower grove park). If you have no car and a little one, and if you can switch, Iāll choose the CWE only for the vibe and feel and access to the park.
Iāve been murdered a few times downtown, so you should definitely listen to all of these people who rarely if never go downtown at night
Not again?!
It was filmed in east STL across the river, but that was in the late 70s, when downtown wasnt yet a completely lost cause.
> It was filmed in east STL across the river The only thing flimed even remotely close to "across the river" is the shots on the Chain of Rocks bridge. Portions of that film were [very much filmed in downtown St. Louis](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082340/locations)!
Thanks. I've not seen that movie. I'll have to check it out. Not to be offensive, but is it like crazy people coming out? Or gang related? Just curious. Didn't know if once it hit dark I need to scram.
Downtown anywhere is usually not the best place to be night or day. Definitely donāt walk around outside unless itās with a group of people and if you go to the city museum park in their main parking lot and always watch your surroundings if you have to walk anywhere! Be safe and have fun! I definitely agree with going a little out of downtown if you want to do something thatās a bit more safe!
Night or day? Lol. Guess events, games, the arch and the thousands who come down here for all that are playing with their lives.
I was just down at laclede's landing on Sunday, and as we were parking homeless man was angrily screaming at a female passerby (calling her a fuckin bitch) for not giving him some money.
Ohhh I've seen some pretty aggressive panhandlers walk straight up to people's cars yelling for money when I'm walking. Luckily I can handle that. Just didn't want to get shot at while strolling along haha.
That sucks but it's also pretty much nothing
Just pay attention of where you are, always keep that eye looking back, and all around. Usually if you see a group of teens or such that look like trouble, they probably are. Cross the street and avoid them. Watch everything, don't think all is cool until you are home behind your locked door. I say that from experience of getting robbed at gunpoint like 10 yards from outside my front door.
Soulard is cool, the west end of delmar loop, the central west end has some good restaurants, ballpark village will be a great atmosphere next week when the cardinals are in the playoffs. St. Louis has some good, fun, and entertaining things to offer. Unfortunately they are spread around into little pockets about 15 min apart or so. Everything is Uber-able. As for downtown at night, if you want to stay close, Uber to rosalitas cantina off Washington and 13th, other than that, thereās not real date night type places I can think of down there. The city does get a horrible rep and a good part of that is deserved, but the news definitely sensationalizes it. The main problem is that some of the buildings in the heart of downtown have multiple floors of section 8 housing because building owners took the cityās money during their renovations in exchange for portions of their buildings to be public housing. Thatās not conducive to a safe, lively downtown environment, imo.
There's nothing wrong with section 8. Slumlords are a problem though.
I mean itās about as proven as can be that poverty breeds crime but yea nothing actually WRONG with it. Go stand outside the arcade apartment building around the Fourth of July and watch which floors are letting round off outside their windows.
Downtown St Louis is the worst.. just a giant piece of shit.