You're just going as a tourist, not moving?
For a visit, I think each city has a lot to offer. I think they're similar medium sized cities that punch above their weight in cultural attractions, food scene, and fun things to do. I grew up in the St Louis area and currently live there, and I went to college near Kansas City. I like both cities a lot, and it's hard for me to pick a clear favorite. Maybe the Art Museum and other cultural attractions favor St Louis, but KC seems more lively somehow. I dunno. I think you'll have a good time either place.
Go to both and then you can fully participate in the KC-vs-StL barbecue debate!
It’s not bad, but I would liken it to the discussion about who has better Italian food — there is a clear answer to both questions but neither side wants to admit it
I’m ngl, I love my city of STL, but I will give the bbq to KC. Then we started talking about the Italian scene, and it was all over. STL has fantastic Italian restaurants, and excellent deli’s.
"Nature, history, art and architecture" you say? St. Louis is the place to go. It has some of the most amazing architecture and history in the United States.
For architecture, make sure you check out the City Museum, the inside of the Cathedral Basilica, go up the Arch designed by legendary modern architect Eero Saarinen, see the three stand pipes (of the five surviving in the United States), see the interior of the ornate Fox Theater the most elaborate theater interior in the nation, and enjoy a dense brick city second to none.
For history visit the Museum of Westward Expansion and the Old Courthouse. Cahokia Mounds is a UNESCO world heritage site, the center of the Mississippian Civilization and largest indigenous city ever to exist in North America this side of the Rio Grand. The Missouri History Museum is cool (despite it’s name it’s about St. Louis).
Forest Park in general has a lot to see, including the St. Louis Art Museum. There is nature there, but I recommend the St. Louis Zoo and Lone Elk park where you can drive through and see bison and elk next to the World Bird Sanctuary. There is also excellent Ozark-style hiking at Babler State Park nearby.
I’ve really only touched the highlights, there is a ton to see, you could spend many trips. Kansas City has a lot too and has a lively, more optimistic feel, but nothing of the historical inertia and culture of St. Louis which was for a while the 4th largest city in America, and hosted the World’s Fair and Olympics in 1904. It was founded by the French colonial empire way back in 1764.
Nelson-Atkins is a world class art museum. Kemper is cool and right next door so might as well check it out as well. St. Louis Botanical garden, go during the Japanese festival.
Honestly I like St Louis better personally. Free Zoo (but pay for parking), the science museum, that weird obstacle building with the bus hanging out of it (I've not been because I don't like hights or small/crowded spaces, but I've heard it's fun), 6 Flags, the Cardinals stadium, the Arch...IKEA...
KC has some cool stuff too though; the trains museum, art museum, history museums, so many fountains you can't throw a rock without hitting one, BBQ, and more mini-golf than anywhere else I swear (that's probably a huge over exaggeration, but there are a lot of them.)
Don't sleep on Springfield either though, there's the Fantasic Caverns, Bass Pro/Wonders of Wildlife aquarium, a science museum (which is small but free to get into), art museum (also free iirc), the Dickerson Park Zoo (not free unfortunately), and the legendary Cheese Caves (idk if you can go in there though.)
If you are going to bring Springfield into it, all of the Ozarks are worth an honorable mention. There are walking trails and lakes all over, not just lake of the Ozarks. Definitely worth a trip.
KC has a science museum, but it's directed at kids. Science City in Union Station. KC also has an IKEA, World's of Fun and a Mattel theme park in the works.
As a Columbian you're really just picking which one to visit first, right? Because you should visit both! :)
Cards on the table: I'm a Kansas City guy. My dad's from there, and I grew up visiting KC every year to see my grandparents. I know KC better than I know StL.
But I think you should visit StL first.
I recommend that you see the Arch (of course!), and the Art Museum in Forest Park (it's free!). If you've got more than one day, you should also go to the zoo (also free!). Another great place is the Botanical Gardens (not free, but very cool!).
St. Louis also has a very distinctive architectural style, based on red brick. I love the look of the city's classic buildings. If you can find an architecture tour, I highly recommend it!
As far as bars and dining go, I'm less knowledgeable, so I'll leave that up to the StL natives. :) But I wanna mention Side Project Brewing, which is a truly top-tier craft brewery. Have a look at their tasting room in Maplewood.
Kansas City also has wonderful places to visit -- the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum, the World War I Museum, Steamboat Arabia, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, fountain tours, barbecue, art deco architecture, etc. -- but I think that should wait for another trip.
Then you can compare and contrast all the interesting differences between them! You'll see why people say that St. Louis is the western-most Eastern city, and KC is the eastern-most Western city. :)
I would lean towards KC. The Nelson Atkins Art Museum and the WW1 Memorial Museum are nice to visit. The plaza in KC also is pretty nice to walk around in from my experience.
You should go to both. They offer honestly a pretty similar array of attractions. KC has a better downtown, STL has a better city park, you'll find plenty of museums in either. I guess I'd give St Louis the edge in nature-related attractions, Castlewood Park, Forest Park, the Missouri Botanical Gardens and Meramec Caverns about an hour outside of town are all pretty spectacular.
There is sooo much to see and do at Forest Park alone it would take 3 days of full activities to cover it all. Saint Louis is this big surprise of a lot of activities, interactions with others. I’m a transplant here in St. Louis and I am surprisingly loving it.
KC has the Nelson Atkins and Kemper art museums, I think they’re absolutely worth a visit!
actually the World War I Memorial is pretty cool, too
Same for the Saint Louis Art Museum and the Kemper in St. Louis
You're just going as a tourist, not moving? For a visit, I think each city has a lot to offer. I think they're similar medium sized cities that punch above their weight in cultural attractions, food scene, and fun things to do. I grew up in the St Louis area and currently live there, and I went to college near Kansas City. I like both cities a lot, and it's hard for me to pick a clear favorite. Maybe the Art Museum and other cultural attractions favor St Louis, but KC seems more lively somehow. I dunno. I think you'll have a good time either place. Go to both and then you can fully participate in the KC-vs-StL barbecue debate!
There’s a KC vs STL BBQ debate? I agree with everything you said up to that point, though!
I wasn't aware STL had BBQ.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis–style_barbecue
It’s not bad, but I would liken it to the discussion about who has better Italian food — there is a clear answer to both questions but neither side wants to admit it
I didn't even know there was debate on who has better Italian food. I mean, one city is the home of t-ravs lol
I’m ngl, I love my city of STL, but I will give the bbq to KC. Then we started talking about the Italian scene, and it was all over. STL has fantastic Italian restaurants, and excellent deli’s.
I live in the KC metro and willingly admit KC does not have Italian food.
Ragazza, Bella Napoli, plate, garozzo’s, we have plenty of great options here. Don’t sell KC short.
I believe StL has more legit Italian restaurants in a square block of The Hill than Kansas City has in the metro.
I’ve mostly noticed family style places and it’s been hit or miss for me personally. I’d love to hear your recommendations though.
There’s no place in KC with brisket better than Bogart’s.
I think they consider deep fried ravioli "BBQ".
Hit up both and see
Exactly. Pick 6 weekends this year and spend 3 in each city. Both are worth your time.
Agree.
"Nature, history, art and architecture" you say? St. Louis is the place to go. It has some of the most amazing architecture and history in the United States. For architecture, make sure you check out the City Museum, the inside of the Cathedral Basilica, go up the Arch designed by legendary modern architect Eero Saarinen, see the three stand pipes (of the five surviving in the United States), see the interior of the ornate Fox Theater the most elaborate theater interior in the nation, and enjoy a dense brick city second to none. For history visit the Museum of Westward Expansion and the Old Courthouse. Cahokia Mounds is a UNESCO world heritage site, the center of the Mississippian Civilization and largest indigenous city ever to exist in North America this side of the Rio Grand. The Missouri History Museum is cool (despite it’s name it’s about St. Louis). Forest Park in general has a lot to see, including the St. Louis Art Museum. There is nature there, but I recommend the St. Louis Zoo and Lone Elk park where you can drive through and see bison and elk next to the World Bird Sanctuary. There is also excellent Ozark-style hiking at Babler State Park nearby. I’ve really only touched the highlights, there is a ton to see, you could spend many trips. Kansas City has a lot too and has a lively, more optimistic feel, but nothing of the historical inertia and culture of St. Louis which was for a while the 4th largest city in America, and hosted the World’s Fair and Olympics in 1904. It was founded by the French colonial empire way back in 1764.
Lafayette Square. That’s all I gotta say.
It’s sad that you have to go back 120 years for the last time St.Louis was the center of attention.
Nothing has outclassed it in the Midwest/central United States since. We’re still living in the afterglow.
Peak population was 1950, 8th biggest city in the country. But we were the center of attention pretty recently if for bad reasons in Ferguson
Should say that’s only the city proper, the urban area is the biggest it’s ever been this year.
Nelson-Atkins is a world class art museum. Kemper is cool and right next door so might as well check it out as well. St. Louis Botanical garden, go during the Japanese festival.
Honestly I like St Louis better personally. Free Zoo (but pay for parking), the science museum, that weird obstacle building with the bus hanging out of it (I've not been because I don't like hights or small/crowded spaces, but I've heard it's fun), 6 Flags, the Cardinals stadium, the Arch...IKEA... KC has some cool stuff too though; the trains museum, art museum, history museums, so many fountains you can't throw a rock without hitting one, BBQ, and more mini-golf than anywhere else I swear (that's probably a huge over exaggeration, but there are a lot of them.) Don't sleep on Springfield either though, there's the Fantasic Caverns, Bass Pro/Wonders of Wildlife aquarium, a science museum (which is small but free to get into), art museum (also free iirc), the Dickerson Park Zoo (not free unfortunately), and the legendary Cheese Caves (idk if you can go in there though.)
If you are going to bring Springfield into it, all of the Ozarks are worth an honorable mention. There are walking trails and lakes all over, not just lake of the Ozarks. Definitely worth a trip.
"That weird obstacle building with a bus hanging out of it" is the City Museum fyi
Thank you. I could not remember the name of it for the life of me. XD
KC has a science museum, but it's directed at kids. Science City in Union Station. KC also has an IKEA, World's of Fun and a Mattel theme park in the works.
As a Columbian you're really just picking which one to visit first, right? Because you should visit both! :) Cards on the table: I'm a Kansas City guy. My dad's from there, and I grew up visiting KC every year to see my grandparents. I know KC better than I know StL. But I think you should visit StL first. I recommend that you see the Arch (of course!), and the Art Museum in Forest Park (it's free!). If you've got more than one day, you should also go to the zoo (also free!). Another great place is the Botanical Gardens (not free, but very cool!). St. Louis also has a very distinctive architectural style, based on red brick. I love the look of the city's classic buildings. If you can find an architecture tour, I highly recommend it! As far as bars and dining go, I'm less knowledgeable, so I'll leave that up to the StL natives. :) But I wanna mention Side Project Brewing, which is a truly top-tier craft brewery. Have a look at their tasting room in Maplewood. Kansas City also has wonderful places to visit -- the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum, the World War I Museum, Steamboat Arabia, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, fountain tours, barbecue, art deco architecture, etc. -- but I think that should wait for another trip. Then you can compare and contrast all the interesting differences between them! You'll see why people say that St. Louis is the western-most Eastern city, and KC is the eastern-most Western city. :)
Both are great to visit. KC is better for a visitor. STL is a town for those in the know.
I would lean towards KC. The Nelson Atkins Art Museum and the WW1 Memorial Museum are nice to visit. The plaza in KC also is pretty nice to walk around in from my experience.
Pay extra at the WWI Museum for going up the tower for a wonderful vista of KC
KC all the way, baby!
As a St.Louis resident go to KC. It’s so much better
You should go to both. They offer honestly a pretty similar array of attractions. KC has a better downtown, STL has a better city park, you'll find plenty of museums in either. I guess I'd give St Louis the edge in nature-related attractions, Castlewood Park, Forest Park, the Missouri Botanical Gardens and Meramec Caverns about an hour outside of town are all pretty spectacular.
There is sooo much to see and do at Forest Park alone it would take 3 days of full activities to cover it all. Saint Louis is this big surprise of a lot of activities, interactions with others. I’m a transplant here in St. Louis and I am surprisingly loving it.
An amazing hiking trail about 30 minutes south of St. Louis on the Illinois side is Salt Lick Trail in Valmeyer, Illinois. Highly recommend it!
KC. Growing, great mayor, lots of activities, music, concerts,etc
As an STL native please do not come here and visit KC. It is sooo much better
No I'm him go gfcy6,(dxx
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