St. Louis City Sights in a Different Light

Fabulous Fox Theatre

(©David Lancaster)

There are so many ways to take in St. Louis and its outstanding attractions. Each way offers a different perspective, revealing a new dimension of the city. Here are a few of our favorites.

St. Louis Fun Tours: Trolley tours take in downtown, Laclede’s Landing, The Loop, The Hill, Central West End and more, starting at Lumiere Casino. 999 N. 2nd St., 314.241.1410, www.stlouisfuntours.com

Landmarks Downtown Walking Tours: Two-hour Saturday tours highlighting St. Louis’ rich architectural heritage cover downtown east or downtown west. Private group tours available for Grand Center and Washington Avenue. 314.690.3140, www.landmarkstours-stl.org

Zero G Touring: Segway tours of Forest Park include some of the city’s premier cultural institutions. 314.681.9141, www.zerogtouring.com

City Cycling Tours: Take a 10-mile, 2.5-3-hour, information-packed tour of Forest Park. Bikes and helmets provided. 314.616.5724, www.citycyclingtours.com

Eat Saint Louis Food Tours

(©Schlueter Photography)

Eat Saint Louis Food Tours: Get to know neighborhoods by taste on these 3-hour, walking/eating/sightseeing tours of Maplewood, The Hill and Soulard. 314.399.9328, www. saintlouisfoodtours.com

Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company Tours: Check out the manufacturing facility M-Sa (after July 8), where artisan chocolatiers craft small-batch confections from Fair Trade Certified ingredients. 5025 Pattison Ave., 888.222.7710, www. chocolatechocolate.com

Field House Museum: Two remarkable stories emanate from this 1845 row house: that of Eugene Field, the “Children’s Poet” (“Little Boy Blue,” “Wynken, Blynken and Nod”) and his father, Roswell, who helped initiate the lawsuit that led to the Supreme Court’s consequential Dred Scott decision. Both are addressed in the guided tour. W-Su. 634 S. Broadway, 314.421.4689, www.fieldhousemuseum.org

Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tours: One of the nation’s oldest and largest brewery facilities has a range of daily tours, from free to $25 (totally worth it). Settle in at the Biergarten at tour’s end. 1200 Lynch St., 314.577.2626, www.budweisertours.com

Bellefontaine Cemetery

(©Shutterstock)

Bellefontaine Cemetery: Take a sunset tour of the city’s grandest cemetery; a sips, souls and strolls tour; or a horticultural morning tour in this beautiful cemetery populated by notables including William Clark and Thomas Hart Benton. Walking or trolley tours conducted by reservation. Tours are free but a $10 donation is suggested. 4947 W. Florissant Ave., 314.381.0750, www. bellefontainecemetery.org/events

Fabulous Fox Theatre: Go behind the scenes for a 90-minute tour at the city’s most opulent theater (built in 1929). 527 N. Grand Blvd. in Grand Center, 314.657.5068, www.fabulousfox.com

Busch Stadium: One-hour tours begin at Gate 3 on 8th St. by the Stan Musial statue and feature the Redbird Club, Broadcast Booth and the Cardinals dugout. Tour tickets also include admission to the Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum in Ballpark Village. 314.345.9565, www.mlb.com/cardinals

Forest Park Boat House: Cruise via paddle boat, canoe, kayak or stand-up paddle board from the Forest Park Boathouse to the Grand Basin at the foot of Art Hill, keeping an eye out for egrets and kingfishers. Tu-Su. 314.366.1555, www.boathousestl.com

Saint Louis Art Museum: SLAM offers free tours Tu-F at 10:30 am, Sa-Su at 1:30 pm. 1 Fine Arts Drive in Forest Park, 314.721-0072, www. slam.org

Missouri Botanical Garden

(©Shutterstock)

Missouri Botanical Garden: Take walking and tram tours through the city’s prettiest 79 acres, 11 am daily. Walking tour included with admission ($12 adults, free for children 12 and under), tram tour $4. 4344 Shaw Blvd., 314.577.5100, www.missouribotanicalgarden.org

Thomas Sappington House Museum: The oldest standing brick residence in St. Louis County (built by slaves in 1808) offers tours of the meticulously restored house, W-F 11 am-2 pm, Sa by appointment, $5 adults, $1 children. The complex includes the Library of Americana, Barn Restaurant and Loft Gift Shop. 1015 S. Sappington Rd., 314.822.8171, www.historicsappingtonhouse.org The recent floods may impact the following tours. Call ahead to ensure tours are available.

Gateway Helicopter Tours: Take off from the Riverfront, east of the Gateway Arch, for tours of downtown, Forest Park and more. 50 N. Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd., 314. 496.4494, www. gatewayhelicoptertours.com

Gateway Arch Riverboat Tours

(©Gateway Arch Riverboat Tours)

Gateway Arch Riverboat Tours: One-hour cruises on the mighty Mississippi, launched at the foot of the Gateway Arch, feature some of the best views of downtown. 877.982.1410, www.gatewayarch.com

Big Muddy Adventures: Paddle your way around the waterways of the St. Louis region—Mississippi, Missouri and Meramec rivers—with expert guides. 314.896.4262, www.2muddy.com