Mix free outdoor entertainment, curious world records and the haunts of legendary writers with cool bistros, bars and cafés and you have one eclectic St. Louis neighborhood.
As its name suggests, Central West End (CWE) is a district squeezed between St Louis’ city center and the western outskirts. It thrives on the creativity of entrepreneurs yet maintains a connection with its 19th-century origins. Affluent St. Louisans were drawn to the area as the city got ready to host the World Fair in 1904. Vestiges of the past remain – think grand historic buildings in all manner of architectural styles – but you’ll also be sharing the streets with forward thinkers and a youthful university crowd.
Interested in discovering some record-breaking feats? You’ve come to the right place. Make your way to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, where the world’s largest array of mosaic art adorns the interior walls. Take a guided tour if you want to know the ins and outs. On the subject of records, at the World Chess Hall of Fame you can see the tallest chess piece on the planet. Stroll through Forest Park knowing you are in one of the country’s largest green spaces.
Not content with record-breaking feats, the CWE also has a rep for attracting famous authors, poets and playwrights. Kate Chopin, T.S. Eliot and William S. Boroughs were all lured by the bohemian charm of this area. Earn some bragging rights among your literature-loving friends by spending the night at Tennessee Williams’ boyhood apartment. The rumor goes that it was his inspiration for The Glass Menagerie.
Fancy a combination of free activities and al-fresco fun? Neighboring Forest Park offers you just that. Browse contemporary art, explore Missouri history and watch thousands of wild animals all without putting your hand in your pocket. In keeping with the literature theme, the park even hosts an annual open-air Shakespeare festival.