Nicknamed the "Gateway to the West", St. Louis was originally a trading post for for fur trappers, traders, gold miners and pioneers headed west on wagons. Even Louis and Clark spent time here in 1804 before embarking on the exploration of the Louisiana Purchase. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, St. Louis was revolutionized by the birth of the steamboat in 1816 which led to a roaring period where river boat gambling and trade flourished. By the 1850's, almost 3,000 steamboats sailing in the St. Louis vicinity along the Mississippi River. Even Mark Twain was a steamboat pilot for a time. Today, St. Louis is less a "frontier town" and more of a burgeoning metropolis with culture, character and a collection diverse neighborhoods including Chesterfield, Downtown St. Louis, Fenton, Forest Park, Maryville and Frontenac, East St. Louis and Westport.

Gateway Arch: 630 foot (192 meter) towering, semi-oval band of steel at the edge of the Mississippi River. Focal point of the St. Louis skyline. Trams take visitors to the top for awesome views of the city.

Museum of Westward Expansion: Located below the Gateway Arch. Portrays St. Louis' early beginnings as a trading post where a typical early 1800's lifestyle could consist of living in the nearby mountains, trapping animals such as beavers and selling the hides for around $5/pound downtown.

Old Courthouse: Built in 1826. Site of Dred Scott case where a slave and his wife unsuccessfully sure for their freedom in 1847. This emotional decision increased tensions just before the American Civil War.

Central West End: Cool area with coffee shops, sidewalk cafes, ethnic restaurants and fashion boutiques amongst cobbled streets and historic brick buildings.

From October through April, hotel, flight and rental car prices are slashed drastically and there are great deals available. If you're traveling there in the summer months, be sure to plan in advance to attain the best deals possible.