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Laclede’s Landing

Author: Alecia Warren

Laclede's Landing has been a happenin' St. Louis spot ever since Pierre Laclede built a fur trading post here in 1874. The riverfront buildings that once were used as warehouses are now a maze of remodeled shops, restaurants, and bars. Just a few yards away, barges drift down the Mississippi River. The Landing, as locals call it, brims with architectural clues of eras long past, its old-world setting a comfortable package for the modern treats that lie inside.

Laclede’s Landing Attractions

Mosey down the cobblestone streets of Laclede's Landing, and you'll pass couples laughing on a cozy restaurant patio, professionals basking in the music of a live band, and families laughing after a day of visiting attractions.

The Old Courthouse

Its dome visible from a distance, this 150-year-old structure housed many pivotal civil rights cases. Dred Scott fought for his legal right to freedom in the Old Courthouse (314-655-1700, 11 N. Fourth St.), where the first trials in his case occurred in 1847 and 1850. Virginia Minor challenged the 14th amendment, which excluded women from voting. The fact that both cases eventually lost stirs hope for the potential of the law to change, and how essential it is to learn history so it isn't repeated. Learn more about these cases and others while touring a restored 1860s courtroom and revolving exhibits. View vivid snapshots of pioneers facing the dangers of the wild West and other pivotal events shaping U.S. settlement in rich murals throughout the site. Admission is free.

Carriage Rides

Lean back as the carriage sways gently, rolling through the city at a leisurely pace. Absorb the romantic scene teasing every sense: the dull clop of horse hooves on
cobblestone mingles with laughter from open bars. The spicy aroma of homemade gumbo wafts from open restaurant doors. The silvery pings of a pick dance across the strings of a steel guitar. Snuggle under a blanket with a loved one under the starry sky and forget all your troubles. Look for the carriages along the riverfront or on Laclede's Landing anytime after 4 p.m. For more information call The St. Louis Carriage Company, 314-621-3334.

President Casino

It's impossible to miss. The creamy white riverboat literally has patriotism painted all over it, the stars and stripes exterior a floating tribute to the American flag. The riverboat housing the casino, The Admiral, is a historic site all its own, built in 1907.

The outside may be from a more genteel era, but inside the President Casino (314-622-1111, St. Louis Riverfront) is pure Vegas. A rainbow of neon greets the eyes, while a synthetic orchestra of clangs and dings erupts from all sides. Pump your arm for some exercise on a slot machine, or take on a computer in video poker. Figures hunch over table games of poker, a cloud of smoke hovering above them as thick as tension. Laughter erupts as soon as the cards slap the green velvet table, though, and squeals of excitement from surrounding tables remind that luck lingers where there's relaxation and fun. Indulge your taste buds without spending too much prize money at The President's Buffet. Menu items include deli sandwiches, hot dogs and ice cream. Weekends offer a special seafood menu.
Website: www.presidentcasino.com/stlouis

Gateway Riverboat Cruises

The most revealing view of St. Louis is from the river running through its heart.

After gazing at the Mississippi River from the top of the Arch, ride a replica of a 19th century steamboat on a Gateway Riverboat Cruise (314-621-4040, St. Louis Levee, below the Arch). The Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher steamboats depart frequently during the day from the levee below the Gateway Arch. For visitors who prefer to absorb reflections of the city in a wine glass and polished dinner fork rather than a narrator's anecdotes, specialty dinner cruises guarantee a stunning view with alternative soundtracks. Choices include live music with explosive percussion on the St. Louis Fireworks Cruise, a sweet jam band serenade on the Blues Cruise, and even a Lock-N-Dam Cruise for scrupulous machinists curious to investigate just how Missouri manipulates its river.
Website: www.gatewayarchriverboats.com

Royal Dumpe Dinner Theater

After more than 30 years, the cantankerous band of merrymakers at the Royal Dumpe Dinner Theater (314-621-5800, 711 N. First) still draws crowds every weekend. Consort with a king or poke jibes at a jester throughout an evening of laughs in these welcoming wooden walls. Whether visitors choose a hearty or light meal from the menu of homemade treats, nothing satisfies more than topping off a feast with a hearty swig of ale. Dine to your content against a backdrop of song, ribald humor, and revealing fashions from the medieval era. Shows from November 25 to December 30 feature special holiday music. Friday: Doors open at 7 p.m., show begins at 7:45. Saturday: Doors open at 5 p.m., show begins at 6:45 p.m. Reservations required.
Website: ww.royaldumpe.com

The Gateway Arch

Enterprising architect Eero Saarinen won a 1948 competition for his design of a national monument dedicated to pioneers who delved into the unknown American West. Since 1965, when construction workers placed the final piece of steel at the apex of the Gateway Arch (314-982-1410, St. Louis Riverfront), over 25 million sightseers have journeyed to its top. Also known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the Arch pays gleaming homage to Thomas Jefferson's role in expanding U.S. territory with the Louisiana purchase. The Arch towers as the 630-foot tall gatekeeper to the Midwest, the tallest monument in the U.S., and the 4th most-visited tourist attraction in the world.

Journey To the Top

Visiting the Gateway Arch without a trip to its top is like a eating a banana split minus the whipped cream. Depending on the time of year, more than 6,000 people take one of two trams to the top every day. The south leg tram flashes back to the 19th century and the era of steamboats and bustling mercantilism. The north leg tram allows travelers to experience the riverfront of 1965, when construction workers connected the two legs of this architectural wonder. Once you reach the top, you can see beautiful views of downtown St. Louis, the Mississippi River, and the Illinois landscape. Trams leave every 10 minutes from 9:20 a.m.-5:10 p.m. in the winter (Labor Day-Memorial Day) and 8:20 a.m.-9:10 p.m. in the summer (Memorial Day-Labor Day). Admission: $10 for adults, $7 for youths, and $3 for children.

Museum of Westward Expansion

Like so many St. Louis Museums, admission is free to this testament to exploration and adventure. Artifacts, mounted animals, and an authentic Native American tipi help trace the Lewis and Clark expedition. Visitors can imagine themselves in the struggle to face the unknown in the retelling of the journey's surprising and enlightening anecdotes. A few examples include the initial treaties bridging explorers with Native Americans, and the musical instruments party members brought to lighten the darker days. Discover what it took to survive where the buffalo roamed.

Giant Screen Movies

Narrated by actor Jeff Bridges and produced by National Geographic, the documentary Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West depicts the dramatic adventures of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their1804 expedition. This reenactment invites visitors to share the adventure of discovering unseen territories and to suffer the angst of losing friends to illness and nature's constant perils. Shown every hour from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. during the winter and 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. during the summer. Admission: $7 for adults, $4 for youth, $2.50 for children.

Laclede’s Landing Nightclubs

It's late, and your heart weighs heavy with loneliness. Or worse, your girlfriend's demands for a night out weigh heavy on your wallet. Don't despair! Laclede's Landing offers a wide variety of swanky and casual refuges where you can carouse with friends or meet someone new over drinks, pool and yes, a karaoke machine.

The Big Bang

If you want something a little different to excite your nightlife, The Big Bang (809 N. Second St ., 314-241-BANG) is just the spot. This dueling piano bar is an energetic showcase of live music, comedy, and hilarious, interactive tomfoolery. Audiences are quickly drawn into the laughs and entertainment by some of the best entertainers in the country. Sing, dance, and be merry—The Big Bang staff is always ready to get the audience involved. The idea here is pure FUN! --Robin K. Evans

Throttle

At Throttle (314-241-1000, 720 N. First St., located below The Feisty Bulldog) you can shake it to Top 40, Rock or HipHop, or watch the scene from a second floor VIP booth. Special events every weekend include live radio broadcasts on Saturday night, 11 p.m.-1 a.m.
Website: www.throttlestl.com

Club Buca

In the midst of Cajun restaurants and smoky barbecues lies this nefarious nest of bar table dancing and body shots, where porn star Ron Jeremy once blessed the scantily clad congregation with his dance moves. Needless to say, things get wild quickly at Club Buca (314-231-2822, 710 N. 2 nd St.). Dress is casual, proven by the women dancing on bar counters in blue jeans rather than mini skirts (which is probably best). As the hours hasten, the roar of shrieking laughter and dares for beer chugging amplifies. The wood floor shakes with boots and tennis shoes pounding into its beer-soaked planks. Conversation is lost among the deafening music, but close a fist around a drink, get lost in the crowd, and talking will soon be a distant and hazy thought. A softly lit outdoor patio offers a moment of peace, where groups of firm, tan twenty-somethings take a breath of city air. The music is loud, the dance floor crowded, and the cover charge cheap.
Website: www.club-buca.com

Drunken Fish/Xes Lounge

Delicate flower arrangements and paintings of bamboo are beautiful, but sushi dishes are the real masterpieces at Drunken Fish (314-241-9595, 612 N. Second St.). Polished booths reflecting the dull glow of red tinted lighting softly welcome dates or quiet family celebrations. Don't be deceived, however—this isn't your mother's sushi bar. After kicking back a few of the Drunken Fish's 30 original drinks, the karaoke microphone gleams with alluring promise of cheers from the toned twenty-something crowd. If singing isn't appealing, dancing still remains an option in the Xes Lounge (314-588-1010, 612 N. Second St., located just behind Drunken Fish). Every Wednesday through Sunday night, local DJs spin throbbing house, progressive and techno.

Laclede's Landing Dining

The variety of restaurants in and around Laclede's Landing attracts as many tourists as the attractions. Whether you're searching for a taste of home or a dining adventure, these eateries offer a little something for everyone.

St. Louis Fish Market

If you're looking more for surf than turf, St. Louis Fish Market (314-621-4612, 901 N. First St.) is a can't miss seafood restaurant that offers an extensive variety of seafood, sushi, and an award-winning wine list. Dishes are served fresh and with artistic vision, well worth the price that you would gladly pay for any masterpiece. The endless menu offers something for everyone at this seafood restaurant, including a variety of steak and poultry.
Website: www.stlouisfishmarket.com

Jake's Steaks

Only the juiciest, biggest steaks could garner so much attention. Jake's Steaks (314-621-8184, 708 N. Second St.) is renowned as a hot spot for meat eaters in St. Louis. Pork nachos, New York strip, ribeye, filet mignon, peppered beef tenderloin, and portabella mushroom linguini are but a few examples from the mouth-watering menu. For those in the mood for a casual and hearty meal, wander slightly west of the Arch toward Second Street, where Jake's Steaks is a fun and festive dining destination.
Website: www.jakessteaks.com

Hannegan's restaurant and pub

You may wonder why Hannegan's (314-241-8877, 719 N. Second St.) would design itself after the U.S. senate dining room, but don't doubt the wood paneled walls, leather seats and bright street lamps around the library-sized bar will leave you lobbying for more. Sandwiches and steaks consume the dinner plates with their stately size. A Cajun and Bar-B-Q menu includes smoked shrimp and peppered bacon club sandwich, blue claw crabcake, and Hannegan's Irish Stew. Both stew and restaurant are named after New Deal politician Robert E. Hannegan, who spouted the confident campaign slogan: "When I put my name on it—you can count on it." The American cuisine more than lives up to his words, particularly the Senate Bean Soup, made from the same recipe used in the real U.S. Senate dining room.
Website: www.hannegansrestaurant.com

Old Spaghetti Factory

The family-friendly Old Spaghetti Factory (314-621-0276, 727 N. First St.) offers plenty of atmosphere in addition to spaghetti with your choice of sauces. Favorites include the rich meat sauce, the clam sauce, and spaghetti with mizthra cheese. Eating inside the restaurant's streetcar is fun, as is topping off your meal with the traditional spumoni ice cream.

Morgan Street Brewery

Housed in a 130-year-old lodge, Morgan Street Brewery (314-231-9970, 721 N. Second St.) adds its own charm to historical St. Louis by upholding the city's reputation as a great brew-town. The restaurant hand-crafts its beer on site to produce distinctive colors and flavors. As if this wasn't enough, you can chug some golden pilsner with hot baked beer pretzels served right out of the oven. Pair this with free wireless internet and secluded nooks and corners, and you've got a student hot-spot. Wonderful ambiance, cozy interior, and fresh ale in the oldest building on historic Laclede's Landing provides a wonderful respite.
Website:www.morganstreetbrewery.com

South Hunan 3

Hours of power walking through downtown and milling around museums might produce a hankerin' for something healthy and fresh before you set off for another sight-seeing adventure. South Hunan 3 (314-621-5889, 707 N. First St.) boasts a light menu of vegetables and various meats with low oil content. Meals are cooked quickly, and daily specials are served with fried rice, an appetizer, and soda. The endless choices are convenient for a meal on the go or a relaxing dinner. Delivery (after 3 p.m.) available.

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Check out places of interest near Laclede’s Landing:

Skybox
800 N. Third St., St. Louis, MO 63102

Skybox has more starpower than you can muster in most of St. Louis, with Nelly, Marshall Faulk, Darius Williams, and Larry Hughes all owning a share in this sports bar, featuring high-class events and normal game days.

Drunken Fish/Xes Lounge
612 N. Second St, St. Louis, MO 63102

Delicate flower arrangements and paintings of bamboo are beautiful, but sushi dishes are the real masterpieces at Drunken Fish (314-241-9595, 612 N. Second St.). Polished booths reflecting the dull glow of red tinted lighting softly welcome dates or quiet family celebrations. Don't be deceived, however—this isn't your mother's sushi bar. After kicking back a few of the Drunken Fish's 30 original drinks, the karaoke microphone gleams with alluring promise of cheers from the toned twenty-something crowd. If singing isn't appealing, dancing still remains an option in the Xes Lounge (314-588-1010, 612 N. Second St., located just behind Drunken Fish). Every Wednesday through Sunday night, local DJs spin throbbing house, progressive and techno.

Gateway Arch Riverboat Dinner Cruise
50 S. Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63102

Choose from a sit-down dinner of prime-rib, chicken, champagne, Alaskan Pollock, or a vegetarian dish with salad and dessert while you cruise down the Mississippi . Admire the incomparable St. Louis skyline while listening to the live jazz onboard. The boat boards at 7 p.m. and returns to dock at 9:30 p.m. Fare: $37 for adults and $18 for children (3-12). Reserved seating only. Call 877-982-1410 to reserve your table.

Hannegan's
719 N. 2nd Street, St. Louis, MO 63102

A Laclede's Landing pub with a political theme and plush surroundings.

Jake's Steaks
708 N. 2nd Street, St. Louis, MO 63102

Only the juiciest, biggest steaks could garner so much attention. Jake's Steaks (314-621-8184, 708 N. Second St.) is renowned as a hot spot for meat eaters in St. Louis. Pork nachos, New York strip, ribeye, filet mignon, peppered beef tenderloin, and portabella mushroom linguini are but a few examples from the mouth-watering menu. For those in the mood for a casual and hearty meal, wander slightly west of the Arch toward Second Street, where Jake's Steaks is a fun and festive dining destination.

Morgan Street Brewery
721 N. 2nd Street, St. Louis, MO 63102

St. Louis keeps its reputation as a great brew-town with the Morgan Street Brewery. Wonderful ambiance, cozy interior, and fresh ale in the oldest building on historic Laclede's Landing provides wonderful respite after a trip 630 feet above the ground.

Royal Dumpe Dinner Theater
809 N. Second St., St Louis, MO 63102

After more than 30 years, the cantankerous band of merrymakers at the Royal Dumpe Dinner Theater still draws crowds every weekend. Consort with a king or poke jibes at a jester throughout an evening of laughs in these welcoming wooden walls. Whether visitors choose a hearty or light meal from the menu of homemade treats, nothing satisfies more than topping off a feast with a hearty swig of ale. Dine to your content against a backdrop of song, ribald humor, and revealing fashions from the Renaissance. Shows from November 25 to December 30 feature special holiday music. Friday: Doors open at 7 p.m., show begins at 7:45. Saturday: Doors open at 5 p.m., show begins at 6:45 p.m. Reservations required.

South Hunan 3
707 N. First St., St. Louis, MO 63090

Hours of power walking through downtown and milling around museums might produce a hankerin' for something healthy and fresh before you set off for another sight-seeing adventure. South Hunan 3 (314-621-5889, 707 N. First St.) boasts a light menu of vegetables and various meats with low oil content. Meals are cooked quickly, and daily specials are served with fried rice, an appetizer, and soda. The endless choices are convenient for a meal on the go or a relaxing dinner. Delivery (after 3 p.m.) available.

St. Louis Fish Market
901 N. First Street, St. Louis, MO 63102

If you're looking more for surf than turf, St. Louis Fish Market (314-621-4612, 901 N. First St.) is a can't miss seafood restaurant that offers an extensive variety of seafood, sushi, and an award-winning wine list. Dishes are served fresh and with artistic vision, well worth the price that you would gladly pay for any masterpiece. The endless menu offers something for everyone at this seafood restaurant, including a variety of steak and poultry.

The Old Spaghetti Factory
727 N. First, St. Louis, MO 63102

The family-friendly Old Spaghetti Factory (314-621-0276, 727 N. First St.) offers plenty of atmosphere in addition to spaghetti with your choice of sauces. Favorites include the rich meat sauce, the clam sauce, and spaghetti with mizthra cheese. Eating inside the restaurant's streetcar is fun, as is topping off your meal with the traditional spumoni ice cream.

Club Buca
710 N. 2 nd St., St Louis, MO

In the midst of Cajun restaurants and smoky barbecues lies this nefarious nest of bar table dancing and body shots, where porn star Ron Jeremy once blessed the scantily clad congregation with his dance moves. Needless to say, things get wild quickly at Club Buca (314-231-2822, 710 N. 2 nd St.). Dress is casual, proven by the women dancing on bar counters in blue jeans rather than mini skirts (which is probably best). As the hours hasten, the roar of shrieking laughter and dares for beer chugging amplifies. The wood floor shakes with boots and tennis shoes pounding into its beer-soaked planks. Conversation is lost among the deafening music, but close a fist around a drink, get lost in the crowd, and talking will soon be a distant and hazy thought. A softly lit outdoor patio offers a moment of peace, where groups of firm, tan twenty-somethings take a breath of city air. The music is loud, the dance floor crowded, and the cover charge cheap.

Drunken Fish/Xes Lounge
612 N. Second St, St. Louis, MO 63102

Jake's Steaks
708 N. 2nd Street, St. Louis, MO 63102

The Big Bang
807 N. 2nd St., St. Louis, MO 63102

If you want something a little different to excite your nightlife, The Big Bang (809 N. Second St ., 314-241-BANG) is just the spot. This dueling piano bar is an energetic showcase of live music, comedy, and hilarious, interactive tomfoolery. Audiences are quickly drawn into the laughs and entertainment by some of the best entertainers in the country. Sing, dance, and be merry—The Big Bang staff is always ready to get the audience involved. The idea here is pure FUN!

Throttle
720 N. First St., (below The Feisty Bulldog), St. Louis, MO

At Throttle (314-241-1000, 720 N. First St., located below The Feisty Bulldog) you can shake it to Top 40, Rock or HipHop, or watch the scene from a second floor VIP booth. Special events every weekend include live radio broadcasts on Saturday night, 11 p.m.-1 a.m.

Carriage Rides
Gateway Arch, St. Louis, MO

The extravagance of a horse-drawn carriage is all too fitting in the historical setting of downtown St. Louis . If you have not seen enough of the riverfront by foot, nor pedal, you must add a horse and carriage to your excursion and see the downtown sights with the added charm and romance only a carriage ride can offer. Look for them along the riverfront or Laclede's Landing anytime after 4 p.m. For more information call 314-621-3334.

Gateway Arch
707 N. First St., St. Louis, MO 63102

Since 1965, when construction workers placed the final piece of steel at the apex of the Gateway Arch, over 25 million sightseers have journeyed to its top. Also known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the Arch stands as the 630-foot tall gatekeeper to the Midwest, making it the tallest national monument in the U.S. , and the 4 th most-visited tourist attraction in the world. Its juxtaposition between the Mississippi River and the historical city of St. Louis provides sightseers with much more than a bit of vertigo at journey's end. Whether you pop into a museum, patronize one of the unique eateries at river's edge, or indulge in souvenirs, a visit to the Gateway Arch grounds offers anyone and everyone a memorable experience and a bit of American history.

Giant Screen Movies
Gateway Arc, St. Louis, MO

Narrated by actor Jeff Bridges and produced by National Geographic , the documentary Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West depicts the dramatic adventures of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their1804 expedition through territories unknown. Shown every hour from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. during the Winter and 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. during the Summer. Admission: $7 for adults, $4 for youth, $2.50 for children.

Journey To the Top
Gateway Arc, St. Louis, MO

Visiting the Gateway Arch without a trip to its top is like a eating a banana split minus the whipped cream. Depending on the time of year, over 6,000 people take one of two trams to the top every day. The south leg tram flashes back to the 19 th century and the era of steamboats and bustling mercantilism. The north leg tram allows travelers to experience the riverfront of 1965, when construction workers connected the two legs of this architectural wonder. Once you reach the top, you can see beautiful views of downtown St. Louis , the Mississippi , and the Illinois landscape. Trams leave every 10 minutes from 9:20 a.m.-5:10 p.m. in the Winter (Labor Day-Memorial Day) and 8:20 a.m.-9:10 p.m. in the Summer (Memorial Day-Labor Day). Admission: $10 for adults, $7 for youths, and $3 for children.

Laclede’s Landing
801 N 2nd St, St. Louis, MO

Museum of Westward Expansion
Gateway Arc, St. Louis, MO

Like so many St. Louis Museums, admission is free to this testament to exploration and adventure. Peruse the interesting Native American artifacts, learn how the West was won, and discover what it took to survive where the buffalo roamed.

President Casino St. Louis Riverfront
1000 N. Leonor K. Sullivan, St. Louis, MO 63102

It's impossible to miss. The creamy white riverboat literally has patriotism painted all over it, the stars and stripes exterior a floating tribute to the American flag. The riverboat housing the casino, The Admiral, is a historic site all its own, built in 1907.

The outside may be from a more genteel era, but inside the President Casino (314-622-1111, St. Louis Riverfront) is pure Vegas. A rainbow of neon greets the eyes, while a synthetic orchestra of clangs and dings erupts from all sides. Pump your arm for some exercise on a slot machine, or take on a computer in video poker. Figures hunch over table games of poker, a cloud of smoke hovering above them as thick as tension. Laughter erupts as soon as the cards slap the green velvet table, though, and squeals of excitement from surrounding tables remind that luck lingers where there's relaxation and fun. Indulge your taste buds without spending too much prize money at The President's Buffet. Menu items include deli sandwiches, hot dogs and ice cream. Weekends offer a special seafood menu.

Royal Dumpe Dinner Theater
809 N. Second St., St Louis, MO 63102

The Big Bang
807 N. 2nd St., St. Louis, MO 63102

The Old Courthouse
11 North Fourth St, St. Louis, MO 63102

A visit to the Old Courthouse is a must for history buffs. Located just steps away from the Arch grounds, the Old Courthouse was the site of the famous Dred Scott slavery case when it was not so very old. A restored 1860s courtroom, dramatic murals, and revolving exhibits demonstrate the richness of St. Louis history to all who visit. Admission is free.

Carriage Rides
Gateway Arch, St. Louis, MO

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