St. Louis, MO

With smiles on their faces the performers at BB’s Jazz Blues Soups do not disappoint. Known for it’s jazz and blues, there’s one place to go for music in the Midwest it has to be St. Louis. In even earlier times, it was also the home of Scott Joplin, a legendary American pianist.

Famous for its postmodern Gateway Arch located in a national park on the western bank of the Mississippi River, you can take an elevator all the way up to the top for a hefty fee. Covered in polished metal sheeting the best time to admire this monument is just before sunset when it glows in the golden sun.

Just behind the Gateway Arch is the Old Courthouse flanked by modern skyscrapers left and right. As you travel further west away from the Mississippi, the old Union Station building that resembles a castle comes into sight. A little further west is Forest Park where the 1904 World’s Fair was held.

Of the many lavish buildings that were put up at the time, only one building still stands, and is now the St. Louis Art Museum. In front of it stands a statue of King St. Louis IX of France, which this city was named after.

A little ways north in the park stands the Missouri History Museum that displays the proud heritage of the State and links to Mark Twain’s books, some of which were set on the Missouri River. It also has an exhibit on the 1904 World’s Fair with original artefacts and a special exhibition hall with thematic displays. All the museums in Forest Park are free of charge.