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St. Louis was settled by New Orleans fur trader Pierre Laclède in 1764 at the junction of the Missouri River and the Mississippi River. This location proved ideal as St. Louis quickly surpassed its downstream neighbor, Ste. Genevieve, in growth. Indeed, by 1860 its population grew to more than 160,000.

St. Louis is known as the Gateway to the West. Certainly that was true for Lewis and Clark: it was here that they stopped for provisions while on their famous expedition. And in the years that followed, the city became a manufacturing center for wagons, guns, blankets, saddles, and everything the pioneer would need on a journey west.

Because of its size and location, St. Louis became a center for government offices and financial trade. The 1904 World's Fair brought increasing growth and diversification to the St. Louis marketplace.

The Roman Catholic Church dominated the religious life of early St. Louis, and it remains a powerful voice in the religious, social, and political debates of both city and state. The city's educational institutions, including Washington University and St. Louis University, are global leaders in scientific and social research. Forest Park's Muny Opera is the largest open-air theater in the nation, and the St. Louis Art Museum is known throughout the world.

St. Louis is indisputably a baseball town. Since the St. Louis Browns placed first in the major leagues in 1885, and the Cardinals won their first World Series title in 1926, fanatic love of the sport has been a way of life for many. Other sports come and go, but St. Louisans remain loyal to baseball.

Top 10 Attractions in St. Louis

• Gateway Arch - Enjoy a wide variety of activities including a tram ride to the top of our nation's tallest man-made monument at 630 ft.

• Busch Stadium - The home of the St. Louis Cardinals offers spectacular views of the downtown skyline while you take in a game or a behind the scenes tour.

• Saint Louis Zoo - One of the top Zoo's in the country; it houses 810 species and is open free of charge year round.

• Missouri Botanical Garden - A National Historic Landmark with 79 acres of scenic landscaping and elegant structures including the Climatron^® tropical rain forest, Seiwa-en Japanese garden and founder Henry Shaw's Victorian home.

• Saint Louis Art Museum - Built as the Fine Arts Palace of the 1904 World's Fair and one of the nation's leading comprehensive art museums its holdings include works of art of exceptional quality from virtually every culture and time period.

• Grant's Farm - This Busch family estate was once owned by Ulysses S. Grant and now offers animal shows, petting area and a tram ride through the wildlife preserve.

• Missouri History Museum - Featuring permanent and traveling exhibits detailing the past in St. Louis and around the world.

• Saint Louis Science Center - Explore over 700 permanent and traveling exhibits. Rated one of the top 5 science centers in the U.S. by the Association of Science-Technology Centers.

• Anheuser-Busch Brewery - Tour the home of the world's largest brewer including the historic Brewhouse, Budweiser Clydesdale stables, lager cellar, packaging plant and much more.

• Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis - Take in a masterpiece of art and history including the world's largest collection of mosaic art.