Shopping in St. Louis

Union Station is always a great place to shop. This mall contains many clothing and fashion stores, but it is also a historic landmark. Union Station was once the busiest train station in the world. The architecture is quite amazing for a mall, and features archways, domed ceilings, detailed frescos, and even a large stained glass window. There are a number of specialty food stores, including the Hard Rock Café, although my personal favorite remains the Fudgery. About every half hour, a staff member demonstrates the delicate art of making fudge, and as an added bonus, samples are handed out after each demonstration.

One of my personal favorites is shopping on the Delmar Loop. Not only do street musicians frequent this street, but it attracts a crown that is just a little different and more artsy than most place in the city. My favorite stores are Vintage Vinyl, a record and CD store that both buys and sells, and Rag-O-Rama, which is a trendy thrift store. Art Galleries, bookstores, and novelty shops are just waiting to be discovered, and you can find anything from trendy handbags to original artwork. This is definitely one of the most unique shopping sites in St. Louis.

Along these lines, but a little more relaxed, is Downtown St. Charles. This shopping district is located along the banks of the Missouri River, and is decidedly picturesque. Main Street gives off a historic air, with its cobblestone streets and trolley. The stores are mostly owned privately and one can find antiques, novelty shops, toy stores and more. Old-fashioned candy stores, wineries and several restaurant provide opportunity for refreshment, and for student groups, there might even be time for a little history lesson. The Lewis and Clark Museum is located here, and contains displays and maps that focus on these two men and their journey to travel untamed America. Groups tours are offered if desired.

St. Louis also has many shopping malls that offer the “typical” mall experience involving brand name clothing, movie theaters and food courts. Plaza Frontenac is the place to go for upscale shopping, featuring stores such as Neiman Marcus and Tiffany and Co. Or, if bargain shopping sounds more appealing, head to the St. Louis Mills Mall, located near St. Charles. There are many more novelty stores and outlet stores such as Off Saks Fifth Avenue and Gap Outlet.

These are a few of the best options St. Louis has to offer. They are great places to pick up a souvenir, do some window shopping, or pick up a few new outfits. Have fun!