Is Delmar Loop & Clayton a good place to stay in St. Louis?

The Delmar Loop and Clayton are a lively but relaxed place to stay in St. Louis. The Loop's music venues and restaurants are on the doorstep, Washington University and Forest Park are a short walk away, and MetroLink runs to downtown and the airport.

The Loop has been the city's music street for decades. Bands play at Blueberry Hill and the Pageant, the Walk of Fame's stars line the pavements, and students from Washington University fill the bars and cheap restaurants. Clayton, nearby, is calmer, with office towers and good restaurants.

The downside is the distance from the Arch, the stadium and the riverfront, which are a train ride away. There are only a few hotels, so rooms can sell out for university events.

What makes the area worth it is the atmosphere. You can see a gig at the Pageant, eat at a Loop institution and walk into Forest Park in the morning, away from the downtown crowds.