StayAreasIs Downtown a good place to stay in St. Louis?
Yes, especially for a first visit, a game or a family trip. The Arch and the light rail are on hand, though it's quiet outside events.
Stay here if
- First-time visitors
- Baseball and hockey fans
- Families
Look elsewhere if
- You want lively streets every night
- You want neighbourhood character
- You want leafy, quiet streets
Hotels in Downtown
All Downtown hotels on Booking ↗Typical rates for a double outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Oct 2026 · How we rate areas · Booking through our links costs you nothing extra and may earn us a commission. Learn more
Staying in Downtown
Downtown is the most convenient place to stay in St. Louis for a first visit, a game or a convention. The Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium, City Museum and Union Station are all within a short walk or ride, and MetroLink runs straight to the airport and Forest Park.
The area mixes landmarks with old industrial streets. Washington Avenue's warehouses now hold lofts and bars, Ballpark Village fills with red-shirted fans on game days, and Union Station's grand hall has been restored with an aquarium and a big wheel. The riverfront park around the Arch is good for a walk.
The downside is that downtown is quiet outside games and events. Some streets empty after dark, and the best neighbourhood restaurants are in other parts of the city.
What makes downtown worth it is how much is on hand. You can ride to the top of the Arch in the morning, spend the afternoon climbing through City Museum and walk to a Cardinals game in the evening.
Getting around
- Busch Stadium10walk
- Gateway Arch16walk
- City Museum19walk
- St. Louis Union Station19walk
- Missouri History Museum25transit
- Anheuser-Busch Brewery26transit
- St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)53
Downtown questions
Is Downtown a good area to stay in St. Louis?
Yes, especially for a first visit, a game or a family trip. The Arch and the light rail are on hand, though it's quiet outside events. It suits first-time visitors, baseball and hockey fans and families.
How much does a hotel in Downtown cost?
A typical double is around $210 a night at a budget hotel, $265 mid-range and $410 for luxury, outside peak events.
How do I get from St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) to Downtown?
About 53 minutes door to door: MetroLink Red Line from the airport to downtown.
How far is Downtown from the main sights?
Door to door from Downtown: Busch Stadium 10 minutes on foot, Gateway Arch 16 minutes on foot, City Museum 19 minutes on foot and St. Louis Union Station 19 minutes on foot.