Discover some of the best neighborhoods in St. Louis, MO, each with its unique charm.
From lively nightlife to historic streets, each area has features that stand out against other neighborhoods.
Here are the ten neighborhoods we’ll cover:
- Central West End
- St. Louis Hills
- Lafayette Square
- Tower Grove South
- Benton Park
- Soulard
- Shaw
- The Hill
- The Grove
- Botanical Heights
1. Central West End
Central West End, or CWE, is an upscale neighborhood on the Eastern border of Forest Park.
This neighborhood is known for its boutique shopping, trendy restaurants, beautiful historic homes, and bustling nightlife.
In addition to its proximity to Forest Park, the Central West End neighborhood is home to renowned medical institutions Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine.
This makes it a hub for professionals and students, who you will see walking the tree-lined streets and enjoying the vibrant restaurant & bar scene
The CWE has a very walkable central shopping area, making it one of the best places to go out for an afternoon of shopping.
Euclid Avenue is where you’ll find:
- Pop-up shops
- Cafés, restaurants and bars
- Upscale eclectic boutiques
- Vintage clothing
- Stores like Lululemon and Bluemercury
The restaurant scene is one of the best parts of living in the CWE.
You’ll find cute cafés perfect for taking a zoom, lunch spots for a work meeting, and trendy bars for a night out.
The homes in Central West End range from modern highrises to townhomes and beautiful historic mansions.
One of the coolest highrises is 100 Above the Park, with its amazing architecture, floor-to-ceiling windows, and hard-to-beat views.
For historic homes, visit the Central West End’s historic district. This area has 94 houses built between 1890 and 1960.
These estates are considered to be some of the best examples of late 19th-century and early 20th-century architecture in St. Louis City.
2. Saint Louis Hills
St. Louis Hills, not to be mistaken with The Hill, is known for having a small-town feel within the city limits.
St. Louis Hills is unique because it feels more like the suburbs than a city neighborhood.
In the southern part of St. Louis Hills, you’ll see many homes with an attached front-entry garage and larger lot sizes.
Some homes here even have in-ground pools.
Saint Louis Hills is relatively new compared to other city neighborhoods.
Most homes here were built between 1930 and 1950.
The commercial area was mostly confined to the Hampton Rd and Chippewa corridors.
Saint Louis Hills has two main parks: Francis Park and Wilmore Park.
They have athletic fields, pavilions, playgrounds, a golf course, and water features.
Also nearby and easily accessible is Lindenwood Park.
Some of the homes in the area are affectionately known as Hansel and Gretel houses, with a mix of yellow and brown zigzag brick, terracotta roof tiles, and chimneys that convey a Gingerbread Style.
Some of the apartments built in the 40s and 50s have since been converted into condos, strengthening home ownership in the area.
Saint Louis Hills has plenty of tree-lined streets and well-cared-for homes, showing a sense of neighborhood pride.
It perfectly balances city living and suburban charm, offering a close-knit community, well-kept homes, and plenty of green spaces.
During the holidays, don’t miss Candy Cane Lane!
Visitors from near and far come to this festive street to admire the dazzling, intricately decorated homes and taste the holiday spirit.
3. Lafayette Square
You know you’re in Lafayette Square when you spot the iconic Painted Ladies.
They are colorful, historic homes overlooking the neighborhood’s centerpiece: Lafayette Park.
In the late 1800s, Lafayette Square was considered one of the most fashionable areas in the City of St. Louis.
Many affluent families built their homes here, with some (naturally) choosing spots facing the park.
The neighborhood was devastated by a tornado in 1896, and while some stayed and continued to build, it was enough for some families to give up on the area and move further west.
After falling into decline, as most of the city did after the 20s, a group of people started buying up the houses in the 70s and restoring the homes to their original grandeur.
Today, most of Lafayette Square is on the local and National Register of Historic Places.
These homes are protected by ordinances to make sure the area maintains its historic charm.
There are various casual and upscale dining options near the park, as well as a few specialty stores.
Baileys Chocolate Bar is a favorite. So is Planter’s House restaurant.
There are many types of homes in the area other than the famed painted ladies.
Many homes have historic details like arched doorways, original woodwork, and ornate cornices.
The older homes built in the 1880s are Italianate style, while homes from the 1890s into the early 1900s feature Germanic influences like classical columned porches and iron balconies.
If you’re an architecture nerd, Lafayette Square is a beautiful area to take a stroll and admire the homes.
Some newer buildings in Lafayette Square’s historic district blend seamlessly with older homes, while those on the neighborhood’s edge have a more modern style.
4. Tower Grove South
Tower Grove South thrives with its prime location next to Tower Grove Park.
The Park has a weekly Farmers Market, Food Truck Nights, and annual festivals.
The neighborhood is also bordered by South Grand, famous for its international cuisine, and Morgan Ford Road, offering a mix of shopping, dining, bars, and fitness spots.
Architecturally, Tower Grove South showcases a rich history with homes dating from the 1860s to the 1930s.
Tower Grove Heights is a part of Tower Grove South, which has its own identity and neighborhood association.
Known for its stunning single-family brick Victorian homes, stretching from Tower Grove Park to Utah Street.
Beyond Utah, you’ll find some 1920s Cape Cod-style homes and apartment buildings. This variety provides options for everyone, from historic homes to contemporary apartments and condos.
With its convenient location, options for shopping and food, art galleries, and a mix of historic charm and modern amenities, Tower Grove South is a thriving community that continues to attract residents and visitors alike.
5. Benton Park
Benton Park is more laid back than some of its neighbors while still having the perks of city living and that historic charm.
With its proximity to Soulard, Lafayette Square, Downtown St. Louis, and Tower Grove, Benton Park’s location is hard to beat.
Throughout the Neighborhood, there are restaurants and cafes woven in between residential areas.
There are plenty of green spaces, and Benton Park is a centerpiece featuring scenic views, a pond, and walking paths.
The homes in Benton Park are moderately sized to smaller brick federalist-style homes.
Most were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
These homes tend to be 2-3 stories tall and narrow with a basement.
Many of the homes have carriage houses or alley houses on the property.
If you’re into history, walking around Benton Park is a treat.
This is not only for historic homes but also for old businesses that have since been converted into modern homes or newer businesses.
You can see the remnants of old signage, which has been left to preserve the character of the neighborhood.
6. Soulard
Soulard has a more casual vibe than some of the other historic neighborhoods.
The neighborhood is best known for its historic Soulard Farmers Market, the bar scene, and one of the country’s biggest Mardi Gras celebrations outside of New Orleans.
It’s also very community-centric, with a very active neighborhood association that plans various events and promotes the area’s history.
The Soulard Farmers Market has been in operation since 1779.
Even though it started in a field, it has evolved into a staple of the Soulard Neighborhood, with more than 140 vendors housed in a historic brick building that opens up into a covered outdoor space.
The Mardi Gras celebration in Soulard is a month-long celebration packed with events throughout the neighborhood.
Highlights include:
- Cajun cook-offs
- The Purina Pet Parade
- A ballroom dance
- And the main event: a grand parade that ends with a street party!
Restaurants and bars in Soulard can be found throughout the neighborhood, with some tucked into residential areas.
The scene is casual with just about every place being a t-shirt and jeans establishment.
You’ll also see quite a few bike bars when the weather is nice, and the go-to mode of transportation in the area – golf carts!
Soulard is a historic district, which means that even newer buildings blend into the existing neighborhood.
There are apartments, townhouses, multifamily buildings, and grand historic homes like The Keyhole House and the Franz Arzt House.
Many of the homes in Soulard are red brick row houses and federalist style homes with some Italianate and Second Empire Styles Homes.
7. Shaw Neighborhood
The Shaw Neighborhood is largely defined by its proximity to the Missouri Botanical Gardens, which it is bordered by to the East.
This neighborhood features a mix of single-family homes and multi-family buildings, most of which were built between 1890 and 1915.
The architectural style ranges from 2-story brick craftsman-style homes to larger more decorative homes like the ones on Flora Place, to apartments and condos.
The neighborhood is a historic district, and new development is allowed as long as it blends into the existing buildings.
The location allows easy access to The Missouri Botanical Garden, Tower Grove Park, and the Tower Grove Farmers Market.
It’s also very walkable and has a great community vibe with local-centric businesses like Sasha’s on Shaw and SweetArt Bakeshop and Cafe!
8. The Hill
The Hill is a culinary destination in St. Louis’ Italian-American neighborhood and is widely considered a great place to eat!
With beloved food spots like Gioia’s Deli, Amighetti’s, and Volpi Foods, the area has embraced its Italian heritage to brand itself as a must-visit destination for authentic Italian cuisine.
But The Hill isn’t just a food hub.
The neighborhood has a lot of history.
Known baseball greats Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola once called The Hill home.
In the late 19th century, there was an influx of Italian immigrants that came to work in the clay/brick industry, which was booming at the time.
The area grew with Italian bakeries, shops, a church, and a school to serve the community.
The homes in the area tend to be moderately sized craftsman-style brick homes, many dating back to the early 20th century.
Prices for these homes typically range from $150,000 to $400,000, with newer homes in the $500,000 range.
The Hill holds annual events like the Italian Heritage Parade and Festa, celebrating its strong Italian roots.
With its historic charm, tight-knit community, and exceptional food, the neighborhood uniquely blends old-world tradition and modern living.
9. The Grove
The Grove, the business district of the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood, is a diverse and eclectic area known for its vibrant nightlife and LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere.
Anchored by Manchester Avenue, the main business corridor, it offers a mix of restaurants, bars, dance floors, and unique shops.
The Grove and surrounding area has experienced a lot of growth in recent years, due to its popularity and proximity to Washington University and St Louis University (SLU), making it a vibrant hub for student living and activity and one of the more diverse neighborhoods in the St Louis area.
Expect to find new mixed-use projects to accommodate residences and businesses like Chroma and Terra and residential developments that focus on affordable living like Union at The Grove.
There are also new single-family homes going up that range from more modern-looking homes to homes that mimic the historic homes in the area.
Older homes in the area are pretty mixed right now in that some have been restored, and some are still recovering from decline.
There are initiatives in the area to turn the neighborhood around without displacing the people who make it what it is by keeping affordable housing at the forefront of new developments.
10. Botanical Heights
Botanical Heights is a small neighborhood that has recently undergone a massive redevelopment project.
Previously known as McRee Town and built in the early 1900s, the area fell into a state of disrepair.
The Garden District Commission started working to improve the nearby areas of the Botanical Gardens so that it would be more attractive for visitors.
The area was then redeveloped and rebranded as Botanical Heights.
By 2004, six blocks were rebuilt by McBride & Sons with 143 single-family homes with sales prices from $155k to $400k.
There are still plans to continue to redevelop the area and preserve and update some of the older structures.
Today the area is pedestrian-friendly, bike bike-friendly, and has an amazing food hub on Tower Grove Ave near the I-44 bridge that features Union Loafers Bakery, A French Patisserie, and Indo South East Asian Cuisine.
There’s also the City Garden Montessori School and Utopia Music Studios, making the redevelopment of the area a huge success!
Other St. Louis Neighborhoods to Check Out
South City Neighborhoods
Holly Hills is known for its Gingerbread House architecture and its proximity to Carondelet Park.
Boulevard Heights Neighborhood is on the south side of Carondelet Park and shares some stylistic traits with its northern neighbor, Holly Hills.
Bevo Mill Neighborhood, defined by the Bevo Mill restaurant that features a Windmill and beer hall, has been seeing a resurgence in new businesses.
Central City
Downtown and Midtown St. Louis has a vibrant young professional vibe, offering stunning views of the Gateway Arch National Park and the iconic Mississippi River. With easy access to sports, entertainment venues, and more.
The Grand Center Arts District is the best area to go for Entertainment, art galleries, and cultural events. Be sure to check out First Fridays where the museums and galleries stay open until 9pm and often offer special programming.
Forest Park Area
Skinker DeBaliviere Neighborhood sits on the north side of Forest Park and has beautiful examples of architecture from the World’s Fair era of Saint Louis, MO.
DeBaliviere Place is another neighborhood that borders Forest Park on the North and has a section of beautiful 19th-century homes that overlook the park.
A City of Neighborhoods
Saint Louis is a City of Neighborhoods, each with its own identity and unique characteristics. It’s also a city steeped in a rich history, with every neighborhood telling a story.
