Lafayette Square

With a history as colorful as its trademark homes, Lafayette Square is an interesting intersection of past and present in St. Louis city. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986, the 184-year-old neighborhood features tree-lined streets, a picturesque park and numerous eateries and social establishments.

Take a leisurely stroll around Lafayette Square to fully appreciate the “Painted Ladies,” meticulously restored 150-year-old Victorian mansions doused in vibrant hues of yellow, salmon, green, blue and purple. Want to go inside? The neighborhood hosts a Parlor Tour & Winter Fair around the holidays.

Nestled in the center of the stately homes, Lafayette Park features native grasses, towering trees, various flowers, trickling waterfalls and iconic iron bridges. Dedicated in 1851, the 30-acre oasis is the oldest urban park west of the Mississippi River.

The park is usually peaceful, filled with only the sounds of nature, but from June to September, a free concert series picks up the tempo. On select Saturdays in the summer, you can enjoy blues, jazz, rock, Motown, swing, salsa, electronic and more al fresco.

Steps from the park, indulge in gourmet coffee, award-winning ice cream, elevated cuisine and artisan chocolate. Thirsty? Beer, wine and craft cocktails also abound in the neighborhood. Traveling with a four-legged friend? There’s even a healthy pet market here.