St. Louis is an old historic city. The old courthouse downtown was built in 1825 and well preserved and has alot of history espically during/before the civil war.
We are also a baseball city. If theres a game in town it will be packed with people. We have a new stadium. Be sure to see it.
As stated above the convention center is in northern part of downtown. Its safe there. the metrolink (our subway) goes thru it. you can take a ride thru the city it stops at Union Station (old train station)...which is now converted into a shopping mall. The building was designed after an old castle in Germany.
St. Louis was founded by the French. Try Soulard's Market in south downtown for fresh produce, etc. The best eating, I think is on "The Hill". This is the Italian section which is in western downtown.
The Arch has a fantastic museum below it. Art museum in forest Park (west of downtown).
You must try "toasted ravioli" and "gooey butter cake. You can only buy these here. You can also take some St. Louis' food home with you. I always use our pasta sauces which you can only purchase here.
the restaurants downtown are mainly upper scale....there are alot of fast food places that cater to the working during lunch hour.
The "Olde Spaghetti Factory" mentioned above was an old hat factory on the river. Lacledes Landing had alot of old warehouses on the river that have been rehabbed into shops/reataurants. The staircase in there is stunning.
If your a gambler, theres plenty of casinos on the riverfront.
And statitistics report that St. Louis is a very affordable city.....its not costly as most large cities.
I have pm'ed you.
Enjoy our heritage when you arrive.