Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:1820 Market St.
Saint Louis, Missouri
Tel:
(314) 421-6655
An architectural and historical jewel where you can spend the night, St. Louis Union Station is a must for cultural fans and an experience you won't forget.
Built in the 1890s, St. Louis Union Station was designed by German-born architect Theodore C. Link of St. Louis. The Station was designed after Carcassone, a walled, medieval city in southern France. These designs are most evident when entering the Station's Headhouse and Grand Hall, with its sweeping archways, fresco and gold leaf detailing, scagliola surfaces, mosaics and art glass windows. The Grand Hall serves as the Hyatt Regency Hotel's lobby and lounge area. Stop by the Grand Hall Allegorical Window, a hand-made, stained-glass window with hand-cut Tiffany glass. The window above the Station's main entryway features three women representing the main U.S. train stations during the 1890s: New York, St. Louis and San Francisco.
The architecture of St. Louis Union Station is a mix of Romanesque styles. The Station's interior and exterior are a combination of both Richardsonian and Romanesque tradition and French Romanesque or Norman style. Its exquisite 65-foot, barrel-vaulted ceiling in the Grand Hall to its Victorian-engineered train shed of sweeping arches, total more than 11 acres.
The Train Shed was the largest single-span train shed ever constructed. With arches soaring 140 feet divided by five structural bays, it's a sight not to be missed. The Shed currently houses stores and restaurants, a portion of the Hyatt Regency, the lake and event and parking areas.
Visit the Memories Museum, where the rich history of St. Louis Union Station, the railroads that served it and the people who experienced the romance of rail travel are preserved. Feast your eyes on "O" Gauge model trains, railroad china and silverware, uniforms, timetables, a working model railroad and more. Take a seat in the video theater and watch the restoration of St. Louis Union Station and films of the Station in its heyday. Located on the second level of the Station, the Museum is free and open during Station hours. Free guided tours of the Station are available with a reservation.
There over 80 shops in the Station, featuring everything from men's apparel to Australian clothing stores. You will also find fine chocolatiers, dog merchandise stores, and interesting beer-related items at the Bud Shop. Die-hard Beatles fans can visit the Beatles For Sale store that sells 60s collectibles such as original lunch boxes, Beatles wigs, watches and much more. At the educationally-based Play & Learn toy store, get in touch with your inner child while learning new things. Ladies (or guys), if you have somewhere to go and need a fixer-upper, visit the Station beauty salon. Other stores include the Discovery Channel Store, Brookstone and the locally-loved St. Louis Dry Goods, while the Cardinals Clubhouse is a dream-come-true for the Cardinals fan.
Chow down at the Station's many cafes, restaurants and fast food places. Choose from New Orleans-style food, BBQ, Einstein bro's bagels and Chinese food at Panda express. Enjoy favorites like Quizno's Subs, Subway, and Sbarros Italian eatery. Treat yourself to a delicious visit at the Station's fudgery, or the candy station - an old-fashioned candy store.
Can't live without your weekend football? Stop by the Grand Hall Lounge all day on Sunday and Monday nights for NFL football. Watch the game on a 12-foot screen and get $1.50 Budweiser, Bud Light and Michelob Ultra.
Stay in the Station for a night or two at the Hyatt Hotel located in the Grand Hall. If you are traveling with your significant other, treat that special person in your life to a memorable night. Upon arrival you will receive champagne and strawberries; dine at a three-course dinner at Station Grille and then settle in for the night in your upgraded Regency Club room. With dreamy Hyatt Grand Beds you can snuggle up with an in-room movie.
Union Station is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays and until 9 p.m. on other days. Restaurant and entertainment venues may open early and close late, so call for more information. Parking is not free but you may get a free parking pass if you arrive after 11 a.m. and leave by 2 p.m. If you need to buy something at any St. Louis Union Station retailer, take your receipt to Customer Service and receive your free parking pass!