At the end of March my husband, Nick, and I spent a weekend in St. Louis to celebrate a special occasion: my brother-in-law’s retirement as chief of police. We stayed downtown at the beautiful Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, just steps from the iconic Gateway Arch and the St. Louis Cardinals stadium.

Although we didn’t take the tram ride to the top of the Arch this time, we did it last year with the kids, and it’s something you don’t forget (especially if you’re even a little claustrophobic). Standing 630 feet tall, the Arch offers incredible panoramic views of the city and the Mississippi River. The ride up in those small capsule pods is an adventure in itself; and once you’re at the top, you can actually feel the structure gently sway. I can’t imagine what it’s like on a windy day. It’s equal parts exciting and a little nerve-wracking, but definitely worth it.

It was a short weekend, but we still made time to visit Anheuser-Busch Brewery, home of Budweiser. Touring the historic grounds and seeing how everything comes together was really interesting, but the highlight was seeing the famous Budweiser Clydesdales up close.

Nick is originally from St. Louis, so every visit turns into a mini food tour of all the local favorites we can’t quite find (at least not authentically) in Sarasota. We made sure to hit the staples — Lion’s Choice (fast-food roast beef that honestly outshines Arby’s), IMO’s Pizza, toasted ravioli and Ted Drewes for custard, just to name a few.

Another one of our favorite stops is The Hill, the city’s historic Italian neighborhood known for its incredible food and old-world charm. It feels like stepping into a tight-knit community filled with family-owned restaurants, bakeries and markets.

We also spent time in nearby St. Charles for a family dinner. The historic Main Street has such a charming, small-town feel, lined with brick buildings, local shops and inviting restaurants.

— Darla Mossotti, account executive