No matter what you are looking for, St. Louis has it -- professional sports, a long and distinguished heritage, restaurants with cuisines from all over the world, a renowned zoo, symphony orchestra and botanical garden, diverse neighborhoods, great blues and jazz bars and a stainless-steel wonder called the Gateway Arch.

Forest Park, site of many of the attractions from the 1904 World's Fair, is an urban oasis that is home to the St. Louis Zoo, the Art Museum, the Muny Opera, golf courses, a popular running and bike trail and lots of space to just relax. Right across the street is the St. Louis Science Center, which features an Omnimax theater.

Not too far away are the Missouri Botanical Garden; the Central West End, with its upscale restaurants and antique shops; the ethnic restaurants along South Grand; and the Grand Center entertainment district, featuring Powell Hall, home to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and the Fox Theatre, which attracts touring Broadway shows and other attractions. You can also visit the Sheldon, Jazz at the Bistro and other entertainment sites.

Closer to downtown is the Washington Avenue loft district, where trendy night spots offer places to dance the night away. Laclede's Landing, where the city began, also features local nightlife.

For sports fans, downtown has Busch Stadium, home of the baseball Cardinals; the Edward Jones Dome, home of the football Rams; and Savvis Center, home of the hockey Blues.