Meet me in St. Louis

St. Louis was acquired by the United States from the French in 1803, as part of the Louisiana Purchase. As explorers navigated the Mississippi River, the city became a major port, and eventually, a booming metropolis. These days, St. Louis is home to some of the country's most passionate sports fans. It is also the location of a historic landmark that represents the city's history as a passageway from the original American colonies out to the West. Visitors will get a sense of St. Louis by checking out these attractions.

Edward Jones Dome

Sports fans need to ride in their St. Louis rental cars to the Edward Jones Dome, located at 701 Convention Plaza. There they can catch the action of the National Football League's St. Louis Rams, who have called the building home since moving to the city in 1995. The roof on the Edward Jones Dome is 205-feet high, creating capacity for more than 66,000 fans to fill the stadium every time the Rams take the field. For visitors who aren't in to football or couldn't get tickets to the big game, the dome also regularly hosts concerts, college basketball contest and Monster Truck rallies.

Gateway Arch

Known as the "Gateway to the West," the Gateway Arch is the defining landmark of St. Louis. Located at 100 Washington Ave., it sits along the western bank of the Mississippi River, creating a grand entrance to the city. History buffs will soak in the stories about Lewis and Clark's exploration of the river while learning about the importance of St. Louis to our country's history. There is also the opportunity to reach the top of the arch and look out at the city and water below. At 630 feet, the Gateway Arch is still the tallest man-made national monument in the United States, just as it was when it was built 50 years ago.

Missouri Botanical Garden

Find the beauty in the city by driving your St. Louis rental car to the Missouri Botanical Garden, at 4344 Shaw Blvd. Since its founding in 1859 - making it the oldest botanical garden in continuous operation in the United States - the Missouri Botanical Garden has amazed visitors with its wide array of plants and wildlife. Kids will love the butterfly house and many interactive activities, while adults can tour the grounds and gain a greater appreciation of nature. The main attraction for visitors of all ages at the gardens is the Climatron, a 70-foot high dome that serves as an indoor plant conservatory.