Ellen Prinzi

The perfect midwestern weekend away can be found in St Louis, and finding an equally-perfect lodging for your adventure is just as important as what you'll do once you're there. Luckily, there are both affordable and high-end options at your disposal in Gateway City. And it’s worth taking into account that while most of the city’s hotels are downtown, some of the best attractions, restaurants, things to do, and neighborhoods are spread out – so staying downtown isn’t necessarily the best way to experience all that the city has to offer. If you're wondering what there is to do though, there are a ton. If you're a loyalty member, then you'll find that the hotel scene in St Louis is full of all the usual suspects – but if you’re looking for something more authentic and local, this list also includes boutique stays that boast movie theaters, casinos, and cozy pubs in them, as well as historic locations and even one lunar-themed hotel. Far out.  RECOMMENDED: 📍See our full guide to the best things to do in St Louis 🍴Dine out at the best restaurants in St Louis Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.  

Fondly known as the City of Fountains (with over 200 of them), Kansas is the place to be for those who love jazz, art and a decent barbeque. Along with a thriving cultural and culinary scene, the people of Kansas are a warm bunch, so no doubt you’ll feel right at home while you’re in town. In this neck of the woods, as with most of the Midwest, the attractions and entertainment districts are more spread out, with plenty of lodging options depending on the reason for your visit. Most hotels can either be found in the downtown Power and Lights District or the shopping mecca of Country Club Plaza. There isn’t much in the way of public transportation, but most hotels will offer complimentary shuttles within a certain radius. Whether you’re looking to stay in a historic Art Deco-inspired boutique or just looking for the best place to stay for a Royals game, check through our pick of the city’s best hotels and you’re sure to find something you’ll like. RECOMMENDED:⛲️Check out the best things to do in Kansas City🏛Visit the best museums in KC🍔Eat your way around Kansas City 🛏️ Check out the best Airbnbs in Kansas City Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information,

The Heart of America doesn’t get the attention afforded to larger Midwest cities like Chicago and St. Louis, but the best things to do in Kansas City showcase a town packed with character, culture, and culinary charm. Sports, music, food, and arts take top billing, and the city is filled with gorgeous walks and beautiful fountains. They don’t call it the City of Fountains for no reason. KC embraced free public transportation in 2020, making it incredibly easy to get around to see the city’s attractions. If you want to punctuate your sightseeing with delicious food and crisp craft beers, you are on the right track. This is Kansas City, a city of heritage, history, and a whole lot of fun. 🛏️ Check out the best Airbnbs in Kansas City🏨 Check in at the best Kansas City hotels

If you’re in St Louis, it’s likely you’re here for at least a few of the following; blues, baseball, beer and a whole lot of BBQ. Most likely, you’re here to tick off every single one. And mark our words, they’re all well worth visiting for. But when we’re talking about its foodie scene, there’s tons more going on than just BBQ.  In fact, this city is home to a whole host of incredible restaurants, from tasty tapas to all-American burger joints and New York-style sandos to spicy Northern Thai curries. Fancy egg noodle soup? You got it. Buttermilk cornmeal pancakes? You got it. We’ve got it all on our radar. Here are the best restaurants in St Louis right now.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in St Louis🏨 The best hotels in St Louis📍 The best things to do in Indianapolis📍 The best things to do in Kansas City✈️ The ultimate guide to Missouri

Kansas City is famed for its fantastic BBQ, from cheesesteaks to ribs and brisket. But to put the city down to simply a BBQ haven is to do it a disservice (though they do do a damn good brisket). Kansas City is home to a whole array of world cuisines, from Ethiopian to Mexican and family-run Italian joints to swanky cocktails and small plates. This is the place to get delicious wood-fired pizza, sumptuous fried chicken, and unreal pulled pork, and then spend your evening sipping on cocktails at a speakeasy, or heading to a wine bar. From old city classics to modern new twists, here are the best restaurants in Kansas City right now.  RECOMMENDED:🍽️ Where to eat the best BBQ in Kansas City🍷 The best bars in Kansas City🍺 The best breweries in Kansas City📍 The best things to do in Kansas City🏨 The best hotels in Kansas City

Baseball, beer, blues and BBQ: That’s what most people think of when they talk about this city. But it’s time to look beyond that and discover the other amazing things to do in St Louis—the kind of activities that make the Gateway to the West oh-so-special. From delicious restaurants to picture-perfect views, fantastic festivals and stunning hotels, St Louis deserves to be explored and lived-in like a local, whether you’re visiting for just a couple of days or have a whole week. RECOMMENDED: The best hotels in St LouisRECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in St Louis

Texas has brisket, Carolina has pulled pork and St. Louis has ribs, but the crown jewel of the Kansas City BBQ scene is a plate of burnt ends. We're talking about those wonderful bites of brisket that are caramelized and smokey on the outside and tender on the inside. Basically, they’re meat gold. Although plenty of butchers used to discard this meat because it was thought to be too chewy for sandwiches, today, the dish sells out on a daily basis all around town. That's because BBQ in Kansas City isn’t just the town’s most recognizable culinary offering (and one of the best things to do in Kansas City), it’s an institution that has shaped the entire country’s gastronomical landscape since the 1920s. (That's when Henry Perry fired up a smoker in an old streetcar barn and sold grilled meat in newspapers for customers to carry out.) Today, that tradition has expanded to more than 100 restaurants serving BBQ in the area—slathered in world-famous KC BBQ sauce (thick and sweet with a hint of spice), of course—and even BBQ-themed events and festivals. So what are you still waiting for? Put on that bib and get to these top spots for the best BBQ in Kansas City.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in Kansas City