St. Louis is a Mississippi River town that began as a dream of French fur trader Pierre Laclede's in 1764. It is safe to say that it has more than fulfilled its founder's expectations. In less than 150 years, "The Lou" matured from a muddy, mosquito-infested trading post to become America's fourth-largest city. By 1904, it was hosting the Summer Olympics and a World Fair.
In between its colonial fur trading days and opening its arms to the entire world, St. Louis welcomed Lewis and Clark in the winter of 1803. The following spring, they set out on their voyage to explore the Missouri River and open the American West.
By 1849, St. Louis had entered a boom town era thanks to its strategic location as a shipping port. Many local merchants grew wealthy supplying California-bound wagon trains. Today the Museum of Westward Expansion captures their stories. It's located in the city's riverfront wonder, the Gateway Arch.
Saint Louis Weather
Pierre Laclede chose a building site near the geographical center of the United States, 20 miles south of where the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers join. It's also where frigid Canadian air settles from December to March and hot, humid Gulf air prevails from June to early September. The most comfortable, and prettiest seasons are early spring and early fall.
In April and May, daytime temps range from the low 60s to the mid 70s and clouds of redbud, dogwood, Japanese cherry and crabapple blossoms burst into bloom. The Kentucky bluegrass at Busch Stadium gets prepped for another season of Cardinals baseball. The Missouri Botanical Garden celebrates the Tulip Trot, and local artists showcase their works at Laumeier Sculpture Park's Art Fair.
From mid-September to late October, St. Louis' days are mild and nights are crisp and cool. It's football, pumpkin-picking, wine-tasting and leaf-peeping time. Forest Park's maples, oaks, lindens and hickory leaves change from green to scarlet, orange, and gold. During the Park's Great Balloon Race, equally vibrant hot-air balloons take to the sky.
But no matter what the weather and calendar say, there's always something to do in The Lou.
Saint Louis Attractions
Our Gateway Arch and its Museum of Westward Expansion draw more than 2.5 million visitors annually. For many of them, the "high point" of their visit comes with a tram ride to the observation deck. Situated 630 feet above the ground, it delivers mind-blowing views of the entire city.
Just south of the Arch lies the Soulard neighborhood, where more than 100 floats make the annual Mardi Gras parade the most significant outside of New Orleans. Climate-controlled party tents take the chill off with dance floors, St. Louis-style pizza, and Cajun cuisine.
Aside from its trees and giant balloons, Forest Park offers a 1400-acre oasis where we can walk on the wild side at the Saint Louis Zoo, indulge our artistic sides at the Saint Louis Art Museum and stimulate our scientific sides at the Saint Louis Science Center. The Muny Opera keeps things dramatic with starlit stage performances.
In the Central West End east of the Park is the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. Even non-believers flock here for the exquisite wall and ceiling mosaics. Piecing them together from 43 million pieces of glass took 79 years!
In summer, we get a taste of Victorian St. Louis with Tower Grove Park's horse-drawn carriage rides and Sousa-style band concerts. For three weeks each June, Shakespeare in the Park brings the Bard's world to life in Forest Park's Shakespeare Glen. On the Gateway Arch Grounds, Fair Saint Louis celebrates the Fourth with three days of live music, free family fun, and show-stopping fireworks displays.
In winter, it's time for a turn on the Steinberg or Shaw Park Skating Rink or a trek to the Delmar Loop for the SnowBall and Ice Carnival. When we just can't face another cold, gray day, the Botanical Garden transports us to a tropical Paradise with its yearly Orchid Show.
And when spring finally rolls around again, we're more than ready to get out there and do it all again. That is if we're not stuck at home doing the leaf cleanup that didn't get done the previous fall!
But why should piles of wet, messy decaying leaves stop anyone from enjoying a minute of St. Louis fun? Not when Lawn Love is ready and waiting to take them away as soon as they drop. By the time the trees in and around your yard have stopped shedding, your lawn may be knee-deep in leaves. You could spend your free time raking, bagging and disposing of them while the delightful fall days give way to winter. Or, you could ignore them and just have fun as they keep your lawn dark, damp and vulnerable to a host of fungal infestations or diseases. And that's without mentioning the good chance of your yard into a mosquito-breeding factory.
After a couple of years of that, no spring cleanup in the world will restore your lawn to its lush, healthy green. You'll need to reseed, and who has time for that, especially when the attractions of our fair city are calling?
The Lawn Love team does, but we'd much rather clean up the leaves before things get that far. Bonded and fully insured, we'll tackle the job with professional expertise and equipment that leaves few leaves behind. The way your lawn looks at the end of fall is the way it will look until next spring. St. Louis winters are harsh enough without having piles of wet, brown leaves to remind you of a chore left undone. So when your leaves start to drop, why not give Lawn Love a call or visit us online? We'll have a free, affordable quote for you in just a few moments.
