Fall in the Midwest is a beautiful thing. Between the colorful fall foliage, crisp air, the smell of bonfires floating on the breeze and the many fun events constantly happening around the city, there’s nothing not to love about Autumn in St. Louis.
When visitors to our unique boutique hotel ask us how they should spend their time in the Lou, we’re never at a loss for fun suggestions. While we always recommend that they take a stroll down the St. Louis Walk of Fame and enjoy the best rooftop dining in St. Louis beneath our spinning moon, there are also a ton of fun fall activities that guests won’t want to miss this season!
St. Louis Renaissance Festival: Weekends September 15 – October 14
How doth thou spendeth thou autumnal weekends? If they don’t include at least one trip to the St. Louis Renaissance Festival, you’re missing out on some serious entertainment! From pirates and mermaids to jousting to juggling to turkey legs and more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. It’s a unique, slightly wacky way to while away an autumn day and remember not to take life too seriously. The festival is located on W Meyer Road in Wentzville on fall weekends through October 14. Another perk? It’s dog-friendly, just like our pet-friendly hotel!
The Best of Missouri Market: October 5 – 7
Start October off strong and head to the Missouri Botanical Garden for their annual Best of Missouri Market. Enjoy baked goods, flowers and herbs, handcrafted artisan items, art, jewelry and more from over 120 vendors. Live music, wine and beer samples and a kid’s corner with crafts, barnyard animals and pumpkin decorating round out the fall fun.
Grove Fest: October 6
This eclectic yearly festival in St. Louis’s quirky Grove neighborhood is returning for its dozenth year this fall! The fest is family-friendly and will feature live music, street performers, fabulous food and drinks from local Grove businesses, and local artists and vendors selling handmade crafts, fashion and art. Get ready to get your Grove on! This annual event is a city favorite.
The 5th Annual Brew in The Lou: October 13 (1-5 p.m)
Do you like beer? If you do, the Brew in The Lou in Francis Park is the event for you! Sample the best of St. Louis’s beer, wine, spirits, coffee and food while supporting a good cause! Proceeds from this event benefit the Lutheran Elementary School Association’s 35 member schools serving 8,8000 students. With your $40 wristband, you get all-inclusive of beer, homebrew, spirits, wine and coffee tasting and a commemorative glass. The fun also includes live entertainment, arts and craft vendors, the “People’s Choice” Home Brew, Bratwurst and Chili Contest, and special food exhibits.
STL Square Off Pizza Festival: October 14 (11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m)
Witness the battle for the title of the best St. Louis pizza at the second annual STL Square Off Pizza Festival. The event takes place at Berra Park on The Hill, St. Louis’s famous Italian neighborhood. This food-centric festival focuses on local pie makers’ different takes on our classic hometown pizza and has festival-goers cast their votes for the best of the best. Tickets cost $25 (free for 12 and under), and a portion of the ticket sales will benefit Hill 2000, the neighborhood association.
2018 St. Louis International Film Festival: November 1 – 11
Film buffs, get excited for the 27th annual St. Louis International Film Festival. This yearly festival brings St. Louisans the finest in international cinema, with over 450 films from around the world. Oscar contenders, documentaries, shorts and more will all be displayed on big screens around the city. Check out the list of 2018 participating venues.
Haunted Houses and Hayrides: All Fall
A little-known fact about St. Louis – this city is obsessed with haunted attractions! From thrill-inducing haunted houses – like The Darkness in Soulard and the House of Occult at Lemp Brewery – to haunted hayrides – like the one offered at Creepyworld in Fenton – to Six Flag St. Louis’s Fright by Night, there’s no shortage of spookiness in STL. This list of local haunts will help you pick the thrill level that’s right for you. But beware! This activity isn’t for the faint of heart.
Whew – that’s a lot of fall fun, and those are just some of the dozens of options for entertainment in the Gateway City. So, what are you waiting for? Plan a trip to the most eco-friendly hotel in St. Louis today before you miss out on any of it! Book your room today.