FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

New and Revitalized Pleasures in St. Louis

by Ron Bernthal

Feb 10, 2023

© Courtesy of Explore St. Louis

Daily

Located in St. Louis’s Downtown West neighborhood, City Park is the first sports facility built post-pandemic. The $458 million, 22,500-seat, soccer-specific facility will be the home of St. Louis City SC, a Major League Soccer expansion franchise, and the first MLS team to be female-majority owned. The first match is scheduled for Feb. 25, but City Park will be open prior to the game for watch parties and facility tours.

City Park

© Courtesy of Explore St. Louis

Ballpark Village, the hub of St. Louis sports, lies adjacent to Busch Stadium and recently completed its $210 million Phase 2 expansion, with Phase 3 already in the planning stages, focused on large-scale residential projects.

The Brickline is a 20-mile stretch of greenway running west from the St. Louis Arch to Forest Park. This greenway will eventually connect 17 different neighborhoods. The nearly complete 1-mile stretch from City Park to Harris-Stowe University, the city’s only historically Black college and university, tells the story of Mill Creek Valley, the predominantly Black neighborhood once home to 20,000 residents and hundreds of businesses, demolished in 1959. The lushly landscaped path features work from local and national artists such as Damon Davis, honoring former residents of MCV and driving conversation for a more inclusive future.

Japanese Garden

© Courtesy of Explore St. Louis

There’s something blooming at Missouri Botanical Garden and it’s not just the plants. The restorative experience just became more vibrant with the completion of the $100 million Gateway to the Garden expansion, which features a brand-new, 90,000-square-foot visitor center, Emerson Conservatory with its permanent display of Mediterranean plants, Sassafras Café with its panoramic views of the Garden, a garden gift shop and the new Bayer Event Center that will be utilized for educational forums and conferences.

City Foundry, a 15-acre, live-work space opened in 2021 with Foundry Food Hall, expands with an outpost of the intimate concert venue City Winery. City Winery’s location at City Foundry will feature a performance venue capable of accommodating 175 people, plus a 70-seat restaurant with 50 more seats outdoors. Highlights inside the venue include the company’s proprietary tap system, with eco-friendly glasses of wine straight from stainless-steel kegs; a pizza bar; and a coffee-roasting station. The venue will also accommodate private events for up to 300 standing guests.

Foundry Hall

© Courtesy of Explore St. Louis

Experience the majors and minors of Beethoven, Chopin and Brahms within the confines of the planned renovation and expansion of historic Powell Hall. One of America’s most acoustically remarkable and visually stunning concert halls, renovations will improve the listening experience in orchestral-level seating, creating a more intimate patron experience. Originally named St. Louis Theatre, Powell Hall began its journey as a movie theater in 1925 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. The renovation and expansion plans to finish in 2025, in time for the 100thanniversary of the building.

A $210 million expansion to the convention complex at downtown’s America’s Center has begun and will feature the Midwest’s largest ballroom at 61,000 square feet, as well as an 80,000-square-foot outdoor plaza with amphitheater. The Dome at America’s Center will host the return of the XFL football league, now owned by actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, with St. Louis BattleHawks beginning play this month after a three-year absence.

Climatron

© Courtesy of Explore St. Louis

Several new cultural experiences and art exhibits are on tap at Contemporary Art Museum and St. Louis Art Museum. Art in Bloom, St. Louis Art Museum’s annual celebration of flowers and fine art, returns as an in-person festival March 3–5. The Saint Louis Art Fair, celebrating its 30th  anniversary in 2023, is the destination for high-end visual art and engaging live performances.

Known for its spectacular views of the iconic Gateway Arch, Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis announced an enhanced guest experience following a fresh, contemporary redesign to all of its 200 guestrooms and suites. This renovation comes on the heels of the recent revamp to the property’s first-floor arrival lobby and eighth-floor Sky Lobby, as well as the addition of its signature Cinder House restaurant.

21 c

© Courtesy of Explore St. Louis

21c Museum Hotels renovates downtown St. Louis’ historic YMCA building and expects to unveil 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis in spring 2023. Guests can book now for visits beginning June 21.

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