By Victor Block

Maybe it was because I had seen references to the St. Louis Arch throughout my whole life. Perhaps it was due to that fact that the famous span is included on many a "must-see" list. Whatever the reason, my expectations when I recently had an opportunity to visit and ascend in the world-famous structure were high. That may have been why the experience was somewhat of a disappointment.

It's not that the well-known landmark, which towers over the city's skyline, isn't impressive. At 630 feet tall, it lays claim to the title of the highest manmade national monument in the United States. It weighs more than 17,000 tons and was built to withstand both earthquakes and strong winds. Those who wish to reach the top of the edifice can hitch a ride, then alight for the short walk to the summit.

So why didn't the happening live up to the hype? For starters, the trip is made in a somewhat cramped tram car. Those who suffer from claustrophobia might experience a bit of it on the way up. Once there, they peer out narrow slit windows for views of the city as far as 30 miles away and of boat and barge traffic making its way along the Mississippi River.

If you wish to avoid the journey or don't enjoy being crammed into a sardine-like setting, I found the Gateway Arch Museum at the base of the span to be inviting and interesting. It focuses upon the history and significance of the namesake above with interactive exhibits about the westward expansion, the Lewis and Clark expedition and the role played by St. Louis in the history of the United States since the city's founding in 1764.

It served as a hub for trade with regional Native American tribes, the political capital of the region and a center of commerce along waterways. Arrival of the first steamboat in 1817 changed the city forever. These opened the area to the West and St. Louis morphed into a major manufacturing city.

Among reminders of the Indigenous culture is Sugarloaf Mound, the sole remaining Mississippian culture mound in present-day St. Louis. Some 40 of these earthen knolls were built within present-day St. Louis by the Natives who thrived in the area from about 600 to 1300.

Another architectural gem in town is the Climatron, which houses the Geodesic Dome Conservatory. It incorporates the principles of R. Buckminster Fuller, the architect, systems theorist, author, designer, inventor and futurist. It was the first geodesic dome to be used for that purpose, and it has been named one of the 100 most significant architectural achievements in United States history.

Contrasting with the colorless aluminum of which the dome is made are plantings in the 79-acre Missouri Botanical Garden. It includes a Japanese Garden, one of the largest in North America; some of the most distinctive examples of garden sculpture in the country; and the results of sustainability practices throughout its operation.

Dwarfing that spread is Forest Park, a 1,326-acre enclave of meadows and trees, prairie wetland, lakes and ponds. Opened in 1876, it has hosted significant events such as the 1904 World's Fair and the Summer Olympics. Known as the "Heart of St. Louis," it is home to the city zoo, art and history museums, science center and opera theater.

Music lovers are likely to find venues in St. Louis where they can hear their favorite sounds. The city has long been a hopping hub of musical activity, and both local artists and visiting performers have been responsible for that. From jazz to blues, soul to hip-hop, the list of something-for-everyone sounds is long and varied.

When it's time to dine in St. Louis, the city offers a choice of local specialties which, if they may sound quirky, I found to be worth introducing to my taste buds.

Beginning with breakfast, I quickly came to appreciate an early morning cake fix with a favorite local recipe. Gooey butter cake is practically a rite of passage. The story about this concoction is that a baker accidentally doubled the butter in a cake recipe, resulting in a deliciously gooey custard atop a coffee cake base, all dusted with powdered sugar.

While there is a distinct difference between the St. Louis and Kansas City styles of barbecue, both include a generous quantity of barbecue sauce. The St. Louis version is a pork steak that is seasoned, smoked and slathered in tangy, tomato-based barbecue sauce.

Whether brunching on butter cake or munching on barbeque, admiring a soaring arch or strolling among a collection of garden sculptures, the choice of things to taste, see and do in and around St. Louis is likely to fulfill any visitor's wish list.

WHEN YOU GO

For more information: stlouis-mo.gov

The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, designed by Eero Saarinen, is one of the city's biggest draws. Photo courtesy of Joe Sohm/Dreamstime.com.

The French Colonial Color Guard at Fort de Chartres, just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri, perform for visitors. Photo courtesy of Matthew Mansell/Dreamstime.com.

The Cahokia State Historic Site is situated across the Mississippi River but near St. Louis, Missouri. Photo courtesy of Vladislav Gajoc/Dreamstime.com.

Victor Block is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, designed by Eero Saarinen, is one of the city's biggest draws. Photo courtesy of Joe Sohm/Dreamstime.com.