Saint Louis Warnings and Dangers

Okay, so we do have some major traffic issues. Your main highways to get around on are Hwy 270, 40, 44 & 70. If there is a game downtown or it is rush hour and you have to head that way, make sure you give yourself plenty of time. Hwy 40 & 44 if you are coming from the west can get pretty slow headed into to the city. Rush hours is usually in the morning from about 6:30 - 8:30 and in the afternoon form about 4:30 - 6:30. They should call it "Rush Hours".

The next tip I have is, when you are downtown, around "The Hill", South City and North County, it is easy to get turned around. You may be in a very nice area in one minute and the wrong turn can get you into trouble. Again, ask for directions, use your map. St. Louis is a great city, but like most it has it's good areas and it's bad areas. Stay on the main streets and you should me just fine.

I added a link for you that might help you.

This tip applies to any urban area, but it is something I've seen many people forget. When you park your car, don't leave anything of value exposed inside! Working in the much visited area of Forest Park, I've seen many people forget this, with bad results. Windows smashed for a walkie talkie or a tote bag! ! The thief may not steal your car, but having a window smashed & items stolen, is very distressing, too. It can totally ruin your day! And even your entire trip....

So either take your valuables with you or put them in your trunk BEFORE you park your car. Put them in your car's trunk ( boot, for you English blokes!) a good distance from the location you leave your car, because the thief may be watching the parking lot. this happened to my daughter at the Creepy Crawl downtown. ( and I thought she was so street-smart!!) Sometimes the trunks get broken into also, especially during Christmas shopping time, so this isn't a fool-proof idea.

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Around the downtown area, renovation has been attempted more times than you can imagine, but it has not yet succeeded, and some revived areas are on the decline again-like Union Station after only 15 years appears it could close anytime, or St. Louis Center Mall on 6th St, or Laclede's Landing-to name a few.
It is a downright shame this has happened and millions of dollars invested to try and turn around the deterioration of the city center. Union Station ended up over $250 million cost, St. Louis Center Mall now being torn down only lasted 15 years and died shortly after opening cost $250 million, and Lacledes Landing still barley hanging on cost about !150 million to revamp that devastated area. Now it could take that amount again to fix it up, or try to stop the erosion of tenants.
There have been robberies, attacks and killings that does scare the suburbanites to come downtown, and not doubt not worth the risk.

Crime can occur anywhere in any major city.

As we went across the bridge over from St. Louis in Missouri State to East St. Louis in Illinois State for the entertainment outlets there, we were warned by the taxi driver of higher crime in St. Louis.

Not sure if this is statistically proven but better heed the advice of the locals especially the cab drivers.

East St. Louis can be a dangerous place to end up if you are driving around to see the area. It is like a no mans land over there, and nothing so far has been able to turn it around to make it better. It has the biggest death rate in the US per capita. Then there is Suaget with its good old boys trying to make a living on strip clubs and various people sports. Dancing girls, and other risky ventures are available for those in the mind to find it.
Immediate across the river now (Aug 2010)is a casino and green area that may have cleaned up some of the riff.

The brick streets were all redone in the early 1980's. Now they are like a roller coaster ride with the severe ruts and depressions that a vehicle needs to traverse in driving down there. No money is available to fix the streets; so it gets worse.

I love all of these dangers and warnings that are posted here. It seems that no part of the city is safe, you should run screaming every time you see a black man within a mile of you, and don't leave the hotel if you want to stay safe. Better yet, why don't I just look at pictures of St. Louis online while sitting at home?! Get real! St. Louis, like every city, has its share of crime. I ran around St. Louis for a week to see the sights and at no time did I feel unsafe. I was in the downtown area after dark and there were plenty of people there and lots of open restaurants. Sure I wouldn't leave valuables visible in the car and would you common sense, but don't let all these warnings stop you from enjoying a great city. A lot of these reviews do sound racist and perhaps some people are pushing their own agenda, but ignore the extreme views and focus on reality. Stay safe, see all you have time to see, try the ethnic restaurants which make St. Louis such a gastronomical joy, and have fun.

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If you are claustrophobic, or have arcophobia, you may want to stay on ground level. The elevator ride up is an "adventure" with 5 people to a cramped compartment with narrow seats. I take about 5-7 minutes to get to the top, and somewhat dark going up, and you see the bare walls and supports dragging the cars up the chain pulley. The top of the arch sways only 5-7 inches-they say-but I think I felt it sway about 2 feet more than once. Height at the viewing area is under 7 feet and width about 10 feet with the corridor being 69 feet. With many people up there, it gets crowded and hard to walk and see overview below