Known as the “loft district” of St. Louis, Washington Ave. is a great place to shop, have lunch or grab a caffeinated beverage. The distinctive architecture and crisscrossing overhead lights create a unique atmosphere for walking around on the street. The urban area features restaurants and cafes with outdoor seating and its fair share of pubs from which music leaks to the outside. Just a short walk from Washington Ave., Citygarden is a sculpture park in the heart of St. Louis. The park, practically in the shadow of the St. Louis Arch, includes art, a restaurant and several fountains in which people can cool off on hot summer days. Touted on its website as an “urban oasis,” Citygarden is the perfect place for city-dwellers and visitors alike to stop and rest. The blend of old and new elements makes the drive down 64/40 worth the trip.

Tea enthusiasts rejoice! If you’re looking for a cozy, quirky environment to enjoy lunch or breakfast, seek no farther than Washington Ave.’s London Tea Room. The staff, English accents in tow, is charming and friendly. Though the walls are cluttered with Brit paraphernalia, suggesting the owners’ “homesickness” for their native England. The Room features a wide range of teas (white, green, oolong, black, blends and more) served in authentic English China or loose to be taken home alongside a selection of lunch options and an espresso bar. The restaurant also offers cakes and other pastries; the lemon blueberry cake in particular is a must-try item. Check out the regular tea cuppings, or stay for a traditional Afternoon or Cream Tea. Don’t show up on a Monday and plan to wait on Sundays, however, because The London Tea Room is a popular place for brunch and is closed on Mondays.

What would a teenage jaunt in downtown St. Louis be without a stop at the City Museum? This establishment’s title should be taken loosely as the visitor’s experience at the museum will involve very little standing around and staring at paintings. The City Museum has no want of art, however. Every inch of the building’s public space (previously a shoelace factory) is covered in whimsical sculpture and eclectic decoration, while above the museum tenants live in rent-adjusted lofts. From the roof, featuring the iconic bus hanging over the street and the newly opened rooftop fountain to the dark and glittering basement caves, the space invites visitors to slither, crawl and climb on the art.

Flannery’s Pub is spacious and trendy. Upon entering, the first design elements that stand out are the large bar and the plush, pillow-lined, window-seat booths, and the pub’s website prominently features several young ladies dancing drunkenly on tables. Despite this party-hard image, the dining experience was surprisingly classy, and the food was delicious. The cinnamon French toast (spring for the strawberries) and the hummus platter are particularly recommended. The wait staff responded well to a table of teenagers, and the waitress allowed us to order from both the brunch and lunch menus despite some inconvenience to herself. Overall, Flannery’s Pub was an excellent choice for lunch, and its small crevices and lounges suggest an equally appealing nightlife.