St. Louis, Missouri, is a surprising oasis of sprawling urban parks and charismatic neighborhoods that can be explored on foot. Situated in the heart of the Midwest, the city is a vibrant mix of modern culture and time-honored nostalgia. Rivaling Manhattan's Central Park, 1,293-acre Forest Park offers spectacular views and provides the perfect venue for a leisurely weekend stroll. Captivating neighborhoods, such as Lafayette Square, are teeming with lively boutiques and cafés amidst historic homes and buildings restored to their former grandeur. Go antiquing on Cherokee Antique Row, where six blocks of specialty shops are filled with unique treasures and rare curiosities. Enhance your trip with a stay at one of the quaint area bed-and-breakfasts, such as the charming Fleur-de-Lys Mansion, located just minutes from Compton Hill Reservoir Park.

To learn more about these and other St. Louis attractions, see "The Grand Gateway," on page 28 of the September/October 2012 issue of Victoria magazine.