A Taste of Two Cities: Food and History Tour of Saint Louis
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Join a native historian & raconteur on a leisurely 2 mile walk through St. Louis' fabulous Central West End while nibbling on uniquely St. Louis treats from its most chic and enduring neighborhood. On this tour, you'll hear the good, bad, and ugly* history that created the city you see today + all the Dad jokes you can stomach at no extra charge.
St. Louis was the fourth largest city in the US and brimming with Gilded Age wealth when the globally significant 1904 World's Fair happened right next door. Here you'll see grand hotels + mansions that once hosted royalty within view of the nearby Delmar Divide - a socioeconomic consequence of self-inflicted wounds that have made modern St. Louis a place where we grieve communities lost and aspire to replant communities of mutual aid and support like those that once thrived nearby.
*TRIGGER WARNING: historical events regarding race and social justice are covered.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Should be able to walk a level 2-mile course along public sidewalks on a St. Louis afternoon.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
We'll meet up near Writer's Corner at a brewpub that has been a favorite haunt of Central West End locals since 1980 and sample a one-of-a-kind sandwich Guy Fieri once took two bites of before telling the executive chef to "Tear up the rest of the menu - you don't need it!". While you partake in your first nibbles, your guide will give you a background of St. Louis' early history, leading up to the time that the Central West End becomes the epicenter of concentrated wealth in the fourth largest city in America during her illustrious Gilded Age - culminating in a global event that would celebrate all of human achievement right next door in Forest Park - the 1904 World's Fair.
Holy Corners District
Within a literal stone's throw of the Delmar Divide sits some of the most impressive architecture from the World's Fair era that still remains, and it's completely outside of Forest Park. Hear hidden history and see artifacts from the early days of this "Valley of the Giants" listed in the National Register of Historic Places. We'll discuss the dichotomy of living in St. Louis, including the long term effects of the 32 of our 79 neighborhoods collectively referred to as the "Northside" that sit north of Delmar Boulevard and have borne witness to many generations of disinvestment and abandonment.
What‘s Included
Cooling towels when the heat is a factor.
Bottled water
We'll enjoy plenty of nibbles from STL favorites and neighborhood mainstays along the tour route.
Options
Iconic STL Flavors Tour
Reviews
38 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Can't recommend this tour highly enough!!
Heather S,Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Dave was a fantastic tour guide. He was so knowledgeable about the Central West End and St. Louis in general! It was wonderful learning so much information! The food stops were wonderful too, introducing me to new eateries in St. Louis I didn't know were there. I loved that the food was St. Louis-themed, too. I recommend this tour to anyone!
Well Rounded & Delicious Food Tour
974brookeh,Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great combo of history, walking, and food. Mike was SO knowledgeable about the area and we loved his passion for sharing that knowledge with others. He was well organized, the walking was just the right amount, and we liked the variety of the foods. Highly recommend this one!
Informative and delicious
Gail K,Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great experience. There was plenty of delicious food and interesting facts about the history of St. Louis, past amd present. It went the whole 3 hours plus some and I was definitely full at the end.
Learn a ton. Oh, yeah, the food is great too.
ahunkins,Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mike is the consummate storyteller. A very balanced view of history. No punches pulled. Every part is human, beautiful and ugly.
Walking history and food tour
kellyeB5745IP,Sep 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mike was excellent. This is a tour you don’t want to miss. Mike had so much to share he was articulate, funny and well versed on the history of STL. The food was absolutely Delicious. I always book a walking history/food tour in every city I visit and this was hands down the best.
We had a great time. ...
Barbara F,Sep 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great time. Mike was very interesting he knew so much about St. Louis. We really learned a lot from him.
Great day of learning!
Q2439ZYlaurenh,Aug 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00This was a great history and walking tour of the CWE. I learned so much. As for the food, I thought it was excellent and nice-sized portions. Yummy! Mike is passionate about the history and his stories are good…sprinkled with a bit of humor.
Fun learning experience!
dont969,Aug 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fun tour! We are local to the area and still learned a TON that we didn't know! Mike is a great guide and his passion for history shines through.
Great tour of a central part of STL history
Y3640FKdebl,Aug 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We really enjoyed this tour. I have lived in the St. Louis area for 50 years but we were with out of town family and everyone learned a lot. Mike was very knowledgeable and full of stories. All the food was great. We were already full by the time we got to the delicious treat at the end of the tour.
Interesting delicious local tour
diannej12345,Aug 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very interesting tour. The tour operators put a lot of thought and attention to detail into this tour. It was a hot day & they provided water, cooling towels & fans which we appreciated. Unique arrangement where 1 person led us on a historical tour and another would get food from various venues and set up picnics for us along the way. We enjoyed food and learned a lot. Thanks!
From US$129.00
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Operated by TourCWE