A Taste of Two Cities: Food + History Tour of STL Past + Present

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours

Mobile ticket

Join a native historian & raconteur on a leisurely 2 mile walk through St. Louis' fabulous Central West End while nibbling 4-6 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. You'll see grand hotels + mansions that have hosted royalty while also discussing the origins of the nearby Delmar Divide - a socioeconomic consequence of self-inflicted wounds that continue to bleed to this day within view of the artifacts of opulent wealth.

*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‘s Included

Cooling towels when the heat is a factor.

Bottled water

We'll stop for 5-6 nibbles from STL favorites and neighborhood mainstays along the tour route.

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.

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

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.

Admission Not Applicable

Options

Iconic STL Flavors Tour

Reviews

4.76

38 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Can't recommend this tour highly enough!!
Heather S,
Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Dave 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
5.00
A 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
5.00
This 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
5.00
Mike 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
5.00
Mike 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
5.00
We 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
4.00
This 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
5.00
Fun 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
5.00
We 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
5.00
Very 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!