MISSOURI state is never the first choice for tourists on their first visit to the US. The glitzy lights of New York City, the beaches of Florida or the celebrities of Los Angeles are a far bigger draw, and the state’s high crime rate and recent gun violence hasn’t improved its reputation. But if you take a closer look, there’s a lot of hidden charm.

I landed at the airport in St Louis early in the day. It’s a small city along the western bank of the Mississippi River, which hosted the first World Expo as well as Summer Olympic Games in the early 20th, and I was prepared to soak it up in 24 hours.

Some Chinese people may recognize the city from the 2001 movie “Gua Sha” (Treatment) starring in Hong Kong actor Tony Ka-Fai Leung.

9am Gateway Arch

As a typical tourist, my first stop in this city was its landmark Gateway Arch. Construction started in 1947 but wasn’t completed until the mid 1960s. The arch today attracts millions of tourists annually and is one of the world’s most widely recognized structures. Rising to 192 meters, it is a monument to America’s western expansion. Even from a distance, it’s always clearly visible.

A visit to the Gateway Arch would not be complete without journeying to the top of the awe-inspiring monument with its unforgettable view of the city and the Mississippi River.

There are several other ways to experience the arch, including the riverboat cruises, helicopter tour, visiting the Old Courthouse, or take a seat at the Arch View Cafe.

If you take a delightful, one-hour journey back to a time when steamboats ruled the Mississippi River, narrated by the captain or a National Park Service Ranger, your cruise tour will highlight the history of St Louis and the mighty river’s role today.

Later on, a casual brunch on the docks of the Gateway Arch Riverboats is the perfect way to enjoy the magnificent view of the arch in the morning. Choose from a variety of menu items including burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, chicken strips, fries, salads and other treats.

11:30am Forest Park and Washington University of St Louis

Forest Park is known as the heart of St Louis and is located in the western part of the city. It’s a prominent civic center and covers 5.55 square kilometers. Opened in 1876, the site has hosted several significant events including the Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904 and the 1904 Summer Olympics.

The public park is home to the St Louis Zoo, the St Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum and the Saint Louis Science Center.

Just taking a walk through the park is a beautiful experience as well. Washington University of St Louis and St Louis University, are located nearby.

1pm Visit St Louis Art Museum and lunch at Panorama

The Forest Park area and the St Louis Art Museum are among the top sights for tourists and locals.

The museum was founded in 1881 as the St Louis School and Museum of Fine Arts, an independent entity within Washington University in St Louis. The building was designed by architect Cass Gilbert, who took inspiration from the Baths of Caracalla in Rome.

The museum has an encyclopedic collection of more than 33,000 works. Highlights of this exhibition include exceptional works of German prints and social documentary photography. Notable among the artists’ works are a superb impression of Martin Schongauer’s engraving “The Nativity,” and Dorothea Lange’s “Migrant Mother,” one of the most iconic images of Depression-era America.

After the museum tour, Panorama in the museum building is a perfect choice for a late lunch. Through floor-to-ceiling windows, you can look at the Forest Park while eating your lunch.

2:30pm Cathedral Basilica of St Louis

The Cathedral Basilica of St Louis is located at the central west-end area of the city, hidden behind a busy commercial center in a quiet neighborhood. When I went, the winter’s last snow had just fallen and was still covering the roof of the magnificent cathedral.

Completed in 1914, the cathedral is the home of the Archdiocese of St Louis and the seat of its archbishop, Robert James Carlson. It was designated a basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1997.

The church basement contains a museum dedicated to the mosaics in the church as well as other artifacts found within the cathedral.

Outside the church stands The Angel of Harmony, a welded, stainless steel sculpture by Wiktor Szostalo. The 1999 sculpture was a gift from Adelaide Schlafly in memory of her late husband, Daniel Schlafly, a Catholic layman who was dedicated to equality and peace.

3:30pm Afternoon tea at the Park Avenue Cafe

Plenty of great neighborhood cafes serve good coffee, beverages and deserts here. At the Lafayette Square, near Forest Park, I found Park Avenue Cafe which serves good lattes and delicious home-made chocolate muffins.

5pm Walk along the Creve Coeur Lake

If you come to St Louis for a spring break, don’t miss Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park, a popular place for residents to enjoy a picnic. The park is the largest in the St Louis County Parks system, and Creve Coeur Lake is also the largest natural lake in Missouri.

6pm Shopping at St Louis Premium Outlets

There are several big shopping malls and outlets in St Louis, but I found St Louis Premium Outlets to be one of the best. There’s plenty of big brands at affordable prices.

Just a short car ride there is another big outlet called Taubman Prestige Outlets.

8pm Dinner at Sugarfire BBQ restaurant

Some may doubt that American has great food culture, but Sugarfire will proof them wrong. It’s frequently ranked among the best BBQ restaurants in the St Louis.

The restaurant has several chains in the city and the one I visited was on the busy Olive Blvd. Menus are written and painted on the wall and you can pick up your own combination of hamburg, barbecue and salad. Chefs will prepare the food in front of you at the chef line.

Hand-pattied and griddle-seared, seasoned only in sea salt and fresh cracked pepper, the beef patties are delicious.

Other dishes include brisket, ribs, salmon, sausages, turkey and pulled pork. Don’t forget try the house made St Louis sauce.

If you go

Every place has its history, and if you talk to one of St Louis’s elder residents, you will hear that this city has a lot of “old money.” If you have some more time, try to find antique sales of old furniture.

Tips:

Traffic jams are rare and it takes about half an hour to get almost everywhere. The automatic machine at the Lambert-St Louis International Airport charges US$5 to rent a cart for your luggage, so don’t forget to bring some change with you.