A Day In Lafayette Square

The historic mansions of Lafayette Square are home to several well-loved Bed & Breakfasts. Park Avenue Mansion is a local favorite for its romance and comfort. A very popular inn for weddings and events, the Park Avenue offers whirlpool tubs, luxurious linens, an immaculately restored historic mansion, gourmet breakfasts and a lovely garden space. The elegant sanctuary is located directly across the street from the park, making it the perfect location to explore Lafayette Square. 

The perfect way to enjoy Lafayette Square is to match up a walk in the serene park with a treatment or massage at one of the neighborhood's spas, and top off your retreat with a yoga class at Southtown Yoga. The studio offers lively, challenging classes in an historic space with hardwood floors and lots of natural light. Watch the website for special events, like yoga and wine tasting nights, workshop weekends or parent/child classes.

Looking for something a little more active? Adults and families alike love climbing the walls at this remarkable indoor playground, built inside an historic power plant. Lessons and equipment rental are available for beginning climbers. In addition to free climbing, So iLL offers rope classes, running groups, yoga classes and other fitness opportunities. 

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It's hard to choose a restaurant in a neighborhood with such rich options, but Eleven Eleven Mississippi always pleases. The exposed brick interior of a former shoe factory creates an environment that is casual, comfortable and elegant at the same time. The rich cuisine of Tuscany is given a modern twist in a menu full of fresh, flavorful ingredients and surprising flavor combinations. The restaurant is considered one of St. Louis's finest, and has been winning local and national awards since it first opened in 2003.

Nightlife options in Lafayette Square tend toward the refined and sophisticated (rowdy revelers can walk to nearby Soulard for St. Louis-style beer and blues). Bailey's Chocolate Bar is the ideal spot to end a sweet evening with dessert or a nightcap. Chocolate martinis are the specialty here; the bartender can create over two dozen variations on that theme. Beer, spirits, wine and champagne round out the drink menu, and an assortment of snacks and desserts are served well into the night. Tip: Make your way through the crowded indoor space to find the more spacious patio seating out back.

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