ST. LOUIS — The Gateway City is playing host to the NCAA Tournament for the 16th time this March, to go along with six college basketball games, while also showcasing the culture, history and atmosphere that make it one of the sport’s premier host sites.
In total, eight college fan bases took to the streets, exploring restaurants, various sporting events and even a national park.
Cyclone fans made their presence felt throughout the city, with cardinal and gold lining sidewalks, filling restaurants and creating a strong showing for Iowa State well beyond the confines of the arena.
Gateway Arch National Park
The symbol of the city is the 631-foot-tall stainless steel Gateway Arch, the tallest man-made monument in the United States.
Completed in 1965, the Arch was designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen as a tribute to St. Louis’ role as the “Gateway to the West.”
It stands along the Mississippi River on the site of the city’s original riverfront, where pioneers once began journeys westward, and features a museum and gift shop.
Visitors can also take a tram ride to the top for an aerial view of downtown St. Louis on one side and the Mississippi River on the other.
The ride system is described as part Ferris wheel, part elevator and part escalator, with the trams rotating as they go up to keep guests from tipping sideways.
The five-person trams force guests into close quarters, creating a tight, shared space during the four-minute ride up and three-minute ride down.
The rotating tram, complete with a glass door and towering height, created a tense ride, prompting one rider to say, “This is going to send me to church tomorrow.”
The arch, standing over 600-feet tall, is built to withstand the elements. The stainless steel structure is designed to sway up to nine inches in each direction.
“I really don’t know that might be scary,” freshman guard Killyan Toure said. “Is it true that you get 10 minutes to go up there?”
St. Louis City SC
Established in 2023, the club has become a major draw for sports fans in the Gateway to the West.
It was announced in 2019 that St. Louis would be receiving a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion team.
St. Louis City SC plays in the MLS Western Conference and was the newest addition to the league before San Diego FC joined as the 30th team.
MLS serves as the highest-ranking league in North America and No. 10 in the world (Global Football Rankings)
Over the weekend of the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament, City secured its first win of the season, defeating New England Revolution 3-1.
22,423 fans packed Energizer Park Saturday night to see the first home win under first-year head coach Yoann Damet.
“Everybody in the stadium wants that [a win] more than anyone,” Damet said. “We got it over the line for them.”
Union Station District
Established as a revitalized entertainment hub in recent years, the St. Louis Union Station district has become a major draw for sports fans visiting the Gateway City.
Originally opened in 1894 as one of the largest and busiest train stations in the world, Union Station has been transformed into a destination featuring restaurants, attractions and family-friendly entertainment.
Over the weekend of the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament, the area was packed with traveling fan bases, many gathering around the district’s koi pond, restaurants and outdoor spaces.
The St. Louis Wheel, a towering Ferris wheel overlooking the skyline, along with carnival-style rides and other attractions, gave fans a chance to experience the city beyond the basketball court.
