Clifton Heights, St. Louis
Your Neighborhood Guide
Gothic Heights Inn sits at the center of everything that makes St. Louis special. Here's what's waiting for you just outside our Gothic doors.
Clifton Park
Walking distance
Just steps from the inn, Clifton Park is a quiet neighborhood green space centered around a small lake. Feed the ducks, take a loop on the walking trail, or just sit and watch the morning unfold. It is the perfect start to a St. Louis day.
Clifton Park Lake
A peaceful small lake sits at the heart of the park, home to a resident population of ducks. We keep duck food and a map to the park near the front door for guests.
Walking Trails
Shaded paths wind around the lake and through the park, making it a perfect morning walk or evening stroll right from the inn's front door.
A True Neighborhood Park
Locals bring their dogs, their coffee, and their kids here. It's the kind of unhurried green space that makes Clifton Heights feel like home.
Forest Park
1.5 miles away
Voted America's best city park and one of the most beautiful parks in America, Forest Park is St. Louis's crown jewel, larger than New York's Central Park and almost entirely free to the public. It was the host of the 1904 World's Fair, the same exposition that inspired the stained glass windows inside Gothic Heights Inn. World-class museums, a beloved zoo, and miles of trails, all less than 10 minutes from our front door. You can see Forest Park from the bell tower rooftop.
St. Louis Zoo — Free Admission
One of the top free zoos in the country, with more than 14,000 animals. A must-see on any St. Louis visit.
St. Louis Art Museum
World-class permanent collection in a stunning Beaux-Arts building at the top of Art Hill. Also free.
Science Center & History Museum
Both free and both excellent. The History Museum covers Lewis & Clark and the 1904 World's Fair, the same era as our inn's stained glass.
The Muny — Outdoor Broadway Theater
America's oldest and largest outdoor musical theater, hosting Broadway productions under the stars all summer long. Thousands of free seats available every night.
Shakespeare in the Park
Free professional Shakespeare productions performed outdoors in Forest Park each summer. One of St. Louis's best-kept cultural traditions.
Outdoor Movies on Art Hill
Summer screenings on the great lawn below the Art Museum draw thousands of locals for movies under the open sky. Bring a blanket.
27-Hole Golf Course
Forest Park Golf Course offers 27 holes of public golf in one of the most scenic urban settings in the country.
The Hill
1 mile away
St. Louis's legendary Italian neighborhood, just one mile from the inn. World-class restaurants, family-owned bakeries, and neighborhood gems that have been drawing locals for generations. Anthonino's, Charlie Gitto's, Milo's Bocce Garden, and Sado are just a few of the spots worth a visit, but there is no shortage of great options on every block.
Anthonino's Taverna
A Hill institution serving rustic Italian comfort food in a warm, lively atmosphere. The kind of place where regulars are treated like family.
Charlie Gitto's
One of St. Louis's most celebrated Italian restaurants, known for impeccable service and classic dishes that have stood the test of time.
Sado — Our Favorite Non-Italian Spot
An unexpected gem on The Hill serving creative, sushi and seafood inspired dishes. Our personal favorite for celebrations or a special occasion. We recommend the Omakase tasting. Reservations are highly recommended but bar seating is sometimes available. Worth every penny.
Milo's Bocce Garden
Cold beer, great food, and outdoor bocce ball courts. A beloved neighborhood hangout that captures everything that makes The Hill special.
Authentic Italian Bakeries & More
Fresh bread, cannoli, and pastries from bakeries that have been doing it the same way for decades, alongside corner delis and neighborhood spots you will not find anywhere else.
Central West End
~10 minutes by car
St. Louis's most walkable upscale neighborhood. Home to the world's largest mosaic collection inside the Cathedral Basilica, the World Chess Hall of Fame, James Beard-nominated restaurants, and some of the best nightlife in the city.
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Home to the world's largest mosaic collection: 83,000 square feet of ceiling, 41.5 million hand-placed glass pieces in over 7,000 colors. Free to visit, with an on-site Mosaic Museum.
World Chess Hall of Fame
St. Louis is the U.S. National Chess Capital, and the Hall of Fame is its crown jewel. Free admission, world-class rotating exhibitions, and a 20-foot chess piece out front.
Acclaimed Dining & Cocktail Bars
From James Beard-nominated kitchens to cozy neighborhood wine bars, the CWE has St. Louis's best concentration of great restaurants.
Missouri Botanical Garden
~5 minutes by car
One of the oldest and most respected botanical gardens in the nation, founded in 1859. Stunning year-round, with specialty gardens, a tropical rainforest dome, and seasonal festivals that draw visitors from across the country.
Japanese & Chinese Gardens
Two of the most serene spaces in St. Louis. The Seiwa-en Japanese Garden is the largest in the U.S. outside of Japan.
Climatron Rainforest
A geodesic dome housing a full tropical rainforest ecosystem. Lush, warm, and unlike anything else in Missouri.
Seasonal Festivals & Events
Garden Glow in winter, Japanese Festival in late summer, Whitaker Music Festival, Orchid Show, Grapes in the Garden and many more signature events.
Gateway Arch & Downtown
~9 minutes by car
America's tallest monument and the symbol of St. Louis. You can see it from our rooftop hot tub, but it's worth the drive downtown to stand beneath it, ride to the top, and walk the riverfront.
Visible from Our Rooftop Hot Tub
On a clear night you can see the Arch glowing from our bell tower hot tub. There's no better way to end a St. Louis evening.
Tram Ride to the Top
630 feet up in a pod-shaped tram car. The view of the Mississippi River and St. Louis skyline from the top is unforgettable.
Busch Stadium & Ballpark Village
Catch a Cardinals game, a summer concert, or a fall show at one of baseball's best ballparks. Ballpark Village surrounds the stadium with bars, restaurants, and live music right outside the gates year-round.
Washington University & The Loop
~7 minutes by car
One of the nation's top research universities anchors the west end of the Delmar Loop, one of St. Louis's most vibrant stretches for food, music, and local culture. This is where Chuck Berry made his home, performing regularly at the legendary Blueberry Hill for decades. The Loop has record shops, international restaurants, and live music nearly every night.
Beautiful Gothic Campus
The campus architecture will feel right at home after staying at our Gothic church inn. Worth a stroll even if you have no academic business there.
The Delmar Loop
Named one of America's Great Streets. Record shops, vintage stores, international restaurants, and live music on every block.
Blueberry Hill & The Duck Room
The legendary Blueberry Hill is a St. Louis institution, part restaurant, part music venue. Chuck Berry performed here regularly for decades. The Duck Room downstairs hosts live music nearly every night.
Need Restaurant Recommendations?
Ask Ken & Jesse. Jesse is a 4th generation St. Louis native who has lived here her whole life, and between the two of them they know every hidden gem in the city. From the best hole-in-the-wall on The Hill to the rooftop bar you'd never find on your own.