Fans across the Show-Me State are excited to see our beloved Missouri Tigers play in the NCAA Tournament this weekend and to host visitors from across the country at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis.
Whether you’re from Kentucky, Santa Clara, Iowa State, Tennessee State, Purdue, Queens (N.C.), or Miami, it’s sure to be an exciting weekend of college basketball.
While St. Louis is renowned as a great sports city, the NCAA Tournament takes competition to the next level. It’s win or go home, and we want y’all to stick around as long as possible – especially our Tigers.
If you’re in town for the weekend and looking for things to do before or after the games, St. Louis doesn’t disappoint. While our home-state fans know what to do, here are some opportunities for fans from:
Kentucky – You may be used to seeing thoroughbreds at home, but the four-legged phenoms at Grant’s Farm are the real prime-time players. Visit the farm for a Clydesdale Close-up tour and enjoy a cold, made-in-St. Louis beverage while you’re there.
Santa Clara – Missouri will feel like home this weekend, as temperatures are forecast in the 80s. That means it’s an ideal time to explore Forest Park and free attractions such as the Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis Art Museum, and Missouri History Museum.
Iowa State – It’s only a six-hour drive from Ames to St. Louis, so we’re expecting a lot of you to show up! Take a break from the hardwood to enjoy the Midtown area’s Grand Center Arts District, home to the International Photography Hall of Fame & Museum, plus 16 other galleries and museums all dedicated to art and design.
Tennessee State – Nashville knows a thing or two about nightlife, but the Delmar Loop neighborhood is a cultural hotspot known as one of the country’s great entertainment districts. Blueberry Hill Restaurant and Music Club is a must-see, and for those who can’t get enough competition, check out Pin-Up Bowl.
Purdue – Of all the schools playing this weekend in St. Louis, the campus in West Lafayette, Ind., is the closest. Since you’re gearing up for a matchup with Queens, it only makes sense you see the King, too. The King of Beers, that is. Budweiser Brewery Tours are among the city’s most popular activities … and a free sample is always good.
Queens – Well, we used our king pun above, so we’ll have to think of something else. How about the World Chess Hall of Fame in the City’s Central West End? Take a selfie with the larger-than-life King piece outside the museum, then immerse yourself in the history of the game, and enjoy interactive exhibits, inside.
Miami – While we welcome you to the Show-Me State any time, we hope it’s a quick trip for you and our Mizzou Tigers prevail. If you’re fortunate enough to stick around for a couple of days, trade in the lows of swampland for the highs of the Gateway Arch. At 630 feet, it’s the country’s tallest national monument, and an iconic reminder of our nation’s westward expansion.
No matter how your team fares this weekend, St. Louis is the perfect host city for your basketball escape. Learn more about the city elsewhere on VisitMo.com and at ExploreStLouis.com.