Soulard - Saint Louis, MO

As the oldest neighborhood in St. Louis, Soulard has a great deal of history. The community gets its name from Antoine Soulard, a surveyor for the Spanish government who founded the neighborhood in the early 1800s. Many of the first homes in the city are still there, with properties dating back to the mid-19th century and several historic churches dating back to the early 1800s.

When the Busch family established its Anheuser Busch factory in the neighborhood in 1852, the area grew even more in popularity. Since then, the Anheuser Busch estate has become one of the biggest attractions in the area. Visitors interested in learning more about the history of the company and its role in the development of St. Louis can tour the estate and museum to find out more, and learn how the company brews its signature beers. All three buildings on the brewery's property show up on the list of National Historic Landmarks.

The neighborhood has several museums scattered throughout the region, most of which are in old homes or parlors. Residents interested in learning about all of the different historical homes in the area can attend the Annual Soulard Holiday Parlour Tour, a “Living With History ” event that helps residents learn more about the unique history of the community.

The Soulard neighborhood is known for its bar and restaurant scene. Find several locally owned establishments scattered throughout the historic streets of this neighborhood; each has its own unique style and feel.

At John D. McGurks, one of the city’s largest and most popular bars and restaurants, patrons indulge in a large menu of traditional Irish fare. However, the restaurant also wins St. Louis’ coveted “Best Burger” award year after year. Visit the outside patio for a tranquil retreat to enjoy a stone-paved garden and live Irish music played by local bands. Cigar smokers delight in the separate cigar menu.

Fans of traditional St. Louis-style pizza visit locally owned Joanie’s Pizzeria. The extensive menu of different styles and types of pizzas and St. Louis’ signature dish, toasted ravioli, are a much-loved treat. While diners usually find toasted ravioli at any restaurant in St. Louis, this restaurant serves a unique vegetarian twist on the dish that simply cannot be found in other establishments.

Just a few blocks down the street lies the Great Grizzly Bear bar. This local watering hole frequently brings in local DJs and turns into a thriving nightclub atmosphere in the evening. On warm nights, the establishment keeps its indoor and outdoor bars open for business, where countless draft beer and cocktail specials are always available.

Most residents in Soulard prefer to get around by car. The city is generally driver-friendly, and the area has convenient access to two of St. Louis’ major interstates: 64/40 and 44. However, drivers should be aware that parking in this neighborhood remains difficult, as street parking spots fill up fast.

The community is biker-friendly and one of the most walkable neighborhoods in all of St. Louis. Cabs are plentiful in Soulard thanks to the number of bars and restaurants in the region. However, residents should know the Uber car system does not yet have services in St. Louis.

The city’s Metro system services the Soulard neighborhood at several MetroBus stops throughout the neighborhood. These bus stops are part of the Soulard #30 route and take residents around the city. The area also has its own stop as part of the city’s train system, the MetroLink train, which travels to the Missouri and Illinois sides of the greater St. Louis metro area.

A handful of small parks dot the Soulard neighborhood of inner city St. Louis. At the Soulard Market Park, residents enjoy green space, benches, a playground, bandstand, gardens and a great deal of area activity. An iron fence surrounds the park, a popular destination for residents to explore with their dogs. Many activities and local events take place in this central area of the town including the neighborhood’s infamous annual Mardi Gras celebration. As the second largest Mardi Gras celebration in the country, it brings in tens of thousands of people to the neighborhood every year.

Down the street at Lyon Park, Soulard residents enjoy a breathtaking view of the Anheuser Busch property while basking in the lush green space of the area. This park features a central fountain and monuments to General Nathaniel Lyon. The area also hosts a walking trail and softball field for public use.

Life in Soulard typically carries an average to above-average cost of living when compared to the rest of the state and the city of St. Louis. The average cost of a one-bedroom apartmentin Soulard hovers slightly higher than the average in the rest of the city. A one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood typically averages around $842 per month. The overall cost of living hangs right above average compared to state and national levels. But with so many different establishments in the area, and Soulard's proximity to surrounding downtown communities, most residents find food and entertainment to fit within their budgets.

Local boutiques make up most of the shopping scene in the Soulard area. At The Porch, residents enjoy a unique shopping experience that includes gifts, home furnishings and a collection of wines from around the globe. Shoppers not only browse through a number of hand-made items, but sip on wines as they shop through the store’s collection of eclectic products.

At the Soulard Spice Shop, residents buy from a collection of different spiced flavors, teas and coffees in a shop that gets between 600 to 800 pounds of spices every week. At Gran Crü Cigars, smokers peruse one of the area’s only full-service tobacconists.

At the heart of the Soulard neighborhood lies the infamous Soulard Market. As the city’s only farmers' market, this hub of activity keeps the neighborhood busy. The market has been part of the neighborhood since the late 1700s and holds the title as one of the biggest farmers' markets west of the Mississippi. Residents stroll through the stands and browse a selection of local cheeses, meats, fruits and vegetables from local farmers.