Laclede's Landing

Laclede's Landing is a popular attraction located in St. Louis, Missouri, United States.

Located just north of the Eads Bridge on the Mississippi Riverfront, the Landing is a multi-block collection of cobblestone streets and vintage brick-and-cast-iron warehouses dating from 1850 through 1900, now converted into shops, restaurants, and bars.

History

In 1763, a French merchant and former soldier of France named Pierre Laclede, along with his fourteen year old lieutenant Auguste Chouteau and a crew of 30, set out from New Orleans to explore the Illinois Country and establish a fur trading post. In 1764, Laclede chose the first elevated site below the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, along the terraced bluffs that formed the west bank of the Mississippi River, north of the River des Peres and south of the Missouri River. In 1784, the site was cleared and temporary cabins were built under the supervision of Auguste Chouteau. Pierre Laclede named the settlement St. Louis in honor of the patron saint of the king of France.cite web|url=http://www.slfp.com/LacledesLanding.html|title=St. Louis - Laclede's Landing |accessdate=2007-11-26]

The village of St. Louis contained three long streets that ran parallel to the Mississippi River: La Grande Rue, now First Street; Rue d'Eglise, now Second Street; and Rue des Granges, now Third Street and numerous short streets that crossed these, perpendicular to the river. Soon the village became the center of commerce with furs as the main source of exchange for goods.cite web|url=http://www.slfp.com/LacledesLanding.html|title=St. Louis - Laclede's Landing |accessdate=2007-11-26]

Today, Laclede's Landing, a nine - block industrial area that once housed companies producing coffee, leather goods, mattresses, tobacco, whiskey, candy, and machinery for the barges, features some of the most distinctive restaurants and sidewalk cafes in Saint Louis. Visitors to Laclede's Landing can experience the charm of cobblestone streets and century old brick and cast iron facade buildings as they browse through specialty gift shops.cite web|url=http://www.slfp.com/LacledesLanding.html|title=St. Louis - Laclede's Landing |accessdate=2007-11-26]

During the day, the historical district is also home to people who work at the many offices located on the edge of the Mississippi River. At night, horse drawn carriages and live music add to the atmosphere of one of the premier entertainment areas in St. Louis. Nearby, sightseeing excursions and gaming boats offer additional choices for entertainment.cite web|url=http://www.slfp.com/LacledesLanding.html|title=St. Louis - Laclede's Landing |accessdate=2007-11-26]

Attractions and accommodation

Laclede's Landing offers a multitude of places to eat, drink, and be entertained. The following businesses are part of Laclede's Landing:

Restaurants/Bars

*Big Bang
*Big Daddy's
*Cafe Mattino
*Club Buca
*Drunken Fish
*Feisty Bulldog
*Hannegan's Restaurant & Pub
*Jake's Steaks
*Joey B's on the Landing
*Morgan Street Brewery
*Old Spaghetti Factory
*School Street Station Bistro
*Show-Me's on the Landing
*South Hunan 3
*St. Louis Fish Market
*Subway Sandwiches & Salads
*Sundecker's Bar and Grill
*Throttle
*Xes Lounge and Bar

Entertainment

*Dental Health Theatre
*Gateway Riverboat Cruises
*Laughs on the Landing
*Lumiere Place
*President Casino
*Royal Dumpe Dinner Theatre
*Wax Museum

hopping

*Doctor John's
*Gibbol's Novelties and Costumes
*St. Louis Souvenirs

Hotels/Motels

*Four Seasons Hotel
*Hampton Inn Gateway Arch
*HoteLumiere

Transportation

Rail

The Arch-Laclede's Landing station of the St. Louis MetroLink is situated nearby.

Carriage rides

Horse-drawn carriages are also available for hire on Laclede's Landing. The carriage rides will take you past view of many downtown sights. They can be hired on the riverfront, at downtown hotels, and at First & Morgan streets on Laclede's Landing. They are available nightly after 4:00pm. There are 2 Carriage companies who provide this service. St. Louis Carriage Company and Brookdale Farms. Drivers are paid by gratuity only.

Events

Big Muddy Blues Festival

The annual Big Muddy Blues Festival takes place over Labor Day weekend and features top national and local blues bands. Past headliners include: Bobby "Blue" Bland, Henry Townsend, Mavis Staples, Johnnie Johnson, Ike Turner, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Fontella Bass, Oliver Sain, Hubert Sumlin, Shemekia Copeland, Little Milton, and Alvin Youngblood Hart. The Big Muddy Blues Festival is free and open to all ages.

References

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External links

*http://www.lacledeslanding.org/
*http://www.slfp.com/LacledesLanding.html