America's Second-Best Beer City Is A Walkable Midwestern Gem With Vibrant Culture, Great Nightlife, And Fun Parks

The Midwest beer scene is impressive, and if you want to get a taste of some of that excellence, plan a visit to St. Louis, Missouri. It ranked No. 2 in the Best Beer City category in USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for 2026, and it's easy to see why. From small craft producers to the largest brewery in the U.S., the St. Louis metro area is home to more than 70 breweries. Beyond beer, St. Louis offers plenty to do day and night, with parks, pubs, parties, and more.

Major beer brand Anheuser-Busch is headquartered in St. Louis' historic Soulard neighborhood. The company traces its roots to the Bavarian Brewery, which Eberhard Anheuser took over in the 19th century. In 1876, the company introduced what would become its flagship beer, Budweiser, an American-style lager. After a brief pivot to other products during Prohibition, the brewery and brand continued to grow. Today, several Anheuser-Busch beers rank among the most searched in the country, according to Innerbody's analysis of Google Trends data.

But it's not just big beer in St. Louis. There are some fantastic smaller craft breweries, like Side Project Brewing. It uses local ingredients whenever possible, and you can only sample it when you're in town at one of its three locations. Another good option is Perennial Artisan Ales, which has won multiple medals at the Great American Beer Festival. You can try its beers at the South City tasting room or its Webster Groves brewpub.

St. Louis has a number of annual beer-based events that also let you enjoy some of the city's great parks. Brew in the Lou is held each October at Francis Park. Ticket holders get unlimited samples of a variety of local beers, wines, spirits, and food, while proceeds support scholarships and educational services for local schools. The event features a custom beer; the 2026 offering is the Lily Pond Lager made by 2nd Shift Brewing. Francis Park has pickleball courts, a playground, and sculptures, while the festival itself takes place around the Lily Pond. Francis Park is also home to Rockwell Beer Garden, which serves both locally brewed craft beer and snacks on an open-air patio.

St. Louis has a rich German immigrant history, so it fittingly has plenty of Oktoberfest celebrations. The Soulard Oktoberfest has food, drinks, music, and lederhosen, plus a stein-holding competition. It's held in the historic Soulard Market Park, just outside the Soulard Farmers Market, which dates back to 1779. For something family-friendly, Zootoberfest serves both beer and root beer, along with German-themed food and live music. The event takes place over two weekends each September at the St. Louis Zoo.

Even if you can't make it for Zootoberfest, the zoo is well worth a visit; it's one of the best-rated zoos in the Midwest. You'll find it in Forest Park, one of the best urban parks in the country. Even bigger than Central Park, it features an outdoor theater, greenhouse, boathouse, golf course, the St. Louis Art Museum, and St. Louis Science Center. It's also where the St. Louis Beer Fest is held each year in late March. More than 40 breweries bring their wares, and a ticket gives you unlimited tastings.

Along with Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis is perhaps most famously known for the Gateway Arch National Park, the only national park entirely within a city. The park and surrounding downtown area are very walkable, with Redfin giving it a walkability score of 86 out of 100. Other walkable neighborhoods worth exploring are the Central West End near Forest Park, where you can find some great shops, and South Grand, with its international restaurants. However, since these areas are spread across the city, you may want to use a rideshare or public transportation between them if you don't have a car. If you're flying into St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), MetroLink can get you to downtown in about 45 minutes.

Soulard is a good option for both walkability and nightlife. At The Hi-Hat, you can catch live music alongside cocktails and food. Nearby, John D. McGurk's Irish Pub and Garden first opened in 1978 as a one-room bar and has since expanded into a large outdoor garden. Live performances are scheduled five nights a week, from Wednesday through Sunday. The Soulard neighborhood also hosts one of the country's largest Mardi Gras celebrations.

In Downtown, you'll find iconic nightlife spots like The Boom Boom Room, a famous burlesque dinner theater combining comedy, dance, and other live entertainment. A couple of blocks away is the Thaxton Speakeasy, an Art Deco-style bar with creative cocktails and plenty of atmosphere that requires a password to get in — check the Instagram page before visiting since it changes every week. For extra excitement, it also hosts the occasional murder-mystery theme night.