Under $100: St. Louis

Known as the Gateway to the West, St. Louis, Mo., is a hub of culture and delicious food. And the best part: The city can be enjoyed on a shoestring budget, perfect for the savvy traveler. For less than $100, you can have a fantastic day exploring this mid-western gem.

Start your day at Rooster in downtown St Louis, a cafe with amazing crepes on Washington Avenue. The menu has traditional breakfast offerings alongside savory and sweet crepes. Budget $15 for breakfast, just in case you decide to splurge.

From Rooster, head to the Gateway Arch, the iconic monument along the Mississippi River. A ride to the top will set you back $10, and the line can be long. But the views of downtown St. Louis are incredible. After checking out the arch, take a stroll through historic Laclede’s Landing. Hitting the hotspot in the morning means avoiding the large crowds that gather to drink on the brick streets.

St. Louis is a driving city, so hop in the car and head to Soulard. Between the beautiful architecture and the winding brick streets, this neighborhood is a trip into St. Louis’s rich history. Don’t skip Soulard Farmer’s Market, a huge brick building offering all kinds of produce.

All this walking will have you hungry by lunchtime. Snarf’s on the Delmar Loop is the perfect place to grab a sandwich before heading to Forest Park, St. Louis’s huge public park, for a picnic. Lunch will be about $10, meaning you’ll have spent about $35 so far.

Forest Park is gorgeous, and was created for the World’s Fair in the early 1900s. But that’s not all the park has to offer. Forest Park is home to numerous museums, including the St. Louis Art Museum and History Museum. The Jewel Box is a beautiful conservatory, and the St. Louis Zoo is a world-class favorite. Everything in Forest Park is free, so take your pick and explore without spending a penny.

When dinner rolls around, head back to the Delmar Loop. This strip of businesses is considered one of the best streets in the country, and it’s the perfect place to end your day. For dinner, you have a number of options. If traditional American fare sounds good, hit up Fitz’s, where they serve delicious burgers and soda made on location. For something more upscale, Three Kings Public House is a great choice. Or, if pizza suits your mood, hit up Pi Pizza, where you can get made-to-order pies with incredible ingredients. Budget $25 for dinner to cover food and drinks.

That means you have $40 left over, and the Delmar Loop offers some of the most varied nightlife in the city. Whether you get your thrill at Blueberry Hill, bowl a few rounds at Pinup Bowl or enjoy a few glasses at Moonrise Hotel’s Eclipse Lounge, you’ll always find fun on the Loop. Or, if something more subdued sounds good after your long day of walking, grab some frozen yogurt at FroYo and walk over the nearby Washington University, where a quiet walk through the gorgeous, red brick campus will help you wind down.