I lived in St. Louis for 4 years while going to architecture grad school at Wash U. The Central West End is a great neighborhood and Forest Park is AMAZING. It's actually over 400 acres larger than Central Parks and has incredible amenities - huge art museum, science museum, zoo, tons of running/biking trails, a boathouse w/ restaurant, golf course, tennis, paddle boats, ice skating rink in the winter...I'll stop there.
Now I'm missing it!!

Ahhh! LOVE IT. I saw this tonight and was like, sweet, CWE on AT! Then I saw Duff's listed as the fave restaurant - that's my Dad's!!! He's a co-owner w/ Karen Duffy. They've been a CWE anchor for nearly 40 years. Thanks, Jeff, and AT, for the love! :) It means a lot.

I lived in St. Louis for 8 years - ALSO originally because of architecture school at Wash U... and loved every second of living in the CWE!!! I've been in San Francisco for the last 9 years, but would leave tomorrow if all circumstances were right. St. Louis gets a bad rap, but I always tell people they've obviously never been to MY St. Louis.

Thanks for sharing! Beautiful place....you are very fortunate.

I fell in love with CWE on my first visit to the STL and hung out in just about all the places mentioned, including a fairly established establishment called 'The Coffee Cartel' which is open 24 hours. Another lovely place is 'Cathedral Basilica'. I'm becoming nostalgic...

Thanks, everyone (Jeff here). I wish I could've included more pictures-- the ones featured don't really show the vibrancy of the neighborhood as it should (admittedly I put this together in a hurry).
The CWE is just one great neighborhood of dozens in this fine old city. Saint Louis is a special place, and the quality of our historic built environment can stand with the greatest cities in America.

I'm a little partial to Kansas City, but that's just my style. People totally underestimate the Midwest - thanks for shedding some light on it.

I spent two weeks in the Central West End--on the WashU campus.

For a person who still hasn't narrowed down what it is she really wants in the place where she will settle down, St. Louis became a contender in those short two weeks. I explored the Loop way more than an adult with any sense of decorum maybe should, took long walks around Forest Park which, I agree, can't be beat for one stop shopping--a zoo, a museum, beautiful trails--and I admired the architecture of the neighborhood, imagining which I would choose (or could afford) if I settled there.

Talk about making a person homesick, I used to literally live across the street from the buildings in this shot. I miss the CWE, best neighborhood I've lived in. I miss sunday morning brunch at Duff's after a walk around Forest Park. And walking to Straubs to do my groceries. Its a perfect city neighborhood, everything you need is right there.

Oh, so much St. Louis love on AT! Has anybody else been secretly hoping that AT St. Louis is next? :) I just wish I hadn't had to move away, or I would totally be submitting a Tower Grove neighborhood guide from my old digs!

I grew up on Washington Terrace. Wonderful memories of CWE.

Thanks again, Jeff. I took a walk down memory lane and went through my photos of the CWE, that's where I had my 2 vacations recently. The nostalgia was strong enough to post my photos on my Facebook site and...your post as well.

Thanks for another great STL post. I too thought it was a boring place when I first moved out for grad school (who wants a "family-oriented" city when you're 22?) but it really grew on me. I miss it.

Yay, thank you much for representing STL, specifically CWE, and WashU!! I think it offers beautiful green spaces, gorgeous brick architecture, nice people, and truly unique independent restaurants and establishments that take pride in what they are offering. Love it!

Great post, Jeff. I lived in STL for a number of years following my undergrad days at Saint Louis U. and the CWE was home for me! I lived over off Clara and Waterman! Thanks for posting.