One of St. Louis’ oldest neighborhoods, Lafayette Square is home to some of the city’s most striking historic homes and buildings, yet the area is anything but stuck in the past. It offers an exciting cultural scene as vibrant as the colorful Victorian painted ladies that line its streets.
established: 1836
named in honor of: Revolutionary War General Marquis de La Fayette
notable landmarks: The Park House, located at the corner of Mississippi and Lafayette Avenues and built in 1867 as a police station
historical features: A bronze casting of Jean-Antoine Houdan’s sculpture of George Washington
local shops
- Looking Glass Designs: You’ll find gifts, clothing and jewelry, including many items designed by local artists.
- Four Muddy Paws: This shop offers healthy food and treats, toys and other supplies and professional grooming for your four-legged friends.
- Clementine’s Naughty & Nice Creamery: Stop in for a scoop (or two!) of the micro-creamery’s small-batch, seasonal flavors.
bars & restaurants
- POP Sparkling Bar & Restaurant: From Baileys Restaurants, this lively spot is a celebration of all things bubbly. Enjoy sparkling wines and other fizzy beverages from around the world.
- Bailey’s Chocolate Bar: Chocolate lovers won’t want to pass on this longtime favorite, right up the stairs from Pop! Its team of pastry chefs, bakers and mixologists craft innovative small plates, desserts and cocktails.
- Eleven Eleven Mississippi: Located in the historic International Shoe factory, the restaurant’s Tuscan and Californian cuisine is made with fresh, seasonal ingredients, often grown in its own commercial hydroponic greenhouse.
- Square One Brewery & Distillery: Built as a tavern in 1883 and operated by Anheuser-Busch in the early 1900s, the historic space returned to its roots when the brewery opened in 2004. Today, it produces award-winning brews and spirits.
parks
- Lafayette Park: Dedicated in 1851, it’s often considered the oldest urban park west of the Mississippi. Its 30 acres include a lake, reconstructions of Victorian structures, Revolutionary War-era cannons and a playground with iconic frog and turtle statutes created by Bob Cassilly.
annual events
- Shepard Barclay Festival (June): Step back in time with the St. Louis Perfectos, the StL’s very own vintage baseball team. Enjoy free games played by the original rules established in the 1860s.
- Taste of Lafayette (August): Sample specialites from area restaurants and bars while enjoying live entertainment.
- Holiday Parlor Tour (December): Along with touring historic homes, festivities include a holiday market, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a visit from Santa Claus.