Saint Louis, Missouri is a city rich in history, culture, and vibrant anthropology-related sites. Whether you’re visiting for our 2026 Annual Meeting or exploring on your own, here’s what you need to know about traveling to and around the city.
The meeting will held at America’s Center Convention Complex.
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By Air
St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is the primary airport serving the region. Located approximately 15 miles northwest of downtown, STL offers nonstop service to many major U.S. hubs, making travel convenient from most cities.
By Train
St. Louis Gateway Transportation Center is served by multiple Amtrak routes, including the Lincoln Service, Missouri River Runner, Texas Eagle, and Southwest Chief. These routes connect Saint Louis with cities such as Chicago, Kansas City, Dallas, and Los Angeles.
By Car
Saint Louis is well connected by several major interstates, including I-70, I-55, I-64, and I-44. Driving into downtown is straightforward, though parking availability and pricing can vary by neighborhood. Reserving parking in advance is recommended, particularly during large events, this map details available options.
St. Louis, Missouri sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Late November weather is unpredictable, with a real chance of rain and even an early snow flurry. Pack layers so you can enjoy the city regardless of what the sky does! Temperatures normally range from 35-54 F (2-12 C).
The official tourism page has a wealth of information about things to see and do in the city, and the dine and drink guide has great restaurant and beverage recommendations, and more recommendations can be found in the Where to Eat tab just below. Below we have curated a number of other “things to do” and “sights to see” in the region. This list was developed by our Local Organizing Committee with indigenous sovereignty, local histories, and your costs in mind.
We encourage visitors to engage with the storied history of St. Louis by visiting local institutions like the Missouri History Museum, Griot Museum of Black History, and Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site (the largest pre-Columbian city north of Mexico, just across the river in Illinois) all have local collections and exhibits you may wish to visit.
Much has been made about crime in St. Louis, which may factor into your transit choices. Crime citywide has fallen significantly in recent years, and MetroLink, the regional light rail, recently completed a $52 million security overhaul across all 39 stations, adding gates, fencing, and real-time camera monitoring. At stations where the upgrades are furthest along, incidents are down and ridership is up. As with any city, it’s worth being aware of your surroundings, but St. Louis transit is on the verge of its safest year in over a decade, so step aboard—we’ll see you there!
Public Transit
- MetroLink Light Rail: MetroLink provides convenient service between the airport, downtown Saint Louis, Clayton, and parts of Illinois. It is one of the easiest ways to reach the city center from the airport.
- MetroBus: Operated by Metro Transit, the bus network covers much of the city and surrounding suburbs, complementing the light rail system.
Local Tip: Download the Metro Transit app for real-time schedules, route planning, and service alerts.
Rideshare & Taxis
Uber and Lyft are widely available throughout Saint Louis, including at the airport, downtown hotels, and major attractions. Taxis are also available at designated airport stands and select locations in the city.
Biking & Walking
Downtown Saint Louis and several nearby neighborhoods are walkable, particularly around major attractions and convention areas. The city also offers bike-friendly corridors and a bikeshare program, St. Louis Bike Share, providing a convenient option for short trips.
Driving and Parking
For those local to St. Louis and the surrounding area, or those with a rental car, this helpful map will guide you to easy access parking.
Walking distance from Convention Center
- Museum under the Gateway Arch – the Native American history would be especially interesting to many anthropologists.
- Gateway Arch National Park
- Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum
- Union Station – Incredible Art Deco architecture, great to just sit in the lobby, unwind, have a drink or Starbucks coffee
- Old Courthouse – main exhibit is about the Dred and Harriet Scott case, a pivotal case in the history of slavery and human rights.
- The City Museum – not actually a museum, but a work of art and completely unique, there is nothing like it anywhere.
5-20 minutes away by car
- Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest pre-Columbian city north of Mexico, Cahokia is a must-visit just 25 minutes from the America’s Center by car or rideshare.
- The Griot Museum of Black History and Culture
- Forest Park
- Missouri History Museum – the 1904 World’s Fair exhibit would be especially interesting to many anthropologists
- St Louis Art Museum
- St Louis Zoo
- Missouri Botanical Garden – the Chinese and Japanese Gardens would be especially interesting to many anthropologists
- National Building Arts Center (Sauget, IL)
- Contemporary Art Museum
- Pulitzer Arts Foundation
- The Luminary
- Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis (Central West End)
Other Attractions and Activities
- Explore a variety of attractions and activities located within walking distance from our meeting venue.
Bars that showcase local music:
- The Grove
- Platypus
- The Atomic
- Hot Java Bar (weekly spoken word event)
- Cherokee
- Moshmello
- Tshüss
- The Loop
- Blueberry Hill, Duck Room
- The Pageant (for concerts)
- Delmar Hall
- Grand Center Art District
- Sophie’s Artist Lounge
- Jazz St. Louis
- The Dark Room at the Grandel
- The Sovereign
Washington Avenue Restaurants
Washington Avenue is a restaurant district only a 15 minute walk from the meeting location.
- Sugarfire Smokehouse – the most award-winning bbq in St. Louis, with creative sides
- Rooster – breakfast, brunch & lunch fare with locally sourced ingredients
- Sen Thai Asian Bistro – Thai and Japanese
- Snarf’s Downtown — toasted sandwiches, soups, salads.
- The Over/Under Bar & Grill — sports bar and full-service grill close to the convention center.
- Buddy’s Local Grill & Bar — wine bar and bistro-style restaurant.
- Rosalita’s Cantina — large Tex-Mex restaurant. It’s not the best-ever Tex-Mex, but it’s acceptable and is convenient for lunch (or dinner) when attending events at the Convention Center.
- Levels Restaurant — West African/Nigerian cuisine.
- Blood & Sand – (one block south of Washington Ave) Upscale restaurant, tasting menus, artisanal seasonal cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails
- Imo’s Pizza –Local pizza chain
Just a bit too far to walk
- Pappy’s Smokehouse – St. Louis’s #2 or #1 bbq place, depending on who you ask. You often have to stand in line for a table, but the line moves fast.
Laclede’s Landing
A historic riverfront area and dining district that is very close. Lumière Place Casino & Hotels is located there.
- Kimchi Guys – casual eatery and Korean fried chicken.
- The Old Spaghetti Factory – Italian food in a historic building decorated with antiques. A perennial favorite, with a large space that can accommodate large groups
- Five Ace’s Smokestaq Lightning – BBQ and Soul Food favorites
- Morton’s The Steakhouse – located in Lumière Place Casino & Hotels
Ballpark Village Discounts and Deals
- Katie’s Pizza and Pasta Osteria – award winning cuisine.
- Take advantage of attendee discounts and deals at Ballpark Village (a 15 minute walk from the meeting venue) simply by showing your badge.
Other Dining Options
- Explore other nearby dining options with this helpful map.
Thank you for your important questions and for raising critical concerns. The American Anthropological Association (AAA) is committed to supporting all members of our international scholarly community, including international students, faculty, postdocs, and U.S. permanent residents (green card holders), and especially those navigating the challenges of international travel, visa uncertainty, and border enforcement. Please see below for our responses and available resources:
U.S. Visa Resources
International attendees requiring a visa to enter the United States can request an official invitation letter from the American Anthropological Association (AAA).
Guidance on Whether to Travel for Meetings
We recognize the uncertainty surrounding international and cross-border travel, especially for anthropologists who may face visa delays, indefinite detainment, or risk of blocked reentry. These concerns could include:
- Students
- International faculty and postdoctoral researchers
- U.S. permanent residents (green card holders)
- Anthropologists conducting summer fieldwork or teaching abroad
We urge all travelers to carefully assess the risks of leaving and reentering the U.S., particularly during the May–September period, when fieldwork and teaching abroad are common.
Practical Tips for Traveling to the U.S.
- Keep clear documentation of your travel purpose: conference registration, invitation letter, and student ID.
- Monitor U.S. travel advisories and your country’s embassy updates.
- Apply for your visa as early as possible to avoid delays.
- If questioned at the border, remain calm and consistent in explaining your academic purpose.
To support your decision-making, AAA offers:
- Personalized visa support letters or invitation letters
- A virtual-only event, November 14-15th, from 9 AM – 8 PM ET), intended to serve as an accommodation for those unable to travel.
Resources in Case of Travel Trouble, Including Legal Support
We recommend the following resources and organizations in the event of travel challenges:
Institutional & Legal Support
- Your university’s International Student or Scholar Office – often provides direct legal assistance or referrals
- National Immigration Law Center
- American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) – use their directory to find immigration attorneys. You can look up those in the city where you will first land in the U.S. and carry this list with you.
- MESA Advocacy Resource Center
Border Rights & Practical Travel Tools
- U.S. Border Patrol and Customs Information – Top Ten Travel Tips
- ACLU Border Zone Rights Guide
- Electronic Frontier Foundation – digital privacy rights when crossing U.S. borders
- Advocates 4 Trans Equality – for gender-diverse and LGBTQIA+ travelers
- CLEAR/CUNY – free legal support for international travelers (Spanish version available)
- We also recommend carrying hard copies of important travel documents (e.g., passport, visa, I-20 form, invitation letter, financial proof) and preparing for possible electronic device inspections at the border.
Please be aware AAA cannot provide legal guidance nor is AAA equipped to provide legal counsel to members.
Consideration of AAA Deadlines Given Travel Uncertainty
We understand that visa delays and travel restrictions can make it difficult to meet standard deadlines. Unfortunately submission deadlines cannot be extended due to the constraints imposed by the peer review process. If you have further questions, you can contact us directly at aaameetings@americananthro.org.
DISCLAIMER: The information in this Guidance is provided in good faith for informational purposes only. This information is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you have concerns about the issues raised in this Guidance, we encourage you to consult a qualified legal professional.
America’s Center Convention Complex
701 Convention Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63101
Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel
800 Washington Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri, USA, 63101
The HQ hotel is located around the corner from the America’s Center Convention Complex.
