East St. Louis - Wikitravel

East St. Louis

Contents

• 1 Understand
• 2 Get in
  • 2.1 By plane
  • 2.2 By train
  • 2.3 By bus
  • 2.4 By car
• 3 Get around
• 4 See
• 5 Do
• 6 Buy
• 7 Eat
• 8 Drink
• 9 Sleep
• 10 Stay safe
• 11 Get out

East St. Louis, a city in Southern Illinois, is commonly abbreviated ESL.

Understand[edit]

Get in[edit]

By plane[edit]

There are many airports near East St. Louis. The largest nearby airport is the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, approximately 16 mi from East St. Louis. The Saint Louis Regional Airport in St. Louis, MO is around 25 mi from East St. Louis. A smaller airport is located in Mascoutah, IL, and called the Mid-America Airport, about 22 mi away. Public-use airports closest to East St. Louis include St. Louis Downtown Airport, Airport: Sackman Field, and St. Louis Metro East Airport. Taxis are available at all airports.

By train[edit]

The Metrolink train travels into East St. Louis on the blue and red lines. The Red Line begins at Lambert Airport in St. Louis, MO, and ends in Shiloh, IL. The Blue Line begins in Shrewsbury, MO, and ends in Fairview Heights, IL. Both of these lines run through downtown St. Louis and both stop at the same East St. Louis stations: East Riverfront, 5th and Missouri, Emerson Park, Jackie Joyner-Karsee Center, and Washington Park.

Amtrak does not directly serve East St. Louis but makes many stops nearby. The closest stop is in St. Louis, MO, at the 16th Street stop, approximately 5 mi away. Other stops are the Kirkwood Amtrak Station (about 18 mi away) and Alton Amtrak Station (about 30 mi away). Taxi cabs are available at the station.

By bus[edit]

By car[edit]

Four major interstates lead into East St. Louis: Interstate 70, I-55, I-255, and I-64. Interstate 64 takes the most direct route into the city center. US-40 connects East St. Louis to St. Louis, MO, and runs through East St. Louis. US-50 runs through East St. Louis as well. Illinois Routes 3, 15, and 111 also enter and leave East St. Louis. The city is very accessible by road via many different routes.

Get around[edit]

By car is the best option. Funding is poor for public transportation and as small as the city seems everything is well spread out so walking would be difficult.

See[edit]

• Gateway Geyser. Near the Casino Queen, on the Mississippi River, is the Gateway Geyser. The fountain mimics the St. Louis Arch directly opposite, both reaching a height of around 630 ft (190 m). The Gateway Geyser is the world's second-tallest fountain. The fountain runs daily from April through October from 12:00-12:15 pm and from 1:00-1:15 pm.

• Katherine Dunham Museum. As one of the most famous residents of East St. Louis, the Katherine Dunham Museum is centered around the life of this famous dancer. The Museum is home to many of her personal items collected from all over the world. Some of these items include African Diaspora, African artifacts, dance costumes, pictures, drawings, paintings, and Katherine's personal awards and accomplishments.

Do[edit]

• Casino Queen, 200 Front Street, East St. Louis, Illinois 62201, (toll free: +1-800-426-2537), [x]. open daily from 8am-6pm. It is located on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River in East St. Louis. St. Louis, MO is direct across the river. The Casino Queen is known for its "loose slots" and is a major attraction for this area. It features an array of games, a hotel, 4 restaurants, The Stage Bar, and an RV park.
• Sport activities (Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center), Argonne Dr, East St Louis, IL 62204, ☎ +1 6182745437, [x]. It was opened in 2000 in East St. Louis, IL. As a 6-time Olympic medalist in track, Jackie Joyner-Kersee began this project to help her hometown and encourage participation in sports.

Buy[edit]

Eat[edit]

A small city, East St. Louis residents and visitors have the luxury of experiencing their own town along with the big city of St. Louis, MO. East St. Louis has many of the typical fast-food restaurants but has many sit-down restaurants in town and only a couple miles away in St. Louis, MO. Here are only a few options:

• Sandy's Bar B Q, 327 S 15th St, East St Louis, IL 62207, ☎ +1 6188753275.

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• John's Chop Suey
• Golden Dragon Chop Suey
• Mello Freeze
• V's Catering and Deli Sandwiches
• The Illusion
• Lums
• Kam Wa
• Pop's
• Diner

Drink[edit]

• Gramophone Pub, Manchester Avenue, St. Louis, MO, ☎ +1 3145315700, [x].

Sleep[edit]

• Royal Relax Inn Fairmont City, 5280 Collinsville Rd, East St Louis, IL 62201, ☎ +1 6188752800, [x].

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• Indian Mound Motel
• Royal Budget Inn

Stay safe[edit]

Unfortunately, what East St. Louis is most well known for is its crime. It has one of the highest homicide and violent crime rates in the country, comparable to the worst cities in Latin America. Besides going to the casino, there is practically nothing here for visitors to do other than driving through blocks and blocks of physical blight and abandonment. If planning to visit, it is highly advisable to come by car and not stay past sundown. Also, be aware of the poor road conditions in this city as large potholes are abundant throughout.

Get out[edit]

• Fairview Heights

Routes through East St. Louis

Memphis ← St. Louis ←	S  N	→ Edwardsville → Springfield
O'Fallon, MO ← St. Louis ←	W  E	→ O'Fallon, IL → Louisville
Columbia ← St. Louis ←	W  E	→ Vandalia → Indianapolis

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WikiPedia:East St. Louis, Illinois