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Meet her in St. Louis! Her being Karlie Kloss, who—as of this week—has been given her own street in the heart of the Garment District in her hometown named Karlie Kloss Way. Before she took the world by storm as a model and before she became a media mogul, Kloss was just a girl in the Midwest, standing in line for an ice cream cone at Ted Drewes.
“This moment is so meaningful to me. My family has been proudly rooted in the Midwest for generations, and no matter how far I travel, my beloved St. Louis is always home in my heart,” said Kloss on Monday after her street naming ceremony, which was hosted by the Saint Louis Fashion Fund. “The spirit of St. Louis has shaped me into who I am today, so I carry those community and family values everywhere I go.”
“It’s very full circle—and quite surreal—to forever have a part of me in my hometown.”
To commemorate the milestone even further, Kloss is sharing her list of 10 things to do when you’re in St. Louis. (It goes without saying that strolling down Karlie Kloss Way is the 11th.)
“It’s hard to pick just 10 things, but these are a few of my favorite places for anyone coming to visit—especially if you have little ones like I do,” she explained. “I have a whole new appreciation as a parent for the special places to experience in St. Louis!”
Below, find Karlie Kloss’s guide to St. Louis, Missouri.
Saint Louis Art Museum
My mom is an artist and would always volunteer at our public school to lead art appreciation classes and field trips here. Seeing one of Degas’s ballerinas up close when I was a young girl was a big influence on my love of impressionist art. The museum boasts an extensive collection that spans from Egyptian mummies to a remarkable array of modern art.
City Museum
The City Museum is a fun place for big and little kids alike to run around. This memorable space is a repurposed century-old shoelace warehouse–part playground, part art project—and it’s not too far from Karlie Kloss Way!
Forest Park
Forest Park is one of the biggest and most beautiful public parks in the country. At 1.5 times the size of Central Park, it’s home to the St. Louis Art Museum, as well as our beloved (and free!) STL Zoo. In the winter, Art Hill—just behind the museum—is the best place to sled on a good snow day.
Ted Drewes
You can’t come to STL without a visit to the iconic Ted Drewes. Whether you go for a trademark hot fudge sundae or one of their famous Concretes, complete with your choice of mix-ins from Oreo cookies to M&Ms, you’re in for a treat. The Muddy Mississippi is a personal favorite. I have so many memories of standing in line here after a Cardinals game in the peak of summer or during the freezing winter holidays.
Clover and The Bee
Run by a beloved local family, this is my favorite hometown spot. I love meeting up with my best childhood friends here when we’re all home for the holidays—it’s the coziest place. I highly recommend the stone ground grits or avo toast.
The Fabulous Fox Theatre
This is our Broadway stage, the destination for the incredible plays and shows that come to town. I’ve even had the joy of dancing on this stage in The Nutcracker!
Imo’s
There are two kinds of people in STL: those who love Imo’s, and those who don’t even believe that Provel is a cheese. I belong to the group of Imo’s-superfans.
Sesame Chinese
One of the best hole-in-the-wall local Chinese restaurants in town. Don’t leave without a fortune cookie!
Magic House
This children’s museum is a really fun destination. I cherished my visits here as a kid with my aunt and cousins, and now, I love bringing my sons to see the wonders of science in action.
Eckert’s Farm
The ultimate spot for apple picking and securing the largest, best Halloween pumpkins in town! It’s a bit of a journey, but absolutely worth it.
Saint Louis Zoo
This essential destination is one of the only free zoos in the country, and my all-time favorite place to take my boys. Steeped in history, its bird cage was first built for the 1904 World’s Fair in STL. It was so beautiful that they kept it intact and went on to build the rest of the zoo around it. You can get so close to the penguins and puffins that it feels like they just might jump into your lap! Truly such a magical experience.
Missouri Botanical Gardens
This is a gorgeous place to stroll with loved ones of all ages. The Butterfly House is like a greenhouse out of a fairy tale, brimming with countless butterflies.
