St. Louis is still one of America’s best “walk-out-the-door” cities – #25 Walkability that turns quick errands into long evenings, from Cherokee Street to the Central West End (which helps with the impressive #27-ranked Nightlife). The affordability story helps, too, and the bigger engine is now federal: Next NGA West – the new $1.7-billion western headquarters of the Department of Defense’s U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency – officially opened in 2025, with roughly 3,150 employees scheduled to move to the new North City campus in 2026, supercharging a talent flywheel anchored by WashU and SLU (earning the city its #16 University ranking).
Downtown’s convention core keeps sharpening its edge. AC Next Gen at America’s Center is adding a signature 61,000-square-foot ballroom and major exhibit/operations upgrades – momentum that backs a #20 Convention Center ranking and keeps the marquee calendar humming (St. Louis ranks #12 in our Theaters & Concerts subcategory).
Tourism isn’t just “back” – it’s spending: Explore St. Louis reports $5.8 billion in direct visitor spending in FY2024, helped by the city’s evergreen mix of #16-ranked Sights & Landmarks, #18 Museums, and #23 Nature & Parks (Forest Park remains an absolute must for visitors). Looking ahead, LA28 has tapped Energizer Park to host 2028 Olympic soccer, a global spotlight that should keep reinvestment pressure on downtown through 2028.