1. CENTRAL LOCATION
Positioned near where St. Louis City and County meet, Clayton affords easy access to most of the region. Late for a flight? It only takes 15 minutes to reach St. Louis Lambert International Airport via I-170. I-64 is also close enough to whisk you to Busch Stadium for a Cardinals game or out west for a day at the winery. Plus, nearby MetroLink stations provide a convenient way to access special events downtown, such as parades, which make driving more of a hassle.
2. ANNUAL EVENTS
Clayton plays host to several events throughout the year. Two of the most notable are Parties in the Park, a series of “Happy Hour” block parties which take place the second Wednesday of each month from May through September, and the Saint Louis Art Fair, which will be held September 7–9, 2018.
3. RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Clayton’s Shaw Park features acres of lawn for activities or picnics, plus an aquatic center, ice rink, and tennis courts. The park is also the starting point for a section of the Centennial Greenway hiking and biking trail, which stretches 3 miles to Olive Boulevard. If you want to go bigger, Forest Park is less than 10 minutes away by car.
4. NEARBY JOBS
You don’t necessarily need to work in the same ZIP code you live in, but it’s easier to do so in Clayton than in most other places in St. Louis. The area is home to countless major employers such as Centene, as well as the worldwide headquarters for Caleres and Enterprise Holdings. Clayton is also the administrative center of St. Louis County.
5. OUTSTANDING DINING
Thanks in part to its status as a business district during the day, Clayton is packed with dining options, from fast-casual to white-tablecloth. The neighborhood also has one of the highest concentrations of award-winning eateries and distinguished chefs. Check out SLM’s list of restaurant recommendations.
6. NIGHTLIFE
Happy hours are easy to find with so many restaurants and business professionals around, but the fun doesn’t stop at 6 p.m. On weekends, see and be seen at Bar Napoli, or share tapas and a pitcher of sangria at BARcelona. If you’re up for it, Par Lounge offers late-night socializing just a short Uber ride down Clayton Road.
7. ABUNDANT RETAIL OPTIONS
The Saint Louis Galleria is just five minutes down Brentwood Boulevard, but Clayton has plenty of retail options of its own. The Colonial Marketplace has a mixture of shops, from jewelry store YLANG-YLANG to children’s boutique City Sprouts to stationary and gift wrap store Paper Source. Stores also line Maryland Avenue and the area surrounding The Ritz-Carlton, known as The Shoppes at The Crescent.
Article originally posted by STLMag