While many people think getting away requires some sand and a drink with an umbrella, there are plenty of other cities across this vast United States that offer a chance for a great vacation, without the high cost of many of the beachside cities.

St. Louis, Missouri, is one of those places. Located right in the heart of the country, many people have the misperception that St. Louis doesn't offer the same type of entertainment as other big cities. This is simply untrue. While St. Louis retains very small town feel - residents find it hard not to run into people they know everywhere - it still offers visitors many forms of entertainment that other cities simply don't have.

The first thing that sticks out about St. Louis, literally, is the Gateway Arch. The arch was built in the 1960's and is the tallest man-made monument in the United States. While visitors can take the tram to the top of the 630-foot Arch, at the base of the monument is a museum full of interesting facts about Lewis and Clark's expedition western coast of the United States.

St. Louis is a very family-friendly city, offering many attractions for kids as well as adults. In St. Louis' Forest Park, families can visit the city's Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, Science Center or just explore some of the 1,300 acres of beautiful walking paths and lakes. During the summer, families can also take in a show at the Muny Theater, the largest outdoor amphitheater in the country.

Forest Park's biggest attraction, however, is the St. Louis Zoo. The St. Louis Zoo is amongst the biggest zoos in the country, featuring animals from all over the globe. The best part about the St. Louis zoo, though, is that there is no charge for admission, for adults or children.

St. Louis also offers many options for dining, no matter what your tastes are. Some of the original St. Louis tastes include toasted ravioli, a battered and fried version of the classic Italian dish, thin crust pizza, served at many St. Louis restaurants and gooey butter cake, a coffee-cake with a very sweet, buttery topping.

The adults in the crowd will probably want to head over to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, where one of the nation's most popular beers, Budweiser, is created. Recently purchased by Belgian brewing company InBev, the Anheuser-Busch Brewery is one of St. Louis' oldest attractions and one of the biggest St. Louis-based companies.

While St. Louis retains its traditional small-town feel, there are plenty of big-city things to do and see in the Gateway to the West.