St. Louis and its airport have played an important role in the history of aviation. The airfield that eventually became Lambert Airport was the site of the first flight by a US president (Teddy Roosevelt in 1910), and was home to the first air traffic control system in aviation history. While the Lambert-St. Louis airport may not handle as many passengers as it did during its days as a TWA hub, it still serves as a major center for domestic and international air travel, servicing roughly 13 million passengers a year. One of the most identifying features of the Lambert-St. Louis Airport is its famous arched terminal. This architectural marvel has been imitated by airports across the world since it first opened in 1956.
In addition to a range of shopping and dining options, this terminal includes a number of art pieces, none more famous than the Black Americans in Flight mural, which commemorates the many contributions of African Americans to both air and space travel. The terminal also features a 1930’s plane that once belonged to famous aviator Charles Lindbergh. In terms of ground transportation from the airport into St. Louis and the surrounding area, travelers have several options. The St. Louis area’s light rail system stops at the airport, which provides access to downtown St. Louis as well as Clayton and the neighboring Illinois suburbs.
Be sure to check out our list of Choice Hotels in St. Louis for activity ideas once you make it downtown. Bus service from the airport is also available, as are a wealth of options for taxi and shuttle service. No matter what reason you have for flying into or out of STL, staying with Choice Hotels near Lambert Airport is the best way to have a relaxing travel experience. Whether you want to rest up before an early flight or relax after a long day of travel, staying at a comfortable room in one of our St. Louis Airport hotels is your best bet for a great trip. Be sure to check out Stay and Fly packages, and book online today.