Where to stay for hockey and a bit of sightseeing

Question

Hi all. I hope to coming to your fair city for the NCAA Frozen Four, April 10-12. I'm looking for advice on where to stay that will be convenient to the Enterprise arena, and perhaps near some fun restaurants, brewpubs, maybe a walking tour as well. Price is not a huge consideration. So, where would you stay? We may not have a car... but could certainly get one. In Boston, my home turf, cars are an annoyance -- your counsel on yea/nay to a car would also be appreciated. We are two crusty old hockey players, so no kiddos... beer, puck and St. Louis ribs tour! Thank you all!

Answer

For attending the NCAA Frozen Four at Enterprise Center in St. Louis and enjoying some sightseeing, restaurants, and brewpubs, the most convenient area to stay is downtown, particularly near the arena and the Central West End. This area allows you to walk to the games and explore local food and drink without relying heavily on a car.

Some specific hotel suggestions near Enterprise Center include:

Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis: A luxury option on the Gateway Arch grounds, offering top-notch service, great rooms, and easy access to downtown attractions.
Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch: Centrally located near the riverfront, within walking distance to the arena and many restaurants, plus easy access to the Gateway Arch and riverfront activities.
Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at the Arch: More moderately priced with complimentary breakfast and evening reception; very close to the arena and in a lively part of downtown.
Magnolia Hotel St. Louis: A historic, boutique-style option a short walk from the arena, with stylish rooms and a central location for restaurants and bars.

For casual sightseeing and brewery experiences:

Brewpubs and Beer Halls: Schlafly Bottleworks (near Central West End), Urban Chestnut Brewing Company, and 4 Hands Brewing Co. are all excellent local options.
Walking Tours: Downtown St. Louis has historic architecture tours, a brewery walking tour in Central West End, and the Gateway Arch grounds for iconic photos.
Food: For classic St. Louis ribs and BBQ, Pappy’s Smokehouse and Bogart’s Smokehouse are both highly recommended, though Pappy’s may have a line—plan accordingly.

Regarding a car, for this plan it is not necessary if you stay downtown. The Enterprise Center, restaurants, and many breweries are walkable. However, if you want to explore neighborhoods farther out (e.g., The Hill for Italian cuisine, Tower Grove for breweries, or Forest Park), having a car can be convenient but parking is usually manageable in most areas. For most of your stay centered around hockey, beer, and downtown dining, you can comfortably go car-free.

In summary, staying downtown near Enterprise Center maximizes convenience for games and nightlife, while giving you easy access to walking tours, breweries, and iconic St. Louis cuisine. A car is optional unless you plan excursions outside the downtown core.