The Huckleberry Finn Youth Hostel

The Huckleberry Finn Youth Hostel opened it doors in St. Louis' Soulard Historic Neighborhood in 1976. It's owners, Tom and Sheela Cochran, were recently married and had a young daughter (b:1975) at the time. In the decades since then the Soulard Neighborhood has become the most popular neighborhood for live music and diverse restaurants in the entire city. Named after the nearby Historic Soulard Farmers Market, the Soulard Neighborhood, St. Louis' French Quarter, has over 30 restaurants and bars within easy walking distance. With the farmers market on the North and the Anheuser Busch (Budweiser) Brewery to the South, and good bus connections to downtown (one mile North), the neighborhood is well defined and well connected. The Cardinals Baseball Team, world champions in 2006, play ball within sight of the Huck Finn Hostel at nearby Busch Stadium, newly constructed in 2006.

St. Louis also has world class Football with the St. Louis Rams; a world class Zoo; an internationally known Missouri Botanical Garden; one of the largest city parks in the country: Forest Park; the largest and oldest outdoor theater in the country: The Municipal Opera or "Muni"; a world renowned Art Museum and other attractions such as The National Museum of Transport and The City Museum. All these are within easy access of the Huck Finn Youth Hostel by metro bus and train.

Of course Eiro Saaranen's familiar Gateway Arch symbolizing the opening up of "The West" on the downtown Mississippi Riverfront is visible from the grounds of the Hostel and well worth a visit. The Museum of Westward Expansion underneath the Arch is free but the ride up to the top of the Arch costs a nominal amount. The Mississippi Riverfront itself is fascinating with Riverboats and barges, Steamboats (several visits a month during the summer), and pleasureboats passing by continuously.

The Huckleberry Finn Youth Hostel consists of three, three story brick buildings with gray slate mansard roofs and a patio area and parking in the back. We have three dorms: a women's dorm, a men's dorm, and a group dorm/coed dorm for a total of 34 dorm beds. Seasonally we have three private rooms with three to four beds in each of them. Total capacty in the summer months is 44 beds. Small commons room. Computer room soon with high speed internet. Patio area with BBQ nights weekly. No smoking except at picnic tables outside. No alcohol except with meals at discretion of manager.

We close from Christmas Eve through the end of February every year to clean and paint the place and to get away to someplace warm: US Virgin Islands or Mexico.

Come share a meal with us. Share with us your travel adventures and we will tell you the best places to visit while in St. Louis and the Midwest.

Laissez les bon temps roullier. Viva la Mardi Gras.