Summer in the City

And so it begins, that hot and prickly descent into summer and all the sweet misery it promises. Summer in St. Louis — even for humidity-tested veterans — can be a tough slog, a cruel and unforgiving journey. So harsh can it be that we'll take refuge from the sun within the cool fluorescence of a shopping mall, a darkened movie house, the dim-lit bar (more ice, please). Yes, it's bloody hot out there, and at times it may even lead us to wonder: "Are we closer to the sun than any place on Earth?"

Now, as the last blessed days of a chilly May recede, we look forward to the challenge of summer, this sweat-soaked endurance contest that measures our will, forges character and makes us stronger. Face it: We St. Louisans take pride in our little red-brick furnace — the languorous days and sensuous nights, the collective cry of cicadas, the scantily clad outdoor diners, the music in the air, the splash of the pool and smell of green summer lawns.

All of this, and more, has again driven us to compile a guide detailing the very best ways to get a grip on summer and enjoy to the fullest its blazing wonders. This year, with the help of a team of some of our finest wordsmiths, we decided to take you by land, water and air. Check out some of the big events in the city you really ought not miss. Get set for some tips on how to float down the rivers in style. We also got the skinny on the best places to go skydiving, sip wine and hear summertime music.

So get out there and embrace the heat. It's our season in the sun.