Timeline
05:40
Arrive at Fairground Park and find a clear spot facing WSW. The park is a 24-minute walk from the water tower, so arrive early to secure your view. On dates between 30 April and 07 May, the sun will rise directly behind the tower.
06:05
Watch the sunrise. The light shifts quickly, so keep your eyes on the horizon. The sun rises toward the WSW during this period, aligning perfectly with the tower from this vantage point.
06:25
Stay for the golden light. The morning glow lasts until about 16:23 local time, but the best photographic light is usually within the first hour after sunrise.
06:50
Walk back toward the Bissell Water Tower to see it in full daylight. The tower stands at the junction of Bissell Street and Blair Avenue. It is a historic standpipe completed in 1886 and served the city until 1912.
Local tip
Check opening hours for any nearby cafes before you go, as early morning options may be limited. The walk from Fairground Park to the tower is roughly 24 minutes.
Check before you go
- Verify the specific dates for the sunrise alignment (30 April to 07 May or 06 August to 13 August).
- Check local weather conditions for clear skies.
- Bring warm layers as early morning temperatures in St. Louis can be cool.
Worth knowing
- Sun position is calculated. We have not confirmed the view is unobstructed.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to St. Louis (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).