Guide to visiting St. Louis


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Published: June 13th 2017
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City MuseumCity MuseumCity Museum

St. Louis City Museum offers children many entertaining options.
Geo: 38.5482, -90.3516

Highlights:
·         Gateway Arch, Old Cathedral, Old Courthouse, Museum of Westward Expansion ... buy tickets online ahead of time
·         Baseball Cardinals, St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame, all at Busch Stadium
http://www.stlcardinals.com
·         Zoo in Forest Park , ranked 3rd in US -- FREE
·         Anheuser-Busch (InBev) brewery tours, Clydesdales
·         Art Museum in Forest Park: FREE
·         Botanical Gardens - ride tram, feed carp, splash in fountains, tour Climatron
·         Butterfly House in Faust Park in Chesterfield
·         Cahokia Mounds (IL), ancient burial and archeological site
·         Cathedral Basilica (New Cathedral) and Mosaic Museum
·         City Museum - American house of whimsy; tree fort, sand castle
·         EdwardJones Dome, home of St. Louis Rams football
·         Fox Theatre, concert and Broadway musical venue
·         Gateway Arch Riverboats
·         Grant's Farm, Busch estate with rides, animals, Clydesdales
·         Lewis & Clark Historic Site in IL, but MANY other L&C sites throughout area     
·         Magic House in Kirkwood -- kids' fave
·         Meramec Caverns, SW on I-44
·         Missouri History Museum, including Lindbergh exhibit 
·         Muny, outdoor Broadway musical venue in Forest Park (summer)
·         Purina Farms (June-August)
·         Raging Rivers, water park in Grafton, IL (45 min. from Arch)
·         Repertory Theatre, Webster University
·         Science Center
Grant's FarmGrant's FarmGrant's Farm

Anheuser-Busch property formerly owned by U.S. Grant.
(700 hands-on activities) - FREE! including Planetarium
·         Scott Trade Center -- Blues hockey
·         Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville, IL ... impressive light display at Xmas
·         Six Flags in Eureka
·         Symphony, at Powell Hall
·         Transportation Museum
·         Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre - summer outdoor concert venue
·         Union Station, national historical landmark
 
Other Specialties
·         Adrenaline Zone/Demolition Ball arena, St. Charles
·         American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog, Town & Country
·         Bellefontaine Cemetery, famous grave sites (e.g., William Clark)
·         Black Madonna Shrine, Eureka
·         Black World History Wax Museum
·         Blueberry Hill - great burgers, toasted ravioli, collectible '50s stuff
·         Boat rides in Forest Park
·         Bonne Terre Mine/West End Diving
·         Calvary Cemetery, gravesite of Dred Scott, Tennessee Williams
·         Historic homes, including Campbell House Museum, Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion, Daniel Boone Home (Defiance), Gen. Daniel Bissell House historic home,
·         Casinos along the rivers in MO & IL
·         Central West End for lunch; drive through Portland Place, Westmoreland Place
·         Challenger Learning Center (space simulation)
·         Cherokee Lemp Historic District  (Antique Row)
·         Christ Church Cathedral Episcopal Church
·         Concordia Historical Institute (Lutheranism)
·         Crown Candy Kitchen, old-fashioned sweet shop
Grant's Farm Petting ZooGrant's Farm Petting ZooGrant's Farm Petting Zoo

Camels are among the animals children can pet at the Grant's Farm Petting Zoo.

·         Culture: Art Museum, Pulitzer Foundation, Laumeier Sculpture Park, Contemporary Art Museum, Opera Theatre
·         Eugene Field House and St. Louis Toy Museum                                     
·         Gateway Classic Walk of Fame, honoring famous African-Americans from St. Louis
·         Golden Eagle Ferry & River Museum (Mississippi River)
·         Hidden Valley ski trails and polar plunge 
·         Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum, Earth City
·         Holocaust Museum
·         Jazz - at Blueberry Hill or Westport Playhouse, Broadway Oyster Bar, BB's Jazz
·         Jefferson Barracks Historic Park/National Cemetery
·         Kemp Auto Museum
·         Kimmswick, historic river town
·         Loop (Delmar Blvd. where streetcar used to "loop"😉 eclectic entertainment district in University City near Washington University, featuring the Saint Louis Walk of Fame
·         Maeystown, IL, 19th century German village
·         Mastodon State Historic Site, Imperial
·         Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis
·         Old Town St. Charles Main Street), including First Missouri State Capitol
·         Pere Marquette Lodge and State Park, Grafton, IL
·         Railway -- (miniature steam train runs along Missouri River bluffs)
·         Route 66: Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, Ted Drewes, Museum of Transportation, Route 66 State Park
·         Scott Joplin House
·         Shuttle Bug tour
Hannibal: Tom Sawyer's FenceHannibal: Tom Sawyer's FenceHannibal: Tom Sawyer's Fence

A fun day-trip from St. Louis is to Hannibal, Mark Twain's home on the Mississippi.
connecting Forest Park sights
·         Soulard neighborhood for dinner and nightlife, farmer's market
·         Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
·         St. Louis University
·         St. Louis World's Fair (1904) remnants 
            -         Rent video of "Meet Me in St. Louis" 
            -         Forest Park Pavilion; Art Museum built from Fair profits 
            -         Birthplace of hot dog in a bun - try a wiener at Woofies
·         The Hill - Italian neighborhood for dinner - try the toasted ravioli
·         Trolley tour
·         Union Station
·         World Bird Sanctuary, SW county
·         Washington University
·         Wineries: Mount Pleasant (Augusta), Crown Valley (Ste. Genevieve)
·         Zoos, other:
          -         World Aquarium, downtown
          -         Grant's Farm, Grantwood
          -         Emerson Children's Zoo in Forest Park
          -         Suson Park Animal Farm, SW county 
          -         Eckert's Farm, Millstadt, IL
·         Made in St. Louis:
          -         antacids: Tums
          -         dog chow: Ralston Purina Checkerboard Square
          -         suds: Anheuser-Busch
          -         warplanes: Boeing7 up
          -        Switzer's licorice

Other Things for Kids
·         Butterfly House in Faust Park - 2,000 in free flight
·         Children's Aquarium ... might be better named "children's nature
Magic HouseMagic HouseMagic House

The Magic House in Kirkwood, a St. Louis suburb, fascinates kids. Very clever.
center"
·         COCA - call for a rundown of fun cultural activities
·         Eckert's Country Store and Farms Fun Corral in Belleville, IL - pick fruit in season
·         Eugene Field House and St. Louis Toy Museum
·         Faust Park, Chesterfield, with carousel, butterfly house
·         Grand Prix Speedways, Earth City
·         Ice skate at one of the County Parks (winter)
·         Laser Force Laser Tag Zone, Caseyville, IL
·         Lone Elk County Park ... see bison, elk and deer up close
·         NASCAR Speed Park at St. Louis Mills
·         Omnimax: blow-you-away movie
·         Powder Valley Conservation Center (Kirkwood)
·         Route 66 Family Fun Center (Shrewsbury)
·         Upper Limits Rock Climbing Gym
·         Worldways Children's Museum: other cultures combined with fun
·         Cycling: 6 great trails:
          1.        Riverfront Trail (I-270 to Riverview Drive)
          2.        Grant's Trail (Gravois Creek flood plain)
          3.        Sam Vadalabene Great River Road (Pere Marquette Park)
          4.        Forest Park (outer loop or inner loop)
          5.        Creve Coeur Park (around Creve Coeur Lake)
          6.        Madison County Transit's Nature Trail (through SIU Edw.)
 
Lodging Downtown
 
·         Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch, pricey but worth it
·         Drury Inn, across
Missouri Botanical Garden ClimatronMissouri Botanical Garden ClimatronMissouri Botanical Garden Climatron

Missouri Botanical Garden features a permanent display of Chihuly Art Glass. The Walla Walla onions float in the reflecting ponds in front of the Chimatron.
from Union Station; clean, comfortable, affordable
·         Drury Plaza, 4th and Market, dynamite lobby; renovated fur exchange building
·         Embassy Suites on Laclede's Landing - reasonable
·         Four Seasons St. Louis 
·         Hampton Inn near Union Station -- indoor pool and hot tub
·         St. Louis Union Station Hotel by Doubletree, pricey but at the center of the action
·         Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark
·         Millennium Riverfront, nice, near stadium, outdoor pool ... rooms on the small side
·         Omni Majestic - nice rooms, underwhelming food
·         Radisson - newly renovated former Holiday Inn near Arch, high end
·         Renaissance Suites - new in 2002
·         Renaissance Grand Downtown, Marriott Hotel across from the convention center
·         Sheraton - warehouse renovation
·         St. Ignacio, new hotel near St. Louis U campus
·         Westin - newer property near baseball stadium
·         Wyndham Mayfair - 4-star
 
Lodging near Washington U. (in Clayton, first suburb to west)
·         Cheshire Inn, Clayton - a little pricey, excellent food, location and accommodations
·         Chase Hotel, Central West End, a sort of European boutique hotel, great restaurants
·         Homewood Suites Galleria
·         Moonrise, boutique hotel on
Museum of TransportationMuseum of TransportationMuseum of Transportation

Trains are just one means of transporation featured at this museum. Includes a section of Coral Courts, a motel from the glory days of Route 66.
Delmar, good restaurant
·         Parkway Hotel, Central West End, new in 2004
·         Ritz-Carlton (very pricey) Clayton
·         Seven Gables Inn
 
Good tour information and discounts at:
 
http://www.beatourist.com
 
www.bigthankyou.org
 
Golf: St. Louis Metro area
 
Tapawingo National Golf C...   Public      
Crystal Highlands Golf Cl...      Public               
Forest Park Golf Course          Public
Quail Creek Golf Course          Public      
Ruth Park Golf Course              Public      
                
Illinois Best
Spencer T Olin Community      Public      
Stonewolf Golf Club                 Public      
Annbriar Golf Club                   Public      
Rend Lake Golf Course (east)  public
 
Fall Color Tour
·         Highway 94 from St. Charles to Jefferson County
·         Highway 21 loops S, W and N to I-44
·         Crowley's Ridge, from Missouri Bootheel into NE Arkansas
·         SW Missouri loop, starting at Forsyth
·         Shawnee Nat'l Forests in southern ILL
·         Spoon River Valley scenic drive (ILL)
·         Alton to Kampsville on Highway 100 (ILL)
 
MetroLink info:
http://www.bi-state.org/MetroLinkmapNew.html
 
What is the climate like in summer?
·         Typically St. Louis is hot in summer ...
·         High 80s or early 90s.  And yes, humid.
·         Occasional "Chamber of Commerce" weather -- 70s
 
Month-Avg.High-Avg. Low
January
37.7° F
21.5° F
February
42.6° F
25.4° F
March
54.6° F
34.4° F
April
66.9° F
45.9° F
May
76.1°
St. Louis SkylineSt. Louis SkylineSt. Louis Skyline

Riverfront (Mississippi) as seen from Forest Park, just west of the City
F
55.4° F
June
85.2° F
65.2° F
July
89.3° F
69.4° F
August
87.3° F
67.4° F
September
79.9° F
59.3° F
October
68.5° F
47.8° F
November
54.7° F
36.1° F
December
41.7° F
26.3° F
 
Restaurants
 
Some favorites in town:
·         1111 Mississippi
·         Al's -- Italian/steak
·         Blueberry Hill  -- great bar food, kitschy atmosphere (Howdy Doody, Elvis, etc.)
·         Cunetto's  -- good pasta on the Hill  
·         Dominic's or Giovanni's  -- best among 100 Italian restaurants
·         Kemoll's -- formal/informal sides of
·         O'Connell's  -- THE best burgers, Irish pub atmosphere 
·         Pappy's Smokehouse -- top notch BBQ
·         Robust, eclectic eating in Webster Groves  and downtown
·         Tony's -- traditional 5-star
·         Tratorria Marcella's -- mighty fine pasta, make a reservation now
·         Vin de Set -- new, with great deck overlooking Arch and downtown St. Louis

Top Cheap Eats
·         Blueberry Hill 
·         Crown Candy Kitchen
·         Fast Eddie's Bon Air, Alton (IL)
·         Hodak's
·         O'Connell's  -- THE best burgers, Irish pub atmosphere
·         St. Louis Bread Company (Panera)
·         Steak N Shake
·         White Castle
 
Other:                              
Annie Gunn's                   
Arcelia's Mexican         
Cafe Provencale                      
Canyon Cafe                   
Cardwell's                         
Charcoal House      
Charlie Gitto's         
Citizen Kane's
Duffy's  
Eau
Frazer's
St. Louis ZooSt. Louis ZooSt. Louis Zoo

FREE: St. Louis' world-famous zoo. Check out the Children's Zoo.
Brown Bag
Gardens at Malmaison (rural)    
Gian-Tony's                                
I Fratellini       
Llywelyn's
LoRusso's                         
McGurk's Irish Pub
Remys        
Sidney St. Cafe        
Tenderloin Room
 
For Kids
 
Blueberry Hill
Spaghetti Factory on the Landing
Tucker's in the Soulard Market
"Hill" area
 
Specialties 
·         Gooey butter cake
·         Imo's Pizzas (thin crust, provel cheese)
·         Pork steaks
·         Provel cheese
·         Steak & Shake steakburgers
·         Ted Drewes, VERY famous frozen custard, mobbed at 10 pm but line moves quickly
·         Toasted ravioli
·         White Castle "bellybomber" - hamburger for the strong of spirit


Additional photos below
Photos: 22, Displayed: 22


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Ted Drewes Ice CreamTed Drewes Ice Cream
Ted Drewes Ice Cream

St. Louis landmark featuring "concretes". Don't let the 200 people in line each summer night deter you. Line moves fast and it's worth the wait.
St. Louis Gateway ArchSt. Louis Gateway Arch
St. Louis Gateway Arch

Nighttime winter view
Downtown St. LouisDowntown St. Louis
Downtown St. Louis

Arch and skyline
Seguey ridesSeguey rides
Seguey rides

Through Forest Park, here in front of Missouri History Museum
Busch StadiumBusch Stadium
Busch Stadium

Home of St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis ZooSt. Louis Zoo
St. Louis Zoo

One of the best in the USA
City Garden in St. LouisCity Garden in St. Louis
City Garden in St. Louis

City Gardens features fascinating sculpture
Basilica of St. LouisBasilica of St. Louis
Basilica of St. Louis

On the grounds of the Arch. Oldest church west of the Mississippi
Carl Milles fountain Carl Milles fountain
Carl Milles fountain

Across from Union Station
Aerial St. LouisAerial St. Louis
Aerial St. Louis

St. Louis riverfront, Mississippi River
Saint Louis, King of FranceSaint Louis, King of France
Saint Louis, King of France

St. Louis' namesake monarch; statue at St. Louis Art Museum


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