Things to do in St. Louis????

[kors]

My DH, my brother, and myself are going to St. Louis for a few days. We are from Chicago. We would like to stay at a nice hotel, close to some area attractions. I know we want to do the Budweiser tour, but other than that, I am open for ideas. I am 31, DH is 36, and brother is 24. I would love to hear what you guys like to do there...

Thanks in advance!!

 

[jtoast]

I was in St Louis for 3 days a few years ago for an Intel Conference.

Here are a few ideas.

1) Budweiser Tour. This was a lot more interesting than I thought it would be. I got some really nice photo's at the brewery.

2) The Zoo. If you are a zoo person, this is a great one to hit. They have a lot things to see and admission is free. They also allow coolers/picnic baskets so its a nice way to spend an afternoon.

3) The Gateway Arch. Going to the top of the Arch is pretty much a must do type of thing for St Louis. Wasn't really that big of a deal but the way the elevator works is really pretty cool.

If you like Barbecue, there are some pretty good restaurants in town also. I hit 2 at random and thought they were both excellent. I will have to go back through my expense reports to get their names.

 

[Jon99]

The Landing..

 

[bookgirl]

We just got back from a trip there this month.

We did Grant's farm, Bud tour, and the Arch. All were very easy to get to. We stayed at Harrah's Hotel and Casino. Be prepared for traffic as it always seemed to be busy but there are Interstates and highways all the way around the city and they do an excellent job of signing. There were signs for every attraction we went to both on the interstates and the city streets.

The one thing we did not get to do was see a Baseball game as they were on the road. We went when I was a kid and I still remember touring the stadium. That would be the one other thing I would want to do if we go again.

There are some really good websites I think you might try www.explorestlouis.com

It had some great links.

The only other thing I can tell you is what every resident I spoke to told me, don't go into East St Louis, this is the high crime area, other than that it seemed like a really easy place to visit and tour.

 

[mom2mek]

I would suggest the St Louis Symphony Orchestra but I believe they are on a break for the summer. They are wonderful! Whether you like classical music or not, they are very entertaining and the symphony hall building is beautiful! Have fun!

 

[WDWorBUST]

When we go it's usually for a ball game, but it's next to impossible to get tickets this year unless you want standing room only - at least it was for any weekends, it might be different during the week. We enjoyed the Arch, but the museum under it was actually a pleasant surprise to me. I really enjoyed it. We have also done the zoo and enjoyed it.

 

[middleofamerica]

I grew up there and there's a lot more than has been mentioned. Great ideas have already been mentioned, but here are a few more:

The St. Louis Science Center is free and a multi-million dollar facility, but that might be better suited if you were traveling with children. It's in Forest Park near the Zoo.

Also in Forest Park and also free is the Art Museum and the Museum of Transportation. Both are pretty good museums, if you are the museum type.

If you like history, you might like to see the indian burial mounds at Cahokia, just over into Illinois.

There are some nice caves about 35-45minutes southwest of St. Louis. Meramec Caverns is the biggest and most commercial of them.

Six Flags-St. Louis is a good place if you like amusement parks.

Finally, (and MOST importantly)...Eat Italian. St. Louis has always had some of the best Italian food anywhere. Go to south city and eat on The Hill (my personal favorite is Cunetto's). Or in the north suburb of Florissant, I really enjoy Rizzo's (I-270 at Elizabeth). The other must-have for food is the frozen custard at Ted Drewes.

You could stay at some nice downtown hotel and get to several of these places on the MetroLink. It goes out to Forest Park, but beware of crossing the river from St. Louis. East St. Louis is risky at best.

 

[treboats]

Also in Forest Park and also free is the Art Museum and the Museum of Transportation. Both are pretty good museums, if you are the museum type.

The History Museum is in Forest Park the Transportation Museum is in Kirkwood.

Dave and Busters and an indoor go-cart track are in Bridgeton near Harrah's casino.

 

[problemchild718]

All of the above plus the River boats if your into gambling, the locks, many sporting events. numerous caverns just outside St Louis.

 

[LorilieMarie]

I live just outside of St. Louis - the only things that I can think of that I don't remember being listed is The Magic House or The City Museum (If you have small kids, they are both unique play & learn places) or a Cardinal Game.

Have Fun

 

[TifffanyD]

Nearby to St. Louis is St Charles, the first state capitol. The original main street is still intact and full of quant shops and cobblestone road. A nice way to spend the afternoon - strolling down it.

 

[AmericanIron]

I live in St. Louis and as you want to tour the brewery, I would suggest you remain in the area and enjoy some refreshments and music. The area is called Soulard Market, many taverns and restaurants, very close to the brewery. Check out soulardmarket.com

As previously mentioned, if you like Italian food head to the Hill area or stay downtown and go to Charlie Gitto's on 6th Street, great food and inexpensive ( there is another Gitto's on the Hill that is expensive).

The Landing is also another good place to bar hop and grab a bite. University City, the Delmar Loop is another good area, check out Blueberry Hill, great burgers and what not.

Enjoy!

 

[kors]

Wow...you guys are so amazing!! I knew I could find some real answers here!! I will add these all to my list! I didn't know the caverns were that close. How far away is that restaurant that throws rolls? Lamberts or something? Really...thanks again!!

 

[AmericanIron]

Lambert's is in Sikeston, MO - way out of the way unless you are driving from St. Louis to Memphis.

 

[Jon99]

St. Louis is a fun place, but don't go expecting it to be like Chicago or you will be disappointed..

 

[ericamcl]

my DH is from St. Louis and when we visited this past Thanksgiving we were able to go to a Blues (ice hockey) game and it was pretty fun (the Blues lost though so I had to deal with DH and his disappointment )
we also visited Grand Central ( I think that's what it's called?) it's a mall type thing that has the Fudgery (yummy! ) and that was great to watch.

 

[DisneyMarathon]

Go to the live musical shows in an outdoor setting if you like such shows and if the weather is nice. There are also free seats at the back.

http://www.muny.org/

 

[mrsstats]

How far is St Louis from Branson? We are thinking of going to Branson but would have to fly into St Louis and drive from there.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

It's Union Station (kind of like a Grand Central station - in a way). Some shops in there - it's a mall.

Branson is 4 1/2 hours away.

We like the Muny. It's an outdoor theater in Forrest Park. http://www.muny.org/ They have a great season this year.

Old St. Charles is kind of neat. There are some nice little antique shoppes there.

I second Charlie Gitto's - yummy! We usually go to the one downtown (except on gamedays!)

 

[Butwhyistherumgone?]

There is also a Lambert's in Ozark, MO. Again way out of the way unless you are going to Branson too. It is VERY yummy ~ just fast for a few days before you eat there. It is all you can eat! If you happen to be there on your birthday you get $10 off your meal ( most meals are in the $10-15 range)
There is usually a long wait in the summer. Come early in the day or be prepared to wait.