3 hour layover at STL???

[KathyR]

We have a 3 hour layover (YUCK!) at STL. We arrive at 4:15 PM on a Saturday. Any suggestions on what we can do to pass the time? I have not been to this airport, so I am unaware of what is there. We have 2 young kids (6 and 4) to entertain Is there a bunch of shopping places to browse? I assume there is some sort of food court to catch a bite for dinner. Any help is appreciated!!! Thanks in advance

 

[skeezixspud]

No, I'm not kidding! There is a light-rail train that goes directly from Lambert to Downtown; with 3 hours, you could go and see the Gateway Arch Nat'l Monument and the Mississippi River. There is a stop at Laclede's Landing, the entertainment district right on the north edge of the national monument grounds. The trip takes 30 minutes each way, and is about $3/person from Lambert. (Tickets are more expensive when bought at the airport; they want to get more out of tourists, I'm afraid.) Here's a link to the information: http://www.bi-state.org/

Expedia has a little section called "Stuck at the Airport", there is a section on Lambert St. Louis, http://expedia.ca/daily/airports/stlouis.asp?MSID=A12EB575E45B4CBD87EB84678FDBB54D
Airport hotel day rates can be a nice deal if the hotel has a pool and you don't mind spending the bucks to take the kids over there for a meal and a swim.

 

[KathyR]

Thank you so much

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Before you take Metrolink downtown check if there is a Rams or Cardinals game. You can probably make it to the Arch (which is really a fun attraction) in 3 hours if there are no major sporting events. We love our teams in St.L and games are often sold out, which makes Mertolink very crowded.

There is not a whole lot at the airport. A few shops and some fast food.

At the landing (near the Arch) there is a Planet Hollywood, and several small bar/resturaunts but no fast food that I can think of right now.

There is a shopping mall (Westerfield) with a Disney store about a 10 minute drive from the airport that has a food court. You would have to have the cab company come back for you. There would be no cabs waiting at the mall.

I hope you find something to enjoy while your passing through.

Any questions just ask.

 

[KathyR]

Well, I can't take a chance on probably making it to the arch and back I went to the websites to check out the options, and I was thoroughly confused by it (LOL). I could not figure out which route I needed to take from STL to the arch (did not know which stop was the Arch)to see how long it takes to get there and back. If it could be done in 2 hours, I would not hesitate to do it, but if it will take close to the 3 hours I have, then I won't chance the trip. I guess we will just have to hang out at the airport. At least it will be close to dinner time. Maybe we can eat really slow (LOL). Thank you so much for your help

 

[skeezixspud]

And the airport is the western terminus of it. The stop for the Arch is Laclede's Landing (the last stop on the Missouri side.)

I had forgotten the issue of sporting events; good point. This town is sports mad, and the football, hockey and baseball stadiums are all downtown; I would not try this trip if there is any pro game going on. Any SkyCap could probably tell you if it's a game day, not to mention the Post-Dispatch, which you can buy at the airport for a couple of quarters. If there is no game it is quite do-able in 3 hours with time to spare, though I wouldn't try to take the tram to the top of the Arch; the tickets for that are timed, and you might have a long wait. The ride from Lambert to the Landing has never taken DH more than 40 minutes on an ordinary day. (He does it when he travels for business, his office is at the Landing. Driving tends to be slower.)

The mall mentioned above is Northwest Plaza, at the corner of Lindbergh Blvd. and St. Charles Rock Rd. This center actually does have cabs outside sometimes, but I'd ask the mall concierge to call one for you to get back, to be sure.
It's an ordinary mall, with a large food court and arcade area; the anchor stores are Sears, Penneys, Dillards, and our local branch of the May Co., called Famous-Barr.