Mini Vacay - St Louis or St Paul?

[threeblessings]

My DH has 3 nights free at a holiday inn that we need to use by 5/31. So we thought we would take a mini vacation. We have three small ones - they are almost 3, 5, 7 years.

We are thinking about St Louis or the Twin Cities. We are about equal driving distance from either one. Have you visited either city? Suggestions on what to see with younger kids?

full disclosure: I got my graduate degree at UofM, so I am leaning towards going up there, DH is from the south, so he is leaning towards St Louis. We just can't decide!

 

[candy0730]

My DH has 3 nights free at a holiday inn that we need to use by 5/31. So we thought we would take a mini vacation. We have three small ones - they are almost 3, 5, 7 years.

We are thinking about St Louis or the Twin Cities. We are about equal driving distance from either one. Have you visited either city? Suggestions on what to see with younger kids?

full disclosure: I got my graduate degree at UofM, so I am leaning towards going up there, DH is from the south, so he is leaning towards St Louis. We just can't decide!

I recently asked about St Louis and got some great ideas. You can see it here http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2650521 . I hope this helps.

 

[hollypoast]

I would vote for St. Louis. We went for a long weekend last Summer and had a fabulous time. Check out tripadvisor.com for ideas on what to do. I'd suggest the following---

St Louis Botanical Gardens-
Usually I wouldn't be able to say Botanical Gardens without yawning but not this place. Super fun! Great kiddo play area that could be an attraction all on its own. The solarium (the glass dome thingy) has dinosaurs hidden throughout the plants. You get a guide map at the entrance with a check list of all of the dinosaurs and then set out to find them. My kids loved this. Lot of interactive areas to keep the kids entertained. Also, they have a great organic restaurant.

St. Louis Zoo
It's free and by far the best zoo I've ever been to! For a few extra dollars, $3 I think you can pet stingrays. We had so much fun here. (And I'm really not an animal person.)

The City Museum-
Very eccentric but a fun way to spend a day. Really, the strangest place I've ever been but we all really enjoyed exploring and playing there.

And of course, you have to do the Arch while your there. I thought the museum was a nice a nice addition since I was there last. (Age 9 I think so 31 years ago)

We also did the Budweiser tour... it was okay. I think my little one was bored. Dad enjoyed the free samples.

I hope this information is helpful. Have fun, whichever you decide.

 

[Chelley00]

We did 4 days in St Louis in July for vacation last summer. We had a GREAT time and our 6 year old constantly asks when we are going back.

We spent one night at the Hilton Ballpark and went to a Cards game, visited the Arch and watched the barges on the river.

Then we moved to a Drury Inn. Free appetizers in the evenings (which we easily made a meal out of one night), 2 free drinks for parents, popcorn in the afternoon etc. We loved it there.

One day we went to the City Museum. Kids had a great time. We left there and went to Fitz's for lunch. You can watch them bottle soda, and try all of their different flavors.

We went to the Botanical Gardens (DS6 is a huge dinosaur fan) Their Japanese Garden is beautiful. That night we went to The Hill for dinner. Amazing Italian food and such a cute area.

We did the zoo. Free is great!

On our last day we went to Grant's Farm. That was probably the best part of the trip for the kids. You ride trams through a wildlife park and then get to visit a petting zoo, see animal shows (one is different animals - parrots etc and another elephants) They do beer samples for parents at the food court.

 

[threeblessings]

I recently asked about St Louis and got some great ideas. You can see it here http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2650521 . I hope this helps.

Wow! That is some great information, thanks for sharing! If you go there, would you mind posting back about your trip? I have a 5 year old too.

Thanks again!

 

[nchulka]

I live in the St. Louis area. There are so many awesome things for kids to do in the area. My kids are 7 & 8, they love the City Museum, & Magic House! Both are amazingly awesome for kids your kids age. The Science Center and the Zoo are just down the street from each other. The Science Center has an enclosed walkway over the highway that connects to the planetarium. Parking is free at the planetarium, but you have to pay to park at the Science Center. We always enter from the planetarium and walk across, the bridge had sections with a glass bottom that you can stand on and watch the cars go right under you on the highway. From the parking lot on the planetarium side to the zoo parking is just about a 2 minute drive down the street. The science center and zoo are both free. We usually combine the two in one day.

The absolute best thing in the entire city is the City Museum, it's not really a museum at all. There are so many things to explore, climb, and slide down. They even have a 10 story spiral slide. On the roof of the building they have a working ferris wheel and several more slides. Outside the building you can climb through giant metal slinkys suspended over the parking lot and inside you can explore numerous caves and tunnels. It is unlike any place I have ever been, and my kids favorite place in the world. Kids can use their imagination everywhere. There is a giant room filled with nothing but sponges. Kids build all sorts of things, on our last trip I had to drag the kids out of there after an hour of building. They also show an awesome circus everyday with child performers who juggle, and do all sorts of acrobatics. There is even in indoor miniature train that kids can actually ride on through the 3rd floor.

The Magic House is another can't miss with kids your kids ages. It has consistantly been ranked the top children's museum year after year. I loved it as a kid, and my children now love it. A very cool place, lots of fun for young kids.

 

[Leajess99]

One great thing about St Louis is that the Zoo, The Science Museum, and a few other places are free. This would be great for the budget.

My kids love Grant's Farm, The St Louis Zoo and the Science Museum. They also really liked the Magic House. We had thought about doing the City museum but it has many mixed reviews and I am just not sure.

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

We do a yearly Cards game since my dh is huge fan! I will only stay in the Drury by the arch after trying a few others. Of course the zoo and going up in the arch are mandatory things to do as well!
We are taking the kids back for a mini spring break trip next month.

 

[MrsGoofyMitchell]

Well, I live in St. Louis so I vote St. Louis! ;-)

I have a 3 year old and man there is so much to do!

Just downtown there is our amazing zoo! Free! Parking is $12 but there is plenty of parking available for free. Stingrays are $3, carousel is $3 and I think train is $4, but you can buy a day pass to save.

The arch is amazing and you can take the Tom Sawyer Riverboat while right there. Lots of kids usually and my son loved it!

City Museum is also downtown, the ballpark...

Mo. Botanical Gardens is a lot of fun, we just went last weekend.

The Magic House is a must! I love it!

Grant's Farm is free except for parking which is $12 I think also? Free beer too! ;-)

Please message me if you have any questions!

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

St. Louis is my home too. I think the Science Center charges but I'm not sure as we have a membership. For the Zoo there is free street parking. If your little ones like trains the transportation museum is really good. Ask away if you have questions. Highly recommend the magic house too.

Karen

 

[kjs1976]

I live an hour North of St. Paul so I will give you my two cents about what you and your fam could do here in MN!

1. Mall of America - kids would LOVE the newly-refurbished Sea Life Aquarium (formerlly Underwater Adventures). We have an annual pass and our 3 year old daughter would go once a week if we let her! Also, Nickelodian Universe has plenty of fun rides for all of the ages of your children. There are deals off tickets for both places online; just do a search. You could spend a whole day at the MOA, no problem, and everyone in your family would be entertained.

2. Children's Museum of Minnesota - Again, all ages would be entertained for 2-4 hours. So much to do and see here for your little ones! All hands-on and fantastic! Check out their websites for exhibits and prices...very comprehensive!

3. Como Zoo and Conservatory - inexpensive (free excpet for a suggested donation) and a zoo, perfect for the kiddos! There is a brand-new HUGE polar bear exhibit that is really cool. Go in April or May to take full advantage of this zoo since it is mainly outside.

4. A MN Twins game - you have to take in a game at the new Target Field in Mpls! Amazing! So much fun for all ages! Get some cheap seats and have a ball! (no pun intended) On a nice May day, even a few innings for the little ones is going to be a great experience here! We plan on bringing our 3 yr. to her first game this summer. Many friends of ours took their little ones 2-12 last summer and said it was such a fun family experience. I just love outside baseball!

5.The Minnesota Arboretum (sp?)- check this out online. We have not been there...YET. It is on our to-do this for this Spring/Summer. We have heard so many wonderful things about what it has to offer for kids/families.

A lot of great family places to eat, inexpensive here all around....easy Spring vacation! Don't hesitate to PM me if you want any more specific info. My DH is from St. Paul and knows the way around both Twin Cities like the back of his hand!

 

[kayrosek]

We went to St. Louis the summer before our first (and so far only) WDW trip and honestly the kids ask about going back there more than Disney World I agree with pretty much every suggestion youv'e got. City mueum is incredible and so unique. My kids spent hours there and we had to practically drag them out when they closed. The botanical gardens are great. They loved the childrens area. I want to see more of the rest. The zoo was really nice and the kids loved the 3D Dino ride. We are going back this year and plan to check out the Science Center, Butterfly House, Grants Farm and possibly the art museum as well as going to the Muny again if theres a show the kids will like. They have some free seating too which makes this a plus, but my kis are older.

 

[skip323]

I love the Twin Cities but have never gone that way with kids. Last year I took my girls to St. Louis for 3 days and we absolutely LOVED it!! I found it to be incredibly manageable (dh couldn't go so that was important) and fairly budget oriented. We did the arch (along with the museum and the court house that are all a part of that experience), the botanical gardens, the zoo and the City Museum. We went to a famous candy maker place (line around the corner), and the hill for lunch at an Italian restaurant. My girls consider it to have been one of their best vacations (and we've taken some really great ones). I definitely do not think you could wrong there.

Oh...and depending on which way you are driving, we stopped on our way back at the Cahokia Mounds...what a neat experience and didn't take long at all!

 

[leadfootlevi]

I live an hour North of St. Paul so I will give you my two cents about what you and your fam could do here in MN!

1. Mall of America - kids would LOVE the newly-refurbished Sea Life Aquarium (formerlly Underwater Adventures). We have an annual pass and our 3 year old daughter would go once a week if we let her! Also, Nickelodian Universe has plenty of fun rides for all of the ages of your children. There are deals off tickets for both places online; just do a search. You could spend a whole day at the MOA, no problem, and everyone in your family would be entertained.

2. Children's Museum of Minnesota - Again, all ages would be entertained for 2-4 hours. So much to do and see here for your little ones! All hands-on and fantastic! Check out their websites for exhibits and prices...very comprehensive!

3. Como Zoo and Conservatory - inexpensive (free excpet for a suggested donation) and a zoo, perfect for the kiddos! There is a brand-new HUGE polar bear exhibit that is really cool. Go in April or May to take full advantage of this zoo since it is mainly outside.

4. A MN Twins game - you have to take in a game at the new Target Field in Mpls! Amazing! So much fun for all ages! Get some cheap seats and have a ball! (no pun intended) On a nice May day, even a few innings for the little ones is going to be a great experience here! We plan on bringing our 3 yr. to her first game this summer. Many friends of ours took their little ones 2-12 last summer and said it was such a fun family experience. I just love outside baseball!

5.The Minnesota Arboretum (sp?)- check this out online. We have not been there...YET. It is on our to-do this for this Spring/Summer. We have heard so many wonderful things about what it has to offer for kids/families.

A lot of great family places to eat, inexpensive here all around....easy Spring vacation! Don't hesitate to PM me if you want any more specific info. My DH is from St. Paul and knows the way around both Twin Cities like the back of his hand!

Along with...

The MN zoo. There is also an IMAX theater there.

The Children's Theater - awesome for all ages!

The Works Museum - very hands on and again, fun for all ages

Science Museum (try their roof-top miniature golf)

Mill City Museum is a lot of fun

Oliver Kelley Farm - working 1850's farm

TONS of parks, lakes, indoor/outdoor playgrounds, indoor/outdoor waterparks

Drive-in movie theater

St. Paul Farmer's Market

Saint Paul Saints baseball game (less expensive than the Twins and there's a kids area with a small playground and some games for when the kiddos get bored with the game)

Plus, if you're a shopper, clothing in MN is 0% sales tax.

 

[hsmamato2]

I love St Louis.....so many fun things to do- so many are free or cheap,so EASY to navigate the city if you're up for adventure,and have more than one adult, we LOVEDLOVEDLOVED City Museum in S.L. I can't even begin to describe this place,but we want to go back to SL just for this!
(my ds thought it was better than WDW)but if you do go,be prepared to be adventurous.....
zoo- science museum,arch,walking,parks,fountains.....

 

[JB2K]

We are thinking about St Louis or the Twin Cities. We are about equal driving distance from either one. Have you visited either city? Suggestions on what to see with younger kids?

Baseball!

In St. Louis, you can see the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, which is located in downtown St. Louis, near the Gateway Arch. This could be super-slugger Albert Pujols' last year in St. Louis, as it looks like he will be a free agent after the 2011 season if he and the Cardinals can't come to a long-term agreement.

If you go to Minneapolis, you can catch Joe Mauer and the Minnesota Twins coming-off a huge championship year (2010 AL Central Champions) at Target Field, which is starting its' second season. I am hearing that Target Field also has some great "non-traditional" ballpark food.

If you go in May, weather in both places should be great!

 

[lynn46356]

Many many years ago we took our now adult sons to St. Louis. Like most comments here we visited The Science Museum, the Arch (there is a very interesting movie you can watch regarding the making of the arch), the Zoo. We also took a drive to Meramec Cavern http://www.americascave.com. It was so worth the drive. I remember one of our sons telling us when he grew up and had kids he was going to take them here! Another place we visited was the bowling museum http://www.bowlingmuseum.com. It was a lot of fun and we even got to bowl a game. I'm not sure if that is still available but its worth investigating if you enjoy bowling. Have Fun. I think its time to take our youngest son (13) back to St. Louis!!!!

 

[JB2K]

Another place we visited was the bowling museum. It was a lot of fun and we even got to bowl a game. I'm not sure if that is still available but its worth investigating if you enjoy bowling.

The U.S. Bowling Congress Hall of Fame/Museum left St. Louis for its' new home in Arlington, Texas, a couple of years ago.

The facility you visited was briefly used as a Nike appearal shop during the 2009 MLB All-Star Game, and is now scheduled for demolition when (if) the new "Ballpark Village" finally takes shape.

 

[bjscheel]

Is the City Museum in St. Louis good for older kids too- say 13 and 10? We plan on Branson next summer, but St. Louis could be a side trip combined with it.

 

[JB2K]

Is the City Museum in St. Louis good for older kids too- say 13 and 10? We plan on Branson next summer, but St. Louis could be a side trip combined with it.

The City Museum tends to be targeted at the pre-teen (and above) crowd, so I would have to say "yes".

If anyone has young children, the "Magic House" is far more appropriate in nature.