St Louis budget things to do

[packofjedis]

We're going to be in St Louis for most of 1 day this summer. Everything I'm looking at to do closes at 4 or 5. So what is there for the evening? We're not looking to spend a lot of money, just staying occupied while on our way farther west.

Also, where is a good part of town to get a hotel? I'd prefer it be on the Kansas City side since that's where we'll be heading the next day.

(My kids are 11 & 13 boys if that helps at all!)

Thanks!!

 

[eatatmidnight]

It may not be very buget, but I think the City Museum would be a great way to burn energy and have loads of fun for boys your age. I don't know of any discounts at this time, but others who post may. It is an old shoe factory that has been turned into a very hands on museum. Here is the link.
http://www.citymuseum.org/home.asp

As far as hotels go, I'd check Expedia or Travelocity for hotels in St. Peters, St. Charles and Wentzville. They are one county west of St. Louis and right on I-70.

 

[sah95]

If you are going to be there on a Friday, the Science Center will be open until
9:30p.m.

 

[packofjedis]

Sorry - I should have said this...we'll be there on a Saturday.

I looked into the City Museum. Looks like fun, but $48 is quite high for the 4 of us. I was really looking for something a bit cheaper. We're spending more on the 2nd half of the trip.

 

[alymae1010]

I have to agree, City Museum is awesome! It's only open late on Friday and Saturday's though.

 

[NotUrsula]

How do you feel about things athletic? There may be some opportunities for things that are hand's on, and some that are spectator. I'll check on what's up on a Saturday night out in West County.

 

[JB2K]

If your family is into baseball, you may want to check-out the St. Louis Cardinals -- attendance has been down at ballparks all over the country, and the Cardinals have been offering some budget-friendly incentives.

If you would rather go minor league, the River City Rascals are on your way to K.C. (O'Fallon, MO -- off I-70 West) and you can have a great time on the cheap...

 

[DisneyNut4Life]

St Louis also has an amazing zoo, and its FREE

 

[deerhart]

The really budget friendly cardinal tickets are weekday tickets. We have $5 tickets to tomorrow nights game.

The St. Louis zoo is celebrating it's 100th anniversary (need to drag the kids down either this or next weekend hehe) and they have reopened the stringray petting exhibit (it costs about $3.00 pp).

Not sure WHICH Saturday your coming down, but the zoo stays up until 7pm starting the 28th.

The zoo is free but there are paid things like the kid zoo, the rr, etc.. Many of the things that used to cost are now free (like the insect house). If you are planning to do alot of the paid stuff, the arm bands would be a better value ($10pp), but are not necessary. Also don't pay for parking (unless you want to). There are tons of places to park within forest park if you don't mind hoofing it.

Also downtown the arch museum is free its the ride up that costs.

As for evening entertainment, well that will really depend on where you stay, what you like to do. and when your coming. Lots of the towns in the County run programs on Friday and Saturday nights. My town does a movie night once a month during the summer (its a Friday though) and I know the last one scheduled is supposed to be how to train your dragon.

The parks in St. Louis also run programs all summer long, but again when your going to be here will determine what is going on.

I would not stay in St. Charles County if everything your planning to do is going to be in the St. Louis County/City area. Westport would be more appropriate (its on I-270 near I-70) and an easier drive then St. Charles. There are not hotels in St. Charles County along I-70. Westport has a ton though.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I am not a fan of the City Museum, my niece had a bad accident there and had to have surgery. They were less than helpful when it happened and the piece of equipment she got hurt on was not changed. Just so you know.

The Muny is a great way to spend an evening. There are free seats but you have to get there a little early. You could spend the afternoon at the Zoo, get a fast food supper and eat it at the Muny while you wait for the show to start. The Rascals and of course the Cardinals are always fun. If you stay in St. Peters the Rascals are very close. West port is a better choice for downtown events.

 

[ICF]

I looked into the City Museum. Looks like fun, but $48 is quite high for the 4 of us. I was really looking for something a bit cheaper. We're spending more on the 2nd half of the trip.

It would be $48 well spent.

It was more than we usually spent on things (since so many are free in StL) but was totally worth it when we went there for the 1st time last Oct.

It would be perfect for 11 & 13 year olds...boys especially.

 

[deerhart]

I am not a fan of the City Museum, my niece had a bad accident there and had to have surgery. They were less than helpful when it happened and the piece of equipment she got hurt on was not changed. Just so you know.

The Muny is a great way to spend an evening. There are free seats but you have to get there a little early. You could spend the afternoon at the Zoo, get a fast food supper and eat it at the Muny while you wait for the show to start. The Rascals and of course the Cardinals are always fun. If you stay in St. Peters the Rascals are very close. West port is a better choice for downtown events.

Even to pay for the back seats, at like $9 a ticket it is a great price!

DH and I got season passes for this year as our Mother's Day, Father's Day and Anniversary presents

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Deerhart What night are you going to be there? Our tickets are on Wednesday. I so enjoy the Muny it is my Mothers Day gift every year!

 

[deerhart]

Deerhart What night are you going to be there? Our tickets are on Wednesday. I so enjoy the Muny it is my Mothers Day gift every year!

We have Friday night tickets. Wed. is TKD for my oldest son and one of my husband's 3am shifts so being up and out late that night hurts LOL. He often has to close on Thursday so Friday seemed the best bet.

 

[EKW]

Magic House in Kirkwood is amazing. They're on Facebook. You can often get discounted entry for them from the St. Louis visitor's guides.

Last time we went to the Science Museum it was free...you only had to pay to see the special shows, do the Lego Mindstorm activities, and a couple of other "extra" things. We spent a whole day there...it reminded me of Innoventions.

The Riverboat rides aren't too expensive, if I remember correctly.

The Zoo is free. Or, was last time we went.

It doesn't cost anything to tour the museum below the Arch. If you want to ride, there is a ticket cost.

The Busch farms are supposed to be spectacular. I haven't gone there personally, but if you google them I'm sure you can find out what, if anything, they charge for a tour.

Finally, just outside of town are Our Lady of the Snows shrine and Cahokia. I don't have current prices on either of them, but your family may enjoy visiting them depending on your beliefs and interests.

 

[EKW]

Should have added...last time we went we stayed at the Days Inn in Kirkwood. It's right down the street from Magic House. They have a huge pool, free breakfast, and an indoor play area. It was super inexpensive when I did the prepay option.

One note: We had a clean room and it has decent facilities. If your family is a Hiatt sort of group, you probably won't like it. But, if you're the Motel 8, Day Inn sort, it is a good choice. It's an easy shot to the freeway from there, too.

 

[ICF]

I agree that Kirkwood is a nice area to stay in, we've stayed there many times.

We've really enjoyed the magic house, but I dont know that the it would be a good choice for 11 & 13 year old boys. IMO, it skews towards the younger kids and I really think the 13 yr old would be bored quickly.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

We're going to be in St Louis for most of 1 day this summer. Everything I'm looking at to do closes at 4 or 5. So what is there for the evening? We're not looking to spend a lot of money, just staying occupied while on our way farther west.

Also, where is a good part of town to get a hotel? I'd prefer it be on the Kansas City side since that's where we'll be heading the next day.

(My kids are 11 & 13 boys if that helps at all!)

Thanks!!

If you are on a tight budget and want to go to a Cards game, check out the First Pitch tickets. You get in line by 9a.m. at the ticket counter on 8th Street. There will be a line There are 275 vouchers distributed for $11 each; each voucher is good for 2 tickets, anywhere in the ballpark. (to do this, you would need 2 adults to buy the tickets - there is absolutely no guarantee your 4 seats would be together). Then, 10 minutes before the game is to begin, line up at the First Pitch gate and you will show your voucher and receive an envelope with 2 tickets. DH and I did this last week and had great seats in section 129 - outfield seats at the foul pole section. Our seats would have been $45 each. And, if you need to really save money, take in any drinks in plastic containers and any food that you wish; they allow soft sided coolers.

There are full details at: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/ticketing/index.jsp?c_id=stl site for the First Pitch seats -- just scroll to the bottom of the page.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

double post - sorry

 

[eatatmidnight]

The really budget friendly cardinal tickets are weekday tickets. We have $5 tickets to tomorrow nights game.

How do you get $5 Cardinal tickets?