St. Louis, MO

[tinkerbell615]

My DH and I are wanting to take our DGSs to Grants Farm. We have never been to St Louis and don't know anything about the area or surrounding areas. I have found a couple of hotels in Westport/Maryland Heights that are reasonable and get great ratings. Can anyone tell me about that area, or where would be a nice area that not be super expensive?
Thank you in advance!

 

[happymommy]

I'm from Chesterfield, MO. When we go back to visit my parents and sisters, we stay at the Marriott St. Louis West (only because my DH has Marriott Platinum status, and the Springhill Suites and Residence Inn in Chesterfield won't suit our needs).

Westport is okay. Not the best but not the worst area.

Grants Farm is fun, not a full day but fun. Check to see days that they're open. Definitely take them to the City Museum! It's super cool. Also up in the Arch.

West County is a nicer area for sure. There is a Drury Inn at Chesterfield Mall that's nice. Also near the Galleria is closer to attractions and not bad. I'd steer away from downtown if you want more suburban areas.

Also check out The Hill. Historic Italian neighborhood. Fun to stop by, play bocce ball and have some toasted ravioli.

Not sure what boats are still running on the landing downtown - but if there is one a day doing the arch and a riverboat ride would be a good idea.

The zoo is among the best in the country. It's free. It's in Forest Park. You must go there! The childrens' zoo is good! Feed the lorakeets and go for a train ride!

 

[tinkerbell615]

Wow! Thank you so much, happymommy! This is exactly what I needed. We would like to stay away from downtown, and needed to know a nice area. I was looking at Drury Inn Creve Coeur, but will switch over to Chesterfield! I really appreciate all of your help, and information!!

 

[dhardawa]

Definitely the City Museum. We stay at the Drury Inn that is about 15 minutes into Illinois.

 

[tinkerbell615]

Definitely the City Museum. We stay at the Drury Inn that is about 15 minutes into Illinois.

Thank you!

 

[Narnia_girl]

St. Louis has some of the most wonderful family experiences for free: the zoo, the science center, the art museum, Grant's Farm.
The City Museum is awesome, but not free; same with the Magic House (for younger kids).

 

[tinkerbell615]

St. Louis has some of the most wonderful family experiences for free: the zoo, the science center, the art museum, Grant's Farm.
The City Museum is awesome, but not free; same with the Magic House (for younger kids).

Thanks!

I think we are going to try Grant"s Farm, the zoo, and The City Museum. We are only going to be there a couple of days, so we won't spend too much time at each one, but would love to spend a little time at each one.

 

[tink fan]

Sound like a great plan!

My daughter goes to high school across the street from Grant Farm--I think I drove by it five times yesterday . There are discussions about it being sold, so it's good you are coming to visit this year. It is closed on Mondays, admission is free, but parking costs $12. If your grandchildren are Civil War history buffs, you could stop in Whitehaven, a national historic site that is across the road from Grants Farm.

If you want to stay at a Drury and your plan is to visit the zoo, City Museum and Grant's Farm, I'd recommend Drury Inn Brentwood, hands down. The hotel is only a year or two old and centrally located to all those attractions.

Chesterfield is a wonderful area, but it's about 12 miles west of Brentwood/Clayton on a busy highway, especially during rush hour. You would literally be driving by the Brentwood Drury on your way to the zoo and City Museum. And Brentwood is only about 10 minutes from Grants Farm (take Hanley Road/Laclede Station south, right Gravois Road, right Grant Road).

Another stop I would recommend is Ted Drewes frozen custard. It's a St. Louis institution.

Have a great trip! Send me a PM if you have any questions about where to eat, park, how long it takes to get around, etc.

 

[happymommy]

I was just going to add, the only reason we stay in Chesterfield is that my family all lives there (and in Wildwood which is very close but further west).

I agree that Brentwood is a much better location for sightseeing! Nice to know there's a new Drury Inn there. The folks that work at the Drury hotels seem to be the nicest. Plus, they're all owned by a local family that does a lot of philanthropic giving in St. Louis.

I forgot about Ted Drewes! If you like ice cream, you'll love it.

 

[hsmamato2]

We stayed at a drury inn right near City museum,and up the street from the arch(we could see it,and walk down there.... it was very nice, I love the ease of St Louis ( I am used to NYC or Boston LOL) the zoo is a favorite, Science museum is fun and free,and City Museum is NOT TO BE MISSED..... it is a living breathing (loud) and always changing work of art that you are fully immersed in! In all of our travels,it is one of our families favorite things ever.(that includes Disney trips!)

 

[Legendteri]

I also live in St. Louis and our family is loyal to the Drury brand as well. Again, Drury at Brentwood would probably be the best location.

As far as restaurants are concerned, we personally like Fitz's. Their food is really good, fair prices and they make their own root beer and other sodas.

 

[ajwolfe]

You've got some great ideas here...I'm going to ditto Fitz's for a meal with kiddos. Something I don't see on your list but you might give thought to if you have time is the Missouri Botanical Gardens so pretty and they have a nice kids area - but it's not free. Also it's really close to the Hill restaurants so you could always try that out for a couple hours and then have a nice dinner.

For the PP that said Grant's Farm may sell soon, I thought it already did get turned over to the St Louis Zoo last fall?? Seems like when we were there for Halloween there was a big article about it and the new plans they have for the area.

 

[Legendteri]

The zoo was going to buy it, but one of the Busches said he wanted to buy it so he could keep it in the family and keep it the same. The zoo eventually said they wouldn't buy it if Billy ??? Busch wanted to keep it in the family.

 

[Legendteri]

Oh and like the PP said, the Missouri Botanical Garden is another wonderful idea. In fact, it is rated #1 on trip advisor ( ahead of the zoo, Gateway Arch and Grant's farm) IT is such a beautiful place and we love their children's garden.

 

[bashuck]

The Butterfly house is pretty cool too.

 

[Gena001]

Just know the City Museum is downtown and their parking lot is small. Get there early.

We live a mile from Grant's Farm...awesome place. Don't miss the elephant show. Feed the goats early before they fill up. Parakeets are fun, too.

About 5 years ago we stayed at Drury near the Old Courthouse. (Not the one across from the empty football dome.) It was BEAUTIFUL and we enjoyed it. Love the horse-drawn carriage rides, too.

Passed by Fitz' in The Loop today at lunch and the line was way out the door so go at an off-time. My personal thought is the food is nothing special you couldn't get anywhere, but the floats are to die for. Maybe just go for the floats.

My 2 favorite landmarks are the Arch and the Old Courthouse.

Enjoy!

 

[jodim]

I live less than 2 hours from St. Louis and we go all the time. When we stay overnight we almost always stay at the Embassy Suites in St. Charles (its a little bit of a drive but right next to maryland heights where you mentioned) - the hotel is clean, price is reasonable and the rooms are ample, most being suites priced around 120... but that includes a great breakfast that rivals some of the restaurants in the area. We have also stayed at the Days Inn on Linbergh which is a great value. They are close to Grants Farm and the Magic House, have a playground inside the hotel along with a good size pool. They also have rooms that sleep 6 (3 queens) and almost always come in under 100.

There is sooo much to do in St. Louis and much of it is free or really inexpensive. Grants Farm, Magic House (if you decide to do this one lmk and I can send you a coupon - pretty sure its bogo), City Museum, Science Center, Zoo, Butterfly House, Lacledes Landing and Six Flags (although that's totally overrated). There's also Dave & Busters which is a lot of fun but you will be paying out the nose there. Mills Mall is pretty cool (outlet mall with tons in it for kids) and depending on your sense of humor The Royal Dumpe at Laclede's Landing is a great dinner show. We go to the Royal Dumpe for dinner, walk Lacledes Landing a bit then take a horse drawn carriage ride which is great at night. Tucanos in St. Charles is pretty good food wise but not overly cheap (Similar to Texas de Brazil or Fogo de Chao).

If you are into outdoorsy stuff and will be driving or renting a car and want to drive some there is the Cahokia Mounds in Illinois (20-45mins depending on where you stay), and if you want to go even further into Southern Illinois (1-2hrs) there's Garden of the Gods, Cave in the Rock, Fern Clyffe, Elizabethtown ferry and much much more.

 

[katyjeka]

I wanted to add that we spent a couple hours on a road with a ton of elk and other animals. Our girls loved it. The animals were everywhere. Maybe someone with more knowledge would know what it is. I never realized what a great city St. Louis is. I wish we would have planned more time while there.

 

[tinkerbell615]

Thank you so much to each of you for the ideas and information! This is all so helpful! You guys are awesome!

 

[Gena001]

I wanted to add that we spent a couple hours on a road with a ton of elk and other animals. Our girls loved it. The animals were everywhere. Maybe someone with more knowledge would know what it is. I never realized what a great city St. Louis is. I wish we would have planned more time while there.

That would be Lone Elk Park...it's run by St Louis County Parks. You drive through the elk and deer area, then cross over into the bison area. Then back to the elk and deer. Just drive around as much as you want. No time limit and it's FREE. My girls lovedcoming up to the front seat and getting out of their car seats. Many places to picnic!

Right across the street is the World Bird Sanctuary. FREE too! Bald eagles, golden eagles, hawks, falcons..the list goes on. It's a rehab center with many birds on display. They have a show daily, too. You can have a picnic!

They are in Valley Park at I-44 & hwy. 141. About 5-9 miles from Grant's Farm. Very doable the same day.

Glad you mentioned the elk!