Tell me about St. Louis, MO

[Disneyluvr]

I will be heading to St. Louis for a conference for work. I'll be there for a week in mid June. I know nothing about this area. So what are some must see/do/eat things there? What type of weather should I expect? Will it be cool in the evenings? Thanks for any tips or advise

 

[happygirl]

I will be heading to St. Louis for a conference for work. I'll be there for a week in mid June. I know nothing about this area. So what are some must see/do/eat things there? What type of weather should I expect? Will it be cool in the evenings? Thanks for any tips or advise

Hi, there is a zoo that is amazing plus it's free. There are several casinos. There is Busch stadium if you like the cards. Six Flags is just down the road. I wouldn't think it would be to cool in June LOL

 

[Explodo]

Stay off the streets downtown after dark...MOst of the City is becoming a Demilitarized Zone IMO.

 

[design_mom]

My DH's family is from St. Louis and we visit several times per year.

It will probably be hot and humid. It could be hot, or it could be *really hot*. We were down there last June and it was 107 one of the days!

We usually do "kids stuff" when we're down there, so I'm not sure what would be most interesting to you. The zoo and several nice museums are located in Forest Park (home of the 1904 world's fair). Most of them are free to the public.

The Gateway Arch is fun and the museum below it is pretty interesting. They've got a pretty neat children's museum nearby (The Magic House) and the St. Louis Science Center is fun, too.)

I believe the Anheuser Busch brewery gives tours... and if you make it down to South County, you can visit Grant's Farm. That's where they keep the Clydesdales. They also have a bunch of other animals there.

I'm not sure what to recommend for restaurants (we usually eat with the family) but we went to Tucker's Place steakhouse once and it was really good. And we have to get Ted Drewes' frozen custard several times per trip. (People line up into the street at 11pm at night. It's crazy, but fun.)

 

[Explodo]

A kind of Ironic/Funny St. Louis Story. We were there for a convention and had to stay downtown. We were walking back to the hotel when one of our party lagged behind and promptly got mugged. We heard a Sqwalk about half a block behind us and rushed back to help him out...the mugger took off running and made it about 3/4 of a block away when he also got mugged.

Poetic Justice IMO.

 

[HFC1969]

Hello from STL...

In June it will be hot... Supposed to be warm now, but we have had a lot of rain and cooler weather lately. UGG!!

Defiantely see the Cardinals!! The new park is awesome.. buy cheap seats and just explore the ball park while the game is in progress.

St. Louis Zoo is great and free.

Six Flaggs is ok,, if your a WDW fan, you will be highly disappointed. Mostly kids on Summer vacation in June.

Ofcourse you have to go up in the ARCH.. The gateway to the west.

Shopping will either be the Galeria or Frontenac Plaza.. at least thats where DW goes.

Old Town St. Charles is pretty cool, lots of wineries. 30 min drive from STL.

The best Casino in my opinion is the Ameristar which is in St. Charles also. Not a gambler, just talking about neat looking and ease to get to.

Grants Farm, owned by Anhueser Busch is pretty cool.

If you need more let me know.

 

[ICF]

I've walked the streets of downtown many times going from our hotels to Cards games, union station or Laceed's Landing (back when there was stuff to do down there)....and never once got mugged or felt any less safe then in most other downtown areas in other cities.

 

[PlutosFriend]

I have lived in St. Louis all of my life. Where will you be staying? I agree, sadly, that our city is not safe and you need to be careful. Now if there is a Cardinal game going on, that is a different story, because there will be lots of people downtown. Will you have your own car? There are some good restaurants to try..what type of food do you prefer? The weather here could go either way. It should be hot and humid that time of year, but you just never know. The zoo is awesome. It is in Forest Park and there are other fun things to do there as well. I would be glad to help with any other questions.

 

[Deb in IA]

I lived in St. Louis for 3 years, when I was a resident at St. Louis Children's Hospital. I was in the Richmond Heights neighborhood.

Lots of great suggestions already here.

I would also add Forest Park. The Zoo is there, as well as the Art Museum, the Jewel Box greenhouse and the Muny Theater.

St. Louis is also famous for Italian restaurants. I'd recommend Dominic's, Tony's, or Giovanni's on The Hill. The Hill is an Italian neighborhood just south of downtown, famous for its many restaurants.

 

[Disneyluvr]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm still not sure about all the details yet. I will be traveling with 5 or 6 co-workers. We were just told yesterday that we are going, so me being all crazy about planning things (thanks dissers, lol) I had to start right away

 

[golfgal]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm still not sure about all the details yet. I will be traveling with 5 or 6 co-workers. We were just told yesterday that we are going, so me being all crazy about planning things (thanks dissers, lol) I had to start right away

A tour of Grant's Farm, the Budweiser Clydesdales and the free beer would be in order then.

 

[wtccheermom]

I am not sure if you will have a car but right across the river is Alton, IL where you will find the best pepper loin ever made. It is a restaurant called Tony’s and it is worth every penny and the drive which would be a 30- 45 minutes maybe a little less. My husband is from the area and we cannot go without making a trip to Tony’s. We also enjoy the Zoo and Six Flags.

http://www.tonysrestaurant.com/

 

[amyjo920]

Great ideas for stuff to do. Now, the weather, who knows? It's been freezing in our area for the last week or two with lots of rain. This week it's supposed to be hot. You just never know with Illinois/Missouri weather.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I've walked the streets of downtown many times going from our hotels to Cards games, union station or Laceed's Landing (back when there was stuff to do down there)....and never once got mugged or felt any less safe then in most other downtown areas in other cities.

Well things down by Union Station are not cool. We have had a lot of crime in that area recently. I would stay away from there at night.

You need a car to go around town for starters. Forest Park is awesome. Not only is the zoo there but you have other stuff in the park, like the Boathouse, Muny, Science Center, Planetarium, etc.. The zoo and museums close early, so check times. The boathouse may be open later.

Here is The Muny http://www.muny.org/


If you are into music check out Blueberry Hilll, which is on the backside of Forest Park in an area called "The Loop".
http://www.blueberryhill.com/

And for the love of everything do not leave anything in your car in plain sight, lock it in your trunk. Lots of smash and grabs recently.

St. Charles is fun if you want a hike to Main Street. Lots of little shops, restaurants, the river, and maybe something going on. The casino is there too if you are into that. That is about 45mins away.

There is a new casino downtown called River City. I have not been there yet.

Weather should be great in the evenings in June, I hope! You never know.

 

[OK!]

And for the love of everything do not leave anything in your car in plain sight, lock it in your trunk. Lots of smash and grabs recently.

Ditto this. When I used to work in the office (thank God for telecommuting!) downtown, I always parked in the Stadium West garage (one of the 2 that was attached to the old Busch Stadium) and never had a problem, yet since I've been working from home, we've been sent probably half a dozen emails warning us about leaving stuff in cars in the garage (to the point of advising you Windex off any suction-cup marks that could indicate that you have a GPS system). It's truly getting ridiculous.

You'll definitely need a car if you plan on going to Six Flags or anything like that--it's a good 35 mins from downtown with zero traffic (and probably isn't worth the drive anyway. Crowds have been WAY down over the last few years.) Other than that, I agree with other suggestions posted here and have this addition-- Ted Drewe's frozen custard. Again, it's a ways from downtown, but so worth the trip. Their concretes are divine.

 

[Disneyluvr]

Bumping to add. I now know I am staying at the Holiday Inn Select on 9th St. Downtown Convention Center.

So is there a lot to do around that area, eat, see...... I will have no car but the hotel does say they have a shuttle for a 3mile radius.

 

[mamajoan]

You are staying in downtown. You will be within walking distance to several art galleries and some very good restaurants. Everything from Vietnamese/Chinese, Italian, Steakhouses, Pizza, Irish Pubs, Starbucks and fast food. You can walk to the Arch.. wear some tennis shoes and go during the daytime. There are river boat tours of the Mississipi on the riverfront. You will walk thru the riverfront levee area.. The President Casino is down on the river... It will be still be open in June. You will also be close to Washington Ave.. which is the St. Louis version of cool/hip night life. Take a walk down there in the evening. Lots of choices for restaurants Clubs like Lure, Sugar, Shiver, Rue 13... depending on your age... and music preferences.
Ozzie Smith's is the newest sports/restaurant.

St. Louis is just like any other urban area... so do keep your wits about you and do not travel by yourself. However.. I have never been one bit scared or afraid to be by myself in St. Louis...ever.
It is very quiet compared to cities like Chicago.

www.stltoday.com/news check out the entertainment section.. usually something going on downtown.

My favorite restaurant is Schlafly's Tap Room
www.schlafly.com
comfortable, affordable fun brew pub
You would have to take the hotel shuttle to get there.

A group activity to Budweiser plant followed by free beer is always fun. I think it is a great tour it includes the Clydesdales too.
I hope you have a great time in St. Louis. It will be hot and very humid. That is just summer in St. Louis.

 

[Disneyluvr]

Thanks for the great ideas, I can't wait!

 

[mamajoan]

http://www.budweisertours.com/

http://www.stlouisattractions.com/downtown.htm

The first link will take you to the A-B tours.
The second will take you to downtown St. Louis Attractions.

Now.. listed there is St. Louis Union Station. I was there on Tuesday afternoon. I had taken some kids to the Hard Rock Cafe as a treat. It is located in the same area. St. Louis Union is a beautiful historic train station. It now houses a hotel and a few stores and restaurants. It USED to be a vibrant, busy place. It is so sad now.. it is desolate.. The kids enjoyed the Fudge place and the small area dedicated to Train history. There a a few shops.. but that is about it. I am not sure if they still have music outdoors in the summer.
Oh.. I forgot about Lumiere Casino ... it is located within walking distance. It has some great restaurants and Casino gaming along with a Peet's coffee and nice resort hotel. My dh and son enjoyed the BURGER BAR... which has some grand beef .. even Kobe beef burgers.. but I was not up to paying more than $50 for a burger... did not care if it was Kobe beef or not LOL...

again.. have a great time!