jedivader

Must do's and see's in the St. Louis area? Only have one full day.

Anyone been to the Warm Springs Ranch in Boonville? Is it worth the 2.5 hours one way drive and eating up most of our day?

stokebailey

Hmm. No, I haven't heard of that ranch. That would not be my idea of a visit to St. Louis.

What time of year? Artsy, outdoorsy, sportsy?

Starting downtown I'd visit the Arch, quickly visit the museum underneath and consider a ride to the top. Sit on the steps and watch the river flow by. Then, on the way to the City Museum I'd look into the Old Cathedral, walk by the City Garden. The Zoo and Art Museum are free and nice and you can catch a shuttle bus from the Metrolink stop.

annesherrod

I have never heard of Warm Springs Ranch either - a LONG drive from STL.

If you want some country sites - I would suggest visiting some of our wineries on scenic bluffs over the river. There are many within 30-45 min drive.
YOu could rent bikes and go on the famous Katy trail - a gorgeous trail!
I agree whole heartedly with Stokbailey - especailly the Cathedral - rivals any I have seen in Europe.

Our Botanical Garden is highly rated with tons of paths through Japenese gardens, historic homes and monuments and lakes and an amazing climatron - you could spend the better half of a day here - Nice restaurant too.

coming up - there is the St Louis Art Fair - rated #1 in the country. ( or at least it was) it is huge - blocks and blocks of food, art, concerts etc,,,
a Jazz Festival, etc...
look at - www.stltoday.com

Have fun!!

jedivader

Warm Springs Ranch is the Clydesdale breeding farm for Anheuser-Busch. We have decided against that since we really only have one full day. We are going in September and plan to hit all the local breweries/brewpubs, the Arch, and misc. other things we come across. I always like checking out the sports arenas/stadiums too.

cd

We like eating Italian on The Hill. We also enjoyed Historial St Charles, a short drive away: http://www.greatriverroad.com/stchar...harleshome.htm
We love Grants Farm which is a longer drive but have the Clydesdales if you're interested and free, you can take a ride around the farm and they drop you off for free beer: http://www.grantsfarm.com/

annesherrod

There are also stables for AB Clydesdales at Grants Farm ( which is a fabulouis place) in St Louis. I dont know if you looked into that or if you can have much of a tour of it.


http://www.grantsfarm.com/ClydesdaleStables.htm

Liz5959

There are also Clydesdales at the Brewery. This is the link for the brewery tours. They do show you the clydsdale stables on the tour.

http://www.budweisertours.com/toursSTL.htm

I've never heard of that ranch either. Glad you've decided to skip it, seems like a long drive to see horses. JMHO.

Local(non AB) breweries:
I found this list at http://beeradvocate.com/beerfly/city/32

I would recommend the Schlafly Tap room http://www.schlafly.com/breweries/taproom

I really like O'Fallon's 5day IPA. I don't think there is anywhere to visit the brewery though.

http://www.ofallonbrewery.com/

Someone up-thread suggested going to St. Charles. There is a local brewery there too. www.­trailheadbrewing­.­com

jedivader

Thanks for the info. I just found Grants Farm on the internet and actually have spoken with the Schlafly brewer via e-mail and he was helping me with breweries in the area so I don't miss any. We visit any places that brews onsite and I have a complete list for the area (not sure if we will hit all).

jedivader

where to get the best St. Louis style pizza?

cd

jedivader, it would have to be on The Hill I would think. The Hill is Italian, we always go there for pasta, I've never ordered pizza but I know it's there....http://www.urbanspoon.com/n/28/7192/...ll-restaurants

annesherrod

I am not a big fan of STL style Pizza which is thin with Provel cheese and cut in square!
Here are a few local favorites - not necessarily stl style but local hand made fresh pizzas.

1. Farotto's - family owned and a staple in the community. midtown
http://www.farottos.com/generalinformation.html

2. Pi - 2 locations - Pres Obama loved it!

http://www.restaurantpi.com/

3. Imos- a STL chain - a favorite amoung many!

Look at this too: 18 best rated pizzerias:

http://www.stlmag.com/St-Louis-Magaz...s-in-St-Louis/

Ozarksbill

Only one day? Forget Boonville or other out of city and see what you can in St. Louis. Downtown including the Arch is one idea. Certainly the St. Louis Zoo which is one of the best. Could consider Shaws (Botanical) Garden which I rank equal to Kew Garden in England.

Yes, Grant's Farm OK but a bit too far afield. Eating on the Hill also great but other places might be closer.
Bill in Boston

annesherrod

Ozarksbill - What do you mean it is far afield?

It is a 15 - 20 min at most drive from Clayton or City. There is not quick HWY to get there but it is not so far.
I think it is a treasure to st louis.

jedivader

I found some of these in the visitors guide and also had some recommended to me. I am a sports fan, so I also came across sports themed/owned places. The sports places would mainly be to just stop and check it out (memorabilia type stuff), not really to eat there. Are any of the sports places not worth the time because there is nothing special?

Opinions on the below?

Pappy’s Smokehouse
Bogart’s Smokehouse
Gus’ Pretzels
Gooey Louie
Kakao Chocolate
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
Joe Buck’s
Jim Edmonds 15 Steakhouse
Joey B’s On The Landing (pizza featured on Rachel Ray)
Elicia’s Pizza
Imo’s Pizza
Rigazzi’s
Dierdorf & Hart’s Steakhouse
Pujols 5 Westport Grill
Lafayette Fire Company No. 1
The Donut Stop
Cheese-ology Macaroni & Cheese
Super Smokers BBQ

Liz5959

Well, your list is pretty mixed up between food places and some sports bars. I actually can't think of any reason to visit any of the listed places just to look at sports memorabilia.

My Opinion Only:

Pappy’s Smokehouse
Bogart’s Smokehouse

The 2 best places to get BBQue in St. Louis.
Pappy's runs out of food often in the late afternoon and early evening since they only cook enough for the day, and it's also very busy. Bogart's doesn't seem to have that issue.

Gus’ Pretzels

A St. Louis Institution, they sell pretzels and things that go in pretzels (ie hot dogs) only memorabilia I can think of, there are old photos of Gus' pretzels on the wall.

Gooey Louie - Never heard of it

Kakao Chocolate- I've never been, my DD was not at all impressed with their chocolate. Don't know anything about the sports angle.

Ted Drewes Frozen Custard - Another institution. You can get soft serve in little baseball caps, I think they carry all teams. The custard is great.

Joe Buck’s- There is a Joe Buck's downtown and a J Bucks in Clayton (J for Jack, Julie and Joe Buck). Don't know about the memorabilia thing, DH eats at the one in Clayton for work all the time. I've never been. I've also never heard DH say anything positive about the food. Nor negative for that matter...

Jim Edmonds 15 Steakhouse - Never been. Someone else will have to chime in.

Joey B’s On The Landing (pizza featured on Rachel Ray) - No idea.

Elicia’s Pizza - also, have never been.

Imo’s Pizza - Many Imo's around town. I grew up in NY and HATE St. Louis pizza but if you want to eat that gooey cheese, cracker crust, disgusting concoction, Imo's is the place to do it.

Rigazzi’s - Italian on the hill. Satisfactory food. Have no memory of sports memorabilia.

Dierdorf & Hart’s Steakhouse - Is there still one here?

Pujols 5 Westport Grill - I've never been, this used to be Ozzie's Smith's restaurant. I'm sure there is sports stuff here.

Lafayette Fire Company No. 1 - another one I know nothing about.

The Donut Stop - Don't know about that one, I think it's in Lemay. The 2 that usually get the most positive reviews are World’s Fair Donuts and St Louis Hills Donut Shop. Alton Brown went to both of them when he was here filming "Feasting on Asphalt"

Cheese-ology Macaroni & Cheese - Chain restaurant in the Loop.
The U City loop is great and the place to eat there is Blueberry Hill http://www.blueberryhill.com
LOTS of memorabilia here, mostly pop-culture, not sports.

Super Smokers BBQ - too far out of town for you to bother with, and Pappy's and Bogart's are just as good if not better.

Also look at Lester's http://lestersrestaurant.com/

The one in Ladue has, I know, some signed Jerseys and balls on display and has decent food.

jedivader

Thanks for the detailed response. Maybe a bit of confusion but I know not all the places are not sports related. I just listed the sports places I found because I like going to see them and look at memorabilia they have put up. Some places have stuff, others have nothing at all. I will have to check the other donut places, the visitor guide said that The Stop was the best.

I am sure I will not like the pizza as I am not a fan of thin crust but I always like trying styles from different areas.

Liz5959

Just saw this. 10 U.S. Barbecue Meccas
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/zagat/...10_Bill_Spoons

Pappy's is No. 1.

PeaceOut

Imo's pizza totally puzzles me. It is like cracker crust with flavorless 'cheese' of some sort. Blech. Don't waste your time on it.

In what part of STL are you staying?

jedivader

Have not looked at hotels yet. Any area we should stay out of?

Anyone ever toured the Build-A-Bear offices?

annesherrod

Yes - As LIz said Zagat Guide just rated Pappy's the best BBQ inthe US!! Yay!

I did not know there were tours of the build a bear officec.


People either love or hate Imos's - my husband and son LOVE it, I do not.

Happy to help w hotle ideas when you are ready.