Please help w/distances in St Louis
Apr 4th, 2005, 11:17 AM
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Please help w/distances in St Louis
Two Questions...I am picking my son up at Fort Leanordwood Mo 5/27 (yes, memoial day weekend) and he wanted to Check out St.Louis as a little trip before coming home from bootcamp. Honestly,is St.Louis a place for twenty yr olds..or will he & his friends get bored.
Also I've got rooms on reserve at the Hampton Inn, thats at Union station. How far is that from the arch and to Laclande landing?
Okay, 3 questions... Is that a good Hotel choice(location-wise) to keep everyone busy?
There will be young adults (20's & Us older ones in the 40s)
Also I've got rooms on reserve at the Hampton Inn, thats at Union station. How far is that from the arch and to Laclande landing?
Okay, 3 questions... Is that a good Hotel choice(location-wise) to keep everyone busy?
There will be young adults (20's & Us older ones in the 40s)
Apr 4th, 2005, 11:51 AM
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So he's been a Fort "Lost-in-the-Woods" - that's what we used to call it when I was stationed at Fort Jackson - the other BIG Basic training post.
They just interviewed the UNC basketball team who are in STL right now and many were very excited about seeing the Arch. Union Station always seemed to have a lot of younger people hanging out there as it has or used to have a Hard Rock Cafe. There are the riverboat casinos, a huge park, City Museum - which seems to appeal to people of every age as it is very whimsical.
They just interviewed the UNC basketball team who are in STL right now and many were very excited about seeing the Arch. Union Station always seemed to have a lot of younger people hanging out there as it has or used to have a Hard Rock Cafe. There are the riverboat casinos, a huge park, City Museum - which seems to appeal to people of every age as it is very whimsical.
Apr 4th, 2005, 01:46 PM
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From the Hampton it's about 3 blocks east to Union Station. From Union Station it's almost 2 miles further east to the LaCLede's Landing/Arch area. I've walked it easily there and back in a day, but I'm a big walker.
You're won't be in the middle of anything thing but that shouldn't be a problem. St Louis is rather spread out so you'll have to move around to see stuff anyway.
The light rail stops at Union Station. Union Station has a few restaurants though Bacchus Brewing and Kreigers just pulled out. There's still a Houlihans and a Hooters, Hard Rock Cafe, Lombardos Italian in the Drury Inn and Landry's for seafood.
I don't know if the bar on the west side of Union Station recently reincarnated as "Plush" would be interesting enough or not to 20 year olds. That is assuming they're all 21 or older.
The light rail stops at LaClede's Landing. The old Admiral boat is a casino docked there. There are a few more bars and some night life in the area. Also at this stop you can easily walk to the Arch. It has an Imax theater. Take the time to see the movie about building the Arch. It's fascinating. I like the museum under there too. Lot's of stuff from pioneer days and the 1800's,
The next stop across the river on the light rail gives access to the Casino Queen riverboat. What little I gamble I prefer to do it across the river in Illinois. They have less hassle with gambling limits and less or no admission fee to the boat. Unlike gambling in Missouri.
South of Union Station less than 5 miles is the Anheuser-Busch brewery. I'd think 20 something's would be interested in that.
I like their tour, you get to see (and smell!) some of the brewing tanks and bottling. There always seems to be a token Clydesdale or 3 in the stable. The beer tasting at the end is nice. They usually have 3 or 4 musicians playing a couple of Budweiser jingles for a few minutes.
This is one of the jewels in the triple crown of US brewery tours along with Coors in Golden, CO and Miller in Milwaukee, WI.
For a real pub crawl the Soulard area just to the south of downtown is nice. One of those old neighborhoods with a pub on every other corner that's filled with locals and visitors. Most of them have live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Some of them have outdoor patios too.
I haven't been 22 in a long time. I do know that the museums at Forrest Park would have interested me at that age, but I'm sure they aren't for everyone: the famous zoo, the St Louis Art Museum, the historical society and the science center are all there.
Down town I like the City Museum. I think it's funky and different. Last time there I saw a demonstration on glass blowing, walked through the nature area with stream, saw an exhibit on women's purses through the 19th century and climbed around the wacky maze built around the outside. Though kids love it I was over 40 and loved it too.
www.citymuseum.org
The previous suggestion of a baseball game is good. It'll be the last season (I think) to see the old stadium. A new retro design stadium is being built to replace it.
Next to the stadium is the bowling hall of fame museum. I liked that. Hokey in spots but brought back all those memories of the Pro Bowlers Tour I watched in the 70's because we only had 3 TV channels to choose from on a cold winter day. OK, OK, maybe not so thrilling for young people.
If you feel like it try www.priceline.com. I look around www.betterbidding.com and www.biddingfortravel.com to get bid ideas.
I've gotten some great hotel deals in St Louis over the last couple of years. 3* hotels for as little as $35 a night. 4* hotels for not much more. Of course there are all the Priceline caveats you might not want: 2 double beds per room not guaranteed, room is non-refundable, no date changes, etc.
You're won't be in the middle of anything thing but that shouldn't be a problem. St Louis is rather spread out so you'll have to move around to see stuff anyway.
The light rail stops at Union Station. Union Station has a few restaurants though Bacchus Brewing and Kreigers just pulled out. There's still a Houlihans and a Hooters, Hard Rock Cafe, Lombardos Italian in the Drury Inn and Landry's for seafood.
I don't know if the bar on the west side of Union Station recently reincarnated as "Plush" would be interesting enough or not to 20 year olds. That is assuming they're all 21 or older.
The light rail stops at LaClede's Landing. The old Admiral boat is a casino docked there. There are a few more bars and some night life in the area. Also at this stop you can easily walk to the Arch. It has an Imax theater. Take the time to see the movie about building the Arch. It's fascinating. I like the museum under there too. Lot's of stuff from pioneer days and the 1800's,
The next stop across the river on the light rail gives access to the Casino Queen riverboat. What little I gamble I prefer to do it across the river in Illinois. They have less hassle with gambling limits and less or no admission fee to the boat. Unlike gambling in Missouri.
South of Union Station less than 5 miles is the Anheuser-Busch brewery. I'd think 20 something's would be interested in that.
I like their tour, you get to see (and smell!) some of the brewing tanks and bottling. There always seems to be a token Clydesdale or 3 in the stable. The beer tasting at the end is nice. They usually have 3 or 4 musicians playing a couple of Budweiser jingles for a few minutes.This is one of the jewels in the triple crown of US brewery tours along with Coors in Golden, CO and Miller in Milwaukee, WI.
For a real pub crawl the Soulard area just to the south of downtown is nice. One of those old neighborhoods with a pub on every other corner that's filled with locals and visitors. Most of them have live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Some of them have outdoor patios too.
I haven't been 22 in a long time. I do know that the museums at Forrest Park would have interested me at that age, but I'm sure they aren't for everyone: the famous zoo, the St Louis Art Museum, the historical society and the science center are all there.
Down town I like the City Museum. I think it's funky and different. Last time there I saw a demonstration on glass blowing, walked through the nature area with stream, saw an exhibit on women's purses through the 19th century and climbed around the wacky maze built around the outside. Though kids love it I was over 40 and loved it too.
www.citymuseum.org
The previous suggestion of a baseball game is good. It'll be the last season (I think) to see the old stadium. A new retro design stadium is being built to replace it.
Next to the stadium is the bowling hall of fame museum. I liked that. Hokey in spots but brought back all those memories of the Pro Bowlers Tour I watched in the 70's because we only had 3 TV channels to choose from on a cold winter day. OK, OK, maybe not so thrilling for young people.
If you feel like it try www.priceline.com. I look around www.betterbidding.com and www.biddingfortravel.com to get bid ideas.
I've gotten some great hotel deals in St Louis over the last couple of years. 3* hotels for as little as $35 a night. 4* hotels for not much more. Of course there are all the Priceline caveats you might not want: 2 double beds per room not guaranteed, room is non-refundable, no date changes, etc.
Apr 4th, 2005, 02:00 PM
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Good suggestions by indytravel. I do want to point out that while touring the brewery is really interesting, it used to be open for tours only during weekday business hours. If you are coming in for the weekend, this could pose a problem. If you are planning on or interested in taking the tour, call first to find out the hours.
Another point of interest may be Cahokia Mounds, located less than 10 easy minutes from downtown on the Illinois side. The mounds themselves are interesting, especially Monks Mount, which can be climbed. There is also a really interesting museum that my younger brothers always loved to visit growing up, so your son may enjoy that as well.
Be sure to check out The Hill if you like Italian food!
St. Louis is a great city filled with interesting things to do, although sometimes that means venturing out of downtown a little ways.
Tracy
Another point of interest may be Cahokia Mounds, located less than 10 easy minutes from downtown on the Illinois side. The mounds themselves are interesting, especially Monks Mount, which can be climbed. There is also a really interesting museum that my younger brothers always loved to visit growing up, so your son may enjoy that as well.
Be sure to check out The Hill if you like Italian food!
St. Louis is a great city filled with interesting things to do, although sometimes that means venturing out of downtown a little ways.
Tracy
Apr 4th, 2005, 03:08 PM
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Oh my god, you guys are great!!
I can't beleive I can get so much insider info in just one place.
I'm still concerned about my hotel choice though. Even though everything is not in one place, I do want to be around SOMETHING. I can change my reservations. Where can I stay that will put us SOMEWHERE with things going on? I thought Hampton Inn was at Lacleeds landing,then after I put those rooms on hold I found out its not. Would that even matter, Is Lacleeds a place to be anyway? What hotel is at a good lacation, for something ??
And WOW on the brewery tour. That was definetly on my list of things to do. I will be so upset if they aren't ding turs that weekend. Thanks for that too
I can't beleive I can get so much insider info in just one place.
I'm still concerned about my hotel choice though. Even though everything is not in one place, I do want to be around SOMETHING. I can change my reservations. Where can I stay that will put us SOMEWHERE with things going on? I thought Hampton Inn was at Lacleeds landing,then after I put those rooms on hold I found out its not. Would that even matter, Is Lacleeds a place to be anyway? What hotel is at a good lacation, for something ??
And WOW on the brewery tour. That was definetly on my list of things to do. I will be so upset if they aren't ding turs that weekend. Thanks for that too
Apr 4th, 2005, 03:13 PM
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to Leahinsc Yes, I've heard it called "Lost in the woods"in Misery. Instead of Missouri.. He's been there since Jan so after 5 months of basic training &AIT, I don't want him to be disappointed in this trip. I'm about to cancel the rooms in Hampton Inn. Your post says that Union Station does have things going on?? But now I'm confused! I'm so clueless about this place, I'm sorry. I want to be CLOSE to the riverboats, that place Lacleeds Landing and other places... Like "walk out the door"close or should that not be an issue???
Apr 4th, 2005, 05:10 PM
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Lee - St. Louis is really not that big of a city. There must be a website that you can pull up that will show you the city. The metro system is easy and stops at Union Station and somewhere near the stadium and probably not far from Laclede's landing. My mom volunteers at Cahokia - if they are interested in American Indian culture they might be into it - but I would think they'd be more intrigued by the Brewery tour!
Apr 4th, 2005, 05:44 PM
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The city is big enough to keep us busy for a full 2&1/2 days though, right??
Should I change my hotel to Lacleed landing? So there would be "something" outside our door??
Oh & yes... I'm sure the boys will love the beer!
Should I change my hotel to Lacleed landing? So there would be "something" outside our door??
Oh & yes... I'm sure the boys will love the beer!
Apr 4th, 2005, 05:54 PM
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I think Laclede's might work better in terms of having things closer and more walkable, they can always get on the metro for some of the other attractions. Hey, they've spent a lot of time marching around - a few blocks will be NOTHING to them!
Apr 4th, 2005, 06:44 PM
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I would change the hotel reservation. I didn't mention it earlier 'cause I didn't know if you were locked in or anything.
I don't live in St Louis but I visit a friend from college there 3 or 4 times a year. He works at AG Edwards, the stock brokerage firm that is right next to the Hampton. He knows a lot of business travelers that have stayed in the area. The Hampton is not their favorite. Most much prefer the Marriott Courtyard in that area.
LaClede's landing is a good place for a hotel. Unfortunately the only hotel in that immediate area that comes to mind is the Embassy Suites which is tired to say the least.
Close by are the Adams's Mark, Radisson, a Drury and Millenium all of which are a bit past their prime. Nothing wrong with any of them just don't expect this year's colors in the room décor, or last year's for that matter.
The convention center / Jones Dome area offers the newest hotel, the Renaissance. The Wyndham Mayfair is in that area too. It's a renovated ex-apartment building. The rooms are in funky shapes and the bathrooms weren't completely updated when they converted.
Over by the baseball stadium is the Marriott probably done with their renovation by now, the fabulous Westin and the Sheraton.
At Union Station (meaning very near or in it) is another Drury and the Hyatt which is probably half way through their renovation. It's been 4 or 5 years since I stayed at the Union Station Drury but I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it a nice hotel and it had a beautiful pool area.
My personal favorite is the Hyatt in the Union Station. The lobby which is the old train station grand hall is killer. Soothing shades of green, gilded trim and a bar. It's in the Union Station so it's closest to the most stuff that would be right outside your door. There's even an improv comedy club there.
Next would be the Westin. Huge, HUGE bathrooms with stone tiles. Lots of blonde, Scandinavian-looking hard woods in the public spaces.
As I mentioned I've been visiting a friend in St Louis since college in the mid-80's. I haven't seen it all. I still need to make it to the Scott Joplin house and Cahokia mounds. If you can't find enough to do in St Louis for a few days, you just aren't trying.
I don't live in St Louis but I visit a friend from college there 3 or 4 times a year. He works at AG Edwards, the stock brokerage firm that is right next to the Hampton. He knows a lot of business travelers that have stayed in the area. The Hampton is not their favorite. Most much prefer the Marriott Courtyard in that area.
LaClede's landing is a good place for a hotel. Unfortunately the only hotel in that immediate area that comes to mind is the Embassy Suites which is tired to say the least.
Close by are the Adams's Mark, Radisson, a Drury and Millenium all of which are a bit past their prime. Nothing wrong with any of them just don't expect this year's colors in the room décor, or last year's for that matter.
The convention center / Jones Dome area offers the newest hotel, the Renaissance. The Wyndham Mayfair is in that area too. It's a renovated ex-apartment building. The rooms are in funky shapes and the bathrooms weren't completely updated when they converted.
Over by the baseball stadium is the Marriott probably done with their renovation by now, the fabulous Westin and the Sheraton.
At Union Station (meaning very near or in it) is another Drury and the Hyatt which is probably half way through their renovation. It's been 4 or 5 years since I stayed at the Union Station Drury but I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it a nice hotel and it had a beautiful pool area.
My personal favorite is the Hyatt in the Union Station. The lobby which is the old train station grand hall is killer. Soothing shades of green, gilded trim and a bar. It's in the Union Station so it's closest to the most stuff that would be right outside your door. There's even an improv comedy club there.
Next would be the Westin. Huge, HUGE bathrooms with stone tiles. Lots of blonde, Scandinavian-looking hard woods in the public spaces.
As I mentioned I've been visiting a friend in St Louis since college in the mid-80's. I haven't seen it all. I still need to make it to the Scott Joplin house and Cahokia mounds. If you can't find enough to do in St Louis for a few days, you just aren't trying.
Apr 5th, 2005, 07:43 AM
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There is a new Hampton Inn on Broadway, only one block from Laclede's Landing, that opened last fall. It looks to be pretty nice. It's the one that says "St. Louis-Downtown at the Arch" in the description.
They also opened a new Hilton two blocks south of there (so a three block walk to the Landing) just a week or two ago. Seems to be a smaller hotel but pretty nice.
The Renaissance is another good option.
BTW: the Cardinals will be in town that weekend playing the Washington Nationals. Try and catch a game in the last year they'll play in the current Busch Stadium.
BTW: indytravel is right. Kriegers pulled out of Union Station. The NHL strike killed them off. (they used to live of the pre and post hockey game traffic.)
They also opened a new Hilton two blocks south of there (so a three block walk to the Landing) just a week or two ago. Seems to be a smaller hotel but pretty nice.
The Renaissance is another good option.
BTW: the Cardinals will be in town that weekend playing the Washington Nationals. Try and catch a game in the last year they'll play in the current Busch Stadium.
BTW: indytravel is right. Kriegers pulled out of Union Station. The NHL strike killed them off. (they used to live of the pre and post hockey game traffic.)
Apr 5th, 2005, 08:04 AM
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Also: the Adams Mark, the Raddison and Embassy Suites are showing their age.
However the Drury Inn and Suites is less than 5 years old and is very nice.
The Millenium is very nice too since they redid the rooms about 2 or 3 years ago. Very nice and modern. However the Millenium is connected to the Sheraton Four Points hotel and that tower is tired and old. (I think the Millenium is nice enough that some of the visiting baseball teams stay there.)
The Embassy Suites has some rough edges but still draws big crowds with it's great location. However it has been sold to the company building the new casino on the Landing and it will be remodeled and folded into the new casino complex.
The Adams' Mark is living on it's past glory days and needs to be fixed up badly. Still looks like 1987 in the rooms.
However the Drury Inn and Suites is less than 5 years old and is very nice.
The Millenium is very nice too since they redid the rooms about 2 or 3 years ago. Very nice and modern. However the Millenium is connected to the Sheraton Four Points hotel and that tower is tired and old. (I think the Millenium is nice enough that some of the visiting baseball teams stay there.)
The Embassy Suites has some rough edges but still draws big crowds with it's great location. However it has been sold to the company building the new casino on the Landing and it will be remodeled and folded into the new casino complex.
The Adams' Mark is living on it's past glory days and needs to be fixed up badly. Still looks like 1987 in the rooms.
Apr 5th, 2005, 08:15 AM
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If you are looking for a place to stay closer to the river front, I would suggest the Drury Plaza or the Westin. Both are newer and much closer to the arch. Union Station is fine but its more geared towards tourists. There are shops, including quite a few "St. Louis" souvenir shops. A KC Masterpiece is going in where Kriegers left (I work behind Union Station and go there for lunch about twice a week).
Apr 5th, 2005, 09:58 AM
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Hey!!! You guys are AWESOME!!!
I love all this info!!!
I read these messages and now I've got reservations at the Hampton at the arch also.. And I'm going to call embassy suites to see if I could get in there.. Location, location... Along with my "soldier boy". I've got a couple of grumpy old men,lol, that will not want to exert themselves too much. I'll take ANY ADVICE
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
You're all great!!!!
I love all this info!!!
I read these messages and now I've got reservations at the Hampton at the arch also.. And I'm going to call embassy suites to see if I could get in there.. Location, location... Along with my "soldier boy"
. I've got a couple of grumpy old men,lol, that will not want to exert themselves too much. I'll take ANY ADVICETHANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
You're all great!!!!
Apr 5th, 2005, 07:25 PM
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I just found a good article in the St. Louis Post Dispatch on things to do/places to go in St. Louis. It was written for people coming to the final 4. Hopefully, this will give you some more entertainment options, and links to lots of web sites.
The Post's web site is stltoday.com. The title of the article is: "Where to party in St. Louis" dated 3/21.
I can't post the URL since it makes Fodor's page too wide.
The Post's web site is stltoday.com. The title of the article is: "Where to party in St. Louis" dated 3/21.
I can't post the URL since it makes Fodor's page too wide.
Apr 6th, 2005, 07:21 AM
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Well if the old men are as lazy as you say I would recommend the Embassy Suites on the Landing or the Hyatt at Union Station.
Union Station has Hooters, Houlihans, Hard Rock, Landry's and other places all in the complex. ESPN used it as their base for the Final Four this last weekend and they were very happy with it.
As said before the Embassy Suites is a little on the old side. However within two small/old size city blocks you have bars like Sundeckers, Big Bang, Study Hall and Fat Tuesdays. There's also restaurants like Spagheti Factory, Show-Me's (a Hooters ripoff), Hannigans and Morgan Street Brewery. Plus the casino is only a block away.
Then again the Hampton Inn you reserved is only 3 short blocks away from the Embassy Suites. But I know for some people that's too much effort.
Unless you have some real princess I'd stay with the Hampton Inn if I were you.
Yes, get the info from the stltoday.com website before it gets archived. There was a lot of good stuff there.
Union Station has Hooters, Houlihans, Hard Rock, Landry's and other places all in the complex. ESPN used it as their base for the Final Four this last weekend and they were very happy with it.
As said before the Embassy Suites is a little on the old side. However within two small/old size city blocks you have bars like Sundeckers, Big Bang, Study Hall and Fat Tuesdays. There's also restaurants like Spagheti Factory, Show-Me's (a Hooters ripoff), Hannigans and Morgan Street Brewery. Plus the casino is only a block away.
Then again the Hampton Inn you reserved is only 3 short blocks away from the Embassy Suites. But I know for some people that's too much effort.
Unless you have some real princess I'd stay with the Hampton Inn if I were you.
Yes, get the info from the stltoday.com website before it gets archived. There was a lot of good stuff there.
Apr 6th, 2005, 09:05 PM
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HI again, Can you beleive, I called Embassy suites and they've got no rooms for us on Fri. night!! The rest of the weekend was okay though. So,I'm going to keep trying, maybe some will open up. In the meantime, I'm going to keep the rooms on hold at the Hampton at the Arch, as advised by you guys.. is there a riverboat casino close to that hotel??
Apr 6th, 2005, 10:11 PM
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Just stay with the Hampton Inn-Arch. You should be happy.
The President Casino is on the Missouri side and the Casino Queen is on the Illinois side. You can walk to the President (it's at the base of the Landing: three or four blocks down the hill from the Hampton Inn) or ride MetroLink one station to the Queen.
I think both casinos also have shuttles that run around downtown.
The President Casino is on the Missouri side and the Casino Queen is on the Illinois side. You can walk to the President (it's at the base of the Landing: three or four blocks down the hill from the Hampton Inn) or ride MetroLink one station to the Queen.
I think both casinos also have shuttles that run around downtown.
