mlm59

We are thinking of going to St. Louis for the long 4th of July weekend. I am assuming it will be a popular destination based on hotel rates, especially for the downtown. I may try bidding on Priceline, but in case that doesn't work I need to book a back-up. I don't want to pay the rates that are being charged for downtown, although that was where I was hoping to stay. How inconvenient will it be to stay outside of the downtown? Where is the best alternate location? There are some good rates at hotels near the airport, but I wondered how much hassel it would be to travel to the places we want to visit - the Arch and surrounding attractions, Anheuser Busch, the zoo, and possibly the Lewis and Clark exhibits outside the city if they will still be open.

Thanks for all suggestions.

Clifton

You may actually have a hard time finding rooms downtown anyway. Fair St. Louis (the new more generic name given to the Veiled Prophet fair) happens on the Arch grounds the weekend of the 4th. Big crowds. Biggest 4th of July activities in the country. They were estimating like a million per day come down. Fireworks, air shows, stuff like that.

Actually, the airport may not be a bad idea. Parking is going to be hard to find, but there are metrolink (light rail) stops that go direct downtown adjacent to each airport terminal. There is also a stop two highway exits east, at I-70 and Hanley with a large car park. There's not much to the light rail system yet, but it is a clean, direct and easy way to get downtown. Get off at the Laclede Landing stop - the last stop in Missouri, next to the Arch grounds.

By car, to get from the airport to downtown or the Zoo, you'd go south on I-170 (inner belt) to east on I-64/US40. You pass the Zoo on the way to downtown. Easy. A-B is more out of the way, but not the best area for hotels.

SamH

I have to agree that the airport area might be your best option. Do you know if the Cardinals are in town over the 4th? St. Louis baseball fans are among the best in the country.

EricaS

I hope you don't have to resort to staying at the airport. Have you considered the Central West End? The Chase is great and there is a MetroLink station there as well. What about the Hampton Inn on the edge of downtown, they're usually pretty reasonable.

Or, maybe you could stay at one of the motel chains off 44 at Hampton Avenue. Then you'd be close to the Hill, Forest Park (zoo, art museum, boat house, a million great things), not too far from A-B, and an easy drive downtown for the VP Fair, etc.

I always drive down to the Fair, there's a lot of available parking if you're willing to walk a few blocks.

If you must stay at the airport (which I find dreary), at least there is an excellent Indian restaurant at the HoJo out there.

Let me know if I can help further.
Erica

salgal

I agree with not staying at the airport. I would stay furhter west rather than stay by the airport. Have you checked into staying in the Clayton area? It is very centrally located. The Ritz is there but probably to overpriced for you. There is a Sheraton there also. The Hampton Inn on Market would be a great place too. I believe there is also a Drury at Union Station along with the Hyatt. There is the HIlton at Plaza Frontenac off of 40 and Lindburgh also good central location.

tcreath

I know that this was posted several months ago, but I wanted to comment in case the poster, or anyone else, is still making arrangements. A good place to stay in a situation like this would be Collinsville, Illinois. Collinsville is about 10 miles from St. Louis, a straight shot down I 55/70 from downtown St. Louis. There are lots of restaurants and a bunch of hotels, and the hotels are cheaper than many in the St. Louis area. Not to mention Collinsville has the largest ketchup bottle in the world. Yes, fascinating stuff, I know, but people actually do come here to take pictures of it. Its a giant Brooks ketchup bottle water tower. Anyways, Collinsville would be closer to downtown St. Louis and the 4th festivities than staying in the airport area, and much easier to get to.

Also wanted to make one more comment; unless Anheuser-Busch changed their tour hours since the last time I was there, tours are only done on weekdays. If you definitely want to do the AB tour, you will probably have to work it out so that you are here on Friday, since they will probably be closed on Monday.

Ozarksbill

See comments elsewhere about Lewis & Clark. We were at the special opening. Are you coming to St. Louis by air or car? Either way I still think there are some bargains in motels out by the airport. But it makes a difference about getting around.

Bill
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enjoylife

I just got the Hyatt Regency St. Louis on Priceline for $48 a night.

annieladd

Just a thought, but if you're interested in Lewis and Clark, you could go to Kansas City for the 4th, which is where L&C were on that day 200 years ago. There will be lots of activities in KC, Leavenworth, and Atchison.

dweebe

The Chase Hotel in the Central West End is a great hotel but is pretty pricy.

One interesting option in the new Parkway Hotel, also in the CWE at the corner of Euclid and Forest Park Parkway. It's part of the Barnes/Jewish/Childrens medical complex but is brand new.

http://www.theparkwayhotel.com/

There's also an okay Best Western in the CWE that might be worth checking out.

Metrolink runs through the CWE so you could take that downtown to the fair.

There's also a bunch of hotels at the intersection of I-44 and Lindbergh Ave. (Priceline calls in Kirkwood but it's actually the suburbs of Kirkwood and Sunset Hills.) It's only about 15 minutes to downtown. There's a Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, Best Western and a couple of others.

Skip the airport unless you're flying in/out; the area is pretty blah.

dweebe

BTW: the Cardinals are in town all that weekend. Seattle (interleague play) Fri 4/2 to Sun 4/4 and Cincinnati Tues 4/5 to Wed 4/7.

Clifton

Enjoylife,

Were you saying you got the Hyatt for the weekend of the 4th?

Just so you know, (or maybe you already knew) you'll have the VP parade going past your hotel on the 3rd. The rooms with windows facing Market St. will overlook the parade route. Not fancy rooms, older, but ok.

http://www.vpparade.org/