palmtree2384

We just got back from a great trip to St. Louis for five days, and I thought I would share some of our experiences because when we were planning our trip there really wasn't alot on here about St. Louis. First I will say that the only bad thing about the whole entire trip was the weather, but I knew that it would be bad from everything I had heard about the summer weather there. We will be going back many times as we are huge Cardinal fans, but we have learned our lesson and will be going back when it is not July or August This first trip my husband really wanted to see them play the Cubs but I think he is now on my side about when we will go next time. Sorry for the length of this, unless your really interested in St. Louis you might get bored
I will start with the restaurants we tried, the first restaurant we ate at was Charlie Gitto's. The atmosphere was great and I loved seeing all the pictures of the stars that had been there, but I would rate the food at about a "7" out of "10". My husband ordered the lasagna and it was pretty good but it tasted like you were eating a mound of melted cheese, so there really wasn't any meat or noodles you could taste. I had a sausage sandwich, the sausage had good flavor but it was overcooked. Another place we ate at was Pappy's Smokehouse, OMG!! The best barbeque I have ever had!!! I actually ate some without any sauce on it, which I never do, it was that great! We tried the ribs, brisket, pulled pork and a hot link, it was so good that we bought a cooler and filled it with ice for three nights in the hotel room and then took it home with us and ate it the day after we came back Also, ate at Mcgurk's Pub, it was exactly what I would expect from a fantastic Irish pub. The food was very good, we tried some of the Irish specialties, hubby had the "bangers and mash" and the waitress said they made their own corned beef so I had the reuben sandwich, best reuben ever!!! So good! I would recommend if you are over the age of 30 that you go before nine o'clock. We got there around 8 o'clock and by about the time we were ready to leave it was packed to the brim with twenty somethings looking to hookup This was about 10 o'clock on Saturday night. Oh one more thing, we had never had anything like their housemade potato chips, Oh these were sooo good! Mcgurk's also has a wonderful garden patio area outside to sit and enjoy your meal (of course when it isn't 100 degrees outside Another place we went to was "The Boathouse" restaurant in Forest Park. It was very good and I would definitely go back. My husband and I both had a burger and I still can't get over the juicy and great taste of the burgers. In fact every meat/ or burger we had in St. Louis was awesome! I am assuming it's because of the midwest meat ? Also, the Boathouse Mac and Cheese with bleu cheese crumbles was excellent, my mouth is still watering One last place we ate at was Joe Buck's, we really loved this place too, it had a great atmosphere, casual yet still very nice. Again, had a great meal there. Also we had the best waiter on our whole trip at Joe Buck's. It is only two blocks from the stadium.
Well we did do more than eat so about the other things we did : Of course we went to two games at Busch stadium, I have to say this is a beautiful stadium! Went on the Budweiser tour, had alot of fun and I thought it was very interesting, and of course the free beer was nice too. The one thing out of everything we did that I can't even put in to words, because it was that spectacular, was the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, WOW!!!! My hubby and I both said it was the most beautiful manmade thing we had ever seen! If you are even in close proximity to St. Louis you have got to go there!
Did go to Forest Park, kind of a funny story. We were told that from the cathedral that it was only six blocks to walk to the Forest Park, so we thought even though it was scorching weather we could do it , ha, ha! Well...... that only gets you to the northeast corner of a park that is bigger than central park in New York. So as we were dying of heatstroke trying to find the Boathouse restaurant, climbing over hills and through parking lots, trying to look at my map through the sweat dripping off of my head, I was thinking what have I gotten us into??? Well, we finally found it, and by the time we got there we must have looked like something that the cat dragged in so that was the only part of the park we got to see. So as a caution to others, for us we said next time we would rent a car for one day and use it to go all through Forest Park (we were going by taxi everywhere). I really wanted to go through the zoo and all the different museums, etc...... but by the time we made it to the restaurant and were done eating we just wanted to get a taxi and go back to the hotel and shower and collapse on the bed.
The weather was around 100 degrees with about 100% humidity so be careful if you go in July or August. But like I said everything else was great! The only question I really have for someone who lives in St. Louis is that when we would go somewhere like a department store (we went to the Macy's downtown) we were watched like hawks, like they thought we were going to steal something, I was curious if all stores are like this there?
The Laclede's Landing area was a very cool area, with the cobblestone streets and brick sidewalk's, wish I had more time there. Went to this famous candy place called Crown Candy Kitchen, I would not go there in the evening, very bad neighborhood, but very good candy and milkshakes.
We stayed at the Grand Renaissance hotel. I can say it was very clean rooms and the lobby was very beautiful, but that is about it. If you get a good deal on priceline for the room like I did it can be worth it. I was very disappointed that we had no refrigerator or microwave, I probably will never stay anywhere again that does not have these amenities.
So overall a great time in St. Louis. If anyone is planning a trip there just ask me if you have any questions.
KB

palmtree2384

Oh yes, I forgot one other thing, which was the arch. It was definitely worth it. Very cool!! One tip I would give is to definitely go early! We got there before 9:00 a.m. and got to ride the tram all by ourselves, and it wasn't hot at all inside the tram. You won't have to be up there with a million people either.

musicfan

Nice trip report! I love St. Louis and recommend it often--there is so much to do and they have great restaurants.

kansasmom

Thanks for writing! We really like St. Louis too -- lots to do there!!

Liz5959

Thanks for a nice report on St. Louis, glad you enjoyed your trip. It is often HOT and humid here in the summer, but last week was really unbearable. I'm impressed with how much you did even though it was that hot.

We went to the Cards/Cubs game on Sunday and left after the 4th inning. I was dripping (and the Cards were losing by a lot) and DH and I looked at each and said "didn't we agree to not go to daytime games in August..." Not sure where our resolve went.

I'm glad you tried some local restaurants, you would have had a easier time getting to some others if you had rented the car, but now you know that. Interesting that you got to Crown Candy Kitchen, which really is a St. Louis institution. The Man vs Food guy on Travel Channel tried to do the milkshake challenge there recently (he failed miserably) and I think there is some additional traffic there as a result of the show. http://crowncandykitchen.net/

Come back next year for Cards games...but try May, June or Sept. (We're going tonight to Cards/Giants game)

Ozarksbill

Well, I do hope the Cards gain their momentum. Long term fan...just moved to Boston from Spfld MO, also grew up and later lived in St. L. As to the report sounds like lots of eating to me! Be advised that restaurant near the ball park where you grabbed a bite is owned by JACK Buck, former Card announcer. Six blocks walk to Forrest Park...whoa! Too bad you missed the wonderful zoo and museums. Must go back.

Bill in Boston

annesherrod

I enjoyed reading your report being from here. It is always nice to get that perspective!

I am glad you saw the Cathedral - it is a treasure!!

Did you ride the little paddle boats at Forest PArk? I am guessing no since it was so hot - try it next time.

As for the department store episode,...hmmm. that is awful - I dont see that at stores in the county. that is not the norm.

Liz5959

Bill...FYI there is a new Joe Buck's restaurant downtown, I noticed it the other night when we walked back from the game and after reading this post.
Joe Buck's
1000 Clark St. St. Louis, MO 63102
314-436-0394

And the J. Buck's Restaurants were named after all the J's (Jack, Joe & Julie Buck)

palmtree2384

Ozarksbill, yes we did do a bit of eating but wanted to let people know about the different restaurants in case they were going there.
annesherrod, no we didn't get to the paddle boats, hope to do that and alot more at Forest Park next time, good to know that all the stores aren't like the one we were in.
Liz, thank you for clearing that up for me, because I thought when we went in it said Joe Buck's.

Ozarksbill

Well, didn't know about the latest Joe Buck's! Just shows how things do change...our last weekend/Cards visit was a few years ago. Still shocked by the idea of walking to Forest Park!

Many years ago downtown shopping was the thging including the big three: Stix, Baer & Fuller, and Famous Barr, and Scruggs Vandivort & Barney...wife often shopped there.

Bill in Boston

shormk2

Thanks for the trip report! There isn't too much info on St. Louis on the forum and I appreciated your write up. We're off to St. Louis this weekend and will hopefully be able to watch the Cardinals on opening day!

bachslunch

Re the info on The Arch. If you're claustrophobic, the little elevator pods up and down, and even to some extent the viewing space at the top of The Arch are uncomfortable places to be.

Anytime one can go when it's not crowded eases such discomfort drastically.