I have a reservation for two nights at the Hyatt St. Louis Riverfront over the 4th of July weekend. The location looks great but the reviews on Trip Advisor are giving me second thoughts. Has anyone stayed at the Hyatt recently? I'm open to suggestions for hotels within walking distance of restaurants and activities.

Also, has anyone been to Fair St. Louis and the firework display? I'd appreciate any comments or opinions. Since we will be in Missouri we thought that this might be a fun way to spend the holiday weekend. It has been about 5 years since I've been to St. Louis. On that visit I took the tram to the top of the Arch and had lunch in Ladede's Landing. I'd appreciate any suggestions for things to do. Thanks!

Aack - I meant Laclede's Landing!

Hi, wtm003. Glad you can come!

I'm not much help on the hotels, I'm afraid, though my brother liked the downtown and Union Station Drury Inns, the Chase (pricey) is very very nice and where Geo.Clooney stayed during his recent gig here, and I can't think of the other Central West End/Forest Park hotel that a fodorite really liked last year.

What to do in St.Louis depends upon whether you have a car. Walking distance downtown: The City Museum, actually not really a museum. It's a.. a.. well, you decide: www.citymuseum.org

Lovely free Art and Science Museums and zoo in Forest Park, accessible by public transport. (www.metrostlouis.org)

Night life along Washington Avenue.

Peek into Union Station Great Hall, and the downtown public library, if you're so inclined. Our Cathedral Basilica has amazing mosaics. All quite possible by foot or public transport.

I know that due to flooding last year, they moved the fireworks off the riverfront. I don't know what the plan is for this summer. I'll see if I can figure it out and let you know.

I, too, don't know anything about the Hyatt. I also rarely go to the Landing but there is a new hotel/casino/dining complex there http://www.lumiereplace.com/ which might be worth checking out. Most of the other restaurants on the Landing tend to be casual bar/pub type places.

City Museum is a great idea for all ages. Forest Park includes the St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum (also called Missouri Historical Society) and the St. Louis zoo, all with free admission. http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/parks/forestpark/

Also downtown at 15th and Locust is the Campbell House Museum. An original 1851 house in restored condition and with most of its original furnishings. A good taste of what St. Louis was like in the 19th century.
http://stlouis.missouri.org/501c/chm/

The downtown Drury Inn is not like most other Drury's. It's in a beautiful historic building, right down by the river and the ballpark. Service there is great, and an evening cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres is complimentary.

Stokebailey, Liz5959 and Peaceout, thanks the hotel and great activity suggestions! I'll check out all of your recommendations and appreciate the links.

We will have a car. Does anyone recommend the Missouri Botanical Gardens?

Liz thanks for the heads up about the fireworks. If you figure out the plan, please let me know. I've tried googling but no luck so far.

Definitely the Botanical Gardens. One of our gems. It gets on moist and warm here in July, so go before the sun gets high. Be sure to go around the Japanese, and cut through the Chinese, gardens. Especially if you have kids along, don't miss the Victorian maze.

And Forest Park is a beautiful place to visit, too. The gorgeous mansions that line that street (Lindell Blvd) are something to see.

Have dinner at Duff's, in the Central West End, for a homegrown St. Louis place.

Just read in the paper that everything will be back on the Riverfront this summer. See celebratestlouis.org for schedules, entertainers etc.

As for Fair St. Louis...be prepared for big crowds. There are booths selling food, drinks, etc., but expect some long lines. The fireworks are fantastic!

Yes, the Botanical Garden is great! And I agree with the above recommendations for the zoo and the art museum. If the Cardinals are in town, you might want to try to catch a baseball game in the new Busch Stadium.

Definitely do not miss Forest Park - take your pick of the many (free!) attractions: the world-class Zoo, Science Center, Art Museum or History Museum. You can rent bikes at the Visitor's center and ride through the park or around the 10K perimeter path.

Have you considered Clayton as a headquarter location? It has great restaurants, nice boutiques and several spots for coffee/breakfast with character (Pomme Cafe, City Coffee, Companion to name a few). You can take the metrolink light rail system downtown (about 15 -20 min - schedule on the bi-state webpage) and avoid parking problems. The Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton or Crowne Plaza are all good options.

There is a new hotel called the Moonrise Hotel that has just opened in St. Louis - a contemporary boutique hotel in the University City Loop, which is a favorite neighborhood for many St. Louisans. It is not especially convenient for the 4th of July festivities downtown but if you are looking for a hotel with some personality check it out. Even if you don't stay there a lunch at Blueberry Hill in the loop and a stroll down the Walk of Fame on Delmar is a fun way to spend a couple of hours (great burgers and beer).

Downtown I would suggest looking in to the Westin or Four Seasons. I don't know much about the rooms or service at the Hyatt but Union Station is a bit touristy, iMO - you will experience all that you need to in a couple of hours and then you are not really in the thick of downtown. Another hotel to consider is the Chase Park Plaza in the Central West End. You can drive or take the metrolink downtown and the CWE is a lovely area with restaurants, boutiques and adjacent to Forest Park.

Yes, definitely put the Botanical Gardens on your list - it is a gem of STL - and check to see if they might be having a free concert in the park while you are here.

Have dinner somewhere on Washington Ave if you are staying downtown (Mosaic perhaps?) and maybe bowling at the Flamingo Bowl.

We generally don't go downtown for the fireworks because of the crowds but the display is spectacular. There are a number of other communities that have displays that are also quite good - Webster Groves and Kirkwood come to mind, esp if you are staying in Clayton instead of downtown. The Riverfornt Times or Metromix website will probably have a list of other options.

Bring cool and comfortable clothes as July in STL can be a little toasty but we WARMLY welcome you and hope you have a great trip!

Does your hotel offer rooftop or verandah viewing? If so, I wouldn't worry about the reviews of the hotel. For me, a viewing spot would seal the deal.

We live in the area and did get a room on July 4 one year just to "hang out" downtown. It was fun and the crowd was manageable. However, a viewing spot would have been even better! Enjoy...you've gotten some awesome recommendations.

Thank you for all of the wonderful suggestions! I'm glad to hear the fireworks will be back on the Riverfront. I truly appreciate all of the help I've received and I will research each suggestion.

Hi wtm. I've been to St Louis 7 times in the past year and a half. My daughter attended college there. I stayed at that Hyatt twice. You can find my review on Trip Advisot. I wasn't really crazy about it and it smelled musty. I got it on a $50 priceline bid, so that was good. If you do stay there, do not park there. It's ridiculously expensive and the valet is slow. Head down the street about a block and there is a public lot on the right which is easier to get in and out of and lots cheaper. There's a neat joint down the street called the Broadway Oyster Bar. They serve very good Cajun food and have live music. Funky looking, but really good. At LaClede's Landing, we love the Drunken Fish. Sushi and Pacific Rim/Japanese cuisine. About 2.5 miles on Olive, we had the BEST thin crust Neopolitan Pizza....The Good Pie. http://www.thegoodpie.com/
I took my daughter and her roomates and we each ate an entire pizza, no leftovers. Delicious!
I noticed that Priceline is offering some great deals on hotels (you may want to cancel existing reservation). However, if you want toBID at Priceline, chances are that you will get The Marriott Union Station for $50. I've done that twice, including last week. One time, I got the Hilton for that. I've never paid more than $50 for a downrown hotel
Do visit the Cathedral (breathtaking) and Forest Park. We had breakfast at the Boathouse in the park, lots of fun. You can avoid crowds and lines by making a reservation on www.opentable.com

Best of luck!

Thanks LLindaC for the feedback on the Hyatt. I checked out the Good Pie website and my mouth was watering while reading the menu. I'm sure that place will be a big hit with my family.

Also, kks, Blueberry Hill looks like a fun place for lunch with my teen and tween boys.

Again thanks to everyone for all your suggestions. Now my only problem is trying to figure out how to do so much in only two days!

LLinda, count me as a local who'll remember your suggestions.

It was good to read all of these St. Louis ideas and suggestions...we're going there as part of a "roadtrip" in early June (we'll be in town june 9-13)...planning on staying at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Forest Park.

While we're in town, we're gonna do the Gateway Arch, of course, and then take the kids to Grant's Farm. The other day is "open" to maybe do the zoo...or just "hang out" at the pool. We'll see. Depends on the weather at the time, and how the kids are behaving!

Could REALLY use some more restaurant suggestions! (especially places that are "kid friendly")....

How old are your kids?

In Forest Park: The Zoo has cafes and restaurants, pleasant places to sit lakeside and eat. The History Museum has a (few notches nicer) restaurant.

Central West End, east of park: Duffs on Euclid has outdoor seating and has always been kid friendly. A nice place. Bar Italia also has patio on a lovely street. The St. Louis Bread Company has good casual fare.

Just west of the park: Kaldi's cafe on DeMun. Outdoor kid and dog friendly, casual vegetarian and bakery. There's a new place on Clayton Rd called My Daddy's Cheesecake with indoor and outdoor cafe and nice dessert bakery. Casual.

Your hotel is on the edge of Dogtown, and I know there are good casual restaurants there off Tamm, but haven't been recently.

Northwest of the park is the Loop area. Blueberry Hill is famed for burgers and fun atmosphere. Lots of Thai places with the same owner I believe, and all good. Then there's Fitz's Root Beer, built in an old bank and with a rootbeer factory on premesis.

You're not far north of The Hill, with lots of good Italian places. MO Botanical Garden just to the east is excellent, has a children's area and nice cafe.

our girls are 7, 8 and 11 (are very well behaved, and accustomed to eating in "Fine Dining" establishments)

though, one thing to keep in mind is that my sister from North Carolina is meeting up with us there (Yeah..."Meet Me in St. Louis"!)...anyway...with her and her kids along, we're going to have to be VERY "cost conscious"...

but, thanks for the tips...i'll check them out online!

rough guess priciness, most to least:
Bar Italia
Duff's
Merriwether's at Hist Museum
Blueberry Hill/Fitz's
the rest

Check saucemagazine.com and click restaurant finder at the top.