Visiting St. Louis in Novemeber for just a few days and needing suggestions for the best up-scale shopping/dining spots.
How 'bout a piano bar or great nightspot too! THANKS!

Oh brother> I need more coffee> Sorry for the mis-spelled words!!

Not sure about shopping but The Ritz Carlton, St. Louise has a fantastic fine dining room and the hotel's located in a ritzy area similar to Buckhead in Atlanta........I'm sure you can find all you want to buy in the area. Good luck.

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/st_louis/


The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis is located in the suburb of Clayton, which is home to the city's best restaurants, bars, shops, boutiques and art galleries. Additionally, Clayton is the corporate center for most businesses and firms. Conveniently positioned in the new Plaza strip, The Ritz-Carlton has become the focal point of progressive and stylish Clayton.


Guestrooms feature decadent marble baths and spacious rooms with French doors opening onto private balconies. Experience fine dining at our two Four-Diamond restaurants and relax in our cigar bar while enjoying weekend nightly entertainment in The Lobby lounge - named one of St. Louis' hottest nightspots.

the best upscale shopping can be found in Clayton and ladue/Frontenac.
More specifically -
Ladue - (very near to Clayton) There is a street called Clayton road. There are very high end boutique shops.Very unique as well. Make sure you go to a shop called "VIE" it has been mentioned in all the fashion Magazines. You will love it.
Frontenac - There is Frontenc PlaZa.Neiman Marcus, Saks, YSL, and other upscale shops.
Sprinkled through Clayton - there are many one of a kind shops, art galleries, etc... Just drive around!!

for night life. There is a Place called Cafe Napoli (Clayton) - they have live music, martini type lounge.
Many great restaurants, no piano bars though. Darn. The place to be is an area called the Loft District in downtown STL on Washington. there is place called Red Moon that was written up as the best new Asian Fusion restaurant in the Country!!( I beleive Food and WIne) All around there there are dance clubs, bars, lots of action!!
What Hotel are you thinking about?

Also visit - stltoday.com for more info

What kind of food do you wish to have while in STL?
I could give you some more specific suggestions.

Ike,
Are you a Ritz Carlton employee? Your post reads like an ad. A little free advertising, huh? (especially your last paragraph!!!)

Annesherrod............I am CEO of a nice size community bank in Mississippi and have been for over 25 years. When I travel I stay at The Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons resorts. I copied a description of the hotel from their website for "local gal" because she asked about shopping too. I happened to stay at The Ritz Carlton in SL, New Orleans, NYC, SF, Laguna Beach, CA, Amelia Island, FL, Naples, FL, Cancun, St. Thomas, DC et al. I think I'm qualified to vouch for their properties.

I don't appreciate your SA remark.

Are you a moderator or just a JA........

Plaza Frontenac and the Galleria I think are best for "up-scale" shopping. But then again, I don't have that much money to shop in those places.

As far as piano bars, there is a terrific one in downtown St. Louis near the Riverfront on the Landing. It is called the Big Bang. It is alot of fun, and the piano players are very personable and can play just about anything. But, if you are looking for something more low-key, that might not be the place for you. They pack them in there, and you have to get to the bar somewhat early if you want a table.

Thanks all> looks like I've gotten some great suggestions. I may have my 10 year old son with me> whats cool for kids? Is the Brewery tour a good idea? I think he'd like the animals...
Okay, what about PIZZA for him?

The tour is good, and he would probably enjoy it. But you might consider the Zoo. It's free (except parking). The Zoo has a Penguin and Puffin Coast where you are so close to the animals you can almost touch them. Or the Science Center (free, except parking). They are both located in Forest Park, which is nice itself. And both places you would have fun as well.

Pizza for him: If you end up at the Galleria, there is a California Pizza Kitchen (which is good). Fortels Pizza Den is also good, and if you dine in, it has pinball machines and other stuff. There are two locations I can think of, one in Afton (south)and one in Bridgeton (north).

Also check Grant's Farm, owned and run by the Anheuser Busch Family. There are wild animals in the park that you view from a tram, the world famous Clydesdales, elephant and bird shows, etc..
It is free also.

Grant's farm closes for the season on Oct. 30 (see http://www.grantsfarm.com)

The zoo is a great idea for kids, also the science center. Although there are no entrance fees to either, many things cost extra (parking, zoo train ride, children's zoo, special exhibits at science center, OmniMax etc.) so,yes it's FREE, but you are likely to put out some money to satisfy your 10 year old.

Your son would like going up the Arch and watching the movie at the museum in the base of the Arch. I think you can reserve tickets ahead of time. Probably available through the National Park Service.

For your ten-year-old, I'd definitely recommend going up in The Arch. It's really interesting, and more than a little thrilling when you're at the top looking down. Then you can also walk to visit the riverfront area for sandwiches or dinner. Probably piano bars there, too.