ScottM

Looking into staying here for 2 nights in July. Will be using the MetroLink for transportation from the airport and to baseball games. Anything I need to know about this place before I book it? Is it safe?

SusanCS

I may get flamed for saying this but there's NO WAY I'd stay in East St. Louis, which used to have the worst crime problem in the country. We accidentally took a wrong turn on the freeway and ended up there once...big mistake.

There are plenty of places to stay in St. Louis that won't break the bank and are in decent areas. Try looking at some of the places downtown: you'll be within walking distance of gambling and the ball games.

ScottM

Thanks Susan. I've heard about the crime in the area and there is no way I would drive around over there. But I have heard that it is safe to get to the casino and hotel on the MetroLink. (the station is inside the gates and the area is patroled) Can someone confirm that?

SusanCS

Scott - I just looked at tripadvisor.com and saw some very favorable reviews of the Casino Queen. I think if you'll check them out you'll be very relieved

indytravel

As I recall I walked down the steps from the MetroLink platform rather then riding the elevator. I walked along the street then turned into their parking lot maybe 20 yards from the Link.

You really aren't in East St Louis. Well technically you are but the whole area of the casino is between the river front and the main part of East St Louis.

I've never felt uncomfortable riding the MetroLink across the river to the Casino Queen. I've also ridden it several times into East St Louis and never had a problem during normal times like 8am to 8pm.

The Link will easily take you from the airport to the ball games and the Casino Queen. There's a daily pass around $4.50 that gives unlimited rides. It might be worth it if you're going to ride the Link 3 or more times in a day.

BTW what little I've gambled in St Louis I prefer the Casino Queen on the Illinois side. No chip limits, no boarding fees, no registration hassle like I had to do for the Admiral in St Louis.

Last summer they blocked off the top of the Eads Bridge (that's the one the Link uses) and made it pedestrian only for most of the weekends last summer. (Or was it just Friday night?) They were doing a "Taste of St Louis" bit with local restaurants.

The city had a lot of free concerts underneath the Arch too. After I saw Bruce Hornsby and the Range they projected video clips onto a "screen" of water sprayed into the air. It was pretty nifty.

dweebe

indytravel is right: the Casino Queen is very separate from the rest of East St. Louis. Just don't make any wrong turns getting in and out.

I'm not sure how soon it's going to start, but the Casino Queen is going to build a whole new casino in a "boat in a moat" setup. The current one is on the river but they're going to build new one where part of the parking lot is.

ScottM

Thanks everyone. I didn't think I would have much of a problem but I like to check things out on this forum before I go somewhere.