Must sees in St. Louis
 

I will be in St. Louis in October at a conference. Most of my sightseeing (museums) is set but is a trip to the zoo and the botanical gardens also a must? I would also appreciate any other suggestions (not restaurants!). I will not have a car although I am willing to take a cab if I don't have to mortgage my house in the process.

A ride to the top of the Arch is a must do. I know you said not to mention restaurants, but the little Italy area and restaurants are interesting. The SL Zoo was good when we went years ago.

If you are at the St Louis Art Museum and the zoo, both located in Forest Park, I think you should see the Mo Historical Society Museum as well as a walk around the beautiful park. there are still monuments, buildings and canals from the 1904 Worlds Fair.
You can rent bikes, paddle boats or segways to see the park. A new trolley is available too.
There are several restaurants there, but the Boat House is very nice as it is right on the lake.

YES - see the Botanical Garden. It is quite amazing.

The arch is also fun. It does have a museum underneath it.

stltoday.com will also let you know if there are any special exhibits, local fairs, etc..

Do you know in what part of town you'll be staying? If it's near a Metrolink stop, that'll make things easier. The bus system is not bad, really, either. Maybe save your cab fare for nights. Here's a link to public transportation:

http://metrostlouis.org/Default.aspx

I take the metro home from work at midnight and haven't been hassled.

Do see the Botanical Garden, especially nice in October. It's really first class. I like to take visitors to the City Museum, which isn't a museum. http://www.citymuseum.org/home.asp
I love the zoo, as much for the landscaping as anything. Go see the sculpture garden, Citygarden, if you're downtown

I wonder whether you're going to the Pulitzer Museum? It's only open a couple of days a week, with rotating exhibits and modern architecture. No admission charge. I sometimes take visitors to the art museum at Washington University, with its small but interesting collection. I know your museums are set, so I'm just mentioning these.

Let us know if any specific questions.

Do you know if you are going to see the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica? If not you really should go there. My husband who didn't really know what to expect on our trip last summer(other than he knew he would be seeing the Cardinals), because I had made all the plans :-), couldn't believe what he was seeing, it is the most beautiful thing either one of us has ever seen! He said he wants to go back there again when we can just sit there as long as we want and take it all in. When we went we could only stay for a half an hour because there was a wedding going to start, and that was not long enough. Can't say enough about this place! They have the most mosaics, outside of Italy, of anywhere in the world.

Moved from Missouri not so long ago...yes definitely visit the zoo and botanical gardens which are outstanding. Certainly the Arch is famous...and as just mentioned St. Louis Cathedral which is nearby. Could mention other sites including Art Museum but these are tops.
You could rent a car for a day or so which gives you more freedom especially in seeking out restaurants (such as Italian ones on the Hill out west).

Bill in Boston

There is also a museum showing how the Arch was built...I believe it's at the foot of the Arch. I found it fascinating. I was a little wigged out by the ride to the top of the Arch, but I'm pretty claustrophobic. The elevator reminded me of the egg in which Mork arrived from Ork (if you remember the 70's TV show Mork and Mindy). I agree with the recommendations for the Botanical Garden~it was lovely.

Thank you for your help. I do have plans to see the Basilica of St. Louis.

I am curious about the distances and transportation between the zoo and the botanical garden and if it is possible to see the sculpture garden all on the same day.

I also have the option to go to the Arch and ride to the top. Is it worth the trip or is it just a nice view. I have taken rides and walks to the top of some high spots of the world, so the thrill of taking the ride itself is not a draw, unless it is a 'very different experience'

Thanks.

I can't remember how far it was from one place to the other but it seemed like our trip from the downtown hotel to the zoo was at least a half an hour by car -- and worth it! I don't know what they do to the animals there, but every one of them seemed happy to be there, playful & curious instead of looking at you with sad, desperate eyes.

I liked the ride to the top of the arch and I'm not much for that kind of thing. It's different and worth doing.

Hope you have fun.