Liz - I could not beleive that BLT sandwich at Crown Candy - doesnt it have like 17 slices of bacon on it!!!

Wow, thanks everyone! I can't wait to visit St. Louis!

And I love Steak and Shake. I went to college in FL, so I'm familiar with them. We don't have any up here in NH.

Magic House is great for younger kids. City Museum is really amazing too, though you'll be chasing your kids down through tunnels and slides. Wear your sneakers.

If you are downtown at some point, check out City Garden... it's a sculpture park that's got fountains the kids can run in and plenty of things to climb and explore.

Fitz's is great for kids. Not far down the street from that is Blueberry Hill, a great bar/burger place, but very kid friendly. I also recommend The Fountain on Locust in the City for amazing desserts and a decent dinner/lunch menu.

Katy trail is best for biking, and you can rent the bikes and kiddie trailers/ride-alongs. Flat and on an old bicycle trail. Defiance to Augusta is about 7 miles, and you can either go to a winery or to a beer place for lunch. But the weather gets really hot this time of year for it.

Also fun: paddle boating in Forest Park at the Boathouse with lunch or dinner afterwards.

The Botanical Gardens not only has the Japanese Lantern exhibit this summer, but a wonderful children's playground. You'll pay extra, but they'll play for a very long time there.

Admission to the zoo in Forest Park is free!!

They don't have it every week...but Tower Grove Park in the city hosts Food Truck Friday. I haven't been, but hear it is a lot of fun. The Tower Grove Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings is also very festive.

Finally, this is probably too late for your little ones, but the St. Louis Art Museum sponsors free outdoor movies on Art Hill in Forest Park on Fridays in July. I think Food Trucks come before the show so you can picnic if you like.

Have fun!

Rizzo, I just re-read your OP and it says you're coming in April. Do you mean April 2013?? With your hotel thread, it certainly sounds like you will be here sooner than next April.

Just thought it would be good to know when you really are coming to STL.

Food Truck Fridays at Tower Grove Park are a complete mob scene. Long lines, no where to sit....can't see that being fun for young kids, who don't tend to be the most patient, especially when hungry.

yup, next april....so 10 months from now. since there are so many people that need to coordinate time off and travel, we are planning early.

The first thing I do when I go to St. Louis is head to Ted Drewes for a concrete. Nothing like it!
http://www.teddrewes.com/home/default.aspx
Truly a trip to the Fifties.

Well, check when Grant's Farm opens for the season, I think it's usually mid-April.

And the Lantern Festival at the Botanical Gardens is only through August 2012, though there will likely be another exhibit of note next summer.

I think for specifics, you may want to re-post this sometime closer to your actual trip.

Thanks Liz. Once it gets closer and I have our itinerary, I'll post. Just wanted to find out what there is to do and make sure it suites all members of our party. I think St. Louis looks like it's going to be a fun trip!!

anne & liz, I wish I had posted prior to our trip last April. I would have loved to check out Carl's burgers!

Rizzo I think April is a perfect time to be in ST. Louis. The weather should be nice.

nanabee - I would be happy to meet you and personally introduce you to the Carl hamburger - it could be a mimi gtg!! :)

Here's a map of Forest Park http://www.slfp.com/SLFP-FPFEmap.htm. Don't forget to take your kids to Turtle Park - it's really cool. http://www.examiner.com/article/turtle-park

Oh, it's a little far, but the Butterfly House located in Faust Park is another option. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.o...fly-house.aspx. Faust Park also has a historical village that's neat to visit, as well as a huge carousel. I think your boys would get a kick out of that! http://greatriverroad.com/stlouis/faust.htm

Thanks mscleo!

Take the boys to Turtle Park when you're near the Zoo. Just across Hway 64/40 on Tamm, walkable from south zoo entrance. They'll have fun climbing around.

Citygarden downtown is fun for kids, as mentioned above. and there are fun food trucks parked around at lunchtime.

Crown Candy apparently deep fries the bacon on their BLT. I've never tried it but would be tempted if someone'll split it with me.

http://tinyurl.com/735ew6b