St Louis - how many days and what not to miss
Jan 12th, 2004, 01:57 AM
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St Louis - how many days and what not to miss
Hi all
I will be in St Louis for a conference in late March and was wondering 1) what the weather will be like and 2) how many days would you recommend seeing the sights of St Louis - I enjoy walking around exploring streets and architecture as well as art.
Is there anything I shouldn't miss?
I will be in St Louis for a conference in late March and was wondering 1) what the weather will be like and 2) how many days would you recommend seeing the sights of St Louis - I enjoy walking around exploring streets and architecture as well as art.
Is there anything I shouldn't miss?
Jan 12th, 2004, 06:33 AM
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As a side trip, you might consider a short ride along the Missippi to Alton, IL. There are many antique shops and very good restaurants. It is a neat town to stroll through, is old, small, and unique - built on bluffs of the Missippi. There used to also be a gambling ship that docked here, and believe that it still runs.
Have fun!
Have fun!
Jan 12th, 2004, 07:45 AM
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The weather is fairly unpredictable that time of year. It could be snowing, or it could be 60. But, since it is cold quite a bit in the STL, there are lots of things to do when it's chilly outside. I lived in the STL for four years, and here are a few of the things on my must-do list: Soulard - the market (on Broadway) is always a trip. There are all kinds of fun and interestign things to do there. If you are in around Mardi Gras, this neighborhood goes crazy, with parties for weeks beforehand, parades, weiner dog races, the works. My favorite restaurant is Nortons. Also, on Broadway are two great jazz/blues places (which STL is known for) BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups, and the Broadway Oyster Bar. Downtown there is a place called the Children's Museum. Don't let the name scare you. I don't have kids and I had a blast there. It is an amazing place that is straight out of someone's imagination. Let me emphasize - you don't need to take a child with you to have a blast! The arch is a must-do, as is a ride on one of the old steamboats that park along the arch grounds. Dinner on the Hill is also high on the list. The area is one of the most well-know Italian neighborhoods in the country and the food is phenonimal. I'd be happy to give you as much additional info as you'd like. There are a number of fascinating neighborhoods to visit, and everything in Forest Park is great. Please feel free to contact me off list if I can be of help. It's a great old city, with lots to explore. [email protected],
Jan 12th, 2004, 07:46 AM
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I wrote up some random thoughts awhile back and put them on another St. Louis thread. You can get to that thread here:
http://fodors.com/forums/pgMessages....1&tid=34447649
Weather: End of March is iffy. Could be beautiful, raining or snowing. Very unpredictable time of year.
As far as architecture - I've heard people describe St. Louis as being the "western-most Eastern city" and Kansas City as the "eastern-most Western city". There's definitely a transition between the two styles, with St. Louis leaning towards the red-brick style. Sadly, some of the most amazing architecture is in some neighborhoods that I wouldn't recommend.
However, there are still some great areas to check out.
Soulard - This area is in the near south side and is especially handy around dinner time as it has some good bars and restaurants. Within is the Soulard Farmer's Market, which is the oldest continuous operating business west of the Mississippi. Been up and running since the mid 1700's. Also, the original Anheuser-Busch brewery is in the area. Pretty cool with gargoyle like creatures on the corners, it was built before prohibition.
Central West End - a small area but very nice to walk around in. Right around Euclid and Forest Park Ave. Check out Westmoreland and Portland Places. Huge beautiful old mansions. If you're into mansions, also take a drive down Lindell from Forest Park to near Union. Long line of turn of the century mansions.
Forest Park - The park (bigger than Central Park in NY) houses a number of impressive buildings that reamin from the 1904 Worlds Fair. The Art Museum is especially well kept in one of these buildings and is free to enter. Some of the masters and the impressionists are displayed. Also in the park is the Jewel Box, the History Museum and the zoo. All also free.
Gateway Arch - As monuments go, this, I think, is an architectural feat! I guess I was always used to it just being there, but as I look at it, it's astounding that 630 feet of free standing stainless is just standing there on the riverfront and still manages to look that graceful. The Museum of Westward Expansion is underground below and you can take an odd little egg shaped tram to the top.
Downtown - The old cathedral and the old courthouse (the Dred Scott decision happened here). Also Union Station is interesting. Laclede's Landing is a restored area on the riverfront next to the Arch. Check out the Eads Bridge, forst over the Mississippi in between.
St. Charles - 10 mi. west of the airport. Main Street here is filled with old buildings and cobblestone streets, some of the buildings date to the French settlers in the early 1700s.
Enough rambling! And I don't think the airport is bad compared to some. I just wish they'd finish the thing. And I also wish my gate wasn't always the very last one at the end of the concourse. Lambert has one very long concourse in the main terminal.
http://fodors.com/forums/pgMessages....1&tid=34447649
Weather: End of March is iffy. Could be beautiful, raining or snowing. Very unpredictable time of year.
As far as architecture - I've heard people describe St. Louis as being the "western-most Eastern city" and Kansas City as the "eastern-most Western city". There's definitely a transition between the two styles, with St. Louis leaning towards the red-brick style. Sadly, some of the most amazing architecture is in some neighborhoods that I wouldn't recommend.
However, there are still some great areas to check out.
Soulard - This area is in the near south side and is especially handy around dinner time as it has some good bars and restaurants. Within is the Soulard Farmer's Market, which is the oldest continuous operating business west of the Mississippi. Been up and running since the mid 1700's. Also, the original Anheuser-Busch brewery is in the area. Pretty cool with gargoyle like creatures on the corners, it was built before prohibition.
Central West End - a small area but very nice to walk around in. Right around Euclid and Forest Park Ave. Check out Westmoreland and Portland Places. Huge beautiful old mansions. If you're into mansions, also take a drive down Lindell from Forest Park to near Union. Long line of turn of the century mansions.
Forest Park - The park (bigger than Central Park in NY) houses a number of impressive buildings that reamin from the 1904 Worlds Fair. The Art Museum is especially well kept in one of these buildings and is free to enter. Some of the masters and the impressionists are displayed. Also in the park is the Jewel Box, the History Museum and the zoo. All also free.
Gateway Arch - As monuments go, this, I think, is an architectural feat! I guess I was always used to it just being there, but as I look at it, it's astounding that 630 feet of free standing stainless is just standing there on the riverfront and still manages to look that graceful. The Museum of Westward Expansion is underground below and you can take an odd little egg shaped tram to the top.
Downtown - The old cathedral and the old courthouse (the Dred Scott decision happened here). Also Union Station is interesting. Laclede's Landing is a restored area on the riverfront next to the Arch. Check out the Eads Bridge, forst over the Mississippi in between.
St. Charles - 10 mi. west of the airport. Main Street here is filled with old buildings and cobblestone streets, some of the buildings date to the French settlers in the early 1700s.
Enough rambling! And I don't think the airport is bad compared to some. I just wish they'd finish the thing. And I also wish my gate wasn't always the very last one at the end of the concourse. Lambert has one very long concourse in the main terminal.
Jan 12th, 2004, 09:21 AM
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I always enjoy factory tours, and Anheuser Busch's is one of the best.
http://www.budweisertours.com/docs/stltour.htm
http://www.budweisertours.com/docs/stltour.htm
Jan 12th, 2004, 09:59 AM
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dbmy, the downtown "Children's Museum" that sara mentioned is actually called the City Museum. If you enjoy something a little different, do not miss it! It's a magical place, hard to describe, but it is absolutely my favorite thing to do in St. Louis.
I grew up in St. Louis and remember when they were building the airport. When it was finished, it became a local attraction that families used to visit on a Sunday afternoon. I never knew I would end up spending so many hours of my life there! (I agree with vkb2 that they have been futzing around with construction at that airport seemingly forever!
I grew up in St. Louis and remember when they were building the airport. When it was finished, it became a local attraction that families used to visit on a Sunday afternoon. I never knew I would end up spending so many hours of my life there! (I agree with vkb2 that they have been futzing around with construction at that airport seemingly forever!
Jan 12th, 2004, 10:32 AM
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Hey Marilyn, I had no idea you were from St. Louis. Now it makes sense why I thought you were so nice. I'm a native too, up until a couple of years ago.
dbmy, as much as I did post, I forgot to mention the current St. Louis Cathedral. Since you're into art, the Cathedral is gorgeous and has the largest collection of mosaics in the world, even more that Ravenna in Italy (which is where some of the pieces shown are actually from).
There's a virtual tour here:
http://www.cathedralstl.org/tourism/tour.html
Jan 12th, 2004, 10:58 AM
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I've lived in St Louis all my life and all the recommendations they gave are great. Marilyn I saw your name on another site and thought it looked familiar, I must know you from somewhere in town. Sara and Clifton had great suggestions and the Childrens Museum is called the City Museum or the Magic House which is a childrens museum which is in Kirkwood but I'd say that IS for children. You also may want to hit a show at the Fox Theatre or at least go inside, it is breathtaking.
Jan 12th, 2004, 11:10 AM
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The City Museum is the one I think is so fantastic, not the one in Kirkwood.
Clifton, thanks! But I'd rather be from St. Louis than living there -- just my opinion!
vkb2, do you mean you saw my name on another fodors board, or perhaps on my high school reunion website (UCity)which I just joined? I left St. Louis when I went to college, so if you know me it must be from high school. Email me directly at the above account and tell me more!
Clifton, thanks! But I'd rather be from St. Louis than living there -- just my opinion!
vkb2, do you mean you saw my name on another fodors board, or perhaps on my high school reunion website (UCity)which I just joined? I left St. Louis when I went to college, so if you know me it must be from high school. Email me directly at the above account and tell me more!
Jan 12th, 2004, 02:48 PM
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I live in St.LOuis, too-
Definitley eat on The Hill- some good places are Charlie Gitto's (quite fancy), a more casual route would be Zia's. YOu could check out some of the family owned Italian grocery stores, too.
The Art Museum in Forest PArk is quite nice, as well.
If you go over to Alton, you may as well continue up the roas to Grafton and Pierre MArquette State PArk. Have dinner at the lodge.
St,Charles is a nice place to walk around and see shops, old brick roads, etc.
Riverfront casino's in St.Charles (Harrah's and Ameristar)_
Definitley eat on The Hill- some good places are Charlie Gitto's (quite fancy), a more casual route would be Zia's. YOu could check out some of the family owned Italian grocery stores, too.
The Art Museum in Forest PArk is quite nice, as well.
If you go over to Alton, you may as well continue up the roas to Grafton and Pierre MArquette State PArk. Have dinner at the lodge.
St,Charles is a nice place to walk around and see shops, old brick roads, etc.
Riverfront casino's in St.Charles (Harrah's and Ameristar)_
Jan 12th, 2004, 07:21 PM
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vkb2-why do you not like the airport? My cousin who is a flight attendant with Southwest really likes it too. I always let everyone know how clean and really nice it is...i, myself, thought it was the best one i've seen so far. I guess i think like you about Bush Intercontinental in Houston...we just want it finished ....the construction goes on forever....or so it seems.
Jan 13th, 2004, 12:23 AM
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Dear all
Thanks a bunch for all your suggestions. I will definitely stay for a few days longer than the conference, seeing that I come from the other side of the world (Australia) and may not have the chance to return for awhile
vkb2, I will be staying at Adam's Mark downtown, where the conference is held.
sara_m, Marilyn and vkb2 - the conference is actually holding a tour for the city museum - I will definitely sign up for it!
Thanks a bunch for all your suggestions. I will definitely stay for a few days longer than the conference, seeing that I come from the other side of the world (Australia) and may not have the chance to return for awhile
vkb2, I will be staying at Adam's Mark downtown, where the conference is held.
sara_m, Marilyn and vkb2 - the conference is actually holding a tour for the city museum - I will definitely sign up for it!
Jan 13th, 2004, 10:48 AM
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In response to Claire the Southwest terminal is great and very clean with great restaurants but the main terminal is awful and has been under construction since probably the 60's and they still aren't done.
Dbmy,
If you will be at the Adams Mark there is tons to do around there. First of all Arch will be just outside your window if you are facing the SE. The old cathedral is also right there and ABusch. Some fabulous restaurants nearby that aren't cheap are Tony's, Kemoll's and then more on the casual side but great food is Frazer's Traveling Brown Bag, Sidney Street Cafe, and Soulards. You can probably see their menus online. If you want to bring home something from St Louis a good place to hit is Union Station. It's mall with lots of St Louis stuff. Make sure you check the extended forcast before you come since St Louis weather is so unpredictable. One day it could be 80 degrees and literally the next day it could be in the 20's and snowing. Hope you have a great time. Also if you have a chance since yo like architecture you might want to check out LaFayette Square area they are refirbishing all the old homes and it's just beautiful. Good Luck
Dbmy,
If you will be at the Adams Mark there is tons to do around there. First of all Arch will be just outside your window if you are facing the SE. The old cathedral is also right there and ABusch. Some fabulous restaurants nearby that aren't cheap are Tony's, Kemoll's and then more on the casual side but great food is Frazer's Traveling Brown Bag, Sidney Street Cafe, and Soulards. You can probably see their menus online. If you want to bring home something from St Louis a good place to hit is Union Station. It's mall with lots of St Louis stuff. Make sure you check the extended forcast before you come since St Louis weather is so unpredictable. One day it could be 80 degrees and literally the next day it could be in the 20's and snowing. Hope you have a great time. Also if you have a chance since yo like architecture you might want to check out LaFayette Square area they are refirbishing all the old homes and it's just beautiful. Good Luck
Jan 14th, 2004, 02:19 AM
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Unbelieveable but true story:
I visited St Louis 4 times before I realized that you could actually take a ride *inside* the Arch.
I was visiting the city with friends each time, so I guess I avoided reading the typical tourists brochures where it probably would have mentioned this fact; but still thought I would pass along the advice just the same.
I visited St Louis 4 times before I realized that you could actually take a ride *inside* the Arch.
I was visiting the city with friends each time, so I guess I avoided reading the typical tourists brochures where it probably would have mentioned this fact; but still thought I would pass along the advice just the same.
