St Louis vacation
Aug 27th, 2003, 05:07 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
St Louis vacation
My husband and I and another couple (late 30's) are planning a weeklong vacation to St Louis the first week of October. We live in rural Montana and have decided to splurge and are staying 2 or 3 nights at the Ritz-Carlton but are looking for more down to earth ideas for the rest of the week. We thought about one night at Union Station. We will have a car and are looking for some places to spend the other 4 days. Also what kind of weather can we expect.
Aug 28th, 2003, 04:56 AM
#2
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I travel to St. Louis often on business. I've stayed a few times at a B&B named Napolean's Retreat and really enjoyed it. It's right off Lafeyette's square, which is very close to downtown and has some beautiful homes that are being renovated. The natives will tell you that that area is not safe but I have never had an issue, and really like the area. There's also a great restaurant on the next block named Squire's - new and trendy - great menu. You can do a search on the name of the B&B to find their website. The serve a wonderful breakfast and the prices are very reasonable.
I've also found that you can find great deals on four star hotels downtown through Hotwire.com. I've stayed downtown once but didn't enjoy staying there as much as I enjoyed staying at Napolean's or in Clayton.
My husband and I spent a few days in STL before one of my trips and had a great time! We loved the Botanical gardens - spent several hours there. Toured downtown including the arch. Went on a Tour of Homes in the Cental West End area which was very nice. Went to mass at the amazing cathedral - we're not Catholic but have toured what seems like hundreds of duomos in Italy and this one is just as amazing as the ones we've seen there!
Dinner on "The Hill" is a must - the Italian neighborhood. I've been to Zia's several times while there. There are lots of great restaurants in Clayton near the Ritz. I also had the best steak in my life at Jake's Steak House in LaClede's Landing downtown. Soulard's restaurant was also very good!
I'm sure others will chime in with other must sees. We ran out of time and didn't make it to the zoo, Forest Park, or the Anheiser Busch brewery. A side trip to St. Charles is also supposed to be fun. Next trip!
I've also found that you can find great deals on four star hotels downtown through Hotwire.com. I've stayed downtown once but didn't enjoy staying there as much as I enjoyed staying at Napolean's or in Clayton.
My husband and I spent a few days in STL before one of my trips and had a great time! We loved the Botanical gardens - spent several hours there. Toured downtown including the arch. Went on a Tour of Homes in the Cental West End area which was very nice. Went to mass at the amazing cathedral - we're not Catholic but have toured what seems like hundreds of duomos in Italy and this one is just as amazing as the ones we've seen there!
Dinner on "The Hill" is a must - the Italian neighborhood. I've been to Zia's several times while there. There are lots of great restaurants in Clayton near the Ritz. I also had the best steak in my life at Jake's Steak House in LaClede's Landing downtown. Soulard's restaurant was also very good!
I'm sure others will chime in with other must sees. We ran out of time and didn't make it to the zoo, Forest Park, or the Anheiser Busch brewery. A side trip to St. Charles is also supposed to be fun. Next trip!
Aug 28th, 2003, 05:39 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,981
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi mcfarms
I second spending an afternoon at Historic Main St in St Charles. There is a restaurant with an outside 2 story patio that is fun to eat on and watch the Missouri a few blocks over. The town of St Charles also has a Lewis and Clark museum as that is where they began their westward mission. It has lots of little shops you will love! Would also suggest about an hour drive to Hermann. This is a German town with lots of wineries. Ask for directions at the tourist center in the middle of the town of Hermann for directions. We loved StoneHill winery for lunch. They have a converted barn/stable for a restaurant and tasting room. They also gives tours into their cellars. Would also encourage you to visit Grant's Farm. It's free and they even give free beer. Another place we liked was the Butterfly House where thousands of butteryfly's are free and actually light on your shoulders. Also second eating Italian on "the Hill" and stopping in a few of their Italian food stores.
I second spending an afternoon at Historic Main St in St Charles. There is a restaurant with an outside 2 story patio that is fun to eat on and watch the Missouri a few blocks over. The town of St Charles also has a Lewis and Clark museum as that is where they began their westward mission. It has lots of little shops you will love! Would also suggest about an hour drive to Hermann. This is a German town with lots of wineries. Ask for directions at the tourist center in the middle of the town of Hermann for directions. We loved StoneHill winery for lunch. They have a converted barn/stable for a restaurant and tasting room. They also gives tours into their cellars. Would also encourage you to visit Grant's Farm. It's free and they even give free beer. Another place we liked was the Butterfly House where thousands of butteryfly's are free and actually light on your shoulders. Also second eating Italian on "the Hill" and stopping in a few of their Italian food stores.
Aug 28th, 2003, 07:35 AM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Ritz is very nice but it's about 10 years old so in some areas it shows that age. IMHO on the same level is the brand new Chase Park Plaza Hotel in the Central West End. (I believe AAA gave it four diamonds.)
One idea is to spend a night or two at a hotel in St. Charles. That way you can do Old Town, the casinos etc. There's also a new 80,000 sq foot Bass Pro Shop out there. Being from Montana you might enjoy that.
The two main wine areas, Augusta and Hermann, will be extremely busy during October. I believe the Mt. Pleasant winery in Augusta now reserves tables for $5/person during the busy season. Highly recommended. If you make the drive to Hermann go to Stone Hill Winery. Most of the wineries by the train tracks/downtown Hermann are crazy during October. However Stone Hill is about a mile or two away so most of the mobs don't make it there any more.
Weather can vary widely in October. You'll most likely have weather in the 70's and 80's with a decent chance of rain. Then again it could be in the 90's or in the 40's.
One idea is to spend a night or two at a hotel in St. Charles. That way you can do Old Town, the casinos etc. There's also a new 80,000 sq foot Bass Pro Shop out there. Being from Montana you might enjoy that.
The two main wine areas, Augusta and Hermann, will be extremely busy during October. I believe the Mt. Pleasant winery in Augusta now reserves tables for $5/person during the busy season. Highly recommended. If you make the drive to Hermann go to Stone Hill Winery. Most of the wineries by the train tracks/downtown Hermann are crazy during October. However Stone Hill is about a mile or two away so most of the mobs don't make it there any more.
Weather can vary widely in October. You'll most likely have weather in the 70's and 80's with a decent chance of rain. Then again it could be in the 90's or in the 40's.
Aug 28th, 2003, 08:28 AM
#5
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Make sure you put the zoo on your list, the St. Louis Zoo is one of the few free zoo's in the country and is trully world class.
The Anheuser Busch brewery tour is also free and very enjoyable.
Take the tram to the top of the Arch and explore Lacledes Landing just north of the arch. For a nice cheap dinner try the Old Spaghetti Factory.
Not sure of your exact dates or your interests but Cher has a performance scheduled at the Savvis Center (downtown) on October 4th, don't know about ticket status but check Ticketmaster.
Travis Tritt is playin on October 5th at our outdoor venue (UMB Pavillion) tickets are available.
The St. Louis Rams have a Monday night game scheduled against Atlanta on the 13th. You can always get tickets outside for near face value.
Check out Biddingfortravel.com 4 star hotels are going for around $50 on Priceline, this site will tell you which ones and how to bid.
The St. Louis Blues have an exibition hockey game scheduled during that timeframe and the St. Louis Cardinal baseball team may be in the playoff's.
Enjoy St. Louis!
The Anheuser Busch brewery tour is also free and very enjoyable.
Take the tram to the top of the Arch and explore Lacledes Landing just north of the arch. For a nice cheap dinner try the Old Spaghetti Factory.
Not sure of your exact dates or your interests but Cher has a performance scheduled at the Savvis Center (downtown) on October 4th, don't know about ticket status but check Ticketmaster.
Travis Tritt is playin on October 5th at our outdoor venue (UMB Pavillion) tickets are available.
The St. Louis Rams have a Monday night game scheduled against Atlanta on the 13th. You can always get tickets outside for near face value.
Check out Biddingfortravel.com 4 star hotels are going for around $50 on Priceline, this site will tell you which ones and how to bid.
The St. Louis Blues have an exibition hockey game scheduled during that timeframe and the St. Louis Cardinal baseball team may be in the playoff's.
Enjoy St. Louis!
Aug 28th, 2003, 09:33 PM
#6
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was just driving in downtown St. Louis today, passing by Union Station, and I thought to myself that the hotel there would be a nice choice for an out-of-towner, looking to enjoy the St. Louis experience. I stayed there many years ago, and the room was great at that time, but I can't speak for the hotel rooms from recent experience.
The hotel is attached to a shopping area, housing some fun restaurants...which is all built around a former actual railroad station. You can also catch the Metro Link (St. Louis' above-ground version of a subway system) right at the hotel, should you decide to travel a bit further than you'd want to walk, and you want to leave the car (and the parking hassles). Union Station would be an excellent choice, should you decide to partake of any St. Louis sporting event, the Arch or Laclede's Landing.
When I only have a few days somewhere, I like to stay in a central location, close to the things I plan to do. The Ritz Carlton is very nice, but it is in Clayton. Clayton is a great neighborhood with good restaurants...but I think of Clayton as more of a business/residential area.
The Chase Park Plaza is an interesting suggestion. It has a lot of history and has been completely redone. (There are several restaurants inside, AND a beautiful movie theatre.) The Chase is also across the street from Forest Park. (Think Central Park, midwest-syle) Inside Forest Park is the St.Louis Zoo and the St. Louis Art Museum. Both are top attractions, and deservedly so. The Chase is located in the Central West End neighborhood, which is about the closest thing St. Louis has to New York City "coolness". Tons of restaurants, drink establishments, eclectic shopping and general people watching. Also incredible architecture in the form of older mansion-type homes on the neighborhood's residential streets. (There are actually coffee table books about the neighborhood's classic homes.)
Lafayette Square also does have some beautiful homes, and I am sure the B&B Parker referred to is nice, but the area is dicey. I eat at a Mexican restaurant there regularly, but I know the area. For an out of towner, walk a couple of blocks in the wrong direction and you could wish you were at the Ritz in a big way.
I also recomend the Botanical Gardens, but the husbands may not get excited about that. I'm not sure how fabulous it would be in October, and I dig the Garden. (Get it? Dig..the Garden
) Dining on "The Hill" (my neighborhood) is a St. Louis must. Zia's is my personal favorite, but I have not been to them all. (I have tried, though) Check out:
http://www.diningstl.com/TheHill.htm
and
http://www.explorestlouis.com/dining/index.asp
I am ashamed to admit I have never been on the Anheuser Busch brewery tour (driving through the light display at Christmas time does not count, I've been told.) This tour is very popular. I think it's free. And they serve FREE BEER! (Don't get too excited, the cups are quite small.)
If there are any particular places for which you would like an insider's opinion, I would be more than happy to oblige. The New York area of this forum helped me out tremendously when I moved my daughter there, and I feel honored to "pass it on" to those visiting my home town.
Ask away!
The hotel is attached to a shopping area, housing some fun restaurants...which is all built around a former actual railroad station. You can also catch the Metro Link (St. Louis' above-ground version of a subway system) right at the hotel, should you decide to travel a bit further than you'd want to walk, and you want to leave the car (and the parking hassles). Union Station would be an excellent choice, should you decide to partake of any St. Louis sporting event, the Arch or Laclede's Landing.
When I only have a few days somewhere, I like to stay in a central location, close to the things I plan to do. The Ritz Carlton is very nice, but it is in Clayton. Clayton is a great neighborhood with good restaurants...but I think of Clayton as more of a business/residential area.
The Chase Park Plaza is an interesting suggestion. It has a lot of history and has been completely redone. (There are several restaurants inside, AND a beautiful movie theatre.) The Chase is also across the street from Forest Park. (Think Central Park, midwest-syle) Inside Forest Park is the St.Louis Zoo and the St. Louis Art Museum. Both are top attractions, and deservedly so. The Chase is located in the Central West End neighborhood, which is about the closest thing St. Louis has to New York City "coolness". Tons of restaurants, drink establishments, eclectic shopping and general people watching. Also incredible architecture in the form of older mansion-type homes on the neighborhood's residential streets. (There are actually coffee table books about the neighborhood's classic homes.)
Lafayette Square also does have some beautiful homes, and I am sure the B&B Parker referred to is nice, but the area is dicey. I eat at a Mexican restaurant there regularly, but I know the area. For an out of towner, walk a couple of blocks in the wrong direction and you could wish you were at the Ritz in a big way.
I also recomend the Botanical Gardens, but the husbands may not get excited about that. I'm not sure how fabulous it would be in October, and I dig the Garden. (Get it? Dig..the Garden
) Dining on "The Hill" (my neighborhood) is a St. Louis must. Zia's is my personal favorite, but I have not been to them all. (I have tried, though) Check out:http://www.diningstl.com/TheHill.htm
and
http://www.explorestlouis.com/dining/index.asp
I am ashamed to admit I have never been on the Anheuser Busch brewery tour (driving through the light display at Christmas time does not count, I've been told.) This tour is very popular. I think it's free. And they serve FREE BEER! (Don't get too excited, the cups are quite small.)
If there are any particular places for which you would like an insider's opinion, I would be more than happy to oblige. The New York area of this forum helped me out tremendously when I moved my daughter there, and I feel honored to "pass it on" to those visiting my home town.
Ask away!
Aug 28th, 2003, 10:03 PM
#7
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
don't forget Soulard area since you'll be downtown - numerous charming pubs and quaint restaurants, this is where you'll find blues bands playing. McGurk's has a great outdoor patio, too. Crowne Candy is a must downtown, too. Central West End: Bar Italia, Dressels, Lewelins. Try Toasted Ravioli appetisers, and gooey butter cake for local appetisers/desserts. University City "loop" is fun and funky/artsy. Fitz's, Riddles, Blueberry Hill are all great.
Second Hermann (Stonehill is awesome) or Augusta (albeit smaller than Hermann, Mt Pleasant winery is good)
lastly, go to Ted Drewe's in the evening!
Second Hermann (Stonehill is awesome) or Augusta (albeit smaller than Hermann, Mt Pleasant winery is good)
lastly, go to Ted Drewe's in the evening!
Sep 7th, 2003, 11:50 PM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Weather should be great.
Go to Alton,IL and follow "The Great River Road" to Elsah and Grafton, IL. You'll be a little early for optimal fall colors, but the highway is lovely. At Elsah you'll find a great soup / salad place called Elsah's Landing. (Principia College is also located there)
At Grafton, there are bar/grill type restaurants - a good one is "The Fin Inn" with river fish specialties. About 10 minutes further north is Pere Marquette State Park with a lodge and cabins and dining room - and an enormous chess game in the lobby.
As recommended before - go to soulard - just south of downtown, and don't forget about "the Hill" - ask directions - great Italian restaurants.
Go to Alton,IL and follow "The Great River Road" to Elsah and Grafton, IL. You'll be a little early for optimal fall colors, but the highway is lovely. At Elsah you'll find a great soup / salad place called Elsah's Landing. (Principia College is also located there)
At Grafton, there are bar/grill type restaurants - a good one is "The Fin Inn" with river fish specialties. About 10 minutes further north is Pere Marquette State Park with a lodge and cabins and dining room - and an enormous chess game in the lobby.
As recommended before - go to soulard - just south of downtown, and don't forget about "the Hill" - ask directions - great Italian restaurants.
