St Louis weekend questions
 

I am flying to St Louis in Dec with my 11 year old boy to see the Rams - Cards game. He's a diehard Sports fam so I will probably plan to take him on a tour of the new Bush stadium while we are out there.

My questions are:

Do I need a rental car?

Is the stadium near nice hotels? One with a pool would be high on my list.

What else would you reccomend an 11 year old see on his birthday weekend?

Take him to the Zoo and a trip up the Arch would be a must do.

I am all over the arch - great idea

For a weekend you do not need a car.

You can take the light rail from the airport to the convention center stop. That's where the Jones Dome is located along with the Renaissance hotel. I've stayed at the Renaissance. It's a lovely hotel but I don't know if it has a pool.

From the light rail you can get to Union Station, the Arch and the Stadium as well as many other hotel options. The Westin is at the Stadium. It's probably the nicest hotel in downtown. I've only stayed there once. The Hyatt is in Union Station. I've stayed several times. I like it's location in Union Station with its beautiful lobby in the old train station main hall.

You can walk from the Forest Park rail station to the Zoo and Science Center which are both very nice. It is a long walk though. There's seasonal shuttle bus service but it probably won't be running in December.

Rather then the Zoo and the Science center I'd recommend the City Museum for a first weekend. It's unusual and fun for adults as well as kids. I will admit I am jaded. I've seen so dang many zoos with friends' young'uns that they all look alike to me now. That's why I like the City Museum better. It's different.

www.citymuseum.org

With the Arch (which has a museum and an I-Max,) the City Museum, a tour of the new stadium, Union Station and a football game, I think that's plenty for a weekend.

Wow, I think Indytraveler summed it up perfectly.

The Hilton is nice also.

If you have a rental car,your options for Hotels will increase...obviously(!)But there are other midtown options.

Anne S, is the Hilton the new one downtown? I've not stayed there in fact haven't even walked in their lobby. It does look nice on the internet though.

Indytravel,
Yes it is new. Not sure when it opened though. It looks very nice. Not sure about the pool though.

The Bowling Hall of Fame is right next to rhe Stadium.I am not bowler but It is actually kind of neat. I went to a Fundraiser there and thought my 10 year old would like it!!

I second the Zoo! Well worth it! It is one of the best around and is free.

Another for the City Museum. You have to go to believe it. All ages will enjoy this one.

In summer that Arch gets VERY uncomfortable, hot inside. The spaces are not as imagined. I was not warned and went with the entire family right after lunch. DON'T.

Go early in the morning or at a cooler time of day, if at all possible. And if you are very tall or have any claustrophobic tendencies be aware that the wait to come down can be delayed if it is crowded.

My favorite hotel room ever was Westin Cupples Station right near the old stadium. In walking distance from the new as well, I believe. I've still not been to the new. It's on my list.

You can get some great hotels through Priceline. Check www.biddingfortravel.com.
Take him to Ted Drewes for frozen custard. It's a St. Louis Institution.

Yes, I got that hotel on Priceline. And they have a book of weekend specials they will mail out to you (Tourism)- if you have time yet, which includes combo 2 night packages if you prefer not to do Priceline type venues.

Isn't the Hilton the old Marriott? I think it changed names last year?

Another possible hotel option is the Drury Plaza. Its on Broadway, not too far from the new stadium. I used to work not far from the baseball stadium and we had clients stay there quite a bit. They always gave it rave reviews. As I live here I have never actually stayed in any of the hotels downtown so I can't comment first hand.

The Hyatt is a good choice, although its usually full of people on bus tours. Union Station is interesting but sadly its not what it could be. Another restaurant has just moved out. Its filled mostly with souvenir shops and food court restaurants. But the lobby of the Hyatt is gorgeous and you would have access to the metrolink to the game from here. Its separated by the riverfront by about 18 blocks.

I also highly recommend the City Museum; its a great museum for children and adults!

I hope you have a great trip...the new stadium is great!

Tracy

Hey indytravel, I'm assuming you live in Indianapolis? If so, I will be in your fine city this weekend. My husband's extended family lives in Beech Grove and we are spending the weekend with his grandmother. One of the highlights? Picking up cans of Skyline Chili at Krogers, since we can't buy it here in St. Louis and I'm addicted! ;)

Tracy

Is The Landing's there still nice? Fun?
Gosh....that brings back memories of Cubs Cards games there!

Note that the OP is visiting in December. It might be chilly for the zoo and Ted Drewes.

I agree it might be too chilly for Ted Drews but I have been to the Zoo several times over the years and have never thought it was too chilly during a Dec day. Its actually very nice. Fewer crowds, better parking, no lines and better/closer looks at the animals.

Hey tcreath. Small world. My brother and his wife have been Grover's for years. She was actually born in Beech Grove almost 50 years ago. Big Catholic family, Holy Name the whole bit. It took me a while to enjoy Skyline Chili. I find it's best not to think of it as chili. It's some weird (but delicious) sauce on spaghetti. :-)

Back to STL I'm pretty sure there are two "new" Hiltons in town. There's the new one over by the convention center, then the one that used to be the Marriott a block north of the new stadium. I walked through their newly remodeled lobby in July. Oh my. Euro-bizzare came to mind. There's a fireplace that looks like shattered glass from a car wreck with natural gas burning up through it. I'm wondering what they are doing in the rooms.

JJ5 I've only stayed at the Cupples Station once. It is a gorgeous hotel. Those slate tiled bathrooms are huge! My friend's comment was that the difference between a luxurious hotel and the rest is the bathroom is so big the mirrors can't fog. :-)

indy, I must admit that I only like Skyline Chili when it is smothered with some chili sauce and lots of onions and cheese. But oh my is the end result delicious! My husband is a Cincinnati native so he loves the stuff, but it took me awhile to form my own addiction.
My in-laws were both born and raised in Beech Grove but have now lived in the St. Louis area for about 20 years. The rest of DH's extended family lives in or near Beech Grove, so we visit several times a year.

Back to the OP: if you visit close enough to Christmas, the Zoo puts on a terrific Christmas light display. Walking through the Zoo, with all of the lights twinkling, is almost like walking through a fantasyland.

Tracy

Oh yea! I forgot about the lights at Christmas in the Zoo. Its soooo pretty!

Oh yes Christmas Lights at the zoo!!!

Another festive venue to see a beautiful display is a park called Tilles Park. It is fun for kids of all ages!! It is right off I64. You can take a horse and carriage ride or a car. There are great little buger and pizza restaurants nearby for dinner.

I've been visiting a friend in StL for years and go every December. I didn't know about Christmas lights at the zoo. I'll have to put that on my list for this year.

It's what I love about Fodor's. Been going to StL 3 or 4 times a year for 15 years and still learn something new. :-)

I know exactly what you mean, Indy. We've lived in the Chicago area for over 23 years now and I frequently learn something new about it on Fodor's!

It's been a long time since I've been to the zoo in Forest Park. But I took my kids to Brookfield Zoo year round when they were little. And I agree with the poster who said that, in many ways, the winter is actually better than summer.

Totally agree. We are zoo people, and Brookfield Zoo Members and we have had tremendous evenings and daylight hours at the zoo in Winter. The docents have more time to initiate lessons, or interaction between animals and patrons, if allowed, as well.

First of all in St. Louis the football Cardinals are called the "Big Red". The only time you should use the terms "Cards" is when talking about the baseball St. Louis Cardinals.

There are plenty of good hotels close to the Edward Jones Dome. Within a 3 block radius is the Renaissance, a very nice Hampton Inn, a Drury Inn and an Embassy Suites. A few blocks further away you have two Hiltons (one new, one the old Marriott) a Drury Suites and the Westin. Skip the Radisson and the Adams Mark if possible.

Ted Drewes is fun in the winter as he self Christmas trees during the season. Fun times.

The zoo is good during the winter. They just has a baby elephant born a few weeks ago and she should go on display soon. The crowds will be tremendous for a while but should calm down in the winter.

He'll love the City Museum.

Also Joe Edwards should be opening his "Flamingo Bowl" sometime this fall in the 1200 block of Washington Ave (only a few blocks from the Renaissance and the Dome). Should be fun for a kid since his Pin-Up Bowl in the UCity loop draws good daytime crowds for children.

What is the "Flamingo Bowl"? Obvioulsy a bowling alley, but what else, I had not heard of that. I know he is involved in the project near the Dome which I cannot remember the name. I have seen plans and it looks amazing.

It seems what he touches turns to gold!

I've only driven by the Flamingo Bowl and can't see anything since they had the windows papered off.

It is not part of the Bottle District which will be built to the north of the Dome. They should be starting on that area soon since our lot for tailgating for Rams games used to be in that area and is now closed.

I haven't heard any details except it will be a slightly larger version of the Pin-Up Bowl. I saw a recent interview with Joe Edwards but it mainly focused on his building a boutique hotel between the Pageant and the Pin Up Bowl in the Delmar Loop. No details abaout Flamingo. It's sounding like he may partner with a national boutique chain (like Kimpton). He's also wanting to go mid-rise and have a 10 to 12 story building.

It's never TOO COLD for Ted Drew's & the lines are shorter in December!

"First of all in St. Louis the football Cardinals are called the "Big Red".

Actually, they are called the Arizona Cardinals.

This message makes me a little sad! I'm a St. Louis native who just found out that we will be moving to Charlotte, NC in about 2.5 weeks. Reading about St. Louis makes me realize all the great things that are here.

teamwilson, I hope you have/had a good time!

Tracy

tcreath,
Wow. I had a freind move from here to Charlotte about 4 years ago.

I hear it is lovely. Are you in STL now?
just think of it as a new adventure!!! Good luck and keep us posted!

Tracy, sorry to hear of your imminent departure. One less voice from St. Loo where there aren't too many to begin with..... Charlotte is nice though. Have a safe journey. Dave

There is a very nice Hampton Inn right across the street from the stadium the Rams play in. We were there recently and were very pleased with the hotel.

And definately GO TO THE CITY MUSEUM. It's wonderful. Both you and your son will love it!

We stayed at the Hilton downtown in June. Very nice hotel, we got a great rate from hotwire.com.

annesherrod, I am still in St. Louis although only until the 18th. I'm on a quest to visit all of my favorite restaurants before I leave!

dcd, you are certainly right...not enough St. Louis voices on this board! No worries though...I will still plug my hometown whenever I see the St. Louis questions pop up!

I've yet to visit Charlotte (we will be there this upcoming weekend) but I hear its lovely and we are looking forward to the change of scenery, although St. Louis will always be my real home.

Best wishes,
Tracy

tcreath,

The best of luck to you!! Did you or your husband get a transfer?

I am going to Miso's this evening and since it is so nice we are going to The Seven Gables Inn outdoor courtyard for a drink.
Let me know if you try some "new old" restaurants before you take off!

Again - Good Luck to you.

Thanks for all the insite. I thought I should follow up and let everyone who answered know what we did.

We stayed at the Drury Inn right next to the stadium. If you have kids that are autograph hounds THIS is the spot. My son got 32 autographs - the players park on one side of the hotel and walk through the building to reach the stadium. The Drury itself was just ok physically but the staff was outstanding; they had a full free breakfast buffet and a small indoor pool.

We were lucky that our home team UVA was in the fnal 4 NCAA soccer tourney - so we checked that out on Saturday. Also hit the Arch and the Cardinals museum. Kinda ran out of time after that.

Great time thanks for the input

teamwilson - So glad to hear you had a good time in Saint Louis!!

I will have to remember about the Drury for autographs - I have an 11 year old son too!!