What to do in St. Louis?

bort · Post by **bort** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 12:08 pm

I'm going to be in St. Louis for a conference from April 26-29. I don't think I'll have a ton of free time there, but what are the "must-see" or "must-do" things in town?

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 1:58 pm

I have some favorite things to do when when in St Louis....

- The Arch is a 'must do' if you've never been there.
- Lunch in an area called 'the hill' is fun.
- Dinner outdoors at any of the restaurants at LeClede's Landing (close to The Arch) is good.
- The Botanical Gardens are spectactular if you are in to plants.
- Union Station is a fun way to spend a few hours.
- If you are traveling with kids, the St. Louis Zoo is a real treat.

If you are driving and will be on I-64 east of St. Louis, stop by my place for coffee! (not that it's an attraction or anything)

Jeremy K. · Post by **Jeremy K.** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 5:01 pm

Check out the new Busch Stadium. Even if you can't get tickets to a game, the atmosphere is pretty awesome around there.

Also the St. Louis City Museum is a lot of fun if you have kids.

There is lots to do in Forest Park as well (zoo, art museum, paddle boats, science center). Also near Forest Park is Dogtown which has great pubs and is hopping most nights.

You might also want to check out some of the frisbee golf courses if you have the time and that's your thing. There about 14 all over the St. Louis area.

Oh yeah, and Ted Drewes for ice cream!!

I'm sure there's a whole bunch of other stuff I'm totally missing right now, but hopefully this helps!!

Carroll · Post by **Carroll** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:41 pm

TubaTinker wrote:I have some favorite things to do when when in St Louis....

- The Arch is a 'must do' if you've never been there.
- Lunch in an area called 'the hill' is fun.
- Dinner outdoors at any of the restaurants at LeClede's Landing (close to The Arch) is good.
- The Botanical Gardens are spectactular if you are in to plants.
- Union Station is a fun way to spend a few hours.
- If you are traveling with kids, the St. Louis Zoo is a real treat.

Jeremy K. wrote:Check out the new Busch Stadium. Even if you can't get tickets to a game, the atmosphere is pretty awesome around there.

Also the St. Louis City Museum is a lot of fun if you have kids.

There is lots to do in Forest Park as well (zoo, art museum, paddle boats, science center).

Oh yeah, and Ted Drewes for ice cream!!

Good things to know because I will be taking my H.S. band to St. Louis in May. We will also catch Tommy Tune's Dr. Dolittle, play at the sculpture park, and visit Bevo Mill.

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:41 pm

Well, you could visit the St. Louis World's Fair--but you'd be 102 years too late...

bort · Post by **bort** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 1:09 am

Thanks for all the advice. My hotel is diretly adjacent to the arch, so I'll be sure to check that out.

Food-wise, what is St. Louis famous for? What should I be sure to eat while I'm there? (And will they have grits?)

Also, Bloke, I am well aware of East St. Louis, and will certainly avoid it. A few years ago in college, I learned all about East St. Louis in a sociology class...quite a place, and reminds me a bit of West Baltimore...

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 1:45 am

bort wrote:Food-wise, what is St. Louis famous for? What should I be sure to eat while I'm there? (And will they have grits?).

Did you know that peanut butter, 7-Up and the ice cream cone were invented in St. Louis? Other St. Louis foods:

Toasted Ravioli
Gooey butter cake
Prosperity sandwich - open-face ham, turkey, bacon, cheese with a cream sauce
Pork steaks
"Concrete" - ice cream mixed with candy and nuts
St. Louis-style pizza; thin crust, with Provel (don't ask) cheese

Oh, another St. Louis invention could come in handy--Tums .

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 5:47 am

St. Louis is the only place you can get a St. Paul sandwich. This is an egg foo young patty, lettuce, tomato slice, dill pickle, with mayonnaise, on two slices of Wonder bread. You can find it in almost any budget Chinese restaurant in St. Louis or St. Louis County. It may not sound like much, but it's very cheap and filling.

Carroll · Post by **Carroll** » Sat May 27, 2006 11:13 am

We took our band trip and it was phenomenal. We did the obligatory Six Flags thing and then went for shopping and dinner at Union Station. We stayed at the Millennium Hotel (across the street from the Arch). Breakfast was included in the revolving restaraunt atop the round hotel. On the second day we toured the Arch museums, saw the documentary films, took the trip up the Arch, played our concert on the river front stage, had lunch on the paddle wheel boat tour, visited the old court house and went back to the hotel. We dressed for dinner (Vito's Italian for toasted ravioli, masticcioli, and pizza) and caught Tommy Tune in Dr. DoLittle at the Fabulous Fox Theater. Our third day saw breakfast in the hotel again, a tour of the Missouri Botanical Gardens and the St. Loius Zoo. Then we had lunch at Bevo Mill (German Buffet) and concretes at Ted Drewe's before heading home. The kids were blown away, as ususal, and Six Flags ended up being their least favorite thing. The broadway show was great! We did all of this (hotel, bus, two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, all admissions, and frozen custards) for $250.00 per person. I set up all the arrangements so we did not have to pay travel agent fees.

I think next year we might try to sit in on a military band rehearsal with Ft. Campbell (KY) visit Mammoth Cave and play a concert underground, then go to Beach Bend amusement park on the next day. Should be able to do all that and feed the kids for $75.00.

bort · Post by **bort** » Sat May 27, 2006 11:19 am

I ended up missing all of this stuff. I was there for 4 days and only saw my hotel and the convention center. Productive business trip, but I really could have been anywhere for all I saw of STL. The locals were VERY friendly though.