St. Louis Places of Interest
Busch Stadium
Home to MLB’s St. Louis Cardinals, Busch Stadium opened in 2006 as a replacement for the former Busch Memorial Stadium. The $346 million stadium maintained the same retro-era design of green fences and red seats, as well as the bronze statue of Cardinals’ legend Stan Musial. Marble plaques commemorating the top 100 Cardinal moments embed the sidewalks outside, and the exterior features historical plaques of Cardinal logos. The field now boasts a new electronic scoreboard, though the old scoreboard is still displayed as a monument in the main concourse. Busch Stadium seats 43,975 for games during the season, and in 2009 it will host the MLB’s All-Star Game. The stadium offers several venues for group accommodations, as well as stadium tours, year-round.
For more information: 314-345-9000
The Gateway Arch
Towering over the city at 630 feet, this monument on the St. Louis riverfront commemorates the Louisiana Purchase and U.S. expansion to the west in the 19th century. The stainless steel arch, built in 1965, is 75 feet taller than the Washington Monument and twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty. A tram system in each leg of the Arch carries visitors to the top, where on a good day they can see views stretching 30 miles to the west and east. Guests, who number about 4.1 million annually, can also visit one of two movie theaters or the Museum of Westward Expansion at the base. Also on the ground floor, a mercantile levee sells items similar to what shoppers would have found in the 1870s, such as wooden toys, tin bake ware and smoked and sliced snack meats.
The Gateway Arch is open daily, Labor Day to Memorial Day, from 9 AM to 6 PM and closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The Arch is open daily, Memorial Day to Labor Day from 8 AM to 10 PM. A tram ticket is $2.50 for children ages 3-12, $4 for children ages 13-16 and $7 for adults. Entrance to the museum is free. For more information: 877-982-1410
St. Louis Art Museum
The St. Louis Art Museum consistently ranks among the nation’s top 10 art museums in attendance, with the average of annual visitors numbering over 600,000. The museum houses over 30,000 works of art, including notable collections in Oceanic art, pre-Columbian art, ancient Chinese bronzes and European and American art of the late 19th and 20th centuries such as works by Monet, Van Gogh and Picasso. A $125 million expansion project is scheduled to begin in 2008 and be completed by 2011 that will include over 82,000 square feet for new galleries, public space and collections. A new restaurant and relocation of surface parking to a 300-space below-grade parking garage are also part of the new development plans.
The museum is open Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. The museum is open Friday from 10 AM to 9 PM. It is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission to the permanent collection is free. Admission to featured exhibitions varies but is always free on Friday. Parking in paved lots around the museum is free. For more information: 314-721-0072
Union Station
Located in downtown St. Louis, this restored train station was once the largest in the country, serving over 100,000 passengers per day. Costing $6.5 million to build, the station is designed in a mixture of Romanesque styles, modeled after a medieval city in southern France. Most impressive is the Grand Hall, with a 65-foot barrel-vaulted ceiling, mosaics, art glass windows and gold detailing. Perhaps the most striking feature of the Grand Hall is the “Allegorical Window,” a hand-made stained glass window featuring three women, each one representing the main U.S. train stations in the 1890s.
The last train left Union Station in 1978, and in 1985 it reopened after a $150 million restoration project. Now it features a marketplace with over 85 shops, restaurants and entertainment venues, as well as various exhibits inside featuring railroad memorabilia. The Memories Museum is a permanent exhibit that showcases the history of the station and the people who traveled through it with items such as conductor uniforms, photos and silverware and china from dining cars on display.
Union Station is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 9 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. Admission is free. Parking is $1 per half hour for up to six hours; parking for six to 10 hours is a flat rate of $12. For more information: 314-721-0072
St. Louis Entertainment
Fox Theatre
The Fox Theatre opened in 1929 as one of the largest in William Fox’s theater empire. Designed in a style called Siamese Byzantine, the theatre was inspired by mosques of India and features ornate furniture and a lobby with a 2,000-pound chandelier and gold griffons. Fox Theatre hosted the world premier of both St. Louis Blues, when Nat “King” Cole and Pearl Bailey performed, and The Spirit of St. Louis. Musical performances ranged from Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and Glen Miller to the Grateful Dead and Frank Zappa. After its $3 million restoration in 1981, the Fox Theatre reopened and now seats over 4,000 for various shows and performances.
The Fox Theatre box office is open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM. Show parking is available in private lots for $8 to $10. For more information: 314-534-1678
Laclede’s Landing
North of the Gateway Arch along the Mississippi River lies the nine-block historic district of Laclede’s Landing, named after French fur trader and city founder Pierre Laclede, who established a trading center near the landing in 1763. During the Mississippi Steamboat Era, Laclede’s Landing flourished as a center of transportation, commerce and manufacturing, but declined in the 1880s as railroads became the primary means of transportation in the country. In 1975 the Laclede’s Landing Redevelopment Corp. formed to renovate and revitalize the district, which is now home to some of the best preserved post-Civil War commercial buildings in the U.S.
Among the historic brick- and iron-faced buildings and cobblestone streets, visitors can pick from a number of activities at the Landing, including shopping for unique gifts at Gibbol’s Novelties and Costumes; visiting the Wax Museum, which features over 180 costumed figures of presidents, movie stars, royalty and more; and playing slot machines or table games at St. Louis’ only downtown casino. Laclede’s Landing also offers several venues for live entertainment, including rock and roll sing-alongs at Big Bang bar, karaoke at Skeeters Eatery and live music at Trainwreck on the Landing. For more information: 314-241-5875
St. Louis Municipal Opera, “The Muny”
Self-proclaimed oldest and largest outdoor theater in the nation, The Muny was built from scratch in 49 days after the Convention Board of the St. Louis Advertising Club decided to host the 13th Annual Convention of Advertising Clubs of the World in 1917. Since its inaugural performance of Verdi’s AIDA, The Muny has hosted performers such as Joel Grey, Patti Labelle, Carol Burnett and Lauren Bacall in both Broadway and Hollywood productions. The Muny seats about 11,000 people and is located in Forest Park.
The Muny box office is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. The season runs from mid-June to mid-August, and curtain time is 8:15 PM. Tickets start at $9. Approximately 1,500 seats in the last nine rows are free on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is complementary. For more information: 314-361-9100
St. Louis Restaurants
The Boathouse
The Boathouse is the place for delicious café food enjoyed in a scenic and casual environment. Located in Forest Park on the edges of Post-Dispatch Lake, the Boathouse welcomes guests with contemporary, cozy décor, including a wood-burning fireplace and breathtaking views of the lake and park. Burgers, hand-tossed pizzas and salads dominate the menu, with the salmon BLT and flank steak rarebit representing the signature selections. The Boathouse is also a popular spot for brunch every Sunday, where diners can enjoy Breakfast Pizza, a pizza topped with scrambled eggs and cheddar cheese. The restaurant features live entertainment Friday and Saturday nights.
For more information: 314-367-2224
Cunetto House of Pasta
Cunetto House of Pasta, located in St. Louis’ famed Italian community “the Hill,” is a neighborhood institution. Opened by former pharmacists and brothers Vince and Joe Cunetto in 1974, Cunetto has over time earned a reputation for some of the best Italian food in the city, if not the state. The romantic and spacious setting offers diners plenty of room for its large portions of Italian favorites, including over 30 pasta-based entrees along with steak, fish and veal selections. Favorites include the Linguini Tuto Mare, linguini with a seafood sauce of clams, crab meat, shrimp and mushrooms, and the Linguini alla Pavarotti, linguini served with the famous tenor’s favorite sauce of anchovies, tomato, parsley and red pepper. Another must is the St. Louis classic toasted ravioli. Cunetto’s banquet room is available Monday through Thursday for groups of up to 40 people. It is known to have one of the longest waits in the city so guests are encouraged to arrive early.
For more information: 314-781-1135
Hacienda
Opening in 1971, Hacienda offers mouth-watering Mexican food in a gorgeous, traditional setting unmatched by any run-of-the-mill chain Mexican restaurant. Located in one of the oldest buildings in St. Louis County, the restaurant was originally a home owned by two steamboat skippers. Various restaurants moved in over time, gradually expanding the structure, until Hacienda opened in 1977 with improvements such as an on-site chip factory, an all-weather dining and bar area with a fireplace and an outdoor terrace and cabana bar. The restaurant’s menu features entrees infused with Southwestern flavors of chili and lime, including traditional Mexican fare of fajitas, tacos and quesadillas, as well as unique dishes such as grilled pork tenderloin with mango slices, roasted garlic mashed potatoes spiked with chipotle and chile poblano and baked tilapia with Veracruz sauce. Also available are margaritas and a selection of beers, best enjoyed during the restaurant’s happy hours Monday through Friday from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
For more information: 314-962-7100
Sidney Street Café
Exposed brick walls, ornate mirrors, hardwood floors and linen tablecloths speak to Sidney Street Café’s delicious contemporary American cuisine. Menu highlights include classics with a twist such a steak au poivre with a mustard cognac sauce, lamb chops with Asian apricot glaze and herb-roasted chicken with sage gravy. Guests can also choose from a list of distinctive appetizers including lobster turnovers, blue cheese tarts and crab corn cake, though most prefer to fill up on the complimentary fresh French beignets for every table. Sidney Street Café has an atrium available for groups of 30 to 50 people.
For more information: 314-771-5777
Ted Drewes
A modest custard stand as opposed to a full-fledged restaurant, Ted Drewes is still a St. Louis dining experience that cannot be missed. An absolute favorite of visitors and locals, it’s unlikely you’ll find a citizen of St. Louis who does not know about Ted Drewes, whose first of now two locations opened in 1931. Both serve their custard in only one flavor, vanilla, but anyone can create a customized treat by choosing from the variety of flavorings and toppings, including banana, blueberry, cookie dough, lime, peanut putter, pistachio and strawberry. Ted Drewes offers various frozen temptations including malts, shakes, sundaes, cones and floats. Most popular is the famous concrete, a dessert so thick that when servers turn its bowl upside down, it does not fall out. Diners can choose from popular concrete specialties, such as Terramizzou, a blend of chocolate and pistachio nuts, or Hawaiian Delight, a mix of pineapple, banana, coconut and macadamia nuts. Ted Drewes takes orders for large quantities for commercial needs.
For more information: 314-352-7376
St. Louis Nightlife
Absoluti Goosed Martini Bar
Winner of “Best Cocktail,” “Best Martini” and “Best Bartenders” titles from various local magazines, Absoluti Goosed serves over 120 innovative and imaginative cocktails among relaxing and modern décor. From traditional margaritas and cosmopolitans to unique concoctions such as Porky Pig in Leather, made of peach schnapps, white crème de cacao, Finalandia cranberry and a chocolate rim, every guest is sure to find a favorite. Most popular is the bar’s signature Bloody Mary, made from a secret recipe and available in extra mild, mild, medium hot or spicy. Happy hours are daily until 8 PM, and Martini Mondays feature $5 martinis all day.
For more information: 314-772-0400
Bailey’s Chocolate Bar
Over 10 chocolate martinis, four kinds of hot chocolate and a dizzying array of chocolate desserts await chocolate lovers at the aptly-named Bailey’s Chocolate Bar. The red décor – red walls, red chairs, red roses, even a red bathroom floor – set the mood for a romantic night and good conversation. The bar boasts using only the finest quality chocolate vodka, chocolate espresso and real fruit liquors, ice creams and sorbets to make its martinis, including its signature concoction, a secret blend of chocolate vodka, Irish cream and pure dark chocolate. Guests can dine on a modest menu of desserts, cheeses and light appetizers. Non-chocoholics can choose among wine, scotch and over 75 beers, bottled and draft.
For more information: 618-462-5532
Blueberry Hill
Opened in 1972, Blueberry Hill has established itself as a St. Louis landmark and local favorite. The bar’s décor, a collection of pop culture memorabilia that includes collections on The Simpsons, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and Wurlitzer jukeboxes, complement its fun and lively atmosphere. Pinball machines, dart boards and board games built into booths also speak to the bar’s fun-loving attitude. Blueberry Hill features 60 bottled beers and 18 drought taps, both local and imported, as well as cocktails and mixed drinks. Guests can grab an after-dinner snack at the Hill, where a late-night menu offers burgers, sandwiches, appetizers and breakfast selections Monday through Saturday until midnight and Sunday until 11 PM. Blueberry Hill has two themed rooms for group accommodations: the Elvis room, with room for 50 to 150 guests, and the Duck Room, with room for 75 to 300 guests.
For more information: 314-727-4444
St. Louis Brewery’s Schlafly Tap Room
With the distinction as the first brewpub in Missouri, the Schlafly Tap Room is owned and operated by St. Louis Brewery, Inc., which produces over 34 styles of famous Schlafly each year. This local favorite offers a selection of Schlafly beers, which range from regulars of Pale Ale and Pilsner to seasonal brews such as Scotch Ale, Raspberry Hefeweizen and Coffee Stout. Patrons will enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the bar, housed in a restored brick building downtown. Though they often come for the beer, guests find it worthwhile to order from the Tap Room’s menu, designed specifically to complement and enhance the flavors of the beer. Unique fare includes the German Camembert cheese plate and Wiener Schnitzel. Traditional pub favorites take on a unique twist, such as the fried shrimp, dipped in Hefeweizen batter and served with housemade red and white cocktail sauces, and the grilled Bratwurst, boiled in Oatmeal Stout and then grilled. Live entertainment is available on the weekends.
For more information: 314-241-BEER
Sub Zero Vodka Bar
Sub Zero Vodka Bar delivers on its name by offering over 200 premium vodkas from all over the world that make up their extensive list of cocktails. Popular concoctions include the Bling Bling champagne cocktail, a mixture of Grey Goose vodka, raspberry puree and simple syrup tossed with champagne, and the pepper-infused Bloody Mary, made from four-pepper, sun-dried tomato-infused Absolut vodka. The centerpiece among the stainless-steel accents and blue and gray walls is a 28-foot marble slab that lines the bar to keep glasses icy cool. A sushi bar also serves a variety of raw fare.
For more information: 314-367-1200
Family Activities in St. Louis
City Museum
Located in downtown St. Louis, this 600,000-square-foot museum boasts an annual attendance of over 600,000 visitors. City Museum opened in 1997 with the mission to awaken childlike imagination, joy and a sense of wonder in all ages, as well as transform the way people look at the world. Visitors can “explore the unexpected” on three floors of exhibits, all made from recycled products from throughout the city, including old chimneys, construction cranes, tiles and abandoned planes that have been converted into, among other things, caves, slides, a jungle gym and a museum of oddities.
City Museum is open Monday through Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM, Friday from 9 AM to 1 AM, Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. It is closed Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Parking is available for $5. For more information: 314-231-2489
Grant’s Farm
Grant’s Farm gets its name from U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, who owned and farmed 80 acres of the land in the 1850s after receiving it as a wedding gift. August Busch of Anheuser-Busch fame later purchased the land in 1903, where he developed it into a country estate, bringing deer, horses and cattle to the land. Grant’s Farm, still owned and operated by Anheuser-Busch, Inc., is now home to over 1,000 animals from 100 different species, including kangaroos, tortoises and elephants. Farm attractions include a petting zoo and goat-feeding area, the Budweiser Clydesdale Stables and Grant’s cabin, a four-room, two-story home built by the president in 1855.
Grant’s Farm spring hours from April 19 to May 4 are Saturday from 9 AM to 3:30 PM and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Summer hours from May 6 to August 10 are Tuesday through Friday from 9 AM to 3:30 PM, Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 4 PM. Fall hours from August 13 to October 26 are Wednesday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Admission is free. Parking is $10 per vehicle. For more information: 314-843-1700
The Magic House
Named the number 1 attraction for child appeal by Zagat’s Family Travel Guide, the Magic House is a hands-on children’s museum housed in a three-story Victorian Home in west St. Louis. The House features over 100 exhibits, including “First Impressions,” a giant pin screen where children can create three-dimensional impressions of themselves, and the “Electrostatic Generator,” an electrically-charged ball that makes hairs stand on end. A 2008 expansion to a condominium complex next door will include new exhibit galleries such as an outdoor play garden and the “Star-Spangled Center,” where children can learn about the government, citizenship and democracy in a mock courtroom, legislative chamber and Oval Office.
The Magic House is open Tuesday through Thursday, Labor Day to Memorial Day, from noon to 5:30 PM, Friday from noon to 9 PM, Saturday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 5:30 PM. The Magic House is open Monday through Thursday and Saturday, Memorial Day to Labor Day, from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Friday from 9:30 AM to 9 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 5:30 PM. It is closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Regular admission is $7.50. Admission for children under 1 is free. For more information: 314-822-8900
Saint Louis Zoo
The St. Louis Zoo, located six miles west of downtown St. Louis, features over 22,805 exotic animals from 800 species around the world, many of which are rare and endangered, including Speke’s gazelle, the hooded crane and the Chinese alligator. Rated the number 1 zoo by Zagat’s Family Travel Guide, the 90-acre zoo also offers attractions, including a sea lion show, a 20-minute narrated railroad tour of the zoo’s exhibits and the Conservation Carousel, made from 64 hand-carven wooden animals representing the protected and endangered species at the zoo. In 2007, the zoo opened the Animal Nutrition Center where visitors can view nutrition staff as they prepare meals for the animals. The zoo has various venues available for large group rentals.
The St. Louis Zoo is open daily, Labor Day to Memorial Day, from 9 AM to 5 PM. It is open daily, Memorial Day to Labor Day, from 8 AM to 7 PM. The zoo is closed Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission is free. Some attractions may have varying hours and fees. For more information: 314-781-0900
Recreation and Outdoors in St. Louis
Forest Park
Located six miles west of downtown, 1,371-acre Forest Park is the 7th largest urban park in the U.S. and, with an annual attendance of 12 million, it is one of the most frequented sites in St. Louis. Several major attractions call the park home, including the St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Zoo and St. Louis Science Center, but it’s the abundance of recreational activities available in the park itself that make it a must-see for any lover of the outdoors. Famous for being the site of the 1904 World’s Fair, Forest Park underwent a $94 million facelift between 1996 and 2004. As a result, it now boasts two 7.5-mile paths for walking, running, biking and skating, as well as ball fields, an archery range, tennis center, boating lake, playground, 27-hole golf course and ice staking rink. Also popular is the “Jewel Box,” a 17-acre art deco, glass paneled greenhouse that houses tropical trees and flowers. Forest Park has various venues for group accommodations, including the 500-seat World’s Fair Pavilion. Park admission is free; admission to the Jewel Box is $1.
For more information: 314-289-5300
Gateway Arch Riverfront Bike Rentals
One of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors in St. Louis is by exploring one of many Bike St. Louis trails. The Gateway Arch Riverfront bike rentals offers bicycles and quadcycles, a four-wheeled bike with two seats meant for four to six riders. Complimentary helmets and trail maps are provided. Of interest is the newly restored 11-mile riverfront trail that follows Mississippi’s west bank from the Gateway Arch to North Riverfront Park. Prices vary based on rental.
For more information: 877-982-1410
Missouri Botanical Garden
Rated as one of the top 3 public gardens in the world, the Missouri Botanical Garden is 79 acres of indoor and outdoor garden displays, as well as a center for botanical research. The garden was founded in 1859 by Henry Shaw after an inspiring trip to the Chatsworth Gardens in London. An average of over 850,000 people visit the garden each year to see one of its many attractions, ranging from a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden to an English woodland garden, a Victorian garden and a German garden. Visitors can explore the gardens on 25-minute narrated tram rides. Other notable displays are the Climatron, a simulated tropical rainforest featuring 1,200 species of tropical plants, the hedge labyrinth at the Kaeser Memorial Maze and the Turkish-style Ottoman garden, which opened in 2006 and features exotic plants among a Middle Eastern-styled private courtyard. The Garden offers venues and catering for private events.
The Missouri Botanical Garden is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM and grounds open Wednesday and Saturday at 7 AM for walkers. The Garden is open Wednesday, Memorial Day to Labor Day, until 8 PM. It is closed Christmas. Admission is $8 for non-residents, $4 for residents ages 13-64 with proof of residency and $2 for resident seniors. Admission for children under 12 is free. For more information: 314-577-5100
St. Louis Tours
Busch Brewery
Anheuser-Busch, the world’s largest brewer, calls St. Louis home. Located 10 minutes from downtown, the 100-acre brewery offers guests the opportunity to see the famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses in their paddock and stable and to visit the Brew House and Bevo Packaging Plant for a first-hand look at how the beers are made and packaged. Guests ages 21 and up can also enjoy complimentary samples of their favorite beers at the end of the tour.
Brewery tours are held Monday through Saturday, September to May, from 9 AM to 4 PM and Sunday from 11:30 AM to 4 PM. Tours are held Monday through Saturday, June to August, from 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 11:30 AM to 5 PM. Admission is free. Reservations are required for groups of 15 or more. For more information: 314-577-2626
Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruises
Established in 1891, Gateway Arch Riverboats is the oldest boat excursion company on the Mississippi. The 19th century replica steamboats Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher take visitors on one-hour narrated cruises on the Mississippi River where they learn about the riverfront’s history and the Gateway Arch and other historic sites.
Sight-seeing cruises are offered daily, March to September, at 10:30 AM, noon, 1:30 PM, 3 PM and 4:30 PM. Cruises are offered daily, October to November, at noon, 1:30 PM and 3 PM. Cruises are offered December to February based on demand and by special request. Reservations are required. For more information: 877-982-1410
Helicopter Tours
With offices located directly below the Gateway Arch, Gateway Air Tours offers two helicopter tours for visitors to get a bird’s eye look at the beautiful city. The Skyline Tour offers views of the Mississippi River and downtown. The Explore St. Louis Tour focuses on downtown sites including the Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium and Forest Park. Helicopter tours are offered daily, April to October, from 11 AM to dusk. Cost starts at $29. Tours require a minimum of two people and a maximum of four. No reservations are necessary.
For more information: 314-393-2665
