Are you undecided about vacation this summer? Why not visit St. Louis. There are many attractions in this old river town on the Mississippi. Besides great sports attractions, there are many other things to see and do as well. St. Louis is also a great place to take the children.
The St. Louis Zoo in Forest Park offers a variety of fun and educational advantages for your children. Within walking distance of the zoo is the St. Louis Science Center and the Art Museum. All are located in Famous Forest Park. Another attraction inside Forest Park is the famous Jewel Box. The box is loaded with many different types of plants and flowers. The famous Muny Opera is also located in Forest Park. They have outside shows at night brought in from Broadway in New York. These shows run nightly and change every week. No money, no problem the Muny has a free viewing area at the back of the Opera area. However, you need to get there very early, as these seats are taken early.
Not too far from Forest Park is the famous Botanical Gardens. Open each day, you can walk through and see exotic flowers and plants along with their famous goldfish. You can also spend the day touring Grant’s Farm on Gravois. Admission is free, however, you must make reservations in advance. At the end of the tour, you can relax in Grants’ Courtyard and enjoy some of Busch’s’ hospitality. Another place to observe is the Missouri Historical Museum. It is located under the Gateway Arch.
Periodically through the summer the Fabulous Fox Theater offers various entertainment, too. While you are in St. Louis you will want to tour the St. Louis Arch. You can take a tram ride to the top of the 630 foot gateway to the west. The view at the top of the Arch is unreal. You can view both St. Louis and Illinois in the East. You also get a panoramic view of the Mississippi and the life along the river.
The famous old Courthouse is just a block away from the Arch. It is there that the famous Dred Scott case was held. It too is loaded with history. The Magic House and City Museum are also children friendly.
If it is sports, St Louis has got it. The World Champion St. Louis Cardinals play within walking distance of the Arch. In late summer and early the fall, the St. Louis Rams begin play at the Edward Jones Building. The same is true for the St. Louis Blues that play at the Scotttrade Center. Horse racing is just across the river in Illinois at Fairmont Park. Want to get in a few holes of Golf? There are numerous courses to play in the area including a course in beautiful Forest Park.
Do you feel lucky? There are five casinos in the area with two being located on the Mississippi River very close to the Arch. St. Louis provides the Metro link tram which can take you to the east side of St. Louis all the way to the Airport at Lambert Field. The Metro link has stops at Busch Stadium, Edward Jones Building, Scotttrade Center, Forest Park, and the famous Lacledes’ Landing on the river. Lacledes’ Landing is famous for its’ nightlife with its’ many restaurants and bars. If you like the “Blues”, Lacledes’ is the best place to visit.
During the summer, there are nights set up for entertainment on the river. for the whole family. Besides music, firework displays go on over the river by the Arch. The Eads Bridge is closed to traffic and many people sit on it and listen and watch the fireworks from there.
St. Louis is famous for some of the best restaurants in the Midwest. There is Mike Shannon’s by new Busch Stadium. They really roll on ballgame nights. There is Tony’s’ Restaurant. They have some of the best Italian food in the US. Other places to eat include, Big Daddy’s, Blueberry Hill, The Spaghetti Factory, The Broadway Oyster Bar, Cunetto’s House of Pasta on the Hill, Dierdorf and Harts, The Drunken Fish, Gateway Arch Riverboats (Dinner and Tour), and Charlie Gitto’s on the Hill. These are only a few of the many famous eatery’s in St. Louis.
Want to take the kids to an amusement park? Six Flags over Mid America in Eureka is only about a 45 minute drive from St. Louis. You make a day of it there riding the many different types of rides for all ages. They also provide various shows throughout the park.
St. Louis has it all for everyone. Before you leave to go home be sure to hit Ted Drews’ for Ice Cream. Now you might be saying what is so special about ice cream? This place is so good that Elvis use to fly his plane into Lambert and go to Ted Drew’s’ just for a concrete. They even had a flavor named after Elvis called the “I’m all Shook up.” They have two locations in St. Louis.
So this summer, if visiting a city is in your plans for vacation, pick the Gateway to the West.
