Visiting St. Louis/Branson Missouri

[Deleted]

DH and I have a free trip to MO coming up, long story short we had a timeshare week we could trade and took advantage of it and tacked on a weekend event in St. Louis he had to attend.

First we'll spend a week in the Ozarks at a resort there (fly into STL, rent car, drive). Relaxing, reading, bike riding, horseback riding if it's not too cold, and mostly disconnecting. Then we'll go back to St. Louis for 3 days.

Anyone been to either of these places with recommendations? We love good food, so a few decent restaurant ideas would be fantastic.

Thanks!

[midwest07]

Big Cedar Lodge outside of Branson has some good restaurants, and you can go there even if you're not staying there. That's really the only place I have spent much time at in/around Branson. There is a big outlet mall there too....just thinking that an entire week of relaxing in the Ozarks may get a little boring and you need an escape!

St Louis has a lot of great places to eat and things to do to keep you busy for a couple of days. I like to go to the Central West End for restaurants and haven't had a bad experience there. "The Hill" has a lot of Italian restaurants. As for things to do, maybe catch a Cards game if they are still playing and in town that weekend, go to the Science Center, go to the City Museum, go see the Arch, take a tour at Anheuser Busch, walk around Forest Park, visit Grant's Farm. lots of options!

[fortmyersbride]

FYI- Branson is about a 6hr car ride from lambert airport in STL. I would rather fly into KC and drive down to Branson, then fly out of STL. That would make the drive less painful than a round trip from STL.

I spent a lot of summer trips down near Branson, my dad is from that area. I would agree with pp that Big Cedar is nice. A lot if Branson proper is cheesy and overly religious (sorry, Branson-lovers!).

STL is fantastic. I agree to check out the west end, the zoo, and the science museum. Pho Gran (sp?) is over by SLU and one of my favorite restaurants from our short time living there.

[jlt19]

Where are you staying in St. Louis? What kind of food do you prefer?

All of the above suggestions were good.

[MadamePresident]

I highly recommend visiting City Museum. It’s such a cool unique place. It’s not really a museum in the traditional sense at all. It’s more of a huge play land meets modern recycled art.
www.citymuseum.org/

As for food, Prime 1000 is downtown and is a pretty good steakhouse.
www.prime1000.com/

[Deleted]

Sept 26, 2012 10:58:11 GMT -5 fortmyersbride said:

FYI- Branson is about a 6hr car ride from lambert airport in STL. I would rather fly into KC and drive down to Branson, then fly out of STL. That would make the drive less painful than a round trip from STL.

I spent a lot of summer trips down near Branson, my dad is from that area. I would agree with pp that Big Cedar is nice. A lot if Branson proper is cheesy and overly religious (sorry, Branson-lovers!).

STL is fantastic. I agree to check out the west end, the zoo, and the science museum. Pho Gran (sp?) is over by SLU and one of my favorite restaurants from our short time living there.

Unfortunately we have to be in STL the weekend after, and flying in one airport and out another is prohibitively expensive. We're road-trip types though, we drive to and from Pittsburgh (5ish hours) at least 6 times a year. It's no big deal to us. The only reason we're not driving from here to Branson/STL is that Branson is on the far end about 18 hours, so 2 days in the car.

Overly religious and cheesy is exactly what I've heard about Branson. Fortunately we're excellent at mocking things.

Thanks for the food recs!

[Deleted]

Sept 26, 2012 10:47:04 GMT -5 midwest07 said:

Big Cedar Lodge outside of Branson has some good restaurants, and you can go there even if you're not staying there. That's really the only place I have spent much time at in/around Branson. There is a big outlet mall there too....just thinking that an entire week of relaxing in the Ozarks may get a little boring and you need an escape!

St Louis has a lot of great places to eat and things to do to keep you busy for a couple of days. I like to go to the Central West End for restaurants and haven't had a bad experience there. "The Hill" has a lot of Italian restaurants. As for things to do, maybe catch a Cards game if they are still playing and in town that weekend, go to the Science Center, go to the City Museum, go see the Arch, take a tour at Anheuser Busch, walk around Forest Park, visit Grant's Farm. lots of options!

Outlet shopping! YAY! My favorite.

I've got a list of things that I've seen online we'll check out. It sounds kinda boring, but we run insane schedules the rest of the year, so our bi-annual vacation is a huge relief.

We'll check out the Big cedar Lodge food options, and the Anheuser Busch tour sounds kind of interesting! Thank you

[Deleted]

Sept 26, 2012 11:12:28 GMT -5 jlt19 said:

Where are you staying in St. Louis? What kind of food do you prefer?

All of the above suggestions were good.

Southwest of the city, but we'll have a rental and are pretty mobile. We like anything that doesn't swim, I prefer Asian and steakhouse-type stuff over Italian.

[vanillacourage]

I am not a big fan of Branson, but their outlet mall is ok.

In STL check out Bailey's Chocolate Bar - their website is down but here they are on Yelp:
www.yelp.com/biz/baileys-chocolate-bar-saint-louis

[cjeanette]

I am in awe that someone would drive 6 hours to Branson. Even for Big Cedar.

[Deleted]

It's really not about Branson, I was only asking in case anyone had been and suggested anything. We don't need much to be entertained.

And honestly, I didn't care where we went, we wanted someplace quiet where we could relax and spend time together. It was a free option, so very MM, and we're trying to save up right now. Literally, this trip cost us nothing thus far b/c we had paid airfare for the w/end event in STL, a free rental car through my work, and a free place to stay through a time share trade from the in laws.

Definitely checking that chocolate place. Thanks!

[jene]

steakhouses: Prime 1000, Citizen Kane, Annie Gunn's (In Chesterfield Valley, but well worth the drive IMO)

If you're in the mood for BBQ, go to Pappy's, but get there early, they only make a limited amount of meat day.

[MadamePresident]

Sept 26, 2012 15:10:54 GMT -5 jene said:

steakhouses: Prime 1000, Citizen Kane, Annie Gunn's (In Chesterfield Valley, but well worth the drive IMO)

If you're in the mood for BBQ, go to Pappy's, but get there early, they only make a limited amount of meat day.

Didn't they do a reality tv show about Pappys or am I thinking of Sweetie Pies?

Both are pretty good.

[midwest07]

Sept 26, 2012 14:57:56 GMT -5 cjeanette said:

I am in awe that someone would drive 6 hours to Branson. Even for Big Cedar.

I am pretty anti-Branson as far as the city itself and all the cheesy shows and such, but the scenery around there can be really beautiful, especially if the trees have started to change colors by the time OP goes. So if you just want to hang out and relax (esp for free!), it's probably a good place to do so.

[Myrrhine]

Good restaurants in St. Louis include : Niche, Farmhaus, Stellina's Pasta, Rooster (brunch), and Bailey's Range (burgers and alcoholic shakes). I also like Acero and Water Street Cafe.

Have fun! I always wanted to see Andy Williams Christmas show in Branson.

[Deleted]

Sept 26, 2012 15:22:25 GMT -5 midwest07 said:

Sept 26, 2012 14:57:56 GMT -5 cjeanette said:

I am in awe that someone would drive 6 hours to Branson. Even for Big Cedar.

I am pretty anti-Branson as far as the city itself and all the cheesy shows and such, but the scenery around there can be really beautiful, especially if the trees have started to change colors by the time OP goes. So if you just want to hang out and relax (esp for free!), it's probably a good place to do so.

This is kind of exactly it. It will be right around peak color time, and we plan on doing some hiking and renting bikes, things more along those lines. We wouldn't be seeing a show, we're really not show-people (cheesy or non). I believe the show at the resort we're staying it at is Jesus-y, so we'll skip that one for sure. We just wanted a few decent options for dinners or museums in town in case we get tired of being outside.

[Deleted]

Sept 26, 2012 15:26:57 GMT -5 Myrrhine said:

Good restaurants in St. Louis include : Niche, Farmhaus, Stellina's Pasta, Rooster (brunch), and Bailey's Range (burgers and alcoholic shakes). I also like Acero and Water Street Cafe.

Have fun! I always wanted to see Andy Williams Christmas show in Branson.

All restaurants noted. Thank you!

[jlt19]

I can't wait until my kids are old enough and we can take them to Silver Dollar City, I love that kind of stuff!

For steak, Sams in South County, Citizen Kanes in Kirkwood, Annie Gunn's in Chesterfield, or the Tenderloin Room in the Central West End (my family runs that, so I have to recommend it:)

We don't really eat Asian, so I can't help you there. A few good places downtown are Eleven Eleven Mississippi, The Fountain on Locust, Soulards, Tonys (fanciest place in the city-I've never been:(.

If you do want Italian, Brazies, Rigazzis, and Cunettos are my favorites on the Hill. I work a mile from the Hill, so I eat great italian weekly. No wonder I lost weight on maternity leave, it wasn't the baby weight, it was the italian weight coming off!

Downtown St. Charles on Main street is neat and has a good microbrewery, but it's a bit far from the SW side of town.

[cjeanette]

Sept 26, 2012 15:22:25 GMT -5 midwest07 said:

Sept 26, 2012 14:57:56 GMT -5 cjeanette said:

I am in awe that someone would drive 6 hours to Branson. Even for Big Cedar.

I am pretty anti-Branson as far as the city itself and all the cheesy shows and such, but the scenery around there can be really beautiful, especially if the trees have started to change colors by the time OP goes. So if you just want to hang out and relax (esp for free!), it's probably a good place to do so.

I am just teasing. I forgot the Big Cedar is beautiful. Branson though as always made me do this

[Deleted]

Sept 26, 2012 15:35:38 GMT -5 jlt19 said:

I can't wait until my kids are old enough and we can take them to Silver Dollar City, I love that kind of stuff!

For steak, Sams in South County, Citizen Kanes in Kirkwood, Annie Gunn's in Chesterfield, or the Tenderloin Room in the Central West End (my family runs that, so I have to recommend it:)

We don't really eat Asian, so I can't help you there. A few good places downtown are Eleven Eleven Mississippi, The Fountain on Locust, Soulards, Tonys (fanciest place in the city-I've never been:(.

If you do want Italian, Brazies, Rigazzis, and Cunettos are my favorites on the Hill. I work a mile from the Hill, so I eat great italian weekly. No wonder I lost weight on maternity leave, it wasn't the baby weight, it was the italian weight coming off!

Downtown St. Charles on Main street is neat and has a good microbrewery, but it's a bit far from the SW side of town.

Since I'm driving 6h for cheesy Branson, we can probably make a trip to the microbrewery, we love visiting them!

[Myrrhine]

Sept 26, 2012 15:31:13 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

Sept 26, 2012 15:26:57 GMT -5 Myrrhine said:

Good restaurants in St. Louis include : Niche, Farmhaus, Stellina's Pasta, Rooster (brunch), and Bailey's Range (burgers and alcoholic shakes). I also like Acero and Water Street Cafe.

Have fun! I always wanted to see Andy Williams Christmas show in Branson.

All restaurants noted. Thank you!

You're welcome! Some of those are pasta places, so you might want to check the menus to be sure they suit you.

Sent from my PC36100 using proboards

[Deleted]

Sept 26, 2012 15:36:18 GMT -5 cjeanette said:

Sept 26, 2012 15:22:25 GMT -5 midwest07 said:

I am pretty anti-Branson as far as the city itself and all the cheesy shows and such, but the scenery around there can be really beautiful, especially if the trees have started to change colors by the time OP goes. So if you just want to hang out and relax (esp for free!), it's probably a good place to do so.

I am just teasing. I forgot the Big Cedar is beautiful. Branson though as always made me do this

Ah, ok. I mean, I get that this is not a glamorous vacation, in an ideal world we'd go relax in the French or Italian countrysides and drink wine like it was our job.

But we're not exactly rolling in it, and it's really hard to consider paying $3000 or so to go to a resort in Mexico or the Carribean for a week when this is free and accomplishes most of the same goals (no suntan, sadly!).

[jlt19]

Sept 26, 2012 15:41:09 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

Sept 26, 2012 15:35:38 GMT -5 jlt19 said:

I can't wait until my kids are old enough and we can take them to Silver Dollar City, I love that kind of stuff!

For steak, Sams in South County, Citizen Kanes in Kirkwood, Annie Gunn's in Chesterfield, or the Tenderloin Room in the Central West End (my family runs that, so I have to recommend it:)

We don't really eat Asian, so I can't help you there. A few good places downtown are Eleven Eleven Mississippi, The Fountain on Locust, Soulards, Tonys (fanciest place in the city-I've never been:(.

If you do want Italian, Brazies, Rigazzis, and Cunettos are my favorites on the Hill. I work a mile from the Hill, so I eat great italian weekly. No wonder I lost weight on maternity leave, it wasn't the baby weight, it was the italian weight coming off!

Downtown St. Charles on Main street is neat and has a good microbrewery, but it's a bit far from the SW side of town.

Since I'm driving 6h for cheesy Branson, we can probably make a trip to the microbrewery, we love visiting them!

In that case Trailhead in St. Charles is good and there's Schlafly's in Maplewood (much closer to where you're staying I assume).

[Deleted]

Sept 26, 2012 15:41:43 GMT -5 Myrrhine said:

Sept 26, 2012 15:31:13 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

All restaurants noted. Thank you!

You're welcome! Some of those are pasta places, so you might want to check the menus to be sure they suit you.

Sent from my PC36100 using proboards

We're not anti-Italian by any means, I love a giant bowl of pasta and bread! We just don't like paying for it because I'm pretty good at cooking it at home. Never met an arrabiata sauce as good as mine!

[sawyerthedestroyer]

I live near Branson.

Ditto the Big Cedar recommendation. Sunday Brunch at the Devil's Pool is delicious. We've also been to the Buzzard Bar downstairs several times. Even if you just go to walk around, the grounds are beautiful. We always go there when family is in town. I'm not sure when you'll be going, but when Christmas season starts they put lights up everywhere and it's really pretty to drive through at night.

www.big-cedar.com/Default.aspx


Tanger Outlets are off the strip (76) if you like shopping. There is also Branson Landing for shopping and dining.

www.tangeroutlet.com/branson
www.bransonlanding.com/


If you like sushi, I would recommend Wakyoto on the strip. It's very close to the outlets.

www.facebook.com/pages/WaKyoto-Japanese-Restaurant-and-Sushi/288300377872193


Stone Hill Winery based out of Hermann, MO has a satellite winery in Branson on HWY 165 and they offer free wine tours. You'll get to taste their Cream Sherry, mmmmmmmm. Mt. Pleasant Winery is right across the street, but we've never been.

www.stonehillwinery.com/


Dogwood Canyon is about 45 minutes from Branson down HWY 86. It's beautiful. You can walk their trails, rent bikes, and I think they do trail rides with horses too.

www.dogwoodcanyon.org/Default.aspx

Another tip: The Blue Route, Yellow Route, and Red Route are what the locals use to get around the traffic that is sometimes pretty horrible on the strip. Get a map and use those routes when you can.

Have fun!

ETA: Thai Thai is next to Fudruckers (also on the strip). There is an awesome Thai place in my town that is owned by the same people that own Thai Thai. When we make the drive to Branson we don't eat there because we can get it at home, but I'm sure it's the same and just as good.

www.urbanspoon.com/r/98/1456289/restaurant/Thai-Thai-Cuisine-Branson

If you would like to go ziplining watch the Springfield, MO groupon and living social sites because they post deals fairly regularly.

[ellipses84]

I loved the nightlife in the Landing. It's a historic district on the river with lots of bars and restaurants. There are riverboat casinos, which were a novelty to me. We also went to the stl arch, Union Station (formerly trains, now a mall) and a Cardinal game. I hear the anheuser Busch factory tour is good. We ate at a nice Italian restaurant near Busch stadium and Union station and DH's fav. Baseball player was eating there after a game.

[jene]

Sept 26, 2012 15:17:17 GMT -5 MadamePresident said:

Sept 26, 2012 15:10:54 GMT -5 jene said:

steakhouses: Prime 1000, Citizen Kane, Annie Gunn's (In Chesterfield Valley, but well worth the drive IMO)

If you're in the mood for BBQ, go to Pappy's, but get there early, they only make a limited amount of meat day.

Didn't they do a reality tv show about Pappys or am I thinking of Sweetie Pies?

Both are pretty good.

Man V. Food was there, and they named the Adam Bomb after him. I love their frito pie

[Deleted]

Sept 26, 2012 16:21:32 GMT -5 sawyerthedestroyer said:

I live near Branson.

*snip*

I love you very much. <3

Thank you so much, food, shopping, outdoorsy stuff, and a bar! I feel like you know me too well.