St Louis recs?

[Deleted]

DH and I are going there next week. We've never been. Is there anything in particular we should check out or anywhere we should eat?

We're planning to go to the zoo and possibly a tour of the NFL stadium and the brewery (Budweiser?). DH hate heights so we will probably drive near but not go up into the arch.

[Myrrhine]

The art museum is also free and near the zoo.

For restaurants, I like Niche (not MM), Farmhaus, and Rooster. Bailey's Range has delicious alcohol-based ice cream floats and shakes.

[jackie011]

What do you like to do?

The zoo is fantastic and FREE! The Zoo is part of Forest Park, which is the home of the St. Louis Science Center, Missouri Historical Society, and St. Louis Art Museum. All of those sites are free, as well. Not far from Forest Park is Missouri Botanical Garden, which always offers special exhibits.

If you like Italian food, check out "The Hill" neighborhood, which is very close to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Do the brewery tour. I've never done it, but I've heard wonderful things about it.

Are the Cardinals in town? I'd see a game, if that's of any interest.

[cotner]

Get to the zoo early. If you get there an hour before they "open" parking is free and the Carousel and childrens zoo are also free. Other free things in Forest Park are the Art Museum, History Museum and Science Center. The Botanical Gardens are close, not free, but worth it. Eats-The Hill, Italian neighborhood with amazing resturants. Adriana's or Gioia's are good for lunch, Zias or Cunnetos for dinner. www.thehillstl.com/where_to_eat.xml
Dessert-frozen custard at Ted Drews is a must!!!

[vanillacourage]

Chocolate Bar is amazing - get their house chocolate martini, made with homemade Guinness ice cream. They also have great wine & cheese plate pairings.
baileyschocolatebar.com/

[y4m]

Ted Drewes for a concrete. Go!

[shortcake2675]

The Schlafly Tap Room and Bottleworks are both great. Food and beer wise.

The Tap Room is in Manchester, the Bottleworks are downtown.

www.schlafly.com/breweries/taproom/
www.schlafly.com/breweries/bottleworks/

[tralala]

I 2nd Schlafly's. Another suggestion I didn't see was the city museum. It looks like it's for kids but my 70 year old aunt and uncle enjoyed it more than our 2 year old. Even if you don't climb around there are some really neat things to do. There is also a nature reserve you can go to that is right were the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers meet. It might be on the Illinois side of the river though.

[jgleespen]

I would also recommend Schlafly's. They are much more generous with their samples after the tour and have a wider varierty of beers.

City museum is a ton of fun, and the zoo is really great too.

If you're in the mood for barbeque, check out Pappy's Smokehouse, but be sure to get there early.

Some other places that I enjoy: Mosaic, Atlas, Pi, Citizen Kane's Steakhouse

[Deleted]

Thanks everyone! St. Louis sounds like a great place to visit - lots to do! I'm excited for a weekend away and to explore a new place.

[MadamePresident]

If you like "Soul Food", I would recommend Sweetie Pies.
sweetiepieskitchen.com/
Apparently they either have a reality show show or will have a reality show on Oprah's network.

[SJ]

We have been to the City Museum twice in the last several years and enjoyed it both times.

I like riding up in the Arch although it's a bit claustrophobic.

I liked seeing the Clydesdales and doing the Budweiser tour.

[crash]

Do not go to the Illinois side, specifically East St. Louis, Venice, Brooklyn, etc. You don't want to go there.

Ditto the Anheuser-Busch tour-2 free A/B beers per person at the end. Zoo is free, City Museum costs money-I haven't been there yet.

Busch Stadium is awesome if you like baseball-they also have tours, check out their web site for info.

We don't ever go over there to eat, so I don't have any recommendations.

[caidan]

If you like pizza - blackthorn is amazing. It is a dive bar in the city near tower grove park. Deep dish is 2 hour wait so call ahead. (a small pizza usually leaves some to take home, it is really thick)

Ted Drews is a must. Cardinals game if possible. Take a walkaround the Delmar loop...has lots of bars and shops.

Soulard is another area with lots of bars. Joanies will have a band on friday nights. Mcgurks has one of the best patios in the area. Great grizzly bear is nice as is Molly's patio.

Central West end is good for more bars. Duffs is there and good for brunch.

near the stadium is Hiton 360. Rooftop bar that you can see the game from.

Also instead of schafly - there are ton of local breweries in the area. sixth row, higland(kirkwood station), urban chestnut, etc. St. Louis is a huge beer town and some of the newer breweries just have a nicer atmosphere then schafly.

[cotner]

Oh and you must try toasted ravioli, it's a STL staple. You can get it at most Italian and bar resturants in town. Some are better than others. If you go to The Hill for dinner, get it as an appetizer, they are the creators and know how to do it right.