Is there anything to do in St. Louis?

[huskerlaw]

I mean besides the Arch and the goat-piss...err..Budweiser plant.

I'm stuck here at a conference for a few days and from what I can tell there is absolutely NOTHING to do anywhere near my hotel. Not even a decent restaurant/club/bar...or shopping...or a movie theater.

I'm staying downtown, near the America's Center. No car, but if it's something really great I'd consider a taxi.


Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

[Bunny]

1. Well, the Cards are in town. Maybe check out a game?

I suggest this because I read your thread the other day about the Dodger game. Beyond that, I only spent about three hours in St. Louis, laid over at the airport, so I have no idea what the other attractions are.

[huskerlaw]

2. Actually, the Cards are in Houston

all weekend. x(

[Bunny]

3. Doh! I looked at the wrong week on their schedule.

Well, that sucks. Here is a link to other St. Louis attractions:

http://www.stlouisattractions.com/

On edit - Wait! Doesn't Mopaul live in St. Louis, or is that KC? He plays in the clubs somewhere, if I'm not mistaken.

[ikojo]

4. Bob Weir is at the Fox tomorrow night

If you like the Grateful Dead you could see him.

The String Cheese Incident is also on the same bill.

Get a copy of the Riverfront Times to see what's doin in St Louis.

[usedtobesick]

5. Lots actually...

I was there with intheflow for a conference and really am pissed I missed these.

The are the Mounds on the other side of the river. They are the ruins of the largest native city back in the day. Supposed to be really great.

The MO state botanical gardens are superb and there are pictures in the Photo group. Looked great.

[ikojo]

6. There's a Chihuly exhibit at the Missouri

Botanical Gardens.

[huskerlaw]

7. The other side of the river?

You mean...East St. Louis?? :scared:

[Solon]

9. Actually Cahokia...

Also, East St. Louis isn't that bad, have friends who live over there, partying etc. As far as what else to do, well, let's see, you can go to the Zoo, it was closed for the first time ever a couple of days ago because of a power outage. You can also go to the Art Museum, which is in Forest Park. While down there, you can go down onto University City Loop, there's a cool Lebenese restaurant on the loop, a community art exhibit, and quite a few bars, and the U-City Library. Another suggestion, if you want "old school" type of stuff is to go to Frenchtown in St. Charles, about 30 minutes west of St. Louis or so, problem is you missed the display for the 4th of July, however, I think they still have re-enactors on Main Street. There's also a cute little British store on St. Charles main street that you could go to, along with, if you like gambling, St. Charles Casino. But these are only suggestions, try what you want!

[fishwax]

23. just a little farther east than that

and they are very cool--i thought, anyway. But they'd be out of reasonable range for a taxi :)

[ikojo]

8. Take a walk down Washington Ave

and check out the night life there. That is pretty much the up and coming hip spot in St Louis at the moment. Check out what's at the Pageant via http://www.thepageant.com/. It's on the Loop which is easily accesible via metrolink (take the Metrolink train TOWARD Lambert Field (airport) and get off at the Delmar Station.) I think you can buy a daily bus pass for $4.

Call Blueberry Hill and see who's performing tonight..314-727-4444. It's on "the Loop" on Delmar...there is also a Ben and Jerry's down there.

I'm going to see a movie in a few minutes or else I'd offer to scoot downtown and kibbitz for a few minutes. I don't think there is a movie theatre downtown. If you want to see a movie I think the nearest theatre is on Clayton Road (the Esquire).

When do you leave St Louis? What kind of conference are you here for?

Don't think the weather is like this all the time...this is a rare cool spell we are having. Usually it's near 100 in July.

[huskerlaw]

14. Thank you!

I'll look into Washington Ave...sounds like fun!

I'm here until Monday, in town for a law library convention (whee).

Trust me, I'm thrilled with the weather. I grew up in Nebraska, so I'm well aware that it could/should be far more awful than it is. Though I did have to snicker at the weather guy this morning who was waxing poetic about how low the humidity was...and then said it was 84%. :wtf But other than the humidity (which, again, I realize should be worse), I'm quite happy. ;)

[speedoo]

10. Not in my opinion.

I'm sure there are some fine people in St. Louis, but I have never visited a city that was less appealing. Anywhere.

Well, Omaha was probably worse, but that's so small it does not count.

[huskerlaw]

15. Now see,

we were down by St. Louis University today and the architecture is GORGEOUS. I was shocked. But cute buildings don't really provide much long-lasting entertainment.

As for Omaha, I grew up 20 minutes from there. It's a horrid city. Positively awful. Ugly, dirty, and not a damn thing to do. Ugh.

[nickinSTL]

22. you went to the wrong part of the metro area, then

don't go downtown...though they're trying to build it up, for the most part...not the place to be.

Try Washington Avenue in Midtown, the Central West End, Clayton, Forest Park (free zoo, art museum, science center, history museum).

St. Louis isn't bad at all...if you know where to go.

[huskerlaw]

30. It does appear

that downtown is undergoing a pretty serious overhaul. In a good way.

Like perhaps it'll be a fun place to visit in about 5 years.

Meanwhile, it's a rather unfortunately boring place to be stuck. :shrug:

[ikojo]

11. If you are into "art house" type movies

there is a landmark theatre on Delmar as well. It's the Tivoli, go here to see what they are showing this weekend

http://landmarktheatres.com/market/St.Louis/TivoliTheatre.htm

If you make it to Delmar or South Grand you will find interesting people to watch as well as good food. The Hill also has a good selection of Italian restaurants.

http://www.explorestlouis.com/neighborhoods/hill.asp

Another cool are is the Central West End..one of the finest bookstores in St Louis, Left Bank Books is located on Euclid Avenue at Euclid and McPhereson.

http://www.left-bank.com/

Welcome to Left Bank Books, St. Louis' full-line independent bookstore! We offer access to any book in print, around 14,000 of which are on our shelves now. We also have a large selection of used books.

We strive to make your experience with us a good one, and give back to our community by feeding our income back into the local economy.

In short, Left Bank Books offers personalized, socially responsible service to you. We appreciate your business!

[huskerlaw]

16. Thanks!

I'll check all that stuff out!

[GOPisEvil]

12. Go have some toasted Ravioli!

:9

[huskerlaw]

17. You know,

that was a menu item at lunch today. The description scared me, so I avoided it. I'm not so big on deep fat frying random food items.

But the Texan in the group went "Yuuuuuuum! That sounds...well...like something they'd make in Texas!" ;)

[GOPisEvil]

18. It's one of those culinary accidents that just work.

I'd go have them at a real restaurant though. There's one in particular that claims to have invented them. I've been there once, and the ravioli were yummy.

As much time as I've spent in the area, my family and I really never went to St. Louis much. In fact, it was a big deal, even though it was about 30 minutes away. :shrug:

Texans ans the Scottish are both big on deep frying things, so I'm not surprised. ;)

[stlsaxman]

42. Real Toasted Ravioli are actually lightly rolled in seasoned bread crumbs

and well... toasted! though the deep-fried ones are mighty tasty as well!

[YankeyMCC]

13. Sure just don't expect

good pizza or chinese food :)

The Hill has some good Italian restaurants I think...It's been a long time so I don't recall specific names.

There's gambling boats if you're into that.

And someone mentioned Cahokia mounds I think...that's a very nice museum and land mark to visit.

There's also a section near Wash U I think with some interesting shops and cafes to just walk around. Sorry not much help because I can't remember the name of that section.

[ikojo]

28. The area near Washington Univ is on Delmar and is

called the Loop. Many interesting shops, including a bookstore Subterranean Books, http://www.subbooks.com/

[City Lights]

19. The City Museum!

Totally rocks. Even more so if you're a kid.

http://www.citymuseum.org/home.asp

Welcome to the CITY MUSEUM, where the imagination runs wild!

Housed in the 600,000 square-foot former International Shoe Company, the museum is an eclectic mixture of children's playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel made out of unique, found objects. The brainchild of internationally acclaimed artist Bob Cassilly, a classically trained sculptor and serial entrepreneur, the museum opened for visitors in 1997 to the riotous approval of young and old alike.

Cassilly and his longtime crew of 20 artisans have constructed the museum from the very stuff of the city; and, as a result, it has urban roots deeper than any other institutions'. Reaching no farther than municipal borders for its reclaimed building materials, the CITY MUSEUM boasts features such as old chimneys, salvaged bridges, construction cranes, miles of tile, and even two abandoned planes!

"The CITY MUSEUM makes you want to know," says Cassilly. "The point is not to learn every fact, but to say, 'Wow, that's wonderful.' And if it's wonderful, it's worth preserving."

edited to add info...

[likesmountains 52]

20. St. Louis has an awesome botanical garden...

[scarlet_owl]

24. I agree. The botanical garden is worth a look, especially

this time of year. I was fortunate enough to have grown up right across the street from it.

[hippywife]

21. Find a way to get to the nearest

Ted Drewes Frozen Custard!! It's the absolute best!! And they mix it for you in just about any flavor you can imagine. I highly recommend the pistachio. :9

[huskerlaw]

25. Ooooh

sounds yummy!

[ikojo]

26. THE Ted Drewes is on Chippewa and Hampton

but if you can't get there...there is one on South Grand. It truly is a St Louis institution and from what I've heard Mr Drewes is a mensch.

[likesmountains 52]

37. I love Ted's...I love watching the employees handle the orders...

[Redstone]

27. Laclede's Landing was kinda cool 25 years ago when I was there.

Is it still around? If so, go there.

Redstone

[ikojo]

29. It's still around but going through some changes.

Too much construction going on there right now. Mississippi Nights is still around, believe it or not. Many of the acts that used to appear at Mississippi Nights now appear at the Pageant on Delmar.

They are building another hotel/casino complex or so I think.

[Redstone]

31. Goddamn casinos ruin everything. At least they have in Connecticut.

Your mileage may vary.

Redstone

[grasswire]

32. when I was in St. Louis...

...I walked down on the levee and put my hand in the warm, muddy water. And I took a river cruise. I don't usually do that kind of touristy thing, but it was entertaining. And I visited the home of Scott Joplin, the composer of the music that birthed the blues, boogie woogie, and eventually rock and roll. And I went to the gardens and to the Soulard open air market and to Union Station.

[hippywife]

35. Good suggestions! n/t

[barb162]

33. From people I know there, they drive to Chicago for something

to do

[China_cat]

34. St. Louis zoo, for one

The Science center for another. The market at the old train station.

[intheflow]

36. Local coffee shop alternative to Starbucks down the road from Conv. Ctr.

Espresso Mod is about 2 blocks down N. 9th St on the left. Funky little shop that also sells sandwiches and gelato. James Bond and Avengers decor. Good lattes!

[Sacajawea]

38. Harry S. Truman Library in Independence, Mo.!!! Are you a Dem or what?

How EVER you have to get there (bus?)...GO!!! It's not that far!!!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[GOPisEvil]

39. It's only on the other side of the state, for crying out loud.

[xmas74]

41. That's the other side of the state,

closer to where I live. It takes me 4 hours to get to St Louis!

She can do that if she ever makes it to KC.

[WildEyedLiberal]

40. You must eat Imo's pizza while you are in town

Mmmmm... Imo's.

Forest Park is a great area - the zoo is amazing, the botanical gardens are gorgeous, and the science center is fun (although when I really loved it I was a kid, so maybe it's less appealing for adults by themselves).

Laclede's Landing is a great old French waterfront district with a lot of cool restaurants and bars. You should definitely check it out.

Pity the Cards aren't in town, because that's hands down the best thing to do in St. Lou (see avatar).