We wanted to give you a few ideas of what you can do while you are in St. Louis. Here are a few highlights.  More St. Louis attractions are on http://stlouis.missouri.org/tourism.

FOR THE SIGHT SEEING GUEST

The Arch - The Gateway Arch is the ultimate symbol of St. Louis. It rises 630 feet above the city and the riverfront, providing an astounding view from the top. The Museum of Westward Expansion located underground offers exhibits and films about westward expansion, and about the construction of the Arch. We highly recommend a stop unless you are clostrophobic.   http://www.stlouisarch.com

Missouri Botanical Gardens - Known to St. Louisans as Shaw's Garden, this South Side institution is world-renowed for its botanical research. A new research building, the Monsanto Center, opened in 1998 just down the street from the main garden on Shaw Blvd. Inside the Garden are Tower Grove House, the country home of Henry Shaw, the Climatron, a Buckminster Fuller-designed geodesic dome greenhouse, Henry Shaw's townhouse (relocated from downtown St. Louis), and various specialized gardens like the Japanese Garden and the St. Louis Strassenfest Garden. The National Council of State Garden  Clubs has its headquarters at the rear of the campus, on Magnolia Avenue, in an architecturally interesting building.   http://www.mobot.org/

The Jewel Box - Officially called the Municipal Floral Conservatory, the JewelBox is a lovely art deco facility for showing plants. A small admission fee is charged.   It is located in Forest Park which is also home of the Washington University, the Boathouse restraunt, and the St. Louis Zoo (see below). http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/parks/jewelbox/

St. Louis Union Station - Before planes, people traveled by rail and when they stopped in St. Louis, they stopped here. With a large
selection of restrauants and even a hotel. This was the home of the "Harvey Girls" who, with the help of Judy Garland, became a
household name.

Today, Union Station still sees train traffic, but it is more of a landmark with it's beautiful architecture. It has been revitalized to a collection of novelty and boutique shops for that special St. Louis souvenier, several restraunts ranging from fast food to a formal sit down dinner, and the beautiful Hyatt Regency Hotel. It is on the Metro-link public transportation route and within walking distance of downtown.    http://www.stlouisunionstation.com

FOR THE MUSEUM LOVING GUEST

City Museum - This museum pays homage to recycled industrial materials, but before you turn up your nose, take a look at their web page. The museum opened in 1997 and is a combination of children's playground and archetectural marvel. More than a learning experience, you will look at everything and think "This is really neat." They are open tuesday through sunday and admission is $12.    http://www.citymuseum.org

St. Louis Art Museum - The Art Museum, built in 1903 for the 1904 World's Fair, is a classic Cass Gilbert design. It houses a variety of art collections, with no charge for most exhibits.   http://www.slam.org/

St. Louis Science Center - The Science Center has grown from its origins as the McDonnell Planetarium to include an OMNIMAX theater and various galleries on Oakland Avenue, just outside Forest Park boundaries. The Planetarium is connected to the larger building by a tunnel complete with rats (in cages), and an enclosed bridge over I-64 with a hole in the bottom (covered by glass), and radar guns for tracking the speed of cars passing beneath. All exhibits are free; shows require an admission fee.   http://www.slsc.org/

St. Louis Zoo - Although not a museum, it sort of fits with the fun, and yet, educational theme of this category. The Zoo is one of only two zoos in the nation where admission is free. It includes a new Children's Zoo, the Living World interactive education center, and Raja, St. Louis's baby elephant. A special feature is the 1904 walk-through aviary (a giant bird cage). There is a fee to ride the train around the zoo.  http://www.stlzoo.org/

Other Sr. Louis Museums include the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame (ans Cardinal's Hall of Fame) (http://www.bowlingmuseum.com), the Contemporary Art Museum (www.contemporarystl.org), and the Anheuser-Busch Brewery (see more in the next section).

FOR THE PARTY LOVING GUEST

Anheuser-Busch Brewery - The maker of Busch, Budweiser, and Michelob beers offers complimentary tours of the world's largest brewery. Tours include the Budweiser Clydesdales' stables, historic brewhouse and Bevo packaging plant.   This tour consists of walking around the brewhouse, seeing the world famous Cludesdales, walking around the Budweiser campus, and then taking a trip to the hospitality room where you are treated to free Anheuser-Busch Products. It is a GREAT time! Tours are free, but expect to wait at least  30 minutes before your tour group is called.  Don't worry about boredom though. There are several stores with beer t-shirts, pool gear, glasses, and other treasures will keep you entertained.  http://www.budweisertours.com/

Busch Stadium (Cardinals)  - Even though Baseball season is over in November, we couldn't talk about St. Louis without mentioning our favorite summer activity. We LOVE the cardinals! Like many people in the St. Louis area, we have season tickets, are glued to the television for road games, go through depression in the late fall, and begin counting down the days until spring training in February. We also hate the movie Fever Pitch. (If you haven't seen this film yet, don't bother...the Boston Red Sox come to St. Louis to break the curse of the bambino and beat our beloved red birds...Not our favorite work by Drew Barymore)   http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/ 


The Landing - Quite the night time hot spot, Laclede's Landing has been a hub of activity since the roaring twenties. Here at just about any time of the day, you can dine, drink, listen to music or comedy, shop at a costume or novelty store, take a carriage ride, or even gamble at the casino. We recommend The Big Bang piano bar where you can laugh and sing the night away with old favorites from the 80's and 90's. They do take requests for a price, but be careful...a higher bid can make them stop playing your song and move on to the next one. http://www.lacledeslanding.org/

Other options for the party ready guest include areas of town like Soulard (home of the second largest Mardi Gras), Harrah's Casino, and University City.