For older kids, I'd say do the game. Maybe a tour of Busch stadium as the kids are pre-K age.
ESL is not bad in the day time. I wouldn't suggest going at night.
The new "Stan Span" (Stan Musial Veterans Memorial) bridge makes it insanely easy to get to downtown. Just take the bridge from I70 across the river and get off on Tucker and you'll head south into downtown.
If you are going to the Zoo, etc, then take the Poplar Street Bridge following the I64 signs. There is construction on the PSB, so you might just as well take the "Stan Span" see some of the downtown sights and then head to the Zoo, the City Museum or Grants Farm.
There is also the Magic House in Kirkwood. I don't recall if anyone has mentioned that yet. That's some good times for pre-K kids. Maybe better than the SLSC for that age group.
Originally Posted By: JamesBond
East St. Louis is in Illinois, across the Mississippi. Stay on the side with the arch, and south of the zoo and you'll be fine.
Reconsider a cardinals game, it's one of the best baseball experiences on the planet.
Otherwise, arch, zoo and botanical gardens are great and will take a full day.