visiting St. Louis at the end of July

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uc50ic4more

uc50ic4more

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Windsor, Ontario, Canada
My wife is attending a conference downtown, leaving my two daughters (age 7 & 8) and myself on our own from (the evening of) the 27th to (the morning of) of the 31st. Does anyone have any ideas about family-friendly stuff to do in safe areas of town? Thanks!
 
Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
If the kids aren't claustrophobic, the Arch is way cool.


Thanks! I am embarrassed to admit that until this moment I was not aware that the public could go up into the Arch.
 
Forest Park is fun. The Zoo and Science Center are there and are kid-oriented. Light rail (Day pass about $7.50) from downtown gets you there easily. Forest Park Trolley can take you to various places inside Forest Park when your feet get tired. I believe it also runs on a day pass system, and has a stop near the light rain station. The City Museum is on North 16th downtown, and it a little off-beat but fun.

It's been a few years since we took our grandchildren there, but this should get you started.
 
About the Arch:

ALERT: The Gateway Arch Ticketing & Visitor Center has relocated to the Old Courthouse at 11 N. 4th Street. EACH guest planning to enter the Gateway Arch facility must have a timed ticket. Buy tickets online or at the Old Courthouse Ticket Center.

We sell out early and often - advance ticket purchases are recommended.

***
Please Note: The Museum of Westward Expansion, located under the Gateway Arch is closed for significant renovations. Certain artifacts from the Museum are on display in exhibit galleries at the Old Courthouse.
 
Originally Posted By: JayhawkRoy
Light rail (Day pass about $7.50) from downtown gets you there easily.


Is the light rail a city-wide public transit system or just a line between downtown and the Zoo and Science Center? If it is the former, I'd probably like to take the girls around town a bit. To that end, can anyone brief me on what high-crime/ dangerous neighbourhoods and streets I should be avoiding? I live right across the border from Detroit and am acutely aware of how much of a difference a few streets can make.
 
The Light Rail system is part of the Metro rail/bus transit system. It runs from Lambert Airport to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, and connects many good tourist destinations. It will be very busy on days that the Cardinals are in town for home games. There are multiple downtown stops. Maps and timetables are available on their website.

Perhaps someone local can better explain what destinations are included. I have used runs from downtown to the airport and Forest Park, for the most part.
 
I was told that St. Louis has lime caves nearby. These caves are temperature constant and cool and that is where beer was stored.

See if they were open to the public if that's the sort of thing you like. I'd love to see them.
 
Zoo, Forrest Park, art museum are all close together fun and low cost. The arch and museum is good but costs something, but not too much. The brewery tour is good and free, and includes free beer. Also go to Gus's pretzels if you go to the brewery.
Cardinals game
Magic house

With 2 kids I wouldn't bother with Metrolink, St. Louis is a car city.

St. Louis in July will be hot and humid.
 
Others have covered much of it: Arch (grounds under construction, check on details), the zoo is free, but you pay to park.

Science Center is free to get in; some exhibits are pay to play. http://www.slsc.org/

City Museum is kitsch as was mentioned. http://www.citymuseum.org/

Magic House in Kirkwood. http://www.magichouse.org/

I'd probably not bother with Metro unless you are going to locations within blocks of the stops.

Some other locations to do what many in STL do. Ted Drewes frozen custard on Chippawa. http://teddrewes.com/

Pappy's Smokehouse, get there early, when they sell out, they sell out. http://www.pappyssmokehouse.com/

Crown Candy kitchen with the 1# of bacon BLT (or maybe 1/2 pound, either way you'll probably split it) http://crowncandykitchen.net/menu/lunch-and-dinner They call it the heart stopping BLT for a reason.


I don't know if your girls are into art. If they are, the St Louis Art Museum is pretty good. http://www.slam.org/

Grant's Farm: This is where Augustus Busch stopped mid-way between the brewery and his home. http://www.grantsfarm.com/

And something from STL Magazine: 25 things kids should do in St. Louis: https://www.stlmag.com/family/25-Things-Every-St-Louis-Kid-Must-Do/
 
There should be a Cardinals baseball game you can attend. Check out Ball Park Village as well.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: JamesBond

With 2 kids I wouldn't bother with Metrolink, St. Louis is a car city.

St. Louis in July will be hot and humid.



Thanks: I see that most of the places we're interested in are trivial to get to from our hotel so we'll skip the public transit. If it is anything like Detroit's light rail, I'll be glad we did!

I have been told a few times of the weather there at this time of year. It's hot and humid here, too; but apparently St. Louis is a whole new game.
 
Originally Posted By: Vern_in_IL
There should be a Cardinals baseball game you can attend. Check out Ball Park Village as well.


Will do. And you've since edited it out, but I have heard about East St. Louis severally through the years and do not intend to venture there. As someone whose proximity to Detroit has been a factor in planning visits and trips here and there, knowing where NOT to go is at times a whole lot more important than thinking about where TO go.
 
Originally Posted By: javacontour
Others have covered much of it


Yes, but I sure appreciate the list you provided above. Thanks!

So now I have 3 days with a 7- and 8-year old daughter planned darn near to the 15-minute increment. I have been impressed with St. Louis from what I've found through your suggestions.
 
The main thing is to know when the Cardinals play, and to NOT be on the roads anywhere near the downtown area when a ball game lets out.
 
The only cave I really know of is in Crystal City next to Festus, MO. I don't know how far south the Metrolink goes but there is a very popular cave called Crystal City Underground. Quite a place to visit and stay cool. I bought a groupon for this adventure. We lived in Festus for 1.5yrs and were looking for things to do. You cross a neat old bridge and go through a tunnel to get there. The boat ride through the cave was fun! Quite a different experience from the norm. Take a sweater if you tend to get chilly. We explored outside afterwards and enjoyed that too.There is a pontoon boat ride and Don Marsan's Kayak tours are still going! This is a true treasure unlike any you have seen. Calm paddling, cool all year, dark, and one of the best guides I have ever known! No experience, too old, can't swim? No worries. Easy gliding, very stable, no stress. Relax and explore and most of all,have fun! This cave is huge over 200 acres. It's 45 min. from downtown STL. Worth a look up.
 
Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
Not to throw a cold, wet towel on the trip or be Mr. Alarmist but watch your six, tourists stand out to the thugs. Second most dangerous city in the U.S.


We're coming from the Detroit area and I am acutely aware of St. Louis's reputation; so a cold, wet, cautious-to-the-point-of-paranoid towel has been a substantial element of my planning!
wink.gif
 
Daytime is as safe as anyplace else. It's after dark and then only in certain places.

The kids are very young. He'll probably be back at the hotel by dark or close to it. The kids will be in the hotel pool, getting fully worn out before bedtime.

Besides, he's from Canada. If he gets mugged, he'll probably apologize to the crooks for the Loonies and Toonies in his cash.



Originally Posted By: uc50ic4more
Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
Not to throw a cold, wet towel on the trip or be Mr. Alarmist but watch your six, tourists stand out to the thugs. Second most dangerous city in the U.S.


We're coming from the Detroit area and I am acutely aware of St. Louis's reputation; so a cold, wet, cautious-to-the-point-of-paranoid towel has been a substantial element of my planning!
wink.gif
 
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