10 + 1 Great Places to Visit in St. Louis

St. Louis is such a vibrant and interesting city that although my husband and I live 100 miles away, we frequently get into the car and drive those miles just to spend the day there. So based on many fun-filled day trips to St. Louis, here is a list of ten great places to visit when you come to St. Louis in July for the centennial meeting of AALL!

1. Missouri Botanical Garden (4344 Shaw Blvd.) - Founded in 1859, the country’s oldest botanical park features 79 acres of gorgeous display gardens and historic structures, including the Climatron® rain forest conservatory, authentic Japanese garden, center for home gardening, and founder Henry Shaw’s Victorian country home. www.mobot.org
2. Forest Park (Bounded by I-64, Kingshighway, Lindell & Skinker) - One of the largest urban parks in the United States at 1,371 acres, Forest Park is approximately 500 acres larger than Central Park in New York City. In 1904, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, the greatest of the World’s Fairs, drew more than 19 million visitors from around the world to Forest Park. Today it contains the Art Museum, Science Center, Zoo, Jewel Box greenhouse, History Museum, the Muny theatre, a 7.5-mile biking, jogging and skating path, a skating rink, and lakes. http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/parks/forestpark/
3. Delmar/U City - includes the St. Louis Walk of Fame (110 stars and informative plaques honoring famous St. Louisans set in the sidewalks of The Loop) and Blueberry Hill restaurant, a St. Louis landmark filled with pop culture memorabilia, photo booth, and live music. It’s also famous for hamburgers, jerk chicken, trout almondine, vegetarian specials, soups and salads, and creative window displays. My husband’s favorite place to visit is Vintage Vinyl - “America’s largest collection of new/used CDs, LPs, DVDs.” Rolling Stone called it “one of America’s 10 Best Record Stores.” www.ucityloop.com
4. Shopping -
   1. St. Louis Galleria (Brentwood Blvd. & Clayton Rd.) - Featuring 165 stores - more than 35 are exclusive in St. Louis - including Z Gallerie, MAC, Arden B, and Kenneth Cole New York. Also offers many dining options. www.saintlouisgalleria.com
   2. Plaza Frontenac (Lindbergh Blvd. & Clayton Rd.) - Premier fashion center. Elegant surroundings. St. Louis’ only Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and the largest Talbot’s stores; Tiffany & Co., J. Crew, Williams-Sonoma, and The Pottery Barn. Fine and casual dining, Plaza Frontenac Cinema and Stonewater Spa. www.plazafrontenac.com
5. The Hill (From downtown St. Louis, take I-64/40 west to Kingshighway south and turn west on Shaw) - Settled in the early 1900s by Italian immigrants, residents still carry on their traditions in this lively neighborhood just minutes from downtown. Even the neighborhood’s fireplugs are painted green, white, and red in tribute to the tri-color of Italy. Baseball personalities Yogi Berra, Joe Garagiola, and Jack Buck grew up on The Hill’s Elizabeth Avenue, which now bears the name “Hall of Fame Place” in their honor. One of the top “Little Italy” neighborhoods in the country with exquisite Northern Italian cuisine. While you’re visiting the neighborhood’s restaurants, make sure to visit specialty stores that sell everything Italian or learn how to play a game of bocce - Italian lawn bowling. www.shopthehill.com
6. Butterfly House (Faust Park, 15193 Olive Blvd., Chesterfield) - A cultural and educational attraction, visitors can see thousands of butterflies in free flight and actually witness the mystery of metamorphosis. www.butterflyhouse.org
7. The Arch (St. Louis Riverfront) - The Gateway Arch Riverfront, highlighted by the majestic Gateway Arch, attracts more than four million guests each year. At 630 ft., our nation’s tallest manmade monument has plenty of exciting activities. Take the tram ride to the top, see a documentary film, experience a giant screen movie, visit the Lewis & Clark exhibit in the museum and go shopping. www.nps.gov/jeff/ and www.gatewayarch.com
8. Culture -
   1. Jazz at the Bistro (3536 Washington Ave.) - Listed by Downbeat in 2004 as one of the “100 Great Jazz Clubs,” a not-for-profit listening room located across from the Fox Theatre in the heart of the Grand Center arts and entertainment district. www.jatb.org
   2. Fabulous Fox Theatre (527 N. Grand Blvd.) - Opened in 1929, today it presents live entertainment with superstars, Broadway shows, family shows, and concerts. Tours are available. www.fabulousfox.com
   3. Tivoli Theatre (6350 Delmar in The Loop) - Magnificently restored to its 1924 splendor. Elegant display cases are filled with movie memorabilia, golden-age movie posters, and more. Three screens feature the best new independent films plus a classic cinema series. www.landmarktheatres.com/Market/St.Louis/TivoliTheatre.htm
9. International Bowling Museum and Cardinals Hall of Fame (Across from Busch Stadium) - Two great sports museums in one place for one price. Five thousand years of bowling history, more than a century of St. Louis baseball, and four free frames of bowling. www.bowlingmuseum.com
10. Trader Joe’s (48 Brentwood Promenade Court) - Yes, those of you who know and love Trader Joe’s won’t miss a beat when you visit St. Louis with its 3 locations. www.traderjoes.com
11. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard (Old Rte. 66, 6726 Chippewa) - A St. Louis tradition on Old Route 66 since 1929. Known for specialty “concrete” shakes, so thick you can turn them upside down. www.teddrewes.com