Things to Do in St. Louis

If this is your first time visiting St. Louis (STL), be sure to look over the Visitor's Guide and get an overview from the destination video.

If you're traveling by plane: The public transportation options are great - their MetroLink (light rail line) is only $3.75 outbound from airports and $2.25 for everywhere else. To get more details on the MetroLink or MetroBus, visit the website. So you may not need to rent a car. Plus, most attractions are very close to the hotel and convention center - just a short walk.

If you're driving into STL, parking is available in garage and surface lots throughout downtown STL. The closest facilities to the America's Center are the garage and lot located on Seventh Street between Washington Ave and Convention Plaza - see the map for more detail.

Also, there is a lot of signage for attractions that you can utilize while you're driving in the city. Colorful new signs point the way to neighborhoods and “must-see” venues. “Attraction Corridors” signs are located along major thoroughfares that access a high concentration of visitor amenities, including:

• Broadway – Downtown, Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium, City Museum, Edward Jones Dome, Scottrade Center, casinos, Soulard neighborhood


• Grand Avenue – Grand Center Arts and entertainment district,


• South Grand neighborhood, Missouri Botanical Garden, Chaifetz Arena


• Kingshighway Boulevard – Saint Louis Zoo, Science Center, Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, Central West End and The Hill neighborhoods
  

Full lists of things to do while in STL:

• 25 Things to Do in STL


• See & Do


• Eat & Drink
  

Events Calendar (5/5-5/12) - you can filter the results based on your tastes, but events during the AM include the following and a lot more:
Star Trek Exhibition, Civil War Exhibit at the MO History Museum, OMNIMax Film - Space Junk & To the Arctic, Ansel Adams Exhibit (through May 6), In the Still Exhibit (Picasso, Matisse, etc.), Warhol's Polaroids, Microfest (craft beer tasting festival, May 4-5), Cinco de Mayo (May 5), Grant's Farm/Anheuser Bush Brewery (Clydesdale Camera Day - May 5), Grapes and the Garden (May 5 wine tasting) @ MO Botanical Gardens, STL Symphony - Beethoven 5 (May 5-6), 2012 Chess Championship (spectators welcome, May 7-20), Mary Poppins (May 8-13), The Fray (May 8), Art Fair (May 11), Cardinals Baseball Game (May 11).

If you're a foodie, here are some features that appeared on the Food Network and the Travel Channel: Rachel Ray's Tasty Travels, Food Finds, Road Tasted, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and Man v. Food (Adam is also in this video on Thin Crust Pizza - at 1:45 he recommends checking out Imo's in STL). STL is known for their unique pizza - a cracker thin crust with provel cheese. And, for those who like lists, here's a complete list of unique STL foods. Fair warning: all the links will probably make you hungry.

If you're on a budget, here is a list of free things to do in STL, as well as a link to St. Louis On the Cheap - a website that has discounts, coupons, and deals for the area.

Finally, we wanted to include staff favorites, from STLE staffer, Karl Phipps. He knows STL very well, since he grew up there, so he's got some good advice on places to eat and places to visit.

Places to Eat

• Big Daddy’s on the Landing – Local favorite hangout in the Laclede’s Landing entertainment district (located a few blocks from the Renaissance Hotel). Variety of food options available and a great place for large group outings!


• Mike Shannon’s Steaks & Seafood – One of STL’s best steakhouse restaurants. Home to legendary St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Mike Shannon (located near Busch Stadium). Great place for evening client meetings!


• Joanie’s Pizza – An excellent inexpensive place for great pizza. Located south of downtown in the historic Soulard area.


• Ted Drewes Frozen Custard – Mouth-watering delicious custards along with other delightful dessert treats (malts & shakes, sundaes, cookies).


• Blueberry Hill - Landmark restaurant and music club (located in University City “The Loop”) Great food and music performances headlined by Rock & Roll legend Chuck Berry.
  

Places to Visit

• Grant’s Farm – Historic farm, which was once owned by the 18th U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant.


• Anheuser-Busch Brewery – Daily brewery tours (with tasting).


• Gateway Arch – Visit the nation’s tallest monument at 630 feet with a spectacular view of the St. Louis city skyline.


• Saint Louis Zoo - One of the few zoos open to the general public that’s still free! Note: some special attractions cost a nominal fee.


• St. Louis City Museum – Fun-filled exhibits and unique attractions.

We hope you enjoy your time in the meeting, as well as outside - get out and explore this unique and entertaining city!