macmacmoo Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 We'll be traveling to St Louis for a weekend. We have a four year old and one year old and have never been before. What are some must see sights? Any recommendations on where to eat would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 The Magic House is cool for those ages. There is also The Butterfly House and Science Center. Our favorite is The City Museum but I think it is better for a bit older kids. We usually choose ethnic places to eat while there ourselves, so it depends on what you like to eat. Ted Drew's or some other frozen custard would be good, especially this time of year and perhaps some traditional St. Louis style pizza- Imo's is a popular pizza joint, we used to eat at Guido's which is a spanish/Italian place for pizza before going GF and we always enjoyed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbecueMom Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 My kids could LIVE at the Museum of Transportation if I let them! I make them settle for a membership. :tongue_smilie: They also love the City Museum, Grant's Farm, and the Zoo. They like to just run around downtown too, under the Arch and at Kiener Plaza. The Magic House is cool, but less preschooler-friendly than I remember from when I was a kid. Or maybe we just went on a ridiculously crowded day. Places to eat... I'll have to think about that, since we usually take picnic food out and eat in a park somewhere. In the city, we like Caleco's (downtown) or Hodak's. We're not big Imo's fans, but that's a St. Louis icon. Ted Drewes is good for ice cream! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 (edited) Ted Drews frozen custard! Cahokia Mounds right across the river. If you like looking at small river towns, also go to Grafton, IL. In St. Louis, the Art Museum, the Zoo, the Jewel Box, the Science Center (all free, all in Forest Park). The City Museum costs, but is interesting (wasn't my favorite place, partially due to costs and crowding). The Magic House is pretty cool. If you are doing any religious studies: Our Lady of the Snows Shrine across the river in IL Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church LDS Mormon Temple Edited July 3, 2012 by mommaduck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 They have a great zoo! And it is free! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 We like the zoo but not this time of year, no shade and lots of walking, with kids those ages you'd likely need a double stroller or carriers for much time there. There is a train or such but still plenty of walking and weather in the area has been unseasonably hot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobela Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Loved the City Museum, but not on a Saturday. My dd was also 2 at the time and not much for her to do there. Interestingly, the most talked about since has been the ride on the metro train that we took from end to end. My son loves that he rode a train and that he went to Illinois on it. East St. Louis was kind of creepy, but we felt safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Loved the City Museum, but not on a Saturday. My dd was also 2 at the time and not much for her to do there. Interestingly, the most talked about since has been the ride on the metro train that we took from end to end. My son loves that he rode a train and that he went to Illinois on it. East St. Louis was kind of creepy, but we felt safe. As long as you stay at the station or take a vehicle elsewhere, you're fine. Just don't go trying to take a leisurely stroll through East St. Louis. Brooklyn and Venice, don't even drive through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobela Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 As long as you stay at the station or take a vehicle elsewhere, you're fine. Just don't go trying to take a leisurely stroll through East St. Louis. Brooklyn and Venice, don't even drive through. We boarded by the Arch, rode nonstop to Illinois, then back to MO as far as it would go, then got off where we began (which was just a couple of blocks from our hotel). There were actually very few people riding when we were (mid morning). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 My favorite restaurant is The Fountain on Locust. It has the best ice cream and is a cool place to look at. My kids loved the City Museum. I think it is great for a 4yr old (mine liked it) but maybe not good for a 1yr old. I'd try to go in off-peak hours if you can find them. The Science Museum is free, so that's always nice. Overall, it wasn't the best or worst science museum I've seen. My kids thought the arch was boring. My 4yr old loved Grant's Farm. I didn't take her, so I can't comment on if it would be shady enough in the summer. She really loved the Magic House too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghee Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Grants Farm instead of the zoo. Plenty of shade, free but you pay to park, really cute goat petting/feeding area ($1 a bottle I think?) Magic House and it is HUGE. Science Center is fun. If you go up the arch, book it for night time. Such an awesome view. We've done day and night, night was better IMO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oasis Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 (edited) Do you know what weekend you'll be going? If it's in July/August, it may be too hot for the Zoo (like a pp mentioned, not much shade, lots of walking, and very crowded on weekends), but we are really wanting to go see this new Sea Lion Exhibit, where you can walk through an underwater tunnel! The Old Spaghetti Factory is a good place for family dining. I found this article regarding the Highlights of St. Louis. Our family definitely couldn't fit in everything they listed for each day, though! :D ETA: Our family loves almost any type of pizza, but we do not enjoy Imo's in the slightest. Edited July 3, 2012 by oasis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 I forgot about the Botanical Gardens I think that is a great one for everyone, their Children's Garden is fabulous- awesome treehouse and cave with water fountains, cool sculptures and it is just beautiful. I've heard lots of good things about The Old Spaghetti Factory we've never tried it for obvious reasons but it seems to be popular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbecueMom Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 I forgot about the Botanical Gardens I think that is a great one for everyone, their Children's Garden is fabulous- awesome treehouse and cave with water fountains, cool sculptures and it is just beautiful. I've heard lots of good things about The Old Spaghetti Factory we've never tried it for obvious reasons but it seems to be popular. The Botanical Garden also runs the Butterfly House in Faust Park, which my 2yo budding entomologist loved, but would have freaked out the 4yo (he stayed home with grandma that day). We went on a Saturday where they also had crafts and preschool type carnival games. It's next door to a neat (indoor!) carousel and a nice playground. We went to the Old Spaghetti Factory once, and it was okay but not amazing. I'm pretty hard on the quality of restaurant pasta, if I'm going to pay a lot for it. Of course, my kids were exhausted and cranky from a traveling train exhibit and the restaurant was dark with lots of empty space to try to run in. It was not a good day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arliemaria Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 We live in St. Louis and also do not like Imo's. We have some great restaurants so don't waste money on yucky stuff. Forest Park is great! I also second Grant's Farm, botanical gardens, butterfly house. If you choose to go to the garden or butterfly house pm me. We could meet up with you and let you use our membership/extra bloom passes. I love our zoo, but it is going to be super crowded because of the new exhibit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeacefulChaos Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Let's see... I haven't been TO STL in several years (though we go THROUGH it) but I grew up nearby, so this is a little out of date. But from what I remember... I always liked the Science Museum. I remember going several times. Love the zoo. Excited about the new exhibit but we won't be up that way again for another year or two. Grant's Farm didn't impress me. I remember being quite bored with it, actually. The Magic House I vaguely remember, and I think it was ok. Kind of small, and I think I was a little old for most of the stuff at the time. I thought it was all right, but I was a kid and I also have no idea of the cost. I never really cared for Imos either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 We were just there. I can't help with stuff for littles, but I do want to recommend Fozzie's for a meal. Mmmmmm..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsMommy Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Love Grant's Farm...probably our favorite place to go! There are some Clydesdale colts (is that the right term?) there right now, and they're so much fun to watch. The zoo is great, but there's a lot of uphill walking, and it's so hot...a new sea lion exhibit did just open, though, so if you think you want to see that, it might be worth it. Are you baseball fans? If so, a Cards game is a must! If you want to have the best burger you've ever eaten, go to Seamus McDaniel's in Dogtown. The Magic House is awesome, but it's going to be crowded this time of year. The Science Center is also cool; pretty much anything in Forest Park is a good visit. Cahokia Mounds is great for appreciating history, and if you're in the Metro East, Eckert's Farm/Orchard is a lot of fun, too. If you venture out to St. Charles, there's a historic district with a lot of great shops, and Frankie Toco's on Main is a great place to eat if you want to try St. Louis style pizza that isn't Imo's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Imo's = greasy pizza squares. DH loves it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristineW Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 If its hot, CityGarden downtown can be a fun, free place to splash around. Magic House and the Science Center are my kids favorite places to beat the heat; the Discovery Room in the science center is great for the little ones. If its not excessively hot, the Zoo and Grant's Farm are great. St Louis has great Italian food. on the "Hill." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 I've only ate Imo's twice I think and that has been many years, dh used to love it though. I know it is crazy popular. The pizza place we liked, Guido's, is in the Hill. Oh, and I watched a Man Vs. Food episode in St. Louis and the two places he featured were: http://www.pappyssmokehouse.com/ He had bbq here that looked delicious. and http://crowncandykitchen.net/ This was an old fashion milk shake place that was close to the river iirc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oasis Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 The Magic House used to be small, but they've expanded. Check out what they look like now! The New Magic House We just went in January, and my dd8 and ds6 keep begging to go back soon! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie Sue Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 We go to STL all the time, from when the kids were babies.. Magic House is perfect for preschoolers! There are often b1g1 coupons for entry. Grant's farm--great for kids, you ride around in a big tram and they take you and your stroller to the top of the park, where you get out and see animals, watch shows, feed goats, etc...there is an outside dining area (and a free beer per adult--dh likes that), then you get back on the tram and go back to the entrance, where there is a gift shop. It only takes 2 hours to see everything. STL has a world-class zoo. It is huge. You can get safari passes which include entrance to the children's zoo (this is free the first hour the zoo is open, otherwise costs $4), unlimited train rides to the different areas, the sea lion show ($4 maybe), and entrance to the insectarium/butterfly house. There are animal shows for kids and a playground and petting zoo area in the children's zoo. There are usually coupons for b1g1 free safari passes, they are normally $11, I believe and worth it, just to ride on the train. There is also a carousel and a new sting ray exhibit where you can feed the rays. Arch--impressive, there is a "lewis and Clark" museum at the bottom (major security there now, so don't bring anything weird). Little kids won't get much out of it. Union Station--now is a small mall has paddle boats and fish/turtle feeding. Very neat area. The fudgery is entertaining, but there aren't many stores there now. City museum is neat, but we have'nt been since they hiked their prices up. There is a very cool up in the air playground. I didn't care for Imo's pizza at all. Not sure where you're coming from, but there is a Lamberts near STL--we always like to stop there...kinda fun to catch the rolls they throw at you :) If you are staying, look on www.betterbidding.com for good rates on hotels (they teach you how to bid on priceline and help identify hotels on hotwire, too). restaurant.com has great gc's for restaurants in every big city that can cost as low as $2 to $4 for a $10-$25 gc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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