Posted: 8/4/2010 12:26:10 PM EDT
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We're going to take a weekend trip to St. Louis before school starts. Looking for stuff to do with kids younger than 10. Any recommendations on activities and (more importantly) hotels. Any areas to avoid due to crime? Better to stay in town or one of the suburbs? |
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This has been talked about before, but as I have a 4 year old and another on the way I feel I'm somewhat knowledgeable on the topic...
Zoo: Most aspects are free. Easy to spend the better part of the day there. Science Center (Near Zoo): Enough of it is free to kill an hour or so. If you want to spend some money, the have movies and exhibits that can easily hold a kid's attention for a couple of hours. City Museum: Not free, but lots of activities and definetly kid oriented. Grants Farm: Parking is $10, the rest is free. 110 + acres of wildlife preserve. 2 complimentary adult coctails for those over 21. Go now; it will be a National Park in 10 years. ( I live next door, really neat place) City Park: Probably better to go in the evening, but kids seem to have fun running around climbing and splashing in the pools The Arch is pretty cool for the 10 year old crowd; great museum in the base and fun going to the top, especially on a windy day when it sways. Get there early, as it fills up fast due to airport like security checks. Definetly not a carry location. Boat House in Forest Park. Rent a canoe or paddle boat, go down by the Art Museum and paddle around the 50 ft + water fountains. Afterwards have dinner and a cocktail and listen to live music. Definetly family and pet friendly. Magic House: Various displays and activities. Costs, and can get crowded but lots of fun for your target age bracket. Hope this gives you a few ideas |
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Stay in the suburbs on the Missouri side of the river.
Go to Cahokia Mounds, the Science Center, Forest Park zoo, and the City Museum. The history museum at Forest Park is excellent, too. The Prologue room at Boeing is open this summer: http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/aboutus/tours/prologueroom/. I'll post more ideas as they come to me. If you have time, a trip down to Elephant Rocks is worthwhile. Your kids are the perfect size to run all over the ginormous pile of granite. |
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Butterfly House and Botanical Garden cost, but they are cool. Lone Elk Park and the bird santuary off of I-44 are cool as well, plus they are free. All of these are great suggestions and family favorites around our household. My son had his birthday last year at the Bird Sanctuary...great place. Boeing is a great suggestion; while I love the History Museum you as the parent need to know your audience...some kids dig history, and some want more action related activities. My son loved a treasure exhibit they had, but was soon bored. At 10, and depending on your influence the HM might be a great place to go. +100 for the Museum of Transportation...if your kids love trains, cars and so on its a great place to go! Obviously if you are a Cards fan or want to catch a game, there's Busch Stadium. A local favorite is Ted Drews Frozen Custard. Some people don't see the big deal, but its been featured on a number of nationally syndicated shows, tastes great and if you are a Route 66 fan has a certain nastalgia. "The Hill" has a number of family friendly restaurants with fantastic italian food. That's all I can think of off the top of my head. My wife's resting right now (power's out, she's prego and the generator only powers so much of the house) so when she wakes up I'll try to get some more ideas. Hopefully this gives you a start. |
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+1 for the Transport Museum.
Everything in the thread so far is a good suggestion. Except maybe about going to "The Hill"; one of these days I'm going to have to find a local to show me how to get there. I've lived here over 25 years and don't know how to get to the Hill except for vague references about going South on Grand. |
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+1 for the Transport Museum. Everything in the thread so far is a good suggestion. Except maybe about going to "The Hill"; one of these days I'm going to have to find a local to show me how to get there. I've lived here over 25 years and don't know how to get to the Hill except for vague references about going South on Grand. Not off Grand, Go to Google Maps and type in this address. Zia's Restaurant 5256 Wilson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 This is basically the center of "The Hill" you can see some of the restaurants on Google when you zoom in. I like Cunnetos, Zias, Gioia's Deli, Amighettis, well I think I have liked almost all the places I have been. 
Also, the Magic House in Kirkwood is always a favorite for kids. |
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I like Cunnetos, Zias, Gioia's Deli, Amighettis, well I think I have liked almost all the places I have been.
All of those are great (Cunnetos is top notch). I also love Mamma Campicis (sp?). I'm always up for lunch on the Hill...RIgazzi's - Home of the Fish Bowl Beer (Not the overall best food on the Hill but come on - A fishbowl full of beer!) |
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The Muny in Forest Park is a good show. There are free seats, too.
http://www.muny.org/content/blogcategory/33/242/ |
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I like Cunnetos, Zias, Gioia's Deli, Amighettis, well I think I have liked almost all the places I have been.
All of those are great (Cunnetos is top notch). I also love Mamma Campicis (sp?). I'm always up for lunch on the Hill...RIgazzi's - Home of the Fish Bowl Beer (Not the overall best food on the Hill but come on - A fishbowl full of beer!) I will have to try Mammas, whenever I go to Rigazzis for lunch I just go through the line and get one of the plate specials and I have only had the Fish Bowl at dinner, sounds like I need to hang out with you at lunch time. 
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For someone who lives in the city, try this:
There is a brand new Drury Inn at 44/Hampton. This is only one mile from Forest Park and all the fun you can have. You are three blocks from the Hill and all the goodies you can eat. (For a kid, go to the Gelateria, kind of an Italian Ice Cream, at the corner of Marconi and Wilson). Zoo - worth the trip for the kids. Science Center - Worth the trip for the parents and the kids. Both are very close together and easy to navigate. Parking is free on the street near the zoo, or it is 11.00 on the lot. Same for the Science Center. There is free parking near the Planetarium (south side of the campus), or you can park on the lot near the main entrance for a fee. Both of these attractions can take most of the day and tire out a ten year old fast. (I have one of those myself). Lastly, I live three blocks from that Drury, so I can recommend some good eating around there and some closer adventures if you are so inclined. Drop me a line if you wish. One thing to remember... DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING IN YOUR CAR THAT YOU DON'T WANT STOLEN!!!!! |
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Quoted:
I like Cunnetos, Zias, Gioia's Deli, Amighettis, well I think I have liked almost all the places I have been.
All of those are great (Cunnetos is top notch). I also love Mamma Campicis (sp?). I'm always up for lunch on the Hill...RIgazzi's - Home of the Fish Bowl Beer (Not the overall best food on the Hill but come on - A fishbowl full of beer!) I love Mama Campicis!!!! Was just there last weekend! |
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Also look up Crown Candy Kitchen. Great place for lunch, esp if you like shakes!
It was featured on Man vs Food, and the guy lost!! 5 shakes in 30 min, and they are free + get your name on the wall. There are only about 20 names on the wall, and they have been doing this for maybe 25 years...so you do the math. The food is good and the shakes are to die for. You get a full glass and a full stainless steel mixing tin with EACH shake ordered. Its north of downtown by a mile or two, so definitely carry, if you have your CCW. The block Crown Candy is on if OK, but you definitely drive through the 'hood to get there. |
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whenever I go to Rigazzis for lunch I just go through the line and get one of the plate specials and I have only had the Fish Bowl at dinner, sounds like I need to hang out with you at lunch time.
What can I say? I love beer and food and get more than enough of both at Rigazzis. Course, thats on days off. Pee tests are somewhat problematic after a fish bowl |
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For someone who lives in the city, try this: There is a brand new Drury Inn at 44/Hampton. This is only one mile from Forest Park and all the fun you can have. You are three blocks from the Hill and all the goodies you can eat. (For a kid, go to the Gelateria, kind of an Italian Ice Cream, at the corner of Marconi and Wilson). Zoo - worth the trip for the kids. Science Center - Worth the trip for the parents and the kids. Both are very close together and easy to navigate. Parking is free on the street near the zoo, or it is 11.00 on the lot. Same for the Science Center. There is free parking near the Planetarium (south side of the campus), or you can park on the lot near the main entrance for a fee. Both of these attractions can take most of the day and tire out a ten year old fast. (I have one of those myself). Lastly, I live three blocks from that Drury, so I can recommend some good eating around there and some closer adventures if you are so inclined. Drop me a line if you wish. One thing to remember... DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING IN YOUR CAR THAT YOU DON'T WANT STOLEN!!!!! Kujoe - You're practically my neighbor. I live in South Hampton. It's nice to see others from the area! |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
For someone who lives in the city, try this: There is a brand new Drury Inn at 44/Hampton. This is only one mile from Forest Park and all the fun you can have. You are three blocks from the Hill and all the goodies you can eat. (For a kid, go to the Gelateria, kind of an Italian Ice Cream, at the corner of Marconi and Wilson). Zoo - worth the trip for the kids. Science Center - Worth the trip for the parents and the kids. Both are very close together and easy to navigate. Parking is free on the street near the zoo, or it is 11.00 on the lot. Same for the Science Center. There is free parking near the Planetarium (south side of the campus), or you can park on the lot near the main entrance for a fee. Both of these attractions can take most of the day and tire out a ten year old fast. (I have one of those myself). Lastly, I live three blocks from that Drury, so I can recommend some good eating around there and some closer adventures if you are so inclined. Drop me a line if you wish. One thing to remember... DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING IN YOUR CAR THAT YOU DON'T WANT STOLEN!!!!! Kujoe - You're practically my neighbor. I live in South Hampton. It's nice to see others from the area! 
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Thanks again for all the tips.
We went this weekend and didn't even scratch the surface. A wreck on I-64 delayed us by several hours on Friday, we didn't do much that day. Spent all day Saturday at the Zoo, needed another day. Went to Bass Pro Sat. evening (found a great deal on some arrows ). Traffic was terrible trying to get back to the hotel, didn't realize we were so close to the Brooks and Dunn concert venue.
Sunday was the Arch. Did not realize the level of security. Drove home with a 2 whining kids and a fussy baby  .
We are planning a return trip sometime later in the Fall to see some of what we missed. |
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Thanks again for all the tips. We went this weekend and didn't even scratch the surface. A wreck on I-64 delayed us by several hours on Friday, we didn't do much that day. Spent all day Saturday at the Zoo, needed another day. Went to Bass Pro Sat. evening (found a great deal on some arrows ). Traffic was terrible trying to get back to the hotel, didn't realize we were so close to the Brooks and Dunn concert venue.
Sunday was the Arch. Did not realize the level of security. Drove home with a 2 whining kids and a fussy baby .
We are planning a return trip sometime later in the Fall to see some of what we missed. I'd say you missed some good restaurants if you spent time without visiting any while you were here. There are some nice places, already mentioned, and others that are worth a try. Cunetto's used to have a restaurant in my town here of Union, but they managed a much larger place in the city. One place I miss is DelPietros. I don't know if they're closed down or moved, but I haven't seen them in years and I really enjoyed their whole presentation. Anyway, let us know next time you're around and maybe we can set up some adult shooting sports entertainment for your visit. |
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Thanks again for all the tips. We went this weekend and didn't even scratch the surface. A wreck on I-64 delayed us by several hours on Friday, we didn't do much that day. Spent all day Saturday at the Zoo, needed another day. Went to Bass Pro Sat. evening (found a great deal on some arrows ). Traffic was terrible trying to get back to the hotel, didn't realize we were so close to the Brooks and Dunn concert venue.
Sunday was the Arch. Did not realize the level of security. Drove home with a 2 whining kids and a fussy baby .
We are planning a return trip sometime later in the Fall to see some of what we missed. Were you able to make it up there? What did you do with the weapon(s)? |
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What are some good BBQ joints that I wouldnt get shot in? Looks like Ill be there mid september for a few days of work. Best BBQ is SuperSmokers, IMO. Not in the city. It's about 30-35 miles out on I-44. They do a Memphis dry rub with apple smoke. Some places do one thing well and everything else is lackluster. SuperSmokers does everything well. |
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In my experience the quality of your food is proportional to the chance you may not make it out of the joint vertical. This seems to go for most types of food, but BBQ and Italian foods places seem to really illustrate this point. thats kinda what I was eluding to. The few good BBQ joints Ive been in have been rough due to locals. I will be traveling with my wife too so I want it safe. Anybody know if a SD CCW is good down here? |