Meet Me in St. Louie
417's tips for seeing, doing, eating and staying in the Gateway City.
Just three hours from the eastern side of 417-land, one of Missouri’s big cities is an urban (and suburban) playground for all ages with attractions that are as much fun for Mom and Dad as they are for Junior. So when you, your snuggle bunny and your kids need a family-friendly getaway, gas up the minivan and head to a weekend in the Gateway City.
See
The quintessential St. Louis site is often overlooked for newer options, but it shouldn’t be. It’s the Gateway Arch (877-982-1410, gatewayarch.com), after all. Families with kids in tow who have never been to the top of the monument should really make a visit and see the city from above.
If your party is all grown-ups, then a tour of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery is in order (314-577-2626, budweisertours.com). St. Louis is the world headquarters of the beer brand, now owned by InBev. Tour-goers can see the inner workings of the brewery, complete with samples.
Eat
In a city the size of St. Louis, dining options are plentiful, especially in the historic district The Hill, which has many Italian eateries. Try Dominic’s if you are feeling fancy and Milo’s Tavern if you’re feeling like cheap beer and bocce ball (Dominic’s, 314-771-1632, dominicsrestaurant.com; Milo’s Tavern, 314-776-0468).
Visit Monarch (314-644-3995, monarchrestaurant.com) to experience a variety of creative entrées, such as the steak tartare (which is served with a Parmesan cake, preserved Meyer lemon and an edible flower).
Party
If you happen to be making this trip sans children, you might want to pop into a few St. Louis nighttime hotspots. Bailey’s Chocolate Bar (314-241-8100, baileyschocolatebar.com) has a menu stocked with chocolate. There are 15 chocolate martinis ranging from white to milk, dark, very dark and more. If the cacao bean isn’t your thing, there are other cocktails, a wine list and almost 100 beers (including, of course, a few chocolate stouts). Desserts, cheese platters, pizzas (we want to try the one with sweet potato, black pepper and fontina) and salads round out the options for filling your belly.
Play
Your actual children and your inner child will have a ball at The City Museum (314-231-2489, citymuseum.org). The place is a playground for the imagination, and it’s filled with a tree house, a waterfall, huge dinosaur and sea creature sculptures, a two-story slide, an outdoor jungle gym and much more. Everything is visually stimulating. Take the kids during the day, or go late on a Saturday night when the museum is open until 1 a.m., and adults rule the roost.
Stay
The new Four Seasons Hotel (314-881-5800, fourseasons.com/stlouis) is a swank place to rest your weary legs and get a little pampering after a day of sightseeing (above). The hotel’s restaurant, Cielo, offers views of the city and the Gateway Arch.
The spa has everything from organic massages to caviar serum facials. And the clean lines of the rooms’ décor are both inviting and warm. Downtown near the riverfront, the hotel is just a short drive or cab ride to the rest of the places in this story.
