Ranchwife

I get to go to St. Louis in May for a science teacher's conference. I've never been to St. Louis and am staying next to the convention center. Can anyone tell me about this area of St. Louis? Is it safe to walk in day light hours? Any good restaurants (I'm not picky, just want good food)? Any shopping near buy - department stores, malls, etc.? Anything I must see while in that area other than the arch? Thanks! I'm really excited to go. I'll be traveling alone, so this is quite the adventure for me!!

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

That is pretty much right downtown St. Louis. I would have no problem walking around there in the day time. You can catch the metrolink and go many places in St. Louis.

I would be sure to go over to Laclede's Landing and have a look around. It's just under the Arch. Neat shops and food. I always like the Spaghetti Factory on the landing. Not so much for the food. It's OK, not fabulous, but I love the funky old building it is in.

Union Station is not far from there. It is a mall type place built in an old railroad station. It's fun to walk around once in awhile.

sandilee

St. Louis is an old historic city. The old courthouse downtown was built in 1825 and well preserved and has alot of history espically during/before the civil war.

We are also a baseball city. If theres a game in town it will be packed with people. We have a new stadium. Be sure to see it.

As stated above the convention center is in northern part of downtown. Its safe there. the metrolink (our subway) goes thru it. you can take a ride thru the city it stops at Union Station (old train station)...which is now converted into a shopping mall. The building was designed after an old castle in Germany.

St. Louis was founded by the French. Try Soulard's Market in south downtown for fresh produce, etc. The best eating, I think is on "The Hill". This is the Italian section which is in western downtown.

The Arch has a fantastic museum below it. Art museum in forest Park (west of downtown).
You must try "toasted ravioli" and "gooey butter cake. You can only buy these here. You can also take some St. Louis' food home with you. I always use our pasta sauces which you can only purchase here.
the restaurants downtown are mainly upper scale....there are alot of fast food places that cater to the working during lunch hour.
The "Olde Spaghetti Factory" mentioned above was an old hat factory on the river. Lacledes Landing had alot of old warehouses on the river that have been rehabbed into shops/reataurants. The staircase in there is stunning.

If your a gambler, theres plenty of casinos on the riverfront.
And statitistics report that St. Louis is a very affordable city.....its not costly as most large cities.
I have pm'ed you.
Enjoy our heritage when you arrive.

EllieGirl

I agree with everything said above. The museum below the arch is very informative about the beginnings of the development of the west. Right by the Arch is the "old" Cathedral. There are two cathedrals in St. Louis, the old and the new. The old Cathedral is the first church west of the Mississippi. It's a beautiful church. If you have the opportunity, go to The Hill. There is a restaurant downtown named Kemolls. It's an upscale Italian restaurant that has been in the city for years. Excellent food!!

Enjoy yourself in my hometown!

Jingle

All of the above is true. Unfortunely there are panhandlers. That is a real negative for me. St. Louis is wonderful.

EllieGirl

There are panhandlers every where! You just ignore them!

Ranchwife

I experienced this big time in Seattle at a conference last year. It did bother me and didn't add to the feeling of being safe. We don't have panhandlers where I live, so it is a different experience.

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

Depending on transportation and such you might want to look into the Science Center. It has wonderful hands on science exhibits geared toward kids. I'm sure it's nothing you don't know, but it might be a fresh way of presenting some things. It also has a wonderful IMAX movie theater.

St. Louis Zoo is also one of the top 5 zoos in that nation according to whoever decides these things. I can't really compare because it is the only zoo I've ever been to, but it is very nice.

The list of fun things to do in St. Louis could go on for pages. It is a big, active city. I'm certain you will be able to more than fill up any free time you may have.

Mamaskeeto

I have to agree with all the recommendations everyone has given. There is a Da Vinci Machines Exhibition that will be in St. Louis till May and it is close to the convention center. I haven't been there yet but have it on my list of things to.

http://discoverdavinci.com/

The History Museum at Forest Park is wonderful. Admission is free but there is a cost for special exhibitions.

http://mohistory.org/

Pappy's Smokehouse has great BBQ at a reasonable price.

http://pappyssmokehouse.com/

The St. Louis Zoo is always wonderful. Admission is free

http://www.stlzoo.org/

Hope you enjoy your time in St. Louis.

running1

The zoo was wonderful when we were there many years ago... there was also a wonderful botanical garden, but I don't remember where? close to the zoo perhaps? Peter Raven who co-wrote several Biology books (books I used over many years of teaching upper level HS Science) was at Washington University, and I THINK he was involved in developing/maintaining the gardens? (not sure about that...)

The Busch family farm is close to St. Louis too... this is where they keep their horse teams... a friend reported a great time there...

Have fun!!!