Aside from Mark, I’m not quite sure if anyone else on this board lives in St. Louis, but I figured I’d ask as some of you might’ve visited there.
I’m taking a bit of a vacation in early December to visit the city for a couple days. OK, mainly I’m going to see one of my favorite bands play, something I do at least once a year. Last year it was traveling 2600 miles round-trip to see Stone Temple Pilots in Myrtle Beach, so this isn’t really anything new.
But I’m curious, as I’ve never really asked anyone about St. Louis, but what’s fun to do? What sites should I absolutely see? What’re some good restaurants to get a bite in? Basically, what’s a can’t-be-missed attraction? What do I absolutely need to do in St. Louis before I keel over and die?
In case anyone’s wondering, which I’m sure everyone is, right, I’m seeing Local H. Perhaps the next-to-top-ranking band on my list, they’re a fucking amazing show to see. Twice this year and counting, would’ve been around six times had I been able to skip work and go see them in all their shows in Texas. If you haven’t seen them, do. And if you don’t want to, well, your loss.
Thanks in advance for the responses. And a good ‘get bent’ in advance for someone who tells me to hike up the arch and bungee without a cord. :)
“One funky “hip” neighborhood to walk around and eat in (The Central West End)”
I’d add University City and the Loop. That’s a nice little strip. Go to Blueberry Hill (a pub) if you go there.
If you want to gamble, there are a couple of floating casinos on the Mississippi. The Riverboat Queen is probably the one to hit. That’s on the East Side in Illinois across the river, and that’s not too far from all the strip clubs if you want some of that. There are no strip clubs in Missouri. It’s also close to Laclede’s Landing, a riverfront area on the Missouri side that’s a tourist attraction. Lots of pubs and live music.
St. Louis is on the quiet side, though at times in the past we’ve challenged for the national murder rate crown. Pack some heat!
Hey, thanks for the suggestions, Phil and Mark. I’ll definitely have to look into the pubs/bars, I’m always up for some good live music. It’s an essential thing to do when I visit cities—I find that you discover so much about the culture there through who plays what, and what styles are present. Really a good experience all around. And the tip on the science museum was a direct hit. That’s one of Dallas’s lacking areas. We’ve got good Natural History/Science and Aeronautics Museums, but no strict science museum (well, that’s any good).
Again, thanks for the suggestions. Now I have an excuse to take off a good half-week, instead of driving 9 hours one way, hitting the show, then driving 9 hours back. :)
Edit: And I’ve had my fill of strip clubs. After you start getting to know the members of Pantera on a first-name basis because you visit their stripclub so much, it sort of hits you that you spend too much money there and need to stop, heh.
I lived in St. Louis for about six years and would have to echo Mark’s comments about it being a sort of a quiet town. I lived in the Loop for a couple of year and would suggest you try to find when a local band is playing in Blueberry Hill’s small concert venue, and be sure to check out Vintage Vinyl, a cool record store a few doors down with a pretty eclectic mix of music.
I also lived in the Central West End and it is really just a nice pub/bookstore sort of area. It’s not going to wow you if visit, but it’s a really pleasant place to live. The science museum when I lived there was not the best; it was sort of one of those “infotainment” museums that tries to be educational and entertaining, but doesn’t do either very well. They’ve got a omnimax theatre, and there’s a planetary nearby as well.
It sounds corny, but the whole arch museum/tour thing is actually sort of interesting. Don’t go up to the top of the arch if you’re claustrophobic though, as you have to get into these tiny little diving bells as they cable you up to the top in near total darkness.
The bowling Hall of Fame is worth some laughs (the first thing you see when you walk in is a theological justification of bowling by St. Augustine). It’s right next to Busch stadium. Also, just a few miles out of town is an “Elvis is Alive” museum that had me laughing till it hurt. Finally, there is an Anheiser Busch tour that will explain to you why the Busch folks know that Natural Light is crap and they’ll let you drink free beer and eat free pretzels at the end.
One more - if the weather’s nice - there’s a really nice botanical garden (I’m not into that kind of thing, but even so, I enjoy it). Also, as Mark said, the loop area in University City is nice.
Women beware, though, I believe that’s the club part owned by Chuck Berry for which Chuckie was arrested a few years back for secretly installing vid cameras with a prominent view inside the women’s stalls. Chuck seems to have followed in a great tradition of lecherous 50’s rock stars, joining Little Richard and Jerry Lee “Hey 14’s legal where I come from” Lewis.
Blueberry Hill is not owned by Chuck Berry. He lives near St. Louis and plays at the Pageant once a month, though. For those ex-St. Louisans, the Pageant is a new small concert hall in the Loop. It’s designed for acts that are a bit too big for the bar scene but too small for the normal concert halls. Puff Daddy had his birthday party show there not too long ago. Oh, the excitement!
Jim Preston, when you lived in St. Louis had the Science Center expanded across highway 40? It is more entertaining now, and it’s mostly free, another good point.
I’d forgotten about the AB brewery tour. I’ve never taken it, but I hear it’s fun. It’s also free, but call first. It’s often filled.
When you come grab a copy of the Riverfront Times. It’s free and lists all the things going on, including all the bands playing.
Bah. Rams went to the Superbowl last year, the Cards went to the playoffs this past season, and the Blues have made the NHL playoffs for something like 19 years in a row.
My recent trip to St. Louis was to see Rick Springfield at The Pageant. It has a pretty nice setup - open area near the stage, chairs and tables next and then a balcony area. Great place for just the kind of concert Mark described. There were even a couple of ladies flashing Rick from the audience :shock: *.
We stated at the Radisson near the airport and the drive to The Pageant let me know a few things about that part of St. Louis:
Check cashing is a very good business
Followed closely by the pawn shop industry
Hooded baggy warm-up sweaters are very popular
-DavidCPA
*Note to women who want to flash - if you raise your shirt and you look like a guy, don’t bother
I was going to let it slide. Anyone who freely admits attending such a ‘scene’ must be secure enough in his/her age and position in life to withstand any message board jabs.
Did he sing “Christina”? That was my favorite.
“Christina, Take me away,
Take me away with you.
Christina, I’m wasting away
blah…blah…blah”
