Visiting St. Louis in May (Kansas City, St. Charles: hotel, house, neighborhood)

[Johnny Bananas]

Hey everyone, how's it going?

Me and a bud will be visiting St. Louis the weekend before Memorial Day (22-24). We'll be driving from Kansas City early morning and arriving early afternoon. We'll then leave mid-afternoon Monday.

This isn't just a quick vacation for us. This is also a time for me to get a feel for St. Louis as it is a city or area I'm thinking of moving to in the near future. I spent 5 days in Denver last month and enjoyed it so I need St. Louis to be able to see what the city has to offer in order to keep in the running. No need to debate about which cities is better, etc.

We are both 21... college students. What can you recommend for us to do in the short amount of time?

Saturday we will be heading to the Cardinals game and would like to visit a decent bar or Irish pub near the ballpark for refreshments after the game.

St. Louis seems so spread out. I would like to reserve a hotel that is pretty close to everything such as the ballpark, museums, nightlife, etc. Our budget will be about $200 not including gas and hotel.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks, JM

[stldotage]

At first I read your post to say your budget was $200 including the hotel. I was then going to recommend the Huck Finn Hostel at a whopping $25 bucks a night: Huck Finn Hostel :: Home (http://www.huckfinnhostel.com/index.asp - broken link) .

I suppose if you don't mind hostel-type accommodations, it's still a good way to save money if they have a room open--especially if you're planning to be out of the room most of the time anyway. Plus the Huck Finn is in Soulard, a great St. Louis neighborhood to explore by foot. For great breakfast/brunch, there's the Soulard Coffee Garden on Geyer a mere two blocks from the hostel; the best pizza in the area at Feraro's on 10th; and any number of great watering holes.

As far as where to go after the game, hit up the Broadway Blues District at Cerre Street. It's just south of the stadium. There are three bars that are among the best in St. Louis for live music and drinks. They are BB's Blues, Jazz, and Soups; Beale on Broadway; and the Broadway Oyster Bar. The Oyster Bar has incredible food, though I've never eaten at BB's and can't judge them.

The best Irish pubs are in Dogtown, several miles west of downtown, but still a very easy drive (<10 minutes).

Tell us a bit more about your interests and we'll steer you. Are you a music junkie; a museum addict; a foodie; a partier who wants the best and busiest nightspots; a sight-seer; something else, or all of the above?

[BoomBoxing]

You're right when you say St. Louis is spread out. I think a couple of young chaps like yourself should stay downtown, where it's easy to get a cab or hop on the metrolink. First off, if you want an Irish pub downtown you have to check out: Tigins Tigin St. Louis - Tigin Irish Pub St. Louis, St. Patrick's Day, Guinness or the Dubliner: The Dubliner

They are both on Washington Ave downtown, which is usually pretty hoppin on weekend nights, not unlike Power & Light in KC, but more spread out. Also close by is Laclede's Landing on the riverfront, which is full of bars that cater more to the college crowd. I think a couple of 21 year old guys would have a ball down there.

You guys have to check out Soulard, which is a very fun party neighborhood with a pub on every corner. The Central West end is a must see and is St. Louis' premier urban neighborhood. A lot of street life, art, shops, and restaurants to check out. The Delmar Loop is another must see with a ton of unique shops, bars, and the Pageant, one of the best places here to see a show.

Culturally, you need to set aside maybe an entire day devoted to Forest Park. You can check out the great zoo, art museum, science center, and history museum all for free. That's in addition to just driving/biking/walking around the park, and admiring the scenery.

I don't know who is in town that weekend, but if you like concerts you have to check out the Pageant in the Loop, the Fox Theatre in Grand Center, Old Rock House near Soulard, or Blueberry Hill in the Loop. All great concert spots.

If you guys love beer (and who doesn't) you have to do an Anheuser Busch brewery tour. The brewery is just south of downtown and in addition to being awesome to see, you get free beer at the end! If you REALLY love beer than you have to check out Schlafly (a much smaller, locally owned operation) Bottleworks in Maplewood. St. Louis has about dozen more other small breweries I can post if you're interested.

Of the casinos in the area, I would stick with Lumiere downtown if you want to gamble. Ameristar in St. Charles is pretty good but it's a bit of a drive if you guys are staying downtown or near the city. Finally, one thing I HIGHLY recommend you do is go to the City Museum, in the north part of downtown.

If you don't know what it is, I can't really describe it. But the verdict is unanimous that it is incredible. Their website is City Museum - Downtown - Saint Louis, MO and you can read the reviews on yelp here: City Museum - Downtown - Saint Louis, MO

If you post a reminder as that weekend gets closer, I will see if I can find some fun events going on that weekend you might be interested in.

[moorlander]

Sounds like you will have a blast wandering up and down Wash Avenue downtown.

Also be sure to check out the Central West End and Soulard.

[pdm_ad]

Originally Posted by BoomBoxing

You're right when you say St. Louis is spread out. I think a couple of young chaps like yourself should stay downtown, where it's easy to get a cab or hop on the metrolink. First off, if you want an Irish pub downtown you have to check out: Tigins Tigin St. Louis - Tigin Irish Pub St. Louis, St. Patrick's Day, Guinness or the Dubliner: The Dubliner

They are both on Washington Ave downtown, which is usually pretty hoppin on weekend nights, not unlike Power & Light in KC, but more spread out. Also close by is Laclede's Landing on the riverfront, which is full of bars that cater more to the college crowd. I think a couple of 21 year old guys would have a ball down there.

You guys have to check out Soulard, which is a very fun party neighborhood with a pub on every corner. The Central West end is a must see and is St. Louis' premier urban neighborhood. A lot of street life, art, shops, and restaurants to check out. The Delmar Loop is another must see with a ton of unique shops, bars, and the Pageant, one of the best places here to see a show.

Culturally, you need to set aside maybe an entire day devoted to Forest Park. You can check out the great zoo, art museum, science center, and history museum all for free. That's in addition to just driving/biking/walking around the park, and admiring the scenery.

I don't know who is in town that weekend, but if you like concerts you have to check out the Pageant in the Loop, the Fox Theatre in Grand Center, Old Rock House near Soulard, or Blueberry Hill in the Loop. All great concert spots.

If you guys love beer (and who doesn't) you have to do an Anheuser Busch brewery tour. The brewery is just south of downtown and in addition to being awesome to see, you get free beer at the end! If you REALLY love beer than you have to check out Schlafly (a much smaller, locally owned operation) Bottleworks in Maplewood. St. Louis has about dozen more other small breweries I can post if you're interested.

Of the casinos in the area, I would stick with Lumiere downtown if you want to gamble. Ameristar in St. Charles is pretty good but it's a bit of a drive if you guys are staying downtown or near the city. Finally, one thing I HIGHLY recommend you do is go to the City Museum, in the north part of downtown.

If you don't know what it is, I can't really describe it. But the verdict is unanimous that it is incredible. Their website is City Museum - Downtown - Saint Louis, MO and you can read the reviews on yelp here: City Museum - Downtown - Saint Louis, MO

If you post a reminder as that weekend gets closer, I will see if I can find some fun events going on that weekend you might be interested in.

Excellent post BoomBoxing, you hit most of the points that I would have made.