Visiting St. Louis (Washington, Lambert: theater, live, restaurants)

[tobester]

I am visiting St. Louis next week for the first time. I'm staying near the airport, but have a car. In a couple of afternoons/evenings of spare time, what are the must see sites? Does St. Louis have a viable downtown with shopping, theaters, restaurants? Is it safe at night? Am I close to the Cardinals stadium? Thanks for any help.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

I've walked downtown at night after a game, but with a group.

The City Museum is a lot of fun, but $12 to get in and $4 for the aquarium. It's fun for all ages, but probably mostly if you have kids.
There are also plenty of museums. Sometimes there are concerts going on as well.

Do you mean Lambert airport? If so, no you are not close to Busch. Busch is downtown. Lambert is in North County. You can take the MetroLink downtown if you don't want to spend money on gas and parking. Metro is $2 each way, unless you get a weekly pass or something, which may come in handy if you're going to stay a few days. The MetroLink (light rail) will take you to the arch, Busch, Forest Park, but it doesn't go into South City (which does have some buses).

I think St. Louis is generally safe, but I don't live there. I'd suggest staying in well-lit areas. The more dangerous areas generally will be in North City (though Gravois Park in South City is seedy apparently), but most of those places as a tourist you'd have no reason to go to.

Other attractions:
St. Louis, MO: Visitor Information & Travel Planning Resources (http://www.explorestlouis.com/visitors/index.asp - broken link)
A Complete Guide to St. Louis Attractions
STLtoday - Entertainment - Visit St. Louis (http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/visitstlouis - broken link)

I don't really know about nightlife.

Some things in South City will not be accessible by train. If you don't want to wait for buses, or if buses can't get you there, you could drive down from the airport, but it's a long drive. I would suggest looking at travel guides, maybe write down some key places to visit.

How long will you be the in the city?

As a tourist, I would probably suggest the arch, a Cardinal game is fun if you can get tickets, and if you have time the courthouse is a nice place to visit. Forest Park has some museums as well. If you come at other times during the year the Rams (NFL) and Blues (NHL) will be playing. If you take the train to downtown I believe you can take the Metrobus to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. I've never done it, but you can take a free tour.

[ShadowCaver]

Might also check out this list here too //www.city-data.com/forum/st-lo...isan-must.html

[Azalea City Man]

Originally Posted by tobester

Does St. Louis have a viable downtown with shopping, theaters, restaurants?

No. Not viable at least.

But it does have the arch, central west end district, the loop, and baseball. I'd call St. Louis a very fun town once you live here and get to know the ends and outs, but it's a not a tourist's town or a city with a vibrant downtown.

You are not close to the stadium at all.

I'd say the city museum is a must (you'll see why, but I won't spoil the mystery), forest park is a must, the arch is a must, and if you want to watch a movie - make it at the Moolah (sp?), sit in a couch, and have a drink watching The Dark Knight. If you really want to be downtown though, make it Washington St. There are a few things there.

[ShadowCaver]

Great ideas there oscottscotto - another idea, if looking for interesting flavour of nightlife, besides the Landing, might also check out The Loop too.