What to do on 9/5, 6, and 7 in St. Louis, MO?

[fishrising]

So, it looks like I will be traveling to St. Louis and will have free time on 9/5, 6 and 7 to do some things on my own. What should I see / do within the city or a within a few hours drive?

Where are the great restaurants? Night life? Museums? Parks? Hunting? Fishing?

The 'Cards are out of town this particular weekend.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

[rvan]

Donut Drive-In
6525 Chippewa St
St Louis, MO 63109
(314) 645-7714
This has to be the best Donut I've ever eaten. It was featured on Alton Brown's Feasting on Asphalt. It's a walk up place or drive up place. You get your donuts and eat in your car or in the parking lot. Make sure to get a regular glazed, it puts Krispy Kreme to shame.


Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
6726 Chippewa St
St Louis, MO 63109
(314) 481-2652
Also featured on Feasting on Asphalt. Really fresh tasting and simple custard. Also a drive up, you can eat it on your car or standing up.


You HAVE TO go to a restaurant on the Hill, the italian area of St. Louis where all the best italian food is. St. Louis is credited with inventing toasted or fried ravioli. I went to Dominic's on the Hill. 5101 Wilson Avenue (314) 771-1632 http://www.dominicsrestaurant.com/index.html

[ratae1950]

Great sea food at Blue Water Grill. Good American Italian food on 'The Hill', St Louis' Italian section. The Missouri Botanical Gardens is one of the best in the world. Take the elevator to the top of the Arch. The Science Center is pretty good, as is the Zoo. The old railroad station [no longer with trains] gives an idea of the former 'glory' of the city. The Central West End is a cool walkable district, Euclid Ave???, with good restaurants [there used to be 2 Welsh.....bars] , artsy shopping and beautiful homes.

[fishrising]

Thank you all so far! So to tie it back to Rolex, which one should I wear for business casual meetings and weekend tourist activity ( I will be changing timezones, but not too worried about that )? And I am not worried about getting mugged at 6'7" 270#s.

[mck22]

I would agree Ted Drewes is a for sure spot for custard. I would hit up Rigazzi's on the hill for a dinner. Iron Barley in st louis has been on the Food Network for a great BBQ place, I have never been but it is on my list. The science center is not a bad place. You might be able to still tour the old Budweiser plant on In Bev now. If your looking for Rolex stuff to do check out Clarkson. They are great!!!!

[mck22]

Wish I was gonna be around, I would meet up and say Hi. I am going to be at the Lake still.

[Lion]

Ben, I would recommend wearing the GMT PEPSI!!!

[fishrising]

DATE CHANGE: 9/17-9/22 now...

Thank you all for your responses! I will investigate them further. And my travel dates have changed now to:

Arriving Thursday night 9/17, and departing either Monday night 9/21 or Tuesday morning 9/22.

I will (hopefully) have the Saturday late afternoon into night and all day Sunday to do my solo sight-seeing. Working all other times, as we are performing an integration of voice ancillary call center systems from a company that we acquired into our company's voice and data network. It is a small site so, knock on wood, things should go smoothly and not take too long, as we have already integrated the larger call centers from this acquired company.

EDIT: Cards are in town this particular Saturday and Sunday, that may be part of my answer...

[mfer]

Well, I just happen to be from the area.

First off, watches!!!!!!!
Simon's in Clayton. They have Rolex, Panerai, JLC, Breitling, Cartier, and a few others.
They also have all the major jewelry designers, if your wife is coming.
http://www.simonsjewelers.com/

Next FOOD!
French - Franco in Soulard
I love French food and this is my FAV in STL.
BEST escargot I have ever had in the world.
http://www.eatatfranco.com/

Vietnamese - Mai Lee in University City
Cheap and incredible. Place is always busy but never more than a 15min wait.
http://www.maileerestaurant.com/

Italian - Just walk around "The Hill" - think little Italy
http://www.thehillstl.com/

Sushi - Clayton
My fav is Seikisu Pacific Rim - Never busy, but always GREAT
http://www.sekisuiusa.com/web/index....d=10&Itemid=11

Wasabi in Clayton or Downtown - second best sushi IMHO
http://www.saucemagazine.com/wasabi/

Exotic Cars in Chesterfield
http://www.bentleystl.com/
If you like that kind of thing

Sites
Missouri Botanical Gardens.
Great garden with different areas.
Rose, Chinese, Japanese, etc.
http://www.mobot.org/

Butterfly House in Chesterfield
Think green house with ridiculous amounts of crazy looking butterflies everywhere.
http://www.butterflyhouse.org/

Casino and Spa - Downtown St. Louis
Lumier Place - Newest casino in town right next to Four Season
Spa - Four Seasons (I've traveled a decent amount and this is an AMAZING spa and hotel)
http://www.fourseasons.com/stlouis/

Forest Park - Amazing Multimillion dollar reno just occurred.
http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/parks/forestpark/
Really Suggest this
Also in Forest Park is the Zoo, Art Museum and History Museum - ALL FREE, paid for by my taxes (your welcome)

There is more to do, but I better get back to work. Let me know if there is anything in particular you like doing.