Category Archives: St. Louis

Experience All There Is to Do in and Around the Gateway Arch in St. Louis

With summer finally entering the atmosphere, it’s that time of year again for folks to embark on vacations and adventures across the country. A popular tourist attraction is the Gateway Arch. Located in St. Louis, Missouri, the Arch is the largest man-made monument in the entire U.S. It stands astonishingly tall and is the perfect subject for photography. 
Below, we’ve listed a few different things you can do if you plan to visit the Arch this summer.

1. Tram Ride to the Top

Ever want to see St. Louis from 630 feet above the ground? If so, you’ll want to hop on a tram ride to the top of the Gateway Arch. After touring the rest of the Arch, you can hop onboard a tram car that will take you 630 feet up in the air, the perfect place to grab some photos for Instagram and take in the view. The tour lasts about 45 to 60 minutes. It’s an amazing experience that simply can’t be passed on.

2. Helicopter Tour

If trams or stairs aren’t your thing, you can always sign up to take a helicopter tour of the Gateway Arch and see it up close. You’ll sore a good distance above the Mississippi River and get one of the best views possible of the Arch. Rides are available from April to November and cost $43 per person.

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Top 4 Quinessential Barbecue Restaurants in St. Louis, MO

You don’t have to travel very far to enjoy your favorite fresh BBQ dishes. In fact, you can stay right here in the St. Louis, Missouri, area and check out these top BBQ restaurants right at home. 

1. Sugarfire Smoke House

The many awards that the Sugarfire Smoke House has won is just one reason you should consider trying it. Another is the fresh, chef-created menu that is sure to get your mouth watering. Sugarfire Smoke House takes traditional BBQ and adds a unique twist, giving St. Louis its own type of BBQ.
Just a few of the most popular dishes on the menu include the pulled pork and brisket. You can also eat lighter with one of the fresh salads including the smoked chicken Caesar salad or the chef salad. Finish off your meal with an ice cream soda float or a pie shake. Dine in, carry out, or have your favorite dishes delivered right to your front door.

2. A Fine Swine

A Fine Swine focuses on traditional BBQ and uses only the best low and slow techniques to create each of their menu items. Ingredients are fresh, food is served hot, and A Fine Swine is sure to become a favorite of yours. Start your meal off with an appetizer like the white cheddar cheese curds. Then, choose from one of the popular entrees including the championship pulled pork or the authentic Texas brisket.
If you can’t choose just one, go with the sampler which comes with pork, brisket, ribs, and chicken. Make sure you also try one of the fresh desserts like the Texas sheet cake or the fresh blackberry cobbler. You can also order bulk BBQ items off of the take-out menu for your next event.

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Find Your New Favorite Book at a St. Louis Indie Bookstore

There is just something relaxing about visiting a local, small-town bookshop. St. Louis, Missouri, is home to many quaint bookshops that are worth checking out. 
AIA St. Louis Bookstore
Located in downtown St. Louis in the landmark Lammert Building is the AIA (American Institute of Architects) St. Louis Bookstore. Both architectural enthusiasts and locals of St. Louis are sure to find the AIA bookstore interesting. The bookstore has a large collection of architectural information about many of the local neighborhoods and attractions including the Forest Park Highlands amusement park and the Gateway Arch.
In fact, many St. Louis locals use the AIA as a resource for learning about the city. Former president Bill Clinton was once enticed by the bookshop’s interesting front window and requested that his driver pull over. He visited the shop, walking away with an assortment of St. Louis items.
The Book House
Whether you are looking for a particular book or you are just in the mood to browse, the Book House has something for you. With over 350,000 books in their inventory, you will never grow tired of browsing their ever-changing collection of books. You will find children’s, non-fiction, out-of-print publications, and even first editions.
Books are available at all price points and some of their inventory can be shopped online. One of its oldest books currently in inventory dates back to 1590. Need help choosing a book? Just ask one of the staff members for a recommendation.

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4 Top Reasons to Visit the Arch During Spring

Visiting the famous Gateway Arch is a must-see attraction while staying in St. Louis. While you can see this iconic landmark any time of the year, springtime is the best season. Not only is the weather perfect, affording you gorgeous views, but there are many other events taking place in St. Louis to participate in after you have taken a tour of the Arch. Let’s look at four reasons why visiting the Gateway Arch in the spring is the best time. 
The Views From the Arch Are Spectacular With Clear Skies
One of the most iconic landmarks gracing the St. Louis, Missouri, skyline is the famous Gateway Arch. The 630-foot monument, built in 1963, is one of the most famous man-made monuments in the world.
When you enter the base of the Arch, you are invited into the beautiful visitors center where you can take the time to learn about the history of the design and build of the Arch. From there, you enter into one of the trams that takes you to the top where you will see spectacular sweeping views of the Mississippi River and the lovely and historic city of St. Louis.

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4 Backroads to Travel Near Saint Louis

St. Louis, Missouri is a beautiful place with picturesque natural attractions and majestic rivers. If you love an American road trip, St. Louis offers iconic backroads to explore the scenic landscape of this part of the country. Whether you want to see historic landmarks, manmade wonders, humongous farms, or breathtaking bodies of water, this place offers a spectacular list of scenic drives that will blow you away. The roads here are not only beautiful, but the speed limit is generous. If you love to explore the Midwest in your car, here are five scenic backroads to drive in Saint Louis. 
The Great River Road
The Great River Road links St. Louis to Alton, Illinois. This scenic drive offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in the region. The winding road runs between the bank of the mighty Mississippi River and huge limestone bluffs.
There are many attractions on the road, including the painting of the Piasa Bird, the Pere Marquette State Park and its famous log lodge, and the Center of American Archeology in Jamesville. You can have lunch beside the river or hike the trails under the limestone cliffs to see more of the surroundings. Every inch of this beautiful road is like traveling back in time and the views are mind-blowing!
Route 94 to Augusta, Missouri
If you are looking for the American alternative to the Rhine River Valley, Route 94 offers amazing views of Missourian wine country. The scenic road links St. Louis to Augusta and Hermann. From the top of the bluffs above the Missouri River Valley, you can soak in the beautiful expanse of wineries below. Route 94 takes you across the Missouri River past verdant vineyards heavy with Concord and Norton grapes. If you enjoy rock and blues music, stop at the Montelle Winery at the end of the valley for a taste of old Midwestern hospitality.

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4 Places for Healthy Dining in St. Louis

St. Louis is loaded with quality restaurants, and while many are quite indulgent, you don’t have to settle for unhealthy options. In fact, many local eateries are praised for offering fresh, healthy food and drink. Check out these four dining options in the St. Louis area the next time you’re craving a hearty, nutritious meal. 

1. Wicked Greenz

Wicked Greenz is a counter serve health food restaurant that makes it easy to customize your meals. This is good news for anyone with food allergies and even better news for people who don’t want to worry about which menu items are healthy — everything you can eat here is good for you. The menu includes food combinations you can order as a bowl or roll. You can then add extra protein and dressing as you’d like.
Wicked Greenz is at 16 N Central Ave in St. Louis. The shop opens daily at 10 a.m. It closes at 8 p.m. during the week and at 3 p.m. over the weekend.

2. Lulu’s Local Eatery

For another easy-going counter serve option, check out Lulu’s Local Eatery. This restaurant boasts indoor and outdoor seating and a range of comfort foods and vegan-friendly menu items. If you’d like to unwind after your meal, simply head upstairs to Lulu’s Ping Pong Bar. This popular cocktail spot is open daily from 5 p.m. to midnight.
Lulu’s Local Eatery features a variety of menu items, from wraps and sandwiches to burgers and specialty entrees. Many meals come with delicious sauces that are made from scratch at Lulu’s. You can find the restaurant at 3201 South Grand in St. Louis. It’s open Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is closed every Sunday.

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Best Places To Go Eagle Watching In St. Louis

Eagle watching is one of the most popular activities for birders in St. Louis. This is thanks to the state’s large population of bald eagles and other raptor species, such as ospreys and golden eagles. These are some places around the area where you can see these animals this winter. 
Along Highway 100
Highway 100 runs along the Mississippi River on the Illinois side of the border. Simply cross over from St. Louis and drive along the stretch of road between the cities of Alton and Grafton. This area is legendary among local birders because thousands of bald eagles migrate here every year.
Bald eagles arrive in late December and stay through March. You can stop anywhere along the waterfront for a chance to see these animals and other raptors hunting fish in the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.
Pere Marquette State Park
Pere Marquette State Park is an 8,000-acre area that’s also on the Illinois side of the border northeast of St. Louis. The park is accessible via Highway 100 just past Grafton. Again, the rivers here attract bald eagles and other birds in search of food. Pere Marquette State Park is a fantastic spot because it has several walkways and overlooks that are perfect for birding. Hiking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, and other winter sports activities are also popular here.

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5 Winter Festivals to Look Forward to In Saint Louis, MO

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean there will be a lack of entertaining festivals in the upcoming months. Get out your calendar and schedule your itinerary to enjoy one of these St. Louis events. 

1. Winter Jazz Festival

Get ready to listen to the smooth tones and cool tunes of the 2019 Winter Jazz Festival scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 19. The fun begins at 7 p.m. at the 600-seat Grandel Theatre at 3610 Grandel Square. You’ll be entertained to the max at the second-annual fest with a lineup of international artists such as John Patitucci, William Lenihan, Brian Blade, Mo Egeston, and many more. Tickets are currently on sale with general admission, including service charge, at $29.75 per person.

2. 2019 St. Louis Winter Whiskey Tasting Festival – V1

Warm up at the 2019 St. Louis Winter Whiskey Tasting Festival – V1. This tasty drink fest is just for adults and is sure to take the chill off the winter temperature and soothe the winter doldrums. The taste-a-thon is being held on Saturday, Jan. 26, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Molly’s in Soulard located at 816 Geyer Avenue. Multiple brands will be available for your tasting pleasure along with food and music. General admission is $31.48, including fees, and comes with limited tickets. Specialty packages are available. 

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Keep off the Holiday Calories at These 2 Fitness Centers in St. Louis

The holiday season is the time when we all indulge and eat more calories than we should. It’s easy to indulge in high-calorie food during the holidays when you visit friends and family and find yourself tempted at every turn with some delicacy or other. You don’t want to refuse and disappoint those smiling faces, yet you don’t want to ruin your diet either. So, what do you do? The simple answer is to get yourself to the nearest fitness center and work off the weight. Here are some fitness centers in St. Louis that can help you keep off the holiday calories.

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5 Spots Where You Might Find a Santa Sighting in St. Louis

Are you spending the holidays in St. Louis with your family? Well, you can’t miss meeting Santa Claus while you are in town. Here are some of St. Louis’ best festive events where you can introduce your kids to the jolly man in the red suit.

1. Winter Wonderland 

To catch some holiday spirit, visit Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park, 9551 Litzinger Road in St. Louis. Open from Nov. 21 to Dec. 30, except on Christmas Eve, you can drive or walk the grounds to see the lights displays. Your best bet of seeing Santa Claus is by taking a ride in his sleigh. Available on all nights except Mondays, reserve your sleigh ride tickets in advance online at the MetroTix website or calling the park’s office at (314) 534-111 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily. You can also buy tickets at the Fox Theatre Box Office. The price is $12 per person for the 24-person Santa’s Sleigh.

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