This is the town of barbecue, baseball, and beer! For a quick weekend escape or a longer stay, St. Louis should be your go-to place. So grab your friends and make your plans for STL!
Where to Stay – The Four Seasons
The Four Seasons offers fabulous cuisine from Cinder House which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a scrumptious Sunday brunch, starring Wagyu Brisket Hash. Now under the helm of James Beard Award-Winning Chef Gerard Craft, the menu blends wood-fired meat, vegetables, and fish with bold international flavors, emphasizing South American gastronomy and the bold flavors of Brazil. The New York Strip and Lamb Duo were out of this world, served with Yuca Frites and Vegetable Escabeche. What a unique taste experience!
Relax in their heated pool and hot tub in their Sky Terrace. Share a cocktail on the rooftop bar with exquisite views of the city. An extensive wine list, local and craft beer served alongside light appetizers make this the place to see and be seen in St. Louis. Other hotel amenities include Top Golf Swing Suite, spa and wellness treatments, and fitness center to chill and relax.
Recommended room: An Arch-View Room overlooking the Gateway Arch and the Mississippi.
What to Do
First Stop – Anheuser Busch Brewery
Raise a glass to Bud Light, Michelob, and Busch Beer, brewed by the Anheuser Busch Brewing Company. Tour the impressive historic campus and learn about the quality brewing process from seed to sip. Take your pick from the “Day Fresh Tour,” “Brewmaster Tour”, or the “Clydesdales VIP Experience.” On the “Where You Brew Tour,” you can actually learn to brew beer. Throughout the tours, they hand out a few cool ones for you to sample. Afterward, check out their Biergarten and bottoms up. Reservations are highly recommended.
Gateway to the West
A visit to the Gateway Arch, the tallest memorial in the United States, is a must. Built as a monument to the westward expansion of the United States, the arch typifies “the pioneer spirit of those who won the West.” Interestingly, both the width and height of the arch are the same, 630 feet. From the exquisite views to the Tram Ride to the top of the museum, you can easily spend a half day seeing everything. There’s a new Virtual Reality Theatre that showcases the St. Louis riverfront in the 1850s with stories of the first immigrants who arrived here. Time: 10 minutes. Don’t miss the film about the construction of the Arch, “Monument to the Dream.” Time: 35 minutes. Visit their interactive museum which features 200+ years of history, commemorating America’s pioneering spirit from 1764 to 1965. Free admission to the museum. Advanced reservations for the Arch are highly recommended.
Contemporary Art Museum is Way Cool!
See the most amazing exhibit at the Contemporary Art Museum showcasing the work of Jacolby Satterwhite, entitled “Spirits Roaming the Earth,” now through August 13. His imaginatitve, fantastical work incoporates digital images, animation, art history, and video gaming in a world of surrealism. Check out their artist talks, film screenings, tours and more. Admission is free.
Another free museum is the St. Louis Art Museum which features classic and contemporary art spanning five centuries and across six continents. Opened in 1879, this imposing structure highlights Ancient American, European, Asian and modern art. The museum is currently exhibiting Monet/Mitchell: Painting the French Landscape which compares the work of the French Impressionist Claude Monet and the American Abstract Expressionist Joan Mitchell. Now through June 25.
Missouri Botanical Garden has been a St. Louis favorite since 1959, creating gorgeous garden landscapes in this National Historic Landmark. Currently featuring “Chihuly in the Garden,” you’ll find 20 installations blending distinctive glassworks with nature. Come by for “Chihuly Nights” when the sculptures are dramatically lit up for an exquisite display with live music and cocktails. Visit the Climatron®, using climate controlled technology in the greenhouse dome, the Japanese Gardens and hop on the tram for a relaxing ride. Enjoy Sassafras for fresh, casual dining, indoors and out.
Cheer on the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis is a big baseball town, routing for their beloved St. Louis Cardinals through 11 World Series Championships. That’s an impressive record, second only to the NY Yankees. With Busch Stadium, smack-dab in the middle of the city, there are plenty of restaurants, bars, and other venues to discover in Ballpark Village, where there’s a game going on or not. Check out the schedule of live music. Yep, I know the Cardinals are the “arch” rivals of the Cubs, but hey, you’re on vacay. Favorites include Cardinal Nation, the Budweiser Brew House, and the retro-cool Shark Bar.
Recommended Dining
Check out City Foundry
City Foundry. Photo courtesy of City Foundry.
With more than 17 different food concepts, City Foundry is the place to go. Formerly The Century Electric Company, this entire shopping, dining, and entertainment complex is chock full of fabulous eats and unique things to buy. Emphasis is on international fare with such offerings as 4 Hens which pays homage to Creole cuisine, dine at Hello Poke with its Hawaiian-style poke bowls, Kalbi Taco Shack, blending Asian with Mexican fare. Top it off with a unique ice pop from Poptimism.
For more information, visit St. Louis.
