First visit to St. Louis, MO / Advice

I'm posting this message because (1) some of the other St. Louis
travel discussions in this group are a little old and (2) recent crime
stats for St. Louis are high.

I'm not scratching this trip because of high crime stats. I
personally think it's like any other city with some good areas and bad
areas. I'm seeking info from any St. Louis residents. What parts of
town should I avoid? Also, I plan on trying out MetroLink... is it
safe at night?... any stops I should not use?

My agenda includes: Chain Of Rocks Bridge, Union Station, St. Louis
Galleria & The Boulevard, Plaza Frontenac, Crestwood Plaza, Sunset
Hills Plaza, Botanical Garden, President Casino, St. Louis Zoo, the
sculpture park, Forest park, and, of course, the Gateway Arch. Oh...
I'm a big fan of Target. Because my town has no Super Target, I plan
on visiting the store in the Brentwood area. Also, I might drive over
to Collinsville to see the Catsup bottle... I know... probably a goofy
thing to do, but I was born goofy!

I like to shop... whether I buy anything or not. I've always been a
Route 66 fan, yet I've never touched a piece of it... that's why I
want to visit the Chain Of Rocks Bridge. I thought about trying the
buffet at President Casino because it's close to the arch and
MetroLink... anyone tried this buffet?

Any other things in the city I take a look at?

Thanks so much for taking time to read this. Have a great day!

On May 5, 8:19*pm, Troy wrote:
I'm posting this message because (1) some of the other St. Louis
travel discussions in this group are a little old and (2) recent crime
stats for St. Louis are high.

I'm not scratching this trip because of high crime stats. *I
personally think it's like any other city with some good areas and bad
areas. *I'm seeking info from any St. Louis residents. *What parts of
town should I avoid? *Also, I plan on trying out MetroLink... is it
safe at night?... any stops I should not use?

My agenda includes: *Chain Of Rocks Bridge, Union Station, St. Louis
Galleria & The Boulevard, Plaza Frontenac, Crestwood Plaza, Sunset
Hills Plaza, Botanical Garden, President Casino, St. Louis Zoo, the
sculpture park, Forest park, and, of course, the Gateway Arch. *Oh...
I'm a big fan of Target. *Because my town has no Super Target, I plan
on visiting the store in the Brentwood area. *Also, I might drive over
to Collinsville to see the Catsup bottle... I know... probably a goofy
thing to do, but I was born goofy!

I like to shop... whether I buy anything or not. *I've always been a
Route 66 fan, yet I've never touched a piece of it... that's why I
want to visit the Chain Of Rocks Bridge. *I thought about trying the
buffet at President Casino because it's close to the arch and
MetroLink... anyone tried this buffet?

Any other things in the city I take a look at?

Thanks so much for taking time to read this. *Have a great day!

Cross the river to Illinois and visit Cahokia Mounds. This was the
second largest town in North America after Mexico City before the
arrival of Columbus and is quite interesting.

George

You've covered some of the highlights. Depending on your time here,
additional things of interest:

The Art Museum (in Forest Park)
A St. Louis Cardinals baseball game (downtown stadium)
Anheiser-Busch Brewery if you are into beer (downtown)
Laclede's Landing (entertainment area just north of the arch on the
riverfront)
The City Museum (for kids, downtown)
The Science Center (for kids and adults, just west of the downtown
across from Forest Park)

Nearby:

Wineries (Mt. Pleasant Winery, August, MO - but don't expect high-level
wines)
The River Road Drive - along the bluffs of the Mississippi River from
Alton, Illinois to just beyond Grafton, Illinois. There are ferries
crossing at Grafton back into Missouri or you can use the bridge at
Alton.
Confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers (a bit of rough rock
road driving but can be tagged onto the River Road Drive)
Six Flags Over Mid-America (for kids) at Eureka, MO

Hope you enjoy our city and surroundings. -- Rik


--
Rik Brown
Message Origin: TRAVEL.com

Troy asked:

What parts of town should I avoid? *

Generally North St Louis, north of downtown. Nothing much for a tourist
there except Crown Candy Kitchen (well known soda fountain) and some
grand old churches.

All the locations named on your agenda are generally safe.


I like to shop...

You named the main locations. For something a little more
unusual/funky, check out the Central West End, along Euclid Avenue north
of Lindell. Art galleries, antique stores, unusual clothing stores,
bookstore; good restaurants there too. The Italian neighborhood, The
Hill, also with many good Italian restaurants, is across Kingshighway
from the Botanical Garden (more or less).

"Troy" wrote in message
...
I'm posting this message because (1) some of the other St. Louis
travel discussions in this group are a little old and (2) recent crime
stats for St. Louis are high.

I'm not scratching this trip because of high crime stats. I
personally think it's like any other city with some good areas and bad
areas. I'm seeking info from any St. Louis residents. What parts of
town should I avoid? Also, I plan on trying out MetroLink... is it
safe at night?... any stops I should not use?

My agenda includes: Chain Of Rocks Bridge,

snip-snip

Any other things in the city I take a look at?


Hi Troy -

If you're at the Chain of Rocks Bridge and have an interest in Lewis &
Clark, you could visit the "Camp Dubois" historical site across the river in
Illinois (about 10 minutes farther by car). See
http://lewisandclarktrail.com/sectio...tivecenter.htm

Thanks,

Mike Hanlon

"sechumlib" wrote in message
...
I

thought the Chain of Rocks Bridge had been torn down. At least the old one
that I first drove across in 1956, and several more times after that; the
one with the bend in the middle.


It is no longer a roadway, but instead is a pedestrian bridge. I walked it
during a trip to St Louis last summer. A local lady told me afterwards that
it's got a dangerous reputation; a double-murder was committed there one
night in the 1990's. It seemed to me that some effort is being made to
reform its seedy image.
- Mike

"Troy" wrote in message
...
I'm posting this message because (1) some of the other St. Louis
travel discussions in this group are a little old and (2) recent crime
stats for St. Louis are high.

I'm not scratching this trip because of high crime stats. I
personally think it's like any other city with some good areas and bad
areas. I'm seeking info from any St. Louis residents. What parts of
town should I avoid? Also, I plan on trying out MetroLink... is it
safe at night?... any stops I should not use?

My agenda includes: Chain Of Rocks Bridge, Union Station, St. Louis
Galleria & The Boulevard, Plaza Frontenac, Crestwood Plaza, Sunset
Hills Plaza, Botanical Garden, President Casino, St. Louis Zoo, the
sculpture park, Forest park, and, of course, the Gateway Arch.
This is an old stroy , but browse thru it: /links in right margin
http://www.hemispheresmagazine.com/3...01/stlouis.htm

http://www.budweisertours.com/docs/STLDetails.htm
Anheiser-Busch Brewery
Anheiser-Busch Brewery
Not for the drinking - just for the "That's how things SHOULD be done !"
On a nice day : the Clydesdales - chat with the trainers/handlers
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio..._Missouri.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/GoListDet..._a_Budget.html
Nearby:
http://gatewayarch.com
gamble on the riverboats next to the arch ?

Main page:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/location/mo
St Lousi specifically:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/searc...s&tip_State=MO
Everything in Missouri:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/location/mo/all

george,

The Cahokia Mounds are worth a stop. The area looks quite
mysterious! Thanks for mentioning (I would have driven passed without
knowing.).

Rik,

Thanks. I need to definitely visit Laclede's Landing... it's so close
to everything... it'd be crazy not to stop by. I love coasters, but I
don't have enough time for Six Flags. ( I'll be sure to go there
next time!

Nile,

I appreciate the tips... that was just what I needed to know. Thanks!