<p>I got such great suggestions for our recent visit to Colorado Springs from Digmedia that I thought I would ask if anyone has recommendations for St. Louis: eating, touring, shopping…anything good to know? We will be staying in Clayton and will have a car. Thanks in advance for any advice. :)</p>
<p>ez</p>
<p>Where’s your review of Colorado Springs colleges? We were looking for you.</p>
<p>It was posted here in the cafe and has been moved to the Colorado College thread under individual colleges.</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>EZ,
I’m from St. Louis and my son attends school there, but I’m not super knowledgeable about restaurants because I stay with family when I visit. A couple of nearby places in the Loop just west of Wash U are Fitz’s and Blueberry Hill. Fitz’s makes there own “soda” (they don’t say pop) on the premises and Blueberry Hill is a fun hamburger place. The loop also has there own version of the Hollywood sidewalk stars with famous people from St. Louis. There is a good, more upscale restaurant in Clayton but I’ll have to get the name from my son. Also the Central West End , just east of campus is full of restaurants. I was doing some research last time I was there, so I’ll try to locate my info and get back to you with more ideas. I also know a couple places in Webster Groves which is about a 15 minute surface street drive from Clayton. (All the way down Big Bend)</p>
<p>There is shopping at the Galleria about 1 mile west of campus off of Clayton Rd. (Famous Barr, Lord & Taylor, Mark Shale, Crate N Barrel and your usual assortment of mall stores - It’s better than Ridgedale or Southdale) And for the upscale shopper there is Frontenac which is about 15 min. west of the Galleria - Saks, Nieman Marcus, etc.)</p>
<p>When are you going?</p>
<p>While there on business, I visited the St. Louis Zoo–it was fantastic! If you like horticulture, the Missouri Botanical Garden (MOBOT) is also a nice place to see. And then there’s always the Arch.</p>
<p>Thanks to all! We are leaving on Thurs–it was kind of short notice, which meant that she could not schedule an overnight with a student, but D is hoping a boy she knows there might know a girl who wouldn’t mind a prospie on the floor! I got a cybersaver deal so we have to stay till Sunday, so we will have time to poke around town a little.</p>
<p>ez</p>
<p>Enjoy the weather. My in-laws who live in southern Illinois mentioned that their daffodils have bloomed.</p>
<p>I don’t live there, but I have visited many, mnay times. </p>
<p>If you’ve never been to St Louis you must consider a visit to the arch. No need to go up top. Just standing at the base of it is awe-inspiring. </p>
<p>The hot new restuarant at the moment is Atlas Cafe–314 367 6800–but it is tiny tiny and you need reservations. It is very close to WashU and fifteen minutes from Clayton.</p>
<p>University hangouts include The Loop (referenced in Nelly’s songs), the shopping/eating area on Delmar, just north of WashU. The other area is the Central West End–ten minutes east of WashU. Liluma is a trendy spot to eat. Dressel’s is a traditional pub hangout.</p>
<p>Forest Park is an 1100 acre city park on the eastern border of WashU. It has a 10k walk/bike path loop. Walkers/bikers often drive to the park and go from there. The Art Museum is in the park, as is the free zoo and the Jewel box. Many of the buildings are from the 1904 World’s Fair. The park was recently renovated.</p>
<p>The Botanic Gardens are twenty minutes to the south east of the WashU campus.</p>
<p>If you are visiting WashU during a theatre production, you might try to get tickets. </p>
<p>There is mall shopping–but it is not distinguishable from other American malls.</p>
<p>St.Louis Art Museum and St.Louis Zoo are awesome and FREE 
Don’t miss the St.Louis Cathedral, amazing mosaic, the best I have ever seen. At 83,000 square feet of mosaic, it has the world’s largest collection.
I would also do the elevator ride up the arch. I think it’s very cool going up a sideways elevator. And the view of the Mississippi is also cool.
Don’t know if there are riverboat rides?</p>
<p>EZ, although we visited St Louis last summer with my S, I do not have much info to pass along since we stayed out in the burbs while visiting Wash U. I do want to mention that my car tag reads “ECDOSIT” I think that we may have a common friend.</p>
<p>There are riverboat casinos and other river rides as well. I second the zoo and the museum. If you have younger children along they have a great science museum.</p>
<p>Hey everybody
I’m from St. Louis too…
I have no ideas to add but i want to say one thing - St.Louis is interesting but it is not super amazing or incredible like NYC.
Nevertheless, it is still, as i have stated before, an inspiring place.</p>
<p>We visited Wash U over Thanksgiving. Found a GREAT restaurant in an older area S. of downtown: "1860’s Hardshell Cafe (1860 S. 9th St.), which was one of the few open for Thanksgiving dinner. It was great, reasonable, informal, and a very friendly staff for working on the holiday! Food was good too. It was just one of those fine family memories. Enjoy your trip!</p>
<p>Seniorpop: for me, in memory of my best friend.</p>
<p>Your staying Clayton??? That’s great, my hometown!!! whereabouts? a B&B or with friends…if so, i may know them…you can email me if so desired
definetly go to the Loop, CWE, your s/d will be hanging out there if they go to Wash U, see forest park, downtown clayton, etc…go to fitz’s get the bottomless root beer,
GO TO IMO’S (st louis style pizza), Amighetti’s on the Hill (greta sandwiches), the brewery tour (may be a bit out of the way, still only a 15-20 minute drive), MAKE SURE YOU GO TO TED DREWES…</p>