Midwest - St. Louis Questions

Hey I'm flying into St. Louis for a day trip in August. I'll be flying in on AA and out on WN. I'd like to take Metrolink and see the Zoo and the arch. Is this doable?

It seems from the Metrolink website that it is possible. I arrive in STL at 9:16am (I think) from OKC, and depart after 7pm.

Also any recommendations for lunch. Keep in mind that I'm a lowly law student so the majority of my annual income comes from educational loans. :(

Thanks for any advice!

Hey I'm flying into St. Louis for a day trip in August. I'll be flying in on AA and out on WN. I'd like to take Metrolink and see the Zoo and the arch. Is this doable?


This is doable -- your best bet is to go to the arch first. Get off at the Arch-Laclede's Landing Metro stop.

Since you'll likely be on a time schedule, I'd recommend buying tickets to go to the top of the Arch online. http://ticketsforthearch.com/ecom/eacts/setScheduleCriteria.do?code=110. If you don't but tickets in advance and visit on a busy day, you may have to wait a couple of hours to ride up to the top.

To get to the Zoo, go back to the MetroLink and take it to the Forest Park/DeBaliviere station, then take Metrobus route #90 Hampton south to the Zoo.

It'll take about 40 minutes to get from the airport to the arch on the Metro. Then it will take another 10 - 15 minutes to get from the Arch to the stop where the Zoo is -- not sure how long you'll have to wait for the bus -- but the Zoo is on your way back to the airport on the Metro.

A good and reasonable lunch spot near the arch is Anthony's -- it's the bar / grill connected to Tony's -- one of the nicest restaurants in town -- http://www.openlist.com/restaurants-view-anthonys_bar.htm. You can get a good lunch dish for $7 - $12, depending on what you get.

Going to St Louis and not seeing the Interantional Bowling Hall of Fame?
http://www.bowlingmuseum.com/

A couple of tips...

Make sure that you let them know that you are a single passenger when lining up for the elevator on the arch. They let me sneak in on an elevator that wasn't full. It might save you some time.

You might be able to eat downtown on the cheap. There are a number of restaurants a few blocks from the arch.

Keep in mind that this is likely to be a full day, wear comfortable shoes :)

AJ

Is the zoo worth it? I've not heard of the St. Louis Zoo.

Is the zoo worth it? I've not heard of the St. Louis Zoo.It was rated #1 zoo in America by Zagat Survey's U.S. Family Travel Guide with Parenting Magazine in 2004 (not sure what the criteria were, but gives you at least a general idea of the caliber of the institution) and they've added/remodeled a couple of exhibits since then. If you're a fan of zoos at all, St. Louis Zoo absolutely is a must see. Plus it's free to get in, although it costs $4 to get into the Children's Zoo.

It was rated #1 zoo in America by Zagat Survey's U.S. Family Travel Guide with Parenting Magazine in 2004 (not sure what the criteria were, but gives you at least a general idea of the caliber of the institution) and they've added/remodeled a couple of exhibits since then. If you're a fan of zoos at all, St. Louis Zoo absolutely is a must see. Plus it's free to get in, although it costs $4 to get into the Children's Zoo.

Very cool, didn't know that. Thanks! ^

I think it's rated so highly in Parenting because it's free. In terms of attractions and such, it's fine. Not as good as Omaha, but it's a good way to spend a few hours.

I think it's rated so highly in Parenting because it's free. In terms of attractions and such, it's fine. Not as good as Omaha, but it's a good way to spend a few hours.

Seriously, they probably nick you for $20 at the San Diego Zoo but no way it isnt far better than St. Louis.

I think the film shown in the theatre underneath the Arch is well worth seeing, about the scary pre OSHA construction, with all these workers scampering around in mid air with no harnesses or safety belts.

I think the film shown in the theatre underneath the Arch is well worth seeing, about the scary pre OSHA construction, with all these workers scampering around in mid air with no harnesses or safety belts.

There is a little museum, in which the film mentioned above is shown, that is a real gem in my opinion. I think it is called the Jefferson Museum of Westward Expansion or something like that. It has a lot of stuff about the Lewis and Clarke expedition as well as the history of the Great Plains. Things like pictures by Dorathea Lange of the dustbowl, photos of various places where Lewis and Clarke went and so forth. Its a wonderful little museum that shows the history of the expansion to the plains and the west coast. Well worth the time. I would say that museum and the Botanical Garden are the high points in St. Louis. In fact, while I think the zoo is over rated the St. Louis Botanical Garden really is one of the handful of best ones in the world. In research it is up there with Kew and the NY Botanical Garden and its displays are not as extensive as those but are pretty close. I would recommend you check that out instead of the zoo. It really is world class with very few other cities having places that are as nice.

I would say that museum and the Botanical Garden are the high points in St. Louis. In fact, while I think the zoo is over rated the St. Louis Botanical Garden really is one of the handful of best ones in the world.

If your requirement is taking MetroLink, there isn't a stop anywhere near the Botanical Garden. If this interests you, I'd bet you can get a car on Priceline for no more than $12.

I was a little shocked when I discovered this myself, but CitySightseeing, the same company with those double-decker red buses that do the Hop On-Hop Off tours in the London, Europe, etc. actually run one in St. Louis. It's one of a handful of American cities. I'm pretty sure it runs to or near the Botanical Garden, as I used to work near there and would see those red buses come by. While a little touristy, they are a practical way to get around town and see a few cool sights. (I know people that actually snag a day ticket for them when they get to London, just to use it was a way of getting around London as a break from taking the Tube everywhere....)

I was a little shocked when I discovered this myself, but CitySightseeing, the same company with those double-decker red buses that do the Hop On-Hop Off tours in the London, Europe, etc. actually run one in St. Louis.

"Please Note: The St Louis tour has been suspended until 2007. There will be no tours this year due to unforeseen circumstances.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused."
http://www.citysightseeing.co.uk/

http://www.metrostlouis.org/ has a "tripfinder" that gives a combination train/bus route to locations that aren't on Metrolink. Start at Lambert, and tell it when and where you want to go.

The St. Louis Zoo high rating is not based simply on the fact that it is free. It is one the best Zoo anywhere IMHO. I say this not only because I live in STL but because I have seen many acroos the country. It is better than SD, better than DC, and Omaha. AFter visiting, you will walk away amazed that there was no admission charge. NOTE: Children's Zoo protion dos have an admission but those "in the know" know that admission to this portion of the park i free during this first hour each day! Just make this you fiorst visit and save some $. ALso, the did away with admission to the butterfly house this year!!!

Just a stone's throw away from the zoo is the STL Art museum. Excellent side trip.

Also, once you get downtown on the Metrolink, STL does have a free trolley car that circumvents most of the downtown attractions. CHeck with your hotel for the times and stops.

yamonjon

The St. Louis Zoo high rating is not based simply on the fact that it is free. It is one the best Zoo anywhere IMHO. I say this not only because I live in STL but because I have seen many acroos the country. It is better than SD, better than DC, and Omaha.

Have you been to he SD or Omaha zoos? I've been to all 3 and STLs isn't in the same league. Hometown pride is good, but there are limits.

I'm sure the OP has been there and back already, but...

I was impressed with Union Station when I visited St. Louis in April. Yes, it's basically a shopping mall/food court, but it's one of the most impressive examples of re-use of industrial age architecture. Basically it's a huge train shed that's been opened up, with shops/hotel and many restaurants, and a fish pond underneath. I'm not really doing it justice, but it's worth a visit. It's a stop on the Metrolink train, and it's free to look around. (Food is acceptible but you'll probably do better in the Laclede's Landing area)

The real shame, of course, is that Union Station is no longer used for trains (Metrolink doesn't really count), but you can catch an inter-city bus there. If you take the train to St. Louis, you disembark at a really ugly Amshack.

I have been to those zoos and do feel the STL zoo is a better zoo. IMHO

Yamonjon

And, now that you're in Forest Park, the "new" Boat House is cool. You can grab a brew & sit by the Lake & chill out to some decent live music, or grab a gondola and paddle away.

The "new" Metrolink extensions are supposed to open up later in August, so maybe that opens up some more "daytrip" possibilities: the Shlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood comes to mind :D.

FYI..there is now talk among the local FTers here about organizing a St. Louis FT Do! Should be fun!!

For anyone stuck in, layover-ing in, etc. STL on Sept. 20, the local FTers are getting together at a great mezes place (Greek tapas) called Momo's, on North & South, just north of Delmar, in University City--likely easily accessed by Metrolink? The thread is in the Community Forum.

Just got back from StL. The zoo is overrated. It may have been nice in the past, and it may be nice in the future, but currently, it is undergoing major reconstruction, and there aren't an adequate number of animals on display. The grounds are fairly attractive, but the typical zoo visitor would expect to see much more (particularly in light of the glowing reviews).

About the only thing worthwhile at this point is the bear / penguin section.

also part of the iDine program so you can earn miles/points there depending upon you affiliation.

Yamonjon

For anyone stuck in, layover-ing in, etc. STL on Sept. 20, the local FTers are getting together at a great mezes place (Greek tapas) called Momo's, on North & South, just north of Delmar, in University City--likely easily accessed by Metrolink? The thread is in the Community Forum.

That part of U. City isn't easily accessed by Metrolink. Depending on where you're coming from, however, you could take the 'Link to either the Delmar station and catch bus 97 westbound or to the (by that time) new Clayton station and catch bus 66 northbound.

That part of U. City isn't easily accessed by Metrolink. Depending on where you're coming from, however, you could take the 'Link to either the Delmar station and catch bus 97 westbound or to the (by that time) new Clayton station and catch bus 66 northbound.



I caught my mistake and "re-posted" as such in the thread in the Community Forum. As for the STL Do in Sept., the airport is just not that far away and we'll do an airport pick-up or two as needed, I think.