St. Louis, MO tips

To satisfy a travel requirement for his master's program, my husband and I are going to St. Louis, MO.  We have to do group things a few days but we'll have lots of free time.

We have no idea what to do with our free time.  We'll have our car but we're also taking our bikes.

Any suggestions for things to do or places to see?

If you're taking your bikes, there are all sorts of bike trails, but I highly recommend Forest Park, what many consider to be the crown jewel of STL - heck, I suggest going there even if you didn't have your bikes.  There's the Art Museum, the History Museum, the boathouse, the Jewel Box, a public golf course, a world class zoo that's FREE, and the Science Center (mostly free).  The outdoor theater, the Muny, season starts June 15 with 42nd Street.

And that's just Forest Park.  Don't know if you like baseball, but depending on the schedules you could catch a Cards or Grizzlies (minor league) game.  If you like amusement parks, there's Six Flags with a Hurricane Harbor (water park) attached.  (Note:  "The Boss" rollercoaster is awesome!)

Downtown by the Arch and memorial park is a great place to go, at least during the day.  I haven't been in a while, but going to the top of the Arch is a unique experience, and the museum underneath is pretty good, too.  Last time we were there, we went on a boat ride, which was nice and relaxing because of the breeze.  On Labor Day weekend the Landing will be hosting the Big Muddy Blues Festival, which is always a great time.

Speaking of blues,  the Soulard area (by the AB brewery), has a good nightlife, with great places for food and live blues.  And Jefferson Barracks park is having its "Blues on the Mississippi" series now.

You can find some great nightlife on The Landing and the U City Loop (and great food too), and another great option for food is the area known as "The Hill", with first class Italian restaurants, bistros, and markets.

That's what I can list off the top of my head.  Have fun on your visit!

(Edit:  If all of that was a little confusing, The Riverfront Times is great source for finding stuff to experience in STL.)

Thanks for the information!

I have to say that, so far, I'm most excited about Forest Park! 

Do you have any thoughts on Meramec Caverns? 

Forest Park is awesome!  People who come to St. Louis and don't visit that place are missing out.

I've never been to Meramec Caverns, but my in laws took my kids there, and my boys thought it was awesome.  Although from my in laws' comments, I deduced that there is more to do there for kids than adults (there's a "gold mining" and "dino dig" stations.  The tour is about 1 hour 20 minutes, so it's a good walk, but there are also riverboat rides and canoe floats.  My boys didn't do the canoe floats (those require reservations), but they and my in laws really enjoyed the boat ride after the long walk.  (Keep in mind that anything on the Meramec river will be dependent on the weather and flood conditions.)

How long will you be there?  How about side trips to areas close by - Washington - just a few miles away.  It's the oldest wine growing region in the USA - (really CA!)  The winery tours are wonderful! and Washington is beautiful.

A paddle wheel boat trip down the Mississippi river is fun - if they still do that...been a few years since I lived there.

Tour Budweiser - free beer! and it's very interesting!

Have fun.

Gotta visit the Blueberry Hill restaurant.  The Loop is my favorite area of the city.

Ya'll have been a huge help!  Now I don't know if we'll be able to fit everything in.

Thanks!