My upcoming book takes place in St. Louis. I grew up just across the river, seven miles from downtown. Back in those days my girlfriend and I would take a bus to shop at the downtown Stix, Baer & Fuller store or the Famous Barr. Both are gone now and have been bought by other companies. My dad took me once a year to a place called Shattingers Music Store which was upstairs over another business. It smelled old and wonderfully like musical possibilities. My piano teacher sent a list with me that included Beethoven, Mozart and Grieg. The only way my dad would agree to it is if I also got boogie-woogie music and some country favorites he grew up with in Tennessee. My piano teacher was not amused.
St. Louis changed over the years and continues to do so. The Arch or Gateway to the West, continues to draw in tourists each year by the thousands. Downtown looks beautiful again, but still has a bit of a crime problem in certain areas. The St. Louis Cardinals love to boast of having the best baseball fans in the country and I’ll have to agree. Going to a game is almost a religious experience for the true fan. Even my mom who is nearly blind, never misses a game on TV.
So if you’re looking for a fantastic vacation spot you’ll not be disappointed in St. Louis. Let me break a few things down into categories if you’re thinking about that next getaway.
Family:
- St. Louis Zoo (Just wonderful! Ever seen an Okapi? You can here.)
- St. Louis Art Museum
- The Science Center
- The Jewel Box
- The Botanical Gardens
- The History Museum
- Museum of Transportation
- The Discovery Center
- St. Louis Cardinal Baseball Game or Blues Hockey
- Grant’s Farm
- The St. Louis Arch
- The Magic House
- The City Museum
- Union Station at Christmas has The Polar Express! A must!
Culture:
- Powell Symphony Hall
- The Peabody Opera House
- St. Louis Muny in Forest Park
- Museum of Contemporary Religious Art
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
- The Fox Theater
Weekend Getaway
- Laclede’s Landing
- Ballpark Village St. Louis
- Trendy boutiques in Clayton/Central West End
- Anheuser-Busch Brewery
- Casino Queen & Lumiere Casino
- Delmar Loop
- Union Station (Can you say ROMANTIC?)
Restaurants:
- The Hill – Italian food so good you won’t want to leave
- Union Station – Hard Rock Café, Landry’s Seafood, Station Grille
- Mango Restaurant
- The Old Spaghetti Factory
- Lombardo’s Trattoria
There is so much more to see and do. Even just across the Mississippi River, in Illinois, there is the historic Cahokia Indian Mounds. A must see! A thirty minute drive in the other direction you’ll find the amusement park, Six Flags. Your St. Louis visit can be as long or short as you want. Just be warned, there is more to do than you have time to spend.
Released on July 16th from Black Opal Books.
4 Responses
Carol and I went to St. Louis in May to see the Cardinals. Tried going to Union Station, but it was too early. And we were on a bus trip, so didn’t want to travel too far from hotel. Would love to go back and visit.
Well maybe we can slip out and go down there at Penned Con. It’s just about a block away I think. Great place to take a break. Thanks for stopping by.
I, too, grew up in a small town across the river. I lived for the shopping trips at Famous and Stix. I’ve just moved back after many years and am exploring the “new” St. Louis and enjoying immensely. Thanks for the memory. this morning.
I’ve never written an author, but, had to this time. Your books kept me up until I finished reading. Couldn’t put them down. Of course, I’m rooting for Hunter and can’t wait for the next installment. You have a way of drawing us in to the action and feeling the characters emotions right along with them.
You have such a gift. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Gay, you have made my day! Thank you so much for your encouragement. I’ll be at Penned Con in St. Louis, September 23-24. I hope you’ll get to drop by and meet all the authors. There are lots of freebies for readers. My new novel, Dance of the Devil’s Trill comes out July 16th and takes place at Union Station. Haha! It was so much fun to write. Hope to see you!