7 minute read
ROAD TRIPS
Where to Stay
For accommodations, look no further than the Four Season Hotel St. Louis. This resort-style hotel, situated on the banks of the Mississippi just a short walk from the Gateway Arch, boasts some of the most luxurious rooms in the entire state of Missouri. Be sure to request an Arch-view room, then enjoy a laundry list of amenities, including panoramic views of the river and skyline on the Sky Terrace, a worldclass spa, an impressive rooftop pool with private cabanas, an expansive fitness center, the Topgolf Swing Suite, and more. Don’t forget to snag your reservation at Cinder House, the pride of James Beard award-winning chef Gerard Craft, where you’ll find bold furnishings and even bolder flavors. Speaking of which…
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Where to Eat and Drink
Whether you’re a casual restaurant-goer or a fullblown foodie, St. Louis has plenty to offer for everyone. Kick off your drive into the city with a pit stop at the famous World’s Fair Donuts – walking into the shop is like going back in time. Get a whole bag, you won’t regret it!
You can’t talk about St. Louis’s food scene without mentioning The Hill, St. Louis’s famed Italian-American neighborhood. This historic neighborhood has everything you could ever want, from family-owned delis, sandwich shops and bakeries to upscale trattorias, and Italian eateries. For a quick snack, Gioia’s Deli or Milo’s Bocce Garden. For sweet treats, grab traditional Italian cookies at Missouri Baking Co., or check out the darling confections at Pint Size Bakery.
It’s no secret that St. Louis was built on barley and hops, but the scene has so much more to offer than the King of Beers. Founded in 1991, Schlafly Beer boasts a tap room a couple blocks from St. Louis Union Station, and a larger bottleworks location just a couple miles west of downtown in Maplewood. Urban Chestnut Brewing Company, too, has a small and intimate “biergarten” just north of St. Louis University, as well as an expansive “bierhall” in The Grove, a diverse and colorful “Bohemian Paradise” just a short drive from downtown. More into hop-forward IPAs? 4 Hands Brewing in Soulard and Side Project Brewing in Maplewood are frequently regarded among the nation’s top microbreweries.
If cocktails are more your cup of tea, head to Planter’s House, where a cozy ambiance and inventive ingredients (in the summer, you’ll find fresh herbs like dill and refreshing flavors like cucumber) make for a memorable drinking experience.
Drive East for the Gateway to the West.
For a truly excellent meal to remember, search no further than Olive + Oak. One of the stars of the St. Louis culinary scene is tucked into the unassuming neighborhood of Webster Groves, this restaurant has gained wild popularity thanks to its fantastic rotating selection of house cocktails, locally sourced ingredients, fun appetizers, and a perfectly upscale, yet comforting, vibe. This is the one spot we never miss on a visit to St. Louis – you shouldn’t, either.
And if you find yourself craving their food again in the morning? Just return next door, where you’ll find its sister restaurant, The Clover and the Bee – a popular spot for brunch and lattes with homemade, seasonal flavors.
What to Do
Just south of downtown, you’ll find Soulard Farmers Market, one of the oldest public markets still operating in the United States. Since 1779, Soulard has provided St. Louisans with fresh produce, locally sourced meat, home-baked goods, and plenty of good times. Order a drink and wander up and down the stalls that have fed the city for generations.
For a more scenic walk, the Missouri Botanical Gardens has provided St. Louisans and visitors with 79 acres of beautiful horticultural display for more than 150 years. The nation’s oldest botanical garden includes a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, an original 1850 estate home, and one of the world’s largest collections of rare and endangered orchids. After your visit, take a drive around the historic and vibrant Shaw and Tower Grove neighborhoods, which St. Louisans have
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called home since the early 1800s. If all that walking works up your appetite and the mood strikes for a patio and some light Mediterranean fare, nearby Olio is a lovely spot to grab housemade hummus and aperitifs.
No visit to St. Louis is complete without a visit to Forest Park, often referred to as the “Heart of St. Louis.” This urban park is more than twice as big as New York’s Central Park, and famously hosted the 1904 World’s Fair and 1904 Olympics. For anyone with kids in tow (or for the kid at heart), the St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Science Center, and the Missouri History Museum all make for fun afternoons. And have I mentioned they’re all free? Forest Park is also home to America’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre. The St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre, otherwise known as “The Muny,” first opened its gates in 1917 and seats 11,000 for plays and pageants throughout each summer.
Where to Shop
St. Louis is home to darling local shops in all kinds of unique settings. If you want to spend your afternoon shopping and enjoying some beautiful St. Louis architecture, one of the best places to do so is the Central West End, where you’ll find shops like Left Bank Books, East|West, and a local favorite in Bowood Farm, an urban nursery and home goods store. Among the trees, flowers, and succulents at Bowood, you’ll also find beautiful jewelry, striking coffee table books, and a wide array of gifts perfect for any recipient.
Further west, reshaping the Old Orchard historic district, Civil Alchemy first opened its doors in 2016, and has offered its shoppers functional, quality and inspired goods ever since. From housewares and apparel to specialty foods and beverages, Civil Alchemy is your one-stop shop so you can grab some goods for a picnic and snag a keepsake to commemorate your trip. The area itself boasts several other shops, cafés, and art galleries within walking distance.
For serious shoppers, Plaza Frontenac features what is perhaps the most upscale shopping experience you’ll find in Missouri. This nearly 500,000-squarefoot mall located 10 miles west of the riverfront is anchored by Neimann Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, and it offers additional fine dining, a six-screen independent movie theater, and a number of local and national brands that are sure to scratch that shopping itch.
Whether eating, shopping, or strolling your way through this great city, one thing is for certain: we’re lucky to have such a beautiful and historical place such a short drive from Kansas City. Happy travels!
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Anna Petrow and Patrick Mulvihill call Kansas City home, but have been known to find themselves off the beaten path. Born and raised in Kansas City, Anna is a culinary and lifestyle photographer with a knack for letting her camera lens guide her travels. Patrick is a writer, an enthusiastic travel companion, and a proud St. Louis native who uses each new trip as an excuse to eat five meals a day.
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