Visiting St. Louis

[Neuqua]

Next weekend, I will be attending a wedding in St Louis and I'm staying at the Hyatt Regency by the Arch.

I'll be driving in Friday at some point and was wanting to get suggestions from the locals here (I think there are a few?) on what there is to do on Friday evening. I was thinking of attending the Cardinals v Nationals game but of the 4 people in my group, I'm the only baseball fan.

Not looking for something crazy, we have a wedding to attend on Saturday morning. I've visited St Louis on business before and so I've had their pizza (and am not in a hurry to get it again.) I think I remember someone telling me there was a decent restaurant that had a 360 view of the city which may work.

Anyhoo, suggestions?

[panerd]

Originally Posted by Neuqua

Next weekend, I will be attending a wedding in St Louis and I'm staying at the Hyatt Regency by the Arch.

I'll be driving in Friday at some point and was wanting to get suggestions from the locals here (I think there are a few?) on what there is to do on Friday evening. I was thinking of attending the Cardinals v Nationals game but of the 4 people in my group, I'm the only baseball fan.

Not looking for something crazy, we have a wedding to attend on Saturday morning. I've visited St Louis on business before and so I've had their pizza (and am not in a hurry to get it again.) I think I remember someone telling me there was a decent restaurant that had a 360 view of the city which may work.

Anyhoo, suggestions?

There is new ballpark village next to Busch that might be a good compromise. You could watch the game and hang out and I think your group would have a good time. You are also close to Laclede's landing which is definitely a younger crowd than me but there is a casino and a fun piano bar along with just about any other bar/night club you can imagine.

As far as the 360 view it is called the Millenium hotel and the restaurant is called Top of the Riverfront. I think the hotel shut down but the restaurant is still open but you may want to check on thay. It's somewhat expensive and nice (people go there for special occasions) so I 'm not sure your price range. Probably $50-75 a person without cocktails. There is also an even more expensive 360 view at Kemmoll's but the food there is fantastic. It is also a nice, formal place to eat.

[panerd]

The top of the riverfront rotating hotel is actually closed as well so Kemmolls would be your best bet for panoramic view of the city. It doesn't revolve like the top of the riverfront but does have fantastic food and views.

[dawgfan]

I always have to recommend City Museum - it's one of the most unique places I've ever visited. It's a mash-up of adult playground/climbing gym and art installation. I suppose it's not for everyone, but I think it's awesome and always make a point of visiting when I'm in St. Louis. If you do go, you'll want to wear casual clothes and shoes you can climb around in (i.e. not dress shoes).

http://citymuseum.org/site/

[tarcone]

Ballpark village is a good call. It has a casual dress code.
City Museum is a lot of fun. But it may not be what you want to do.
The arch is something you should do. Take the ride to the top. Great views. Great history museum, great movies about the arch.
Other areas that are near there with bars and restaurants are Soulard and Washington St.
If you are up for adult entertainment. go across the river. Take a cab though. Dont drive. If you make a wrong turn or take the wrong exit, you may not ever leave St. Louis. And bring lots of dollar bills.

Have fun!!

[Neuqua]

Ballpark Village looks like it may do the trick. I'm thinking if we can get into STL around lunch we can eat, drop the car off at the hotel, maybe see the arch and maybe try the Village. I'll send them links to the City Museum as well and see if it interests them.

Appreciate the feedback thus far.

[sterlingice]

The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is a gorgeous church. Also, the Zoo is free and pretty good.

I don't know about going up in the arch as it's kindof a pain if it's during the busy times and it's more impressive to say "I've been up in the Arch" than the actual experience. Still, it's pretty iconic.

SI

[MizzouRah]

Another vote for Ballpark Village. . Such an awesome place!

[Young Drachma]

2nd the Landing, an oldie but a goodie. Also...Forest Park is a great time waster. Botantical Gardens are also nice for walking through with company...

The University City Loop is great, too. If you want pizza, check out "Pi" it's absolutely worth it.

The trip up the arch is okay, but honestly those bubbles they take you up in are very small and cramped so if you're claustrophobic or are with someone who is, don't put them through that. It's cool to be up there, you go "oh cool, we're up there." and then you take a few pics and then you get out.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Sounds crazy, but if you go to the Arch, go up to the top on a day when the wind is really blowing. It's like a fantastic thrill ride when you get to the top.

Also, the Science Museum is a lot of fun.

[dawgfan]

Originally Posted by Young Drachma

2nd the Landing, an oldie but a goodie. Also...Forest Park is a great time waster. Botantical Gardens are also nice for walking through with company...

The University City Loop is great, too. If you want pizza, check out "Pi" it's absolutely worth it.

Yep, Forest Park is terrific oasis, and while the Zoo isn't awesome, it's pretty good and it's free.

The Botanical Gardens are quite nice. The one time I visited was in the middle of summer and it was ghastly hot & humid so I was drained pretty quickly, but it was impressive.

I'm a big fan of U-City and walking around the Loop.

The trip up the arch is okay, but honestly those bubbles they take you up in are very small and cramped so if you're claustrophobic or are with someone who is, don't put them through that. It's cool to be up there, you go "oh cool, we're up there." and then you take a few pics and then you get out.

Agreed. It's basically a deal where you do it to have the experience, but I have no desire to do it again.

[Neuqua]

Are there any bad sight lines I should know of at Busch? I'm looking up tickets at stubhub now (St Louis Cardinals vs Washington Nationals [06/13/2014] Tickets on StubHub!) and want to make sure I don't accidentally get seats behind a giant pole that's going to hinder the experience for anyone. Because I'm really the only sports fan, I was looking to spend as little as possible.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Neuqua

Are there any bad sight lines I should know of at Busch? I'm looking up tickets at stubhub now (St Louis Cardinals vs Washington Nationals [06/13/2014] Tickets on StubHub!) and want to make sure I don't accidentally get seats behind a giant pole that's going to hinder the experience for anyone. Because I'm really the only sports fan, I was looking to spend as little as possible.

Not that I'm aware of.

[Neuqua]

Is the Budweiser Brewery tour worthy of checking out? Saw that it's only 3 miles from the hotel.

[tarcone]

Check out the Ballpark Village tickets. When they built Ballpark Village, they built seats on top. I believe they cost $70 a ticket. But ut would be a unique experience. It may be something your none sports fans like better then going into Busch.
Think of the seast on top of the apartment buildings at Wrigley. You lose the deep outfield.

Busch will have things going on in it, also. There may be enough stuff to keep your friends occupied.

The only tickets I would avoid are the real cheap ones that sit deep down the lines. They are high up and there is limited leg room. I avoid those. But there are no sight line issues. Its a new stadium.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Neuqua

Is the Budweiser Brewery tour worthy of checking out? Saw that it's only 3 miles from the hotel.

I enjoyed it but I'm a sucker for that kind of tourist thing

SI

[panerd]

Originally Posted by Neuqua

Is the Budweiser Brewery tour worthy of checking out? Saw that it's only 3 miles from the hotel.

Yes it's definitely worth the visit. Plus it's free, requires no reservations, and only takes about an hour total with free beer at the end. I misunderstood your original post as visiting Friday night. I would definitely do the arch as well if you have never been up in it. The view isn't the Empire State Building or anything but its cool and the movie is pretty interesting. (And I have been like 20+ times in my life with family and field trips) Some of the other stuff mentioned is also cool but not really unique to St. Louis (musuems, zoo, etc) The Arch and Brewery are about as St. Louis as you are going to get.

As far as seats go I wouldn't think the Nationals would be a hot ticket so I would try and get better seats. Like Tarcone mentioned the upper deck have no leg room at all even if you are 5' 10" and it's worth a few extra bucks to move downstairs for that reason and bathroom/vendor quality. The ballpark village seats are pretty expensive for how far out there they are but your friends could go do other stuff while you watch the game if you did buy those.