Written by Vanilla Sugar on 19 May, 2009
A foot closer and we could have patted the head of the albino deer. Elk grazed not much further away with heads down and butts to our faces. Long horn cattle lounged under a tree within reach if you dared to grab a…Read More
A foot closer and we could have patted the head of the albino deer. Elk grazed not much further away with heads down and butts to our faces. Long horn cattle lounged under a tree within reach if you dared to grab a horn. And, when the tram went into the grass to give the right of way to a momma buffalo and her calf crossing the road, I came face to face with these brown eyed creatures. "I’ve been at Grant’s Farm many times and I’ve never seen the animals this close to the tram," Suzie expressed pleasure at the up-close encounter with the animals. Suzie and her boyfriend Matt brought me and my mom aka "Grandma" to Grant’s Farm for a Mother’s Day treat. Families came with moms of all generations to this Anheuser-Busch nature and wildlife preserve to celebrate the special day. Grant’s Farm is renowned and ranked as the 7th best family attraction nationwide by the U.S. Family Travel Guide Zagat Survey. Our experience began with a ride on the tram past a log cabin once owned by General Ulysses S. Grant. The guide called our attention to the unique fence surrounding this property. The vertical bars were gun barrels authentic from hundreds of Civil War rifles. Our amazement over the fence construction gave way to the thrill of seeing the wildlife within reach of the tram’s course through the preserve. The tram ride ended at the milk house. While parents bought baby bottles full of milk that their children – children barely finished with bottle feeding themselves - could feed the tiny goats in the petting zoo, we headed to the Bauernhof for our free samples of beer. Although we enjoyed the refreshing brew, the Bauernhof is more than a place to drink Anheuser-Busch products. It is a 19th Century farm stead that houses the Busch family’s collection of antique carriages, equestrian trophies, and stalls full of horses. Beyond this hospitality area, animals from around the world roam in fenced corrals. Kangaroos, an elephant, lamas, camels, flamingos, lemurs, miniature ponies ,and even bald eagles eat, sleep, groom and entertain all visitors. When we had our fill of animals and our two brew limit, we took the return tram ride - a quick trip from the Bauernhof to the General Store. From there, we followed white horseshoe marking on the pavement leading us to the Anheuser-Busch Budweiser Clydesdale Stables. The grand finale! We watched mares, foals, and stallions grazing in the grassy pastures. Some stood tall in their stalls. We posed for photos then called it a day, a wonderful day – a very special Mother’s Day! Grant’s Farm 10501 Gravois Road St. Louis, Missouri 63123 314-843-1700 www.grantsfarm.com Although admission to Grant’s Farm is free, Parking is $11 per vehicle and $30 for RV’s Close
Written by mlmeredith on 23 Jun, 2008
Climate change notwithstanding, St. Louis is at that dividing line between where the rivers are frozen over and free flowing. The significance of that is that during January and February a large number of eagles move down from the northern states, to take advantage…Read More
Climate change notwithstanding, St. Louis is at that dividing line between where the rivers are frozen over and free flowing. The significance of that is that during January and February a large number of eagles move down from the northern states, to take advantage of the fish in the Mississippi and the Missouri. It’s even more appealing to them because the fish flock to the oxygenated water downstream of the dams at Winfield, Clarksville, Alton and the Chain of Rocks and get a little stunned by their trip through the sluices. That makes them easy prey for the eagles that tend to congregate in the trees on the bluffs of the Great River Road, or near the wetlands of the Mississippi/Missouri Confluence or just on an ice flow sliding south. Oh yeah, it’s cold, but dress warm and you’ll be rewarded. Bring your camera, because you’ll kick yourself if you don’t. My favorite area is along the Great River Road, which runs from north from Alton alongside the Mississippi and the Illinois River. You can take Interstate 270 to Hwy 67 and go north, where you’ll cross over the Missouri and then in short order the Mississippi into downtown Alton. On your way, you can take a detour by the Edward and Pat Jones Confluence Park, a maturing gem of a state park that takes you right to the point where the Mississippi and the Missouri meet. Before you drive through Alton, take an hour or so to visit the National Great Rivers Museum by the Melvin Price Locks and Dam. Besides being an interesting destination on it’s own, you can get daily updates on the best places to see the current eagle population. If you’re coming from the Illinois side, just take Highway 3 north. As you drive through downtown Alton, take note of the waterlines painted on the Peavey Grain facility, you’ll get a feeling for how unruly the Mississippi can be. The eagle photos included with this entry were all taken along the Great River Road, a couple by the bluffs and one (the one I call Big Dude) at a marina. It’s almost as if the eagles know that they’re the show. When you get too cold, there are plenty of places to stop in and warm up with whatever suits your fancy. We like to drive up to Grafton and have lunch in one of the little restaurants there, or beyond to the lodge at Pere Marquette State Park (a great place for family-style fried chicken). Another location that’s fun is the Chain of Rocks Bridge (http://bridgehunter.com/mo/st-louis-city/chain-of-rocks/). It once carried the legendary Route 66 from Illinois into Missouri, but now has been given over to pedestrian and bicycle traffic! The view is great! If you want to make more of a day trip out of things, you can also drive up Highway 79 on the Missouri side through Winfield and Clarksville. You can get more specific information on Missouri Eagle Days through the Missouri Department of Conservation (http://www.mdc.mo.gov/events/eagledays/), or visit the Great River Road web site at http://www.greatriverroad.com/Eagles/eagleCover.htm. Then there are just the casual encounters, even in summer. I've sat at my breakfast table and seen a golden eagle land briefly on a patio umbrella, then spreading its wings and flying away (leaving a couple tiny holes in the fabric). And many's the time that I've glanced over to see a hawk perched on a highway sign or fence, just waiting for a field mouse or snake. There's a pair of red-shouldered hawks that like to visit the trees in our backyard too. There’s a picture of one of them here too. Close
Written by eddr on 08 Feb, 2006
Shopping can be fun or a drag. Knowing the best places to go is crucial. For a great day, my girlfriends and I love to find bargains at resale shops in St. Louis. The first stop is always Women's Closet Exchange on Gravois Road. The…Read More
Shopping can be fun or a drag. Knowing the best places to go is crucial. For a great day, my girlfriends and I love to find bargains at resale shops in St. Louis. The first stop is always Women's Closet Exchange on Gravois Road. The shop is open Monday through Saturday and is filled with gently used brand-name apparel. Shopping is fun here because everything is on racks according to size. Here you will not only find clothing but also beautiful accessories to complete your outfit, all at a fraction of the retail price. The friendly salespeople will tell you about the sales and then find you a dressing room. They gladly comment on outfits and put together everything with just the right touch. This is our favorite shop in town.
The next stop is The Scholar Shop. They now have two locations: one on Clayton Road and one in Webster Groves. These shops sell gently worn items for very little. All proceeds support the Scholarship Foundation. You will have to hunt a bit more here, but it is well worth the search. Vintage clothing and accessories can be found here, as can St. John suits, Talbots sweaters and shirts, and a variety of fur coats and jackets. Prices here are very cheap. On my last visit, I purchased a vintage silver/black flower-design evening bag for $10. I have also found beautiful Gap shirts for $5!
Resale shops are great, especially when you will be traveling and don't want to invest a fortune in a wardrobe for a particular climate. Or when you need a cocktail outfit for a dressy occasion and don't want the high price tag for an outfit you will wear once or twice. A day at these two shops will yield benefits to your wardrobe and your purse.
Written by meanderR on 14 May, 2006
There is much to do and see in St. Louis. We'll start downtown: -Take in a baseball game. The city revolves around the Cardinals. Nearly everyone is in tune with how the season is going, or the latest news on the team. And with a…Read More
There is much to do and see in St. Louis. We'll start downtown:
-Take in a baseball game. The city revolves around the Cardinals. Nearly everyone is in tune with how the season is going, or the latest news on the team. And with a new stadium, the question should be: Why not?
-The old courthouse downtown is one of the older buildings in downtown. If you're a history buff, then I'd recommend this, as you'll learn that it was the site of the Dred Scott case for freedom from slavery. And since it has been around since 1826, it'll be a good starting base to learn about the St. Louis history.
-No visit to St. Louis is complete without venturing into the gateway arch-the most recognizable piece of the skyline in St. Louis. This monument to Westward Expansion also provides a good history lesson. And wonderful views of both downtown and eastward into Illinois.
-Since you're downtown, and you've just learned a bit about St. Louis history, now it's time to explore. Next take a walk around "Laclede's Landing". This area of the city is immediately North of the arch, so you're not very far. As you may or may not have learned by now, this area was actually the birthplace of St. Louis. In 1763, a French fur trapper named Pierre Laclede, along with Auguste Chouteau, settled here and named it St. Louis, in honor of the patron saint of the king of France.
Now it is an entertainment hub. There are enough bars to keep one busy, a casino and plenty of eateries. The cobble stone streets and cozy, historical homes, and it's proximity to the city make this an ideal respite from the hustle and bustle of downtown.
-Not far is the burgeoning Washington Avenue, immediately west of "the Landing." This is the up-and-coming loft district of St. Louis. Once full of dilapidated buildings and poverty, this area now shows the wealth of the upwardly mobile caste. Hip, trendy bars now pepper the area, while new eateries are also beginning to appear. This is the area of the city where you sip a martini.
-On the opposite south side of the city you will find Soulard. Another historic district that offers plenty in the way of eateries and bars/pubs.
Written by kwasiak on 02 Feb, 2005
You can buy tickets to tour the St. Louis Cardinals Stadium at the International Bowling Museum. The tour takes you through the rather empty ballpark. It was my first ballpark tour. It seemed rather weird to be in a ballpark without the…Read More
You can buy tickets to tour the St. Louis Cardinals Stadium at the International Bowling Museum. The tour takes you through the rather empty ballpark. It was my first ballpark tour. It seemed rather weird to be in a ballpark without the crowd. Imagine your favorite ballpark empty; well, for some, like my brother, that was not too hard (he likes the Diamondbacks), but for me, it was because I am used to seeing the Chicago Cubs play on television in the packed Wrigley Field. It was just our small group of 15 and a few workers watering the grass and making sure the stadium was ready for the next game. It was cool to see the stadium because supposedly after the 2005 season, they are going to knock it down and finish the new stadium before the next season starts. You can already see the construction of part of the new stadium, which will eventually include the some of the area that contains the current stadium. Whether that will actually happen, we will have to see. Our first stop on our tour was what is called the Batter’s Eye Box. You look out the large windows straight at home plate. These seats are considered the best, and their price reflects it. Here fans can sit in an air-conditioned room and enjoy the catered meal that is included with the seats. On the tour, we also saw the press box. We got to sit in the same seats that the sports reporters sit in to watch the games. It was a very different view of the stadium. The best part of the tour was when we got to go onto the field. We even got to sit in the dugout. The tour guide even let my brother pick up the phone to call the bullpen. We confirmed that the phone works. The workers in the bullpen were quite startled when the phone began ringing. The last thing on the tour was the gift shop. My brother collects mini bats of the teams we have seen, and I collect baseballs from the ballparks. My brother got a really cool bat that commemorates the groundbreaking of the new stadium. I got an awesome gold Busch Stadium ball that had just arrived at the store. After the tour, we spent an hour outside the stadium, walking around the statues of important Cardinals and their World Series monument.Close
Written by Jaysour on 20 May, 2005
Now, being a car enthusiast, I could not miss the St. Louis Auto Show at the Edwards Jones Dome in downtown St. Louis, MO. Now, taking that with a grain of salt, I realize that not all car shows offer all the best; however,…Read More
Now, being a car enthusiast, I could not miss the St. Louis Auto Show at the Edwards Jones Dome in downtown St. Louis, MO. Now, taking that with a grain of salt, I realize that not all car shows offer all the best; however, I will stop very short of saying this was truly a great show-out from all car makers. Some areas of interest I noticed came in the form of the Chrysler/Dodge corporation, with displays of the ever-popular 300C and SRT10, along with a cherry red Viper. Cadillac also brought out the big guns, including the XLR and a concept car, Cien, offering the lucky owner a 750HP NorthStar under the hood. Ford awed the crowd with its beast, the Ford GT. This white with blue stripe automobile throughtout the show had the largest crowds by far. It truly brought out the wonderful design techniques of the Ford team. Also, this year seemed to be the big year for SUVs from all major dealers, Toyota, Nissan, Ford, GM, etc. Now within that group or not, was the new Scion xB (a mix between a custom car/minivan/SUV), which offered a very different type of automobile that had many people talking with its unique style, winning many of the younger crowd. Along with all the major car dealers, Monster Garage delivered one of its projects, the Toyota Tundra, which was inspired by the Terminator movie where Arnold rides a bike out of a truck. The really unique thing is that the episode in which this piece of art was created was on locally that previous week, making for a timely viewing of the finished product. Free car-related samples were distributed to all those attending, along with literature from all the major manufacturers, along with coupons and convention-only deals (although I do not believe too much in that type of hype). With a time of about 2.5 hours in the show, I had seen all I could see and it filled a football field and some. If you are true auto enthusiast or interested in a new model, large auto shows like the one in St. Louis are for you.Close
Written by andiman on 07 Jan, 2001
One of the best blues club is Off Broadway. It is located not far from downtown near the Anheuser Busch brewery at the corner of Lemp and Broadway. Interstate access via I-55. Off Broadway has live music Tuesdays through Saturdays. They bring in…Read More
One of the best blues club is Off Broadway. It is located not far from downtown near the Anheuser Busch brewery at the corner of Lemp and Broadway. Interstate access via I-55. Off Broadway has live music Tuesdays through Saturdays. They bring in a great variety of national blues acts e.g. Rufus Thomas, Roosevelt Sykes, Lonnie Brooks, Debbie Davies etc. These acts usually play during the week with local blues bands playing on the weekends. In addition they also bring in nationally known folk acts, e.g. Barton & Sweeney, David Wilcox, Tom Russell and Joe Ely. Cover price is usually moderate in the $8-$12 range. A good sound system, good microbrews, and a funky atmosphere make this a must do.Close
Written by andiman on 04 Jan, 2001
If you go to Fraser's or Off Broadway, be sure to check out the Venice Cafe. The owner is an artist and has his studio on the premises too. This is the Headquarters for the St. Louis Art Car group. Funkily painted…Read More
If you go to Fraser's or Off Broadway, be sure to check out the Venice Cafe. The owner is an artist and has his studio on the premises too. This is the Headquarters for the St. Louis Art Car group. Funkily painted and decorated cars and vans adorn the street and the funkiness continues inside. The owners have rehabbed an old brownstone. Although it started as a coffee house, there is now a full service bar. The bar is decorated with a large! selection of funky 50s lamps, ashtrays, original artwork, irreverent photos, and a large mannequin swooping from the ceiling across the dance floor. Upstairs is the zoo bar. Outside is a garden that serves Jamaican food in the summer. There are great bands every night and a poetry reading night on Mondays. Be sure to say hello to Uncle Bill, the world's most dangerous poet, who doubles as the doorman. The Venice Cafe is located at the corner of Lemp and Pestalozzi just down the street from Fraser's and down Lemp from Off Broadway.Close
Written by J.D. on 05 Nov, 2000
Gateway to the West I visited St. Louis for the first time last summer. I had an incredible time - because St. Louis is an incredible city. It was late August - the temperature was in the high 80s. It was humid and hazy. My…Read More
Gateway to the West
I visited St. Louis for the first time last summer. I had an incredible time - because St. Louis is an incredible city. It was late August - the temperature was in the high 80s. It was humid and hazy. My 24 hours in the city of St. Louis were about to begin.
That night, I went up to my room 17 stories above the Mississippi River. From my room I could see the St. Louis skyline - the Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium, and East St. Louis in the background.
I woke up in the morning, and at nine o'clock started to view the city. The prime attraction in St. Louis is the Gateway Arch. It stands high above the Mississippi. One can take a tram up to the top - a small five-seater cubicle up to a small room where you can take pictures. Not so lovable, in my view.
The best part of the Gateway Arch building is the Museum of Westward Expansion located on the ground floor. It has a number of exhibits about the westward expansion that began in St. Louis.
Also enjoyable in the building are two movies: one about the construction of the Gateway Arch, and one about Mark Twain. If you can't visit Hannibal, about two hours north of St. Louis, see this movie.
You can take a walk, eat, or jog in the Jefferson Memorial area under the park. But don't stay too long. One should go to the Old Courthouse, where the famous Dred Scott decision was reached. Take a tour, and explore the different exhibits about St. Louis history scattered throughout the courthouse.
It's not a bad idea to take a walk around Washington University's beautiful campus, or to take a tour of the old Busch Stadium. But the best part of a day in St. Louis comes at the end of the day.
If it's baseball season, buy tickets for a Cardinals game when they're in town. Visit the Cardinals Hall of Fame and International Bowling Museum (two in one) across the street from Busch Stadium. This museum chronicles the history of the 11-time world champion St. Louis Cardinals. See what 4000 years of bowling has left the world, and play a few rounds of bowling.
Then, cross the street to see a Cardinals game. Missourians love their Cards, and they come from many miles away to wear red and white and cheer on their Cards. You can get a real feeling of St. Louis from this.
St. Louis is a wonderful city - if you do the right things.
Written by Travelbits on 24 Aug, 2000
The Tiny Trailer of Tragedy by Guide Travelbits (Bob Carter) The City Museum in St. Louis is a place of fantasy and wonder, mystery and craft housed in three floors of a landmark downtown building. It's a virtual warehouse of adventure with 115,000 square feet of floor…Read More
The Tiny Trailer of Tragedy by Guide Travelbits (Bob Carter) The City Museum in St. Louis is a place of fantasy and wonder, mystery and craft housed in three floors of a landmark downtown building. It's a virtual warehouse of adventure with 115,000 square feet of floor space to explore. It's recycled environment fosters a sense of wonder and awe in children and adults alike. Nothing is static. Exhibits, artists, and entertainers are ever-changing. It's not always a pretty site to see a grown man hop, skip, and jump. But how could I resist? There before me was opened an exciting world just waiting to be visited. Here are a few of the adventures that awaited me: 1) a walk through a 55 food Bowhead whale; 4,000 feet of man-made caves and tunnels; the world's largest pair of men's underear; a trip through the Enchanted Forest; a visit to 2,800 mouse cages; and a chance to hide on a rock ledge as 5,000 gallons of water come crashing down. What faced me was an exhilarating jumble of environments and experiences quite unlike anything I've ever encountered. Tucked away among the museum space I discovered the psychedelic Tiny Trailer of Tragedy. According to knowledgeable informants, the 1967 Aristocrat Land Cruiser was a wedding gift from Col. Tom Parker to Elvis and Priscilla Presley. Nestled in Barklay Lake, Kentucy, the galvanized love roost allowed the couple to escape the glare of celebrity. The free spirited Priscilla became enamored in the ‘60s hippy lifestyle and introduced incense, beaded curtains, and black-lite posters to the trailer which alienated Elvis, I'm told. Today, the trailer frequently houses the likes of Maria Atchison who tells fortunes, Elvis memorabilia, and a wild collection period bric-brac. The trailer offers a delightful and ever-changing journey into an era in America's past. The City Museum is located at 701 N. 15th Street in the heart of downtown St. Louis' loft district. Check out the website at www.citymuseum.org for more details.Close