Our final summer adventure before school starts this week (I don’t want to talk about it) was a road trip to St. Louis, Missouri. It was our first family trip to St. Louis which seems weird to say since it was only a three and a half hour drive from Indianapolis. Once we got there, I kept saying, “Why haven’t we come here before?” I felt so cheated that I had just realized how amazing St. Louis is and that it’s been so close all this time.
All the details you need so you can get to St. Louis this weekend:
We stayed at The Cheshire, a really cool boutique hotel where every room is named after a British poet, playwright, or author. We stayed in the A. A. Milne room (the author of Winnie the Pooh) and loved exploring the antiques and vintage decor throughout the hotel. It’s pet-friendly, which makes me super happy, and when you check in they have fun welcome bags for kids that the girls got a kick out of.
The Cheshire has two on-site restaurants, plus a Starbucks, so you don’t have to go far to feed your belly. We had breakfast one morning at The Restaurant and didn’t regret the choice. The girls had beignets and I absolutely loved the bacon-avocado-egg sandwich with fresh fruit, plus the place was absolutely beautiful.
Of course we visited The Gateway Arch while in town. Harper ended up freaking out just a *little* bit as we climbed in the tram to go to the top, so Ellie and I went by ourselves. It’s definitely not for people afraid of small spaces, but once we got up there, the view was worth the four minute ride.
There’s so much to do right around the Arch so from there we walked to the Ballpark Village located near Busch Stadium where the St. Louis Cardinals play. It was a few hours before game time so the atmosphere was festive and fun. There’s this great restaurant at the top of the Hilton at the Ballpark called 360 where you can see the whole city and get an amazing view of the stadium too. It’s definitely not the best place to take kids, but we stayed just long enough to get some desserts (order the Kit Kat bars if you want to forever ruin the store-bought kind because once you try 360’s melt-in-your-mouth kind, you can’t go back.), not break anything, and take in some stunning views of the city.
We spent the rest of the day at City Museum. GUYS, pay attention. City Museum is where it’s at. This was, hands down, Ellie and Harper’s favorite stop. We could have spent two full days here and probably not have done it all. I don’t even know how to put it all into words, but the best way to describe it would be a giant warehouse turned into every kind of kid playground, maze, slide, secret passage, rope swing, climbing apparatus, water thing, skate park, and a million other things that kids dream about. When you go, wear tennis shoes and play clothes because you’re going to crawl, climb, sweat, roll and slide for hours. We’ll go back to St. Louis just for the City Museum, no lie.
When we got hungry while playing at City Museum we walked a block over to HIRO Asian Kitchen for an amazing meal. The girls scarfed down their chicken fried rice while Chris and I got to be a little more adventurous with our meals. And for “dessert” the owner, Bernie, made us some from-scratch mashed potatoes and gravy with fried chicken (I know what you’re thinking, fried chicken at an Asian restaurant? But it was unbelievably good.) that they only serve on Sundays. If you’re in STL on a Sunday, go get some fried chicken from HIRO’s.
We also hit up Strange Donuts while we were there. You know all those crazy donut concoctions you see on TV that you want to try? Strange Donuts is your place. We tried maple bacon, jalepeno cream cheese, samoa, gooey butter, sprinkle donuts, grasshoppers that tasted like Andes mints, and more. We actually got nine donuts for two adults and two small kids. Let’s just say we ate a lot of donuts and loved every glorious second of it.
We couldn’t miss visiting the St. Louis Zoo–it’s free to get in, just like so many places in the city. We also visited Missouri History Museum with no admission fee. They have this great kids area call the History Clubhouse where the girls spent over an hour playing and exploring. I highly recommend taking your kids.
We finished up our trip with delicious BBQ from Salt and Smoke (get their BBQ sweet potato chips while you’re there, I’m still dreaming about them) and a little adventure through the Union Station Grand Hall. The massive train-station-turned-hotel has a breathtaking main hall with a free light show every hour on the hour (starting at 5:00 PM) and a great bar and dinner-only restaurant. We were still full from our BBQ lunch, but managed to find some room for dessert and drinks. Because there’s always room for chocolate, right?
RIGHT.
We only got to spend the weekend in St. Louis and came home wanting so much more. So here’s the thing, I need one of you to go back and explore more for me. Explore St. Louis wants to give one lucky reader a two-night stay with an attraction and entertainment package included so you can fall in love with St. Louis just like we did. Enter below using Rafflecopter.
If you can’t wait and need to start planning your own St. Louis trip now, head to Explore St. Louis to get started or earn more chances to win by entering the Explore St. Louis’ Funnest Family and Ultimate Tourist contests. Good luck!
Looks awesome! I’m in need of that FOOD!!
I LOVE Ballpark Village! I SO want to go back with my hubby.
I need that BBQ in my life!
My parents, younger sister and I took a trip with my grandparents when I was in 8th grade – drove up to South Dakota, across the state, down through Wyoming and Colorado, across Oklahoma and back to Illinois. Did all the usual suspects tourist things. It was wonderful, and I have such good memories – made more special because both of my grandparents and my mom are now gone. I’m glad you had such a good time in my city!
This would be amazing for a little prehoneymoon getaway!
Last year, my husband and I took a quick roadtrip to Nashville. There are some great coffee places there! I’ve never been to St. Louis, and it looks like a fun city!
We’ve been to St. Louis, but didn’t realize what all we were missing until I followed your trip!
We’ve been before but not to the City Museum – sounds great!
Sounds like a “Food’cation vice a Vacation, which I can totally get on board with. STL is a hike for me, but it if ever get to that area, I will check out all the places you mentioned.
I’ve never been on a roadtrip. If I did go, I’d probably go somewhere outdoorsy where I can hike. The Lone Elk Park in St. Louis sounds cool – I’d love to see some of the wildlife.
I went on a lot of Road Trips with my family as a kid. My favorite was our trip to Colorado.
I have never been to St. Louis but would love to visit!! 🙂 My last road trip memory was my favorite because I went on a road trip with my husband and parents to Vegas in a small car. Haha it was so funny and definitely memorable how we survived in such a little car. 🙂
My favorite road trip destination has been Mackinaw Island! I recommend it!
I keep hearing about the city museum. We’ve definitely got to go.
Love the St Louis Zoo. And there are lots of places to run in Forest Park. And catch a show at the Muny. Lots of fun things to do in St Louis!!!
Our favorite most recent road trip was to St. Louis as well. Of course now I want to go back 🙂
We love to take a road trip to Nashville but we actually love in STL and love it!
We went to the 360 restaurant the last time we were in St. Louis, it’s awesome!! There is also a pizza place near the ballpark called Imo’s – DELICIOUS thin crust pizza! Looks like y’all had a great time!
Sounds fantastic! Our favorite vacation has been to Door County in Wisconsin. We tent camp for a week and our kids love it.
Cincinnati has a similar vibe and the. Chicago CITYpass rocks!
I haven’t been to St. Louis since before kids, though half of mine have been on class trips. It would be fun to go as a family!
our honeymoon was a road trip to Hilton Head and Savannah–we love exploring new places and trying new foods.
I love road tripping to Denver, CO.
My boyfriend and I took a roadtrip to St. Louis (which for us was a 15 hour drive) a couple of years ago. We are dying to go back and visit ballpark village and eat more barbecue!
Strange Donuts <3
WAY too many to mention, but St. Louis was my daughter’s first vacation when she was about 18 months old. She’s now 17 (almost 18. how did THAT happen?!?!?!?!?) and still LOVES to travel.
I’ve never been on a road trip, but St Louis is a place I’d love to visit!
My favorite road trip destination to date would have to be Loveland CO.
I lived near St. Louis when I was growing up. I have great memories of going to the Zoo with my grandparents. The City Museum wasn’t there, so I am looking forward to taking my kids there one day.
I’ve been to the City Museum! It was awese!
My favorite road trip destination so far has been Asheville. I loved driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains!
SO many wonderful places to eat in St. Louis, I’d love it!
The last two summers we have gone to a quaint little town on Lake Erie for a week. The boys call the lake ‘the sea’ and love exploring. There’s the best homemade ice cream shop and candle shop. When Nick and I get away without the boys, we rent this awesome little house in Madison…great independent book store we love, food, antique shops.
We love stopping in Savannah on our way to Myrtle Beach. Such a cool town with so much history.
We love Cincinnati for a quick getaway.
Favorite road trip was to a small mountain town in Colorado. Fresh spring water, crisp air, and deer that would stalk you on your way to the car. Amazing! Road trips are the best!
I have been to St. Louis when I was younger, but would really love to go there with my husband and children. There are so many great memories that come from family road trippin’ !!
I love Gatlinburg, but St Louis is great too! We are in Northern IN, so it’s a 5 hr drive for us.
I have many, but my most favorite as a kid was going Up North with my family every summer to the lake. Such great summer memories. Like memories kids SHOULD have. 🙂 Sun, lake, eating junk, running wild, swimming, water skiing, campfires, smores… 🙂
I would love to take my boys to St. Louis for their first vacation! Sounds like it would be SO fun and exciting!
We love Madeira Beach, Florida!!
Looks like you had a great time! Florida is always my favorite road trip! Driving all night to get to the beach in the morning is the best!
I really want to go check out that City Museum! ,
Love visiting St Louis since my sister moved there. How the City museum came about is an interesting story. And the free zoo is great too!
We love visiting south haven mi!
Puerto Rico is my favorite destination to go on vacation. It’s where I as born and raised, and where all of my family lives. Love taking my daughter to explore the island and spend time with my family!
We just got back from st. Joe Michigan and had a great time. Silver beach was a lot of fun.
Looks like I have to re-examine st Louis as a family destination!
As a kid, we always did road trips. One year my parents, brother and I drove to Florida in an old mini-van. The AC didn’t work and one window didn’t roll down…it was a hot ride!! But we still joke about it now, 20 years later 🙂
I never thought of St. Louis being a good get away! Maybe we will make that our next mini vacay!
Love Portland and all things Oregon.
I love the STL zoo – the Penguins especially. I would love to go back and hang out with our little buddies!
I would love a weekend away with the fam! St Louis is so cool!
Pigeon Forge, TN is where we always head. We love to see the shows and the hiking in Gatlinburg.
Have only been here once when I was younger and I remember loving it though I would love to go back as an adult!