Trip help

[theologia crucis]

Flipper, Rose, and whoever knows good stuff about Missouri,

Do y'all have any last tips about what one HAS to see or do in St. Louis and Western Missouri?

It'll be me, my wife, and my one-year old. We should get to StL on Monday the 24th (~lunch), and will spend three nights. Part of one day will be the Sem, and we've been told by several folks that we need to see Grant's Farm, Forrest Park (zoo especially), and the Botanical Gardens. We also plan on getting some Drews ice cream.

Then we plan on heading west to Hermann and Jeff City (night), and then going to Joplin (probably taking old US 66; I like to bore my wife by driving old highways; stupid highway engineers!).

Any other things that are "must sees" along the way? Also, any suggestions on how much time to spend at each?

Thanks in advance!

 

[ByzantineDixie]

It'll be me, my wife, and my one-year old. We should get to StL on Monday the 24th (~lunch), and will spend three nights. Part of one day will be the Sem, and we've been told by several folks that we need to see Grant's Farm, Forrest Park (zoo especially), and the Botanical Gardens. We also plan on getting some Drews ice cream.

I think these are all the right places to go in STL--especially with a little one. The only thing I would also consider is doing the Arch. And that's Ted Drewes frozen custard. If you ask for ice cream they'll know you are a tourist!

Then we plan on heading west to Hermann and Jeff City (night), and then going to Joplin (probably taking old US 66; I like to bore my wife by driving old highways; stupid highway engineers!).

Do y'all have any last tips about what one HAS to see or do in St. Louis and Western Missouri?

Well, I am not all that familiar with the Southern part of western Missouri...Joplin area. I do not know of much that way. I know you probably have your heart set on traveling historic Route 66 BUT...if it were me I would probably head south of Jefferson City to the Bagnall Dam area of the Lake of the Ozarks and then down to Eureka Springs, AR. Bagnall Dam is a kitsch tourist area. You could spend 2 - 4 hours or you could spend a whole day...checking out a few of the vistas, maybe do lunch on a boat. Too bad your little one isn't big enough to do the go-carts, water slides or all of the other tourist trap things to do there! . It has been many years since I've been down that way--I presume it hasn't changed too much.

Eureka Springs is a BIG favorite of mine...also called little Switzerland. Lots of restored Victorian homes...historical and artsy things to see and do. There is a trolley you can board that does an hour or so tour of the historic district (great for putting a tired baby to sleep!). One word of caution...some little ones (and big ones, too!) can get car sick riding up and down the hills of the Ozarks. You could spend a half day in Eureka Springs or you could just as easily spend the whole day and top it off by seeing the outdoor Passion Play in the evening.

Theo, sounds like an excellent trip. I hope you like STL and I pray that ulitimately...God's plan is for you to be one of his shepherds. Incidently...a trip report is mandatory!

Peace

Rose

 

[Phoebe]

The Gateway Arch and the Botanical Gardens.

 

[ChiRho]

Helloooo!!!! Busch Staduim???!!!! Come on thats an obvious one! They are about ready to tear it down ya know. You had better see it soon or it will be nothing more than a vast parking lot of paved and painted memories!! Am I the only baseball nut on CF?

 

[theologia crucis]

Thanks Rose, Phoebe, and ChiRho!

I'll look on the map and compare it to where we've got hotel reservations, Rose.

My wife is nervouse about going up IN the arch (a little closterphobic!). I forgot to mention we will probably spend some time on the river.

And ChiRho, we're thinking about going to Busch. The Pirates will be in town. But, to be honest, my preference in baseball is college, minors, and then the bigs! I'm cheap!

Keep it coming!

 

[ChiRho]

I understand theo!

I went to Detroit on Saturday to take in a game and still spent nearly $110 dollars!

Detroit does offer something great for families. If you purchase tickets in the family Pepsi section, you can get tickets for $8 a piece and that comes with a free Pepsi and hot dog for each person! Not too bad! We overpaid for parking ($20) and tickets ($40). Beer is never cheap, as a domestic will run $8.50 for a 32 oz, not good for this Lutheran drunk! Only been to Busch once, a long time ago, and I cant remember the price range for tickets....hopefully St. Louis has some inexpensive seats.

ps The Pepsi Family section at Comerica are actually decent seats...if you are ever near Detroit, check out a game!

Pax Christi,

ChiRho

 

[Rechtgläubig]

All I can offer Theologia, are my prayers... have a safe trip bro!

 

[Flipper]

All of the above are musts (especially Ted Drews - yum). If you have time, especially for the little one, you might also want to try:

The City Museum: http://www.citymuseum.org/flash.html

The Magic House (St. Louis Children's Museum): http://www.magichouse.com/ (right by one of the most beautiful Lutheran churches here)

The Science Center: http://www.slsc.org/

If you love Italian and can splurge one night, PM me and I'll tell you about The Hill

If you happen to be downtown at lunch time on any of those days, let me know.

 

[Flipper]

Oh yea - ball games here are quite an experience, if you go, you will have a good time even if you aren't that big on baseball. Great people watching and for overpriced food - it's pretty good and reasonable compared to other overpriced venues.

 

[Lexluther]

Now I'm not from Missouri, but I'm shocked that no one has brought up Cahokia Mounds yet. Just across the river from St. Louis. I'd kill to get out to Missouri and check out the mound-building civilizations! America barely has a culture any more. Back in the Middle ages the Cahokians ruled an empire any two bit european nation would have been proud of. And they developed art forms that are completely unique in the history of the world. Cahokia itself was a metropolis at a time when there weren't many metropoli.

But that's just what I'D be doing. My vacation plans tend to revolve around people who used to live in places rather than those who do. If y'all hadn't figured out that I'm an archaeologist yet, I guess my secret's out.

 

[Flipper]

Now I'm not from Missouri, but I'm shocked that no one has brought up Cahokia Mounds yet. Just across the river from St. Louis. I'd kill to get out to Missouri and check out the mound-building civilizations! America barely has a culture any more. Back in the Middle ages the Cahokians ruled an empire any two bit european nation would have been proud of. And they developed art forms that are completely unique in the history of the world. Cahokia itself was a metropolis at a time when there weren't many metropoli.

But that's just what I'D be doing. My vacation plans tend to revolve around people who used to live in places rather than those who do. If y'all hadn't figured out that I'm an archaeologist yet, I guess my secret's out.

Actually, there is a dig going on near Cahokia (Glen Carbon to be exact) of a woodland civilization that thrived before the Mounds. You can find a story about it here: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/News/Metro+East/BB937339D010033A86256E97001E4695?OpenDocument&Headline=Glen+Carbon+site+yields+clues+to+ancient+civilization++

Cahokia is a little more than right across the river - for these poor people who are going to be in STL for only 3 days. However, it is a trip well worth the time if you are interested in that sort of thing. It is so cool that they have been able to link the Cahokians to the Aztecs.

I actually considered majoring in archeology in college. I envy you!

 

[theologia crucis]

Thank you all for your help. I hope tonight I can sift through it and get a little better idea on an itenerary!

We (me, my wife, and my kid) appreciate all of y'all's input!

 

[theologia crucis]

Well, we're off in the morning! Thanks for all y'all's help, especially Flipper! I'll let y'all know how it was after I get back (30th). But, I may not get to post much until after the 5th or so, which is when we'll celebrate my daughter's first birthday (and my wife's! We'll be recovering from the trip and getting ready for the party between the 30th and the 5th...).

Please pray (or continue to pray, in Recht's case!) for our safety and health (a minor sickness was going around my daughter's day care and we kept her home the last two days to lower her possible exposure to it), and low gas prices!

Keep up the good work, and I'll see y'all back at the end of the month!

Your friend in Christ Jesus,

Mark

 

[Rechtgläubig]

Drive safe!

 

[Music4Hym777]

Have a great trip! I know it will be an awesome one!

 

[Lexluther]

Have fun!

 

[Flipper]

Eat lots of Toasted Ravoilli!

 

[ChiRho]

Are we there yet?

I'm tired!

I'm hungry!

I have to go potty!

Are we there yet?

Have a great trip Theo! I pray that your travelling is smooth and you return home safe.

Pax Christi,

ChiRho

 

[theologia crucis]

Thanks! Luckily, she can't walk or talk yet!