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St. Louis Travel Tips from Standing Insiders

By: Julie Layton | 09/26/2011

How often has an out-of-town visitor asked you, "So, what's good to eat/what's fun to do/where's a good place to stay in St. Louis?" And, knowing the city as well as you do...as you live here (or nearby)...you blank. You're not a tourist in this town, so naturally you don't do touristy things. But recently when we asked our team to brainstorm some great things to eat, fun things to do, interesting places to stay in St. Louis, we came up with so many ideas, we all were quite inspired to take a lengthy staycation to explore our hometown as tourists. Hopefully our brief thoughts on these topics will inspire fellow St. Louisans to see their city through the eyes of a tourist or entice out-of-towners to visit to see what the fuss is about! (And please heed our sage "Insider Tips" for maximum enjoyment.)

Where to Eat:

Pappy's Smokehouse: Singled out as one of the top 10 barbecue meccas by Zagat's, one of the 101 Best Places to Chow Down by The Travel Channel and topping countless national and local foodie surveys, Pappy's uniquely smoked, Memphis-style barbecue has become a source of great pride for St. Louisans. Located in the Midtown neighborhood, down the street from the Fabulous Fox Theatre and Saint Louis University, Pappy's boasts amazing pulled pork, beef brisket and dry-rubbed ribs. As owner Mike Emerson puts it, "we've got nothing to hide, so the sauce is on the side!"

Insider Tip: Get there at 11 a.m., when the doors open; otherwise, you'll be waiting in line for a long time. Plus, once Pappy's sells out, they close. Simple as that.

Pi: When President Obama declared Pi's pizza his all-time favorite (he's invited Pi to the White House...and now Pi is opening a Washington, D.C., location), St. Louisans were very proud of its hometown pizzeria...but not surprised.  With locations throughout the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan area-in the hip Loop district, the cosmopolitan Central West End, two locations in the West County suburbs and even a mobile food truck- locavores delight in Pi's signature slices as well as designing their own combinations of both thin and Chicago-style deep-dish cornmeal crusts and inventive ingredients.

Insider Tip: Rome wasn't built in a day: expect to wait about 25 minutes for your pizza after you've ordered.

Where to Stay:

Moonrise: Modern design and urban chic mix to make this hip boutique hotel the newest star of the Delmar Loop, an eclectic district designated as "One of the 10 Great Streets in America" by the American Planning Association. An ideal location for exploring St. Louis without a car, the Moonrise is a minute's walk from a MetroLink stop (the city's light rail system) and a great home nestled among quirky restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. Add some stardust to your travels by following the St. Louis Walk of Fame along the Loop sidewalks, or splash out in one of the Moonrise's Walk of Fame suites; each one pays homage to a star born in St. Louis, such as Vincent Price, Josephine Baker, Betty Grable and Redd Foxx.

Insider Tip:  Don't miss the stunning skyline view from the Rooftop Terrace. Sip a Blood and Sand cocktail and stargaze while sitting under the world's largest man-made moon.

Chase Park Plaza: A luxurious escape for travelers of any age, the Chase shines with ornate elegance. Located next door to Forest Park, the Chase anchors the gorgeous Central West End neighborhood, glittering amid top-rated independent restaurants, cafes, shopping and nightlife. Renowned for its grand architecture and a stunning restoration in recent years, its rich history included hosting luminaries from Frank Sinatra to Bob Hope at its exclusive Chase Club. Save time to bask on the hotel's Mediterranean piazza, complete with fountains, fireplace and carved stone porticoes that surround the heated outdoor pool. Find your favorite spot to relax at Eau Café's ice bar, Chasers' marble hallway, or on the Starlight Roof.

Insider Tip: Reserve a room with a view that overlooks Forest Park, and make time for a walk in the park. Catch a film at the hotel's five-screen cinema, and snack on concessions from local breweries, wineries and confectioners.

What to do:

Core of Discovery (Downtown St. Louis): The area that has been recently named the Core of Discovery in downtown St. Louis is fun and educational for adults and kids alike. You can walk the historic halls of the Old Courthouse where the famous Dred Scott case was decided, take a riverboat cruise on the mighty Mississippi, rent a bike to explore the Riverfront Trail, view antique toys at the Eugene Field House and St. Louis Toy Museum, traipse through the new outdoor sculpture park, Citygarden, and see the region from 630 feet in the air inside the top of the Gateway Arch.

Insider Tip: To avoid driving/parking downtown, consider taking the MetroLink to the Arch - Laclede's Landing stop. No matter how you get downtown, wear comfortable shoes-you'll be walking quite a bit, and some of the streets are cobblestones.

Forest Park: Dedicated on June 24, 1876, St. Louis' beloved Forest Park is a must-see for all visitors. Its 1,371 acres of beautiful grounds provide endless entertainment for all ages, brimming with historic landmarks, world-class museums, biking and hiking trails, golf courses, athletic fields and a boathouse - complete with paddleboats and kayaks for gliding along the park's ponds and waterways. Some of the most popular attractions within Forest Park include the Jewel Box, Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, The MUNY outdoor theatre, St. Louis Science Center and Steinberg Skating Rink. And what's truly remarkable about Forest Park: Most of its attractions are free!

Insider Tip: Many festivals and events are held within Forest Park, which are great fun, but make navigating by car and parking difficult. Check out the events calendar on ExploreStLouis.com so you know what to expect. And consider MetroLink and MetroBus as options.

(Core of Discovery and Metro are Standing Partnership clients.)

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