The Heart of the City

Travel Tip >> The city goes to great lengths to keep visitors and residents safe. Travel light and be prepared for airport-like security as you go to the Gateway Arch’s visitors center and other locations including the Cardinals team store. 

Our first full day was well spent exploring Saint Louis proper, that is home to the iconic Gateway Arch which just celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015. If you rented a car, there is smart-metered street parking that you can pay for right from your smart phone via a special app, and it even gives you alerts when you are coming up on your time limit. Our first stop was in fact the famous arch which was pretty amazing to see close up. You will notice there is some graffiti in the form of scratched etchings along the base of the structure which is unfortunate. Please resist the urge to contribute to the defamation, we always find these types of vandalizing actions a bit sad.

Visitors can buy tickets to travel to the top of the 63 story structure to see a full view of the city and the Mississippi river that it so elegantly sits beside. Word on the street is that its a tight squeeze so if you’re afraid of heights or tight spaces this adventure may not be for you. Where did they get the steel to construct the 43,000 ton structure you ask? Well my beloved city of Pittsburgh of course! Remember my travel tip when you go collect your national park stamps at the visitor’s center as there is a full metal detector and bag scanning process to get in the doors.

You’ll also notice the Old Court House just across the large green space as you are walking toward the arch. This is actually part of the Gateway Arch National Park and provides a peak into American history as a part of the Underground Railroad and the site of the famed trial that gave women the right to vote. It’s architecture is highly regarded and it’s interior merits some attention. Of course tours are available throughout the day so your visit there can easily turn into an educational experience for the young ones.

Toasted Ravioli on The Hill

Once we got our fill of the Gateway Arch, we headed off to find some toasted ravioli since Saint Louis is the home of the famous food. The city prides itself on its Italian dishes and if you’re looking for some options in the area head to The Hill, a neighborhood well-known for their delicious carbs and sauces. We found ourselves at Rigazzi’s, apparently the oldest spot on the neighborhood complete with a mini gateway arch just outside its doors. The critics at our table agree that the food doesn’t match its rating as the best Italian restaurant in St. Louis but it does advertise one statement accurately in proclaiming its the “Home of the Frozen Fishbowl.” In other words if you’re thirsty for a giant schooner of beer, go here!

As you enter the restaurant, you’ll actually find an original St. Louis Blues Arena Seat that belonged to Bernie Federko who holds the franchise record for most seasons played and contributed 1,073 points to the team. If you’re aiming for the best toasted ravioli however, apparently it was created just down the road at Mama’s on the Hill where one fateful day a chef accidentally dropped a ravioli in a bucket of boiling water. We missed the mark on this clearly, but I look forward to confirming this bragging right on my next trip out there.

Home of the Cardinals

Travel Tip >> Check to see if the Cardinal’s store across from Busch Stadium is selling a base from your team’s match up with the cards. They’re about $250+ depending on the game, but how rad would that be for a bar stool in your sports cave?!  

No visit to the city would be complete without a visit to Busch Stadium, home of the Saint Louis Cardinals. Although we couldn’t make a game in the final series of the season against the Pittsburgh Pirates (Go Bucs!), the stadium was easy to peer into and take in the spirit of the ballpark. Venture across the street and you’ll find the Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum on the second floor. The wall honoring the top players is free to check out but you’ll need to buy up to see the exhibit. If you’re REALLY lucky, you may run into Fredbird, the cardinal’s mascot, who is apparently extremely rare to spot unless you’re part of a special or private event nearby. We were part of the lucky few, although we almost scared him off when we mentioned we were Pirates fans. It’s all in good sportsmanship.

The Saint Louis Zoo

Travel Tip >> The Saint Louis Zoo is free!! Just buy-up for any special attractions you want to experience like the train, carousel, or 4D shows but there is plenty to see without even reaching for your wallet. Oh and mom and dad, you can sip some adult beverages as you stroll around the park. 

Saint Louis Zoo is located in Forest Park, an area that reminds us a little of Balboa Park in San Diego, complete with a stellar Museum. The zoo was quite festive for the season which is always a plus and you can add to the fun with some beers or other adult beverages if you wish. There were penguins, zebras, giraffes, big cats, red pandas, and an orphaned polar bear named Kali. No matter which way you wonder in there is something exciting around every corner. Check it out and enjoy, then once you work up an appetite we highly recommend hopping on the highway and heading to Sugarfire Smoke House for some good old fashioned BBQ, complete with a home made pie place right next door. Mmmmmm!

The Bests Beyond the Arch

And at last a few honorable mentions. Rural King is our new favorite store! Everything is massively cheap including $10 flannels, hardware, camouflage everything including lingerie, toys, and even live baby chicks for a buck fifty each. Twin Peaks is basically like Tilted Kilt or a lumberjack version of Hooters, and its a great place to watch sports with TVs on every wall.

Let’s recap shall we? If you’re looking for the best bets in the state based on my Missouri travels here’s a quick-reference point from Saint. Louis to the Ozarks:

• Big Beers – Rigazzi’s
• BBQ – Sugarfire Smoke House 
• Toasted Ravioli – Mama’s on the Hill
• Squirrel Art – The Roadhouse
• Wine Tasting – Defiance Highway 94
• City View – Top of the Gateway Arch
• Speedboat Ride – Lake of the Ozarks
• Cheap Everything Shopping – Rural King