If you have kids and you're looking for a great vacation spot, think about St. Louis, Missouri!  The attractions are affordable, and St. Louis is easy to get to from many different places in the United States. It's a great place to take kids, and many of our attractions keep kids as the main focus.  Here are a few things you might check out if you decide to visit us--

1.  St. Louis Gateway Arch (Jefferson National Expansion Memorial).  Be sure to see the award-winning film before heading up to the elevators; it's an interesting movie about how the arch was designed and built.  Also, don't plan on taking the tour on a windy day.  The arch will blow back and forth a few inches in stormy weather!

2.  A sporting event.  Did you know that St. Louis is the home of three major sporting teams--The St. Louis Blues (hockey), the St. Louis Cardinals (baseball), and the St. Louis Rams (football).  All three sporting facilities--the Scottrade Center, Busch Stadium, and the Edward Jones Dome--are all first class.  St. Louis is known as the home of the nicest fans in sports, and it's true.  We take our sports seriously, but we're polite about it.  The Cardinals are a world class team if baseball is your thing.

3.  The Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour.  Did you know that the company sold baking goods during Prohibition?  Thank goodness they kept afloat, as we're known around the world for our great AB products!  At the end of the tour of the architecturally significant factory, you'll get to sample some of that great product!  (This one is for the parents, sure, although the machinery is impressive to kids as it's done on such a large scale.)

4.  The Saint Louis Art Museum--We've got a great art museum in St. Louis--it has been called one of the ten best in the country.  Best of all, it is FREE!  Check out the collection of midwestern artists--particularly George Catlin and George Caleb Bingham.  It'll give you a little insight on our turf.

5.  The St Louis Zoo--We've also got a great zoo here, and like the art museum...it's free!  The zoo features all sorts of great exhibits including a dynamite children's zoo where kids can play and observe animals.

6.  The City Museum--A great "recycled" museum, this old restored building features local artists' recycled work in a huge playground-type environment.  Kids love the "treehouse"--a giant mass of tunnels and tubes for climbing.  Just keep your eye on them--there are so many places to hide that they may get lost! :)

7.  The Magic House--A great children's museum, this old restored house features indoor and outdoor playspaces, and a special section for preschoolers that's off-limits to bigger kids.  There are lots of things to do here--solve brain teasers, try mini science experiments, and climb and play in the indoor playgrounds. 

8.  The Hill--St. Louis is full of great restaurants, but this is the part of town where the REAL Italian food comes from.  You can sample a local specialty--toasted ravioli, and also have some of our famous thin-crust pizza.

9.  Ted Drewes Frozen Custard--This well-known ice cream stand is open year round, and it features all sorts of frozen custard treats.  The concretes are often named after local places and people.  In addition, it sits on Old Route 66--"the Mother Road", and there are a few pictures to peruse on the property of the good ol' days.  Be prepared to wait, as even in the winter the stand is packed.

10.  A walk along the Riverfront--We're another city on the mighty Mississippi, and there are all kinds of historic buildings downtown to look at.  Once you've perused the famous buildings (Wainright, International, etc.), then drive to the riverfront and take a look at Eads Bridge while you watch barges go by.  It's a fun way to end your stay.

The best thing about St. Louis?  It's centrally located, and many of the attractions are FREE!  Your first stop is Forest Park, where many of the places are located.  Enjoy your stay, and tell your friends to "meet me in St. Louis"!