St. Louis, MO

Gateway Arch
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1965, at 630 feet tall by 630 feet wide, it is the nation's tallest man-made monument; ride the Journey to the Top tram from its base to its highest point; on its south leg visit the "When Riverboats Ruled" exhibit to get a brief sense of boating lifestyles along the river in the 1800s; African-Americans played significant roles in the founding of the American West and Black settlers were among those killed defending St. Louis from the British in the Revolutionary War Battle of Fort San Carlos – a battle which took place on what is now the Gateway Arch grounds; the arch is a monument to all those who made the westward journey and helped create a nation from coast-to-coast

ADMISSION: Adults: $10, Ages 3-15 $5

DAYS & HOURS: Winter 9:20a-5:10p, Summer 8:20a-9:10p

ADDRESS: Gateway Arch at the Riverfront  MAP

TRANSIT: Metrolink Arch-Lacledes Landing stop
PARKING: $4 parking in St. Louis Public garage

PHONE: 877-982-1410

WEBSITE: http://www.gatewayarch.com

LaCledes Landing
DESCRIPTION: One of the most historic parts of the city, now a collection of pubs and restaurants; you can also catch a romantic horse buggy ride from the Arch to here and back; the clubs often stay open late; if you like the feel of sports bars, you’ll love it, otherwise can seem rowdy after football and baseball games

ADMISSION: free

DAYS & HOURS: daily

ADDRESS: Lacledes Landing  MAP

TRANSIT: Metrolink Arch-Lacledes Landing stop
PARKING: $6 parking in St. Louis Public garage

PHONE: 314-241-5875 merchants association

WEBSITE: http://www.lacledeslanding.org

Eads Bridge
DESCRIPTION: Walk or bike across the Mississippi River on this All-pedestrian bridge; take in magnificent views of the mighty river, the Arch and Downtown skyline; US Route 66 State Park begins here and features miles of hiking, bicycling, horseback riding trails and Route 66 exhibits

ADDRESS: eads Bridge  MAP

PHONE: 314- 937-3697

Lewis & Clark Monument
DESCRIPTION: After 2 years, 4 months and 9 days exploring the wild west on 23 September 1806, the Lewis & Clark Expedition, which included the slave-guide York, ended on the St. Louis riverfront after a journey along the Missouri River to a passage in the Rocky Mountains on path to the Columbia River and the Pacific Coast; they returned by roughly the same route

ADDRESS: St. Louis side of Eads Bridge  MAP

Lumiere Place
DESCRIPTION: This $507 million, two hotel-casino complex is a stunner; taking a page from St. Louis’ French heritage, Lumiere means “light” in French, and the 24-story luxury hotel tower has instantly became an illuminating new icon on the skyline; the all-suite hotels total nearly 500 rooms; $7 million of original art graces the walls and it has a 10,000-square-foot spa; its 75,000-square-foot casino is abuzz with gaming tables, machines and a dedicated poker room; one expects to see several casual restaurants and fine dining restaurants with a celebrity chef - no surprises there, but a pleasant surprise is the 4-story waterfall

ADMISSION: free

DAYS & HOURS: 24/7

ADDRESS: 999 North 2nd Street  MAP

TRANSIT: Metrolink Arch-Lacledes Landing stop is 2 blocks away
PARKING: Lumière Place Parking Garage includes Valet parking

PHONE: 314-450-5000

WEBSITE: http://www.lumiereplace.com

 

President Casino
DESCRIPTION: Dockside casino with slots, blackjack, craps, roulette, live poker, and a Wheel of Fortune; the President’s Buffet is arguably the best among casinos in the area, with excellent prices; Presidents BUffet is close to the gaming areas too

ADMISSION: free

DAYS & HOURS: 24/7

ADDRESS: 1000 North Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd  MAP

TRANSIT: Metrolink Arch-Lacledes Landing stop is 2 blocks away
PARKING: Parking lots on dockside and the Riverfront Garage; casino patrons receive parking validation

PHONE: 314-622-3000 or 800-772-3647

WEBSITE: http://www.presidentcasino.com/stlouis

Union Station
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1894 and once the world's busiest train station; the Jet Age and freeways slowly triggered its demise as a train terminal by 1978; fortunately, the grand Victorian architecture of the station lives on, morphing into its current popular role as home to more than 100 stores, restaurants and nightclubs and an indoor lake; many of these establishments are unique to St. Louis, so it’s a great destination to sample the local ‘flava; most establishments stay open late, especially after sporting events and concerts downtown, which is most of the time; 22 exhibits mounted on railings throughout the station gradually explain how it became a National Historic Landmark decorated – makes for a nice self-guided tour

ADMISSION: free

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 10a-9p, Sun 10a-6p

ADDRESS: 1820 Market Street  MAP

TRANSIT: at Metrolink Union Station
PARKING: Garage and lots on premises

PHONE: 314-421-6655

WEBSITE: http://www.stlouisunionstation.com

Grand Center District
DESCRIPTION: Where art marries life; home to 30 performing arts organizations and major live performing art venues; anyplace that attracts patrons of the arts also attracts restaurants and nightclubs, Grand Center fits the profile in abundance; come and replenish the spirits; the focal point is across the street from the Fox Theatre

ADMISSION: free

DAYS & HOURS: daily and nightly

ADDRESS: 400-800 North Grand Blvd  MAP

TRANSIT: at Metrolink Union Station
PARKING: Garage and lots on premises

PHONE: 314-533-1884

WEBSITE: http://www.grandcenter.org

 

Lemp Mansion Dinner Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Built in the 1860s, this large historic mansion was owned by a former Beer baron, John Adam Lemp; it now serves as a dinner theatre, restaurant and inn; the dinner theatre attracts patrons to schedule of murder-mystery plays; they also host Sunday Family Style dining; a large gazebo is in the back

ADMISSION: $49 per person, includes dinner and a glass of wine

DAYS & HOURS: check their website calendar for dinner theatre schedule

ADDRESS: 3322 DeMenil Place  MAP

TRANSIT: bus only
PARKING: on premises

PHONE: 314-664-8024

WEBSITE: http://www.lempmansion.com

Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour
DESCRIPTION: Take a Complimentary tour with a small sample of beer at the end; in case you were wondering - no standing in line twice in the same day; the Beermaster Tour is a unique opportunity to experience a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing of Budweiser. The Beermaster Tour includes a visit to the historic Brew House, Lager Cellars, Bevo Packaging Facility, Finishing Cellars, including a sample directly from a Finishing Tank, and the Budweiser Clydesdale Stable and Tack Room. To commemorate your experience, a variety of gifts are provided for each guest.the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, known for their size, strength and precision, can also be seen in their stables; the tour contains a considerable amount of walking indoor and outdoor

ADMISSION: Free walk-in Complimentary Tour; Brewmaster Tour $25 Age 21+ and must be schduled in advance

DAYS & HOURS: Mon- Sat 9a-5p, Sun 11:30a-5p

ADDRESS: 12th Street at Lynch Street  MAP
TRANSIT: none

PARKING: Free on premises

PHONE: 314-577-2626

WEBSITE: http://www.budweisertours.com

University City, MO

Loop District
DESCRIPTION: An exciting 6-block collection of of more than 120 boutiques, eclectic restaurants and live entertainment; includes the St. Louis Walk of Fame, Tivoli Theatre and Pageant Concert Nightclub; although most of the district is in University City, it overlaps into the western edge of St. Louis

ADMISSION: Free

DAYS & HOURS: daily and nightly

ADDRESS: 6100-6600 Delmar Blvd  MAP

TRANSIT: Metrolink Skinker station 6 blocks away
PARKING: Garage and nearby lots

PHONE: varies by establishment

WEBSITE: http://ucityloop.com/map.htm

St. Louis Walk Of Fame
DESCRIPTION: Similar to the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, this start-studded sidewalk in front of the Tivoli Theatre features the biographies of St Louis’ current and former famous residents; celebrities having stars include Maya Angelou, Josephine Baker, Negro League baseball star James “Cool Papa” Bell, Chuck Berry, Vincent Price, John Goodman Grace Bumbry, Miles Davis, Katherine Dunham and Tina Turner

ADMISSION: Free

DAYS & HOURS: daily and nightly

ADDRESS: 6350 Delmar Blvd

TRANSIT: Metrolink Skinker station 6 blocks away  MAP
PARKING: Garage and nearby lots

PHONE: 314-725-4466

WEBSITE: http://www.stlouiswalkoffame.org

East St. Louis, IL

Casino Queen
DESCRIPTION: Bills itself as home of the loosest slots in the Midwest; 11 riverboat cruises depart daily from 9a -7a; features three dining restaurants and one buffet restaurant on board, plus overnight baseball game packages

ADMISSION: Free

DAYS & HOURS: 24/7

ADDRESS: 200 South Front Street facing St. Louis skyline  MAP

TRANSIT: 24-hour security Shuttle service from/to Casino Queen to Metrolink East Riverfront station 1 block away
PARKING: Free on premises; RVs pay $30-$37 for overnight

PHONE: 618-874-5000 or 800-777-0777

WEBSITE: http://www.casinoqueen.com

 

Lemay, MO

 

River City Casino

DESCRIPTION: located 56 acres, the gaming floor will include more than 2,000 slot machines and more than 50 table games; dining options include a 300-seat steakhouse; a buffet with seating for more than 350; a 100-seat tavern; a 100-seat contemporary café, and a classic burger jointperhaps the best part is that it provides Environmental clean-up of long-abandoned former National Lead site

DAYS & HOURS: Coming 2010

ADDRESS: Bounded by Broadway, River des Peres, Mississippi River and Hoffmeister Ave  MAP

Maryland Heights, MO

Harrah's St. Louis Casino & Hotel
DESCRIPTION: Two elaborate casinos, featuring Island and Mardi Gras themes; dining options are the Range Steakhouse, Voodoo Café, Moby's Fish Tales, , Lucky Noodle Bar and Jesters Deli; Missouri gaming regulations limit all patrons to a $500 buy-in per gaming session every two hours. For this reason, all visitors must present a valid Total Rewards card and be at least 21 years of age for admission to the casinos

ADMISSION: Free
DAYS & HOURS: 24/7

ADDRESS: 777 Casino Center Drive  MAP

PHONE: 314-770-8100 or 800-HARRAHS

PARKING: Free on premises

WEBSITE: http://www.harrahs.com

St. Charles, MO

Ameristar Casino St. Charles
DESCRIPTION: Slots, video poker, craps, blackjack, roulette, live poker, video keno and dining; dining options include: 47 Port Street, Amerisports Bar with a really giant screen, King Cat Club, Bottleneck Blues Bar, Falcon Diner, and Landmark Buffet and Pearl Oyster Bar

ADMISSION: Free
DAYS & HOURS: 24/7

WEBSITE: One Ameristar Blvd  MAP

PARKING: Free on premises

PHONE: 636-940-4300 or 800-325-7777

WEBSITE: http://www.ameristar.com/stcharles