St. Louis Weekend

Saint Louis, Missouri lies along the western shore of the Mississippi River with a growing skyline that includes the landmark Gateway Arch. Just a five hour drive from Chicago, Saint Louis shares many of the same features of the metropolis—unique food, avid sports fans and an easy public transportation system.

Fill up on gooey butter cake, thin-crust pizza and toasted ravioli at local bakeries and pizza places. Thanks to the Busch family, Saint Louis is also known for Busch and Budweiser beer. Families can say hello to the Budweiser Clydesdales and Bison at Grant's Farm. Those 21 and over may tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery facilities and learn about the history of prohibition and sample some brews as well. Or just grab tickets to a Cardinals game at the new Busch Stadium downtown.

The city's light rail system, MetroLink, turns 20 in 2010, its youth evident in both its cleanliness and its continual expansion. For now, the rail sprawls in two branches pointing north and south, meeting just east of the Delmar Loop, one stop along the MetroLink. Visit the Loop, rapper Nelly's stomping grounds in University City, which includes several blocks of shopping, bars and restaurants, street performers and concert venues.

The Omni Majestic Hotel is approximately 13 miles from St. Louis International Airport in downtown St. Louis. This National Register hotel features a European style with mahogany furnishings and period pieces. Hotel facilities include a fitness room, laundry room, business center, and meeting rooms. Services include the Omni Kids Program, complimentary shuttle service within the downtown area, valet parking, and concierge. In-room exercise equipment is available at the front desk. The Mahogany Grille serves American cuisine and Mahogany Lounge offers nightly happy hour specials and weekly jazz entertainment. Guestroom dining is also available. The hotel is three blocks from Busch Stadium and Edward Jones Dome. The Savvis Center is five blocks away. The Gateway Arch is eight blocks away and the Anheuser-Busch Brewery is just a short drive from the hotel.The Omni offers visitors 91 guestrooms and suites. Room features include cable television with in-room movies, coffeemaker, dual-line telephone with dataport and voicemail, fully stocked refreshment center, hairdryer, iron/ironing board, bathrobes, radio alarm clock, refrigerator (on request). Handicapped-accessible rooms and non-smoking rooms are available upon request. Get Fit Guestrooms feature a portable treadmill, Get Fit Kit, and healthy snacks in the refreshment center.

The Arch has been a popular tourist attraction since its completion in October 1965. Designed to last 1,000 years, it reaches 630 feet in height; on a clear day, you can see for about 30 miles from atop the structure. Groups of 20 or more can take a guided tour of the landmark. The tour includes a documentary film on the building of the Arch, a visit to the Museum of Westward Expansion and a trip to the Old Courthouse, which is famous for hosting the legendary Dred Scott Trial.

The exhibits at the Old Courthouse, most of which are actual models or historic items rather than mere text or photographs, date back to 1764, at which time the St. Louis region was a French fur trading port. Other exhibits come from eras ranging from colonial times on up to the 20th century. The Old Courthouse served as an actual courthouse from the mid-19th century up until 1930.

Born in the Civil War era (1879) and site of the 1904 World's Fair, this park attracts history lovers from around the world. Memories abound in this urban park, which hosts reunions and many other events year-round. Not much is sweeter than walking barefoot in the grass on the beautiful grounds, picnicking by the stream or seeing the 40-foot turtle. Browse displays, historical artifacts and art collections.

The third-largest zoo in the country, with 90 acres of space and 700 species of animals on exhibit, this place is a must-see on a family vacation to St. Louis. The zoo is open year-round with free general admission. Some areas, however, do require a small fee, including the sea lion shows, the new insectarium and the children's zoo, where kids can pet the animals. Other areas include the big cat country, the jungle of the apes, the primate house, the river's edge (an elephant exhibit) and feeding areas for bears and sea lions.

Romanesque architecture is what you will first see when you arrive at the seat of the Catholic archdiocese in St. Louis, but it is the interior- with its Byzantine styling and a mosaic collection that is said to be the world's largest- that is truly inspiring. More than 41,000,000 pieces of glass tesserae illustrate numerous religious stories. The life story of French king St. Louis IX, the city's namesake, is life story told in mosaic on the walls of the portico. Choir concerts are scheduled throughout the year and choral programs and organ recitals are presented most Sunday afternoons.

The St. Louis Art Museum has the largest collection of artwork on display in the city, with three floors featuring a variety of styles of artwork from all over the world. The first floor has artwork from all of the continents. The second has more traditional artwork such as paintings, Christian art, sculptures and special exhibits. The third floor has abstract and contemporary art. There are only a few works by the more famous artists, but the collection is so vast that art lovers are bound to see something they will like.

The St. Louis Science Center uses videos, computers and learning exercises to teach visitors about the wonders of science. Exhibit themes include outer space, stars, planets, the human body, animals, dinosaurs, gravity, weather, air currents, the earth and architecture. There are occasional science demonstrations, and the discovery room allows guests a place to take part in some hands-on learning. An Omnimax theater with a three-story movie screen shows educational films. Parking is available.

What do horses, dogs and beer have in common? Find out while touring the grounds, brewery and stables here, and while sampling the beer in the hospitality room. Since its creation in 1855, the brewery has developed into a major landmark and is home to the famous Budweiser Clydesdales. Daily tours leave about every 15 minutes. A souvenir shop offers a wide range of apparel and other items adorned with the Anheuser-Busch logo. This is a popular attraction but it is not overcrowded. Best of all, parking and tours are free.

Locals and visitors gather in crowds to shop, dine and have fun in The Loop, a six-block area in the center of St. Louis filled with dozens of businesses. This historic landmark in the university area is convenient to Lambert International Airport, Forest Park, MetroLink, the Washington University and more. Parking space is plentiful for those planning on shopping or staying in the area awhile. Shop at places like Tantrum and Faru Gallery, dine at Blueberry Hill or the Melting Pot, or take in a movie at the Tivoli Theater.

A garden lover's paradise, Missouri Botanical Garden, a 79-acre collection of gardens has something for everyone, including a fragrance garden for the visually impaired. The Kemper Center has more than 20 gardens set to various themes, including the Japanese Garden and Chinese Garden, which offer a tranquil getaway from the urban hustle and bustle. A tropical rain forest also grows in this Midwestern city in an indoor garden spot, the Climatron, a glass geodesic dome through which you can stroll even when there is snow outside.