Hey St. Louis – SURPRISE! You are actually a pretty fun town to visit. If you are ever in the St Louis area and wondering, “What the heck am I supposed to do in this strange city?” – you may be surprised to find that there are actually a lot of quirky things to check out.
If you are a fan of slides, rope swings and large collections of doorknobs, then this is a not-to-be missed adventure. Ride a rooftop ferris wheel and then take the 10-story sliding board down to the underground caves. Climb staircases that take you up to the pinnacle of the ceiling above a rope swing that will have you flying around in a huge circle. Check out their schedule, because they do have a bar where you can enjoy a cocktail on the rooftop as well!
The FREE St Louis Zoo is worth every penny – and much more. They have a great variety of animals that have fairly large open spaces to wander around in. Go on a cool, overcast day to increase your chances of seeing the animals out in the open and not hiding in the shade. It’s definitely worth spending several hours exploring. (Keep in mind they charge for parking, but if you’re willing to walk a little bit, just park elsewhere in the HUGE park it’s located in).
Great Forest Park Hot Air Balloon Festival
This tradition has been around for 40 years. It happens one weekend during the month of September, and it is truly a beautiful experience. On Friday night, dozens of hot air balloons set up in Forest Park as the sun is starting to set. They all light their fires simultaneously at the sound of a horn, and the glow becomes simply amazing, as the skies get darker. If that’s not enough to amuse you, there’s pretty much a carnival going on around it. Enjoy funnel cake and kettle corn with your glass of wine (or beer) before you get on a carnival ride.
Come back on Saturday for a day full of events. Then the race starts late afternoon as the huge Energizer Bunny balloon sets off in the sky. The dozens of other balloons will slowly let off one by one as they attempt to chase him down in this spectacular event.
If you are lucky enough to be in St. Louis on the 2nd Friday of the month (from May through October), be sure to plan a visit to Tower Grove Park for Food Truck Friday. Over a dozen of the city’s finest food trucks gather in one convenient location. Bring a blanket and mark your spot in the lawn, because it does get crowded. Be sure to save room for plenty of food and drinks, because this is a food event not to be missed.
The Soulard Farmers Market is more than a local tradition. It began in 1779 as a small piece of land where farmers would gather to sell and trade their goods. Over 200 years later, it is now a grand market consisting of two large buildings that span two city blocks. Spend hours admiring the local, fresh produce, meats and cheese, and find great deals on crafts and trinkets as well. It has booths and vendors open every Wednesday through Friday, but Saturday is the big market day where 100% of the stalls are open. Swing by, drink a Bloody Mary and grab some breakfast or lunch from one of the many food vendors as well!
Of course, a trip to St. Louis is not complete without a ride to the top of the Gateway Arch. Park across the street in the beautiful waterfront parking lot, walk the steep stairs and you will be in awe by the vastness of this historical structure. Take a ride to the top – the view is amazing and you will never forget the space-like compartments that you ride in. While in the area, walk around downtown. There are several museums and parks to visit. Be sure to swing by the City Garden. It has small yet beautiful landscapes – and it is full of surprisingly strange sculptures to boot.
