Constant Reader discussion

I've been doing some thinking about possible activities while we're in St. Louis. In addition to the Art Museum, Arch and Zoo, we could take in a free tour of Anheuser Busch brewery or a smaller local brewery. I've also been in contact with a representative of the 1904 World's Fair Society. They have a speaker's bureau and could provide a 45 - 60 minute presentation on the subject if we're interested. The hotel is located near Forest Park, the site of the world's fair and we will probably see buildings that have connections to the fair.

So is there interest in either the brewery tours or the World's Fair speaker?

The Botanic Gardens are lovely as well

I agree, Sheila! If you think of any other suggestions from your time here, please let us know. I lived in St. Louis from 1987 to 1991, but haven't spent much time here in the last few years.

Sheila's right about the botanic gardens. We can see them on our own if others aren't interested.

We are always up for a brewery tour!

Lynn, I haven't been back since I left in the late 1990s but I am still in contact with a friend who now lives back there. If there is anything specific I could ask her or ping me on facebook and I could try and connect the two of you directly if that would be a help

Don't miss the museum at the foot of the Gateway arch or the experience of going to the top

Thanks, Sheila. I'll let you know if I have questions for your friend. I'm planning a stop at the arch because I'm a big fan of the museum at the bottom. I've already made the trip to the top quite a few times, but will probably do it again if others are going up. It's definitely a unique experience!

I've seen the arch, but never gone up. It sounds like it would be fun.

Oh Ann do go up, getting up is an experience in itself and I won't say more and the view from the top is worth it. As Lynn says the museum at the base is a good one too. When I was there they had a exhibit of the Lewis and Clark trail - which for a European was very informative . All in all a memorable day.

When we saw the arch before, we were accompanied by our 6 month old son, who was having a very hard time with the 15 hour drive to Kentucky.

This time, we would definitely like to go to the top.

I'm definitely up for the botanic gardens--they keep getting recommended to me. Any interest in visiting The Hill--the Little Italy of St. Louis? Maybe a meal there, Lynn? I'm also up for the Arch.

Yes, a trip to STL isn't complete without dinner on the Hill. I'm definitely planning on that - just haven't decided which restaurant yet!

It sounds like there's enough interest in the botanic gardens to include them on the agenda too. That's fine with me, since my undergrad degree is in horticulture. I really enjoyed the trip we made to the botanical center in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, I don't think I have connections in St. Louis to get a behind-the-scenes tour like MAP did :)

Lynn, I asked my friend in St L if she knew anyone directly re tours at the Botanical Gardens. Unfortunately not, but she recomended http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.or...

Thanks, Sheila! I had no idea they offered all those private tours.

I would like to tour the fairgrounds, since the house I grew up in was built for the workers constructing the Columbian Exposition in 1893. I should have said so earlier!

Does one have to walk up the arch a la The Statue of Liberty? Because my knees are already threatening to go on strike (they are about 120 years old now).

The fairgrounds don't exist as such any more (it's a big park now), but many of the places we're going, including the Art Museum and the zoo, are on the grounds where it was held. In fact, I think the Art Museum might be the only building that was constructed to be permanent at the time of the fair.

No, you don't walk to the top of the arch (my knees wouldn't take it either!) - there's a tram/elevator inside of each leg. It's not for the claustrophobic, though. The cars are like little eggs with 5 seats (2 on each side and one facing the door). I think it's about a 2 minute ride each way. Here's a link to more info and some pictures: http://www.gatewayarch.com/experience....

Lynn wrote: "The fairgrounds don't exist as such any more (it's a big park now), but many of the places we're going, including the Art Museum and the zoo, are on the grounds where it was held. In fact, I think..."

well, yeah, there's only the Museum of Science & Industry left of the actual fairgrounds here. But it would be interesting.

I'm a bit claustrophobic, but 2 minutes is endurable. Sounds like a plan!