Explore St. Louis - Flight1011 to Mueller

Hi there, Coeli here–

If I were you, these are my top 10 things in the city to do/see/eat:

1.Missouri Botanical Gardens–it puts every other botanic gardens I’ve been to to shame. It’s a few hours of perusing beautiful gardens and sculpture and I spent most of my free time on the weekends here. Can’t miss.

2. The City Museum – this guy had a bulldozer and a dream and converted the International Shoe Company factory into a five-ten story playground and massive mosaic. If ‘playing’ isn’t your thing, adults walking thru there will be absolutely shocked at how beautiful and creative the space is. They even have an architectural ‘salvage’ museum on the 2nd story so you can stare famous building pieces in the face that were on the facade of many historic buildings from STL and Chicago. Kid-friendly, super adventurous kids will have more fun though. There’s nothing like it in the world.

3. Forest Park – this is the site of the 1904 World’s Fair and EVERYTHING in it is free. The Science Center, The Zoo, The Art Museum, The History Museum, etc etc, all have incredible collections and are free to the public. Do NOT miss the St. Louis Art Museum if you like art at all. It’s Coeli’s happy place, and has the largest collection of her favorite artist Max Beckmann; he travelled from Germany to teach in St. Louis during WWII and his works are incredible. The Zoo is top 10 in the country, and 100% free. Penguins, puffins, sea lions, bears etc. they have it all.

4. Blues City Deli – the best sandwich, ever. Coeli recommends the Red Bird (which is no longer on the menu, but they’ll make it for you if you ask real nice). It’s in Benton Bark neighborhood, and they have live Blues Music several times a week.

5. Favazza’s on the Hill – Coeli grew up on Marconi Street and this is the down home, Italian food delicousness that she craves the minute she leaves STL. Just go, and get some OG Italian food. If they’re busy, Cunetto’s is a similar Goodfellas vibe, and Charlie Gittos’ food is incredible.

6. 4Hands Brewing – there are a few locations now, but their Single Speed, Chocolate Milk Stout, and Rye IPA are …next level. I drove a few cases of each up to Pennsylvania when I moved and I drink it every chance I get.

7. Gioia’s Deli – Hot salami sandwiches right by the park Coeli grew up playing at (Yogi Berra park) and it’s next-level sammich goodness. Amighetti’s is still her favorite, but we’re bringin that to the wedding so you’ll get a chance to try that already. If you like salami at all, check it out.

8. If you want a dive bar, my two favorites are Rosie’s Place and Biggie’s in South City. Biggies makes their whiskey sour with a milk shake machine–need I say more?

9. For late night, Brennan’s and McGurk’s are my two favorite spots. McGurk’s does live Irish music on the weekends and Brennan’s has amazing Scotch and cigar menus–which is heaven.

10. Soulard Market with a stop at iTap- Soulard Market is the oldest operating public market west of the Mississippi and has a ton of things to eat and taste. I recommend grabbing a Cajun Bloody Mary, a cup of jambalaya, and people watching at the spice shop in the very center. After that, stop over at iTap. iTap has a giant patio and a long draft list. Both are located in the St. Louis ‘french quarter’. Did you know that STL has the second largest Mardi Gras celebration? Now you know why we eat so much etoufee in our house 😉

Notice I didn’t say the Arch? 😉 I went once as a kid, and that was enough for me. If you go, just please be careful where you park, and keep your head up. East St. Louis across the river is not a friendly place and we want you safe. If you are claustrophobic at all–skip it. It’s not going to be your jam, but walking underneath it is still cool so opt for that instead.

If you want to grab brunch and walk around, Central West End or Clayton are the best neighborhoods to do that. Central West End has more cool houses, Clayton is quieter on the weekends but has some great food.

Coffee:
La Cosecha in Maplewood is the best all around to stop and grab a cup.
Blueprint Coffee is another favorite, they have several locations, their Penrose is a staple bean to have around and they have a great pour over menu.
Sump Coffee is Coeli’s favorite, but it’s not in the best neighborhood to stroll, but grab a cup, and enjoy–it’s amazing.

Breakfast:
Highly recommend the cash-only Courtesy Diner. There are a few locations, but it’s just good, all around breakfast food.

Best Burger: Carl’s Drive-In
Best Milkshake/Burger Joint: Bailey’s Range
Best Speakeasy: The Thaxton

Kill 1-3 hours:
Grab coffee and walk Central West End to see the beautiful old mansions
Stop at Joe Boccardi’s to watch a game of Bocce
Catch a game at Rigazzi’s with a famous fishbowl cocktail on the Hill
See the jets outside the STL Science Center and walk over Hwy 40 to see the main exhibits

Kill 3-5 hours:
Forest park, start at the Art Museum and go thru the main floor galleries (original part, not the addition unless you like contemporary art), grab lunch at the cafe by the gift shop, and head to the Zoo for a quick walk around the penguins, polar bear, and hop on the train to see the rest
Go to the Botanic Gardens and snag a sandwich at their deli and then walk to the Chinese Gardens and enjoy it on a bench before walking thru the Climatron and formal gardens by the Shaw residence
Soulard Market for a bloody mary, jambalaya, and spice shopping, then enjoy pizza on the patio after your walk at iTap before walking off your food coma looking at the Second Empire architecture in the French Quarter of STL known as Soulard