The List St. Louis, MO
The top 10 must-dos in St. Louis, MO
The Fabulous Fox Theatre
© DAN DONOVAN
1 The Fabulous Fox Theatre
This 5,000-seat movie-viewing palace has been restored to its original 1929 grandeur. It boasts an astounding menagerie of decora tive sculptures: elephants, lions, rajahs armed with scimitars and a show-stopping 5,280-pound spherical chandelier jockey for your attention in a Rococo explo sion of gilt and marble. Reserve a spot for a 90-minute tour or enjoy one of several touring shows. 527 N Grand Blvd; 314-657-5068; fabulousfox.com
2 The Great Forest Park Balloon Race
It's a bird, it's a plane…well, no, it's the Energizer Bunny. And 70 bright hot air balloons bob after it over the titular green space in this huge, family-friendly event. The night before the race, the ballooners greet guests and inflate their balloons, lit only by the flame of their burners in the dark, and there's a huge fireworks display. Sept. 16-18; At Central Field in Forest Park 5595 Grand Dr; greatforestparkballoonrace.com
3 Cherokee Street
A cluster of antique shops, authentic Mexican restaurants and a recent influx of galleries and funky boutiques make this one of the city’s most enjoyable walking districts. Check out Apop Records for analog music and Firecracker Press, where posters roll off old-fashioned letterpress printers. Cherokee St between S Grand Blvd and S Broadway; cherokeestreetnews.org
4 Ted Drewes
A signature St. Louis experience is enjoying a cool, ultra thick frozen-custard called “concrete” at this South City ice-cream stand on a lazy summer night. Consider the “Crater Copernicus” — devil's food cake flavor topped with custard, hot fudge and whipped cream. 6726 Chippewa St; 314-481-2652; teddrewes.com
5 The Moonrise Rooftop Terrace Bar
After a Loop district shopping spree, kick back with a drink at this bar on the roof of the boutique Moonrise Hotel, just below a 3,000-plus-pound rotating moon. Sip on a kaffir cooler (lime-infused vodka and champagne) as you look out over the city. 6177 Delmar Blvd; 314-721-1111; moonrisehotel.com
6 St. Louis Art Fair
This huge market offers one-of-a-kind jewelry, kinetic art, paintings, artsy glassware, photography and robot sculptures, to name a few. Stop by the "Pleasures of the Palate" section of the fair to taste gourmet treats from some of STL’s best restaurants. Sept. 9-11. Central and Forsyth aves; 314-863-0278; culturalfestivals.com
7 The Block
The butcher’s counter at this eatery says it all — the savory dishes here are made from the freshest cuts. Chow down on the Potted Pig pork confit, served with chutney, veggies pickled on-site and country bread, or try a pork chop with sweet-mustard sauce over hash and apple slaw. 146 W Lockwood Ave; 314-534-1678; theblockrestaurant.com
8 Citygarden
This 3-acre plaza is lined with fountains, greenery and two dozen massive sculp tures by art-world giants like George Rickey and Julian Opie. Bring swimsuits for the kids, so they can run wild through the water playground. Once they’re dry, chill out in the acclaimed Terrace View café. Ninth and Market sts; 314-802-9571; citygardenstl.org
9 Skif International
Among the unusual finds at this daring, artist-run boutique and wholesaler is a sweater that can be worn “right side-up or upside-down.” You may recognize Skif’s signature asymmetrical, earth-toned urban garb from The Matrix films. 2008 Marconi Ave; 314 773-4401; skifo.com
10 City Museum
With its Enchanted Caves, indoor tree houses, 10-story spiral slide, life-size bowhead whale sculpture, shoelace factory, vintage pinball machines and MonstroCity playground, this architectural marvel promises to keep the whole family entertained. 701 N 15th St; 314-231 2489; citymuseum.org
Reader Comments
- There are no comments posted yet. Be the first one!
