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The Free St. Louis

An April 2003 trip to St. Louis by karlag

There are a lot of free and inexpensive activities in St. Louis.

  • 6 reviews
  • 1 story/tip

The Free St. LouisBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Grant's Farm and the St. Louis Zoo are must-do activities for animal lovers visiting St. Louis. Also, the Budweiser Brewery tour is free for adults, and it ends with two free Budweiser products for all visitors.

Quick Tips:

Ask your hotel for the free activities map or check out the St. Louis Bureau of Tourism's website for a listing of free and inexpensive activities.

Best Way To Get Around:

If you stay near downtown, walking is the best (and least expensive) way to get around. Laclede's Landing (nightlife) is within walking distance from Bush Stadium and the Arch. Union Station is just 16 blocks away as well. There are buses that are reasonably priced as well. Have exact change! Taxis can be pricey, but if you are a romantic at heart, take the handsome horse-drawn carriage around Laclede's Landing.

Drury Inn and Suites Convention CenterBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Drury Inn at Union Station"

The accommodations were clean and the staff was very friendly. The pool is nice and it has a whirlpool as well. There are always fresh towels available at the pool, and the best part is that you are directly across from Union Station, where you can shop or dine. Probably the best part of the hotel is the restaurant in the hotel, Lombardo's Trattoria. It is an authentic Italian restaurant with world class food and service. The hotel is very family friendly and not far from the active downtown area (approximately 16 blocks).
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by karlag on August 20, 2003

Drury Inn and Suites Convention Center
711 North Broadway St. Louis, Missouri 63101
(314) 231-8100

Lombardo's TrattoriaBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Whenever possible, we eat at Lombardo's Trattoria. It is located on the lower level of the Drury Inn Union Station. The food is outstanding and the service is five-star. Make sure you try the Tiramasu! Each one is individually made fresh daily, not in a big "vat".

If it is a holiday, weekend or special occasion, reservations are recommended, if not required. During the week, the dress is more casual, however the service and quality of food never suffers! The setting is dark so it is very romantic. Our first experience with this restaurant was on Valentine's Day, and it was the perfect place.

  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by karlag on August 20, 2003

Lombardo's Trattoria
201 South 20th St St. Louis, Missouri 63103
+1 314 621 0666

Grant's FarmBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Grant's Farm has free admission. There is a $5 fee per vehicle to park, so load up the van and head over! The tour guides on the tram through the animal preserve to the main area are wonderful and full of interesting facts about both the part and the Bush family, founders of Budweiser beer.

After you get to the main area there is a small zoo with a petting area where the kids can feed baby goats bottles of milk. The animals all appear to be healthy. The park is small, so it doesn't wear you out like the St. Louis Zoo. We try to get over here every time we are in St. Louis.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by karlag on August 20, 2003

Grant's Farm
10501 Gravois Road St. Louis, Missouri 63123
(314) 843 1700

St. Louis ZooBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The St. Louis Zoo is located in Forest Park. There are many free or inexpensive activities to do in the park. The park is kept relatively free of trash and the grounds are kept very neat. The zoo is a bustle of different activities and animals from start to finish. It is a very large zoo, so bring your walking shoes and strollers for smaller children.

The primate exhibit is our favorite exhibit. All the primates are active, healthy looking, and full of funny little tricks. You can spend an entire day here if you choose. The gift shop has lots of reasonably priced merchandise as well so that you can take home a souvenir of your day.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by karlag on August 20, 2003

St. Louis Zoo
1 Government Drive St. Louis, Missouri 63110
(314) 781-0900

Anheuser-Busch BreweryBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Budweiser Brewery"

Tours run every half hour while the brewery is open, and start in front of the gift shop. You get a good history of the Augustus Bush family. Then you are taken through the brewery, getting information on how the beer is manufactured. The tour guide is informative and can answer about any question about Budweiser products asked. And then after the tour is over, you are treated to pretzels and two glasses of any Budweiser product available. We have plans to do it again in the future, it was so much fun.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by karlag on August 20, 2003

Anheuser-Busch Brewery
13th St and Lynch St St. Louis, Missouri 63118
+1 314 577 2333; +1

Free ActivitiesBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Make sure you ask your hotel clerk for the free activities map. The St. Louis Bureau of Tourism creates this and it is a real budget help! You can stay in one of the Midwest's premier cities and still not drain your wallet.

About the Writer

karlag
karlag
Normal, Illinois

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