Things to do in St. Louis

This is one of my FAVORITE restaurants in St. Louis. It's actually on the border of Clayton and just down the street from Washington University. The menu is seasonal, so it changes all the time. They've started getting more vegetarian options than they had 4 years ago, but if you ARE vegetarian, you can also just have the chef whip something up for you that's not on the menu - I've done this before. It's fantastic. The wine list is also nice. Service is always friendly and grand, and we always leave very full and just a little bit tipsy.

This is a great place to eat in the Loop. (The Loop is also a place to look into when you come to St. Louis. There are lots of cool shops and bars, and it’s a popular hang out spot for college kids). TCC has excellent Thai cuisine, and they doubled the size of their restaurant about a year or two ago. This actually means that the service can be a bit slow (they don't seem to have added more workers when enlarging the restaurant), but at least you don't have to wait too long to sit down.

The food is cheap and yummy, and you nearly always have enough to take home and eat for another day or two. I recommend their spring rolls and dish number 40. Most dishes can come with your choice of meat or tofu, so they are very vegetarian-friendly. The Thai iced tea is also delicious. Mmm, I'm getting hungry writing about it. I'd better stop.

This is not so much a museum; it’s more like a giant playground. This is my FAVORITE place in St. Louis but also the most difficult to describe. The first time I went was with two little girls I babysat, but adventurous young adults will also have a great time. Basically, it's a giant playground on three stories made mostly of recycled materials. There are tunnels to crawl through, some of which hang from the ceiling! The lower level is made to look like a cave. There are tons of surprises! Kids will DEFINITELY have a great time, and when they drag you along with them, you'll be amazed at the tiny spaces you somehow manage to fit through. Apparently, they've now added an aquarium, but I've not been so I can't say much about it.

There's a portion of the museum outside and a circus on the upper floor, with frequent shows that the kids will enjoy. There's also a café where some parents chat and read while their kids run around; however, especially with small children, you should keep a close eye on them, as it can be a potentially dangerous place to play. The museum is open late on Friday nights, when it becomes more a place for teens and young adults to act like kids. So fun! Wear thick pants, because your knees WILL get scraped up. Just go with it.

The site of the 1904 World Fair, baby. This park is wonderful. It's reminiscent of a small-scale Central Park. I don't think I've even seen every inch of it, despite the fact I lived across the street from it. It's a wonderful place to go walking, jogging, running, rollerblading, or biking. There are tons of windy paths, so it's easy to get lost, but it's beautiful! The art museum is also in the park, as is a golf course and the great St. Louis Zoo. Plenty of events take place here throughout the year. Two I've been to are the relatively recent Annual Scottish Highland Games and the Shakespeare Festival, with a free outdoor performance in June. So great!! Check out what events might be taking place there when you come at http://www.forestparkforever.org/default.asp.