St. Louis Honeymoon

Maggieaha · April 2011

Hey St. Louis peeps,

My fiance and I are planning a honeymoon and are considering St. Louis. Are there any local hotels, attractions you all think are worth seeing in St. Louis? We have a budget of $800 and may be going over the 4th of July. Where are the best fireworks? Any suggestions would be great! Thanks!

P.S. We're not sports fans, but we like museums, music, good food, and adventure.

RaeRae1126 · April 2011

St. Louis has PLENTY of stuff to see and do...and it doesnt have to be expensive. Lots of the local attractions are free, like the St. Louis Zoo, the Science Center and the Art Museum/HIstory Museum. All of these places are in Forest Park, so staying somewhere around the park would be good..just get online to scout hotels. Staying downtown would be a little more expensive but doesnt have to break the bank. Of course there's the Arch (which has great fireworks/4th of July fair/music festivals, although its really crowded). Many of the communiities surrounding the city of StL have great fireworks, like St. Charles and Chesterfield. If you guys like beer, we have a handful of breweries that you can tour and taste. Tons of food all over the city. Its hard to narrow things down, just if you'd like more info just let me know!

maryandkirk0909 · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_missouri-st-louis_st-louis-honeymoon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:87Discussion:364a9af5-2965-4781-a056-49a4861eef63Post:2df8195f-0531-4d70-ad81-beb03fc84945">St. Louis Honeymoon</a>:
[QUOTE]Hey St. Louis peeps, My fiance and I are planning a honeymoon and are considering St. Louis. Are there any local hotels, attractions you all think are worth seeing in St. Louis? We have a budget of $800 and may be going over the 4th of July. Where are the best fireworks? Any suggestions would be great! Thanks! P.S. We're not sports fans, but we like museums, music, good food, and adventure.
Posted by Maggieaha[/QUOTE]

<div>During the summer there is always Live on the Levy, which is free, live music on the riverfront. It is apparently called "Celebrate St. Louis" this year and you can find the 4th of July weekend line up here: <a href="http://celebratestlouis.org/">http://celebratestlouis.org/</a></div><div>
</div><div>However, 4th of July is going to be insanely crowded, and more expensive than it has to be. There's a lot going on, but also a lot of expense and patience involved.</div><div>
</div><div>I'd recommend Pricelining your hotel and staying downtown. You can get decent rates- we got suites for our wedding with a deal for $109 within walking distance of metro stations, convention centers, good food, etc. If you're driving in, I'd also make sure parking is included, because many places it is a separate expense downtown.</div><div>
</div><div>Forrest Park is your go to for museums. (Art, Zoo, History) But, I'd also check out the City Museum during an evening so you don't have to pay (expensive) admission and I think there's a 2 ish drink minimum. It is fun to go look around, but less fun when you're dodging other people's kids. This eliminates both the excessive expense and the dodging.</div><div>
</div><div>For restaurants, what kind of food do you like? I have many suggestions depending on where you stay/ what you like. My must gos: Italian - Cunetto's on The Hill, not too expensive, but really good food, and tons of food. Then, for downtown restaurants, Anthony's for Happy Hour (not Tony's- that'll be your entire budget, but cocktails at the partner bar will be $10ish each), and Lucas Park Grille (sustainable, seasonal food, to die for service). </div>

Maggieaha · April 2011

Thanks so much! Those will be really helpful tips! My fiance and I like all kinds of food, except BBQ. I love Italian, we both enjoy Asian/Indian/Greek. If the burgers are good, we like those too. We also love ice cream.

Is the arch tour worth going on?

leighinstl · April 2011

For 4th of July, Downtown is crowded, but its also a lot of fun. They do have great fireworks. It would be well worth spending a day there. They have a huge fair and free live music. Also, Webster Groves (a not very far out suburb) also has great fireworks.

There are also a ton of wineries about 45 minutes from downtown St. Louis. They make a fun day trip.

Also, I highly recommend visiting the Missouri Botanical Garden. It's one of the top 3 botanical gardens in the world. Admission is only $8 per person for out of towners. Also, as someone else said, the Zoo is one of the best in the country and admission is free. The Science Center, Art Museum and Missouri History Museum also have free admission.

The City Museum is a really cool place to visit. Tons of fun for grown-ups and kids. http://www.citymuseum.org/home.asp

As for food, we have a great foodie community for the size town we are. There are tons of great restaurants in a variety of price ranges. You absolutely have to eat on The Hill. It's St. Louis' Italian neighborhood and it has some of the best Italian restaurants. Here are a few of my favorite restaurants throughout the city:

The Shaved Duck http://www.shavedduck.com/ (Awesome barbeque!)
Franco http://eatatfranco.com/
Ricardo's http://ricardositaliancafe.com/ (Not on The Hill, but great Italian food at good prices.)
Chocolate Bar http://www.baileyschocolatebar.com/ (They only do desserts and cocktails, but its so worth it.)
Blueberry Hill http://www.blueberryhill.com/ (You have to go to this place. Amazing burgers! They also host concerts in the "Duck Room." Chuck Berry plays here once a month.)
Guido's Pizza & Tapas http://www.guidosstl.com/ (This one's on the Hill. The owner is Italian and the wife Spanish. Great menu.)
Chava's http://www.chavasmexican.com/

Also, St. Louis has some great historic neighborhoods to stroll through and visit.

http://www.explorestlouis.com/visitors/lafayetteSquare.asp
http://www.explorestlouis.com/visitors/soulard.asp
http://www.explorestlouis.com/visitors/theHill.asp
http://www.explorestlouis.com/visitors/centralWestEnd.asp
http://www.explorestlouis.com/visitors/theLoop.asp

Good luck! I hope this helps. I'm sure you guys will have a wonderful time no matter where you go.

leighinstl · April 2011

Oh, also you have to go to Ted Drewes. It's amazing frozen custard. It's a St. Louis institution.

ashleyeg · April 2011

I recomend the Zoo. Its "free" but parking is 12 dollars and I do suggest it because cars DO get broke into in forest park not to scare you away.

The botanical garden is very pretty too.

St charles has a big fair the 4th of july weekend. Good fireworks and lots of crafts and stuff to do plus its right in front of the river too. I dunno if winerys do fireworks but Innsbrook does a good show. They are a private community in the country about an hour west of STL in warren Co. Im from there so I could always see their fireworks outside my moms house. they dont do theirs on the 4th though. usually a sat before or after it so you could see 2 nice displays

Never been on the arch tour but I did just finally get to go up in it. Actually I got engaged at the top of it

my first time ever going up in it.

maryandkirk0909 · April 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_missouri-st-louis_st-louis-honeymoon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:87Discussion:364a9af5-2965-4781-a056-49a4861eef63Post:e3a2881f-e423-46f5-a5d2-857679e2f1a9">Re: St. Louis Honeymoon</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks so much! Those will be really helpful tips! My fiance and I like all kinds of food, except BBQ. I love Italian, we both enjoy Asian/Indian/Greek. If the burgers are good, we like those too. We also love ice cream. Is the arch tour worth going on?
Posted by Maggieaha[/QUOTE]

<div>Asian Food- The King and I is Thai/ Chinese fusion in South City and it is seriously amazing. So good. </div><div>
</div><div>Greek food in the StL is lacking, but the Indian place my parents go to is called Saffron, it is off of Manchester Rd in Town and Country (about a 30 min drive from downtown). </div><div>
</div><div>You should DEFINITELY go to the Arch and Ted Drewes. The Arch grounds and tours have very limited hours due to the fair also occurring in the same location over 4th of July, so if that is your priority, then I'd pick a different weekend.</div>

leighinstl · April 2011

Actually, we do have some good Greek food. I love Greek food. Here are some good ones.

Michael's Bar & Grill http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/28/321527/restaurant/St-Louis/Maplewood/Michaels-Bar-Grill-St-Louis

Olympia Kebob House & Taverna http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/28/321684/restaurant/St-Louis/Dogtown/Olympia-Kebob-House-Taverna-St-Louis

Maggieaha · April 2011

You guys are amazing!!! This is really helpful.

We've never spent extended time in St. Louis, but now I'm really excited to go there! We're more seriously considering it after all of your help!

ashleyeg · April 2011

I second the king and I for good asian food. also pho grand and mekong which are both on south grand blocks away from each other. all 3 are great.

cincyjessie · April 2011

You can do a lot for your honeymoon in St. Louis. I’m originally from Cincinnati, but moved to St. Louis 4 years ago to graduate school and half the fun of being here as been finding all the cool things to do around town. Um, and since I’m a broke social worker, I know how to do it all on the cheap side : ) Here are some tips I’ve picked up by trying to plan romantic, but affordable dates with my FI.

Attractions:

Botanical Gardens- pp mentioned this- and it should be a must on your visit. And I say a must because it’s beautiful and every person I’ve ever taken there has loved it. Go Saturday morning, before noon and use a STL zip code (63108 or 63112) and your admission is free. There’s a great little donut shop on the corner of DeTonty and Shaw by the Gardens that has the yummy donuts for a cheap breakfast.

Annheuser-Bush Tour- it’s free, takes about an hour to complete and it’s neat. I’m not into beer, but even I was entertained by the Clydesdales and the trolley ride.

The Arch- it can be fun, and in the summer it is open until 9pm, so you can see the City lit up. You could also do a sight-seeing or dinner cruise on the river.

Soulard Market- it’s a farmers market, but they have all kinds of vendors in the summer.

Forest Park: There’s a lot to do in the Park, and just remember the museums close by 4:30 or 5pm. The Art Museum is open until 9pm on Fridays and always have something cool going on Friday evenings. I live very close to Forest Park and I’ve never had any issues with my car being broken into or being harassed in the Park.

The Muny (the outdoor theatre within Forest Park)- check the schedule, you might be able to catch a show while you’re in town, and the tickets aren’t that expensive.

The St. Louis Symphony- is one of the top 15 in the country. They have student ticket prices or rush tickets available that are pretty affordable.

Cathederal Basilica is really neat to look around and it’s free.

Food:

Bailey’s Chocolate Bar- its specialty is chocolate based drinks, but it also has food and desserts. Usually a little wait time, especially on a weekend night. It’s mid-priced, and the atmosphere is very romantic.

Ethnic Food- Anywhere on S. Grand is usually pretty good, from Ethiopian to Persian to Afghani.

Pi Pizza (it’s rumored that when Obama visited STL he liked it so much that he had it flown into to the White House). There are several different locations in the City. Pizzas cost about $17-22

Acero- It’s amazing! It’s a bit pricy, but they usually have a 4 course price-fixed meal for $25pp. It is the best Italian I’ve ever had.

Local Harvest- this is located close to Tower Grove Park and it’s an eclectic café that serves local food. It’s a nice breakfast/brunch/lunch place. Less than $10 pp.

Chase Park Plaza- Café Eau and Eau Bistro, are more upscale, but it’s a nice experience.

I know that’s a lot of info! I’d also suggest looking at groupon to see what kind of offers they have for local dining and attractions.

I hope you have a great honeymoon!

gwencortopassi · April 2011

For our "minimoon," we stayed at the Moonrise Hotel on Delmar in the Loop. Kitschy and fun, great restaurant and rooftop bar, and they frequently offer deals with the Pageant so you could see a concert and then walk back to your hotel for cocktails on the roof or champagne for two in the giant soaking tub

jyoung888 · April 2011

We are also thinking St. Louis.

But while there we will go to Six Flags

LOL We are big kids!

kac12170 · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_missouri-st-louis_st-louis-honeymoon?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:87Discussion:364a9af5-2965-4781-a056-49a4861eef63Post:e3a2881f-e423-46f5-a5d2-857679e2f1a9">Re: St. Louis Honeymoon</a>:
[QUOTE]T Is the arch tour worth going on?
Posted by Maggieaha[/QUOTE]

<div>Personally, I don't like it actually going up in the arch. It's nice to visit, but the tiny little tube elevators are not my cup of tea.</div>

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