It’s almost National Tourism Week — Part 1
May 8th, 2008, 12:50 pm · Post a Comment · posted by lgriffith
According to the Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau, May 10-18, 2008 is the 25th Anniversary of National Tourism Week. You know what that means — big week for this blog.
It just so happens I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about tourism in the area — a friend from Chicagoland who has not been to visit me since our graduation in Spring of 2006 is planning her first visit over Memorial Day weekend!
A lot of people who live here might not think of the area as having many tourist attractions or things to do – but those who travel a bit know that St. Louis and the Riverbend area have a lot to offer that is unique (i.e. a rich history, beautiful scenery along the bluffs and Mississippi River, etc.).
When people from out of town come to visit me, I take the opportunity to show them everything I can that my home has to offer. You know, make them want to come back here to visit me 
Many times, I take them across the river to St. Louis. In St. Louis, I always show off the following attractions (and more):
*St. Louis Zoo
We may take the zoo for granted, but the fact is that its one of the best zoos in the nation and it’s right here in our back yard. The animal habitats are much more similar to their natural surroundings than those cages many other zoos feature, and there’s a lot to see. The best part? It’s free. I never knew you had to pay to get into zoos until I visited Chicago and Cincinatti and was… unpleasantly surprised. This attraction is definitely worth a visit.
*Forest Park
Forest Park isn’t all about the zoo. You have the Muny (which I’ve never been to but would very much like to see), the Art Museum, Steinberg Skating Rink (which is fun for outdoor ice skating and apparently hosts sand volleyball leagues in the summer), the Boathouse and more. The last time I had a friend in from out of town, the Forest Park Balloon Race was taking place. What a sight.
*City Museum
I’ve blogged about this attraction before. It’s a place of wonderment unlike anything I’d seen before I came for the first time. Really, it reminds me a little bit of a nature, art and history museum mixed with a Discovery Zone. It’s a place where a kid can be a kid and an adult can be a kid. Just be careful if you go. It can be dangerous if you don’t watch what you’re doing.
*Laclede’s Landing
A couple of my favorite places to visit at Laclede’s Landing are the Big Bang and Morgan Street Brewery. The Big Bang is a dueling piano bar, and a great place to spend a birthday (unless you’re bashful). You can request popular songs and sing along. Believe me, it makes for a very interactive night out. Morgan Street is a great place to get locally brewed beer, and it’s right down the street from the Big Bang. Occassionally, there are block parties and other events going on at the Landing and there’s always good food and plenty of entertainment — so much so that you could spend an entire weekend there and go nowhere else.
*Busch Stadium
As a huge Cardinals fan, I had to mention this one. Cards tickets aren’t all that easy to come by, but you could buy tickets in advance or try a scalper if you know what you’re doing. You can also try the ticket window the day of the game and shoot for seats – if nothing else you might be able to get standing room only. Any way you go, a day at Busch stadium is always a good time.
*Science Center
Although a lot of the attractions here are aimed at smaller children, check out the Omnimax show or any of the travling exhibits that might have stopped into town. I was there for Body Worlds, and it was well worth the trip.
*Union Station
It’s not much of a mall, but it’s a great place to bring visitors. I’ve stopped in there with guests and gone to Hooters, Houlihan’s Restaurant and Bar and the Hard Rock Cafe. My friend Brian was memerized by what was going on at the Fudgery, where the workers put on a show while they make some great tasting fudge. There are a lot of unique little shops including Beatles for Sale, the Bud Shop and the Cardinals Clubhouse stores, and much more. The best part of the day was when we decided to feed the koi fish and go paddleboating under the fountains, all conveniently located right outside the building’s entrance. Union Station even contains a hotel, if you need a place to stay overnight.
*Westport Plaza
I haven’t been to a lot of places inside Westport Plaza, but the restaurants and attractions I have been to have been worth the drive. Pujols 5 Grill is a great restaurant that features a variety of different atmospheres and a variety of different food choices on the menu — from hamburgers to chicken to ethnic favorites of the Pujols family. (And you can catch the game if it’s on.) A great place for a laugh is the Funnybone Comedy Club. If you’re looking for something a little closer to home, you might visit the Funnybone in Fairview Heights.
*Moolah Theater and Lounge
The movie screen is HUGE and the seats are comfortable — especially if you get there early enough to grab one of the leather couches for your viewing enjoyment. If you are running a little late, the balcony seats aren’t bad either. At least no one is in your line of sight. Look out for brew and view times if you’d like to have a drink while you watch your movie.
*The Loop, Delmar
The Loop is a great collection of unique shops and restaurants and it’s not that far off I-270. My favorite places to grab a bite include Blueberry Hill (you like Chuck Berry and live music, don’t you?) and Fitz’s (where you can watch them actually make the root beer you’re about to drink) and I love stopping into stores like Rag-o-rama (one of the best places I’ve found to buy vintage T’s) and Phoenix Rising (which is just a collection of odds and ends and stationery stuff I have a thing for). Are you a music fan? You might also appreciate the variety of tunes available for purchase at Vintage Vinyl or you might want to check in early and snag tickets for a concert at the Pageant.
Sometimes, instead of crossing the river into St. Louis, I choose to stay a little closer to home. After all, Alton and its surrounding areas are not without fun places to go. Stay tuned for Part II, where I’ll cover attractions in and around the Riverbend area.
EDITOR’S NOTE: I’m sure there are a number of places that I haven’t mentioned. Also, I may choose to focus on one of these attractions more in-depth in the future.
TALK BACK: Do you have any attractions in St. Louis you’d like to suggest? What are your favorite places to visit in the area?
