Spots Worth Paying For
Help our economy, at least a little.
Even when you pay, you often won't pay much. (Check Deals for help there.) Here are some more favorite places to explore.
- The Gateway Arch
- If you live here and you see it, then you automatically say it...
"There's the Arch!" The place every visitor visits, and every local
visits when
their out of town friends are in. It is definitely worth the ride to the
top in those tight little egg trams to take in some
fantastic views. You'll also pay if you want
to catch the documentary, and riverboat cruise tickets are available
here
as well (for which coupons are sometimes found, or watch for National Park "Fee Free" Days for a $3 discount). As we discuss again on the Parks
page, the fantastic newly renovated underground museum below is always
free. And you can enjoy the renewed and expanded Arch grounds anytime as
well.
- The City Museum
- We did everything but live here several years back. Even toured their fancy lofts. We love this place, and don't let the name fool you. This is a giant indoor/outdoor playground for adults. And kids can come too! Ever expanding displays of interactive art on every floor, and even up on the rooftop, make for a constantly changing experience. Crawl, climb and slide your way through the main floors, Enchanted Caves and outdoor MonstroCity. For a few bucks more, add a tour of that roof I mentioned. There's a bus up there. Really. Outside a season pass, your best deals are discounted group rates for 15+ or late Friday/Saturday prices. Metered street parking is free Saturday after 7 p.m. through Sunday, plus on holidays, however the more secure lot may actually be worth the dollars. (Bob, we still miss you, but your legacy lives on...)
- The Museum of Transportation
- Planes, trains, automobiles... even boats. If it gets you there it just might be here. Prices are reasonable, and they sometimes have special events, like car shows. Imagine that. Watch for admission coupons and Groupons.
- The Butterfly House
- This informative place at Faust Park is just full of friendly, flying critters ready to land all over you. They love to pose on flowers too, so bring the camera with the micro lens. Keep your antennae out for coupons. Plus, Missouri Botanical Garden members get free admission.
- Missouri Botanical Garden
- If you like plants, this is your place. The oldest continually operating botanical garden in the country boasts beautiful plants of all kinds throughout its many gardens. Spend time in the large Climatron and feed the fish in the Japanese garden. Coupons are sometimes available, and St. Louis County and City residents get special admission rates, including free Wednesday and Saturday mornings, which also allows you into the Children's Garden. Check out the Whitaker Music Festival for free admission and concerts on Wednesdays from May through July.
- The Magic House
- If you have kids, they're gonna love this place. And it's even more enjoyable for adults now too. In this recently updated and very explorable "children's museum," they'll wind through mazes, freeze shadows and have hair standing on end. As science and history combine, there's plenty to see and watch and do. Groupons or coupons are usually available, plus check their site for free family nights each month.
- Six Flags St. Louis
- Get thrilled at this classic amusement park. Our vintage '76
wooden roller coaster, The Screamin' Eagle, will definitely get your
heart pumping with its multiple climbs and drops, but nothing twists you
around quite as smooth as BATMAN: The Ride (my personal fave). Check
out
all the rides and shows, plus Hurricane Harbor Water Park. In
October, witness the place transform into a haunted theme park each
weekend during Fright Fest, and a winter wonderland late in the year for
Holiday in the Park. Discounts abound, so watch their page and the
various coupon sites for
deals.
SUPER PRO SF TIPS: When last we checked, the actual least expensive way to experience Six Flags is with a season pass. This is, of course, contingent upon you planning to visit any park at least twice in a season year. And the best way to purchase these is AT THE GATE to avoid all processing fees. It's also best to buy late in the season, during Fright Fest or Holiday in the Park. This way you get all of next year too.
FOR SF PARKING: If there's no automatic free upgrade to a gold pass (usually with a purchase of four passes or more), WAIT to upgrade. Walk to the upgrade center toward the back of the park. Then simply upgrade just ONE of your passes, and you'll get the best price for parking as well. (If you make the gold upgrade while initially buying the passes this is slightly more expensive.) Enjoy!
Let's Go Out to the Lobby
Well, maybe with a popcorn voucher.
Go out or stay in, here are some thrifty spots to catch a flick.
NOTE: A lot was shuffled particularly in local theaters during the height of pandemic lock down. Always watch for $5 deals, especially before noon, as well as summer specials for discounted flicks.
- AMC Theatres
- Join their free basic Stubs rewards program or best promos, including discount Tuesdays, and start earning reward points. Also watch their site for special offers and promotions.
- Marcus Theatres
- Around here, we used to say, "Where but at Wehrenberg?" That is, until Marcus swooped in and ran off with our favorite jingle. But it turns out these guys are pretty decent for deals, including free bingo nights at their Des Peres location. And definitely check out their value Tuesdays for a great price on first run films.
- Regal Cinemas
- With just a couple Regals remaining around town, watch out for their specials and promotions, and consider the Regal Crown Club to earn points for visits.
- Chase Park Plaza STL Cinemas
- If 5 bucks before 5:30 p.m. doesn't convince you, how 'bout all day on Wednesday? Get some of the best deals on film at the now solo Chase Park Plaza. Check their site for extra deals, and sign up for their e-mail to get the latest specials.
- St. Louis County Libraries
- Odd place to list a library? Of course you can borrow free books and
magazines here. You can even brush up on some basic skills with free
courses, or participate in all manner of activities, in person and
online. But some don't realize that, with a little patience, you can grab the DVD to
view just about any mainline film or television release you want. If
they don't have it, just request. They're pretty great about getting you that odd title everyone else forgot, plus you now have full access to the St. Louis City Library collection due to a new partnership. (And, hey, those tax dollars paid for it, so there's another local incentive.)
Pro tips: You can check out video games too, and watch their ever changing free online media options streaming via hoopla and other connected sites. In the physical realm, ask about their board games, astronomy kits, and even musical instruments so you can learn to play.
ALSO, many most of our County libraries are freshly updated, with headquarters now getting a massive overhaul, so if you haven't been in a while go check out the refreshed spaces. Some of the kid areas are pretty impressive and admittedly fun. (Once borrowed a nephew just so we could hang out in there.)
Shopping / Dining / Entertainment Districts
Some favorite spots to do all those things.
Sure, window shopping is free. And if you're savvy, you might find a way to pinch the pennies at some of these stops as well. But mostly we just want you to know you gotta try hard to be bored here.
- Ballpark Village
- We waited some time on the edges of our collective stadium seats for this relatively new entertainment and dining venue to go up where part of the old Bush Stadium used to stand. And they didn't forget the old place, having recreated the exact locations of the old mound and bases just outside. Inside you can choose from a variety of eateries, and stop by our fantastic Hall of Fame, one of only two in the country which allow you to hold a famed player's bat. (I picked Ozzie's, myself.) Also, keep an eye out for special free events, including concerts and movie nights. And, now in progress, the village is soon to expand.
- The Central West End
- Yeah, "urban eclectic" pretty much sums it up here. Not far from Forest Park, and with our local IKEA just around the corner, the CWE is a great place to shop and hang out. If you're feeling strategic or artsy, CWE homes the free-to-visit World Chess Hall of Fame. And if you're hungry, you'll find plenty of dishes and flavors at the numerous area restaurants.
-
Grand Center (Grand Ave. North)
- Grand features a lot of entertainment in a little space. Here you'll find The Fabulous Fox Theatre, Powell Symphony Hall, Jazz at the Bistro, The Sheldon and numerous free art galleries all within walking distance, plus loads of nearby eats.
- Kirkwood
- Downtown Kirkwood has plenty to offer, with lots of shops, art galleries and dining options. The town also hosts a regular farmer's market and year round events. Another good area mix of modern, rustic, artsy and historic
- Laclede's Landing
- When Pierre Laclede Liguest set up camp here in 1764, he had a
much different view than we have today. Right alongside the Arch grounds
sits this site of repurposed industrial buildings along brick streets,
which now include restaurants and clubs, a few shops and even a wax
museum (which might entice you via Groupon).
Newer to the area... The North Gateway Park is a new feature of Gateway Arch Park just alongside The Landing where the Arch parking garage once stood, creating a really nice green space there to hang out in. - The Loop
- U. City (or University City,
so named for the failed dream of one man to construct several
educational institutions in this spot) features one of our more eclectic
locales. There's a little something for everyone here, with many shops,
food, film and concert venues, and much more. Among those are Blueberry Hill, where you can grab a burger, and could still see Chuck Berry perform until 2017; The Pageant, an intimate concert nightclub; and Vintage Vinyl, which still sells actual vinyl. Look down as you stroll the streets to take in the stars on our very own Walk of Fame.
What's with the tracks? Well, we set up some brand new streetcars (once found "looping" in this location, and hence the name) to take you from here to Forest Park's History Museum and back again. The current Loop Trolley project, hoping to bring those streetcars back, has reopened intermittently.
- Old St. Charles
- We love the brick streets of this well kept historic area right along the river front, which features a great park and a piece of the Katy Trail. Browse specialty and antique shops, and enjoy some unique dining options. You can also step back in time and visit our state's first legislative capitol. Several special festivals and events are held here throughout the year (assuming the river keeps to its banks).
- Riverport (Maryland Heights)
- Home to the renamed Hollywood Casino Amphitheater (which long-time locals still refer to simply as "Riverport"), where we've spent many a hot summer's night rockin' out. Early ticket purchases at the box office or Groupons often yield the best deals. Also newly located just on the other side of the levy is the new Centene Community Ice Center, which now also hosts outdoor concerts as a brand new venue called St. Louis Music Park, along with plenty of hockey, ice skating and St. Louis Blues practices. Our local Dave and Buster's is nearby too, if you're looking for great food and games. With their app and e-mails, you're never without a D&B deal, or go on Wednesdays for half price games. (PRO TIP: Load up your Dave & Buster's card with a promo on any day but Wednesday for best combined value.)
- Union Station
- This lovely piece of architecture has been with us since 1894. Bring a friend to the front entry archways and whisper messages only the two of you can hear from opposite sides of the room. Above you'll find an updated grand hotel, featuring a 3D show projected in their elaborate Grand Hall. Following recent major renovations, we have the 200-foot-tall St. Louis Wheel, the brand new St. Louis Aquarium, new dining options, a carousel, mini golf, mirror maze and ropes course, and even a fire and light show on the lake. Nearby parking is often a cheap or free option for Blues or Cards games if you're willing to walk a bit. Paid parking may be validated at Landry's, should you choose to dine on their fantastic fare, or discounted at the Aquarium shop.
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Washington Avenue (downtown STL)
- An area that's seen some revitalization in recent years. Off this street, which stretches several blocks, you can access the City Museum, America's Center for events and conventions, and The Landing. On it, you'll find a number of shops and restaurants. You can even take in dinner at the movies at MX Movies, or make a strike at The Flamingo Bowl. And music lovers can't miss The National Blues Museum, a great place to get an education in the Blues, and a fine taste of STL's own Sugarfire Smokehouse barbecue. (We, of course, visited with a Groupon.)
- Westport Plaza
- Right in the heart of the region at Page and 270 sits the Westport complex, a dining and entertainment spot which has seen significant revitalization over the past several years. The latest update has added The Rawlings Experience, a free baseball museum, and a new green space area for events. Westport offers a number of free seasonal activities, including trick-or-treating for the kiddies and free carriage rides on December weekends, plus fireworks displays. Visit their site for details on what's new and what's to come.
