From: autry@sgi.com (Larry Autry)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: Hotel Info wanted for St. Louis
Date: 8 Apr 92 07:03:56 GMT
Organization: Silicon Graphics, St. Louis, MO

In article <1992Apr7.061803.3999@unixg.ubc.ca> twong@civil.ubc.ca (Thomas Wong) writes:
>My brother will be heading for a conference in St. Louis, Missouri,
>from June 18th to 21st. The conference is to be held in the Adam's Mark
>Hotel. He is planning on staying in the Holiday Inn Downtown/Riverfront
>because it's close to Adam's. Therefore, he seeks information on the
>neighbour. Never been to St. Louis hence how's the neighbourhood? Safe
>to walk around at nights? As bad as New York? How's the Holiday Inn?
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Thomas.

St.Louis is a large city and as in any large city, there are dangers.  As
downtowns go, it is safer than NY by a long shot but not as safe say, as
your living room.  He'll be close to Laclede's Landing, kind of a micro
Bourbon Street.  It's sort of safe there too, and even though one  could
walk in the daytime take a taxi later at night as it one  have to pass under
viaducts and such.  Plenty of activity around on baseball nights, check the
Cardinal's schedule, I don't have one   handy.  

I have no personal knowledge of the Holiday Inn and I've just discarded 
last year's AAA guide on this area.  It is most likely run by a franchisee 
and can be anywhere from barely 3 star/diamond to a good 4 star/diamond 
(which is exceptional for HIs).  Below are some notes I typed for the last 
St.Louis inquiry.  Please note that there are also some sights on the east 
side of the Mississippi (IL.) and your brother can inquire locally.  Three 
days is not a terribly long time to see much for in a city the size of St. 
Louis.  park on the north side of the zoo.  It will afford the shortest walk 
to the Zoo's "Living World" building.  Also by parking there, one can walk 
to the Art Museum without moving their car.  Admission to both art museum 
and the zoo are free, parking is not.  

The recently expanded St.Louis Science center is a short drive away.  Inside 
the new section of the Science Center is the new OMNI-MAX theater.  Also 
within Forest Park (where all of these places are located), there is the 
History Museum and the "Jewel Box" which is an indoor garden.

Unless there is time to spare, a visit to the museum part only of the 
Gateway Arch is suggested.  A verrry long wait is normal for the ride to 
the top.  Also, while downtown, visit Union Station.  It's a wonderful 
shopping trap for tourists and residents as well.  It's located at 18th 
and Market.

Friday night is an opportune time to hear the St.Louis Symphony Orchestra.
Arrive at Powell Hall by 6:30 PM.  (For ticket availability call 
1-314-533-2500.)

The Missouri Botanical Garden has seasonal exhibitions and the Climatron
(dome) has recently been refurbished.

If more active evening entertainment is desired, I can only offer 
information from the copy of the entertainment guide that I have.

LaClede's Landing is a collection of nightclub's offering varying types of
entertainment.  Also available, are "steamboat" dinner cruises.  There are
several of these.  Further up the river and on the Illinois side, the Alton
Belle casino offers gambling cruises from Alton, Illinois.  

Most all of the attractions mentioned here exist within the City of St.
Louis.  If there were more time, I would suggest activities and attractions
further out of the city, like the Museum of Transport, St.Louis (Queeny) 
Pops, Westport Playhouse, the Funny Bone comedy club, various bird and
animal sanctuaries and not to forget Six Flags over Mid-America 
(amusement park).

For the best steak in town (within the city limits) there's Dierdorf's and 
Hart's at Union Station.  There's also Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.  Socked 
away in an area called "the hill" is a large collection of some of the 
best Italian restaurants in the U.S..  Among the most popular are; Bommarito's,
Del Pietro's, Domonic's and Favazza's.  (Many others.)  If downtown is where 
one prefers to dine, try Kemoll's at 211 N. Broadway.  Other cuisine's are 
available, but is seems that Italian is predominent (except downtown).  If 
budget is a problem, some inexpensive places to try are Caleco's, Pasta House, 
El Serape (Mexican) and the usual fast food places are also downtown, even
a floating McDonald's and Burger King on the Riverfront.  (These don't go
anywhere.)

Shopping - Tourist shopping can be done at the aforementioned Union
Station.  Full blown malls are close, the St. Louis Centre being 
downtown, and the St. Louis Galleria a 15 minute drive.  Of course, what
can these places offer that one can't get at home?  

--
Larry Autry
Silicon Graphics, St. Louis
autry@sgi.com