DAY 31
Pack a Picnic
Picnic at Tower Grove Park’s Fountain Pond—the stone ruins would fire Byron’s European imagination, but they’re really bits of the Lindell Hotel that burned in 1867, and the stone balustrade on the south shore came from the original U.S. Custom House downtown. Now look up: 200 species of birds take refuge in this Victorian strolling park. 4256 Magnolia, 314-771-4436, towergrovepark.org.
DAY 30
Treat Yourself
Cool down with a BLT and a Johnny Rabbitt (the local radio personality’s trademark banana malted with crushed nuts, whipped cream and nutmeg) at Crown Candy Kitchen. Play the table jukebox, leave with a box of the house-specialty heavenly hash and walk off the calories in the reemerging Old North neighborhood. 1401 Saint Louis Ave., 314-621-9650, crowncandykitchen.net.
DAY 29
Catch a Show at the Peabody
The newly renovated Peabody Opera House has become one of the most stunning places in town to catch a show. Check out the upcoming line-up, including Train, Il Divo, Norah Jones, and more.1400 Market, 314-499-7600, peabodyoperahouse.com.
DAY 28
Support Local Artists
Get a behind-the-scenes look at local contemporary art as over 170 artists open their studios in neighborhoods throughout the city during City-Wide Open Studios Weekend, July 28 and 29. Use the City-Wide Open Studios Map to plan your own route or participate in one of the “curated” tours. Various locations, 314-535-4660, camstl.org..
DAY 27
Step Back in Time
Stand on top of Monk’s Mound on a hot summer day, when no one else is around, and you can almost feel that first, long-gone civilization surrounding you. The Cahokia Mounds collectively are the largest structure built by Native Americans north of Mexico, and the base of Monk’s Mound is bigger than the base of the Great Pyramid at Giza. 30 Ramey St., Collinsville, Ill., 618-346-5160, cahokiamounds.com.
DAY 26
Strike!
Looking for a way to have fun indoors? Go bowling at the classics (Saratoga, Tropicana or Olivette Lanes) and the retro newbies (Pin-Up, Flamingo). Saratoga Lanes, 2725 Sutton, 314-645-5308, saratogalanes.com. Tropicana Lanes, 7960 Clayton, 314-781-0282, tropicanalanes.com. Olivette Lanes, 9520 Olive, 314-991-0365. Pin-Up Bowl, 6191 Delmar, 314-727-5555, pinupbowl.com. Flamingo Bowl, 1117 Washington, 314-436-6666, www.flamingobowl.net.
DAY 25
Spend an Afternoon in Forest Park
Love Forest Park? Explore it in a new way. Rent a bike in front of the Lindell Pavillion (aka Forest Park Visitors Center). When you're done with your tour, grab lunch at the oft-overlooked Forest Perk Café in the Visitors Center, which offers reasonably priced snacks and sandwiches. 5595 Grand, 314-361-4477, forestparkforever.org.
DAY 24
Appreciate Art
Check out Ernest Trova’s sculptures, tucked away in the wooded grounds of Laumeier Sculpture Park. It was his gift of 40 sculptures—the largest public collection of this internationally known St. Louisan’s work—that made it possible for the park to open, and coming upon one of his Cantos or Variations amid the trees is magical. 12580 Rott, 314-615-5278, laumeier.org.
DAY 23
Wacky Wednesdays
Love going to the movies? Try scheduling your showtimes on Wednesdays. Take advantage of $5 movie tickets every week during Wacky Wednesdays at the Chase Park Plaza, Galleria 6, and Moolah Theater. For more information, click HERE.
DAY 22
Learn Your A-B C's
Be sure to check out the Anheuser-Busch tour. A-B’s world HQ opened here in 1852, and the South City giant stands as a reminder of why the company remains the largest brewer by volume in the United States. Before the current Age of the Microbrewery dawned, St. Louis had the nation’s undisputed “macrobrewery.” 1127 Pestalozzi, 314-577-2626, budweisertours.com.
DAY 21
Enjoy Nature
Explore Shaw Nature Reserve sans camera, guidebook or binoculars. Let your feet and curiosity be your tour guides. There are sufficient prairie, marshland, woodland, forest and glade areas to lose yourself to that giddy place where you hear and smell and feel rather than think, finding yourself without any need to peer at plaques or rifle through your birding guide. Sometimes forgetting the definition of “angiosperm” is a very good thing. Highway 100, 636-451-3512, shawnature.org.
DAY 20
Eat Fresh (and Local)
Buy produce at Soulard Farmers Market. Or a lovely beef tongue. Or—who can really say? The spectacle of the market’s 100-plus stands always supersedes the shopping; in its hustle and bustle, its glorious swirl of humanity, Soulard ranks as St. Louis’ closest approximation to a Middle Eastern bazaar. Seventh & Lafayette, 314-622-4180, soulardmarket.com.
DAY 19
Chill Out with the Penguins
The Saint Louis Zoo's cooled penguin habitats are welcome relief in July, and if you go on a dreary day, you can watch them waddle for hours, uninterrupted. Spot your favorite Gentoo, Rockhopper or King penguin winging through the icy waters of the Penguin Cove, then go out to the tidal pool to see the Humboldt penguins and their pelican pals through the rush of a 22-foot waterfall. One Government Drive, 314-781-0900, stlzoo.org
DAY 18
Travel Smart
Going to a Cards game? Skip the traffic and difficult parking and check out some alternative modes of transportation. Park over in Soulard, grab a pre-game drink, and catch a ride on Llywellyn's Pub's trolley to the game. If you're coming from Illinois, reserve your spot on the Redbird Express, which leaves from St. Clair Square starting two and a half hours before the game.
DAY 17
Celebrate St. Louis Concerts
Even though the Fourth of July festivities of Fair St. Louis are over, the free outdoor concerts are still going strong. Check out The Offspring this Friday, July 20, and Nelly this Saturday, July 21 at Soldier's Memorial. 1315 Chestnut, 314-622-4550, fairsaintlouis.org.
DAY 16
Taste the Microbrews
In the past few years, St. Louis has exploded with new microbreweries, expanding beyond the major players to include Urban Chestnut Brewing Company, 4 Hands Brewing Company, Perennial Artisan Ales, and more. If you're a beer fan, these are great places to try new beer variations, see how beer is made, and chat with the brewers. Check out the brewery's websites to find out when they might be having specials. Visit stlhops.com to find out what's new on the local beer scene.
DAY 15
Play the Minor Leagues
Check out the River City Rascals, an independent ball club in the Midwestern-based Frontier League, playing at the equivalent of the A-ball level in the traditional minors. Or in the opposite direction, the Gateway Grizzlies, famous for Baseball’s Best Slider (a deep-fried bellybomber), Burger (on a Krispy Kreme donut) and Hot Dog (with bacon, cheese, sautéed onions and sauerkraut). Both teams offer ticket prices anybody can afford, great sightlines, easy parking and access, and family fun that’s not slick, sexy, sophisticated or extravagant. This is baseball the way it used to be. River City Rascals, 900 T.R. Hughes, 636-240-2287, rivercityrascals.com. Gateway Grizzlies, 2301 Grizzlie Bear, Sauget, Ill., 618-337-3000, gatewaygrizzlies.com.
DAY 14
Capture the Butterflies
Photograph butterflies at the Butterfly House at Faust Park. Either you can spend a rapt hour mastering the capture of perpetual motion, or you can take the fun route: Bring a child and snap one of the cutest photos ever, a butterfly perched on his or her button nose. 15193 Olive, 636-530-0076, butterflyhouse.org.
DAY 13
Explore a Jewel in Forest Park
Don't miss Forest Park’s Art Deco masterpiece, the Jewel Box conservatory; its masterful renovation left each facet of glass sparkling and gave the wild orchids room to breathe the light. Tennessee Williams sent Laura here for solace in The Glass Menagerie. Forest Park, 314-531-0080, stlouis.missouri.org.
DAY 12
Party with the Best of the Best
If you're looking for a great party, look no further than St. Louis Magazine's annual A-List party tonight. Mingle with some of the most influential people in St. Louis, sample food from the city's top restaurants, and enjoy an open bar and after party. $45. Time: 7:30 to 11 p.m. Maryland Plaza in the Central West End, 314-918-3033, stlmag.com/alist.
DAY 11
Be in Awe
The mosaics lining the walls of the New Cathedral. With approximately 41.5 million glass pieces, this is the largest mosaic collection in the world. The best way to experience it? Lie down in the nave, if you can, and gaze up at the glowing world above. Don’t miss the Stations of the Cross, restored in 2004. 4431 Lindell, 314-373-8200, cathedralstl.org.
DAY 10
Cool Down with a Cook Drink
Looking for a drink to cool you down with a kick? Benton Park Cafe's boozies (a frozen concoction of smoothies with a little something extra), do just the trick. The restaurant is even open for 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays, so if you're outside on a particularly hot morning or night, be sure to stop by. 1900 Arsenal, 314-771-7200, bentonparkcafe.com.
DAY 09
Grab a Treat
Buy a Ted Drewes Terramizzou concrete or Sin Sunday (we won’t tell the archbishop) while the sun welds the backs of your thighs to the trunk of your car. Choose the Route 66 location, and make sure you back in to the parking spot. Visit the Ted Drewes Facebook page for two coupons this month: Buy one Oreo concrete get the second for half price and $3 off the purchase of a white compressed T-Shirt. 6726 Chippewa, 314-481-2652, teddrewes.com.
DAY 08
Admire the Scenery
Ride your bike on the Riverfront Trail, from the Arch leading up to—and across—the Chain of Rocks Bridge, stopping midriver to admire the architecture of the two water intake towers originally used to supply the 1904 World’s Fair with one of its marvels: “crystal clear” drinking water. confluencegreenway.org.
DAY 07
Take a Dip at The Cheshire
Longing for some heat relief? Jump in the pool and cool off at The Cheshire Inn on Saturdays from 6 to 8 p.m. and enjoy live music from local artists such as Kevin Babb and Mike Mattingly. Free with a minimum food and beverage purchase of $20 per person. 6300 Clayton, 314-647-7300, cheshirestl.com.
DAY 06
Watch the Cards in Comfort
Too hot to go to the Cardinals game? The Moolah Theatre plays all the games in their Mini-Moolah Lounge. Grab a hot dog at the concession stand and cheer on the Cards! 3821 Lindell, 314-446-6806, stlouiscinemas.com.
DAY 05
Forest Park from the Water
Paddle through Forest Park’s waterways, starting at the Boat House and winding up there again at sunset to eat and drink on the dock. 6101 Government Drive, 314-367-2224, boathouseforestpark.com.
DAY 04
Where to Watch the Fireworks
Happy Fourth of July! While many options for celebrating this holiday in St. Louis are outside, there's still some ways to celebrate indoors. Check out the Three Sixty Red, White, and Blue Glow Party to get a great vantage point for fireworks viewing, as well as much-desired air conditioning. 1 S. Broadway, 314-241-8439, 360-stl.com.
DAY 03
Chill Out at the Movies
The movies are one of the best places to escape the heat in the summer, but with the price of movie tickets, it can add up. This summer, check out Wehrenberg Theatres' Family Summer Series. On Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m., local Wehrenberg locations will be offering up free showings of family-friendly flicks, such as Happy Feet, Rio, and The Smurfs. Click HERE for the full schedule.
DAY 02
Make Friends at the Muny
Pack a picnic, take a blanket, go to the north entrance and get in the mood. If you’re opting for the cheap seats, get there early and make friends in line—it’s a community unto itself. Just be sure to bring your binoculars. If you’re buying, try for the middle of Terrace A. You have to be born or marry into those seats in the pit, and quite honestly, they’re too close and too low to see well. 1 Theatre, 314-361-1900, muny.org.
DAY 01
Get in Free at the Missouri Botanical Garden
Love strolling around one of the city's most beautiful gardens? If you're a St. Louis City or St. Louis County resident, here's some good news: City and County residents get in free before noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which is one of the best times of day to beat the heat! 4344 Shaw, 314-577-5100, mobot.org.
