Did you know: Among El Paso, Texas, Springfield, Illinois, Kalamazoo Michigan, and Spokane, Washington,–Kiplinger.com says that Saint Louis, Missouri ranks as the top U.S. city for  cheapskates.

• May 19 – 20, 2012

Lewis and Clark Heritage Days portray another time and place inSaint Louis when pioneers commenced the exploration following the Louisiana Purchase. The weekend commemoration warrants tasty victuals, a candlelight camp tour, fire starting competition, kids activities, demonstration and more.  Frontier Park|222 S. Riverside Dr.|Saint Charles, MO 63301| lewisandclarkheritagedays.com

• June 2 – 3, 2012

It’s all about strawberries and outdoor fun at the Kimmswick Strawberry Festival. Featuring, strawberries prepared in almost every format, favorites such as “strawberry cheesecake, chocolate covered strawberries, and strawberry shortcake, should be in good supply.  The schedule showcases  a jazz  Polka band, a petting zoo and other fun activities. Kimmswick Strawberry Festival | 209 Market Street |Kimmswick, MO 63053 | 877.878.2101

• June – August 2012

While Saint Louis is renowned for its share of professional, American sports teams (Cardinals, Blues and the Rams), the Midwest city is not void of theatre and culture. The Muny embodies Broadway-style performances under the stars. The landmark is America’s largest and most antiquated outdoor musical theatre. Starting from June through August, “Chicago,” “Alladin,” “Dream Girls” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat” and others take the stage. Ticket prices vary: Free to $70. | The Muny |#1 Theatre  Drive |St. Louis,MO 63112 | 314.361.1900

• July 28-29, 2012

Those with a discerning palette and old enough to savor wine, may journey on the Berries and BarBQ Wine Trail sponsored by Stone-Hill Hermann Winery. Sixty miles west of St. Louis, the expedition follows the course of seven local wineries. (Limited tickets) $30 per person110 Stone Hill Highway|Hermann, MO 65041 | 573.486.2221

• September 2- 3 2012

Laclede’a Landing transforms into the Big Muddy Blues Festival 2012, where more than 30 different  Blues bands strum out performance music spanning three stages. This momentous Saint Louis event accommodates and feeds some 60,000 attendees. 12:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. | 314.241.5875 | bigmuddybluesfestival.com

Laclede Landings geo-coordinates are:

• On the north side: Laclede’s Landing Blvd. and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Bridge.
• From the south:Washington Avenue and the Eads Bridge.
• On the east: the Mississippi River.
• From the west: Memorial Drive and Interstate 70.

St. Louis Travel Tip: For extra savings, Lacledes Landing website features hotel travel deals and dining discounts.

Share your Saint Louis travel tips with us!

At the under belly of the Gateway Arch is the Museum of Westward Expansion, presenting  a reenactment of the Old West. This Saint Louis travel attraction features an up and close exposé of Lewis and Clark’s adventures. The venue also portrays the rigorous life of mountain men. Under the gateway Arch | 11 N. Fourth  Street | St. Louis 63102 | 314. 655.1700

Among the Saint Louis travel venues to explore with or without the children is the Ulysses Grant National Park. Also referred to as is the White Haven, the 10-acre site is quixotic for the midday picnic and free all year round, opened from 9 AM  – 5 PM. Tours run throughout the day.Ulysses Grant National Park  (White Haven)7400 Grant Road | St. Louis MO 63123| 314.842.3298

The Old Cathedral (Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France) has been a permanent structure of the city for some 170 years old. The antiquated church houses countless religious artifacts. (Free Admission) 209 Walnut Street|Saint Louis, MO 63102314.231.3250

Although the admission price to the Missouri Botanical Garden is $22 for visitors, St. Louis city and county residents have free access to the garden on Wednesday and Saturdays from 9 a.m to noon.

Open Monday through Saturday from10 AM,  Art St. Louis is another venue that visitors should add to the Saint Louis travel itinerary. Here, local artists’ visual arts and contemporary collections adorn the non-for profit gallery.  (Closed between exhibitions and major holidays) 555 Washington Avenue Suite 150|St. Louis, MO 63101| 314.241.4810

Cruise down America’s most historic Route 66, heading to the donut drive-in. The old Donut Drive-in  epitomizes the typeSaint Louistravel destination, reminiscent of the 40’s and 50’s. Nevertheless, snap a photo, and perhaps taste test this old donut shops offerings, Missouri 6525 Chippewa Street | St. Louis, MO 63109 | 314.645.7714.

Tucked  amid St. Louis downtown office buildings lives a recent installment, aptly named Citygarden. A manageable walk from many St. Louis hotels, the  2.9 acre sculpture park is free (Open at sunrise –10 PM), exhibiting the world’s critically acclaimed artists, such as Keith Haring, Ju Ming and others. Main cross streets: Eighth, Tenth, Chestnut and Market Streets |St. Louis, MO 63101 314.241.3337

From the Missouri Botanical Garden (MOBOT), to restaurants, to St. Louis hotels, the frugal traveler need not fret over the vacation budget. The following St. Louis travel deals may prove to be well worth the savings and memories.

The Missouri Botanical Garden in Saint Louis pampers mother with free admission to thousands of butterflies in free flight, with one paid ticket, to the Butterfly House.  Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House |15193 Olive Blvd. at Faust Park | Chesterfield, MO. | 636.530.0076  | www.butterflyhouse.org.

Perhaps, mother’s adventurous vein calls St. Louis Six Flags, where some 33 ride beckon  Six Flags provides family fun while keeping the budget affordable. Over the Mother’s Day weekend, they are offering some discounts which save on admission prices. With the “free friend ticket” deal, the pass allows ticket holders one complimentary ticket per pass valid on May 12 or 13^thand as long as supplies remain available. Ticket prices start at $14 per person. Please visit the site for additional details:  www.sixflags.com/stlouis/tickets/seasonpassvaluebook.aspx

The Crowne Plaza in Clayton simplifies and satiates the quest of delicious Mother’s Day Brunch.  Crowne Plaza Hotel St. Louis – Clayton | 7750 Carondelet Ave.| Clayton,  MO 63105 | 888.233/0368

Sources:

• MOBOT Butterfly House Mother’s Day

The April 2012 St Louis schedule shows a number of expos and conventions planned at venues across the city, Edward Jones Dome, the Renaissance Hotel and the Gateway Center.

 In contrast to other U.S. conventions centers, the Edward Jones Dome America’s Center is purportedly the only convention center in the US affiliated with a Mobil four-star restaurant, the LEYE Inc restaurants and Tony’s of St. Louis.

Even though the Edward Jones Dome, America’s Center is home of the NFL St. Louis Rams football team, it easily accommodates 100,000+ occupant for conventions, exhibits and other events. When Pope John Paul conducted a momentous mass in 1999, the exhibit hall was filled with 104,000 attendees.

St. Louis’ Edward Jones Dome features a 28,000 sq, ft ballroom, boasting the most expansive space of its kind from Chicago to Dallas, TX, says sources of ExploreStLouis.com

On April 11the, St Louis Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) have a conference reserved at the Renaissance Grand Hotel. Exhibitor rates began at $300 and with sponsorship costs at $600. (Exhibit and sponsor ticket are already sold out).

Precisely, 48-hours later on April 13 – 15, the 141st NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits at America’s Center in the heart of Saint Louis, MO.

This 141st annual meeting showcases more thatn 500 exhibitors, spanning a 340,000 square feet of exhibit hall. High profile celebrities, seminars and a slew of shooting accessories, art work and other collectibles will be available on sale.

On the subsequent weekend, NAFA Institute and Expo takes over the America’s Center Saint Louis from April 21-24th. The convention proves to be an economic boom for the Renaissance Hotel as rooms are already sold out. Nonetheless, a few vacancies at the Hilton BallPark remain open for the time being.

Overlapping the same time span is the Anime Saint Louis exhibit at the Gateway Center in (Collinsville, IL).

Historically Focused

The Civil War Exhibit at the Missouri History Museum reflects how the Show Me State was once divided over the slavery controversy.  (Admissions prices vary. Please visit http://www.mohistory.org/node/4591 for additional details).

• Missouri History Museum | Lindell and DeBaliviere inForestPark| 314.746.4599

Also, at the Missouri HistoryMuseum, Tuesday is the designated day to picnic on the lawn. From May through June, “Twilight Tuesdays” presents  a spectacular segment of music and star gazing.

Baseball, St. Louis Style

Hosting the MLB Pirates, the St. Louis’ Cardinal host the  first home series of the month,  commencing  of May 1^st  through the 3^rd , 2012 at Busch Stadium. St. Louis Cardinals | Busch Stadium |700 Clark Street |St. Louis, MO 63102 |314.345.9600)

Star Trek

The month of May in St. Louis MO also marks the last call to embark upon the Star Trek Exhibition, hosted at the Planetarium. (Admissions prices start at $14 for non-members, Please visit http://www.slsc.org/WhatToDo/StarTrekTheExhibition.aspx for other details related to this exhibit). Planetarium |  5050 Oakland Avenue |St. Louis, MO 63110 | 800.456.SLSC / 314.289.4400.

Memorial Day Weekend in St. Louis

As the Cardinals pace for another record year, the annual Rib America, the festival dedicated to celebrating Memorial Day Weekend, showcasing all types of music and barbecue, St. Louis style. 1315 Chestnut Street St. Louis, MO 63103 | 314.622-4550 (Free admission, open Monday through Friday from 9a.m to 4.30 p.m)

Share and post your favorite event in St. Louis MO for the month of May 2012 and Memorial Day Weekend. (This information sponsored by a Saint Louis web design company).

Arriving in Saint Louis.

The Lambert-St.Louis International Airport clocks an approximate 11 mile drive, northwest of downtown St. Louis. Southwest Airlines, United, American Airlines, Frontier and other major airlines fly in and out of this hub on a daily basis.  St. Louis Lambert-International Airport| 10701 Lambert International Blvd.| St. Louis, MO 63145-0212 |  www.flystl.com

Did you know the Lambert St. Louis International Airport influences the region’s economy by more than  $5 billion.

The architectural splendor and a National Historic Landmark showcases the Union Station, which once upon a time  the “busiest rail terminal in the world.”  Today, the complex is home to the Marriott hotel, restaurants and shopping center.  Union Station | 1820 Market Street, Saint. Louis MO 63103  |   314-421-6655 | http://www.stlouisunionstation.com/info/aboutus.cfm

The Scott Joplin Museum characterizes the Rag Time period in St. Louis. ($4 admission). Around the show me state, many St. Louis Travel guides tout BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups  for its authentic taste of Jazz and. St. Louis cuisine.

• Scott Joplin Museum | 2658 Delmar Boulevard St Louis,MO
• BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups | 700 South Broadway |St. Louis,Missouri | 63102

A St. Louis travel guide is incomplete without mentioning the 10-time World Series Cardinals’ home at Busch Stadium.  Busch Stadium 250 Stadium Plaza St. Louis, MO6 3102-1722.

Whether one ‘s a beer drinker or not, the free Anheuser Busch tour is not to be missed, spanning the history and science behind its brew master.

For a family picnic or to imbibe breathtaking horticultural displays, sprawled across 79 acres,  the Missouri Botanical   (MOBOT) Garden merits a 90-minute to a two hour  tour. MOBOT visitors attain an eyeful with the extended hours and the Lantern Festival 2012, featuring art by day and magic by night. This summer, most Saint Louis travel guides will be promoting the Lantern Festival, commemorating a Chinese tradition in the garden. The exhibit runs from May 26 – August 19, 2012.  (Exhibit open on Thursday through Sunday. (Admission varies for residents and visitors, residing outside of St. Louis Cityand County. )  Please Visit MOBOT.org for additional details: http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/things-to-do/events/special-exhibitions/lantern-festival.aspx  MOBOT | 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110

At ExploreSt. Louis.com, the official St. Louis travel guide, deal seekers download coupons  on auto rentals, attractions and other  special discounts. (Here is the link http://explorestlouis.com/visit-explore/travel-tools/coupons-deals/)

Where is Busch Stadium?

Busch Stadium resides in close proximity to the Gateway Arch, the International Bowling Museum and Eugene Field House  St. Louis. The Scottrade Center is merely six blocks west of Busch Stadium.

The Busch Stadium Address or location is at the intersection of  Clark Avenue and South 8th Street in St. Louis, MO.

The seating capacity of Busch Stadium is 46,000 seats.

What is the food and beverage situation at Busch Stadium?

As with any ballpark in the Midwest, the provisions include the basic baseball fare$. The supply of hot dogs, nachos, peanuts, bratwurst and of course beer is quite copious. In fact, the Cardinal’s stadium presents food options at just about every level, with more than a dozen options, which could have something to do with the fact that some 540,000 hot dogs are sold at Busch Stadium each year.

MLB factoid: The St. Louis Cardinals were originally named the “Stockings” and then the Browns.”

Accommodating those with gluten allergies, the grilled chicken, polish sausage,  beef brisket and bratwurst are all available without the bun bun.

Tell us what and where  your favorite concession stand is at Busch Stadium?

Source:

St. Louis Cardinals Ball Park fact

As the days approach March Madness in St. Louis, the availability of basketball  tickets, hotel accommodations and other entertainment itinerary will evaporate as the schedule is finalized.

The Encyclopedia Britannica conveys that March was the Roman’s first month of the calendar year, and that the month was named after the god of war: Mars. (Source: Encyclopedia Britannica)

The Scottrade Center hosts the first week of March Madness with the tip off of the Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball tournament (March 1-4) 2012).  As tickets cost between $155- 115 for the session, there should not be a shortage of places to watch open rounds to the final in St. Louis.   Scottrade Center | 1401 Clark Avenue | St. Louis, MO 63103 | 314,622.5435

Hotels near the Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO  include the following:

• The Sheraton City Center Hotel and Suites St Louis | 400 South 14th Street, St Louis, MO 63103.
• Omni Majestic Hotel St. Louis | 1019 Pine Street, St Louis, MO 63101.
• The Renaissance Grand Hotel St. Louis | 800 Washington Avenue, St Louis, MO 63101.

The president the St. Louis Sport Commission, Frank Viverito recently told KMOX that March Madness would account for $20 million to the local St. Louis economy.

The following week,  it’s the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference  women’s basketball championship in St. Charles (march 8 – 11) at the Family Arena. Family Arena MVC Women’s Basketball Tournament | 1818 Chouteau Ave. | St. Louis, MO 63103 | (p) 314.444.4300 |

March 2012 wraps up when the “Road to the Final Four” takes center court at the Edward Jones Dome for the the Midwest basketball Regional. The regional conference of the March Madness Friday and Sunday (March 23 and 25th) Edward Jones Dome at America’s Center | 901 N. Broadway | St. Louis, MO |63101 | 314.342.5201

Which St. Louis events are you looking forward to during March Madness, 2012?

Where does a beer lover fulfill his or her taste for a brewery tour  concluded with a sampling?

Irish and German settlers are responsible for St. Louis being the beer town that it is today. While is the Anheuser Busch Brewery  (Budweiser Tours) is a popular attraction and destination among beer enthusiasts, a free tour reveals a well organized tour, which includes the brewery process, Clydesdales and a sampling of a frosty, thirst quenching beer. Anheuser Busch Brewery  (Budweiser Tours) | 12th & Lynch Streets | St. Louis MO,  MO 63113 | 314.577.2626

To compare brewing style distinctive from Anheuser Busch,  Schlafly Bottle handcrafts its ales in small batches. Free tours are availableFriday through Sunday from Noon to 5 p.m. Schlafly Bottle | 7260 Southwest Avenue | St. Louis, MO63143 | 314.241.2337

Revel in religion

While some people escape to Arizona for a spiritual retreat, devout Catholics revel in the religious history of the Catholic churches built in the 19th century of St. Louis City. There’s the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, where the globe’s most magnificent mosaic draws visitors from around the nation.

According to the Basilica St. Louis’ church documents, Pope John Paul II designated the Cathedral Basilica St. Louis in 1997.

A $1 dollar admission covers the price of a self guided tour of  the church museum from 10 a.m. to 3. p.m.  On Sunday, visitors can go on the tour subsequent to mass. Cathedral Basilica Saint Louis | 4431 Lindell Boulevard   | St. Louis, Missouri  63108

Get Culture-ized

The art collections featured at the St. Louis Art Museum  (SLAM) encompasses a wide spectrum from Asian, contemporary, Islamic, to decorative arts and design.  Admission is always free at the St. Louis Art Museum. One Fine Arts Driven | Forest Park,  | St. Louis, MO 63110 | 314.721.0072

Sources:

References and Sources:

• Cathedral Basilica St. Louis (http://cathedralstl.org)
• St. Louis Art Museum (SLAM) (http://www.slam.org/Collections/)
• Explore St. Louis ( http://explorestlouis.com/)