St. Louis Freepers, I need some advice...

[FL_Native]

I'm going to be in St. Louis on business at the end of July. I will be going to Ranken Technical College for a week of training. Any advice on areas to avoid, areas to be sure and see (the arch I assume)? I was thinking of staying near Union Station, good idea or bad? I'm a small town southern boy, who hasn't done a lot of traveling. I'm outta here for now but will check back in tonite or first thing tomorrow.

Thanks, FL_Native

[FL_Native]

Thanks in advance for any advice you have...

[mgc1122]

Union Station is a good place to be to overnight, shop and eat - the Drury Hotel is one option.

[JamesP81]

Avoid East St. Louis. You can get shot there in broad daylight pretty easily.

[jaydubya2]

I stayed at the Drury on a family trip. Great Hotel, right by the arch. I’d go there again. Lots of beggers though, I got shook down three times.

[golfisnr1]

Stay away from North St Louis city.
Union station is on Market Street. Four blocks north is too far north.

[ncfool]

The Union Station area is good and the best deals on Hotels if you have a week long stay might be Priceline for the ST. Louis area. Go to this site and you can see what the rooms are going for in that area. If your not going to change plans. Book it now and you will get a cheap rate. The Hyatt Union Station is going to be converted to a Marriott and so the rates will fall while its in transition.

http://biddingfortravel.yuku.com/forums/61/t/Missouri-St-Louis.html

[Uriah_lost]

Panhandlers are a scourge in StLouis city. Ranken is a bit north in the city and that is not a nice area generally but the area you are going to stay in is not bad really. The area of and around Union Station is quite nice. Are you a fan of museums? There are lots of interesting things close by. I live a few blocks from Union Station in an old Victorian neighborhood and may be able to do a little tour guide work if you feel like it....

[SampleMan]

Stay in Missouri. East St. Louis (Illinois) is a war zone.

See the Arch and leave yourself enough time to go through the museum below ground at the base of the Arch, and to also walk around Jefferson Park.

[Constitutions Grandchild]

City Museum, a Cards game, Science Center in Forest Park, Botanical Gardens - Shaw's Park, the Old Courthouse across from the Arch, the Basilica of St. Louis or a Brewery Tour of Anheuser Busch. Time permitting in the County of St. Louis — the City is separate from the county — The Museum of Transportation, the 44 Wild Life Preserve — Wolf sanctuary.

Good food is everywhere downtown and nearby — Kimols, Tony's (Downtown) Dominics on the Hill, Charlie Gittos (Downtown), Ruths Chris in Clayton. “The Hill” is the bella Italian neighborhood for food. The Tower Grove area (South St. Louis) is alive with ethnic restaurants of the new immigrants to America. Tower Grove is a beautiful turn-of-the-century (1900s) Park (more wedding pictures there in the Spring than any other) and grand old homes neighborhood. Clayton and West County are America's suburbs personified.

Avoid any area in North St. Louis and East St. Louis, Illinois. Go south and west and you're fine. Go for Imo’s Pizza and a Michelob.

[Leisler]

Link. Click here. Foodie site 'chowhound.com' about eating in St. Louis.

[Our man in washington]

It’s a bit of a drive, but the Churchill museum in Fulton, Missouri is worth seeing. Churchill certainly deserves a place in the conservative pantheon of heroes.

[MarkL]

Avoid East St. Louis. You can get shot there in broad daylight pretty easily.

FWIW, East St. Louis is across the river in Illinois. Unless you make a mistake while driving, it's pretty hard to get there if you're not trying to do so.

Mark

[Swiss]

Don’t get lost like in National Lampoons Vacation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRJnEbt89w8&feature=related

[FL_Native]

Wow, You guys and gals are great! I feel much better about staying downtown now. I think I'll stay at the Drury Inn and definitely see Union Station and the Arch. I look forward to dining out every night and hope to sample some of the places y'all have mentioned. May try to catch a Card's game, but I'm an “early to bed, early to rise” kind of guy so that may be a little late for me.
It would be great to have someone to eat with and get to know some locals, so if anyone wants to meet for supper and/or cocktails let me know.

Thanks again for all your advice,
FL_Native