Edition: Dining in St. Louis
April Showers Shopping
Author: Erin Callier
There's a saying in St. Louis, "If you don't like the weather, just wait five minutes." Our weather is frustratingly fickle and nothing ruins a day of sightseeing more than that cold, wet-dog feeling after being caught in the rain. Many St. Louis sights have amusing boutiques that offer fun and fashionable solutions à la galoshes, umbrellas, and raincoats for those dreary April showers.
No trip to St. Louis would be complete without a visit to the Missouri Botanical Garden (4344 Shaw Blvd., 314-577-5137) - especially in the spring. But, as the saying suggests, the May flowers need a little help from those April showers, and you may just find yourself caught in the middle. Thanks to The Garden Gate Shop, there's no need to retreat indoors if the forecast is a bit damp. They stock a delightful array of floral-inspired umbrellas and colorful rain boots that are so adorably and irresistibly practical, you may be inspired to buy them even if the sun is shining bright.
If you're making a day of it in Forest Park - or maybe two days, since there's so much to do - don't let a little rain scare you away. The Saint Louis Art Museum (One Fine Arts Dr., 314-721-0072) is the perfect relief for a rainy day. The Museum Shop has an artful selection of umbrellas emblazoned with the works of Van Gogh or Monet, plus a chic selection of raincoats to help you venture back out into the park.
Like the Art Museum, the Saint Louis Zoo (1 Government Dr., 314-781-0900) is located in Forest Park and admission is free, so popping in for a dry respite and a peek at the penguins and puffins just makes sense. The Zootique, located inside the Zoo's Living World, offers a virtual animal kingdom of umbrellas. Cheetahs, snakes, zebras...oh, my!
As an up-and-coming, newly-hip area of St. Louis, the Washington Avenue Loft District offers a dizzying array of restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and more. Your day of feasting, sipping, and shopping need not come to a wet halt because of a bit of rain. Boutiques like Levine Hat Co. (1416 Washington Ave., 314-231-3359), Masulla (1301 Washington Ave., 314-241-SHOP), Time Boutique (922 Washington Ave., 314-241-7171), Paper Dolls (1025 Washington Ave., 314-241-3655) or Lee J's (1000 Washington Ave., 314-241-0440) can save you from the elements with their unique selections of coats, hats, umbrellas, and more.
With no fewer than ten locations in the St. Louis Metro Area, the accessories department at Macy's (922 Washington Ave., 314-241-7171) offers a kaleidoscope of striped, polka-dotted, and all-around delightful galoshes, raincoats, and umbrellas that will prevent tourist interruptus (also known as rain) from ruining your day of sightseeing.
Many folks don't like spending their precious sightseeing hours inside a mall, but Plaza Frontenac (Lindbergh Blvd. & Clayton Rd., 314-432-0604) defies all mall stereotypes and deserves a visit from mall-weary shoppers. With stores like J. Crew, Banana Republic, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nieman Marcus, Cole Haan, Oilily, and much more, you'll find such fashionable raingear, you may even be compelled to do a rain dance just to have a chance to sport your new duds.
Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110
Since first opening in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden has acquired contributions from artists, architects, and scientists. Now, secluded oases and photo-ops abound within its 79 acres of natural and architectural splendor. Whether visitors come to brush up on their gardening techniques or simply indulge in personal reflection, the Botanical Garden – also known as Shaw's Garden, after its founder – offers a refreshing natural refuge in the midst of the city.
St. Louis Art Museum
1 Fine Arts Dr., St. Louis, MO 63110
Originally constructed as the Palace of Fine Arts for the 1904 World's Fair, the Saint Louis Art Museum's elegant stone exterior has and always will bear the motto “Dedicated to Art and Free to All.”
Saint Louis Zoo
1 Government Dr., St. Louis, MO 63110
The St. Louis Zoo is located within Forest Park, and free to the public.
Levine Hat Company
1416 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO 63103
Levine Hats has a huge selection of fine quality men's hats, as well as leather jackets, shoes, and other men's accessories.
Plaza Frontenac
Lindbergh Blvd. and Clayton Rd, St. Louis, MO 63131
St. Louis's most luxurious mall is home to Neiman Marcus, Saks, Tiffany, Talbots, Ann Taylor Loft and Boccelli. Featuring several full service restaurants, concierge services, a spa and a movie theatre.
