Edition: Top 25 Attractions
Mike Peters' St. Louis
Author: Beth M. Custer
Editor's Note: Cartoonist Mike Peters tickles millions of readers around the world with his "Mother Goose and Grimm" comic strip. Mike was raised in St. Louis, comes back often to visit friends and relatives, and draws inspiration from his memories of growing up in the area known as Dogtown. Life is a hoot for this sweet, fun-loving man, who it's obvious, loves to laugh and make the most of every day with his wife and family.
My time growing up in Dogtown, and especially memories of my mom, inspired me to become a cartoonist. In fact, my mother is the reason I chose this career. She would sit me down on our front porch with pencil and paper, tell stories, and have me illustrate them. My mom started a TV show in St. Louis called "The Charlotte Peters Show" that ran for 25 years. She worked so hard at it - she created it, did all the writing, produced it, and starred in it. Observing her made me realize I'd love to entertain people too, but in a more comfortalbe way - like in my underwear, from my home! But - if I were to entertain people with a tour of St. Louis, here's how I'd do it:
8:30 a.m. We'd start the day off with a terrific breakfast at Layton's (314-647-2512). I might get heuvos rancheros or their great blueberry pancakes.
9:30 a.m. Whenever I'm in St. Louis, one of the most important things to me is to visit the neighborhood where I grew up. I love to walk up the streets and down the alleys, look at my old house, and tap into the kid I was when I lived there. The person I was for the first 10 years of my life is the dog, Grimm, in my cartoon!
10:30 a.m. My wife, Marian, and I love to visit the Jewel Box (314-289-5300) where we enjoy the tropical trees and flowers and the seasonal displays. They have special shows there, like the Easter and Mother's Day events. We especially loved the fabulous Chinese exhibit we attended recently.
11:30 a.m. It's just about time for lunch, and the one place we absolutely can't miss is Charlotte's Rib (636-394-3332), which is named after my mother. It was voted one of the best 100 barbecue restaurants in the country, and is an amazing place with delicious food. It's a family restaurant, run by my sister and brother-in-law, Pat and Herb Schwarz. (O.K., maybe I have a special affection for this one - they do have my cartoons hanging on the wall, after all.) Another great spot is Seamus McDaniel's (314-645-6337), where they serve wonderful sandwiches (I had a delicious thick tuna sandwich recently). For a terrific lunch and a real slice of St. Louis, try Steak 'N Shake (ask your concierge for locations). Recently I took my cartoonist friend Jim Borgman there. There is no finer double cheeseburger in the world, and their chocolate shake - well, there is nothing greater. If I were in prison and had one last meal, it would be this.
1:00 p.m. A visit to St. Louis wouldn't be complete without stopping by the Gateway Arch and its Museum of Westward Expansion (314-982-1410). We love to take people to the museum - it's amazing! What a monument! I always say a mental "thank you" to the city officials who were the impetus behind the Arch. Think about this: somebody says "I want to build a 630-foot stainless steel arch." Think about what it takes to talk a city government into this! Do you know how they built it? (Visitors can find out by watching a documentary shown hourly at the Arch). My wife and I were students at Washington Universtiy at the time. We stood at Brookings Hall and watched them insert the final piece at the top.
3:00 p.m. We like to walk around the Loop and read the plaques on the Walk of Fame (314-727-STAR). I was honored with a plaque there a couple of years ago, so of course we like to look at it. While we're in the area, we love to stop at Blueberry Hill (314-727-0880). Their deli sandwiches are delicious, and they give you as many pickles as you want!
4:30 p.m. I wouldn't miss a stop at St. Louis Union Station (314-421-6655). In high school and college I always took dates there, back when it really was a train station. There is an archway in the Grand Hall where, if you stand in the right place and whisper, a person standing at the other end of the archway can hear you. Then we would sit outside at the fountain ("The Meeting of the Waters," Market and 20th Streets), which I knew was unique even back then. The Chase Park Plaza (314-633-3000) holds a lot of memories for me too, especially since I fell in love with my wife there. Years ago, before the Starlight Roof was in business, I would take dates to the top floor of the Chase. I would get out some bread and wine, open the windows, and show off the beautiful view of Forest Park. There was a piano there, and usually I would play a little to impress the girl. One girl surprised me by playing much better than I - she was wonderful, and I ended up marrying her.
6:00 p.m. Well, that's a lot of walking around and reminiscing. I'd probably take a rest about now, relax, and get ready for dinner with friends.
7:30 p.m. We love to eat at Tony's (314-231-7007) where they have the greatest steaks ever. The people there are so amazing and we love the ambience. Another favorite is Sydney Street Cafe (314-771-5777), where they have a fabulous combination of different things - meat, fish, and pasta.
12:00 a.m. This is something my wife and do only at midnight - we drive past the 1904 World's Fair bird cage at the St. Louis Zoo (314-781-0900). There is just enough light shining from the streetlights to see some of the birds, so it's a fun way to end the day.
