Edition: Best Places to Go
Quintessential St. Louis
Author: Judy Kupsky
See St. Louis
Sightseeing with a tour group is a great way to explore. For a unique point of view, see St. Louis on a Segway. Glide St. Louis Tours (314-TOUR-FUN) trains participants to glide safely on Segway Personal Transporters before embarking on tours of Forest Park or Downtown. For a tour in the air, contact St. Louis Skyline Tours (Riverfront, 877-982-1410) and enjoy a helicopter ride with a certified pilot. If cycling sounds like fun, check out the scenic Katy Trail. Rent a bike nearby—try the Country Inn and Suites Bike Rental (1190 S. Main St., 636-724-5555)—and the trail is yours for the day. If walking is more your style, St. Louis Walking Tours (314-368-8818) offers three different 2.5--hour guided tours of downtown St. Louis. Each one highlights key architecture and discusses the history of St. Louis.
Editor’s Tip: Rent a bike to explore the extensive network of trails that crisscross the St. Louis metro area. The Chain of Rocks Bridge, open only to pedestrians and cyclists, spans the Mississippi River and connects Missouri to Illinois. In Illinois, follow the curve of the river to Confluence Point State Park; in Missouri, head west to St. Charles and the wineries along the Katy Trail.
Historic House Tours
The Central West End House and Garden Tour (314-367-2220, May 5-6) showcases some of the finest turn-of-the-century streetscapes in the U.S. Explore grand old Victorian mansions and their gardens blooming in late spring beauty. The Frank Lloyd Wright House at Ebsworth Park (120 N. Ballas Rd., 314-822-8359) is an excellent example of Wright's intention to provide middle class Americans with beautiful architecture at an affordable cost. The home is notable not only for its architectural integrity, but for retaining all of its original Wright-designed furnishings and fabrics. In downtown St. Louis, the Campbell House Museum (15th and Locust, 314-421-0325) can be toured Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday 12-4 p.m. After a 5-year, 3-million-dollar restoration, the Campbell House is now one of the most accurately restored 19th--century buildings in America.
Katy Trail
320 1st St, Boonville, MO 65233
If you are craving the outdoors, head for the Katy Trail, a 265-mile biking/hiking trail that begins in St. Charles and ends in Clinton, Missouri. This limestone trail was originally a railroad right-of-way that crossed most of Missouri. Today, the trail serves bikers, hikers, and equestrians, meandering through small towns and giving outdoor types the opportunity to enjoy a taste of small town America. See www.katytrailstatepark.com for more information on the trail.
