Categories: Shopping

Shopping for St. Louis Souvenirs

Author: Beth Custer & Stefene Russell

It seems like everyone is a Lewis and Clark history buff these days, so souvenirs of the Corps of Discovery expedition are must-haves. Start your own shopping expedition at Louisiana Purchase, the Missouri History Museum's gift shop (Lindell at DeBaliviere, Forest Park, 314-746-4599) and the area's best source of Lewis and Clark accoutrements. The shop boasts a multitude of books on everything from food eaten on the trail to the indigenous plants the group found. Browse the selection of Native American beaded jewelry created from trading beads, pins depicting animals seen by the explorers, and replicas of the compass used on the journey. Website: www.mohistory.org

The Store of Discovery at The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center (Hartford, Illinois, 618-251-5811) will bring the famous journey alive. A grouping of plush animals native to North America, including river otters, American bison, and beaver beckon to the child within, while a variety of old-fashioned foods such as gooseberry jam and frye bread are more likely to attract adults. The shop's array of books, tapes, artwork and apparel will please any adventurer who wants a reminder of this historic site, where the Corps of Discovery made its winter camp and prepared for its expedition through the newly purchased Louisiana Territory. Website: www.campdubois.com

The Trading Post in the Lewis and Clark Boathouse and Nature Center (1050 Riverside Dr., St. Charles, 636-947-3199) has an abundance of the unusual and educational, with an emphasis on kid-friendly items. The young and young at heart can choose from fun souvenirs like a coonskin cap (à la Davy Crockett), leather pouches especially for carrying newly discovered treasures, and historic paper dolls, books, and coloring books. Gift shop employees in period costume add to the ambience of times past. Website: www.lewisandclark.net/boathouse


Switch gears and satisfy the dog lover on your list with a trip to the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog Gift Shop (1721 S. Mason Rd., 314-821-DOGS), where best sellers include well-known games with a canine twist, like Dogopoly and Dog Uno. With an inventory of books and videos on dog care and training, dog-themed jewelry, hand-carved purses in the shape of your favorite breed, and funky bandanas for your most loyal friend, there's no better place for dog aficionados to shop. Keep an eye out for the hand-carved, hand-painted chair in the likeness of a very sophisticated Norwich terrier. Website: www.akc.org

Animal lovers also will enjoy the multiple gift shops on the grounds of the Saint Louis Zoo (Forest Park, 314-781-0900). With its new "Penguin and Puffin Coast " exhibit comes a gift shop devoted especially to these fascinating swimming birds. Ladybug Boutique, located in the Insectarium, carries all things "buggy" and Hippo-porium, next to the River's Edge exhibit, features hippo, elephant, rhino, warthog, cheetah, and anteater merchandise. Gorilla Villa is a smaller shop in the central plaza that offers items with an emphasis on apes and primates. The Zootique and Safari Gift Shops are larger stores that carry a variety of toys, apparel, books & jewelry. We www.stlzoo.org

Continue the animal theme with a visit to the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House (Faust Park, 636-530-0076) for a close-up and personal look at thousands of brightly colored butterflies in a tropical environment. If you're lucky, an iridescent Common Blue Morpho might land on your shoulder. The Madame Butterfly Gift Shop flaunts multi-hued gifts in colors that reflect these beautiful insects and their environment. A beguiling assortment of butterfly-inspired jewelry includes precious and semi-precious stones, plus less-serious fashion statements. Favorites are the wide selection of butterfly magnets, plush toys with butterfly wings, and popular t-shirts that zoom out of the store faster than a speeding Red Lacewing. Website: www.butterflyhouse.org

The exceptional environment of the Saint Louis Art Museum (Forest Park, 314-721-0072) is a perfect setting for the upscale items in its gift shops. A distinctive grouping of glittering jewelry includes semi-precious gemstones, a silver pin in the shape of Louis IX (our fair city's namesake), Egyptian cartouche earrings, and Degas ballerinas. Silk scarves that look as though they recently flowed from an artist's paintbrush and a sizable selection of coffee-table books will tempt art lovers. A bonus you might not expect: Fran's Gold Bars-the best candy bars west of the Mississippi. Website: www.slam.org

If your taste runs to fine contemporary craft, the Craft Alliance Retail Gallery (6640 Delmar Blvd., 314-725-1177) is an attraction in itself and may be just your cup of tea. Stoneware tea cups and teapots, hand-painted platters and objets d'art in clay, wood, fiber, and glass are on display in this sleek, upscale gallery. The gallery both exhibits and sells one-of-a-kind works of contemporary craft artists from across the United States. Website: www.craftalliance.org

Naturally, you expect to find orchids, succulents and birdfeeders at the Missouri Botanical Garden gift shop. However, the Garden Gate Shop (314-577-9400, 4344 Shaw Blvd.) goes beyond that, offering luxe soaps and lotions, ceramic art dishes, yummy candles in scents like hosta and geranium, boutique handbags (including a clever watering can-shaped leather tote), books that range from gardening guides to literary nonfiction on environmental topics, and handcrafted jewelry made from natural stones such as turquoise. There's a sizable kids' section that offers items both educational (bug zoos) and fun (plush toy hummingbirds). They also offer specialty gardening tools, organic seeds and art windchimes. Website: www.mobot.org

You'll learn something at the Explorestore in the Saint Louis Science Center (314-289-4444, 5050 Oakland Ave.) even if you're just stopping by to pick up a snack-one of the most popular confections sold here is the freeze-dried Neapolitan "Space Food" ice cream, similar to what astronauts eat for dessert when they're in orbit. Even the beauty items are scientific, from perfume bottled in test tubes to resin bug jewelry. Popular items include Science Center pencils, with a clear plastic barrel that features a mini rock collection inside, GroBeasts (rubber animals that expand when placed in water) glow-in-the dark stickers that allow you to re-create the night sky on your bedroom ceiling, and wooden models of dinosaur skeletons. Website: www.slsc.org

At the City Museum (314-231-CITY, 701 N. 15th St.) the gift shop is full of whimsy. From glow-in-the-dark slime encased in glow-in-the-dark plastic eggs to hand-painted maracas to miniature tarot cards, browsing here is never a boring experience, and because merchandise is often exhibit-related (for example, patterned shoelaces or tiny shoe statues for the "Really Big Shoe Show") there's always something new. Permanent stock includes a plethora of fun but educational kits and toys that teach kids about art and science. You'll also find handmade jewelry, art postcards, magnetic poetry kits, picture frames and fun little dime-store toys such as paddleballs, Etch-a-Sketch key chains and tiny plastic gnus. Website: www.citymuseum.org

All proceeds from purchases made at the Journey's End Shop at Worldways Children's Museum (636-207-7008, 15479 Clayton Rd.) go to support the museum, a nonprofit educational institution, and many of the items here will keep you and your kids learning about world culture long after you've returned home. Items include a "World Cookbook" for kids, foreign-language dictionaries, flash cards and videos designed to help kids learn a new language, dolls dressed in national costumes, multi-cultural musical instruments and candies from around the globe. They also carry specific specialty items such as German board games, Chinese hand puppets and Mexican knitted kick balls. Website: www.worldways.org

There's only one place in St. Louis where you can shop 100 feet underground: beneath the Gateway Arch (314-982-1410, St. Louis Riverfront), one of the city's most visible landmarks. There are actually two gift shops here: a Museum Store that features tourist-related items such as books, toys, t-shirts and a tiny replica of the Arch made from the cabling that's used to pull the Arch trams, and The Levee Mercantile, a reproduction of an 1870s shop demonstrating 19th-century food preparation techniques. You can also sample some old-fashioned candy here, or buy nostalgic gifts, including Caswell-Massey soaps and antique reproduction toys. Website: www.gatewayarch.com

Although it's on the smaller side, MUSE, in the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (314-535-4660, 3750 Washington Blvd.) offers some of the hippest souvenir-shopping around. Managed by local luxury boutique Lusso, the shop offers exhibit-related items as well as books, toys, stationery, home goods, jewelry, candles, magnets, and art supplies that all bear the stamp of Lusso's unerring (and unusual) taste. For instance: rubber flower vases in mandarin red, coral-sphere necklaces by local jewelry house Red Anvil, soy candles in heliotrope and chocolate, journals covered in colorful vintage scarves and "Pixelblocks," funky toy blocks for children of the information age. Website: www.contemporarystl.org

With an impressive collection of book titles that cover archaeology, anthropology, myth, legend, religion, Native American culture and regional history, it would be easy to walk away from the Book and Museum Shop at Cahokia Mounds (618-346-5160, Collinsville, Il) with nothing but reading material. However, there's lots more to consider here, including beautifully rendered replicas of artifacts found on the Cahokia site, jewelry, kachina dolls and teas made using traditional Native American recipes. You'll also find postcards, posters and souvenirs bearing the image of the Cahokia "Birdman," symbol, including t-shirts, caps and key chains. For kids, you'll find dolls, card games, craft items and coloring books. Website: www.cahokiamounds.com

St. Louis Union Station (314-421-6655, 18th and Market) is a great place to pick up a souvenir of the city, from baseball items at the Cardinals Clubhouse, to Anheuser-Busch collectibles at the Bud Shop, to regionally themed gifts at Best of St. Louis. Several fine restaurants plus a diverse food court ensure you won't go hungry while you're shopping. Website: www.stlouisunionstation.com

Pick up sports-related souvenirs at The Eagle's Nest (314-576-2000, West Port Plaza ; 314-962-7600, Crestwood Plaza). St. Louis professional sports apparel, including Dale Earnhardt, Anheuser-Busch, UM-Columbia Tigers, and SLU Billikens merchandise will be a cool reminder of your trip.

 

Check out places of interest near Shopping for St. Louis Souvenirs:

Cahokia Mounds
30 Ramey St., Collinsville, IL 62234

The mounds were part of a pre-Columbian city - the largest situated north of Mexico. Stand atop Monk's Mound and tour an indoor replica of the ancient city.

Lewis & Clark Boat House and Nature Center
1050 Riverside Drive, St. Charles, MO 63301

Home to replicas of Lewis & Clark's boats, plus exhibits relating to the Discovery Expedition and the Missouri River ecosystem.

Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
1 Lewis and Clark Trail, Hartford, IL 62048

Just 18 miles from downtown St. Louis is this replica of Camp River DuBois where the Corps of Discovery spent 5 months prior to their journey.  A new museum with a keelboat replica, fascinating information on the men and their lives, and a dramatic film tell the story.

Craft Alliance
6640 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108

A combination exhibition hall, store and instructional studio, the Craft Alliance has been supporting St. Louis area artists since 1964.

 

Dunaway Books
3111 South Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63118

Dunaway books is a used and rare book, CD, and DVD emporium in the historic South Grand section of metro St. Louis.

 

Missouri History Museum
5700 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63112

The Missouri History Museum is a thorough look at St. Louis history and culture, from the time it was just a village up until its present day glory.

St. Louis Union Station
1820 Market St., St. Louis, MO 63103

St. Louis's grand old train station, Union Station is a National Historic Landmark and has been restored and refurbished to become a one-of-a-kind shopping center, with an attached Hyatt Hotel, and hosting national brands and stores found only in St. Louis alike.

City Museum
701 N 15th St., St Louis, MO 63103

The City Museum is a zany, fun-filled place where imagination and surprises know no bounds, and inspiration blossoms where inner child and inner artist meet. Baffling architectural attractions are made of salvaged materials—including old chimneys, pieces of bridges, and construction cranes—that were gathered from all over St. Louis. This fun and funky museum invites visitors to explore caves, walk through a life-size whale, be in a circus, zoom down a 3-story slide, or climb through giant slinkies.

Gateway Arch
707 N. First St., St. Louis, MO 63102

Since 1965, when construction workers placed the final piece of steel at the apex of the Gateway Arch, over 25 million sightseers have journeyed to its top. Also known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the Arch stands as the 630-foot tall gatekeeper to the Midwest, making it the tallest national monument in the U.S. , and the 4 th most-visited tourist attraction in the world. Its juxtaposition between the Mississippi River and the historical city of St. Louis provides sightseers with much more than a bit of vertigo at journey's end. Whether you pop into a museum, patronize one of the unique eateries at river's edge, or indulge in souvenirs, a visit to the Gateway Arch grounds offers anyone and everyone a memorable experience and a bit of American history.

Louisiana Purchase at the History Museum
5700 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112

The Missouri History Museum shop in the Emerson Center is an excellent stop for history buffs and novices. The Louisiana Purchase is a great resource for books on the rich history of St. Louis. The shop also offers jewelry, apparel, videos, and educational entertainment for kids.

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.

Missouri History Museum
5700 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63112

The Missouri History Museum is a thorough look at St. Louis history and culture, from the time it was just a village up until its present day glory.

Saint Louis Science Center & Planetarium
5050 Oakland Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110

The Saint Louis Science Center is a hands-on educational paradise that is both fun and free!

Saint Louis Zoo
1 Government Dr., St. Louis, MO 63110

The St. Louis Zoo is located within Forest Park, and free to the public.

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.” 

St. Louis Union Station
1820 Market St., St. Louis, MO 63103

St. Louis's grand old train station, Union Station is a National Historic Landmark and has been restored and refurbished to become a one-of-a-kind shopping center, with an attached Hyatt Hotel, and hosting national brands and stores found only in St. Louis alike.