NICOLE ALYSE.
TRAVEL

EXPLORE ST. LOUIS

WHERE TO STAY: The Cheshire 6300 Clayton Road

  • On­Premise Dining Bas­ sleek and exciting basement pub with an Italian accent and a playful attitude. Boundar­ brasserie­influenced menu of classic comfort foods interpreted and upended by Chef Rex Hale. Fox & Hounds Taver­ cozy pub is a re­creation of a gathering room in an English home where the host might entertain his guests before and after a vigorous hunt. There’s even a Starbucks on site!

  • Walking distance from Forest Park, two movie theaters, and numerous great restaurants within walking distance!

WHERE TO EAT:

  • Katie’s Pizza and Pasta – 9568 Manchester Rd – Relaxed, rustic­chic spot preparing creative pizza, handmade pasta & Italian small plates.

  • Pi Pizzeria – 400 N Euclid Ave, St. – Stop by Pi Pizzeria, said to be Obama’s favorite za, for some delicious pizza (gluten free + vegan options) and drinks!

  • Three Flags Tavern: 4940 Southwest Ave, St.

  • The Preston: 12 N Kings highway Blvd – New American small plates plus wine and craft cocktails in a refined, hotel setting.

WHERE TO DRINK:

  • START BAR: 1000 Spruce St. 1W Front – Snacks, Drinks + Games! Try one of Start Bar’s boozy shakes or slushies and you won’t regret it! This awesome barcade is such a fun spot, you won’t want to leave!

  • Taste Bar: 4584 Laclede Ave – A cozy vibe, with great craft cocktails and desserts!

  • Brennan’s: 659 Maryland Ave – Sip on whiskey cocktails and head downstairs in their Ping Pong Room.

WHERE TO SHOP:

  • Living Collective:  4701 McPherson Ave, St. – Such a great curated shop with some of my favorite brands, and a fine selection of wine, so you can do two of your favorite things at once! Need I say more?

  • Fauxgerty: 28 N Euclid Ave

ART / MUSIC / ECT:

Strange Folk Festival: 023 Lafayette Ave – Stop one of St. Louis’ favorite indie craft show for over 10 years featuring 200 curated makers from all over the country, 10 live bands, whimsical installations, DIY activities and 30,000 people having a real good time.

Murmuration Festival: 320 Forest Park Avenue – 3 ­day festival featuring influential speakers, national innovation thought­leaders, a juried art competition and cutting­edge music performances new this year to St. Louis. Innovators, scientists, artists and entrepreneurs are invited to engage the public and  share their work. Cutting­edge music performances are featured throughout the day and into the night. Bands such as Yacht, Flying Lotus, Deerhoof, and Tycho played and blew my mind!

 Projects+gallery: 4733 McPherson Ave. – A favorite art gallery – a must to check out!

Okay, want to know even more? Here’s the break down of the best places to eat, drink, hang, shop, and check out in the different sections of St. Louis!

WHAT TO DO IN THE LOU:

  • SOUTH GRAND Tower Grove Park: 277 acres adjacent to the Missouri Botanical Garden

  • Parsimonia: Vintage Shopping

  • Lulu’s Local Eatery: Vegan Food

  • The Vine Cafe: Lebanese Food

  • Rooster: French Cuisine

  • Cafe Mochi: Japanese and Vietnamese Food

  • Guerilla Street Food: Filipino Food

  • Pho Grand: Vietnamese Food

  • Basil Spice: Thai Food

  • CBGB: Bar

  • Elaia & Olio: Mediterranean Fine Dining

  • Union Studio: Local Maker Shopping

  • Union Loafers: Cafe & Bakery

  • Missouri Botanical Gardens: Walkable Gardens

  • Butterfly House @ Missouri Botanical Gardens

WHAT TO DO IN CHEROKEE:

  • Whiskey Ring: Bar

  • Retro 101: Vintage Shopping

  • Taqueria El Bronco: Mexican Food

  • Sump: Coffee

  • Byrd & Barrel: Fried Chicken

  • Earthbound Brewing: Small­Batched, Weird Brews

  • The Mud House: Coffee + Kitchen

WHAT TO DO IN THE CENTRAL WEST END:

  • Fauxgerty: Shopping

  • Living Collective: Shopping

  • Bissinger’s: Chocolate

  • Brennan’s (upstairs): Cigar Bar

  • Club Viva: Latino Dance Club

  • Evangeline’s: Creole and Cajun Food + Music

  • Cafe Osage: Farm to Table

  • Left Bank Books: Book Store

  • Mike’s Bikes: Bike Rental

  • Pi Pizzeria: Obama’s Fave Pizza

  • Projects+Gallery: Art Gallery

  • The Improv Shop: Comedy Club

  • The Tavern Kitchen & Bar: New American Food World Chess Hall of Fame

  • Taste: Craft Cocktails + New American Food

  • Forest Park: Beautiful Urban Park

  • St. Louis Art Museum (free)

  • Missouri History Museum (free)

  • St. Louis Zoo (free)

  • St. Louis Science Center + Planetarium (free)

  • The Jewel Box: Display Greenhouse

WHAT TO DO DOWNTOWN

Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis Pulitzer Arts Foundation BB’s Jazz, Blues + Soups: Food + Live Music

  • Copia Restaurant and Wine Garden

  • Death in the Afternoon (only open in afternoon, 11am­3pm): Lunch Spot

  • City Museum: Explore + Play, Even Adults

  • 4 Hands Brewing Co: Food + Brewery

  • The Gateway Arch: Iconic Symbol of America’s Expansion

  • City Garden: Small Sculpture Park

WHAT TO DO IN THE GROVE:

  • Gramophone: Sandwiches + Bar

  • Sweetie Pie’s: Soul Food

  • HandleBar: Nightlife

  • Layla: Burgers + Shawarma

  • Rise Coffee

  • Urban Chestnut Brewery: Food + Brewery

  • Sanctuaria: Tapas + Cocktails

  • Tower Classic Tattoo: Feeling Adventurous

WHAT TO DO IN THE LOOP:

  • OSO Style Lab: Shopping

  • Pin Up Bowl: Retro Bowling

  • Avalon Exchange: Thrift/Vintage Shopping

  • Blueberry Hill: Food, Drink + Music

  • Vintage Vinyl: Music Shop

  • Blueprint Coffee

  • Create Space: Local Maker Market

  • Mission Taco Joint

  • Moonrise Hotel Bar­

  • Eclipse Piccione Pastry Publico: Taberna/Latin Exploration Food

  • Randolfi’s: Italian Food

  • Ranoush: Middle Eastern Food

  • Salt + Smoke: BBQ

  • Swedlife: Shopping

  • THE HILL SKIF International: Shopping

  • Cunetto House of Pasta: Italian Food

  • Gioia’s Deli: Best in St. Louis

  • Milo’s Bocce Garden: Bocce + Bar

  • Steve’s Hot Dogs on The Hill: Gourmet Hot Dogs, By Steve Ewing from The Urge

  • Missouri Baking Co: Italian Sweets

Follow: