Meet us in St. Louis: off to AMM we go!

Friday, July 11, 2014 9:32 PM by Betty Brennan in Other


Every year, the Association of Midwest Museums, holds an annual conference and this year, it’s being held in St. Louis. I grew up in southern Illinois and spent more time in St. Louis than anyone else I knew. By the time I was sixteen, my parents were comfortable enough with my ability to get around the city by myself that I was allowed to go alone. (Growing up in a rural community, some people thought think that was is crazy). While I’ve never lived in St. Louis (not for lack of desire), I do have my favorite spots and I thought I would share a few of them for those of you who may be visiting the Gateway to the West next week.

  • Missouri Botanical Gardens. Beautiful. Can very easily spend hours wandering around. They’re featuring an exhibit, Art with Lego Bricks, right now!

  • The Arch. If you’ve never been to St. Louis, this stop is a must.

  • The St. Louis Zoo. One of the best zoos I’ve ever been to (and it’s free!).

  • The City Museum. If you haven’t been here, YOU MUST GO! It’s a museum like none other.

  • The Fox. I think I was three or four the first time my parents took me to The Fox. Unfortunately, the theater is dark the week of AMM, but they offer tours Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. If you want to play hooky from the conference, check it out (shhhh, I didn’t say that!). I toured the theater several times on various school field trips.

  • TFA. If you love Mad Men, you’ll love this place. Kitchenware, furniture, clothes, and accessories. A mid-century modern lover’s heaven.

  • The Muny. It’s a fun, outdoor theater in Forest Park. The Adams Family is playing this week.

  • Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis (a.k.a. St. Louis Cathedral). It is breathtakingly beautiful and houses the largest collections of mosaics in the world!

  • The Shaved Duck. My husband and I found this place long before they were featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Side note: we had the opportunity to hang out with the owner at a mutual friend’s b-day bash last weekend.

  • The Scottish Arms. Owned by the same guy who owns The Shaved Duck. If you want a good drink and unique faire, don’t miss it. (Bonus – it’s not too far from The Chase!)

  • Urbana Chestnut Brewing Company. St. Louis is home to many great craft beer makers. Urbana Chestnut is one of my favorites!

  • Vin de Set. Delicious. This is our go-to evening dining spot.

  • Zias. My family has been eating here for as long as I can remember. Don’t skip the salad.

  • Missouri Baking Company. Don’t miss this place. The best cannolis around and their mini cookies are a nice addictive treat. I usually pick up a pound or two and keep them in my freezer until my next trip to the city. It’s catty-corner from Zias. They are closed Sundays and Mondays and I think they normally close around 4pm every day.

  • Viviano’s. My favorite Italian grocer. The smell alone is worth the visit.

There’s so much to see and do and STL is an easy city to explore. Since I couldn’t include everything on my list, what would you add?

We received no compensation, of any kind, from any of the establishments listed for their inclusion on this list. The opinions are strictly that, opinions.

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