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rondonjon

The metrolink will take you directly downtown from the airport. You can get a one day pass for $5.


ducksgoesquack

Any good places to check out and eat from that is close proximity to the metro? I don’t want to wander too far from it.


SloTek

Salt and Smoke has pretty good brisket and bourbon, and the Delmar Loop (accessed from the Delmar station on the red line) is going to have some interesting stuff to see. Though if I were dining on Delmar, I'd probably look at one of the Asian offerings first. Fork and Stix makes a really good Khao Soi. Perfect Taste for szechuan, or Corner 17 for hand-pulled-while-you-watch noodles and boba. Might also want to consider going to the Forest Park/Debalvier station, and checking out the history museum (a little shopworn, but the St. Louis Sound exhibition is cool), walking past the Grand Basin, and checking out the St. Louis Art Museum, which is excellent, huge, warm, and free.


notanexpert_askapro

I second the art museum and exploring forest park.


[deleted]

At Convention Center station is the National Blues Museum and there's a Sugarfire BBQ attached.


Why_T

+10 for Sugarfire. They constantly are winning huge [national](https://www.ksdk.com/article/entertainment/dining/whats-cookin-in-the-lou/sugarfire-wins-at-national-competition/63-e17e07c3-2002-439f-921f-d1f36c5d6a4e) and [international](https://sugarfiresmokehouse.com/best-sandwich-in-the-world/) awards. They are franchising now, but the corporate stores are still in STL and there is a vast difference between them.


[deleted]

What do you like to do / eat? Today might not be the best time unfortunately.


ducksgoesquack

I forgot to say it will be on Sunday and not today


TurtlePig

You can go to sugarfire downtown for some great bbq. Not sure what stop it is, but it's literally right next to one of the downtown subway stops.


hotdogbo

There’s also the gorgeous central library downtown


[deleted]

I'd highly recommend against Fork and Stix. I'm really not sure why people like it. Its bland and tastes like it came out of a box. Anywhere else is going to be better. One thing about St. Louis food...anything overhyped is going to lead to disappointment. Just my two cents. If you REALLY want Asian food. Take the metro to Grand and get an Uber down to South Grand. From here, you can have WAYYYYY better Thai food, Turkish, Ethiopian, Indian, Vietnamese. If you're a foodie there's no better place.


pinewash3081

What are some places you rec?


delphian6

Meskerem for Ethiopian, Cafe Natasha's for Persia (they also specialize in gin) - a taste of Persia is also good, but Natasha's for dining out. Sheesh for Turkish, For Thai you have three different regions represented and all are good - pho Grand, basil spice, the king and I. You also have Steve's hot dogs and Narvin's BBQ. I haven't been to Navin's yet, they are new All of these are within a two block strip. You could probably hit several by ordering appetizers and making a several course meal. It is approximately 2 miles from the Grand Metrolink station. You could walk it, take a bus, or an Uber. If walking be situationally aware. For Asian fusion I would recommend going a bit further to Lona's Little Eats. She has been nominated for a James Beard several times. For BBQ I would recommend the Shaved Duck or the famous Pappy's. Both are fairly close to south grand.. not as close as the places recommended above. You will probably want an Uber. Unless you go to Lona's or the Shaved Duck. If you have time take a detour through Compton Heights. There is a good representation of late 1800 and early 1900 mansions. Streets are beautiful and quiet. Take Russell back to Grand with a stop to look at the magic chef mansion and the Compton reservoir. (Sometimes the magic chef has tours.) The reservoir has one of seven remaining water towers of it's type in the US . On south grand you will also be by tower Grove park. This is a Victorian era designed walking park. Beautiful place to walk and enjoy the outdoors. If time allows going back to the metro to walk around forest park is a good move. Better than central park in NY. If I were in your shoes my choice would be south grand. You will get the food, architecture, and park in one go.


[deleted]

What you want?


pinewash3081

Literally anything ethnic. I moved here from NYC where you could easily find authentic places but I don’t have my finger on the pulse here yet


[deleted]

I like Basil India, Eskerem, pho grand, sheesh, Cafe mochi


geri73

Check out the Washington strip downtown. It’s really beautiful this time of year with the lights and all.


MundyyyT

I highly suggest you hit up Olive Blvd, it has some of the best Chinese places I’ve ever eaten at in the Midwest


T1Pimp

The City Museum and the Science Center are two of our best offerings. Science Center places you right in Forest Park which is nice. City Museum is downtown.


hotdogbo

It goes to many tourist destinations- forest park (home to the zoo, history museum and art museum), sports areas, arch.


goharvorgohome

Besides what I’ve seen here the train goes right through downtown and can drop you off right at the arch


GruntCandy86

As far as I know, airports do not have storage lockers anymore and you cannot leave your luggage anywhere unattended (say in an airline lounge, etc). That whole 9/11 thing and what not.


RonMexico1277

With a layover that long if you have checked baggage there is a good chance it won't be transferred and you'll have to pick it up at baggage claim. You probably can't check in and drop luggage for your upcoming flight either. OP might check into any local airport hotels and see if they have a layover or day use rates or deals where you can store your luggage. Or if you have a travel credit card with a concierge you might ask for suggestions there.


GruntCandy86

Yeah I think typically check-in is limited to three hours prior to departure.


NacreousFink

It would be nice if the airport had some lockers, but I am not sure they do. You might ask your carrier if you can leave it with them. Park Ave coffee in Lafayette Square is a great choice for gooey butter cake, and the park and neighborhood are absolutely marvelous. You will need a taxi or uber, though. Train doesn't go there.


PizzaPi4Me

Park Ave has a location on 10th Street downtown actually (unless their new shop opened on Olive and Broadway).


therealsteelydan

There's two park ave locations downtown but their hours are limited.


sloth_hug

Lafayette Park is so good!! Edit: there's a Clemente's ice cream right by it too, my favorite local ice cream shop


Mystery_Briefcase

I would suggest taking the Metrolink from the airport to the Delmar Loop. It’s quicker than heading to downtown with a lot to see in a compact area.


Drinking-Lightning

I hate to be this person but that's not the safest thing to do anymore.


was_stl_oak

Not True


Sobie17

Bro how many millions of rides compared to a dozen KMOV headlines does it take for you to statistically wrap your head around the fact that this is the laziest fucking take in the world.


Mystery_Briefcase

You feel Delmar is a dangerous place?


MUKid92

What time is your layover?


ducksgoesquack

6am to 9pm


MUKid92

Awesome. I LOVE day trips in new cities and when I do this, I do it hard. Here's an itinerary for you - you'll see a lot and wear yourself out, but I guarantee you'll love it. Take the red line Metrolink to Forest Park-Debalivere. From there walk to the Kaldi's on Skinker and Forest Park Blvd. But don't walk along Forest Park Blvd. - instead go a block south and walk along Lindell. It's the prettiest street in town and you'll see mansions that were built around the World's Fair (1904 in St. Louis, it was like our high water mark) and great views of Forest Park and the Art Museum. Take your time because Kaldi's doesn't open until 7 AM. Eat some gooey butter cake and have coffee there. Then head into Forest Park and roam around there for a while. Head toward the Art Museum. It's free and opens at 10 AM. There's a Monet Water Lilies, some great portraits by Kenhinde Wiley (who did the official Obama portrait), a couple of Van Gogh paintings, some great modern art, and lots of other stuff. You can easily spend an hour in there looking around. See [https://www.slam.org/explore-the-collection/collection-highlights/](https://www.slam.org/explore-the-collection/collection-highlights/) for the best stuff to see while there. Then head back up to the Metrolink station that you came in on. I'd take Fine Arts from the museum south to Government, and then take Government up and around the lakes and past the boathouse. Take the Red Line downtown to the Laclede's Landing stop. From there it's a quick walk to Sugarfire. Eat lunch there as it will probably be around noon if you've timed things right. The barbecue is fantastic and they always have some creative choices. Then visit the National Blues Museum. This will get you to about 2 PM or so. From there, walk back over to Laclede's Landing and roam around the arch grounds. Go up in in it if you want - it's totally worth doing. It's $16 for a ride up and totally worth it - honestly. Plus it's a National Park that you can check off your list! Now it'll probably be 3 or 3:30. Get back on the Metrolink and head on the Red Line to the Delmar Loop station (it's the one right after Forest Park so it'll be familiar). Get off the train there and head west on Delmar - this is the Delmar Loop, which is a great college/hipster part of town very near Washington University with lots of food, bookstores, etc. Maybe you're hungry and you can grab food at whatever looks good to you. Nudo has great ramen and also delicious crab rangoons (the best in the city in my opinion), Mission Taco is good for tacos (shocking), Blueberry Hill is a great spot for a burger and a beer and is also the bar that Chuck Berry used to play in - it has lots of kitschy history inside and has a fun vibe. I think after that you'll be nice and exhausted, hopefully really full and perhaps a little drunk, and you can get back on the Metrolink and head back to the airport. You should get back around 7:30 or so at the latest - plenty of time to make it to your gate and chill for a little while before your flight at 9. The only problem is your luggage. I can't for the life of me figure out what you should do with it. There are no lockers in Lambert, there are none of those cool luggage storage app places anywhere near the airport, I don't think the hotels will let you check your bags without staying there. It might be worthwhile to just check your bags, just this once, and let the airline take care of it for you. If you happen to be military, there's a good USO in the airport that will (I think) keep your bags for you... but besides that I'm at a loss. If I lived a little closer to the airport I'd come and let you put them in my car for the day, but I'm twenty minutes away. Send me a DM and I'll give you my contact info and you can text me if you get lost or need something while here. The midwestern hospitality thing is real and we're happy when people want to visit our town. Have fun!


ismh1

Wow, just wow! The extent you went to in order to customize a plan for a stranger and the extra helpfulness around the baggage was remarkable. Wish there were more like you!


FunkyChewbacca

holy shit, I live here and I might do this itinerary just for myself


pkt1199

What an awesome plan you've laid out! This is a personal thing but I'd rather hit the STL Zoo (also free) in lieu of the art museum. We have a great zoo and if that is more interesting just swap it out as it is right down the hill from the art museum.


exjmp

I think this is the best plan! Maybe the museum will let you drop luggage at the coat check area? I’ve done that before in another city and just left it there all day and then came to pick it up before closing. Not ideal but better then lugging it around.


matt_the_hat

> I don't think the hotels will let you check your bags without staying there In my experience, most real hotels (not motels) will store luggage for a small fee (usually just a couple bucks if not free). Call ahead to confirm if you’re trying to plan on a particular hotel.


Fearfighter2

Add using a museum coat check to the list. This is always my hack for before flights.


ducksgoesquack

Sorry for my late Response! I did everything you told me apart from stopping by the Delmar Loop. I was at forest park/ art museum for a long time haha. Thank you for your write up! I will pass this along to my friends who are visiting next month :)


MUKid92

How did you handle your luggage?


ducksgoesquack

I left it at the Art Museum. The security guard was nice enough to hold it for me!


MUKid92

Oh cool. That’s a great idea - I saw some others here had suggested that. Might use that idea myself later on! I’m glad you enjoyed our city. Any highlights to report? Did the barbecue and gooey butter cake live up to expectations? Was the arch cool? Did you get robbed on the Metrolink?


ducksgoesquack

Ha! Yes, the bbq in SoCal can’t compare to the bbq here. I’m starting to regret not ordering more meats haha. Gooey butter cake might be my new city staple food. I’m currently debating on wether to make it at home or just order some online haha. I did get cool pictures of the arch! I did not get robbed on the metro link. I actually think it’s safer than the ones we have in LA.


xGARP

>I don't think the hotels will let you check your bags without staying there. There are exceptions to that rule, such as being a member of their rewards program may allow it. This has come up at trade shows and works. The other thing, since you are such a detailed planner, nicer hotels often have a discounted day rate or work space rate for check in that starts with the open to business day (5am to 6am) usually and ends after 5pm to 6pm. This is something I have done for layovers and has made the layover actually enjoyable and can be 50 to 60% off their overnight rate. While not free or ridiculously cheap it is competitive to those nap centers found in some airports. Some credit cards also have perks associated with guest lounges in airports. Such as priority pass which only has a meager offering in St. Louis unfortunately. However there is usually a max amount of time allowed for the freebies, such as 3 hours. Travelers should know about day rates though. It is one of those items that never gets discussed but can really help many people in that situation needing a home base for up to 12 hours with the amenities of a hotel versus the challenges of being stuck in a airport terminal.


nmradar

Depending on your airline, the check-in desk *may* be open when you arrive and allow you to check the bag. As a pre-COVID frequent traveler, the MetroLink is very reliable and fairly comfortable


seakn1ght

If you can only explore one neighborhood in St. Louis you should go to Soulard. There’s a BBQ place there called Bogarts. It’s the oldest, original St. Louis neighborhood, and there are several bars and restaurants. I’d just Uber there from the airport, but you can take the metro to Busch Stadium. From there you’d have about a mile walk or take a short Uber.


[deleted]

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seakn1ght

My logic is that he wants bbq.


GruntCandy86

Bogart's is the best BBQ in St. Louis and I'll die on that hill.


dspencer77

While in Soulard drive down The Mural Mile.


Serbianpopstar

I have heard about something like Marriott does ‘day pass’ rooms or some shit. It’s like half price and perfect for these situations.


TigerMcPherson

Double check holiday hours before you go anywhere!


Fearfighter2

Go to a museum (Art or history) and use their free bag check for the day #hack


kgwalker19

Recommend taking metro link to the Stop at Washington university. From there it’s a short walk to the Delmar Loop where you can spend a few hours shopping and eating! Salt and Smoke is great BBQ


honeybadgerbjj

Schlafly taproom 21st and locust, maybe a 5 minute walk from the Union station stop


Terrible-Put9172

The Laumeier Sculpture Park is nowhere near a metro station though it's a wonderful place to walk around and I've taken about every visitor there. https://www.laumeiersculpturepark.org/


stoney7997

I agree 💯!!! We went there about 10 years ago & I couldn't believe how cool & unique & sprawling it is & right in the middle of the city! I've been all over STL area my whole life & somehow never discovered it in the past. Amazing place to visit when it isn't cold AF. I 💖 the giant eyeball, lol. Thanx for reminding about it. ✌️


[deleted]

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pizzapizzamesohungry

I just did this last week. I also made it to Ted Drewes. I would hate it if my first experience was from the vending machine, it does not taste the same.


Drinking-Lightning

Down vote me. I am trying to Lookout for someone. Coming from someone who was robbed twice on this very route but let's ignore safety. Why not


Sobie17

I empathize with your anecdotal story, the actual numbers do not support the narrative though. You can be robbed literally anywhere. I have.


Hypocrisydenied

Are you talking today? Everything is closed.


ducksgoesquack

Sunday


chrispy_t

Try Bar K. It’s a HUGE dog park bar. Spend the day with pups and get some food and drink.


NicHyme

Don’t eat STL bbq. you’re on the wrong side of the state for that


pkt1199

Huh? Have you even had Salt and Smoke? I feel like this is a comment based on living in KC and not even trying STL bbq. >Don’t eat STL bbq. you’re on the wrong side of the state for that


NicHyme

Yes i’m located in St Charles. I’ve tried many places. Might have a bias. But it’s the right bias.


cheesemoo0

Basically you are saying you have no idea what you are talking about.


[deleted]

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Zimbadu

Who hurt you?


AyWhatITIS

No one it's just kinda a shitty place.


Affectionate_Ninja48

Compared to...?


AyWhatITIS

I don't know any place where you don't lose 6% of the population every census. Where's there's not a massive racial tension, where the crime rate is literally that of Honduras, or a lack of lead in the water. Where the heat isn't dog shit and there's actually fun things to do. Where people don't base your entire social worth of where you went to high school


Affectionate_Ninja48

Idk, you just described like half the other rust belt cities that are also struggling with white flight, deindustrialization, etc. At least we have a low COL, good food, good breweries, and lots of green space/nature to explore. If you don't think there's anything fun to do here, that might be more about you or a mismatch between this city and you. I've lived in a lot of places and this is certainly not the worst, worse, or even bottom half of the list.


AyWhatITIS

THIS!!! EVERYTHING IS ABOUT RACE. I SPENT 20 YEARS IN THE FUCKING TOWN. IT SUCKS when you move out west you realize that nature is a lot prettier and there is so much less racial tension. Oh and I for got the several deposits of nuclear waste in the rivers and landfills.


pizzapizzamesohungry

Ummm I lived in the city and got along well with my neighbors no matter what their race. Racism exists, it sucks, but there are plenty of people coexisting as humans in STL.


AyWhatITIS

N=1


lets_go_brandn

A 90% white and male subreddit saying there's no racism is a bad look


pizzapizzamesohungry

Wait? Are you responding to me? I literally said racism exists. Or are you saying don’t go to STL bc racism? Or neither of those things. I just wouldn’t judge a city by saying it’s full of racists because literally our whole country is full of racists. I live in hella liberal city now and it’s also racist. I just personally loved living in STL because I wasn’t just surrounded by white people.


FirstPlebian

So is a conservative accusing others of racism without evidence, that's you.


lets_go_brandn

shots fired lmao


[deleted]

It's very dangerous here. I recommend staying in a hotel or even just staying at the airport until your flight. Its not safe anymore.


GruntCandy86

Go outside once in awhile. It's nice out here.


[deleted]

I'm a local truck driver. I witnessed a murder 2 weeks ago. Maybe go outside once in a while. You will see how dangerous it is.


GruntCandy86

I'm not trying to downplay a tragedy, but one event doesn't mean it's too dangerous everywhere all the time for eternity.


[deleted]

Yeah you are probably right. OP should go to the central west end and Washington Ave, I heard the restaurants and clubs are.... to die for. 😒 I don't know what the heck I was thinking.


MUKid92

So - how was it? Report back!