Ashton's Favorites

So for my last blog post I will give you guys a run down of my perfect weekend in St. Louis. St. Louis will always me my home and favorite city so nobody can hate!!! :) I am still looking for a job there so hopefully something will come up soon, considering that I JUST PICKED UP MY CAP AND GOWN!!!! aghhhh

AFTER WORK FRIDAY:
Enjoy the perfect dinner and a movie. My family loves going to this family owned Chinese restaurant called Hunan Star, we know the owners and its always a great time. Then head over to the near buy movie theater to catch the latest flicks.

SATURDAY:
Go about 20miles west of St. Louis and take a bike ride on the Catie Trail. Its about a 4 mile trail through the woods and at points by the river. When it ends there is this adorable family owned dinner that has the best pancakes!

SATURDAY NIGHT:
Cancel out you bike ride work out with any of the amazing Italian restaurants on The Hill St. Louis' very own Little Italy. I say any restaurant because honestly they are all sooo good!!!!

SUNDAY:
Nothing better than a Sunday home Cardinals game!!

IF i could have an ideal weekend in the Gateway to the West this would be pretty darn close. Add some amazing friends and family and you have yourself no reason to complain. If any of you come to St. Louis ever hit me up and ill give you all the details of where you need to go!

Missouri Botanical Garden

The Missouri Botanical Gardens is a great place to go in the spring or summer for an outside the box experience. This is a great place to go if you have neve been to an outside garden exhibit , and you are into this sort of thing. The garden was founded in 1859, and is the nation's oldest botanical garden in continuous operation in the country and a National Historic Landmark.

One of my most memorable experiences is going to the gardens with my Girl Scout troop when I was 9 and going into the butterfly house. At one point I think I had like 10 butterflies on me at once, you would think it would be scary but my mom tells the story and apperently I couldnt stop laughing.

The Garden is a center for botanical research and science education, as well as an oasis in the city of St. Louis. The Garden offers 79 acres of beautiful horticultural display, including a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, Henry Shaw's original 1850 estate home, and one of the world's largest collections of rare and endangered orchids.

 

Six Flags St. Louis

Not an interesting name but a heck of a great time! Although I have not been to the St. Louis Six Flags in a couple of years because of college and no money, it remains one of my favorite places in St. Louis to go with hometown friends and people who visit from out of town. Six Flags St. Louis is one of the many parks in the Six Flags family of amusement parks. The Six Flags St. Louis also as an adjacent water park, Hurricane Harbor. Now I dont particularly enjoy water parks, they scare me, but people who do enjoy the giant wave pools and going down a 30foot water slide will love this place.

Getting a season pass is one of the easiest ways to save money when buying tickets for the park. A season pass pays for itself in two uses and you are your family get great deals and coupons for attractions inside the park as well as free tickets and guest passes to the theme park and Hurricane Harbor. If you choose not to go with the season pass there are always a ton of coupons floating around the St. Louis area hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers.

Whether you go with friends or bring the family there are attractions for all ages. From the ripping wood roller coaster the Boss and the Batman to those thrill seekers to the little ones in Bugs Bunny's Fort everyone is bound to have a great time.

School Bus on a building top!

Literally there is a bright yellow school bus on top of Windows off Washington (a building downtown St. Louis), this school bus represents the St. Louis City Museum where there is something for everyone. The City Museum is housed in the 600,000 square-foot former International Shoe Company and holds many different areas for children and adults to play around. Did I mention it is considered one of The Magic House's biggest competitors, so when every time I go there I must wear my "Magic House is Fun" tshirt.

One of the most noted exhibits in the museum is the enchanted caves. "Painted in mystery and textured with intrigue, the Enchanted Caves at CITY MUSEUM offer explorers of all ages an opportunity to walk, climb and crawl through the mind of a master artist."

Along with the Enchanted Cave the most popular and oldest parts of the City Museum are: MonstroCity, Toddler Town, Museum of Mystery and Mayhem, and entire outside area to climb ladders and through wire tunnels twenty feet in the area, along with new exhibits every seasons. Overall this is an amazing place to take the kids to run around and get rid of some serious energy. WARNING: Parents bring band aids, yes this place is great but kids who like to play rough may come out with some bumps and bruises, but its all in good fun!

 

Just having some fun!!!

St. Louis and Baseball Season

The sounds of a ball hitting a bat or glove, the screaming fans, and the over excited announcers are the soundtrack to St. Louis during Cardinals baseball season. When people say that St. Louis has the best fans in baseball, they are not lieing. Baseball starts this week, which starts St. Louis' favorite season.

Baseball is one of America's oldest and favorite past times. In St. Louis it is no different. Cardinal home games, at Busch Stadium, are some of the greatest days and nights of summer. Not just in the stadium, but all of downtown St. Louis is red and white, swirling with people, live music, and other forms of entertainment for hours. Fans and visitors from any city can get a full taste of this baseball city. Even if you are not seeing the game from inside there are over 25 bars and restaurants with in 5 miles of the stadium that you may sit and enjoy some Cardinal baseball.

One of my favorite things about the Cardinals and Busch Stadium is Sunday home games. Fans from all around can get into the stadium early and enjoy pictures with Fred Bird, walking around with players, and many organizations entertaining on the main concourse. When i worked for the Magic House we would be at every Sunday home game 3 hours before encouraging kids to make Fred Bird beaks and Cardinal flags, while of course promoting the Magic House. But seeing how excited little kids get are baseball is one of the best things to see.

Even if you are not a Cardinal fan and you are in the St. Louis area around baseball season, swing by Busch Stadium and enjoy the baseball atmosphere.

 

Westport Plaza

Westport Plaza


Westport Plaza located in the central area of St. Louis and right off of Hwy 270 (one of the most accessible hwy in the St. Louis area) is a 42 acre mix of businesses, restaurants, entertainment clubs, and hotels. Westport is a great are for St. Louis natives to go out and have a great night or day with out spending loads of cash. It is also a great place to bring family and friends who are visiting the city or surrounding parts.

Some of the most noted attractions in the plaza are The Funny Bone comedy club, the Train Wreck Saloon, and Pujols 5 Restaurant (yes after the baseball player). There use to be Ozzies which was a restaurant started by and for the St. Louis Cardinal Ozzie Smith. Westport provides walk-ways and sidewalks that make walking around to the different attractions and building easy.

One of my favorite memories was going to dinner at Ozzies and then seeing a show at the Funny Bone with a ton of family members including my mom and dad. Another moment was when I was in an Emerging Leaders group in high school and had the opportunity to interview the owners of Dierdorf & Hart's, one of St. Louis most accredited restaurants.

Cardinals Spring Training

No, the St. Louis Cardinals do not have Spring Training in St. Louis, as you all may know seeing that it is snowing in the 636. However, I am currently on Spring Break in Florida and my mom and i decided to take a trip to Jupiter, Florida where the team is currently wrapping up their spring practices.

Today the team started the majority of their current roster starters, including Albert Pujols who, most of you may know, is in a tight contract negotiation battle with the Cardinals management, and went on to defeat the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta drew a lot of Brave fans and from what i experienced alot of Jupiter locals are die hard Cardinal fans which made the experience that much better. Spring training also brings out the kids eager to get autographs for their favorite plays. Although I was on the Braves side sitting near their bullpen it was hilarious to see the kids jumping and running around people twice their size to get their hats, pictures, and gloves signed.

Below is a pic with my mom in front of Roger Dean Stadium where the Cardinals play. If you are a Cardinal fan and you are ever willing to take a road trip or are in the South Florida area, take a trip to the up-scale Jupiter area for some great baseball memories

The St. Louis Zoo

     

"Celebrating 100 years The Saint Louis Zoo has educated, entertained and earned a place in the hearts of St. Louisans for generations. We invite you to help us celebrate our rich history with a year of special activities, events and a new Zootennial exhibit in 2010." http://www.stlzoo.org/

The St. Louis Zoo has been entertaing tourist, school field trips, and families for many years. The Zoo to anyone is a place to experience nature in its raw form. The Saint Louis Zoo currently has about 17,955 animals and more than 700 species of animals. Broken up into different areas such as The Wild, Rivers Edge, and Historic Hill, the Zoo offers a fun and creative way for visitors to get up close and personal to their favorite animals. The Zoo also offers many live shows that will grab and hold your attention and help you learn many different things about the animals.

The St. Louis Zoo is free for visitors of all ages. If you want a more indepth experience, more exhibits, behind the scene tours, and train rides are avalible for an extra fee. Overall the Zoo is worth visiting and enjoying the experience.

My favorite Zoo memory was camping out in the Whale room during my sixth grade school year. We were able to run around Big Cat Country at night which was just as exciting as it was terrifying! This is just one of the great Zoo memories I have. With many more to come

St. Louis Science Center

 http://www.slsc.org/

 The St. Louis Science Center is one of my absolute favorite places in St. Louis, yes I'm 22 and I still love it, in fact I went over winter break.

The Science Center is a place where kids of all ages, young adults, families, friends, grand parents any person, can enjoy learning about different sciences, see over 30 amazing exhibits, visit the up-to-date Planetarium, and Omnimax Theater. It is easy to spend hours in this exciting museum. O and did i mention its FREE!!! General admission is free, however, if you want to enjoy all the extras the museum provides those prices are listed separately on the website. A combination of all these aspects will ensure a great day and lots and lots of learning.

Some of the most well-known exhibits are straight from the website. "The Saint Louis Science Center is a three-building complex (the main building, the EXPLORADOME and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium) with more than 700 hands-on exhibits. In the Science Center galleries you can":

• Visit a life-sized animated Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops in the Ecology and Environment Galleries
• Play a laser harp or create a "virtual fish" in Cyberville
• Explore the science of engineering
• Cross over the interstate and watch the cars go by on the Bridge
• Visit the Flight Gallery in the tunnel between the main building and the Planetarium
• Enjoy innovative live Amazing Science Demonstrations and Science Goes Splat! 

The most memorable experience I had at the Science Center (not including school field trips) was seeing the Omnimax presentation of Space. It was a crazy really adaptation of what life or lack there of is like in space. However, I think I was only ten so yes, it was scary and made me sick. BUT!!!! I was with my cousin, brother, and gma so that is what makes me remember the day.

Forest Park: The Muny

http://www.muny.org/

Drive to Forest Park: $8.00 for gas (from Ashtons house)
Dinner from Rizzi's on the Hill: $25.00 (for Ashton + Dad)
Tickets to the Muny Show: $40.00 (depending on seats, I don't mind paying more)
Parking at the Muny: Free
A nice summer night, picnic in the park,
live musical at the Muny (located outside), a night out with dad: PRICELESS

Some of my favorite memories are spending summer weekend nights at the Muny. Located in Forest Park. My dad and mom used to take me all the time when i was younger and the traditions only continued as i grew older. Now every summer i come my dad and I try to see at  least one show. We distinguish it as a father daughter night which includes dinner in the park from our favorite on the Hill restaurant and a great musical.

The Muny is an outdoor Opera House in the beautiful Forest Park, about ten min. from downtown. Forest Park includes attractions such as; The St. Louis Zoo, Science Center, Sculpture Park, ponds, playgrounds, and more. The Muny is only open during the summer season and is centered around the performing arts. Every summer the company come out with a series of 6-7 musicals to highlight the season. Other activities such as weddings, graduations, school plays, local theater companies also use the great Muny setting to host events. There is a variety of seating options, everything from free seating to the upper price of orchestra seating, concessions are available, as well as pre-show performance from local St. Louis groups.

If you want to get away for a night of music and fun, something different, visit the Muny. Trust me it will be worth your time and provide with amazing family/friends memories.

The Fabulous Fox Theater

The Fox theater is home to one of St. Louis residents favorite places for entertainment. The Fabulous Fox host numerous events from proms to plays, from concerts to seminars. The Fox theater located near St, Louis university is about ten min from downtown St. Louis which leaves visitors room for  a "fabulous" night out.

When the Fox first opened in 1929 over 5500 people opened this amazing theater, now the fox can seat just over 4000 not including box seating and standing room if necessary. The Fox offers many different seating options that fans can choose from, ranging in price, depth, and width in the theater. Personally I have sat just about everywhere. If you like to be up close and personal with the orchestra and the actors then the floor seating is the best option. Did i mention that students can "rush" a show and get half off floor seats. I did it for Rent and it was amazing! If I had to choose, however, lower balcony (for best price) and mezzanine (for best view) is the way to go. Not only do you get to see all the beautiful details inside the building but the view is amazing. A person can sit higher and view the entire stage and depending on the performance the orchestra.

To this day I have been to too many shows to count simply becasue i absolutly love the experience. My dad and I have sorta made the Fox our special place. Anytime a new show or one of our favoite shows would come through town we would go. The last show we saw was Phantom of the Opera, just happened to be my second time seeing it, but it was AMAZING!!!

If you are a show person and love the theater i encourage you to vist the Fabulous Fox Theater!

http://www.fabulousfox.com/default.aspx

The Delmar Loop

The Loop located in University City, Missouri is a strip full of restraunts, shops, and fun for tourest and locals. According to The American PLanning Asssociation, the Loop was named "One of the Ten Great Streets in America."

The Loop consists of six blocks, over 140 shops, and even a walk of fame. With a beautiful outside set up, people are free to walk up and down the strip, listen to live music, and eat at variety of places. The Loop is the home for the long established Blueberry Hill, a nationaly renowedrestraunt and music club.

The loop also as many great family owned shops from vintage clothing to tatoo parlors. One being Iron Age which is one of the most well known tattoo shops in st. louis (o and i got one of my tats there :))

There are convienient parking locations located in numerous areas, but still alows people to walk around and enjoy the St. Louis air.

oooo annnddd you can like the Loop on Facebook and follow on Twitter!

Here is a link to their website with a complete list of all the attractions.
http://visittheloop.com/

The Arch Experience

One of the most famous tourist attractions in St. Louis the Gateway Arch, which is why St. Louis has been named "The Gateway to The West."

There are so many amazing things you can do when you visit the Arch. First, the Arch grounds are a beautiful place to hang out with the family. Right along the riverfront and grassy greens compliment the amazing Arch structure and beauty. It also is conveniently located downtown St. Louis, within walking distance from many great restaurants and shops. Second, inside the Arch bottom is a gift shop and the Museum of Western Expansion. This exhibit gives customers an in depth history lesson on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, animals of the west, and much more. Lastly, making your way to the top of this historical monument is a MUST! Tickets are a very reasonable price and are set by times. On your way to the trams that lead you 630 feet up, you can tour the entire building process of the Arch and its grounds. Finally, you take about a 3min ride up one of the legs and reach the top. At the top you can look out one sides and see Illinois and the river, and the other side a perfect view of Busch Stadium and downtown St. Louis.

This is the link to the website where there is much more details about the Arch and near by attractions.

O! Did I mention that on the homepage you can "like" them on facebook?

The Magic House St. Louis Children's Museum

The Magic House St. Louis Children's Museum, is a museum in Kirkwood, MO that is centered around the education of children. It is also the place where i worked for 5 years, over summers and breaks from Bradley.

Their mission: The Magic House is to provide children with hands-on learning experiences that encourage experimentation, creativity and the development of problem-solving skills within a place of beauty, wonder, joy and magic.

The Magic House is a non-profit organization that offers many different choices of entertainment. These include speical rentals, birthday parties, and out reach programs. Every Sunday home game of the Cardinals a team of Magic House staff goes to the stadium and provides crafts for children. The Magic House also recently introduced new exhibts that doubled the size of the original house.

Social media wise the Magic House has Twitter and Facebook which fans can follow to view customer comments and upcoming offers.

Blog Introduction

Hey Peeps!!!! This is just an introduction to my blog, "Gateway to the West." As you may know the gateway to the west is St. Louis, which is also my home town. In this blog i will be filling you in on posts about anything and everything in St. Louis. It may be stores or restaurants that i love or business articles that i have found based in St. Louis.

I encourage any of you to comment or post questions relating to St. Louis, maybe i will know something about it, or anything interesting that relates to St. Louis.

Look for more to come!

P.S. no hating on STL sports teams! OR WE WILL HAVE ISSUES!! hahaha