St. Louis offers so much to see and do that you can expect virtually endless entertainment in the city, especially if you're interested in local history and architectural masterpieces. If you're looking to see the most iconic sites and landmarks, however, there are a select few you should absolutely include on your itinerary. The Old Court House Dating back to the late 1800s, the Old Court House and Kiener Plaza are essential stops for those interested in seeing the grand architecture of St. Louis buildings defined in one spectacular monument. The surrounding plaza features expansive open space as well, offering a nice break from the more densely packed areas of town and its towering buildings. The Old Court House can be found at 11 N. Fourth St., by the Gateway Arch. Forest Park If you're looking for one location where you can spend the entire day, there's nothing quite like Forest Park. It's home to quite a few different attractions, including the Saint Louis Zoo and the local art museum, and that's just the beginning. When the 1904 World's Fair was held here, several remnants were leftover that still can be enjoyed to this day, including the Emerson Grand Basin and the iconic Art Hill. You'll find Forest Park at 5595 Grand Dr. more Missouri Botanical Garden If you're looking to peruse vibrant flora, there's no better site than the Missouri Botanical Garden. Not only can you see colorful plants showing off the best in horticultural beauty, but the garden itself is its own piece of history dating back to 1859. Artistic sculptures are also prevalent throughout, especially in the central water feature where you can see three angelic figures perched atop towering pillars. The garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd. Cathedral Basilica For those looking to see brilliantly designed churches without traveling to Europe, the Cathedral Basilica is one of your best options. This breathtaking, massive church is elegantly designed with multiple arches throughout, invoking a larger-than-life experience. You'll find intricately designed mosaics along the arches and ceilings as well. In fact, this mosaic display is one of the largest in the entire world. You can find it all at 4431 Lindell Blvd. St. Louis Union Station While technically a former train depot, the St. Louis Union Station looks more like a castle than anything else. This seemingly old-world building houses restaurants and a luxury hotel these days, but even from the outside, you can appreciate its outstretched spires and cylindrical towers that show off architectural designs of times past. The station is located at 1820 Market St. This is just a taste of all that St. Louis has to offer, but these must-see sites should be prioritized on any itinerary designed to get the most out of the Gateway City. Plan your adventure today and embark on a journey of discovery to find the best landmarks and sites throughout St. Louis. Image via Pixabay.
Life in the city has its perks. But the noise, busyness, and crowdedness of city life can accumulate in city-dwellers' minds, creating stress and fatigue. Sometimes, you need to reconnect with nature to restart and refresh your body and mind. If you're in the Ellisville, Missouri, area, you're in luck. Here are a few of our favorite places to connect with nature in the area: Roger Klamberg Woods Next to Bluebird Park in Ellisville, you'll find the Roger Klamberg Woods Conservation Area. This 67.4-acre expanse of protected Missouri woodland is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in nature without having to make a day trip out of it. Take on the two main trails for a good hike. One of those trails also serves as a biking trail if you want to get a relaxing ride in. Once you've taken your hike, stop in Bluebird Park to take advantage of the facilities and picnic areas you can find there. Castlewood State Park Castlewood State Park is a nearby natural destination that lets people get away from the noise of the city. The Meramec River runs through it, as do many trails of varying difficulties. No matter your skill and fitness level, there's a trail in this park that will keep you engaged. Castlewood is also a great destination for bicyclists, horseback riders, anglers, and bird-watchers. Try something new outside or just breathe in the fresh air the park has to offer. more Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park Less than 10 miles east of Ellisville, you'll find the Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park. If you're looking for a more developed natural area where you can spend the day with family, you'll love what this park has to offer. Pitch a tent at the campground to make it a full weekend of exploring the hiking, biking, and horseback riding, with plentiful trails in the park to enjoy all three activities. The picnic areas are a comfortable way to enjoy a few hours with family away from the distractions of the city. This park is 2,441 acres and has 17.4 acres of trails to explore. Don Robinson State Park On the opposite end of the spectrum, Don Robinson State Park is a great destination for those who want as little sign of human life as possible. The picturesque scene the park holds is a great opportunity for those who want to get back to nature. The state park protects LaBarque Creek's upper watershed, as well as sandstone box canyons, forests, shelter caves, and more. It's the perfect destination for amateur biologists and geologists to find interesting natural sights. You'll find 6.8 miles of trails in the Don Robinson State Park's 818.18 acres and only two man-made structures. Finding the perfect place to reconnect with nature is easy, thanks to these and the many other destinations near Ellisville, Missouri. Whether you're looking for a strenuous trek to get the blood pumping or a peaceful day outdoors, you're sure to find what you're looking for at these spots. Image via Pixabay.
Afternoon tea is a popular British tradition and it often involves sandwiches, scones, and delicious desserts. It's an excellent way to socialize with friends and relax at any time of day. Here are some of the best places for tea near Ellisville, Missouri. Mary Ann's Tea Room At Mary Ann's Tea Room in St. Louis, you can enjoy a British tea experience with a modern touch. Teas include Earl Grey, Bombay Chai, Black Currant, Orchid Vanilla, Green Mango Peach, Jasmine Green, Cherry Marzipan, Lemon Sorbetti, Cucumber Mint, and White Ginger Pear. You can also try caffeine-free Blueberry Merlot, Chamomile Citron, Raspberry Nectar, or Swiss Apple herbal teas. Sunday brunch has quiche, Belgian waffles, smoked salmon, eggs benedict, and more. For dessert, you can indulge in chocolate mousse, carrot cake, cheesecake, or the chef's dessert of the day. This place is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. more Teatopia At Teatopia, you can try White Pomegranate, Cherry Hibiscus, or High Mountain Oolong tea. Several Fruitea Smoothies are also available. The Green Dream has mango, pineapple, black tea, and spinach and the Blueberry Coconut Crème blends blueberries with coconut crème black tea. You can have a salad, a veggie burger with homemade vegan buffalo sauce, or nachos with cashew cheese as well. You can visit Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The London Tea Room Like Mary Ann's Tea Room, the London Tea Room has a distinct British feel. More than 80 varieties of tea are available, and it's served on beautiful Laura Ashley china. The types of teas this tea room serves change often, so you can easily find something new. Afternoon tea includes a selection of cakes, pastries, petit fours, and scones. There's also a variety of tea sandwiches. The London Tea Room is an ideal place for parties, and you can take classes to learn how to make delicious scones and a perfect cup of tea. Classes on the history of tea, blending additional flavors with tea, the chemistry of tea, and how tea can improve your health are available as well. You can visit every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. La Patisseria Chouquette La Patisseria Chouquette is a French bakery that's known for its wedding cakes, amazing desserts, and awesome afternoon teas. You can sample spiced Chai tea, Earl Grey, or mulled Christmas tea. There are also raspberry white chocolate scones, glittered sugar plums, Christmas rum cakes, and gingerbread Madeline. More savory options include Yorkshire pudding puffs with horseradish cream, rosemary turkey with cranberry relish on wheat bread, cucumber sandwiches, and Ricotta tartlets. You can also take home a dozen rum balls, a Yule log, or a cranberry orange Christmas loaf. La Patisseria Chouquette is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. At these excellent places, you can taste a variety of teas, snacks, sandwiches, and desserts. Having tea is also a great way for you to work on your etiquette and have fun with older kids. Image via Pixabay.com.
