St. Louis in 2.5 Days

Standing 630 feet tall on the banks of the Mississippi River, the Arch is a unique monument that includes a unique way to get to the top, squeezing into five person trams in a setup unlike anything you have experienced at the Space Needle or the Sears Tower. Because the Arch can't pack a lot of people into high speed elevators, the process is slower, so budget some extra time for this sight.

Take a break at the Arch View Cafe and then a tour on the Mississippi River on board the riverboat Tom Sawyer. If you are feeling up for more adventure, take a helicopter tour, running during the day until sunset.

Located between the Old Courthouse and Civil Courts building in downtown St. Louis, the City Garden is a kind of urban oasis with flowers, sculptures, fountains, wading pools, and even a small urban waterfall. A great place to relax, play in the water, and stay cool during the summer heat.

Take a guided tour of the home of the St. Louis Cardinals on a day when the team is playing away, and see the various decks and ballpark clubs, the home broadcast booth, go on the field and sit in the dug out, and check out the tributes to Stan "the Man" Musial and in action sculptures of other Cardinal greats.

A 1300 acre park near downtown St. Louis, this sight has a wealth of attractions to explore: the Dwight Davis Tennis Center, the World's Fair Pavilion, the Emerson Grand Basin, and the Jewel Box and its beautiful lily ponds. Given the size of the park and the distance between attractions, the park is best navigated by bike. Also stop by the Boathouse and rent a paddle boat or kayak for a leisurely water trip to and through the Grand Basin.

Rivaling the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia in terms of quality and variety, the Botanical Garden is a must see. Of the many individual gardens within the Botanical Garden, the most noteworthy is the Japanese Garden, which is the largest traditional Japanese garden in North America. Also check out the distinctive ecology of the Climatron and the Temperate House.

A 10 minute walk from the Missouri Botanical Garden, this large park offers a lot to explore, and plenty of room for ultimate frisbee, kickball, and other sports.

Located across the street from Union Station, this array of distinctive water sculptures called "The Meeting of the Waters" represents the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.