St Louis and Kentucky.

[Carcassdragger]

Looks like I'm headed to St Louis in late March for a conference.

Wife will be joining me at the end of it and we'll be spending several days in the area just checking it out. Definitely going to Louisville for a few days to do the bourbon trail thing and would love some suggestions as I've never spent any time even near St Louis or Kentucky.

Thanks.

[CatsbyAZ]

One of the High Schools I went to was outside St. Louis. It's unfortunately a pretty generic Midwestern city not unlike Cincinnati or Cleveland, to include the expected crime spikes in the "inner city," a gigantic interstate loop, and all the typical chain restaurants dotting the suburbs - Applebee's, Texas Roadhouse, Crackle Barrel - all much more appreciated in the Midwest.

Post-2008 recession, St Louis didn't quite bounce back they way its counterparts did with restoring the downtowns, bettering the public transportation, or creating friendly public spaces to include many bike lanes. It feels a little stagnant; fellow cities like Kansas City, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, or Pittsburgh feel newer than St Louis.

But I liked it when I lived near St. Louis for a few years as a teenager, and even enjoyed the tourist traps that were definitely worth visiting, namely the St Louis Arch, Budweiser Brewery Tours, and Forest Park near the Zoo.

Louisville will likely be the better visit. The horse racing track will be worth the tour and will be ramping up for the Kentucky Derby. My favorite experience of Louisville is the "Big Four Bridge – Waterfront Park" which is a walking bridge crossing the Ohio River and into Indiana. At night there's colored lighting shows illuminating its trusses and musicians post up to entertain volumes of foot traffic with live music.

[CardiacCats97]

Go to the Muhammad Ali Museum in Louisville. It’s incredible.

[RichardCranium]

The National Blues Museum is in St. Louis.

https://nationalbluesmuseum.org/

[LuteIsGod]

One of the High Schools I went to was outside St. Louis. It's unfortunately a pretty generic Midwestern city not unlike Cincinnati or Cleveland, to include the expected crime spikes in the "inner city," a gigantic interstate loop, and all the typical chain restaurants dotting the suburbs - Applebee's, Texas Roadhouse, Crackle Barrel - all much more appreciated in the Midwest.

Post-2008 recession, St Louis didn't quite bounce back they way its counterparts did with restoring the downtowns, bettering the public transportation, or creating friendly public spaces to include many bike lanes. It feels a little stagnant; fellow cities like Kansas City, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, or Pittsburgh feel newer than St Louis.

But I liked it when I lived near St. Louis for a few years as a teenager, and even enjoyed the tourist traps that were definitely worth visiting, namely the St Louis Arch, Budweiser Brewery Tours, and Forest Park near the Zoo.

Louisville will likely be the better visit. The horse racing track will be worth the tour and will be ramping up for the Kentucky Derby. My favorite experience of Louisville is the "Big Four Bridge – Waterfront Park" which is a walking bridge crossing the Ohio River and into Indiana. At night there's colored lighting shows illuminating its trusses and musicians post up to entertain volumes of foot traffic with live music.

I concur on the Arch. It’s a sight to see and I recommend you go inside and take a ride to the top. I also recommend the rooftop bar, Three Sixty, which has an almost unobstructed view of the arch, which is especially beautiful at night. There’s a Sugerfire BBQ downtown that makes good bbq. Trust is a good cocktail bar and is across from the Arch. There’s also a casino across from the old nfl stadium downtown.

[Carcassdragger]

Well. Leaving in a couple of weeks. Have tours of Woodford Reserve and Old Forester distilleries scheduled. Also probably hoping to check out Mammoth Cave National Park. Hoping to squeeze in the Mohammed Ali museum and possibly the Lousiville bat factory.

I'll be in St Louis for a week before wifey shows up. Hoping for some good BBQ and maybe check out the Budweiser brewery.

[dovecanyoncat]

I'm not a bourbon fan anymore (having made the virtuous switch to scotch), but in your area there might be some craft single malt distilleries that utilize native bourbon casks for finishing their spirit. Worth a tour I'd wager.

[GlobalCat]

Well. Leaving in a couple of weeks. Have tours of Woodford Reserve and Old Forester distilleries scheduled. Also probably hoping to check out Mammoth Cave National Park. Hoping to squeeze in the Mohammed Ali museum and possibly the Lousiville bat factory.

I'll be in St Louis for a week before wifey shows up. Hoping for some good BBQ and maybe check out the Budweiser brewery.

The brewery is well worth it. Take the family to Grants Farm - last time I was there, they had free Budweiser beers there too.

St. Louis has weird pride in their local custard and pizza (made with provolone). Don't feel obligated to go out of your way to try either.

[Siempre Verde]

Well. Leaving in a couple of weeks. Have tours of Woodford Reserve and Old Forester distilleries scheduled. Also probably hoping to check out Mammoth Cave National Park. Hoping to squeeze in the Mohammed Ali museum and possibly the Lousiville bat factory.

I'll be in St Louis for a week before wifey shows up. Hoping for some good BBQ and maybe check out the Budweiser brewery.

The brewery is well worth it. Take the family to Grants Farm - last time I was there, they had free Budweiser beers there too.

St. Louis has weird pride in their local custard and pizza (made with provolone). Don't feel obligated to go out of your way to try either.

Not to be pedantic, but the pizza is made with provel. It is definitely an acquired taste which I never acquired. Their frozen custard is fine, but better in the concrete from Ted Drewes (think Dairy Queen Blizzard from long before there was a Dairy Queen blizzard.)

You’d be better off driving up I-55 towards Springfield for a horseshoe.

[Carcassdragger]

In the airport getting ready to go. Sure appreciate you guys that responded.

[Carcassdragger]

In St Louis. Holy cow. Not sure this downtown area is the safest place around.

[azgreg]

In St Louis. Holy cow. Not sure this downtown area is the safest place around.

[dovecanyoncat]

In St Louis. Holy cow. Not sure this downtown area is the safest place around.

Ages ago we were transiting through the SL area looking for diesel and took the wrong freeway exit. We were in my 'refrigerator white 92 F350 longbed crew cab 4X4 with a windowless shell on the bed. It was one long-ass white rig. We got the hell out as fast as possible. A cop picked us out and followed us around our circuit back to the freeway.

"That's some lost cracker mother fuckers there partner, better keep an eye on 'em."