I have stayed at the Marriott several times as the company I work for has a deal going with them.

The instructions for our meetings state we should not walk alone at night and DO NOT GO TO EAST ST. LOUIS. Yes, in all caps so that should tell you something.

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TumblinDice76
You know your not from the Mid West if the 3 words-East St. Louis don't scare the Hell out of you!

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Sockers56

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kovach

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Sockers56
I booked Days Inn by Wyndham Downtown St. Louis, St. Louis. It was at a good price. What is everybody's opinion of the hotel & the proximity to the Dome. First time in St Louis. Going with my buddy.

Not a good area. Avoid anything north of the dome.

I hate to sound so negative about St. Louis, I've spent my entire life here and love what it has to offer (our zoo is top notch Forest Park is beautiful, our botanical gardens are very nice, and it was a lifelong dream seeing the Blues win the Stanley Cup), but downtown has really taken a turn for the worse lately, there are certain areas to avoid at all costs, and East St. Louis is one of the worst places in the entire country which explains my reply to the person staying at the Casino Queen. The casino and hotel might be fine but walking off the premises is taking your life in your hands. North St. Louis isn't much better. It's like the wild west late at night into the early morning, car chases, cars racing, gun shots.

The hotels at the casino on Lacledes Landing on the West side of the river are nice and may be a safe walk in groups. Plus there's some nearby eating and drinking establishments near that casino.

Hi Kovach,


I've been checking hotels.com & booking.com. Would you do me a hugh favor? Can you recommend a hotel close to the Dome that you consider safe? I was looking at Marriott St Louis Grand that you recommended, but it's a bit out of my price range. Thank you!

..



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2021-09-13 01:50 by snoopy2.

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Sockers56

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kovach

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Sockers56
I booked Days Inn by Wyndham Downtown St. Louis, St. Louis. It was at a good price. What is everybody's opinion of the hotel & the proximity to the Dome. First time in St Louis. Going with my buddy.

Not a good area. Avoid anything north of the dome.

I hate to sound so negative about St. Louis, I've spent my entire life here and love what it has to offer (our zoo is top notch Forest Park is beautiful, our botanical gardens are very nice, and it was a lifelong dream seeing the Blues win the Stanley Cup), but downtown has really taken a turn for the worse lately, there are certain areas to avoid at all costs, and East St. Louis is one of the worst places in the entire country which explains my reply to the person staying at the Casino Queen. The casino and hotel might be fine but walking off the premises is taking your life in your hands. North St. Louis isn't much better. It's like the wild west late at night into the early morning, car chases, cars racing, gun shots.

The hotels at the casino on Lacledes Landing on the West side of the river are nice and may be a safe walk in groups. Plus there's some nearby eating and drinking establishments near that casino.

Hi Kovach,


I've been checking hotels.com & booking.com. Would you do me a hugh favor? Can you recommend a hotel close to the Dome that you consider safe? I was looking at Marriott St Louis Grand that you recommended, but it's a bit out of my price range. Thank you!

The Drury Convention Center is probably your next best bet (there are at least 3 Drurys downtown so make sure it's the ine by the Convention center). There's a Hampton Inn nearby too.

The other Drurys aren't bad, the one nearest the arch might be safe enough to walk after the show with a crowd (though there's a Hilton and Hyatt between the dome and that one). The other by Union Station, though a decent enough area, long walk through some questionable areas late at night. But if you don't mind a short cab/Uber ride, there's lots of other possibilities.

I wouldn't worry to much about getting to the dome during the day, it's the walk back at night that is a concern.

With the Taste of St. Louis going on that weekend at ballpark village, the Westin or New Live by Loews hotels might be a good option if you want to take the Metrolink (which I normally wouldn't suggest at night but I suspect there'll be enough of a crowd using them as to thwart any funny business). Or the Hilton Ballpark has a cool rooftop bar overlooking it but it's at the opposite end of the ballpark area from the Metrolink stop.

Sounds like maybe I’ll just be staying at the hotel until showtime then

There will be thousands of people at the show, flooding the streets for blocks and blocks after the show. A hotel just a few blocks away from the venue would be the safest place on the planet at that time.

Bjornulf

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georgemcdonnell314
I have stayed at the Marriott several times as the company I work for has a deal going with them.

The instructions for our meetings state we should not walk alone at night and DO NOT GO TO EAST ST. LOUIS. Yes, in all caps so that should tell you something.

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TumblinDice76
You know your not from the Mid West if the 3 words-East St. Louis don't scare the Hell out of you!

For those not from St. Louis, East St. Louis is where all the strip clubs are. And many do venture over there but you better know where your going and if you get lost just keep in driving until you find your way out, never stop for any reason like asking for directions.

Isn't East St Louis on the other side of the Mississippi River, a long walk from the venue The Rolling Stones are performing at?

Bjornulf

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BFR
Sounds like maybe I’ll just be staying at the hotel until showtime then

We'll let's not go overboard, there's nice pockets of areas during the day you'll be fine. You don't want to be wondering around on your own at night though.

The Taste of St Louis at ballpark village is an option.

The newly redone arch grounds are nice including some nice park areas from there up to 7th street.

Our newly restored Union Station which now includes an aquarium and a huge Ferris Wheel with nice views of the city is a good option, with some food options.

And there's plenty of places to eat and drink along Washington Avenue from about 8th to 14th street though it gets very sketchy at night.

If you just want some good beer and food, check out St. Louis's 2nd largest Brewery, Schlafly, at 21st & Locust.

If you want to venture to the outskirts of downtown, the Soulard neighborhood has a great selection of good restaurants and bars and music, and although not crime free, relatively safe.

On the other side of downtown is Pappys BBQ, Center Ice Brewing, and Southern (Nashvile Hot Chicken) all next to each other.

Oh and be sure to check out our Blues Museum on Washington just a couple blocks from the dome! The BBQ restaurant next door to it is also pretty good.

Just stick to the main thoroughfares where you see people and you should be fine during the day. Unfortunately it gets a bit dangerous late.

I'd like people to enjoy themselves here but don't want anyone to get hurt either.

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bv
Isn't East St Louis on the other side of the Mississippi River, a long walk from the venue The Rolling Stones are performing at?

Yes, East St. Louis is is in Illinois.

The river is almost a mile wide and is maybe a quarter mile from the dome.

There is nothing, nothing nice that awaits you on the Illinois side of the bridge. I'm not even sure if any of the bridges have walking paths.

Interesting enough, East St. Louis was a premiere shopping destination in the 50's. Those days are long gone.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2021-09-13 01:45 by kovach.

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bv
There will be thousands of people at the show, flooding the streets for blocks and blocks after the show. A hotel just a few blocks away from the venue would be the safest place on the planet at that time.

Agree, the Marriott, Drury Convention Center, Magnolia, and Courtyard, I would have zero concerns getting to and from. Not as familiar with the Embassy but it looks fine too.

Maybe check with some of the hotels farther out if they have transportation services to and from local attractions, you might not have to walk it.

My only goal for St Louis is to see The Rolling Stones.

Then I want to drink a fresh brewed Budweiser, brewed less than 1-3 days ago, at their HQ brewery, with the Clydesdale horses. I do it every time I am there. Every time I go there, they ask if I drive a car. I say no. I come with the bus. So I get all the tasters of course. After the tour. One time on the brewery tour, they had a major bottle crash in the production line. More than 100 Budweiser bottles crunched. They sorted it out while I was there. Just the sound of all the bottles passing by you in the line every second makes you thirsty.

[www.budweisertours.com]

Then may be once more go up into The Arch, in that little round box with space for 4-5 people, if they still do that now with covid-19.

I am sure St Louis is a great city, and I am looking forward to being there. It will be a very special show, for sure.

Bjornulf

Thanks for all the info, Kovach. I always like to hear from locals when I’m traveling to a new destination, so I appreciate you taking the time to give us some tips and suggestions. I was kidding (mostly) about staying in the hotel until showtime, but as a female traveling alone, I can’t be too cautious. I plan to uber from the airport to the hotel on Sunday morning and will stick pretty close to the venue.

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BFR
Thanks for all the info, Kovach. I always like to hear from locals when I’m traveling to a new destination, so I appreciate you taking the time to give us some tips and suggestions. I was kidding (mostly) about staying in the hotel until showtime, but as a female traveling alone, I can’t be too cautious. I plan to uber from the airport to the hotel on Sunday morning and will stick pretty close to the venue.

Sure no problem! For the record, I have traveled all over the world, but still make St. Louis my home for almost 57 years, so it's not all bad news.

Interesting fact, St. Louis city is its own county. St. Louis county is unaffiliated. That's why when you see the population of ~400k people are amazed it's so small. When you add in the county, it's more like 3M. The city and county can't get their act together. If they did we'd probably jump up about 10 spots to about the 7th largest city in the country. And our crime rates would go way down too (we're consistently in the top 5 centered in a few particular places in the city; not to say there isn't crime elsewhere but not at those high rates).

It's a nice cheap place to live with 4 seasons of weather and lots of attractions.

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bv
My only goal for St Louis is to see The Rolling Stones.

Then I want to drink a fresh brewed Budweiser, brewed less than 1-3 days ago, at their HQ brewery, with the Clydesdale horses. I do it every time I am there. Every time I go there, they ask if I drive a car. I say no. I come with the bus. So I get all the tasters of course. After the tour. One time on the brewery tour, they had a major bottle crash in the production line. More than 100 Budweiser bottles crunched. They sorted it out while I was there. Just the sound of all the bottles passing by you in the line every second makes you thirsty.

[www.budweisertours.com]

Then may be once more go up into The Arch, in that little round box with space for 4-5 people, if they still do that now with covid-19.

I am sure St Louis is a great city, and I am looking forward to being there. It will be a very special show, for sure.

The arch grounds and park have been completely redone and extends across the highway for close to a half mile now, very nice, some fountains and sculptures on the western end of the park.

Amazing how clean and automated that brewery is, isn't it?

For those with added time to kill and want to venture out, the U. City Loop area is cool, the St. Louis Walk of Fame is on the sidewalks with plaques of famous St. Louisans, Blueberry Hill where you can get some of the best burgers in town and play some darts (and where Chuck Berry played monthly!), Vintage Vinyl is a block away which is one of the best collections of music you'll find, and the Chuck Berry statue is there too.

Or our Forest Park is actually bigger than Central Park and contains our art museum, zoo, a science center, golf course, and Muny where they have outdoor plays, among other things. It's very close to the U. City Loop area.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2021-09-13 03:01 by kovach.

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bv
My only goal for St Louis is to see The Rolling Stones.

Same. I’ll need a couple of meals while I’m there but I really don’t have anything else on my agenda other than the show. My flight lands around 8:30 AM that morning though, so hoping I can get early check-in at The Marriott.

I’ve had great times in St. Louis - in 2009, was there for Springsteen. Stayed near the venue in a great hotel (although I might have heard it’s not so great anymore?) and had a great breakfast sandwich on Washington from a street vendor. Turns out the Colts were in town so we bought a cheap ticket on the street just to watch a little bit of Peyton….er, the game…. before we left to get ready for Bruce. Went back in November 2019 for Dylan (my last concert before Covid). We stayed at the Drury Inn near Union Station and walked to and from.

This time I was a little nervous to stay too far from the venue……not worried about the walk to the Dome, but wasn’t sure about walking back. There will be 3 of us (women), but decided to get as close as I could. Drury at the Dome was all booked up when I checked.

That said, isn’t it East St. Louis that Chevy Chase ends up in the first National Lampoon’s Vacation?

Still looking forward to a night in St. Loo with the Stones and all of that old architecture. I grew up in Memphis (and was a probation officer, no less) and know about pockets of crime. Hoping we all have a safe, fun time.

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IgotDbluez
That said, isn’t it East St. Louis that Chevy Chase ends up in the first National Lampoon’s Vacation?

That was actually St. Louis! Though in reality looked a bit more like East St. Louis.

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kovach

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Sockers56

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kovach

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Sockers56
I booked Days Inn by Wyndham Downtown St. Louis, St. Louis. It was at a good price. What is everybody's opinion of the hotel & the proximity to the Dome. First time in St Louis. Going with my buddy.

Not a good area. Avoid anything north of the dome.

I hate to sound so negative about St. Louis, I've spent my entire life here and love what it has to offer (our zoo is top notch Forest Park is beautiful, our botanical gardens are very nice, and it was a lifelong dream seeing the Blues win the Stanley Cup), but downtown has really taken a turn for the worse lately, there are certain areas to avoid at all costs, and East St. Louis is one of the worst places in the entire country which explains my reply to the person staying at the Casino Queen. The casino and hotel might be fine but walking off the premises is taking your life in your hands. North St. Louis isn't much better. It's like the wild west late at night into the early morning, car chases, cars racing, gun shots.

The hotels at the casino on Lacledes Landing on the West side of the river are nice and may be a safe walk in groups. Plus there's some nearby eating and drinking establishments near that casino.

Hi Kovach,


I've been checking hotels.com & booking.com. Would you do me a hugh favor? Can you recommend a hotel close to the Dome that you consider safe? I was looking at Marriott St Louis Grand that you recommended, but it's a bit out of my price range. Thank you!

The Drury Convention Center is probably your next best bet (there are at least 3 Drurys downtown so make sure it's the ine by the Convention center). There's a Hampton Inn nearby too.

The other Drurys aren't bad, the one nearest the arch might be safe enough to walk after the show with a crowd (though there's a Hilton and Hyatt between the dome and that one). The other by Union Station, though a decent enough area, long walk through some questionable areas late at night. But if you don't mind a short cab/Uber ride, there's lots of other possibilities.

I wouldn't worry to much about getting to the dome during the day, it's the walk back at night that is a concern.

With the Taste of St. Louis going on that weekend at ballpark village, the Westin or New Live by Loews hotels might be a good option if you want to take the Metrolink (which I normally wouldn't suggest at night but I suspect there'll be enough of a crowd using them as to thwart any funny business). Or the Hilton Ballpark has a cool rooftop bar overlooking it but it's at the opposite end of the ballpark area from the Metrolink stop.

Thank you Kovach very much for the helpful suggestions!

Walking to the concert and walking with a crowd after the concert you should be fine. There are police all over the place after a concert. Just use common sense and walk with the crowds and in well lit areas.

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kovach

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IgotDbluez
That said, isn’t it East St. Louis that Chevy Chase ends up in the first National Lampoon’s Vacation?

That was actually St. Louis! Though in reality looked a bit more like East St. Louis.

Vacation

THE "EAST ST. LOUIS" SCENE WAS ACTUALLY ST. LOUIS.

Ramis expressed regret over a scene in which the Griswolds take a wrong turn into East St. Louis, Illinois, having their hubcaps stolen and the Truckster stripped while Clark asks for directions from a local.
The area subsequently developed a reputation for criminal activity that wasn’t warranted. Though it doesn’t exactly soften the blow, the scene is actually supposed to take place in St. Louis: The family crosses the Poplar Bridge, and Ramis said a shot that features an East St. Louis sign was placed in the film in error.

Setting the Record Straight

"I apologize for the whole scene," says Ramis. "I wouldn't think of doing a thing like that now. It was supposed to be about prejudice, when in fact it was prejudiced."

_____________________________________________________________
Rip this joint, gonna save your soul, round and round and round we go......



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021-09-13 03:11 by Hairball.

Is there still a "ghost town" in St Louis? I remember back in 1997, when the Stones played their final show that year in STL, Dec 12, I stayed in an area where blocks and blocks around my hotel were empty. It seemed like all the others had moved into new locations in the old central station. I wonder what happened to that area of the city.

Bjornulf

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kovach

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Sockers56

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kovach

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Sockers56
I booked Days Inn by Wyndham Downtown St. Louis, St. Louis. It was at a good price. What is everybody's opinion of the hotel & the proximity to the Dome. First time in St Louis. Going with my buddy.

Not a good area. Avoid anything north of the dome.

I hate to sound so negative about St. Louis, I've spent my entire life here and love what it has to offer (our zoo is top notch Forest Park is beautiful, our botanical gardens are very nice, and it was a lifelong dream seeing the Blues win the Stanley Cup), but downtown has really taken a turn for the worse lately, there are certain areas to avoid at all costs, and East St. Louis is one of the worst places in the entire country which explains my reply to the person staying at the Casino Queen. The casino and hotel might be fine but walking off the premises is taking your life in your hands. North St. Louis isn't much better. It's like the wild west late at night into the early morning, car chases, cars racing, gun shots.

The hotels at the casino on Lacledes Landing on the West side of the river are nice and may be a safe walk in groups. Plus there's some nearby eating and drinking establishments near that casino.

Hi Kovach,


I've been checking hotels.com & booking.com. Would you do me a hugh favor? Can you recommend a hotel close to the Dome that you consider safe? I was looking at Marriott St Louis Grand that you recommended, but it's a bit out of my price range. Thank you!

The Drury Convention Center is probably your next best bet (there are at least 3 Drurys downtown so make sure it's the ine by the Convention center). There's a Hampton Inn nearby too.

The other Drurys aren't bad, the one nearest the arch might be safe enough to walk after the show with a crowd (though there's a Hilton and Hyatt between the dome and that one). The other by Union Station, though a decent enough area, long walk through some questionable areas late at night. But if you don't mind a short cab/Uber ride, there's lots of other possibilities.

I wouldn't worry to much about getting to the dome during the day, it's the walk back at night that is a concern.

With the Taste of St. Louis going on that weekend at ballpark village, the Westin or New Live by Loews hotels might be a good option if you want to take the Metrolink (which I normally wouldn't suggest at night but I suspect there'll be enough of a crowd using them as to thwart any funny business). Or the Hilton Ballpark has a cool rooftop bar overlooking it but it's at the opposite end of the ballpark area from the Metrolink stop.

Kovach, is is the Hampton Inn you are referring to? Hampton Inn & Suites at Forest Park 5650 Oakland Ave?

There is another Hampton Inn St Louis at the Arch On Washingon.

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bv
Is there still a "ghost town" in St Louis? I remember back in 1997, when the Stones played their final show that year in STL, Dec 12, I stayed in an area where blocks and blocks around my hotel were empty. It seemed like all the others had moved into new locations in the old central station. I wonder what happened to that area of the city.

Not sure where you stayed, but St. Louis improved a lot up until the financial crisis of 2008. It's started to slide backwards to its old ways since, and what happened in Ferguson a few years later didn't help.

They built tons of loft homes, people started moving into downtown, grocery stores opened, then the financial crisis hit, people started losing jobs and moved out, construction came to a halt, crime started to move back in. Many of those lofts are now apartments, they couldn't sell them.

But we have the new ballpark village, a new baseball stadium, some nice restaurants to the west of the ballpark (Wheelhouse, Midwestern), and the improved and expanded arch grounds.

You might be referring to the Washington Avenue district, I think it was built since you've been here too. It's nice...during the day; but it's gotten dangerous at night.

It's really a shame. But I still think you'll find St. Louis downtown nicer than your last trip. But as mentioned, crime has increased so just be aware.

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Sockers56
There is another Hampton Inn St Louis at the Arch On Washingon.

Correct, that's the one.

Thank you!

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kovach

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Sockers56
There is another Hampton Inn St Louis at the Arch On Washingon.

Correct, that's the one.

at 12815
Last question Kovach: The Courtyard has several locations. One is at 2340 Market St at Jefferson, the other is Daylight Dr. Which of those is the one you recommend?

There's a Courtyard right across the street from Mariott close to the dome.

Again, many thanks! If I run into you, I'll buy you a drink.