Make St. Louis Your Great Weekend Getaway!

Enjoy the season in this city on the river, where glorious parks welcome you. Breathe the summer air, and have some fun.

Everything grows in St. Louis this time of the year. More than 100 beautiful city parks, especially the Missouri Botanical Garden, dare you to stay indoors as they entice with lush landscapes. Forest Park offers up the city's fabulous and free world-class zoo. So come on over to St. Louis, where you'll find plenty to celebrate in this green season.

Park Larks

Did I mention that most of St. Louis's parks are free? Well, they are. Wander the grounds of the Gateway Arch, the city's icon and still a spring chicken at age 41. Adjacent to the Mighty Mississippi, this lovely space that's part of the National Park Service's Jefferson National Expansion Memorial provides a great spot to plan your day. A slightly claustrophobic tram ride to the top of the Arch (best view of the city) cost $10 Adults, $7 ages 13-15, $3 ages 3-12 and is worth every penny.

Forest Park's 1,300 acres boast lots of activities for a fun day outside. At the Saint Louis Zoo you'll be entertained by puffins, penguins, and an elephant named Raja who might swim for you. Baby elephant Maliha is the newest charmer. More than 17,000 animals promise a great walk on the wild side. Another popular attraction in Forest Park is the Saint Louis Art Museum, located in the only remaining structure of the famed 1904 World's Fair.

Whatever you do, don't miss the Missouri Botanical Garden, the oldest continuously operating garden in the country and considered one of the top three in the world. Admission is $8 ages 13 and up, and you'll love exploring the Japanese garden and the geodesic dome greenhouse that shelters a rain forest, waterfalls, and hundreds of rare plants. Take in the exhibit of African stone sculptures depiction animals, families, and creatures of legend in "Chapungu: Nature, Man, and Myth." Ride in a carriage pulled by a Clydesdale in Tower Grove Park, and give a nod to man's best friend in Queeny Park, where the American Kennel club Museum of the Dog allows you to bone up on great canine artwork.

Another outdoor delight, Grant's Far, has a 281-acre area owned by Anheuser-Bush. A free attraction, the preserve features a Clydesdale breeding farm and a log cabin built by Ulysses S. Grant. Be sure to take the tram ride, it's loads of fun too.

Staying downtown
Chase Park Plaza makes a great choice for accommodations. Located next to Forest Park in the Central West End, this classy high-rise has one-and two-bedroom suites and also houses a five-screen movie theater, a bar, and four restaurants. It lies within walking distance of several more yummy bistros. Rates start at $289.

Another great downtown option, the Adams Mark Hotel, sits just across from the Gateway Arch. Rates start at $119.

For baseball fans, the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark puts you only steps away from the new Busch Stadium. Rates start at $129.

Dining Options
The parks not only provide great entertainment, but they also harbor terrific restaurant choices. Forest Park offers the Lakeside Caf� in the Saint Louis Zoo. The breakfast menu here features pancakes, omelets, and croissant sandwiches ($3.50-$6). Sunday brunch at Puck's remains a favorite at the Saint Louis Art Museum, where you can pile your plate with honey-smoked ham with orange-maple glaze, Belgian waffles, and cheesecake tarts ($21.50 adults, $12.50 ages 3-12).

A terrific lunch stop is the Meriwether's at the Missouri History Museum. As you overlook forest park, a bowl of Plainsman's Chili ($4.95) guarantees a satisfied feeling.

Reserve a table at Chez Leon on Laclede Avenue for a fine French dinner. The restaurant has outdoor seating, murals on the walls, and piano music on Sunday. Order three plates for $35; the salad Lyonnaise, beef tenderloin, and chocolate cake formulate a perfect trio.

Enjoy dining in Missouri Botanical Garden's Sassafras Caf�, and do sit out on the terrace that overlooks the plaza and rose garden. Their Garden Chicken Salad Sandwich ($6.95) is a favorite among guests. Lunch at Copia Urban Winery and Market features a great Flash Fried Asparagus Salad ($8.95) and terrific bread pudding ($5.95).

Shopping
All manner of unique items fill the museum stores. Jewelry, art prints, and books abound at the Saint Louis Art Museum. Pick up a painted scarf for $30 or a pair of handcrafted earrings for $27. The Saint Louis Zoo has a Build-A-Bear Workshop, where you can make more than 15 different types of animals, including an Asian elephant, a tiger, and a giraffe (starting at $12).

In the Central West End, browse through mystery and espionage volumes at Big Sleep Books, and be on the lookout for its first editions and author signings. Satisfy you sweet tooth for chocolate at Bissinger's. This local shop is especially loved for its chocolate-covered fruit.

Gringo Jones sells Mexican imports; a Talavera pottery bowl cost $38. Check out The Little Shop Around the Corner, which sells high-end vintage items and benefits the Missouri Botanical Garden.