Arch Madness

[1972Shocker]

YES! If you have kids do not miss this place. It's our annual tradition to spend at least part of a day here. You won't regret it.

I have heard the City Museum is great but have not visited. The St. Louis Science Center is very nice as well near the SW corner of Forest Park. If the weather's nice and you want some exercise the St. Louis Zoo in Forest Park is top notch and admission is free (or at least it was last fall). Also, the Missouri Botanical Gardens are very nice weather permitting although it might be a little early to really see much in bloom. For those of you with more sophisticated sensibilities the St. Louis Art Museum is nice but don't lean over the railings to far in some areas. Their alarm systems do work.

[Shocker-maniac]

Saw the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis for the 1st time this fall. It is truly a magnificent structure. Worth a visit whether you are Catholic or not.

In 1912, installation of mosaics in the interior began. Completed in 1988, the mosaics collectively contain 41.5 million glass tesserae pieces in more than 7,000 colors. Covering 83,000 square feet, it is the largest mosaic collection in the world.

I believe guided tours are available.

My wife and I went there while there for the NCAA tournament. Magnificent.

[jegbomb52]

Sorry to nudge in guys, was just over here trolling around. Those of you that haven't been to STL since Ballpark Village opened up please check it out. Think Kansas City's power and light district. Friday night there is a country concert, think Hot country nights in KC, but on a Friday. Tyler Farr is playing the Friday night of Arch Madness for $15... Really looking forward to it.

[wusphlash]

Have they finished all the road construction down by the Arch?

[martymoose]

Yep, the Pear Tree Inn at Union Station also just released some rooms at 170/night + fees. That is a good place as well. I really enjoy the happy hour and snacks they provide. Just depends on how much pain the pocketbook can bear. A few hundred bucks a night to stay in St. Louis, one of the ugliest cities in the U.S., is always hard for me to stomach.

It will be an ocean of Shocker fans, and I'm sure the Panthers will travel decently for the Saturday/Sunday games like they used to back in 2009 and 2010. The rest will be mostly invisible.

Pear Tree is a good place to stay. Those prices make me feel a lot better about having booked mine last April for $89.

[pinstripers]

Mrs. p is healthy now (sorta). We will be at the Drury after missing last year.

[ShockerInKC]

If you are a rail-fan (aka train freak), you have to go here:

http://transportmuseumassociation.org/

You'll need a car to get there. Maybe 30 minutes from downtown.

There are more one-of-a-kind locomotives there than I have ever seen anywhere.

[wusphlash]

MY TICKETS ARE HERE! MY TICKETS ARE HERE! I'M SOMEBODY!!!

[Play Angry]

I am really enjoying all of The Jerk references lately. Never gets old.

[Wuchalk]

This church is a must-see, no matter what religion you are, or aren't. There is a museum in the basement showing the history of the church's construction and other notable events, like the visit in 1999 by Pope John Paul ll.
I am a Catholic, and attending Mass at this beautiful church is a highlight of our St. Louis trip every year.
Of course, if the Shockers win the tourney, so much the better!

[RoyalShock]

Question about visiting the arch: Do you need to purchase tickets in advance (riding the tram to the top) or can I expect there to be open time slots on the day of?

[ShockerEngineer]

Question about visiting the arch: Do you need to purchase tickets in advance (riding the tram to the top) or can I expect there to be open time slots on the day of?

When I was in St Louis last summer, I walked up and was immediately able to buy a ticket for the next time. I don't know if it would be any busier than normal during Arch Madness though.

[Shocktoberfest]

Question about visiting the arch: Do you need to purchase tickets in advance (riding the tram to the top) or can I expect there to be open time slots on the day of?

Walk up is fine.

[pogo]

Your not claustrophobic are you? The capsules get a little close for some people.

[pie n eye]

This should be a great year for the madness. Two top 15 teams on a collision course for a (hopefully) rubber match Sunday and a few teams (ILSU, EU, ISU) just decent enough to provide some upset potential to keep Fri and Sat interesting.