St. Louis Mo. Zoo & Six Flags

How-doFolks · November 05, 2011, 06:05:31 AM

We are planning a trip to St. Louis for next year, can anyone help me out? Are these 2 places close to one another? What good lodging is close to these places? Any help would be appriciated. All we know is stay away from the East side of town.

Thanks!

sanddunerider · November 05, 2011, 07:41:20 AM

My only input would be, is you have time. DO go to the Arch!, and check out the museum underneath it.

APHantasm · November 05, 2011, 07:55:49 AM

St. Louis Zoo and Six Flags are no where near each other. St. Louis Zoo is in St. Louis proper. Six Flags is in Eureka, which is an outlying town of St. Louis. According to google maps their 26 miles apart and a 35 minute drive time between the two.

MissinTheGreenTrams · November 05, 2011, 08:28:13 AM

when I was young my parents took my brother and I to six flags and we stayed at Jellystome campground. They have cabins and a mini golf and it was alot of fun with the activities that they had planned. And if I remember correctly they were decently close....

dkparks · November 05, 2011, 08:45:34 AM

I don't know where you are coming from but if you are coming into St. Louis from within Missouri, I would almost stay in Eureka by Six Flags. There are several hotels there. Getting into the city to go to the Zoo is not a problem. Nor is downtown to the Arch. Just don't do it during rush hour. I-44 runs directly from Six Flags into downtown. To get to the Zoo, I-44 again, North on Hampton right into Forest Park at the Zoo. It's really not that bad a drive.

Junior · November 05, 2011, 09:48:39 AM

I was a kid in the 60s and early 70s living in St. Louis (Hazelwood when it was a new neighborhood.) The Zoo, Forest Park, Arch, are all good places to visit...Six Flags is/was too. Enjoy your visit to the Gateway City!

tiffanylynnt · November 05, 2011, 11:54:50 AM

I love Forest Park! And there is a lot to do: The Muny, Science Center, zoo, The Jewel Box, History Museum, Art Museum. I'm sure there's a lot more things to do there, but those are the places that I really like, I also did my seniors pictures at those places, except the zoo because there were a ton of birthday parties that day and it was hard to get around all the kids. Forest Park could be it's own trip altogether!

Parson B Ready · November 05, 2011, 12:26:13 PM

If you do decide to visit the Arch, and your trip is in the summer, make sure you make reservations if you want to go to the top of the Arch. Trips to the top can sell out hours in advance. In addition to the Zoo, Six Flags, and the Arch, St. Louis has loads of free stuff to do...Science Center, History Museum, Art Museum (all in Forest park near the Zoo). Budweiser Brewery tour (even if you don't like beer, you still get to see the Clydesdales), Grant's Farm (there is a fee to park, but admission is free), US Grant National Historic site (across the street from Grant's farm).

Destination SDC · November 05, 2011, 01:24:21 PM

We often Stop in St. Louis either on our way to or from Branson. We love it there. We often stay at Drury Inn (most often the one in Fenton). They have a very nice breakfast, snacks (more like a meal) in the evening and an indoor pool and hot tub). Places we really like and would recommend - The Arch, Grant's farm ( and home), The Zoo, Six Flags in St. Louis is very nice (we like it best of the six flag parks we've been to). We also like to go to the Rt. 66 State Park and Lone Elk Park. Oh, and you must stop by Ted Drewes (on Chippewa) for Frozen Custard - it's the best!

Kentucky Optimist · November 05, 2011, 01:31:49 PM

I lived in STL for 25 years (left about 2 years ago). All the things suggested here were great, the only major thing I would add would be the city museum. It's not run by the city, and it's not a museum. It's more like a giant indoor playground crossed with an art sculpture. It's fun if you have kids (go during the day) and fun even if you don't (go later in the evening on fri or sat). It's downtown near the arch (15th & washington if memory serves me). If you're looking for more relaxing things there's a pretty good historic district in St. Charles if you're into that. The only other thing I can think of that my wife and I enjoy doing in STL are the wineries in Augusta and the Bently/Lamborghini/Maserati dealership in the chesterfield valley. I'll get off my soap box now since your original question was about distance between the zoo and 6 flags...

www.citymuseum.org

tiffanylynnt · November 05, 2011, 01:32:51 PM

If you go thru Stanton on your way there, stop at Meramec Caverns! (only 5 miles from my house!)

Kentucky Optimist · November 05, 2011, 01:40:14 PM

Clearly Destination SDC has fallen under the indoctrination of the residents of south city. It is well known that Fritz's is vastly superior to Ted Drew's- Don't believe me??? Ask any resident of the western half of the STL suburbs.

In all seriousness you can't go wrong at either place- they both offer excellent frozen custard and trying to decide which is better is futile; they both stand head and shoulders above most other ice cream joints.

rubedugans · November 05, 2011, 02:41:15 PM

The Zoo is free, other than parking. The art museum (as a former art teacher is great, FREE, and right next door to the Zoo). is a great stop for anyone. Grant's farm is always a good time for the family as well. The city Museum is always a place I recommend to any visitors that are downtown in StL.

I have a history with Custard. I grew up not a mile from a Fritz's and it was always a part of my life. I totally agree on Fritz's ( and not just because I helped manage the store for over 5 years during and after college!). I met my wife there over 10 years ago, and we set out on a quest a few years ago to find the best frozen custard . We have tried nearly 25 different places, and a few stand out. Andy's, Silky's, Fritz's, Ted Drewe's, you cannot go wrong! We now live not a mile from another Fritz's!

thelarsonsix · November 05, 2011, 10:08:08 PM

When go to Cards games we stay at Drury Inn in Fenton and it's only 15 minutes to the stadium, Forest Park would be closer yet. Just past that place that has the pedestrian bridge over 44 (help me here, Rube or one of your other St Lousians I can't remember what it is). There are several other hotels in the Fenton/Valley Park area that would put you about 1/2 way between Six Flags and Forest Park.

Destination SDC · November 05, 2011, 10:22:38 PM

Sorry, but I'm partial to Ted Drewes. My Dad worked there in the 1950's when he was going to the Seminary.