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[Kentucky Optimist]

The pedestrian bridge over the highway is (I think) the corporate offices of maritz.  Rube- I grew up in St. Peters, about a mile or so from the Fritz's.  We used to walk there during the summer- that way we could "walk off" our desert on the way home.

[rubedugans]

Odds are Kentucky Optimist we have met several times! I have worked at most of the Fritz's and spend the majority of my time at St. Peters. Odds are you lived near Spencer or Covenant Park right?

Knowing what they all do, here are the differences. Fritz's has 4 custards made fresh daily-Vanilla , Light Vanilla, Chocolate, and a flavor of the day (anything from cookies and cream to their best seller chocolate malt, or pumpkin, pistachio nut, butter pecan.....). After that, the toppings are the same basically.Fritz's wear soda jerk style uniforms, Ted Drewe's wear T shirts and visors. Fritz's has several more custom desserts, but many at any place are the same . Ted Drewe's has the history and a great ambiance after any StL event. You really cannot go wrong!

[stlphotogal]

As a shutterbug I'm partial to the St. Louis Zoo and the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Of course, you must get Ted Drewes (sorry, Rube  ) and some St. Louis Style Pizza.

The best way to tackle three of these in one fell swoop is this:
Get off at the Hampton exit on Highway 40. Go to the zoo (inside Forest Park) and then head the opposite direction on Hampton. You'll see an Imo's Pizza on the corner at the left JUST past the highway. When you are done with Imo's head down Hampton until you get to Chippewa. Make a right and Ted Drewes is down on your left about a mile and half.

Enjoy our beautiful city

[MissinTheGreenTrams]

stlphotogal......I dont know if I have said this or not but WELCOME!!! Glad to have ya aboard! 

[Major Havoc]

While I am not a big fan of Six Flags Saint Louis (contrary to another poster, I think it is the WORST SF park I have visited - I am kinda partial to Six Flags Over Texas, it has a bit of an SDC feel, imho), but the St Louis Zoo is amazing.  It is second only to the Omaha Zoo, and a close second at that. 

Keep in mind that while admission to the zoo is free, pretty much everything else costs money. Parking is $11 or $12 bucks, the kid's section of the zoo (after the first hour that the park is open) and the rides cost, and both the Sea Lion show (which is top notch) and the 3D movie are up-charge attractions as well. Don't get me wrong, the STL Zoo is reasonably priced, but be ready for at least some costs!  (FYI - the Safari Pass is a really good deal, especially if your local zoo participates in a reciprocal program and you are a season pass holder).

Back to Six Flags StL, you should check out these links at ThemeParkInsider.com for more info (I hope it is okay to post links to other theme park sites here - my apologies if it is not):

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/reviews/six_flags_st._louis/
http://www.themeparkinsider.com/news/response.cfm?ID=945508250

And, FWIW, when I go to SFStL I generally stay at a Comfort Inn & Suites in Chesterfield. It is a nice place with good restaurants (not just fast food) nearby.  One more thing, you should definitely plan to eat your meals outside of the park - the food at SFStL is inedible.

Good luck!

[rubedugans]

Chesterfield is a good location, and is in a great area. Any restaurant you would want is there off of Hwy 40, and the mall is great. It is located about 20-25 min. from SFStL and about 25-30 min from downtown StL. Living near Chesterfield, we frequent the area for fast food, shopping, banquets, and date nights (All in an area called "The Valley" off of Hwy 40 @ Boone's Crossing. Some days I even dart out there on my lunch hour to grab a good bite to eat.

As for SfStl I have only been to this one park, so I have nothing to compare it to!

The East side that you spoke of is across the river in Ill. so as long as you are in MO, you are safe(er). Once you head into Sauget, things can get a bit seedy. I only head that way across the river if I am going to Cahokia Mounds Historic Site.

[betamike]

Growing up near St. Louis, you will love the energy of the City (even on the "dreaded" east side by the river can be somewhat fun at Laclede's Landing).   Six Flags is where I grew up going to when I wasn't going to SDC.   

I will HIGHLY recommend The City Museum however as a recommendation if I can persuade just ONE person to give it a try.   Once you click through the links below, you'll see why!!!!!

http://www.citymuseum.org/
http://www.youtube.com/CityMuseumStL

   
701 North 15th Street, Saint Louis, MO 63103

They're on Facebook too.   

Also, the St. Louis Zoo is a treat!   It was the site of the 1904 World's Fair (with original pavilions still intact!!!!)    Fun Fact:  The Waffle cone was invented and first sold during the fair, as well as introducing the hamburger and hot dog, peanut butter, and cotton candy to the general public (before this, they were regional items not widely known). Dr Pepper was also first introduced at the fair.  I'm a World's Fair geek!!!!

[sanddunerider]

"""Also, the St. Louis Zoo is a treat!   It was the site of the 1904 World's Fair (with original pavilions still intact!!!!)    Fun Fact:  The Waffle cone was invented and first sold during the fair, as well as introducing the hamburger and hot dog, peanut butter, and cotton candy to the general public (before this, they were regional items not widely known). Dr Pepper was also first introduced at the fair.  I'm a World's Fair geek!!!!""""

Beta, thats some interetsing details there!!

Never ceases to amaze me at the knowledge and info the members of this group has.  some of it VERY helpful,,,,,,and some of it NOT!! .

[Twinsmom98]

We really enjoyed going to the Arch, History and Art Museums but we also love going to Grant's Farm.  This year we went there for Halloween.  We had a fantastic time - it was nice to see people with their families and enjoying the scenery and music.  The only thing I did not like is the cost for a hotel room.  We stayed in a Drury Inn Suite and I could stay in Branson 6 nights for what I paid for 1 King Suite.

[MissinTheGreenTrams]

Ive stayed in a Drury b4, and while yes they have AH-MAZING beds, I wouldnt stay there again. My friend words for drury and I go bum food off them if I am in town at the right times (happy hour is free food and beverage) and she is working. Other than that they are stinkin expensive.

[rubedugans]

See!!! BetaMike knows the power of the City Museum too! It is NOT a painting gallery by any means! I first went about 10 yrs ago while in college not knowing what it was, we were told in an art class "We are going to one museum a month, here is the address for the next trip..." not knowing a thing, we went and were amazed at the place! Look it up if you haven't heard of it. It is a MUST in the city. And this is from someone who was in his early 20's at his first visit, think of how much fun kids have there (yes both in age and in spirit, but us kids in spirit usually feel a bit more sore the following day!)

[oldsdcer]

My daughter and son-in -law took the grandkids to the City Museum last month and the had a blast climbing on the displays. It cost about $9.00 apiece to get in. The aquarium on the 3rd. floor cost additional so the didn't see it.

[rubedugans]

I think there is more than enough to keep busy without the aquarium!