I’m not a good traveler so most vacations
are Staycations, most are for the most part enjoyable, relaxing and well to be
honest pretty boring. So this year I had a brainstorm and decided the best
thing to do would to become a real tourist, only in my own hometown. Since I
live in the greater St. Louis Metropolitan area there were many choices but I
also didn’t want to run myself ragged.
So welcome to
WHAT I DID ON MY SUMMER STAYCATION
St. Louis is loaded with fun things to do whether you're
a year round resident or your just visiting and I decided that checking some of
those off my list was a great way to spend my summer vacation. One great thing
about taking vacation the week of Labor Day is that after the Monday holiday
all the kids are back to school, the Malls, theatres and retail shops are not
crazy busy. And if you’re lucky the weather has taken a turn
towards the cooler.
One of the most fantastic things about all the things I’ll mention today is that they are entirely FREE!
Some of you may know that St. Louis was the location for the 1904 Worlds Fair which was held in our fabulous world class Forest Park which opened in 1876 and totally revamped for the fair. The only permanent building built for the fair opened as The Palace of Fine Arts and today is Our St. Louis Art Museum.
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| 1904 St. Louis Worlds Fair Palace of Fine Arts |
The statue of St. Louis, French, King Louis IX stands at
the front of the museum and keeps a constant vigil over patrons. The Art Museum
houses some fantastic permanent displays, artifacts and paintings and has a collection of more than 33,000
works and often is the sight of special exhibitions. For current and upcoming
exhibitions click the link-http://www.slam.org/Exhibitions/current.php
The
lawn in front of the museum is called Art Hill and in the winter it's the first
place kids and adults go for first class sledding.
For
a leisurely relaxing lunch we headed over to The Boathouse. Since the park
opened in 1875 boating has always been a popular pastime on the lake in Forest
Park. Today you can rent a paddleboat to cruise the lake and on Thursdays in
summer you can enjoy a Moonlight Paddleboat Picnic. The current structure was
erected in the early 2000s. For more information about the Boathouse click the
link-http://www.boathouseforestpark.com/
The
next stop on our Forest Park tour was the Missouri History Museum. The museum
opened in 1866 and has been in its current location The Jefferson Memorial
building since 1913 built with profits from the Worlds Fair.
The History Museum has many permanent exhibits like Seeking St. Louis and The 1904 Worlds Fair. Plus a continuing revolving door of exciting temporary exhibits as well.
Click the link for more information about The Missouri History Museum-http://www.mohistory.org/
The History Museum has many permanent exhibits like Seeking St. Louis and The 1904 Worlds Fair. Plus a continuing revolving door of exciting temporary exhibits as well.
Click the link for more information about The Missouri History Museum-http://www.mohistory.org/
The
last historic stop on my staycation was the world renowned Cahokia Mounds. The
pre-Columbian site located at Cahokia was a once thriving Native American
community between 600 and 1400 AD and the largest Mississippian culture north
of Mexico. There are at least seven permanent excavations going on at anytime
at the site from all over the world. The current museum opened in 1989 and
houses a fantastic lifelike display of what Scientists think life was like for
these folks plus many artifacts found at the site. Cahokia Mounds is a National
Historic Landmark and is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Cahokia site also has a wooden structure called Woodhenge
which was used to make astronomical sightings. Patrons can access the museum
and Monks Mound, the largest earthen structure at the Cahokia site. For more
information click the link-http://cahokiamounds.org/
So
do you like to travel or are you more of the Staycation variety like me?
Truth be told, I've been living in the outskirts of Nashville and I still have to fully explore the city. I'm ashamed! however, I have hit the main attractions, but I want to be a "city rat" in that I want to visit locales instead of the expected tourist traps
ReplyDeleteYeah I hear you Braine, and that's exactly what I did last week!
DeleteThanks for commenting
That sounds like an awesome staycation, Debbie! That's all I've been able to do the last few years because of the herd. Mine are usually "boring" stay home and read until I can't stand it (never!) and eat and play online and not feel guilty about any of it. lol I really shoudl explore my city more. Hmmm. Thanks for the pictures! Love em :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Anna it really was a blast!
DeleteLooks like a wonderful art and history visit in beautiful surrounds. I like staying home, but do venture out now and then to places so going to Melbourne in a few days. One of my sisters and her husband is having a fantastic time at the moment around Italy, Greece, Turkey - from their pictures and video on FB I have envy but not sure that would actually want to go. Just not that fond of planes!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathryn, thanks for commenting. Hope you have a fun trip to Melbourne!! And Wow I'm glad you sister and brother in law are having fun on their vacation!
DeleteI think this is such a fabulous idea mostly because I think when we live somewhere we take a lot for granted and don't enjoy all that we should.
ReplyDeleteI love this!
Aw you just made my day Ali
DeleteThanks
Fantastic staycation Debbie. I am embarrassed to sat we have driven through St. Louis oodles of tines even grabbing a hotel there but I have never explored the area. It sounds like there are tons of places to explore
ReplyDeleteThere are and the next time you do email me because meeting you is on my bucket list :)
DeleteFantastic staycation Debbie. I am embarrassed to sat we have driven through St. Louis oodles of tines even grabbing a hotel there but I have never explored the area. It sounds like there are tons of places to explore
ReplyDeleteWhat a great Staycation, Debbie! You know I live in Orlando and there are lots of wonderful places to visit (free or nominal price) that have nothing to do with theme parks. I discovered many through my son's field trip days, exciting trips of landmarks and parks. Like the St. John's River natural wastewater plant, Fort Christmas, Sanford Zoo, and I also went to St. Augustine! All beautiful locations. There are more places, I just have to find time ;-)
ReplyDeleteI know you do Lorelei, and isn't it great to just spend some time exploring our own backyards instead of travelings vast distances? thanks for the comment sweetie!!
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