American Tour: Fabulous Fall colours in Forest Park and the spectacular Saint Louis Zoo
As regular readers of The Sloaney will know, The Sloaney Travel Team recently embarked on an American Tour. Our American Tour started in Chicago where highlights included a beautiful boat trip along the waterfront, admiring the endless vistas from dizzy heights at the top of the Skydeck and photographing ‘The Bean’.
After spending a few nights in Chicago, we drove down to Saint Louis. It is possible to fly between the two cities, but after a long flight from the UK a few days earlier, we decided to go by car instead.
For the purposes of our Little Sloaney section, it is worth mentioning the benefits of opting for a very spacious car. The cars that are available in America are much bigger than those in the UK and we found this to be very useful indeed. A large car gave the children the maximum amount of comfort during the drive, which helped them relax and enjoy the journey.
Driving through Illinois to Missouri meant that we could enjoy seeing more of America from the ground. It was a beautiful autumnal day and the four-and-a-half-hour journey took us through vast expanses of land and crops. We saw a number of remote farmhouses and many of these were covered in political signs ahead of the election.
The most famous landmark in Saint Louis is the Gateway Arch. The Gateway Arch is 192 metres tall and it can be seen from miles away as you approach the city. It is clad in stainless steel and is known to be the world’s tallest arch. After a long drive, it was a welcome sight in the distance and signalled our impending arrival to the city.
Where to stay in Saint Louis
You cannot ignore the fact that this city is known for having very dangerous areas; however, we opted to stay in a part of town that was both beautiful and safe. The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza St. Louis is situated in the Central West End district.
This hotel has very good facilities, including a heated outdoor pool that is operational for a substantial part of the year. The suites are well-appointed, with the two bedroom suite proving an excellent choice when travelling with a young family. In addition to having two large bedrooms, there is also an expansive dining area and room for an extra sofa bed too.
What to do in Saint Louis
The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza St. Louis has an excellent location and it is situated right on the doorstep of Forest Park. We visited during Fall and the colours in Forest Park were nothing short of spectacular. This beautiful area features a boating lake, the Saint Louis Art Museum and the fantastic Saint Louis Zoo.
The Saint Louis Zoo is free for everyone to visit and it ranks as the best zoo that we have ever experienced. There are so many different animals present and you can get up close to elephants, tigers, baby gorillas, monkeys, zebras, penguins and much, much more.
For those visiting this part of America or transiting through Saint Louis, it is worth paying a visit to the St. Louis Premium Outlets in Chesterfield. Here you will find stores such as Ralph Lauren, Ugg, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein and many more, with some excellent discounts, especially on childrenswear.
Where to dine in Saint Louis
Back at the hotel, the dining options include an extensive room service menu, as well a number of restaurants. The Executive Chef focuses on the “Food is Art” philosophy to create exciting menus that are infused with Midwest traditions and farm-fresh ingredients.
The Chase Club is a gastropub, where meals are prepared with the freshest seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients. Meanwhile, The Preston treats the palate to succulent and finely prepared dishes. Finally, The Tenderloin Room has been a St. Louis institution since the 1960s. This is where you go for the best steak, which you can enjoy in an elegant atmosphere.
The Little Sloaney Verdict on Saint Louis
Our Little Sloaney team share their highlights in their own words….
“I really enjoyed swimming in the swimming pool. It was quite hot when we visited (26) and swimming outdoors in October was a real treat. I also loved the zoo. There were so many animals to see and you could get really close to them. The bed in my room was huge and really comfortable”. Rose, Aged 7.
“The tigers in the zoo were really funny. They were playing in the water and it made me laugh watching them. I liked being able to walk and run around in the park as well. This was really good after a long time in the car and I liked that the park was so close to our hotel”. Michael, Aged 5.
Booking Information
Organise your stay at The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza St. Louis – Best Rates
Credits: Words LT; Photography GH
