Originally posted by frank3
Here's abit about myself:
- I prefer not to visit large cities (nonetheless amazing, but I wanted something else)
- I'm interested in :
history,
culture,
relaxing,
sightseeing,
meeting the Americans
I can understand even this small list raises ALOT of options...
But I'll think about all!
As much as many of these folks like to disparage the midwest, a few days in St. Louis may be up your alley. St. Louis is one of the smaller metropolitan areas, so you do not get a lot of that big-city rat-race feel you will get elsewhere. Of course you can get the restaurants, shopping, etc. etc. that you can get in any metropolitan area, but without the big city feel. The people are generally friendly, and except for when there is road construction (which, unfortunately, is always), it is an easy city to drive around in.
There is quite a bit of US History in the area. St. Louis is the "Gateway to the West" as memorialized by the Gateway Arch. The Old Courthouse has a very good museum explaining some of that history as well.
Take a brief look for yourself.The Lewis and Clark expeditions began in nearby St. Charles.Cahokia Mounds State Park is nearby if you would like to learn about a Native American culture.The St. Louis Zoo is one of the best in the country.There is also a good Science Center,
a decent Art Museum, and several other attractions near
Forest Park.
There is also a Six Flags themepark nearby for the Kiddies, or riverboat gambling for the adults, if you are in to that kind of relaxation. There are sightseeing tours on the Mississippi, architectural tours,
or the Missouri Botanical Gardens if you just want to take a leisurely stroll on your own.
Within driving distance are several attractions. If you like caves,
Onondaga is one of my favorites, but there are many others.
Two hours drive gets you to the Lincoln sites in Springfield, Illinois. Someone already mentioned Silver Dollar City, which is about a day's drive away IIRC.
There is the Missouri wine country, although I won't pretend to know how good this area would compare to California wine country. Memphis is about four hours south, and could be included in a "midwest tour."
Bottom line, plenty to do and see (despite what those "coasties" all think).
