Ok, My family has finally decided on St. Louis as our family trip this summer, but I need some help. We are staying close to home because of the price of gas and the rising costs of everything else. We are planning on going to a Cards game, the arch, city museum, the zoo, the science center and six flags. How many days should I plan to see all of these things? Where is a great budget place to stay? Where can I get the best discounts for the things that cost? I also need recommendations for the best places to eat on a budget. Am I missing out on any other must see places? I would appreciate any help that anyone can give.

TIA
Jennifer

St. Louis Family Attractions | Attraction Offers
Savings Coupons to St. Louis Attractions
Our Publix and Burger King had discounts for Six Flags but that might be locally in Georgia
Where to eat in St. Louis - Midwest - Chowhound
How To Eat in St. Louis on the Cheap | eHow.com

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You can do the Arch, Science center and baseball game in one day. One day for Six Flags, one for the zoo and one for the City Museum. The arch and Science center don't take very long. The zoo, Six Flags and the City Museum take a lot of time. So those things would consume all of your day. The zoo is free to get in. You can park on the street for free or in the parking lot for like $10.00. I never park in the parking lot so I'm not sure about the price. If you want to do some extra things in the zoo some cost. The childrens zoo area for young children is $4.00 and the train is also $4.00. You can have a great time and not spend a dime. You can also pack your own lunch and drinks to bring in.

Six Flags has coupons on Lunchables (on the inside) packaging for $4.00 off adult admission and free child admission. So it would be $24.99 plus tax for each adult and the child gets in free. Also, Schnucks grocery stores sell tickets usually cheaper than at the gate. You can also pack a cooler and lunch and eat outside the park for much cheaper than in the park. You are not allowed to bring in food or drinks other than a bottle of water.

The Science Center is located close to the zoo. If you enter through the Forest Park entrance you do not have to pay for parking. The Science Center is free also unless you want to do some of the extras such as the Imax. The Monster exhibit they have currently is not worth the money so don't do that. You can enjoy the whole thing without having to spend anything.

The City Museum I believe has a coupon on the St. Louis Attraction website that was posted earlier. I don't remember their prices.

I'm not sure of the best places to stay in the city. I would check tripadvisor.com for reviews.

Enjoy!!

The science center and planetarium (at the science center) and the zoo are awesome! In Forest Park (where the zoo is), they have a nice lake that you can rent paddleboats and go out on the lake. We really enjoyed that but I don't remember how much it cost. The zoo takes 1 whole day if you want to see everything; if you get there early, you can get some free parking around the zoo. The children's zoo area is free if you get there early. I can't remember the specifics but I'm sure it's on their website. When we went to the science center, we spent a good part of the day there. It depends on how much time you spend at the exhibits.

We like to stay at the Spring Hill Suites by Marriott in CHesterfield. It is just outside of St. Louis - a bit closer to the Six Flags area and out of the business of downtown. I'd guess that you could get a room for $100 a night. The rooms have 2 queen beds and a pull out sofa bed, plus a refrigerator and sink.

Have a great trip!
Jill

We went last year. Definatley go to Grant's Farm, too. We also did an evening riverboat dinner cruise on the Mississippi. You meet them down by the arch. It was really cool.

Be careful after dark down there, though. We were in the parking lot after the cruise when a guy snatched the purse off about an 80 year old woman. She fell and broke a couple ribs. DH and another guy were able to get the purse back, but the guy got away. They caught him later thought. DH & that other guy got St. Louis Good Citizen Awards!

I can't remember where we stayed. It was away from downtown, though. I'll have to look - it was a Marriott of some sort - a Courtyard, maybe?

Lisa

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If you go to a Schnucks store, you can buy all your tickets for Six Flags for the price of a child's ticket, this includes the adult tickets. I believe the price is $29.99. There is a Schnuck's grocery store in Eureka just down the road from Six Flags.

Six Flags also has Hurricane Harbor included in the price of admission. So don't forget swim wear and towels, if you are interested in that.