Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Until you've visited St. Louis, Missouri, you probably won't realize how much this Missouri metropolitan hub has to see and do. Whether you're a school-aged child full of wonderment or a coed looking for a good night scene, you'll find plenty in the Gateway City to satisfy your spring break needs.
If you're spring breaking from college and of legal age, downtown St. Louis should be your haunt. Head to Laclede's Landing bordering the Mississippi River for a mix of bars and restaurants with a variety of eats, drinks and music. If you're in the mood to roll them bones, get your craps (or slots, blackjack and poker) fix at Lumiere Place at the edge of the district. This casino resort also hosts a variety of musical acts and has its own share of restaurants. For a second option, head about 9 miles down Interstate 55 to River City Casino, featuring decor comparable to Wynn and Bellagio in Las Vegas, with more gambling space, several restaurants and plenty of musical entertainment.
The Saint Louis Zoo was rated by Zagat readers as one of the best in the country. The facility, which sprung from exhibits at the 1904 World's Fair in Forest Park, features animals from across the globe, from the chilly indoor penguin enclosure to the butterfly garden and the sea lion show. Admission is free, though you'll pay for parking and some of the extra features of the facility, including a train ride, children's zoo and stingray petting at Caribbean Cove. Also don't miss Magic House in nearby Kirkwood, a children's museum that allows kids to learn about science, art and local culture. They can even piece together clues to solve a mystery and discover hidden passageways in one exhibit.
Start your history tour in the area at the Gateway Arch, built in the 1960s along the banks of the Mississippi River to memorialize the city's importance as the gateway to the West. Ride a pod to the top of the arch for a panoramic view of the area, then visit the Museum of Westward Expansion underneath the arch. While along the river's banks, take a day or dinner cruise up and down the Mississippi. Drive west about half an hour to St. Charles and stroll the downtown cobblestone streets. The first capital of Missouri retains many of the original 18th century homes, and is the spot in which Lewis and Clark began their journey up the Missouri River.
The city's famed Cardinals play in Florida during Major League Baseball's spring training, but you can tour Busch Stadium during your spring break for a behind-the-scenes peek at their home. The area is also filled with dozens of top-quality golf courses. Try the Norman K. Probstein Golf Course in Forest Park, which was redesigned by pro golfer Hale Irwin in 2004. You can also play a quick round at the nine-hole Highlands course, also in the park.