Accommodations:
There are many places to stay in the St. Louis area, the following hotels are centered in or near popular areas and attractions.
Starting rates below based on Standard Rooms for weekend of August 5th

Hampton Inn & Suites Forest Park
5650 Oakland Ave. Saint Louis, Missouri, 63110
TEL: 314-655-3993
Rates from $139
3 Blocks to Forest Park

The Parkway Hotel
4550 Forest Park Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108
TEL: 314-256-7777 or 866-314-7700
Rates from $149
Located in the Central West End Neighborhood, close to shops / restaurants and Forest Park

The Chase Park Plaza
212 N. Kingshighway St. Louis, MO, 63108
TEL: 314-633-3000
Rates from $269
Historic luxury hotel in the Central West End across from Forest Park

Moonrise Hotel
6177 Delmar St. Louis, MO 63122
TEL: 314-721-1111
Rates from $269
Boutique hotel located on University City Delmar Loop, walking distance to shops/restaurants

The Cheshire
6300 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63117
TEL: 314-647-7300
Rates from $219
Boutique hotel close to Forest Park. Wonderful cozy tavern, the Fox & Hounds located in Hotel.

Doubletree St. Louis Union Station
1820 Market St., St Louis, Missouri, 63103
TEL: 314-231-1234
Rates from $249
Downtown St. Louis


Activities:
There is a lot to do and see here. This list is not exhaustive but includes favorite places and activities to help get you started on your planning:

Forest Park
5595 Grand Drive in Forest Park St. Louis, MO 63112
Home to five of the city's major attractions: the St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Science Center, Missouri History Museum and the Muny Amphitheater. Walking/biking trails, paddle boats and a golf course. General admission to the Museums, Science Center and Zoo is free

The City Museum
750 North 16th Street St. Louis, MO. 63103
TEL: 314-231-CITY (2489)
An eclectic mixture of giant playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel made out of unique, found objects. Incredible place for kids and adults alike! More here but don't look if you want to be surprised by it all.

Central West End
Perched on the eastern edge of Forest Park and over a century old, the Central West End is full of charming sidewalk cafés, galleries, antique shops, restaurants, boutiques and pubs. It’s a little European and totally St. Louis. The CWE is the perfect place to relax after exploring popular visitor attractions. Some favorites in the area: Bar Italia, Bissinger's Chocolatier, Sub Zero Vokda Bar

The University City Loop
6 Block area along Delmar Blvd in University City with collection of shops, restaurants, music venues and the St. Louis Walk of Fame. Some favorites in the Loop: Blueberry Hill (diner & music venue), Fitz's RootBeer & Restaurant & Vintage Vinyl Record Store

The Gateway Arch
Visit the magnificent Gateway Arch, at 630 feet, it's the tallest man-made national monument in the US! Completed in 1965, the Gateway Arch symbolizes Thomas Jefferson's vision of a United States that expanded from Atlantic to Pacific. No visit would be complete without a trip to the top! An enclosed tram takes you to the top where you'll see incredible views of the city and Mississippi River.
Note: Ticketing and Visitor Center at the Old Courthouse 11 North 4th Street

The Missouri Botanical Garden
Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is the nation's oldest botanical garden in continuous operation and a National Historic Landmark. The Garden is a center for botanical research and science education, as well as an oasis in the city of St. Louis. The Garden offers 79 acres of beautiful horticultural display, including a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, Henry Shaw's original 1850 estate home, and one of the world's largest collections of rare and endangered orchids. For over 154 years, the Garden has been an oasis in the city, a place of beauty and family fun.

The International Photography Hall of Fame
Located a few blocks from the Kranzberg Arts Center
Exhibit: Ernst Haas

The Moto Museum
Located next to the International Photography Hall of Fame, displaying a collection of rare & vintage European motorcycles, paid guided tours available

National Blues Museum
615 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63101
TEL: 314-925-0016
The National Blues Museum explores the Blues and celebrates the genre as the foundation of all modern American music

Grants Farm
10501 Gravois Road St. Louis, MO 63123
TEL: 314-843-1700
Grant's Farm is the 281-acre ancestral home of the Busch family, located of the city of St. Louis. The Farm is home to more than 900 animals representing more than 100 species from six continents. "Prep" school of the Budweiser Clydesdales. Tram rides, free beer! Great for kids and adults

Anheuser Busch Brewery Tours
12th and Lynch Street, St. Louis, MO 63118
TEL: 314-577-2626

Restaurants & Bars: (in addition to ones notated above)

Italian Restaurants on the Hill
If you like Italian food, you'll most likely enjoy a visit to "The Hill", Italian neighborhood in St. Louis with a number of wonderful restaurants, Italian Markets and bakeries. Some favorites:
Charlie Gitto's, Cunnetto, Zia's, Viviano & Sons Market, Missouri Baking Co

Pappy's Smokehouse
Top rated, order at the counter BBQ. Tip: get there when they open, lines can be long but worth the wait

Taste
Cocktails & Small Plates located in the Central West End Neighborhood

Eleven Eleven Mississippi
Celebrated "Modern American" bistro with a wine emphasis

Peacemaker
Seafood & Raw Bar in the historic Soulard district, close to the AB Brewery

Bullock Room at the Planters House
Excellent spot to enjoy a handcrafted cocktail from its larger cocktail list or to adventurously enjoy whatever the barkeep recommends

Venice Cafe
Cash-only watering hole/performance venue covered with funky folk art & bright mosaics inside & out

Restaurants with Live Music:

John D. McGurks
Russell Blvd Location
Top of the class Irish Pub saluted by Esquire Magazine as one of the Best Bars in America, on Thrill’s List of the 21 Best Irish Pubs in the US and one of Road Trippers’ Best Irish Pubs in the US. Great Irish music, food, drink, and outdoor garden. Music nightly from musicians straight from Ireland

BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups
Blues bar with first-rate selection of local and touring performers and full kitchen specializing in Cajun and Creole food in addition to selection of bar food

Broadway Oyster Bar
Lively popular hangout serving Cajun classics and nightly live music, outdoor patio

Jazz at the Bistro
Intimate jazz performance space with cabaret seating for an American menu with Southern accents. In Grand Center, close to the Kranzberg Arts Center


Dessert Spots:

Bissinger's Handcrafted Chocolatier at Maryland Plaza
A favorite dessert place in the heart of the Central West End. Lovely ambiance/seating, outstanding chocolate

Bailey's Chocolate Bar
Small plates & charcuterie along with desserts & chocolate martinis in a casual space with a patio. Perfect place for an after dinner drink after dinner at Eleven Eleven Mississppi, it's right down the street

Ices Plain & Fancy
St. Louis Nitro Ice Cream Parlor, serving the finest quality ice cream flash churned to order using liquid nitrogen. 

Ted Drewes
Chippewa location.
A route 66 landmark, featured on Food Network's "America's Best" (best upside down treat), "Best Thing I Ever Ate" and "Man Vs Food", serving St. Louis Frozen Custard for over 80 years. Don't let the long lines intimidate you, they move fast!
 

Camera Stores:
Schillers
Good selection of film. Used cameras. Located about 10 miles from the Kranzberg Arts Center

Creve Coeur Camera
Limited selection of film. Used cameras. 16 miles from the Kranzberg Arts Center