Category: Missouri (Page 3 of 3)

You’re Supposed To Get Lost At The City Museum In St. Louis, Missouri

It’s easy to be a tourist in your our own town, especially since you just got there!

This weekend, I planned our Saturday outing at the City Museum located in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. The City Museum isn’t your typical museum; It’s more like an art gallery, fun house and obstacle course wrapped into one crazy experience.

The late artist Bob Cassilly and his wife Gail founded the The City Museum in the old International Shoe Company building. The interior exhibits span four stories, and, as the City Museum website states, the artists are “always building.” Visitors can explore the outdoor exhibits, too, including a 10-story slide and elevated obstacle course.

Museum admission costs $10-12 dollars per adult (2 & under free), plus extra for access to the rooftop and aquarium. Visitors can park in the museum’s parking lot for $5 or find plenty of metered parking around the museum (though I’m unsure if there are time limits). The museum website mentions that there are usually lines in the mornings and recommends visiting after five p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

IMG_7299

A view of the building next door.

When we arrived at 4:30 p.m. on a Saturday, the museum was packed, but the lines to purchase wristbands were very short. We had heard that although many of the museum exhibits are geared towards children, it’s intended for adults, too. On this visit, we didn’t notice many other adults who attended without children.

IMG_7301

There are signs at each admission window informing guests that the museum does not offer maps. Getting lost is highly encouraged.

IMG_7300

We tried to escape the crowd in the lobby by exploring the second floor. I loved that we had no idea where we were going or what to expect. The first exhibit we saw featured examples of local architecture.

IMG_7302

There were examples of tiles and doorknobs and keys. We were especially fascinated by the sneering gargoyles.

gargoyle

IMG_7306

This same floor featured a St. Louis resident’s extensive insect collection. Jake studied a frame of pinned cicadas and I curiously poked a wasp’s nest. On the next floor (or at least I think it was. Who knows where we were?) a confident, gold hotdog man greeted us.

IMG_7317

This stance, though.

The art piece below features little figurines of people holding up a plane of glass. We took turns standing on it since it could support five people at a time.

IMG_7318

IMG_7320

Another part of the museum took us into a cavern maze complete with secret doorways, crawl spaces and spiral staircases. The cavern entrances are located all over the museum. You never know where you’ll see legs dangling from the ceilings. For tall men like Jake, crawl spaces and tunnels might not be options.

IMG_7323

I nervously walked across this wire-covered board walk suspended high in the air.

IMG_7325

And you never know what will greet you around each corner. It could be this weird devil head or stone torso lady.

strange Collage

Or this spinning wheel.

Spinning Wheel at the City Museum, St. Louis, Missouri from JeniEats on Vimeo.

The most mind-blowing part of the museum is an outdoor obstacle course that’s suspended stories-up in the air. Temperatures reached past 95 degrees so we were more than content to watch the brave obstacle-course goers. I might also be afraid of heights. . .

IMG_7313

IMG_7314

After an hour and a half, we were hot and sweaty and ready to head somewhere cooler. Between all of the people and the 90 degree weather, the museum felt toasty and we were too hot to visit the outdoor features. We grabbed a beer at the Alpha Brewing Company across the street.

Overall, we’ll always remember our date at City Museum as one of our most unique experiences. The 30-year old me was hesitant to crawl into dark holes and mid-air wire tunnels, but I smile as I imagine the 10-year old me zipping through them with wild abandon. Some of my fondest childhood memories occurred at a giant Twin Cities park called Shoots and Ladders. This reminded me of Shoots and Ladders on Surge.

The museum did seem mostly geared for children who could easily be entertained for a whole day here. There’s also a special children’s ball pit and crafting area where we saw supervised paper snowflake, cardboard sculpture, and painting stations. Parents will find plenty of entertainment, too, but may have to work to keep up with their kids who will want to zip in and out of the passageways.

Finally, guests can not bring food and beverages into the museum. There are several concession stands and cafes sprinkled the museum, including the Roof Top Cantina. I never had trouble finding a bathroom or drinking fountain when I needed one. Keep in mind that rooftop access costs an extra $5 per person with general admission, only.

When our family and friends with kids visit, we’ll highly recommend they check out the museum. At some point, we really do need to visit on a cooler day so we can experience the outdoor features. Maybe I’ll be brave enough to slide down the 10 story slide by then.

Happiness Is Getting Splashed By A Puffin: The St. Louis Zoo

I got splashed by a puffin and it was the greatest experience ever.

Last week I met a new friend to explore the St. Louis Zoo and could not have anticipated the amount of joy it brought. While I didn’t exactly feel like I kid again, I felt the same levity, wonder, and ability to just enjoy the moment that comes easier when you are a kid. I found myself giggling with glee when a penguin that swam less than a foot away splashed me and staring in awe as a hippo pressed his thick whiskers against the glass.

I’ve always enjoyed visiting zoo and actually grew up minutes from the Minnesota Zoo. Birthday parties and field trips at the zoo were common occurences and gave me a wonder and appreciation for wildlife. However, there have been other zoos made me feel sad when their animals’ habitats seemed too small or too bare. I have a vivid memory of visiting a free zoo where a lonely polar bear anxiously paced its bare concrete space on a hot summer’s day.

The St. Louis Zoo does amazingly offer free admission and its grounds are immaculately kept. Architecture and landscaping are gorgeous and walkways are litter-free. You can also get surprisingly close to the animals.

DSC_0539

The animal’s habitats are spacious and they seem content. I am not well versed in zoology, but guess that animals arrive at zoos for a variety of reasons. The animals I saw did not seem anxious or demonstrate any behavior such as pacing or other repetitive behaviors.

DSC_0538

The atrium in the main entrance near the Welcome Desk in the North Entrance.

Free street parking is located around the zoo’s entrances. Depending on how early you arrive and how busy the zoo is, you may have to walk a bit or parallel park. Zoo parking lots are closer to entrances and cost $15 for the whole day. While admission is free, extra activities including the sea lion show, merry-go-round, entrance to the children’s zoo, stingray cove and movies cost $4-5 per ticket (children under 2 are free).

I learned that admission to the stingray cove and children’s zoo is free between 8-9 a.m. on an early morning stroll.

DSC_0583

Pet goats in this part of the Children’s Zoo. If I wanted to see a goat in North Iowa, all I had to do was ask a friend, and they’d be like, “There’s some in my backyard. Come on over!”

There is so much to see that one could view indoor and outdoor exhibits all day without paying for the extras. My friend and I strolled around the zoo for two hours and saw many of the free exhibits including elephants, rhinos, seals, sun bears, and orangutans. I assumed we had seen most of the exhibits but was surprised when I learned we only saw about 1/4.

DSC_0562

A really cool train track runs through the park. Train tickets cost $5, but allow you to exit to visit exhibits and re-board.

DSC_0542

I love that the only trains in St. Louis that I’ve had to wait for to cross the tracks are the fun ones at the zoo.

DSC_0574

The Penguin & Puffin Coast features Humboldt, Gentoo, Rockhopper and King penguins. According to the zoo’s website, the Lichenstein Penguin Cove is the nation’s first walk-though, sub-arctic penguin exhibit. You’ll feel a chilly blast of cold air upon entering the cove.

DSC_0545

I almost couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw how close we could get to the penguins. They are just inches away from you as they swim by or watch you from the cliffs.

DSC_0547

I got a kick out of watching the penguins dive from the cliffs into the water. The one to the left is staring at me through the glass. All of the glass around the exhibits was really, really clean. penguin CollageGaze upwards, and you will see penguins just feet from your head.

Penuins on cliff

The puffin pond lies just beyond the penguins. I watched in delight as puffins bounced and bobbed and dive-bombed into the water from their little cliff coves.

 

I remember watching Anthony Bourdain hunt puffins with his hosts on the cliffs of Iceland on No Reservations but never expected to see them in person. They also watch zoo-goers above the walkway. I kept expecting the birds to jump on our heads.

DSC_0560

Finally, you’ll meet Kali the polar bear who lives at the end of the penguin exhibit. He became the zoo’s newest resident in May 2015 and it’s obvious the city loves him. This two-year old bear was orphaned in Alaska when his mother was killed by hunters for food. Villagers cared for the cub before giving him to U.S. Fish and Wildlife biologists. Read more about Kali’s story here.

Everyone wants to catch a glimpse of Kali. Wherever he goes, the crowds go too. The zoo staff monitored the exhibit and made announcements reminding people to take turns standing by the windows so that everyone could catch a moment with Kali.

IMG_7117_2

When I strolled by Kali’s habitat at 8:30 a.m., groups of people were already waiting for him to make his morning appearance at 9 a.m.

Sea lions and seals are more animals I could spend hours watching. When you reach the underwater tunnel, they swim over and around you and pause in front of curious bystanders.

IMG_7140

In addition to the penguin and puffin coves, the bug exhibit is also a cool place to take a break from the sun. This dome houses the butterfly garden (free admission) where you can learn about pollinators and admire plush plants as butterflies flap around you.

DSC_0586

DSC_0595
Usually I’m afraid of bugs. The bug exhibit helped turn fear into fascination. I was especially enthralled watching leaf cutter ants carry small pieces of leaves around this twisted branch.Ant exhibit Collage

Like I mentioned earlier in this post, I’ve only seen about 1/4 of the zoo. Jake hasn’t gotten to explore it yet, so we’re going back this weekend. Hopefully our trip will include snacks from the zoo’s concession stands, too. Whether or not you think you are excited about zoos, I’d highly recommend visiting ours (can I say ours, yet?) if you travel to St. Louis. I think you’ll find that it’s literally impossible to leave without feeling extremely enthusiastic about zoos.

DSC_0567

DSC_0597

My short STL-area bucket list includes visiting the haunted Lemp Mansion, Missouri History Museum, City Museum which others have described as a giant, adult playground, Cahokia Mounds, and Elephant Rocks State Park. Our list of bars and restaurants is staggering and we’re struggling to figure out where to start. It’s my turn to choose a date night restaurant and I’m thinking Thai or Vietnamese food.

Thank you to all who make this zoo free for all and to those who have offered us a warm welcome to STL! We appreciate all of your suggestions for your favorite places. 

Taco Tuesday: La Tejana, Bridgeton, Missouri

So, we didn’t actually eat these tacos on a Tuesday, but it is Tuesday and I’m writing about tacos, hence, Taco Tuesday! Have you ever wanted to blog a Meatless Wednesday, Wordless Monday, Thursday Favorites, Throwback Friday and watch the world burn, because I totally haven’t. . . 😉

After fifteen whole days in St. Louis, our belongings are mostly unpacked, but yet to be organized. While our condo isn’t much smaller than our Mason City town home, it contains less storage space. This isn’t entirely bad since it’s forcing me to go through our old moving boxes. I’m unpacking items I haven’t though about for years such as cards and letters from college friends and long-lost shoes. I found all of the pairs of glasses I lost after each move and two, life-sized stuffed dogs.

trayse dogs

Trayse is not amused. Rowdy(s), No!

This weekend was Jake’s pick for date night and he chose taqueria-style tacos; the type made with double corn tortillas, a plethora of flavorful meat choices, and garnished simply with hot salsa, onion, cilantro, and lime wedges. I searched local blogs like Whiskey & Soba and local publications’ lists rounding up the community’s best Mexican restaurants. It’s clear there’s a lot of incredible Mexican food to be found here, but we had to start somewhere and I chose La Tejana. The first line of this St. Louis Magazine article states it’s, “not for folks who want American-style tacos. . . ” which meant it served what we were looking for. The menu also offers tortas, gorditas, sopas, and goat and seafood soup among other items.

With the weather hitting 95-100 ºF, we explored our local mall before driving fifteen minutes to Bridgeton. La Tejana is located in a quiet strip mall between a Mexican grocery store and a small liquor store. We were warmly greeted and served chips and salsa.

IMG_7155

I loved the salsa’s flavor. It tasted a little garlicky and perfectly spicy. The complimentary table salsas Mexican restaurants served us in North Dakota and North Iowa tended to run mild and I felt pleasantly taken aback by its kick.

As much as Jake and I enjoyed visiting Las Palmas in Mason City, they did not offer horchata (and Jake misses their giant burrito). I ordered a horchata and received this giant cup which helped make up for lost time.

IMG_7160

We stayed true to our date night mission and ordered lots of tacos for dinner. Jake tried a handful of different fillings while I ordered one lengua and two al pastor along with a side of jalapenos. I haven’t encountered al pastor tacos as magical as those we ate in Puebla where pork and pineapple cooked on spits like gyro meat and cooks shaved the meat to order. Still, there are some of the better al pastor tacos I’ve tried in the Midwest.

I liked that the pineapple was cut into small pieces and mixed into the meat so each bite tasted sweet and savory. The lengua was tender like the softest pot roast and slightly fatty (my favorite tongue tacos might be the one I tried from El Taco Loco when I joined part of Heavy Table’s Central Avenue Checklist).

Jake’s favorite taco fillings were the steak and barbacoa de res.

IMG_7162

Our server brought over a red and green squirt bottle of hot sauces, explaining the red sauce was hotter. We liked them both. The jalapenos were nicely blistered and seasoned with a sprinkle of salt. I nibbled them between bites of taco.

IMG_7168

Overall, La Tejana definitely scratched our itch for street tacos. Our server was very friendly and the prices are affordable. Spicy food endorphins are my favorite endorphins.

One thing I’d like to find is a Mexican restaurant that serves sauces similar to East St. Paul’s Taqueria Los Ocampos. Who serves your favorite St. Louis tacos?

Coming up next: I got splashed by a puffin at the zoo!

First Week In STL Observations: There Are Hills Here & I Want To Eat Everything

Today marks our first week and a half in St. Louis!

There are hills here. I just parked on an incline and had to use my emergency brake. Living in Fargo-Moorhead and North Iowa, I forgot our cars even had emergency brakes.

Goodbye garage and hello street parking. I feel celebratory, though, because I found I can still parallel park. The other day, I had a conversation with a neighbor who expressed concern about leaving her car outside during the winter and all I could think was, “I’m from Minnesota. . .”

Gooey Butter Cake is a big deal. Every restaurant, grocery store, and cafe offers slices or whole cakes. We grabbed one from the grocery store on a whim on the Fourth of July. Since it was a holiday evening, there weren’t many varieties left. We made sure this brand contained real butter and passed on the mango-flavored cake.

Gooey butter

We recently learned gooey butter cake originated in St. Louis. According to legend, this cake resulted from a mistake when a baker accidentally mixed up his or her ingredient proportions. We received many suggestions from residents for their favorite gooey butter cakes in St. Louis and have a long journey ahead of us. This one had a crumblier texture, but it did taste like butter.

It’s hot in St. Louis. In North Iowa and Fargo, the wind blew fiercely 90% of the time. When we moved to Fargo, we quickly realized why there were less sidewalk and rooftop patios than Minneapolis. I found the wind so irritating that I called it Prairie Madness (a Chrisism). This first week in St. Louis has been hot and muggy and now we wish for a prairie breeze. When I walk outside, it feels like someone’s tenderly smothering my face with a warm, damp, slightly stinky towel. The humidity will make me stronger!

The people we’ve met so far have given us a warm welcome and take pride in their city. Something unique about St. Louis is that it offers so many high quality, free attractions such as the zoo, science center, and art museum. People are happy to chat and tell us about their favorite places. The next door neighbor to a house we had viewed during our first visit even invited us over for a beer and we made a new friend.

The St. Louis dining scene is overwhelmingly amazing. We can find nearly any type of restaurant and grocery imaginable. The choices are exhilarating but they are also overwhelming. I want to try everyone’s favorite restaurants and bakeries now, but am trying to pace myself.

We live near a deli that cooks corned beef daily and serves matzoh ball soup and chopped liver.

Protzil's sandwich

A Reuben sandwich from Protzel’s Deli.

St. Louis has many Asian grocery stores, restaurants that serve dim sum, and even a Korean bakery!

korean bun

A curry chicken koroke from Kim’s Bakery in Chesterfield, MO. They are like the fluffiest donut rolled in crispy breadcrumbs.

We had our first STL date night on the Fourth of July at Everest Cafe. A couple STL bloggers had recommended it as a favoriteOne of the cuisines we missed the most while living in North Iowa was Indian food.

indian food

Everest Cafe is owned and operated by a Chef/Owner owner with an incredible story. You can order Nepalese, Indian, and Korean dishes here. We chose three of our favorite comfort dishes, vegetable korma, saag paneer, and beef bulgogi with garlic naan. The curries had a complex, beautifully round flavor and the bulgogi tasted as good as any Korean restaurant we’ve visited. One of Jake’s favorite foods in the whole world is garlic naan and Everest’s was nicely blistered and coated in minced garlic. The next time we return, I’d like to try the momos and Nepalese meals served on big, metal tray.

I accidentally ran into the newly opened Tim Hortons when I got lost, so I bought a tiny box of ten Timbits for $2. They’re sticky and glazed and terribly addicting. It seems ironic that I had my first Tim Hortons encounter in Missouri, even though I lived in Canadian-bordering states for 29 years.

IMG_7049

I miss our friends and family in the upper half of the Midwest, but am excited to be a new St. Louis resident. Our bucket list of STL restaurants and attractions grows each day. Thanks for all of your suggestions and feel free to keep sending them our way. 

My First St. Louis & St. Charles, Missouri Adventures

The thought running through my head is that I’m leaving my homeland of Minnesotafell.

So, I currently live in Iowa, but typically identify myself as being born and raised in Minnesota. When I throw in the fact that I was actually born in South Korea, it adds another complication to the whole “Where are you from?” question. I’ll have arrived in St. Louis, MO via South Korea via Minnesota via Fargo, ND via North Iowa to be exact.

“Is St. Louis even still in the Midwest?” I asked Jake. As we entered the city, we saw signs welcoming us to the gateway to the Midwest, so technically, we still are. A four-hour drive has always taken us to Upper Midwestern destinations such as Eau Claire, WI, Grand Forks, ND or Des Moines, IA. Now, a four-hour drive will take us to cities like Memphis, Louisville, and Indianapolis. It feels exciting and strange.

My bones are only used to living in states where winter lasts six months and looks like this.

Snow Car

The drive from Mason City to St. Louis is 6.5 hours. Once you pass Cedar Falls, the drive isn’t very scenic, though there are some hills and rock ledges lining the freeway as you get closer to St. Louis. I was surprised at how few cities we could see from the highway, except for of Palmyra and Hannibal.

We stayed in St. Charles at the Frenchtown Inn that just came under new ownership. The bed and breakfast was located within a relatively easy commute to Jake’s work and I could easily walk to coffee shops and restaurants since Jake took the car. Christine, a retired critical care nurse, and Larry, a retired firefighter bought the inn from the previous owner and worked hard to update it by repainting the interior and adding furnishings. When we arrived, they had only been open for a few weeks but were busy each night. They mentioned visitors had even made reservations before they had officially opened.

IMG_6521

We stayed in the Fleur-de-Lis room. Chris and Larry had this stained glass window specially made for the room.

IMG_6528

Our room included a queen sized bed, large closet, couch, and private bathroom. Business travelers might want to inquire about accommodations with a desk. We were too busy driving around the city house hunting after work to miss an office set-up.

Bed and breakfasts are truly my favorite way to travel.

bread pudding

One morning Christine served bread pudding with sautéed fruit and caramel sauce + sausage patties.

When I travel solo, I feel safer and cozier at a bed and breakfast setting that seems more like staying in a home as opposed to a large hotel. Plus, I meet the coolest people at B & B’s. Who would have imagined I’d meet Frank Lloyd Wright and Abraham Lincoln history enthusiasts? For an introvert, the thought of dining with strangers at a set time for breakfast can feel intimidating. Believe I get this, but it’s worth it because I’ve had most incredible conversations with strangers at B & B’s.

Larry and Christine were gracious hosts and I felt very much at home at the Frenchtown Inn. The first morning, I remarked to Jake that they must already think we’re crazy. We had scrambled to drive to St. Louis after work and forgot an embarrassing number of items. Larry caught me sneaking out of the house at 5:30 a.m. in search of a drug store to purchase toothpaste and a razor. He kindly provided both.

I loved sitting on the big porch listening to the wind chimes. One afternoon, Christine prepared plates of warm cheese crisps.

cheese puffs

The bed and breakfast is located in the quiet Frenchtown neighborhood. I enjoyed the ten-minute walk from the inn to the historic St. Charles area.

IMG_6512

The walks were peaceful. I passed by several bridal boutiques and homes that reminded me of New Orleans. Having lived in Fargo and North Iowa for the past four years, I forget how flat our landscape is. “There are hills here!” I kept exclaiming to myself.

IMG_6535

 

IMG_6533

I spent several afternoons at Picasso’s Coffee House.

IMG_6518

When I heard Sufjan Stevens, I knew I found the right place to chill.

IMG_6517

Ok!

I walked the uneven brick cobblestone sidewalk along the main street and curiously popped into many of the shops. I found thrift shops, a Polish pottery shop, Italian bakery, and a specialty soap boutique.

IMG_6540

This British shop sold a wide variety of pantry items and chilled British sodas.

IMG_6568

I admired this interesting statue and unusual sign about babies.

PicMonkey Collage

Other St. Louis adventures included getting stuck in a Cardinals traffic jam downtown, viewing homes in different neighborhoods, curiously drinking a beer in New Town while people went for evening strolls and whizzed by on golf carts (I even saw a man doing yoga on a platform in the middle of a small lake) and eating our first Jumbo Jacks.

jumbo jack

Jake’s coworkers suggested we visited Sugarfire Smoke House. The man carving the meat hid an extra rib under others so he’s basically my new best friend. I also loved their self-serve pickle, jalapeno and sliced bread station. The ribs were tender and lean. I had a grand time sampling all of their seasoning blends and squirt bottles of sauces.

sugar fire

There’s so much to explore and to eat in St. Louis. I’ll miss my friends in North Iowa, but have the feeling that STL and I will get along just fine. Bring on the Provel!

Coming Up Next: Jake and I just signed a lease on a home we visited during this trip. We’re busy coordinating the details of our move and listing our house for sale. The big summer auction school session begins today. You can catch a glimpse into what my next nine days will look in this post: 10 Things I Learned In Auction College

Newer posts »

© 2024 Jeni Eats

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑

Twitter
Visit Us
Follow Me
INSTAGRAM