Safety in St. Louis

[netboy65]

My adult daughter and her husband and young son recently took a tourist spin through St. Louis with another family. They stayed by the ballpark and, walking, stayed in the Union Station-Old Courthouse corridor. With lille kids they did not stay out late at night, took in a ballgame, drove to zoo and some other sights around Forest Park. We all agree in this mode St. Louis has quite a bit of tourist appeal.

Once, introducing my son-in-law to St. Louis, in two days we hit the Arch/Riverfront, Union Station, Shaw's Gardens, Zoo, Art Museum, Grant's Farm, The Hill to eat, and (no trip is complete without it) Ted Drewes. It was quite a whirlwind, no kids.

Ted Drewes is really something special. Go on a nice afternoon or evening and get out of your car! Milling around while you eat the best frozen custard in the world you'll meet some of the most friendly people in the world. You might encounter a wedding party (with a not too much in a hurry bride and groom) or even a busload of Nuns and theology students. Lots of parents and kids, plenty of older adults, too. It's a monument to traditional St. Louis family culture that marches on through the generations.

Not to derail anything, but I’ve lived here my whole life and I’ve yet to see the fascination with Ted Drewes. I mean it’s good, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t see it as head and shoulders above any other place.

give me a break

Well played! Btw, I figured you were being facetious earlier but with the typed word you never can tell

[DawgDad]

My adult daughter and her husband and young son recently took a tourist spin through St. Louis with another family. They stayed by the ballpark and, walking, stayed in the Union Station-Old Courthouse corridor. With lille kids they did not stay out late at night, took in a ballgame, drove to zoo and some other sights around Forest Park. We all agree in this mode St. Louis has quite a bit of tourist appeal.

Once, introducing my son-in-law to St. Louis, in two days we hit the Arch/Riverfront, Union Station, Shaw's Gardens, Zoo, Art Museum, Grant's Farm, The Hill to eat, and (no trip is complete without it) Ted Drewes. It was quite a whirlwind, no kids.

Ted Drewes is really something special. Go on a nice afternoon or evening and get out of your car! Milling around while you eat the best frozen custard in the world you'll meet some of the most friendly people in the world. You might encounter a wedding party (with a not too much in a hurry bride and groom) or even a busload of Nuns and theology students. Lots of parents and kids, plenty of older adults, too. It's a monument to traditional St. Louis family culture that marches on through the generations.

Not to derail anything, but I’ve lived here my whole life and I’ve yet to see the fascination with Ted Drewes. I mean it’s good, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t see it as head and shoulders above any other place.

give me a break

Oh, my! Blasphemy! We need to conduct an intervention!

[ManitobaBlues]

St. Louis is an incredible city, full of energy and history. I loved experiencing the passion this city has for the Cardinals and baseball. My time there was unforgettable—the brewery tour, the iconic Arch, beautiful Forest Park, and what I truly think is the best zoo I’ve ever visited, the St. Louis Zoo.

[Feats]

Uber is the better choice for transportation. Walking to the game/back will pose no problems. Maggie O’s is a good bar and the bar in the Great Hall at Union Station is one of the best in town. Bit of a hike to the Arch but staying on Market Street should be fine too.

[Old_Goat]

My wife and I will be traveling to St. Louis (from MA) this season for two Blues games. My concerns are about safety. Is it safe to use the Metro train to/from Lambert Field and also for the Gateway Arch? Is Uber a better alternative?

Also, is it safe to walk from the Drury Inn (at Union Station) to/from Enterprise Center, or should we take an Uber?

Bruce

Many fans park in the Union Station parking lot and the lots right next to the Drury for games. So, walking to & from the game, you will be very safe. Just like in any city and situation, pay attention and trust your gut if there are not folks around, or it's dark.
And right there in the ground basement of the Drury is Lombardo's Trattoria. A very fine Italian restaurant, run by the Lombardo Family. Their first restaurant in North County was opened almost 100 years ago. It's rumored that they actually made the first "Toasted Ravioli" by accident, that St. Louis is well known for (don't know if that is truth). Excellent food, service and atmosphere at a reasonable price. They also have Carmine's Steakhouse in the Drury between Busch Stadium and the Arch, as well as Lombardo's Restaurant in the Drury at the airport.
An interesting fact: The local Chapter of the National Football Foundation named as the "Tom Lombardo St. Louis Chapter of the National Football Foundation." It was dedicated in his name about 30 years ago. He was the starting Quarterback for the great Army National Champions football teams in the 1940s, in the same backfield as Heisman Trophy Winners Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis. Tom was killed in combat during the Korean War, one-month before he was scheduled to rotate out of the area. The restaurants are now run by the sons & daughter of Tom's youngest brother Carmen.
Finally, I avoid the Metrolink. But if you must ride it, then sit up forward as close to the driver as possible. And avoid getting off to transfer to another line. Those stations are where the greatest chance of problems arise. Getting on/off at airport not bad. Getting on/off near Union Station, Enterprise Center, Busch Stadium are okay during game times or busy daytimes. For me, if it involves a transfer, then I'm not riding it.
Enjoy your visit, use common sense. Yes the crime situation is a big concern. Unfortunately the statistics in general for the metropolitan area are adversely skewed by the fact that the City is not in any County, thus whole area is painted with the broad brush. Like any major metro, the crime is generally predominant in one area...it just so happens that area mostly falls in the actual StL City Limits, but the majority of the population is around the outside.

[bluecalgary]

My wife and I will be traveling to St. Louis (from MA) this season for two Blues games. My concerns are about safety. Is it safe to use the Metro train to/from Lambert Field and also for the Gateway Arch? Is Uber a better alternative?

Also, is it safe to walk from the Drury Inn (at Union Station) to/from Enterprise Center, or should we take an Uber?

Bruce

Many fans park in the Union Station parking lot and the lots right next to the Drury for games. So, walking to & from the game, you will be very safe. Just like in any city and situation, pay attention and trust your gut if there are not folks around, or it's dark.
And right there in the ground basement of the Drury is Lombardo's Trattoria. A very fine Italian restaurant, run by the Lombardo Family. Their first restaurant in North County was opened almost 100 years ago. It's rumored that they actually made the first "Toasted Ravioli" by accident, that St. Louis is well known for (don't know if that is truth). Excellent food, service and atmosphere at a reasonable price. They also have Carmine's Steakhouse in the Drury between Busch Stadium and the Arch, as well as Lombardo's Restaurant in the Drury at the airport.
An interesting fact: The local Chapter of the National Football Foundation named as the "Tom Lombardo St. Louis Chapter of the National Football Foundation." It was dedicated in his name about 30 years ago. He was the starting Quarterback for the great Army National Champions football teams in the 1940s, in the same backfield as Heisman Trophy Winners Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis. Tom was killed in combat during the Korean War, one-month before he was scheduled to rotate out of the area. The restaurants are now run by the sons & daughter of Tom's youngest brother Carmen.
Finally, I avoid the Metrolink. But if you must ride it, then sit up forward as close to the driver as possible. And avoid getting off to transfer to another line. Those stations are where the greatest chance of problems arise. Getting on/off at airport not bad. Getting on/off near Union Station, Enterprise Center, Busch Stadium are okay during game times or busy daytimes. For me, if it involves a transfer, then I'm not riding it.
Enjoy your visit, use common sense. Yes the crime situation is a big concern. Unfortunately the statistics in general for the metropolitan area are adversely skewed by the fact that the City is not in any County, thus whole area is painted with the broad brush. Like any major metro, the crime is generally predominant in one area...it just so happens that area mostly falls in the actual StL City Limits, but the majority of the population is around the outside.

My son and I stayed at the Drury Hotel for the Winter Classic in 2017. Great location. Easy walking to Busch Stadium and the rink. Both restaurants are great. My son still talks about the steak he ate at Carmine's. Even when the streets were deserted we didn't feel nervous. We found a taxi driver who gave us his phone number to call if we were going to venture outside the area. Very friendly.

My wife and I stayed at a hotel at the airport for the SC parade and celebration. No issues anywhere during the events and afterwards. The hotel shuttle driver from the airport, when he heard we were going to take the Metrolink downtown for the celebration, recommended we do not go beyond the downtown and over the river on it. Guess the east side is a little rougher...

[sneptsmoustache]

My wife and I will be traveling to St. Louis (from MA) this season for two Blues games. My concerns are about safety. Is it safe to use the Metro train to/from Lambert Field and also for the Gateway Arch? Is Uber a better alternative?

Also, is it safe to walk from the Drury Inn (at Union Station) to/from Enterprise Center, or should we take an Uber?

Bruce

It's incredibly dangerous, as city people are just waiting there to rob and hurt people who know how dangerous it is, I wouldn't chance it. As you already suspect, your stuff will get taken and you'll be in the hospital. Don't do it

WOW! Over react Much? If you are with Blues fans at night you'll be fine. From the airport to downtown in the daytime it will be ok. There are plenty of commuters on there.

the city terrifies me sir. are you sure it will be ok if I go there?

tell me I'll be ok, I want to participate in your thing but I don't want to Get Hurt or Get Robbed!!!

Just my opinion: you're too high-quality of a poster to post douchey stuff like this. There's no upside for you. The guy is just asking a question. No need to mock people who hear that St. Louis is dangerous and ask a few questions about his and his wife's safety.

While I totally appreciate that, it's one of my substantive buttons. I walked across the US without a weapon (or cell phone back then) through multiple urban areas when I was 23 so I think people who ask this question are a combination of afraid and maybe one other thing.

"Safety in St. Louis" really man? Even if you're interested in getting this feedback the headline is really provocative to people who aren't total va ginas

All good dude. I'm the same way, I'm fairly well-traveled, and you grow to realize that no matter where you are, a little bit of common sense and trusting your gut goes a long way. However, it's important to realize that not everyone has had the opportunity to do what you've done (or the mindset, which is totally fine), so not everyone who asks about safety deserves to be mocked. And I wouldn't read too much into his headline, that's just semantic, he was literally asking about safety in St. Louis so don't take too much offense to it . Folks outside of STL are bombarded with info about how dangerous it is here, and it is indeed a town where you don't want to stray too far off the beaten path at the wrong time of day...so it's a reasonable question to ask if you're unfamiliar with the area.

Anyway, I enjoy reading your thoughts on prospects and looking forward to seeing which of them might surprise us this season!!

Also - I consider Seattle to be fairly dangerous, but that's only because every time I'm there I generally get so high I can't see straight. So I'm a danger to myself and others

[theograce]

Also - I consider Seattle to be fairly dangerous, but that's only because every time I'm there I generally get so high I can't see straight. So I'm a danger to myself and others

Loved Seattle as a kid but not anymore.

[seattleblue]

All good dude. I'm the same way, I'm fairly well-traveled, and you grow to realize that no matter where you are, a little bit of common sense and trusting your gut goes a long way. However, it's important to realize that not everyone has had the opportunity to do what you've done (or the mindset, which is totally fine), so not everyone who asks about safety deserves to be mocked. And I wouldn't read too much into his headline, that's just semantic, he was literally asking about safety in St. Louis so don't take too much offense to it . Folks outside of STL are bombarded with info about how dangerous it is here, and it is indeed a town where you don't want to stray too far off the beaten path at the wrong time of day...so it's a reasonable question to ask if you're unfamiliar with the area.

Anyway, I enjoy reading your thoughts on prospects and looking forward to seeing which of them might surprise us this season!!

Also - I consider Seattle to be fairly dangerous, but that's only because every time I'm there I generally get so high I can't see straight. So I'm a danger to myself and others

Haha not a problem I will be mindful about your reply I am capable of strong opinions that bump into others’ and I’m not right every time. Very fallible. Came to my position honestly and through intention.

We are closer to Tacoma than Seattle but I picked for alliteration and to avoid taco. Near the Chambers Bay golf course

[blues2112]

When we were kids, took bus from South Side to baseball games and back; bust stop was at Tucker and Chouteau. Ditto for Blues games.

In high school, would park several south of the Arena/Checkerdome and walk. Never had a problem. Then again, we were really dumb back then, and maybe lucky.

Have been to several games in Denver. No issues there either.

[MrPostman01]

I've been here and I've been there. According to what fear media stokes in you when I was in Eastern Europe, I was quickly put into a forced labor camp where I died. Then, not learning my lesson, I was amongst Arabs where I was instantly beheaded and my head was used in the Prince's bowling lanes. Also in South America where I was nicknamed retread for my ability to quickly adapt. All this because I came from East St. Louis.

[DawgDad]

When we were kids, took bus from South Side to baseball games and back; bust stop was at Tucker and Chouteau. Ditto for Blues games.

In high school, would park several south of the Arena/Checkerdome and walk. Never had a problem. Then again, we were really dumb back then, and maybe lucky.

Have been to several games in Denver. No issues there either.

The Cardinal bus - growing up used to ride it up Gravois from Affton. $1 fare, $1 for bleacher seat. I didn't drink beer until I graduated from high school but then the beer vendors invariably served me no questions asked. Ah, the good old days.

[Tabasco Flowers]

Bruce, I use MetroLink. I've never had a single problem, and I even took my kids when they were in their single digits.

In any urban setting there will be crime. All you have to do is avoid looking like a victim. Those cowards want to prey on people that look like they can't resiprocate, and they're as some would have believe.

[Tabasco Flowers]

Bruce, I use MetroLink. I've never had a single problem, and I even took my kids when they were in their single digits.

In any urban setting there will be crime. All you have to do is avoid looking like a victim. Those cowards want to prey on people that look like they can't resiprocate, and they're as some would have believe.

As plentiful as some would have you believe. Gawd I need to improve my proofreading

[Mr.Snuggleupagus]

I did have a handful of tense/dangerous encounters along the way and I walked through heavy duty urban areas like Philly, Baltimore, DC, Atlanta, New Orleans, St, Louis and zero of my tense encounters happened there.

What year did this happen?

[Mr.Snuggleupagus]

In a situation where it would get reported if Blues fans were being preyed on en route to and from games, and that is absolutely not a thing, this question was risibly framed IMO.

I think Bruce deserves the benefit of doubt.