Saint Louis Off The Beaten Path

1 more image

While I was in Saint Louis I went dayly to this factory, where the conference of GAS helded several live demonstrations.

I know that, all year long, they provide private demonstrations. And glass is a spectacular art, not to be missed.

(If you are distant from Saint Louis you better know that you may have glass work demonstrations in Crisform - Portugal, another non-proffit school)

1 more image

Included in the splendid complex of Saint Louis university, this modern church (built in 1984) follows British models, but, as long as it seems doesn't try to copy anything.

It's nice, and favors the area around it.

1 more image

Created in the end of the 19Th century, this church is part of the University, being also known as the College Church.

Inspired in Irish Gothic, it composes a harmonic contrast with the modern look of the buildings that surround it.

Fast Eddie's is located in Alton, IL and has a very lively weekend bar scene. Food and drinks are all reasonably priced for a cheap, fun night out.

NO CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED, so bring cash (but again, you won't need a lot of it)

Hidden Lake Winery is in Aviston, Illinois (about 30 minutes from the Arch) and is a great little winery situated on its own private lake. As far as local winerys are concerned this place has better wine than any of the others I've been to. Couple that with a steak house (only on weekends) and little cabins you can rent (if you've had too much wine) and this place is definitely worth a visit.

Art on the Square is the #1 Art Fair in the Nation by Art Fair SourceBook 2010, normally running for a full weekend in May. I've been twice now and there is always plenty to do and see with local restaurants selling their food and people wandering all over the Main Street area of Belleville.

After you tour the art that's for sale, stop by one of the restaurants on Main Street to complete the evening.

Belleville itself is a suburb of St. Louis, about 15 minutes east of downtown off of I-64.

4 more images

We went to the Visitor's Center and after I got my passport stamped, we watched the 16-minute introductory film, A Place Called White Haven, shown in the Visitor Center theater, and went through the museum. Then we visited the Main House:

* Free interpretive visits to the Main House are usually offered every 30 minutes beginning at 9:30 a.m. Typically the last house visit of the day begins at 4:00 p.m.
* Due to preservation and safety concerns, space is limited for each time slot and tickets (which are free, and available at the Visitor Center desk) are required to reserve a place.

Actually in our case, there was no one else there at that time of day/year, so we had a private tour. Inside they had those TV photo screens and video commentary. We found out that White Haven was named after the family farm house, but was actually painted green. Afterwards we toured the site outbuildings.

About 20 miles south of St. Louis is a small town called Kimswick. Off the beaten path, but worth going. Suggest going to Blue Owl for brunch, shopping the small crafty shops for a few hours, then hit Frankie Giannino's (55 & Main Street) in Imperial for the best Italion meal you will ever have