And while the nice folks at The Boathouse may not paddle your boat for you, they’ll pack you a picnic basket complete with wine, choice of Turkey Club or Vegetarian Wrap, along with flatbread, cheese spread, marinated olives, Cape Cod popcorn, fresh grapes and chocolate biscotti.  Eat all that and you’re really gonna need to paddle.

Be sure not to miss the  7th Annual Paddle Your Pooch  dog-and-master boat race on Sunday, July 18. Every year, devoted dog-lovers and their furry friends fight for the Golden Fire Hydrant!

The Boathouse has live music on Friday and Saturday nights through the summer and  is open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.   Or just go enjoy a glass of wine … or three … and take a load off in one of their Adirondak chairs.

Burlesque shows, music acts and every other imaginable live act you can imagine can be found every night of the week at the Atomic Cowboy. Located in The Grove neighborhood, the best part about this eclectic bar is the laid back and old school rock ‘n roll atmosphere. Locals from all walks of life have called the Atomic Cowboy their favorite bar for years.

Soulard

Home to the second largest Mardi Gras celebration in the country, it’s safe to call Soulard St. Louis’ party district. John D. McGurk’s, Llywelyn’s Pub and Nadine’s Gin Joint are some of the most popular bars, not only during Mardi Gras but throughout the year. McGurk’s outdoor restaurant and patio resembles an English garden rather than an urban patio. Llywelyn’s Pub is Soulard’s staple Irish bar. With an endless beer list, live music and outdoor patio, there’s no reason not to stop by Llywelyn’s for a night of drinking and partying like the Irish! Nadine’s Gin Bar is another popular nighttime destination for those looking to unwind and party the night away. With the largest drink selection in Soulard, live music every Saturday night and a wide variety of old school video games, you won’t want to leave this decade-old drinking establishment.

Washington Avenue

Washington Avenue is packed with uber-trendy clubs and bars. Lucas Park Grill, The Dubliner and the rooftop lounge of the Four Season’s Cielo Bar are some of the best places to take in all the St. Louis nightlife has to offer. You don’t need a hotel reservation to enjoy cocktails on Cielo’s rooftop terrace. Large lounge chairs, exceptional views of the Arch and first-rate service are what you can expect from this luxurious lounge. Further down the Washington Avenue strip is Lucas Park Grill. One of the most popular bars in St. Louis, Lucas Park is always a full house. The décor is rustic yet refined. But don’t be intimidated by Lucas Park, their drink menu has something for everyone from Bud Light on tap to savory cocktails. Just down the street is The Dubliner. The ultra-laid back atmosphere is warm and inviting. But get ready to get down on the weekend. Traditional Irish and contemporary music dominates The Dubliner at night. Grab a drink at the bar, lose your inhibitions and let go on the dance floor- it’s the only way to fully experience The Dubliner!

Image: Edwin Land/Flickr

Craving authentic St Louis style food? Head over to St. Louis’ traditional Italian neighborhood, The Hill, for mouth-watering toasted ravioli and St. Louis thin crust pizza. For over half a century, restaurants like Charlie Gitto’s and Rigazzi’s On the Hill have become synonymous with classic Italian St. Louis-style food. The birthplace of toasted ravioli, Charlie Gitto’s is the place to get your fill of traditional Italian food and hospitality. Rigazzi’s is a quaint Italian restaurant with a menu to rival any of its neighborhood counterparts. I recommend ordering the traditional St. Louis-style pizza. Pack your choice of delicious meats and freshly cut vegetable to layer on top of its famous crispy thin crust. No matter what you decide to put on your pizza, Rigazzi’s is the place to get your fill of traditional St. Louis cuisine.

Clayton

If you have a taste for Americana cuisine with a gourmet twist, be sure to check out the many restaurants in downtown Clayton. St. Louis’ business district may be professional by day, but get ready for food and fun at night. Cardwell’s in Clayton is one of St. Louis’ most popular restaurants, with its extensive menu and beautiful outdoor patio, there’s something to satisfy every palate. Filet mignon, roasted veggie burgers and classic mac ‘n cheese casseroles are just some of their staple dishes. Cardwell’s take on traditional American cuisine is second to none. One visit here will leave you coming back for more. Also located in Clayton is Tani Sushi Bistro. The award-winning décor will draw you into this popular Japanese restaurant while the delicate and fresh sushi will more than satisfy your craving for Asian cuisine. If you venture to Tani during the weekend, be ready to wait. Tani is not the biggest restaurant in Clayton and with its impeccable reputation, people from all over St. Louis come to enjoy a night on the town and dinner at one of the best sushi bistros in the city.

The Central West End

The Central West End may be a popular location for a night on the town, but this hip St. Louis neighborhood has much to offer its daytime patrons. Stop at Coffee Cartel for goodies like Edy’s ice cream, freshly made sandwiches and you guessed it, coffee. Their outdoor patio is great for sipping on a late and spending the afternoon people watching along Maryland Plaza, the heart of the Central West End. If you are looking for a café known for their breakfast foods, then be sure to stop by Crêpes: Etc. Made-to-order French crêpes and pastries are their specialty. Try the strawberry crêpes, they are absolutely delicious and are on par with any crêpe you will find in France. Looking to indulge your sweet tooth? The Cupcakery is St. Louis’ version of New York’s Magnolia Bakery or London’s Hummingbird Bakery. These delicious and beautifully decorated cupcakes are like no other in St. Louis, so be sure to stop by The Cupcakery when dining out for a decadent desert.

South City

South City may be one of St. Louis’ blue-collar neighborhoods, but this urban town is quickly becoming a hot spot for up-and-coming restaurants. Niche is of South City’s most popular restaurants. Known for their understated take on fabulous cuisine, Niche is a modern restaurant with a traditional feel. Take in the simple, modern décor as you sample chilled carrot soup or carne cruda from their appetizer menu and move onto entrees like naturally raised beef and Carolina pink snapper. Right next door is Taste by Niche. If you want to grab a quick drink before dinner or linger for an after dinner cocktail, stop by Taste for some pre and post-dinner fun! Also in South City is Farmhaus. This restaurant, dedicated to locally grown and organic food, has been dubbed one of the best restaurants to open in St. Louis in the past year by the Riverfront Times. Come see what all the locals are raving about at Farmhaus. You won’t be disappointed.

Just a few miles east of the Fox Theatre, is Forest Park. Larger than New York City’s Central Park, Forest Park is the location of the 1904 World’s Fair where you can still see the historic Spanish Pavilion and visit the ever-expanding St. Louis Art Museum. In addition to lush forestry, scenic bike trails and cultural institutions, Forest Park is also home to the third largest zoo in the US. Puffin Bay is one of the most popular zoo attractions, where visitors enter a cave-like room complete with eye-level, frigid water tanks. There are enough historic and scenic sights to keep most travelers and nature-lovers busy for days with Forests Park’s diverse attractions.

One of St. Louis’s newer attractions is the City Museum. Best described as a playground for adults and children, the City Museum has everything from converted shoe factory shoots turned slides to glass blowing classes. Enter the playground-like facility through a winding ladder jutting out of ceiling-level tubes. Once you have climbed up the ladder and into the tubes, experience the thrill of exploring the Enchanted Caves, built out of a retired shoe factory conveyor tunnel system. Go outside of the museum and marvel at MonstroCity. Imagine two Saber 40 aircraft fuselages, a fire engine, a castle turret, a 25′ tall cupola and several 4′ wide wrought-iron slinkies, suspended outside over 12 stories. No, it’s not just to look at, but an interactive sculpture to explore, experience and keep you entertained for hours on end. The adventure never stops at the City Museum so be sure to make it a part of your travel itinerary.

Another recently developed popular St. Louis attraction is The Butterfly House. Located in St. Louis’ charming suburb of Chesterfield, The Butterfly House is a massive greenhouse filled with tropical plants, humid temperatures and you guessed it, real live butterflies. Walk through this majestic greenhouse and you will come (literally) face-to-face with exotic butterflies from almost every continent. The Butterfly House is family-friendly and full of educational side exhibitions. Encased live beetles and insects can be found throughout The Butterfly House, keeping your little ones enticed as you wait to enter the greenhouse.

And what is a blog post about St. Louis without mentioning the Arch? Since its opening in 1965, the Gateway Arch has been a premiere Midwest landmark. Enter the Arch through its underground museum, where you can learn about the history of the gateway to the West and purchase your ticket to the top. Be warned, ticket and elevator lines may be long, so be prepared to wait. After your ticket purchase, a dome-like elevator complete with seats will take you to the top of the Arch. The windows may be small, but the panoramic views are undoubtedly the best in the city. Downtown, the Mississippi River and the St. Louis skyline will overtake you with awe and appreciation for this beautiful Midwestern city.

Image: Matthew Black/Flickr, Andrei!/Flickr

If you are in search of an exclusive and first class hotel experience, I would suggest booking room at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis in downtown Clayton or the Four Seasons Hotel, located downtown along the Mississippi River, immediately. Both hotels offer impeccable service, beautiful views of the city and breathtaking interiors. Connected to the Four Seasons is the Lumiere Casino. If you’re looking to unwind without having to leave your hotel, the three-year old casino is a great place to escape and let loose! While the Four Seasons offers its own array of activities such as the Lumiere, outdoor lounge and wellness spa, the Ritz-Carlton lives up to its nearly century-old reputation as a leader in hotel luxury. The traditional interiors mirror a regal estate, ready to host its guests in the lap of luxury. Thanks to its central location (ten-minute drive from downtown St. Louis), just a step outside puts you in the center of St. Louis’ vibrant business district of Clayton. Feel free to explore the many restaurants and shops that make Clayton one of St. Louis’ most popular neighborhoods.

Bed and Breakfasts

If you’re looking for a bit more modest accommodations, there are plenty of hotels and traditional bed and breakfasts that offer exceptional service with charming surroundings to match. Nestled throughout historic Lafayette Square are turn-of-the-century homes turned bed and breakfasts. Park Avenue Mansion and Napoleon’s Retreat are two of the many popular bed and breakfasts in Lafayette Square that boast spacious and cozy rooms, keeping with the homes’ original French-inspired interior design and 19^th century charm. Napoleon’s Retreat even offers its patrons a homemade breakfast served by the b&b’s small staff. The delicious entrees include Napoleon’s French toast and Belgium waffles served hot off the oven.  Like its b&b counterpart, Park Avenue Mansion offers homemade breakfast, competitive location and unparalleled service. The home has been restored to its former glory giving guests an old-time vibe in a modern city. Of course, popular restaurants and shops line the streets of Lafayette Square, keeping guests busy when away from their home away from home. If you’re looking for intimate accommodations with an attentive staff then Napoleon’s Retreat and Park Avenue Mansion are some of the best places in St. Louis to find what you are looking for.

Kid-Friendly

For those traveling with children, there is a lot to consider when picking the right accommodations. Location, a child-friendly staff and kid-friendly activities are all key in deciding where to stay with the little ones. One of the best places to stay that fits the specified criteria is St. Louis Union Station. A National Historic Landmark and once the nation’s biggest passenger train terminal, Union Station is now a shopping center, hotel and entertainment complex located in downtown St. Louis. A tourist attraction within itself, Union Station is an ideal place to not only to take the kids on an afternoon of adventures, but also to stay. A Marriott is located inside Union Station and with its family-friendly service and modest to luxury accommodations, the St. Louis Union Station Marriott is a go-to hotel for many traveling families.

Images: Photo Courtesy of the Ritz Carlton Hotel, a_tree_is_nice/Flickr