St. Louis - Economical Lodging Ideas

I haven't really had to lodge in STL very often because I lived and worked there for a few years. I do have two suggestions, though. Check out the seminaries or colleges to see if they have openings or are renting any rooms. I know Concordia Seminary rents rooms for $25 per night. Nothing fancy, but they work. Also, at Washington University, they have some really nice dorm rooms with private sitting areas and even more private bedrooms. If that doesn't sound good, check out www.homeaway.com or www.vrbo.com and see if you can rent a house.

As far as things to do... in the summer, it's great! Depending when you'll be there, there are always festivals and fairs of one kind or another. Wednesday nights there is "Jazz in the Park" at the botanical gardens. Bring your supper, spread out a blanket, and enjoy free entrance and free music. There is also the Muny in Forest Park, the Natural History Museum in or near Forest Park, Shakespeare in the park (you guessed it... Forest Park!), the sculpture gardens in Kirkwood or Sunset Hills, Soulard farmer's market on Saturday mornings... have fun!

If you're looking for something a little different, you and your group could volunteer to help Orphan Grain Train sort clothes for shipment overseas to help those less fortunate. They only work on Tuesdays, and they are always looking for more hands!

Drury Inn by the airport.. free food in the evenings (not like a meal but they have snacks and sometimes nice appetizer foods like chicken, chili dogs, etc, free drinks and popcorn from 3-10 pm. clean rooms, pool. They have security and gated parking. We have stayed there twice and really like it. It is cheaper than the other Drury Inns in St Louis area. Just be careful and make sure the pool doesn't have too much chlorine especially if anyone has sensitive skin like excema. This happens often with indoor pools.
We usually book rooms on hotels.com and list them as 2 adults/2 children in the rooms or they will be higher prices. This hotel also has a huge buffet breakfast included in the price with eggs, sausage, waffles, biscuits and gravy, and other food. When you take in consideration all the food and drink options you get with this hotel it is worth paying a little more than the cheaper ones in the area. Also has a few nice lobby areas that are nice for big groups to visit. Nice internet connection too.

E.,
For that many adults and children I would look on VRBO.com. This will give like a condo or something that will accommodate all of you.
Have a good time in St. Louis. I was born and raised most of my life in KCMO.
Enjoy yourselves...........K.

I have the perfect suggestion, we have stayed here probably a dozen times on our trips to and through St. Louis. If you aren't already a member of La Quinta's rewards program, go join there first because it will save you even more money and will also earn you free nights. (Go to LQ.com to do that) This hotel is clean, staffed with friendly people. you get free breakfast...and it is pretty centrally located. We highly recommend it!!!
*(Gosh I sound like a LQ ad!!!lol)
Here is the address and phone number...

La Quinta Inn & Suites
St. Louis Maryland Heights12330 Dorsett Road
St. Louis, MO 63043
Phone: 1-###-###-####
Fax: 1-###-###-####

As so ideas of what to do...oh my goodness, the list is endless, the Zoo is fabulous, in fact I would give a whole day to that adventure!! The St. Louis Arch is fun but if you aren't into heights, forget it. Busch Gardens is a great way to spend a day, and of course you can always work in a Cardinals baseball game. If you are still looking for things to do go to "10 things to do in St. Louis " ( or any other town you are going to be at) and they will give you a great list of ideas.
Have fun!!

I always use Priceline to get rooms on the cheap. Check betterbidding.com first for tips and a decent idea of the rooms you may get and bid low on a 4 star hotel. You can specify downtown!

Hi E.,
Our family just returned from a trip to St Louis yesterday and we had a great experience. For lodging, I highly recommend the Springhill Suites in Brentwood. It's very close to downtown (about 10 min) and even closer to the Zoo. The entire hotel is mini "suites" and it is completely new with very modern decor. We got our room for $89 a night and it includes a free breakfast in the morning. I looked all over for a nice hotel under $100 a night and this was a great choice.
As far as things to do, our daughter is 2 1/2 so some of the things that are popular for kids in St Louis were for kids a little older (like the City Museum) but we did the Arch and Zoo and it was really great and she enjoyed it. The Zoo was free which was nice. Grants farm is another fun place that we didn't go to but hear it's great and it's free too.
Best of luck with your trip and I hope you have a nice time!

I highly recommend the City Museum as well. www.citymuseum.org About a month ago we took my 3 yr old daughter and another 2 year old. It was amazing for kids that young, older kids, and the adults had a blast exploring and going down slides as well. Check it out...it's pretty amazing! I'm sorry I don't have any lodging suggestions.

Did you go to St. Louis already? If you want to take a chance and wait until you get pass Columbia, Missouri stop and the rest stop. You can get great TraveL Coupon books for discounts on hotel & motel.

Pam
www.momscanmakemore.com

I don't have any great suggestions for lodging since I live here, but in addition to the great ideas already mentioned, The City Museum is also worth checking out! I don't know the ages of your kids, but anybody over 3 or 4 would have a great time there!

I would check into a Drury Inn. They have a great breakfast that is included in the price of the room. There is also a little cocktail hour at night and each adult guest gets 2 drinks and all the guests get the snacks/soda. Have fun in STL!!

Some kid-friendly activities include the zoo (free!), the Magic House in Kirkwood (a children's museum...google them to check them out!), the Botanical Gardens, Six Flags, the Arch museum which I think is officially the "Gateway to the West Museum" or something along those lines. I've lived in the St. Louis area all my life and have never been to the top of the Arch but hear it is a fun activity. You could also catch a Cards game if they're in town. There is so much to do! You can check out STLtoday.com to find events in the St. Louis area during the days you are here. Hope you enjoy your time here!

Kids really enjoy the City Museum! It is full of slides, mazes, and a ride on top of the building. Very fun!