SPGI 2015 - Bus Tour

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

St. Louis Trip, Day 3, Sunday, July 26, 2015
Sunday afternoon, Susan Polgar and Paul Truong had generously arranged for a free trolley tour of St. Louis for participants and their families.  The trolley drivers were very knowledgeable and told us about all the interesting sites.
Susan Polgar rode in our trolley.  To start the trip, the driver announced that there would be two stops: one at the World Chess Hall of Fame, and the other near the Gateway Arch for photos.  We had to make our stops brief, and return to the trolley promptly; the driver joked that for insurance purposes he had to make sure he brought at least 75% of us back.

Below are shots of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis (which, from photos, looks absolutely magnificent inside--covered with murals), and the City Museum, which has a huge outdoor playground, a school bus extending out from the roof, and a Ferris Wheel on top of the building. 
We saw gated streets, heard about the old electric street cars (which they are trying to bring back), and went through "The Loop" where, supposedly, the best cheesecake is served.  We also saw the Walk of Fame and Fitz's Root Beer Microbrewery.

Most of the buildings were brick or stone.  Our driver told us that there was a fire in 1849, and after that, all new buildings had to be fireproof; however, this wasn't enforced in residential areas.  The huge Forest Park, which we passed, used to have crime.  But the city took the park back.  We also glimpsed the Missouri History Museum and the oldest brick farmhouse west of the Mississippi.

At ponds and water fountains throughout the city, there were children wading and swimming and adults relaxing in the water!  St. Louis is hot enough in the summer that they made it legal for everyone to cool off at every public fountain!
At the World Chess Hall of Fame we had just enough time to go inside and see the gift shop, where I bought a few postcards.  We didn't have time enough to see the actual hall of fame.  But we could see people playing chess across the street in front of the Kingside Diner!

I found it fascinating to learn about all the neat places we drove by in St. Louis.  The only drawback was that I couldn't get many pictures from the trolley or stop to tour more of the attractions.  It was like an appetizer to a delicious meal.  One would need a whole week free to savor the meal!  We only had time for the appetizer.  But it was good.  

22 comments:

  1. "It was like an appetizer to a delicious meal." Well that made me smile :) What a great line to describe that! It looks like such a fun place to visit. Perhaps one day you'll return and spend more time touring...and photographing!

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  2. I know they offer horse tours down in Charleston, SC when we visit there but I've never done it.

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    1. We saw what looked like a horse and buggy/carriage ride ongoing when we stopped on the road near the Arch. I haven't tried that in a city before either.

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  3. That looks like so much fun! I would miss not being able to take pictures too. We are going to St Louis in April for a wedding, but probably won't have a lot of time to look around. After seeing this I wish we could!

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  4. While I have driven through or around St. Louis, I can see from this post that I have not seen much of the city! The huge chess monument and the large scale outdoor chess board is definitely eye catching. I guess thus far in my life I have only had time for the appetizers in St. Louis, also :) xx

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    1. It would take some time to see everything worth seeing it St. Louis!

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  5. You look absolutely adorable and very happy in your last photo :) I am glad you had a nice bus trip. The Cathedral looks amazing!

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    1. I'm sure the interior looks even more amazing. If I ever visit St. Louis again, I hope to make time to tour it.

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  6. Hello, wonderful photos from your tour! The trolley ride looks like fun! Have a happy day!

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  7. The bus tour sounds fun. I think it would be a neat way to take in a lot of the sights without a lot of work. - Loved you by that huge chess piece.

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    1. It was definitely a great way to get a glimpse of many of the the sights around the city that would be neat to visit!

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  8. This looks like such a good time!

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  9. How did the joke about 75% go over with the crowd?

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    1. I thought it was pretty funny...not sure what everyone else thought, but enough of us laughed that I'd say it went over ok.

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