# Things I should do in Illinois/Missouri (need answer fast!) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 15, 2016, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273 "2016-04-15T14:57:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Staggerlee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/staggerlee/32/3134_2.png) [@Staggerlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Staggerlee)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273/1 "2016-04-15T14:57:17Z")
Should have asked weeks ago really. The lovely wife and I are visiting her cousins in Chicago and St Louis between April 19th and May 5th, coming over from England. I gather it’s both Passover and Spring Break during this time; will this affect our touristy stuff much? Any recommendation’s for science-based, nature-based activities and music/karaoke tips gratefully received. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273/2 "2016-04-15T15:07:30Z")
In St. Louis, there’s the St. Louis Zoo and the Science Center (both in [Forest Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_Park_(St._Louis))). Chicago has the [Museum of Science and Industry, Field Museum of Natural History, and the Adler Planetarium](http://www.chicagotraveler.com/chicago_museums.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273/3 "2016-04-15T15:38:56Z")
Leave immediately? ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273/4 "2016-04-15T15:44:59Z")
Seconding the St Louis Zoo. One of my favorite zoos, and admission is free! Also, Missouri Botanical Garden. Maybe Cahokia Mounds? And you gotta go up in the Arch. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273/5 "2016-04-15T15:48:37Z")
Most schools are past spring break at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273/6 "2016-04-15T15:53:26Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > Most schools are past spring break at this point. True; good catch. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273/7 "2016-04-15T16:04:55Z")
nvm…I can’t read ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273/8 "2016-04-15T16:41:30Z")
There’s construction going on at the Gateway Arch, and the museum is closed. It’s still possible to ride to the top, but [getting tickets is more complicated](https://www.nps.gov/jeff/index.htm) than it would normally be. I’d still put it at #2 on the list of things to do, though, right after the Zoo. And if you like nature-y stuff, Missouri Botanical Garden should be #3. Do you happen to like ice cream? If so, I recommend a dessert run to [Ted Drewes Frozen Custard](http://teddrewes.com/). ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273/9 "2016-04-15T17:34:17Z")
St. Loujis Zoo. The last great free attraction in the world. It was once the world’s largest zoo. Even free parking, if you don’t mind walking a few blocks. A lot of things are free in Missouri. Missouri (and Illinois) are aong only four states with free access to state parks, no daily entry feel. Free camping at over a thousand Missouri state hunting/fishing areas, but usually no facilities. Just camp out, nobody will object. Missourians are very proud of those free amenities, and pay a surcharge on state sales tax to support them. ---
**Author:** ![mistymage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mistymage/32/459_2.png) [@mistymage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mistymage)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273/10 "2016-04-15T17:42:05Z")
Will you be driving between St.Louis and Chicago or flying? If you are driving; seeing the Mark Twain Caves is a fun stop: [http://www.marktwaincave.com/](http://www.marktwaincave.com/) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273/11 "2016-04-15T17:54:12Z")
Besides all the other good suggestions, I’d add Grant’s Farm [http://www.grantsfarm.com/](http://www.grantsfarm.com/) to the St. Louis portion. And the Budweiser Brewery tour can be fun (fair amount of walking, depending on the parent’s health) [http://www.budweisertours.com/](http://www.budweisertours.com/) If they still have it, the Sears Tower has a viewing area in Chicago from about 90+ stories up, which gives a great view of the city. [http://the-skydeck.com/](http://the-skydeck.com/) Oh, and the Shedd Acquarium [http://www.sheddaquarium.org/](http://www.sheddaquarium.org/) ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273/12 "2016-04-15T18:47:03Z")
I was also going to mention the [Cahokia Mounds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cahokia). If you are driving between Chicago and St. Louis it isn’t far off your route just outside St. Louis. While sports aren’t mentioned in the OP I don’t think you’d regret taking in a baseball game while you’re here. Historic Route 66 stretches between St. Louis and Chicago via Springfield. ---
**Author:** ![Staggerlee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/staggerlee/32/3134_2.png) [@Staggerlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Staggerlee)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273/13 "2016-04-15T18:57:46Z")
Thank you all (y’all?) for the suggestions; already will insist on hokey mounds and zoos definitely. Probably the dessert place. I gather there are maybe two zoos in Chicago; both okay? I remember measuring my height against a picture of a walrus at one, which featured aardvarks, 14 years ago. Since I’ll be on the correct continent; any chance of seeing Tom Waits or Prince perform? Preferably together. Assuming not, any chance of making the Americans weep with my touching karaoke renditions of Bowie’s back catalogue? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273/14 "2016-04-15T19:02:58Z")
You can always go look at the [mini Leaning Tower of Pizza](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaning_Tower_of_Niles). ---
**Author:** ![Staggerlee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/staggerlee/32/3134_2.png) [@Staggerlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Staggerlee)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273/15 "2016-04-15T19:17:00Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > You can always go look at the [mini Leaning Tower of Pizza](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaning_Tower_of_Niles). To be frank, that looks slightly better than the actual Pisa tower, which in real life pales in comparison to its neighbouring buildings. This one looks more like the impressive solitary one in Superman III. Or is it II? ---
**Author:** ![mistymage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mistymage/32/459_2.png) [@mistymage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mistymage)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273/16 "2016-04-15T19:27:21Z")
For Karaoke: [http://chicagokaraokenight.yolasite.com/saturday.php](http://chicagokaraokenight.yolasite.com/saturday.php) (for whatever day of the week just change the day part on the .php ) [http://www.riverfronttimes.com/musicblog/2015/11/10/the-best-st-louis-karaoke-spots-every-night-of-the-week](http://www.riverfronttimes.com/musicblog/2015/11/10/the-best-st-louis-karaoke-spots-every-night-of-the-week) Once you are in your hotel room you can check to see what attractions the hotel has ads set out for and you can use your in-room phone to call ahead to be sure places are still there etc. ---
**Author:** ![Goofus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7feea3/32.png) [@Goofus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Goofus)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273/17 "2016-04-15T20:19:05Z")
Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL Starved Rock State Park, Oglesby, IL Fermilab tour, Batavia, IL Argonne National Lab tour, Argonne, IL ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273/18 "2016-04-15T20:25:10Z")
Am I really the first person to say that if there are kids with you, you should definitely go to the City Museum in St. Louis? It’s fantastic. I will second (or third, or whatever number) recommendations for the St. Louis Zoo, the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, and the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273/19 "2016-04-15T20:27:32Z")
In St. Louis, I recommend [City Museum](http://www.citymuseum.org/), which isn’t like any other museum you’ve ever seen, more of a massive found-art playground. ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2016, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273/20 "2016-04-15T21:04:46Z")
I third the City Museum. Happiest place on earth. And if your knees hurt too much to crawl through tunnels or go down slides there’s beer and pinball there, too. The St Louis Art Museum isn’t bad. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-i-should-do-in-illinois-missouri-need-answer-fast/752273.md?page=2)