- Forest Park is a gem with so much to offer. There's free admission to the St. Louis Zoo (one of the best in the U.S.), the Science Center, and the Art Museum. Great place to play a round of golf, paddle boat around the basin, or go for a walk/run

- City Museum - fun spot for the kids to burn off some energy

- Missouri Botanical Garden

- Anheuser Busch Brewery tour

- Go up to the top of the Arch (be warned if you're claustrophobic)

- Grant's Farm - feed some baby goats

- Castlewood State Park - hike and see the fall colors

- Cardinals Baseball game - if they make the playoffs 😉

Having lived in St. Louis for most of my life, it's very hard for me to pick just a few favorites. But I have tried to distill this down to just the top picks, some old and some new.

Reece and I have lots of great memories at these places, including some of our very first dates.

- For a nice dinner, check out (and try to make a reso in advance): Louie, Olive & Oak, Bowood, Trattoria Marcella, or Little Fox

- For a more casual dinner, try: Basso (in the basement of our venue!), Pizzeria Da Gloria, Salt & Smoke, Union Loafers, Perennial on Lockwood (also good for lunch)

- For lunch, try: Balkan Treat Box, Union Loafers (yes it's so good I'm listing it twice), LeGrand's Deli, Clover and the Bee

- For brunch, check out: Bowood, Songbird, The Mud House, Clover and the Bee, Knead Bakehouse (the BEST cinnamon rolls in STL)

I'm a simple man with simple taste. I handpicked local, no-frills spots that are consistently good and bring me good memories of my time living in St. Louis.

Important to note: STL punches above its weight when it comes to sandwiches—something locals might overlook, but as an outsider, this city knows its sammies. Hence why I highlight a few of many.

- Broadway Oyster Bar: New Orleans themed spot - oysters, shrimp voo doo po boys & BBQ Nola shrimp are my go-to's

- Bogart's Smokehouse: favorite STL BBQ spot for ribs, brisket, and wings (their wings sell out fast)

- Adriana's on the Hill: sandwich spot in the Italian neighborhood. The "Mary's Special" sandwich changed the way I think about life

- LeGrand's Market: sandwich spot known for "The Legend" sandwich. It's so good, they sell beer koozies with this sandwich featured on them (yes, we own a few)

- Milo's On The Hill: patio bar in the Italian neighborhood with bocce ball courts, a good classic buffalo wing, and a solid take on St. Louis style pizza

- Ninth Street Deli @ Howard's: laid back soup and sandwich spot next to the Budweiser Brewery

*Honorable mentions: Gioia's Deli, Snarfs, Blues City Deli (we take our sandwich recommendations seriously in this family)

- Civil Life (for international folks, they have cask beer!)

- Urban Chestnut Brewery (The Grove location)

- Side Project Brewing (nationally ranked beers)

- Rockwell Beer Company (we had our first date here!)

- 2nd Shift Brewing

- Fox and the Hound at the Cheshire

- Basso (also at the Cheshire!)

- Milo's On The Hill (Reece's favorite, Bocce Ball courts, big outdoor patio)

- Planter's House (best cocktails)

- Famous Bar (martinis!)

- Platypus (great cocktails with an even greater logo - a rugged platypus smoking a cig)