St. Louis, MO

St. Louis is a city on the rise. While working here you'll be witness to the repurposing of spaces by local businesses who have found strong support in the community, so visit them for some beer, BBQ, and more. Then journey out into the gorgeous countryside as well and enjoy all that the lush state of Missouri has to offer: rolling hills, streams, and a wine country you'll write home about.

MUSEUMS:

This historic city is full of them, but here are two standouts well worth a day off trip, either alone or with your cast.

The City Museum

I promise you The City Museum is unlike anything you have ever experienced before. Located in the mammoth, 600,000 square-foot former St. Louis International Shoe Company, it is a labyrinth of themed playgrounds including jewel-encrusted caves, forest bungalows, and an intricacy of circus funhouses. Each maze is made entirely out of recycled, found objects, and the museum brags that it has been crafted from the "very stuff of the city." Old, salvaged chimneys, bridges, construction cranes, miles of tile, and even two abandoned planes are used to create this grand achievement of imagination and heart. With a 10-story slide hidden at its core and a ferris wheel (and bar!) on its rooftop, wear your comfy clothes, bring your cast, and experience this museum at least once while working in St. Louis.

750 N 16th St, St. Louis, MO 63103
HOURS: Mon- Tues CLOSED
Wed- Thurs 9AM- 5PM
Fri- Sat 9AM-12AM
Sun 11AM- 5PM
Tickets at $14. Parking is $10 cash.
* Children under 2 admitted free.
citymuseum.org

St. Louis Art Museum

Located in beautiful and historic Forest Park, The St. Louis Art Museum has been a crown jewel of the city since it was built in 1879. This carefully manicured museum will invite you to breath deep and take your time. With over 160 paintings and sculptures, the impressive list of artists on display includes Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso, as well as a large, permanent gallery at its center, devoted to the work of Max Beckmann. Full of intense sunlight (it is perched atop a high hill in the park) this will be a soul-enriching stop while working in St. Louis.

1 Fine Arts Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110
HOURS: Mon CLOSED
Tues-Sun 10AM- 5PM
* Fri 10AM to 9PM
Admission is FREE.
slam.org

FOOD:

Pappy's Smokehouse

If you ask for St. Louis food recommendations from almost anyone, they will tell you about Pappy's Smokehouse, but did you realize that midway through your meal there, Pappy will come by your table to ask if everything's alright? That kind of care and attention is what has kept this not-so-secret BBQ mecca from losing its quality over the years. Expect a long line always, but they know how to keep the line moving here. Ribs are their specialty so you must give them a try, but, with meat that smokes for over 14 hours on top of apple and maple wood, nothing that you get here will be sub-par.

3106 Olive St, St. Louis, MO 63103
HOURS: Mon- Sat 11AM- 8PM
Sun 11AM- 4PM
http://www.pappyssmokehouse.com

Tiffany's Original Diner

A recommendation from the brilliant Anna O'Donoghue, Tiffany's Original Diner is "the only remaining Route 66 diner in St. Louis, super kitchy, super old school, super cheap, super delicious. They serve breakfast all the time, the jukebox is massive and active, the corned beef is in-house cured and only $4.95 for a sandwich. There's a shelf full of books to take and peruse and a lot of paintings of Elvis. Just, Love. I literally felt like I'd waltzed back into the 60's over a $3.50 plate of chili-spaghetti." - Anna

7402 Manchester Rd, Maplewood, MO 63143
HOURS: Open 24 Hours
tiffanysdiner.com

DAY TRIPS:

Missouri is a stunning state. There's just no question about it, and, on days off, use your free time to get out into the countryside. From wine country to historic small towns to famous trails, it will be revitalizing. I promise.

Wine Country...

Yes. Missouri has a wine country. And yes. You need to make time to go. Wait for a Monday once your show has opened and go with your cast. Whoever is the designated driver will have a treat as well. The views and vistas and live music these venues offer are worth the trip even sans the tastings.

Cedar Lake Cellars

Cedar Lake Cellars is only open on weekends, but it is as stunning in the evening as it is in the daytime, so let it remain an option for a Friday or Saturday evening post-rehearsal rendezvous or a Sunday off. It boasts a gorgeous layout with a swan pond, fire pits overlooking a lake, and benches and tables spotting the grounds. The fact that it also has wonderful wines is a bonus. Offering local Missouri varietals as well as California wines, you have the chance to sample some new flavors or indulge in some top notch Sonoma and Napa grapes. The best part: tastings are free!

11008 Schreckengast Rd, Wright City, MO 63390
HOURS: Fri- Sat 10AM -9PM
Sun 10AM- 6PM
cedarlakecellars.com
**About an Hour Drive from St. Louis Rep**

Chandler Hill Winery

Chandler Hill Winery is all about the red wines and the view. The deck outside of Chandler Hill boasts a view of the lush, green Missouri landscape that is not to be missed. That being said, the interior here with bright, polished wood, a soaring ceiling, and candles and fireplaces all around has a very romantic draw as well. Now, let me introduce you to the Norton grape. There will be some discussion in the various wineries you visit as to whether the Norton grape is native to Missouri or whether it was brought to the countryside from Virginia, but the most important thing is that it is now the state grape of Missouri, and a rich, potent delicious red varietal. Try a Norton at every Winery you visit in Missouri but know that the one at Chandler Hill will be one of the best. (Worth mentioning: all of their Missouri reds are worth tasting.)

Tasting:

Legacy Tasting (includes 5 tastes) $5 per guest
Proprietor Tasting (includes 5 tastes & a souvenir logo glass) $10 per guest
Reserve Tasting (includes 3 tastes of our reserve wines on a flight board) $18 per guest

596 Defiance Rd, Defiance, MO 63341
HOURS: Mon-Sun 11AM - 5PM
Wed-Thurs open til 9PM
chandlerhillvineyards.com
**About a 40-Minute Drive from St. Louis Rep**

Montelle Winery

Montelle Winery is a stunning escape. On high ground surrounded by dark tree cover, the wrap around deck outside the winery is cool and shady and offers stunning views all around. As with all wineries in Missouri, take your drink outside and stay as long as you want. Casual and easy is the core of Missouri wine country, and this rich outdoor atmosphere deserves some soaking in. This spot accells at their reds as well- definitely try their Norton. Tastings are $5 for 5 Non-Premium Wines and $8 for 5 Premium, and this staff is particularly great with questions and finding the perfect tasting flight for you.

201 Montelle Dr, Augusta, MO 63332
HOURS: Mon- Sun 10AM - 5:30PM
* May- Sept (open Fri til 9PM and Sun til 10PM)
montelle.com
**About a 50 Minute Drive from St. Louis Rep**

Mount Pleasant Winery

Mount Pleasant Winery takes the prize for location. These grounds host their fare share of events and weddings with a sweeping hillside location and rolling green as far as the eye can see. The winery actually begs walking as opposed to sitting. But the porch and gazebos scattered across it blend effortlessly into the sweeping atmosphere. Grab a glass of white here, the Vignoles or the Villagio are particularly good. Free tastings combined with a highly relaxed, knowledgable staff will encourage you to take your time and enjoy.

5634 High St, Augusta, MO 63332
HOURS: Nov- March: Daily 12PM- 3:30PM
April- October: Daily 11AM- 5PM
mountpleasant.com
**About a 55 Minute Drive from St. Louis Rep**

Balducci Vineyards

Balducci Vineyards is constantly winning local awards, and it is one of the most welcoming wineries one can imagine. An old family business, staff here all seem like they are at a blissful summer retreat sharing their wines, grown on the property, with enthusiasm and expertise. More great news: tastings here are free! The Norton and the Chambercin are particular stand-outs here, but all the wines at this estate are marked by their boldness of flavor.

6601 S Missouri 94, Augusta, MO 63332
HOURS: Mon- Thurs 11AM - 5:30PM
Fri 11AM- 9PM
Sat 11AM- 7PM
Sun 11AM- 6PM
balduccivineyards.com
**About a 52 Minute Drive from St. Louis Rep**

Hermann...

Ninety minutes outside of St. Louis by train, this adorable old German hamlet is the perfect day-off escape from the city.

Missouri River Runner

Missouri River Runner does two trips twice a day between St. Louis and Kansas City that stop in Hermann along the way. Use the train so that you can relax and imbibe safely with the cast or as a personal getaway.

https://www.amtrak.com/missouri-river-runner-train

Hermannof Vineyards Tasting Room

Hermannof Vineyards Tasting Room is located in downtown Hermann. In an intimate, historic stone building, the cozy