Explore St. Louis

Are you resolving to learn new things during the New Year? The seven wonderful wineries along Missouri's Hermann Wine Trail are serving up an opportunity to find out everything you wanted to know about wine but never had the time to ask.

On January 14 and 15, you can get an informative and rare behind-the-scenes look at the art and science of making wine, unravel the mystery of wine and food pairings and, of course, sample a lot of tasty fruit of the vine.

Missouri's top winemakers are the "teachers" of this interactive, informative and fun "class." Participating wineries include Adam Puchta Winery, Bias Winery, Bommarito Winery, Hermannhof Winery, OakGlenn Winery, Robller Winery and Stone Hill Winery (pictured above). The wineries are located along the Hermann Wine Trail, nestled along a route the meanders for 20 scene miles along the Missouri River.

Wine 101 tickets are $15 per person. Event hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 14 and 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 15. Reservations are recommended and can be purched online at www.hermannmo.info or from the Hermann Welcome Center by calling 800-932-8687.

No need to bring a sharp #2 pencil for this class, but do bundle up. Some "classrooms" are set in the cool wine cellars.

Want to enjoy your holiday shopping experience and find great St. Louis-oriented gifts for friends and family? For fabulous gift finds, follow the Top Ten St. Louis Holiday Shopping Secrets guide to take the stress out and put the fun in a pre-holiday shopping spree in the Gateway City. You’ll be saying, “That’s a wrap!” in no time.

1. Museum Gift Shops: St. Louis’ fantastic museums not only provide a cultural escape for weary shoppers, but the museum shops stock unusual, unique and trendy gift items that are sure to match your shopping list. At the Saint Louis Art Museum gift shop, you’ll find exquisite note cards, an amazing collection of unusual and artistic jewelry, silk scarves and home décor items sure to delight the most discerning on your gift list. For the history buff, look no further than Louisiana Purchase. This appropriately named shop within the Missouri History Museum overflows with history-related games, toys, jewelry, books and collectibles covering subjects as wide-ranging as the Lewis & Clark expedition to the 1904 World’s Fair.

Discover the tiniest gifts to fill the rooms of that special someone’s dollhouse at the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis. If there is a transportation enthusiast on your shopping list, a
stop at the Museum of Transportation will yield a bounty of holiday gift ideas from model trains to Route 66 memorabilia. After shopping, be sure to explore one of the largest collections
of transportation vehicles in the world, including the Museum’s star attraction - over seventy real locomotives representing the rail power that built America.

2. Creature Comforts: Find the purr-fect present for animal lovers at the Saint Louis Zoo’s Holiday Zootique. The Zoo not only has great critter-related items and games for kids, but shop for hand-painted African pottery, clothing, home and garden items, puzzles, books, toys, vases, picture frames, candles and many items only available at the Saint Louis Zoo. Need to buy for a bird-watcher? The shop at the World Bird Sanctuary can feather the nest of bird-watchers with birding books, birdhouses and feeders and popular eagle and owl collectibles. You can even Adopt-A-Bird in someone’s honor.

The American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog has a charming gift shop with hundreds of gift items in a variety of breeds. Indulge in jewelry, stationary, ceramics, books, children's toys, games such as Dog-Opoly, Dalmatian Dominoes, Dog Bingo, UNO – a canine version of the popular UNO card game, and a very unusual and affordable selection of items including the popular Dog Tricks Kit "How To Teach Your Dog To Dance and Dazzle."

At the Butterfly House’s Madame Butterfly gift shop, butterflies adorn handbags, custom-designed throws, wall sculptures, decorative garden items, silk ties (the newest tie features an all over design of blue morpho wings) and ornaments. The museum offers also a huge selection of insect-related toys for boys and girls, plus an array of unique jewelry. This season’s featured jewelry artist is Susan Packard who creates lovely pins and earrings from patinated brass, paint metallic foil, beads and wire.

3. Presents from the Past: Need a real radio from the 1930’s? Are you a collector of antique doorknobs? If you’re buying for antique collectors or retro fans, St. Louis’ antique districts are filled with potential presents from the past. Historic Cherokee Street Antique Row features more than 30 shops offering affordable selections from fine antiques to peculiar collections,Victorian hardware to vintage radios, first edition books to estate jewelry. Fabulous furniture and art glass can be found in the elegant Central West End neighborhood’s many antique dealers and vintage items brought back by the trunkload from European flea markets are the rage at shops such as Elizabeth House in cozy Maplewood.

Need a suit of armor or a Victorian-style terrarium? It can all be had at Gringo Jones, a magical shop located near the Missouri Botanical Garden. Shopping is like a treasure hunt at Gringo Jones, where hard to find items are stacked everywhere. A good deal of the merchandise is metal, though you will also find concrete window boxes, ceramic pots, imported garden art, interior and exterior fountains and exotic jewelry. Continue your shopping next door at the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Little Shop Around the Corner. Little Shop features artwork, accent furnishings, garden ornaments, silver, china, vintage jewelry and other objets d'art in an upscale storefront.

4. From Limited to One of a Kind Finds: Head to The Loop, one the hippest neighborhoods in The Lou, for handcrafted jewelry, decorative items from around the world, trend setting clothing, music stores packed with vintage vinyl, underground sounds and hot-off-the-burner CDs. With clothing and accessory shops with names like Hot Pink, Rag-O-Rama, Runway Fashions and Sole Survivor Leather, you’ll find the latest styles for ‘tweens, teens and twenty- somethings. The Loop also is home to dozens of cafes, ethnic restaurants and coffee houses - providing fuel for your shopping foray.

Webster Groves and Kirkwood neighborhoods offer a cozy, quaint selection of unique boutique shops. Salt of the Earth, Daisy Clover, Empty Nest and Initial Design are a few shops in Webster where visitors can find everything from custom jewelry and handbags to home décor items to contemporary fashions. The Kerry Cottage, complete with thatched roof, is a huge Irish shop located near Webster Groves.In Kirkwood’s shopping sanctuary, visit Down by the Station to create personalized note cards and discover festive holiday ornaments or the Shannon Shop for that perfect Irish–themed gift. The Hobby Station is a great place for the collector on your list vying for a new dollhouse or train.

The Third Degree Glass Factory offers an ever-changing selection of fine glass. Shoppers will find handmade gift items from traditional to experimental. Looking for a stocking stuffer? A hand-blown holiday ornament will be perfect.


5. Mall It: Mall hounds will feel right at home at St. Louis’ megamalls that boast some special options along with nationally known retailers. Westfield West County is home to Missouri’s only Nordstrom and cosmetic-fiends’ favorite store – Sephora – which offers a cornucopia of colognes and cosmetics by top name designers. The luxurious Plaza Frontenac provides the wonders of Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman-Marcus, Banana Republic, Coach and other high-end retailers and boutiques. Chic shopping continues at the Saint Louis Galleria’s 160-plus stores where you’ll find big name, style-conscious retailers along with specialty shops like Mary Engelbreit, the original Build-A-Bear Workshop and exclusive stores including White House/Black Market, M A C, Z Gallerie, Restoration Hardware and Illuminations.

St. Louis Mills shoppers will find the hottest holiday gift items at the most affordable prices while enjoying the unique dining and interactive entertainment the center has to offer. Check out the new, and St. Louis-exclusive, Banana Republic Factory Store, Gap Outlet, and Tommy Hilfiger Factory Store for clothing that the whole family will love, at outlet prices. NIKE Factory Store offers active wear for that friend that’s always on the go, while Mikasa Factory Store, Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse and OFF 5th -Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet - offer upscale options that fit anyone’s style.

6. Yummy Gifts: Give incredible edibles this year. Shop for fabulous food finds on The Hill, St. Louis’ Italian neighborhood. Flavorful imported olive oils, aromatic cheeses, homemade pastas and salamis make bountiful gifts. Indulge your loved ones with fabulous handmade chocolates from Bissinger’s French Confections or get creative with gourmet food items from The Smoke House Market. Pick up the latest “must have” culinary tools from The Kitchen
Conservatory that will inspire the wanna-be gourmets in your life. Bring home a faux “concrete” milkshake from Ted Drewes Frozen Custard on historic Route 66 as a fun, foodie souvenir for the ice cream lover on your list. A gift certificate to one of the thousand one-of-a-kind St. Louis restaurants provides a delicious meal during your loved-one’s next St. Louis visit. Potential bonus: you might be invited to join them.

7. Spirit Filled Christmas: The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows is a spiritual oasis of healing for people of all faiths and denominations and the largest outdoor shrine in North America. This holiday season Our Lady of the Snows offers three unique holiday gift items available in the Shrine Gift Shop & Bookstore. Purchase a “Merry Christmas From Heaven Gift Set” that features an inspirational poem card and pewter ornament - a loving way to share the Christmas season with someone dear who has suffered the loss of a loved one. Other hot items include the “Kneeling Santa Nativity Set” and “Gloria Angel.” The “Gloria Angel” is from the exclusive Fontanini Heirloom Collection. The Shrine Shop carries the entire line of Fontanini Collectibles and one of just a few gift shop locations where a Fontanini family member will make an annual appearance to introduce their new holiday piece. The Shrine has a scheduled appearance set for November 27.

The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, built in 1907, combines Byzantine and Romanesque architecture styles with the largest collection of mosaics in the world. Be sure to visit The Cathedral Shop for a varied selection of religious items, candles, books, toys, puzzles and postcards.

8. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing: …and dance and entertain. Present your pals with tickets to one of St. Louis’ many theatrical and musical performances set for 2006. Classical music buffs will say “Bravo” for concert tickets to the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. Broadway babies will thrill to the Fabulous Fox Theatre’s touring Broadway companies of Little Women, Bombay Dreams, Doctor Doolittle and Phantom of the Opera. Savvis Center gets in on the act with productions of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra Winter Tour 2005 and Sesame Street Live's "Super Grover - Ready For Action." Get jazzy with a gift of music from Jazz at the Bistro with tickets to see top names like Lou Donaldson, Ray Vega's Latin Jazz Quintet and other swingers in an intimate club setting.

9. Ho-Ho-Hotel Getaways: Send your family and friends on a much-needed escape from the everyday with the gift of travel. St. Louis’ great hotels offer getaway packages that fit a moderate budget and provide a priceless return of relaxation, rejuvenation and just plain fun. Check the list of hotel packages and deals and make your reservation online at www.explorestlouis.com/reservations/index.asp.


10. ‘Tis the Season: Sports are always in season for true fans. Indulge your sports fanatics with gift certificates to a St. Louis Cardinals’ 2006 season game in the new Busch Stadium. Bowl ‘em over with kitschy items from the gift shop at the International Bowling Hall of Fame/St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum and they’ll go rah-rah-rah with official St. Louis Rams NFL gear found all over town. Give the gift of icy excitement via tickets to a St. Louis Blues hockey game or the 2006 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The perfect gift is a Free Skate 4-Pak which includes four tickets for the same great seat for the four senior free skate events at Savvis Center: Senior Dance Free Dance, Senior Pairs Free Skate, Senior Men’s Free Skate and Senior Ladies Free Skate.

Holiday Countdown for December 16, 17 and 18

Need to deal with family members over-anxious about the impending holidays?
Relax their jingle jangled nerves with a dose of holiday fun in St. Louis this weekend. Take in any of the following Gateway City activities as a “do open before the holiday” treat.

Feel the spirit of Christmas past, present and future at the Fox Theatre’s presentation of the classic, “A Christmas Carol.” Performances are 7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 16 and Saturday, December 17 and 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 19. Matinees are 2 p.m. on Saturday and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. A 45-minute, “squirm free” version of the Scrooge tale titled “Bah! Humbug!” will delight kids with an updated take of the ubiquitous holiday stage play. In this incarnation, Bob Cratchit works inside an ATM and Scrooge tosses TV remotes at the ghosts. Saturday, December 17 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.

Holiday music fills the air all weekend long. It’s a Gospel Christmas Concert at Powell Symphony Hall on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra is joined by the amazing IN UNISON Gospel chorus. Or, this evening, head to Forest Park to join the sing-along led by the Christ Church Cathedral Choir at the Saint Louis Art Museum during the Winter Glow Holiday Concert. You can sing to the animals at the St. Louis Zoo while strolling through the illuminated “Wild Lights” display. The melodies continue on Saturday with a massive “Sing Out St. Louis” choir event (pictured) at St. Louis Union Station; Saturday and Sunday performances of Handel’s inspiring “Messiah” at Powell Symphony Hall

On Saturday, December 17, the Missouri Botanical Garden holds its “Chanukah: Festival of Lights Celebration” complete with an Israeli shuk, or marketplace, offering Chanukah gifts and merchandise.

The Winter Solstice is observed with a sunrise ceremony on Sunday, December 18 at Cahokia Mounds Historic Site, where you can learn about Woodhenge, the site’s reconstructed sun calendar that had been used by ancient St. Louisans to observe the movements of the sun.

A complete listing of weekend events is available on the Calendar of Events section of the Explore St. Louis web site.

St. Louis is filled with holiday activities this weekend. Add some jingle to your bells by enjoying house tours, concerts and Christmas walks.

Victorian Holidays & St. Louis Traditions
11/25/2005 - 12/31/2005
Location: The Old Courthouse
Cost: Free
For more information call: (314) 655-1700
A month-long celebration of the holiday season as it was celebrated in the Victorian Era. Period decorations and a 25-foot Christmas tree set the mood for the free concerts. Museum galleries depict holiday celebrations during St. Louis history. The celebration begins the day after Thanksgiving with a grand illumination of the tree, several concerts and refreshments. Ranger-led public Holiday tours and Education programs are conducted daily along with daily concerts and Saturday family programs.

Scott Joplin House Holiday Celebration
Saturday, December 10
Location: Scott Joplin House State Historic SiteTime: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
For more information call: (314) 340-5790
Celebrate the holidays with the rollicking ragtime of David Majchrzak and tour the historic home decorated for the holidays.

Carols in the Garden
Saturday & Sunday, December 10 - 11
Location: Missouri Botanical Garden
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $10.00 adults; $7.00 seniors; $3.00 children 12 and under and includes entry into the Gardenland Express
For more information call: (314) 577-5100
Singers and musicians will perform at three locations throughout the Garden grounds. An organ grinder will greet walkers with traditional tunes as chestnuts roast on an open fire. Kids can climb aboard Santa's sleigh and whisper their Christmas wishes or meet Rundolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Central West End Christmas Walk
Saturday & Sunday, December 10 - 11
Location: The Central West End neighborhood
Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Carolers, hot chocolate, carriage rides and sales at the neighborhood boutiques.

The Mansions of Portland Place: Holiday Parlor Tour
Saturday & Sunday, December 10 - 11
Location: Central West End neighborhoodTime: 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $15.00 in advance; $17.50 day of tour
For more information call: (314) 367-2220
Visit some of the magnificent mansions on one of the premier historic private streets in St. Louis, decorated for the holidays! Refreshments, free carriage rides and carolers, with free parking and shuttle service from the upper Muny parking lot in Forest Park.

Holiday Choral Concert
Sunday, December 11
Location: The Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more information call: (314) 721-0072
Enjoy a festive afternoon in the Art Museum as the St. Louis Children's Concert Choir performs holiday favorites.

Lafayette Square Holiday Tour
Sunday, December 11
Location: Lafayette Square Neighborhood
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $15.00 in advance; $18.00 day of tour; children under 12 are free
For more information call: (314) 772-5724
A self-guided walking tour of 10 homes decorated in their holiday finest in the Lafayette Square neighborhood, giving visitors a chance to experience the elegance and gentility of the 1800’s in St. Louis’ most historic Victorian neighborhood.

Saint Louis Cathedral Concert: Christmas at the Cathedral
Sunday, December 11
Location: Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $15.00; $25.00; $35.00
Tickets: (314) 534-1111
For more information call: (314) 533-7662
Over 200 singers, the Archdiocesan Handbell Choir and a twenty piece orchestra come together for the first ever “Christmas at the Cathedral.” In addition to beloved carols, old and new, the program will include a performance of “Magnificat” by John Rutter. The Archdiocesan Adult and Children’s Choirs will also join the Cathedral Choir for the concert.

The Nutcracker
12/9/2005 - 12/11/2005
Location: Edison Theatre at Washington University [Map It]
Time: 7:30 p.m. (9-10); 3:30 p.m. (10); 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. (11)
Cost: $35.00 for full-length evening performances; $25.00 for all matinee performances (special children's version)
Tickets: (314) 534-1111
edisontheatre.wustl.edu/ovations/calendar.html
Relive the magic this holiday season as the Saint Louis Ballet presents The Nutcracker.

Grab your Festivus Pole, get ready to perform feats of strength and prepare to air your grievances. It's that special time of year in Downtown St. Louis.

Festivus, a "holiday" inspired by the Seinfeld television sitcom, will take place on Saturday, December 3. The celebration will include shopping and dining specials, more than 50 decorated Festivus Poles (no tinsel allowed), strolling entertainers, loft tours and free movies.

The fun begins at 11 a.m. when the unique shops and restaurants open their doors. After shopping and dining, you can take part in Festivus Carol singing around the Festivus Fire at City Museum.

A free showing of holiday favorite, "A Christmas Story," will take place at 7 p.m. at the Roberts Orpheum Theatre, followed by "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" at 9:30 p.m.

For more details, check out the official St. Louis Festivus web site.