Have you ever traveled to a new city for work, training, conferences, client meetings, or other events? When you arrived at that city, did you want to immediately go out and explore all the fun places and activities it has to offer? More than likely, the answer is yes! But where do you begin? A quick Google search? Checking reviews on Yelp? Or, exploring the main attractions page on the city website?
All of these options are great and typically offer recommendations for places to visit, dine, and explore. But, what if you could access a curated list of activities, restaurants, and destinations that were provided by local colleagues? The St. Louis office, Perficient headquarters, did just that with the help of its Social and Culture Committee.
Throughout 2022, the Committee will be compiling a list of St. Louis colleague-endorsed activities, restaurants, and destinations to visit during the spring, summer, fall, and winter seasons. We will then take those submissions and compile a St. Louis “Top 40” list.
In April, we collected springtime activities, restaurants, and destinations, constructing an expansive list of spots to visit. Check out the list below, with colleague quotes about what they think makes these places and activities special.
St. Louis area restaurants to visit during spring.
“The perfect outdoor patio to relax and enjoy your evening with fantastic food.”
“Best patio in St. Louis.”
“Always great service and delicious food, good crowds, and they play the Cardinals and Blues games on multiple TVs!”
“The rooftop area is amazing!”
“House-made pastas, brick oven pizzas with unique and fresh ingredients, and yummy salads. The craft cocktails pair well with the occasional live music on the patio.”
“The patio is awesome, and I love the menu. There’s nothing better than sitting out there on a nice day with a glass of rose and a fresh salad.”
“Located in Kirkwood, it is a quiet, unassuming French restaurant with a cozy interior and well curated wine list.”
“Herbies has a great menu and outdoor seating in the middle of downtown Clayton with fun daily drink specials.”
“This exciting spot has tapas, a creative drink menu, and a huge outdoor patio.”
“Yummy options, and the quick service makes it the perfect pre-event spot to eat.”
“Frisco has a great patio and rooftop seating to take in the St. Louis skyline. Plus, the food and drinks are great and the happy hour prices are top notch too!”
“Great outside atmosphere and good food and drinks.”
“The most absurdly artistic bar and patio you’ll find in St. Louis. There’s so much to look at. Plus, the owner brings in fantastic bands each evening. Sometimes there is a modest cover charge in the evenings, so be sure to bring cash as credit cards aren’t accepted.”
“This venue offers delicious rooftop eating and stunning views of the surrounding area.”
“This restaurant, located at the Four Seasons St. Louis, has an outdoor bar/patio area that overlooks the city. It has a great ambiance and excellent food and drinks.”
“A great little hole in the wall Italian deli that also crafts amazing homemade pastas.”
“The food and wine at this restaurant are outstanding. It provides a warm environment with excellent service in the historic Lafayette Square.”
“This venue has a nice patio that is shaded by trees. It’s a great place to eat outside.”
“The rooftop patio is perfect when the weather is nice, and you can’t beat its wine and charcuterie options!”
“The chef is very involved and personable. Great location, nice staff, incredible food, and not over-the-top expensive.”
“An entertainment venue with food trucks, live music, drinks, and community events – what more can you ask for?”
“Nothing better than enjoying the weather in the funky Narwhal’s space and drinking some fun frozen cocktails on its patio.”
“Try one of its many interesting flavor combinations. You and your taste buds won’t regret it.”
Gus’s World-Famous Fried Chicken
“The food is delicious, and they stay in their lane. A simple menu, with incredible flavors and outstanding hospitality.”
St. Louis area activities to do during spring.
“This is a huge St. Louis tradition. Head downtown, explore Ball Park Village and the Cardinals Museum, and cheer on the Redbirds.”
Visit Forest Park: Golf, Art Hill, The St. Louis Zoo, The Muny, The Boathouse, and the Art Museum
“Forest Park is huge with plenty of fun areas for picnics, walks, and just hanging out with friends. The Boathouse Restaurant offers paddle boat, canoe, kayak, and paddle board rentals so you can see Forest Park from the water of the Grand Basin, just below the Art Museum!”
“This is one of my favorite golf courses in the St. Louis area. It features three nine-hole courses. The scenery is incredible, featuring views of Art Hill and the fountains, and the course is always in good shape.”
“Visiting the park helps reset your mental and physical health and wellbeing.”
“It has something for all ages including recreation, education, and the arts.”
“There’s so much to do there and it’s fun for everyone!”
“Be sure to stop by Art Hill. Just walking around offers panoramic views. The Zoo is also there, and you can rent paddle boats at the Boathouse.”
“There is nothing like it. Be sure to try to see a show at The Muny during the summer months. It offers Broadway-level theater and entertainment with local performing artists.”
“Dine or go for a boat ride at the Forest Park Boathouse.”
“Enjoy the nice weather with amazing views of Art Hill and the Grand Basin.”
Take a Tour at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery
“Schedule a tour at the historic Anheuser-Busch Brewery. Be sure to visit the Budweiser Clydesdales and sample a few of the iconic beverages.
Go on Hikes and Bike Rides at Castlewood State Park, River Scene Trail, Katy Trail, Creve Coeur Lake, Grants Trail, Rockwood Reservation, and more
“St. Louis has a lot of beautiful parks to take in the warm weather and blossoming trees.”
“Be sure to explore Grant’s Trail. It was made from a retired railway line. It’s relatively level grade which makes great for walking, biking, or rollerblading. There are lots of connection points to other parks and trails. Stop at The Barn restaurant just off the trail in Crestwood for a bite to eat.”
“At Castlewood State Park, there is an excellent trail to hike on with a lovely view overlooking the river.”
“There are a surprising number of unique places in St. Louis to explore! Nothing better than taking a hike in beautiful weather and treating yourself to a patio lunch afterward.”
“Katy’s Trail is beautiful and winds through winery country.”
Visit Local Wineries in Defiance and Augusta
“Sample lots of wine, take in the beautiful scenery, and enjoy some live music. Enough said.”
“The St. Louis area is home to a bunch of wineries. Wine tastings and live music are great ways to spend a weekend, or a happy hour after a long day!”
“The countryside scenery is beautiful, and the roads are great if you like spirited driving.”
“Beautiful views, great wine, good places to gather with friends, plenty of space, good music, and even better service.”
Visit the Missouri Botanical Garden
“Absolutely beautiful and serene.”
“A nice way to take in the weather, especially when the flowers are blooming.”
“It’s a beautiful and calm place to visit. Take deep breaths upon arrival and experience the floral essences from the different plants.”
Visit the Historic Neighborhoods of Benton Park, Lafayette Square, and Main Street St. Charles
“Historic Main Street (downtown St. Charles) offers quaint shopping and dining experiences and sits right beside the Missouri River, providing beautiful, panoramic views.”
“So much fun with great eateries, unique stores, and places to sit and enjoy the day.”
“Many of these homes were built in the 1800’s and have been carefully restored.”
“Benton Park is part of the national historic register, so significant attention has been given to maintain the authenticity of its initial design.”
“The trees are beautiful and offer wonderful shade for your walk.”
Visit the Farmer’s Markets in Soulard and Kirkwood
“Local vendors offer delicious foods not found in stores.”
“Get fresh and local produce!”
Visit Union Station
“This place offers so many activities to do! In one location you can explore the depths of the ocean in the aquarium, see the tallest buildings from the Ferris wheel, play a round of mini golf, and experience dazzling fire and light shows.”
Attend the Dogtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade
“Another St. Louis tradition, it’s usually the first outdoor activity in the spring that isn’t necessarily cold (sometimes it’s hot), and it’s always packed with people having fun and celebrating the culture.”
Visit the Historic Grant’s Farm
“Grant’s Farm lets you get up close and personal with over 100 species of animals and lets you explore the land and cabin built by President Ulysses S. Grant.”
“It has tons of outdoor activities and events throughout the year. But, feeding baby goats is the best option for entertainment.”
St. Louis area destinations to visit during spring.
Go Up in the St. Louis Arch and Explore the Museum
“If you want to experience St. Louis in a swift motion, go to the Arch. The Arch also houses a museum that highlights its construction, offers an elevator that goes to the top viewing deck, and provides the highest panoramic city view in the area.”
See the Animals at The St. Louis Zoo
“In spring, the zoo is just coming alive as all the animals begin coming out of hibernation and indoor enclosures. This is a great free destination for families.”
“They have penguins, giraffes, bears, sting rays, a train, and more. How cool is that?”
“In May, catch free concerts featuring local bands at the Jungle Boogie Friday Night Concert Series. They take place right in the heart of the zoo, so it’s easy to walk around and visit the animals too.”
“Spring is a great time to go to the zoo because it’s not too hot and the animals are a little more active.”
Explore the City Museum
“The City Museum is a great place to just be a kid and play. In the spring, it is great to explore the outdoor areas and let loose for an afternoon.”
Eat Frozen Custard at Ted Drewes
“A St. Louis staple, treat yourself to the frozen custard. It’s a must-do when you’re in town.”
Pick Flowers at Thies Farm
“Something different. The activity itself is fun for all ages and you can enjoy a bouquet at home after.”
Go to the Butterfly House
“Great any time of the year, but there is something about spring that calls for butterflies.”
See a Show at The Factory
“This new venue is the place to catch a favorite band if you’re town. It’s less than 10 minutes from the St. Louis office.”
Find Something Exciting at Gringo Jones Imports
“Close to the Missouri Botanical Gardens (another favorite of mine), this store has an eclectic selection of curios. If you’re looking for something truly unique, this is the place.”
We look forward to seeing you the next time you visit St. Louis. Check back soon for our St. Louis summertime list of colleague-endorsed activities, restaurants, and destinations to visit.
Has your office built a similar list to this? If not, have you thought about creating one?
Have you been to any of these places and have a picture and a story to share? For a chance to be featured on our next blog post, tag @perficient on our social pages and use the hashtag #proudlyperficient to share your story.
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