Washington University/St. Louis and Centre

tbb113 · #1 09-09-2009, 08:33 PM

Yes, it is college tour time

Current plan is to fly in and out of St. Louis and drive to Centre (he changed his mind about University of Chicago). Planning on going from Oct 3 - Oct 8

I'm looking for cheap hotel recommendations near the St. Louis airport on Saturday night, Danville KY on Sunday through Monday night, and then by Washington University on Tuesday and Wednesday night (I could go back by the airport on Wednesday night also).

Any ideas? Anything we should see on our driving days (Sunday, Tuesday)? Anything I should do in Danville by myself on Sunday night when son has a sleepover at the campus?

Thanks

Julie O · #2 09-10-2009, 07:52 PM

I don't live in St. Louis, but I'm a bit familiar with the Wash U area. There's significant interstate construction on I-64/40 just south of the campus that has the interstate closed from I-270 to Kingshighway. So, it's going to be a bit inconvenient to get to the campus. You can take I-44 and get off at Hampton, then head north towards the campus area. Another exit may be better, but I'm not as familiar with the exits off I-44.

The Hampton Inn at I-64/40 and Hampton Ave. is very nice, and often lower in price than some of the other hotels near campus. You'll either want to look in the Clayton or Forest Park area when you're going to be at the campus. Clayton can be quite expensive. You'll definitely want to check online for deals. The Parkway is part of the Barnes-Jewish Hospital complex, and is reasonably priced for the area.

I've only stayed at one hotel by the airport, a Hampton Inn. It was cheap, but it was older. The area where the hotels are near the airport is very noisy.

Hope this helps! I spent a lot of time at the BJH complex a couple of years ago, so my reference points are all from there. Hope your son enjoys the campus visits.

mcgeiger · #3 09-11-2009, 08:01 AM

Grew up there, but don't live there now!

Hotels near airport: there are lots, nothing distinct, just chains...it's not the nicest area (not bad, just not nice)

Wash U--there is one that is tudor style, but I can't remember the name, I'll have to ask my SIL, she lives near there....as far as food, what are you interested in? Activities like tourist things, like walks, along the way, in STL or Danville?

tbb113 · #4 09-11-2009, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgeiger

Grew up there, but don't live there now!

Hotels near airport: there are lots, nothing distinct, just chains...it's not the nicest area (not bad, just not nice)

Wash U--there is one that is tudor style, but I can't remember the name, I'll have to ask my SIL, she lives near there....as far as food, what are you interested in? Activities like tourist things, like walks, along the way, in STL or Danville?

Son is not fond of spicy food, other than that he eats most things. Current plan is to arrive on Saturday night and drive Sunday to Danville. He will spend the night in a dorm, we will tour the campus on Monday. Drive back to St. Louis on Tuesday, tour campus Wednesday and fly home Thursday morning. So I'm looking for things to do on Sunday and Tuesday's driving days.

zwieback · #5 09-11-2009, 09:24 AM

Are you looking for touristy things to do?? The drive from St. Louis to Danville is approximately 6 hours, so depending on when you plan to leave each city, you may not have a lot of time for touristy things. I think I'd probably just stay close to both campuses, drive around the area and see whats there. I don't know anything about Danville, but near Wash U, there's Delmar Blvd (aka The Loop). They have a bunch of stores and restaurants (Fitz's is a burger joint that makes it's own sodas). There's the Central West End. Again, that area has stores and restaurants. There's also Forest Park with the zoo, the Science Center, the art museum, among other things.

The Hill (Italian area) has some good restaurants if you want Italian. I always used to like Amighetti's for sandwiches, but I haven't been there in a long time. So, not sure if they're as good as they used to be.

As Julie O said, factor in the construction. It's really quite bad in that area. I don't live in St. Louis, either, but I grew up there and go back a few times a year to visit my parents and in-laws. Maybe check the MoDot website (I presume there is one) to see if it gives details about construction.

cookncraze · #6 09-11-2009, 05:08 PM

Whatever you do do not use mapquest for directions. Construction has been going on for years now with them moving to different locations & mapquest still does not show it. Use either google or yahoo. Check out this website where you can search restaurants by location, type. www.saucemagazine.com Any other StL questions please feel free to PM me. I don't have a lot of time right now but will be happy to help. PS My nephew just started Wash U this year & loves it. They especially like the loop area mentioned earlier. Good luck!

sweeps · #7 09-11-2009, 07:57 PM

Sorry, I don't have any specific hotel recs for you, but most of the major chains around the airport should be okay. There are a few hotels in the Clayton area, which would be a little more convenient to campus, but those tend to be pricey.

As far as touristy things, I recommend going to the Delmar Loop and Forest Park. For pizza, I suggest http://restaurantpi.com/ and burgers, http://www.blueberryhill.com/, both in the Loop, which has a fun, funky atmosphere.

tbb113 · #8 09-14-2009, 09:53 PM

I've made the hotel reservations today. I'm feeling like a gypsy, we are staying in 3 different hotels in 5 nights

I voted to stay by the airport the night we arrive and leave so we are at La Quinta ($44 a night), Best Western in Danville and then splurging on the Crowne Plaza the night before we tour WUSTL.

I'll let you know his take on the colleges when we return.

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