Five night trip summary

Question

March 23-28, family of four.

Day 1 - on a whim started a day early and drove to Chesterfield.

Day 2 - Meramec Caverns, dinner Salt+Smoke Ballpark Village - very good!

Day 3 - Union Station, Train Shed and Soda Fountain - just ok

Day 4 - City Museum - highlight of the trip by far! So amazingly crazy and fun. Lunch was Imo’s Pizza which was meh and dinner at SenThai which was fabulous.

Day 5 - Botanical Gardens and Arch. Botanical Gardens are a real gem and I’d love to go back in late spring or early summer to see it in full bloom. Lunch was Chili Mac’s which was A great old school diner and dinner was at Katie’s Pizza and Pasta at Ballpark Village. Katies was fabulous and even the picky kids loved it.

Day 6 - departure day, visit with Clydesdales. Very fun tour it wasn’t interested in doing but ended up enjoying.

We really enjoyed the trip, and would definitely head back for the city museum and botanical gardens again. Would skip Union Station - it was fun for a day but not much more IMO.

Stayed at Drury Inn Chesterfield and Drury Plaza at the Arch. Our first foray into this brand, and enjoyed the quality of the rooms and the staff, but the pool was a hot mess every night, the elevators took forever and the lines at breakfast were epic. Obviously being spring break and Easter week contributed to the crowds, and the hotel staff handled it quite well, so I’m sure we’ll stay with them again.

Answer

Your five-night trip to St. Louis sounds like a fun and well-rounded family adventure! You clearly got a mix of attractions, dining experiences, and some relaxing downtime, which is perfect for a family of four.

Here’s a breakdown and some observations based on your itinerary:

Day 1 – Chesterfield: Spontaneous trips can be a lot of fun! Starting early allowed you to get a head start and explore areas outside the city proper.
Day 2 – Meramec Caverns and Dinner at Salt+Smoke Ballpark Village: Meramec Caverns is a unique attraction and generally enjoyable for families. Dinner at Salt+Smoke sounds like a hit, and it’s great that it met expectations for flavor and ambiance.
Day 3 – Union Station, Train Shed and Soda Fountain: Mixed reviews here. While Union Station has historic charm, it may not hold the same long-term appeal for families, especially if the focus is on hands-on activities.
Day 4 – City Museum: Clearly the highlight! City Museum is known for its wild, interactive exhibits that appeal to both kids and adults. Lunch at Imo’s Pizza was average, but dinner at SenThai was a standout, which is great for balancing the day.
Day 5 – Botanical Gardens and the Arch: The gardens are a true gem, especially in bloom, and the Arch provides iconic city views. Lunch at Chili Mac’s offered a classic diner experience, while dinner at Katie’s Pizza and Pasta satisfied even picky eaters.
Day 6 – Clydesdales: Ending the trip with a visit to the Clydesdales was a unique experience. Sometimes unexpected activities become surprisingly enjoyable.

Regarding accommodations:

Drury Inn Chesterfield and Drury Plaza at the Arch: You had a generally positive experience with room quality and staff service. Common issues like crowded pools, elevator wait times, and busy breakfast areas are expected during peak spring break and Easter week. It’s encouraging that the staff handled the crowds well, suggesting it’s still a good choice for future stays.

Summary thoughts:

City Museum and Botanical Gardens were clearly the highlights and worth revisiting.
Union Station could be skipped on a future trip if time is limited.
Dining experiences were mostly successful, with standout meals at SenThai and Katie’s Pizza and Pasta.
Staying with Drury Inns seems a solid option, just plan around peak times for amenities.

Overall, your trip offered a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, iconic sights, and enjoyable meals, making it a well-rounded family experience in St. Louis.