by Kathy Deutsch

Created on: July 28, 2009   Last Updated: July 31, 2009

St. Louis Missouri is one hot town. On the banks of the Mississippi River, it can get humid and sticky to wander around the city. But there are many ways to enjoy a summer in St. Louis-both hot places outside, and cool ones indoors.

The Gateway Arch is the tourist hot spot. This National Park is an easy stroll around the soaring sculpture. Underneath is a cool museum detailing the history of the area. Of course, there is a tram ride for the gutsy, to travel to the top of the Arch and enjoy the view. The grounds, edging the River, sometimes catch cool breezes. And Laclede's Landing, a historical area nearby, has air-conditioned restaurants and shopping. A great place for an afternoon with the family.

The new Busch Stadium can be hot, in the sunny bleacher seats. But the Home of the Cardinals is a baseball mecca, with great sight-lines, plush grassy turf, amazing foods, and plenty of shade. Baseball is the heart of St. Louis sports, so why not experience the love firsthand? Going to a game at Busch is the best way to experience the warmth the locals have for their team.

Too hot? It's easy to cool off at the museums in Forest Park. Home of the 1904 World's Fair, Forest Park still has some of the beautiful buildings created for the event. The museums, The Art Museum, and The History Museum, are free. The Art Museum has a terrific collection of art in wide-ranging styles. It is easy to get around and find the period art interesting to you. For the kids, there is a mummy in the lower level, along with archaeological artifacts from many different civilizations to interest those who don't care for paintings. The History Museum details the evolution of the St. Louis area. It also has revolving exhibitions that travel the country. Not stuffy, the museum is lively and not-too-big. You won't tire of it before you see it all.

Forest Park is home to a singular summer attraction-The Muny. This outdoor venue puts on live theatre all summer, crowd-pleasing musicals almost every evening. The live trees that border the stage are worked into the sets. Big-name Broadway stars enjoy the Muny's atmosphere, so the shows are fully professionally produced. There is little better than watching the sun set with a soda and a box of popcorn, listening to the orchestra begin the overture of a great hit show.

The coolest food in town comes from St. Louis' iconic frozen custard stands and ice cream shops. In North City, Crown Candy has been making their homemade ice cream and serving it in a real soda fountain since 1913. The candy and hot fudge are also homemade, with a taste unlike any you've had. Crown serves food as well, and it is pleasing in itself. Once you stare down the bacon/lettuce/tomato sandwich (piled high with bacon and local tomatoes), remind yourself you want to have dessert later. Ask for a take-home box. Along historic Route 66 is Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. It's a walk-up place. Don't let the long lines scare you-they move FAST because Ted's usually in the shop. The signature item is the concrete-frozen custard mixed with your choice of flavoring or fruit. Before it is served to you, the server will flip it upside down, to show you how thick it is. This is not soft serve; this is cool ambrosia.

St. Louis has a lot to do any time of year. But the unique choices, the things that make this Midwestern town stand out, are summer-friendly.

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