How to Spend a St. Louis Day in Charming Kirkwood
St. Louis’ first true suburb saw its growth fed in the 1850s by the railroad that now serves as the focal point for a charming shopping district along Kirkwood Rd. between Adams and Monroe. A farmer’s market close by the railroad tracks east of Kirkwood Rd. offers seasonal produce, while many independent shops, restaurants, cafes, and bakeries line the blocks. A few blocks south of the main business district, the Magic House-St. Louis Children’s Museum stands as one of the region’s premier family-friendly attractions and Stages St. Louis mounts outstanding musical productions a few blocks west of the business district at the Robert G. Reim Theatre. The fun starts at breakfast.
Where to Eat
Start the day at any of a number of breakfast restaurants: First Watch (full breakfast menu), Kaldi’s Coffee (breakfast and lunch), Great Harvest Bread Company (grilled breakfast sandwiches, muffins, scones, etc.), McArthur’s Bakery Café (casual food items along with legendary baked goods) and grab a nonesuch donut at Strange Donuts or your fill of chocolate at Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate Company.
Lunch and dinner are well-served at a wide range of eateries, from casual to high-end. The pizza crowd has lots of choices, from Seattle-based Mod Pizza (fast casual), Crushed Red (chopped meal-size salads, too), Imo’s Pizza (a St. Louis, thin-crust favorite), and Dewey’s Pizza (Midwest chain, great pizzas).
Or kick back at Mike Duffy’s Pub & Grill (sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, salads), Ice & Fuel (pub grub), Amigo’s Cantina (Mexican), Kirkwood Station Brewing Company (brew pub), Club Taco (chef-inspired tacos), or One 19 North (tapas, wine bar).
Take it up a notch at Citizen Kane’s Steak House (steaks and chops), Café Provencal (Provencal-style French cuisine) or Billy G’s (Italian-accented comfort food with a killer patio).
Where to Shop
Lots of small, local retailers to explore in the blocks surrounding the train station, including a stellar collection of décor/gift shops: Maxwell’s Interiors & Gifts, Moonbeams, Clay & Cotton (apparel, too), Christopher’s, Down by the Station and Rusted Chandelier.
Divine Inspirations fosters conscious living and personal awareness; Cornucopia offers everything for the kitchen; Sammysoap sells 100 percent all-natural soaps; the Alpine Shop caters to hikers, cyclists, runners, climbers, campers and paddlers; Grapevine Wine & Spirits offers, uh, it’s in the name; and Summa Jewelers carries nationally known designers and in-house designs.
The OA Gallery shows work by some of the city’s most gifted artists, and seekers of fashion will find much to like at Fun in the Sun Sports, Blush Boutique, Mod and Paper Dolls. Gardeners can find a trove of yard-worthy goods at OK Hatchery & Feed Store (right by the Kirkwood Farmers Market) and The Bug Store.
Where to Play
Take the kids (or don’t) to the Magic House-St. Louis Children’s Museum, a rambling complex loaded with fun, hands-on learning experiences in every discipline in every nook and cranny.
Indulge in facials, massages, manicures, pedicures, skincare and hair styling in pampered luxury at Ginger Bay Salon and Spa.