PR Manager, St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission
During National Tourism Week, you may have seen the CVC in the Annie Malone Parade or at the Cinco de Mayo celebration on Cherokee Street. And recently, you might have received one of our Be a Tourist in Your Own Town prizes on KSDK’s ShowMe St. Louis, or seen the Be a Tourist in Your Own Town travel segment on STL TV-Channel 10 or stltv.net. Or even heard us on Foxy 95.5 encouraging locals to be tourists in their own town and awarding prizes compliments of CVC members.
With summer knocking at your door, an unstable economy and the family a little antsy for a getaway, this is a great time to plan a “stayvacation” right here!
“There is nothing to do in St. Louis.” We hear it often from locals, but they are wrong because there is so much to do! With over 1,000 one-of-a-kind restaurants (and not just chain restaurants), more free world-class attractions than any other place in the U.S. outside of Washington D.C., hotels at any price point, a thriving nightlife and shopping on every scale, locals should be proud of their hometown.
If you find yourself bored in the Gateway City, it may be your own fault (a bit of tough love there).
The CVC has been working hard to promote St. Louis as a tourist spot to locals. Selling the destination to St. Louisans is not difficult; our greatest task is getting people out of their routines and into the habit of exploring something different.
One way locals can keep in touch of what’s going on in the Gateway City is to keep a current copy of the Official Visitors Guide. Produced annually by the CVC, the guide is a 112-page magazine-style brochure highlighting attractions, accommodations, restaurants, events, and arts and cultural institutions throughout the bi-state region, along with information about St. Louis’ colorful history and eclectic neighborhoods.
Readers can request a Visitors Guide by logging onto http://www.explorestlouis.com/myStl/visitorsGuide.asp, or by calling 421-1023.
More than 22 million visitors call St. Louis their vacation destination. The CVC’s Marketing Department has produced new commercials showcasing St. Louis’ European look. I bet you didn’t know we had such a thing? Say goodbye to traveling thousands of miles and say hello to reacquainting yourself to St. Louis. Two commercials were created, one geared toward the sophisticated traveler and the other showcasing St. Louis as a family-friendly destination.
Take a few seconds to view the commercials by logging onto the following link – I guarantee you will be surprised on how others see St. Louis: http://www.explorestlouis.com/brand/springSummer08.asp.
Once you’ve got out and reacquainted yourself with St. Louis, tell us why St. Lou is surprising … St. Lou is beautiful … St. Lou is inspiring … St. Lou is fun!
Whatever you discover during your “STAYVACATION,” email me at rrodgers@explorestlouis.com. You’re comments and photos will be listed on stlou2u.com, which is an opportunity for locals to share what they like best about St. Louis!
Be A Tourist notes
St. Lou is for you! If you would like a list of over 60 free, fun interesting things to do right here in your own backyard, please send a request to: rrodgers@explorestlouis.com.
Twilight Tuesdays ‘til June 10th! Yes, it is already time for the popular outdoor concert series at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. Call 314-454-3199, or go to mohistory.org.
Picnicking, music, and the Children’s Garden (5-7 p.m.) is free in the Missouri Botanical Garden on Wednesdays during June 4-August 13 at the Whitaker Music Festival. Enjoy warm breezes, hot jazz, and cool tunes such as: Tony Simmons Band (June 25), Kim Massie (July 16) and Alvin Jett & the Phat noiZ (August 13). For more, go to mobot.org for the total schedule.
Celebrate St. Louis starting with the Live on the Levee free concert series. Don’t miss Joss Stone (July 4), Anthony Hamilton (July 5), WAR (July 19), and Boyz II Men (August 1). For the entire schedule, go to celebratestlouis.org.
1,400 Free Seats at the Muny! Remember, the Muny has a selection of free seats available for every performance (first come first serve, so get there early). The entrances to the free seating area are located at the top of the theatre seating area. Free seat gates open at 7 p.m. each evening. The Producers (June 16-22) and Disney’s High School Musical (June 23-29, June 30-July 2) are the first two shows. View muny.org/freeseats/html for details.