St. Louis Vacation with 1 year old-Need Ideas/tips/etc.

[chaseysmommy]

Our family consisting of myself, my husband and our son are going on vacation to St.Louis this summer. At the time of the vacation our son will be 11 months old and this will be our first vacation with him. To explain our son a little more he is very energetic, outgoing and constantly on the move but almost always completely wiped out by 7:30pm and he usually doesn't take any naps during the day.

We are going to be doing most of the free stuff that St.Louis has to offer like the zoo, Grant's Farm, Science center and then we will also be going to a Cardinals ball game.

Some of the things I would like to find out are:

How much down time at the hotel should we plan? I just don't know how much our son can do with out getting completely exhausted.

What are some other indoor activities cheap/free in St.Louis?

Our son has never liked a backpack carrier so what is your suggestions on taking him to the ball game? What kind of seat should we get, etc?

*I would also love to hear anymore of your vacation trips with young children and money saving vacation ideas.

Thanks so much for your input!

[booklover]

I'm from Illinois, but I live just across the river from St. Louis. Other attractions in St. Louis: the Gateway Arch. Downstairs is a museum about Westward expansion, and it's free, and there are always park rangers giving free tours. You can purchase tickets to ride to the top. Nearby is the courthouse where the famous Dred Scott case was tried. (A slave who was fighting for his right for freedom.)

Other places to check out: The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. Really cool park with outdoor sculptures, and greenhouse with live butterflies.

City Museum: A museum for all ages, that has all sorts of sculpture and stuff to climb on, made out of, well, junk.

(I have the St. Louis Entertainment book which has coupons to some of these places. Local restaurant qs, too. Pm me if interested in these.)

The Magic House: A hands on museum for kids of all ages. Every 3rd Friday is FREE from 5:30-9:00pm. Oops, your kiddo is conked out then. But they are open during the day, too. Admission is $8.75 for ages 1 and up.

The St. Louis Muny Opera House has live musicals, and they are not very expensive. It's an outdoor theater at Forest Park, and the shows are always in the evening.They also have FREE seats, first come, first serve. You have to get in line early, to get a seat. And the seats are in the back, so be sure to bring binoculars. But the sound is great. Oh, and yes, they do sell food, but you can bring your own drinks and snacks. I think they have a strict rule about no glass containers, and you have to have a soft side cooler.

There's more, but that's what I can think of right now.

I have a toddler, but have no experience in traveling on long trips, so sorry, no advice about that.

[motherofmolly]

every may for my oldest's b-day we take a 3 hour drive to chicago. we do the zoo or the aquarium and then go to dinner at some place fun for them...that is it...after this they are wiped 2 year old and a 4 year old.

~snack foods and juice for the car ride and for hotel
~something to color or play with in the car. we do the color wonders and the ipod this year for them ...but i am not for sure about an 11mth old
~we take the big stroller with the "ride along" attachment for 4year old . doesnt take much and they get tired.
~stear clear of movies or small shows. we did this at the aquarium last year, and lasted 2 minutes for the 2 year old and 5 minutes for the 4 year old...too loud for them
~plan for downtime at the hotel. maybe you can find one with a pool or a game room or something. or take a portable dvd player or computer that can play movies for him to watch
~take the backpack. just in case he does get tired out. you will have it so you dont have to do all the carrying around of stuff