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What's New in 2009
St. Louis Features New and Renewed Attractions and Events
There's always something new to do in St. Louis and 2009 is no exception. New exhibits, events and activities are happening throughout the region, so here's a list of just some of the exciting and entertaining options awaiting you in
St. Louis. Your next great getaway is All Within Reach.
In 2009, the biggest new event in St. Louis is one of the best events in American sports - the Major League Baseball All-Star Game (stlouissports.org). The annual contest that pits the National League against the American League will be played on July 14 at Busch Stadium home of the St. Louis Cardinals. In addition to the game, visitors can experience the All-Star FanFest interactive baseball spectacular, Home Run Derby, 2009 Futures Game free concerts and much more.
The Saint Louis Art Museum (slam.org) will feature "Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty," February 22 - May 17, 2009. This exhibition explores the imperial court of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) through more than 125 works of art. "Power and Glory" is the first exhibit of its kind that focuses solely on the art of the period while serving as a definitive guide to Ming court art. The exhibition, organized by the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, Palace Museum, Nanjing Municipal Museum and the Shanghai Museum, includes artifacts made by imperial manufacturers, paintings by Chinese emperors and other high-ranking officials.
It's birthday time at the Missouri Botanical Garden (mobot.org) and the sesquicentennial celebration will include a year-full of festivities scheduled to take place. Plan a daytime visit in the spring to see the 150,000 bulbs planted by horticulture staff and volunteers to commemorate this historic anniversary. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Garden stays open late on Thursdays for "Sesquicentennial Summer Nights." From 5 - 9 p.m., visitors can enjoy live entertainment and a scenic stroll through blooming display gardens. The birthday celebration continues at the Missouri History Museum with an exhibit of archival Garden images and artifacts from February - November 2009.
Speaking of the Missouri History Museum (mohistory.org), "Katherine Dunham: Beyond the Dance" will be on display through November 8, 2009. Dunham, a legendary dancer, choreographer and humanitarian, Katherine Dunham revolutionized modern dance. She blended classical movement with African and Caribbean rhythms that resulted in what is known as the Dunham Technique. The exhibit, which features artifacts representing her dance career and her diverse collecting interests, includes a Dunham dance costume from the Afrique production, a Haitian Tree of Life sculpture, papier-mâché Diablo mask, and much more.
What's New at the Zoo (www.stlzoo.org), you ask? A new temporary exhibit, "Stingrays at Caribbean Cove" will be on display at the Saint Louis Zoo, May 1 - September 30, 2009. Visitors can watch, touch and even feed these gentle and fascinating ocean creatures as they glide through a tropical saltwater habitat. Designed for hands-on, safe family fun, the 17,000-gallon pool includes 20 cow nose and three southern stingrays.
The Wild Canid Survival and Research Center (wildcanidcenter.org) is offering new programs that promise to be a howling good time. On the third Friday of each month, it's the Wine and Cheese Wolf Howls, a truly unique adults-only evening. In addition to the obvious wine and cheese, guests are treated to an informative lecture-style program on wolf communication and behavior that explores the myths and misconceptions surrounding wolves. The evening ends with a short walk to howl with the wolves followed by delectable desserts and coffee - Arrooooo!
Six Flags St. Louis (www.sixflags.com) continues its tradition of bringing new thrills to the popular theme park. In 2009, Hurricane Harbor will expand, adding the exciting Wahoo Racer attraction. Riders will race head-first on sled-type mats down 262-feet of steep drops and rolls reaching speeds of 35-mph. Yikes! In addition to the wet ‘n' wild world of Wahoo Racer, Six Flags is adding a spectacular nighttime parade, appropriately named "Glow in the Park." The festivities will feature six custom-designed floats, two additional mobile units and 65 "lighted" performers. The vibrant, multicolored lights will illuminate the streets, and scores of Drummers, puppeteers, singers, dancers and kinetic stilt walkers will surround the floats.
RiverBarge Excursion Lines will drop anchor in St. Louis several times in '09, and they're inviting the general public to come aboard. The R/B River Explorer will dock in front of the Gateway Arch and offer free tours of the only floating hotel barge traveling America's rivers and inland waterways. "BargeMates" will be on hand to give tours and answer questions on May 4, July 22, and August 26. Check riverbarge.com for times.
At the Bissell Mansion Restaurant and Dinner Theatre (bissellmansion.com), plans are underway for a mysterious New Year. The always entertaining Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre shows for 2009 include "Mayhem in Mayberry" (January - April), "Phantom of the Grand Ole Opry" (May - July), "An Addams Family Affair," (August - October), and "A Christmas Killing - The Murder of Ebenezer Scrooge" (November - December).
In January 2009, Kemoll's Restaurant (kemolls.com) will move to the 40th floor of the Metropolitan Square building, offering terrific views that match the terrific food. Kemoll's, a family-run restaurant since 1927, will also be open for lunch Monday through Friday, with a full service dining room and a casual lunch buffet. Speaking of lunch and Italian food, the Old Spaghetti Factory (osf.com) on Laclede's Landing is now open for lunch year-round - mangia!
The Lincoln & Civil War Legacy Trail in nearby Alton (visitalton.com) features 10 historic sites related to Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. In addition to the famous Lincoln-Douglas Square, where the last of the great debates took place, visitors can walk in the footsteps of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, as well as Civil War soldiers from both sides of the conflict. The Alton sites include locations where Confederate soldiers were held captive, died and were buried, and where U.S. Senator Lyman Trumbull authored the 13th Amendment, putting an end to slavery in the United States.
Updated: November 21, 2008
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MEDIA NOTE: For more information or photography of St. Louis, send an e-mail to pr@explorestlouis.com or call Becky Sharp at 1-314-992-0652. For up-to-date information about St. Louis, your readers should call the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission at 1-800-916-0040 or check out our website at www.explorestlouis.com. This news release is also available in electronic form. To obtain an electronic version, e-mail your request to pr@explorestlouis.com or go to St. Louis’ online media center at www.explorestlouis.com/media.
