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How To Spend A Weekend Without Leaving The Loop

When you travel to any major city, there will inevitably be more attractions than you have time to visit. This is especially true of St. Louis, where we suffer no shortage of activities, destinations, and events. (We’re even the No. 2 destination city for food in the nation according to Yelp!)

While we have a whole city to explore, we happen to think some of the best attractions in the area are just steps from our own front door. The Delmar Loop is more than just the perfect home to our unique boutique hotel – it’s also one of the most vibrant, fun, and diverse neighborhoods in St. Louis for activities! In fact, we’d argue that once you land with us, you never have to stray farther than where The Loop can take you to have an out-of-this-world weekend. If we were you, this is how we’d do it…

Friday

Afternoon

Topper the Dog Visits Moonrise Hotel in May 2017Check in at The Moonrise, head up to your room, where you’ll be greeted with a complimentary cocktail, and head up to your room to take in the stellar surroundings. Freshen up from your travels with Nest soap in your room’s Symmons Rain Shower. Wrap up in a luxury Moonrise bathrobe and relax before your big night out. No need to check in with the pet sitter! If you have a furry friend, they’re always welcome to join you at our pet-friendly hotel and receive our VIPooch or Celebri-kitty treatment.

Evening

Jet up to the rooftop for drinks and light bites. Sip on a Buffy The Vodka Slayer or one of our many other specialty cocktails while you snack on our locally sourced charcuterie board and other stellar appetizers and small plates.

After dinner, it’s time to hit the town. Catch a concert at The Pageant, an intimate venue just steps away from the Moonrise’s front door, where you’ll never be more than 70 feet of the stage. Or hit Delmar Hall, the newest addition to the St. Louis concert scene directly next door to The Pageant.

Late Night

The show is over, but your night isn’t! Head back up to the rooftop bar for more drinks and dancing beneath the world’s largest man-made moon. If hunger hits again, snack on something from our late night food menu. After last call, retire back to your boutique hotel room and sink into your Serta Enrapture double pillow-top mattress and luxury bedding.

Saturday

Morning

Sleep in after your long night out – you’re on vacation after all! When you wake, order breakfast to your room and treat yourself to breakfast in bed. After you feel fully refreshed and ready for the day, head out onto The Loop and walk down to the U-City Farmers Market for local foods and hand-crafted goods, live music and more.

Afternoon

Assuming you didn’t fill up on fresh foods from the market, you’re likely ready for a late lunch. Hit Fitz’s Root Beer Factory and Restaurant to munch on American classics and take down one of their massive root beer floats while you watch their signature beverages being bottled. Or, diversify your dining at one of the Loop’s many diverse restaurants.  Take your pick between Thai, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, or another cuisine!

Afterward, take a stroll down the street and shop around some of The Loop’s unique shops and businesses. Pop in Vintage Vinyl to survey their massive selection of music and records. If you brought your pet with you for the weekend, spoil them with a wholesome homemade treat from Three Dog Bakery. Artists and art appreciators will want to check out Craft Alliance and Blick Art Materials, while literature lovers won’t want to pass up Subterranean Books, one of the nation’s few remaining independent book stores. If fashion is where your passion lies, Avalon Exchange is the place to go for contemporary, vintage and designer pieces at great prices, and OSO: A Style Lab is your spot for one-of-a-kind modern finds.

Evening into Night

After your shopping spree, take a break to relax, have a drink, and watch the sun set while you sit beneath our spinning moon. Once you’re refreshed and ready, check out one of Moonrise Hotel creator Joe Edwards’ other unique Loop businesses. Head to Blueberry Hill for live music, darts, food, and drinks. If you’re in search of a great group activity, check out Pin-Up Bowl, where you can let the strikes roll til 2 am.

Although not a Joe Edwards original, another late-night activity in The Loop is W Karaoke Lounge, the first and only karaoke bar in St. Louis. Feeling something a little more low-key? Hit up HopCat, a beer bar featuring 80 craft beers and ciders on tap, with plenty of local selections.

Sunday

Morning

Rise and shine! Start the week off strong by hitting our 24-hour fitness center on the second floor. If you haven’t already, snap a pic for posterity on our iconic rainbow staircase.

No Sunday is complete without brunch, and The Moonrise’s Eclipse Restaurant has the best in town. Try our Cinnamon Toast Crunch french toast, fried chicken and churro waffle sandwich, or breakfast tacos if you’re feeling indulgent. For slightly lighter fare, our smoked salmon board, mushroom toast with Ozark Forest mushrooms, or vegetable frittata are all equally outstanding. (Check out our full menus!)

Afternoon into Evening

After you’ve fueled up, hop on board the historic Loop Trolley and take a ride to Forest Park, the #1 City Park in America. (Yes, we know the title of this says “without leaving The Loop”, but since you get there on the “Loop Trolley”, we think it still counts). Once you disembark, take your pick between the History Museum, Art Museum, Science Center or St. Louis Zoo. The best part? All options are free! When you’re done, hop back on the trolley and take your ride right back to The Loop. No driving required.

Weather not fit for a day outdoors? Catch a Sunday matinee at the historic Tivoli Theatre.

Finally, it’s time to wrap up your weekend. Make sure to end it on a sweet note with a massive ice cream cookie sandwich from the Baked Bear, directly across from The Moonrise.

Sound like the kind of weekend getaway you’ve been in need of? Make it happen! We handled the planning, so book your stay today and leave the pampering to us, too.