Just Down the Road: 5 Favorite Local Bookstores in St. Louis, MO

Enjoy a summer packed with the plethora of exciting things to do in St. Louis, MO. Load your family and friends in a roomy Chevy Suburban, Tahoe, or Traverse to join all the colorful and vibrant St. Louis events in and around the city's iconic landmarks. more Summer Things To Do in St. Louis, MO: Your Ultimate Guide to Iconic Landmarks and St. Louis Events Downtown Summer Nights Bring your cushions and chairs and get comfortable on Kiener Plaza's lush green lawn for Downtown Summer Nights. Indulge in delightful evenings of tasty food, thrilling movies, exhilarating dance performances, and lively music spun by the city's best DJs in the shadow of the impressive Gateway Arch. If you fancy a leisurely stroll, Kiener Plaza is less than a stone's throw away from the iconic Eads Bridge, a cherished local landmark since its grand opening on July 4, 1874. Eads Bridge, a testament to St. Louis's rich history and ingenuity, is the city's first bridge across the Mississippi River and the world's first steel-truss bridge. When and Where Downtown Summer Nights is at Kiener Plaza at 500 Chestnut Street every Thursday from July to the end of August between 5 and 8 p.m. Blues at the Arch Festival Celebrate the city's vibrant blues history by experiencing the soul-stirring rhythms of the blues at the ninth annual Blues at the Arch Festival. The incredible free event takes place at North Gateway, a 7.5-acre area within the sprawling expanse of the Gateway Arch National Park. The North Gateway offers a breathtaking backdrop for the festival, featuring a natural amphitheater with awe-inspiring vistas of the Gateway Arch and the city skyline. The festival highlights the exceptional talents of both national and local musicians, including performances by renowned acts such as Jeremiah Johnson, The Soulard Blues Band, Lamar Harris, and Nikki Hill. When and Where The Blues at the Arch Festival takes place at the North Gateway at 701 Market Street on Friday, August 9, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 10, from 11 a.m. until around 8:30 p.m. The Japanese Festival The breathtaking Missouri Botanical Garden, our country's oldest botanical garden, founded in 1859 and a National Historic Landmark, has been the enchanting venue for the vibrant Japanese Festival for over 40 years. The yearly event is a joyous celebration of art, dance, cuisine, and entertainment, offering visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the resounding beats of the taiko drums and witness captivating samurai sword performances. Join intimate guided tours of Teahouse Island in the Japanese Garden's tranquil lake, where you'll discover an authentic soan. This farm hut-style teahouse was a generous gift from Nagano, Missouri's sister state in Japan. When and Where The Japanese Festival is at 4344 Shaw Boulevard between August 31 and September 2 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Teahouse Island Tours depart hourly from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Get in a Chevy and celebrate the summer by joining all the fun festivities around the city. Add even more excitement to summer and swing by Bommarito Chevrolet South County in St. Louis, MO, to experience the thrill of test-driving a new Chevy sedan, SUV, or truck.

Image via Pixabay St. Louis has a lot to offer, from the iconic Gateway Arch to a vibrant blues music scene. But sometimes you want to get out of the city, slow things down, and experience small-town life. Fortunately, there are many charming small towns within easy driving distance of St. Louis, MO. more 1. Clarksville The river town of Clarksville, which is located about 80 minutes north of St. Louis, has undergone a renaissance in recent decades. This town of fewer than 1,000 people features historic homes, antique shops, specialty stores, and bed-and-breakfasts, and an eight-block-long business district that faces the Mississippi River. During the cold weather months, Clarksville is considered to be one of the best spots in Missouri to see bald eagles. Don't miss the Overlook Farm restaurant, located at 16095 Highway W in Clarksville, which offers gorgeous views of the northern Missouri countryside. It's the perfect place to stop before heading back to the city. 2. Kimmswick This picturesque town is known for its rich history, which dates back to the 1850s. If you're interested in preserved historic buildings, charming shops, and unique architecture, you'll love Kimmswick. This Missouri town hosts several annual festivals, including a June Strawberry Festival and an October Apple Butter Festival. But Kimmswick, which has a National Register Historic District, makes a great day trip any time of the year. Best of all, this town is just 30 minutes south of St. Louis. 3. Rocheport Established as a trading post in the nineteenth century, Rocheport offers many of the same views that Lewis and Clark would have seen more than 200 years ago. The downtown area features shops, galleries, and the Friends of Rocheport Historical Museum, located at the intersection of First and Moniteau streets. Be sure to swing by the Rocheport General Store, at 202 Central St., which sells a variety of goods and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This Missouri town is a roughly two-hour drive from St. Louis, but it will be an easy drive in your Chevrolet Trax, which has standard features including lane keep assist with lane departure warning and forward collision alert. 4. Ste. Genevieve Ste. Genevieve is the oldest permanent European settlement west of the Mississippi. Located just an hour south of St. Louis, this Missouri community offers everything you need for the perfect day trip, including boutiques, dining, and outdoor opportunities to hike and bike. Check out First Settlement Antique Store, located at 132 Merchant St., which specializes in fine glassware, vintage clothing, stained glass items, and handcrafted wood accessories. With so many great communities to explore, you'll need a reliable set of wheels. Head to Bommarito Chevrolet South County and pick out your next vehicle today.

Image via Pixabay There is a lot to love about living in the Gateway to the West. Throughout the year, the city hosts a wide variety of seasonal events, and there are a lot of other fun things to do in the area. If you want to have the best autumn you've had in a while, keep reading to discover what fun fall activities are worth the drive to from St. Louis, MO. more 1. Celebrating Ecktoberfest at Eckert's Belleville Farm One fun fall activity is celebrating Ecktoberfest at Eckert's Belleville Farm at 951 S. Green Mount Road. You can explore the farm, enjoy live entertainment, like incredible German music, and eat delicious festival foods. While there is a wide range of choices you can make when you visit this farm, we strongly recommend checking out the Fun Corral. You and your kids can: Enjoy carnival rides Ride ponies Ride camels Pet the farm animals 2. Checking Out the St. Louis Renaissance Festival We also recommend checking out the St. Louis Renaissance Festival at 2577 West Meyer Road. For six weekends from September 16 through October 22 and October 9, there are themed events. We recommend the Viking Adventures that takes place during the second full weekend of October. You can enter fun contests, dress to impress in your best Viking cosplay, and have the best day you've had in a while. There is free parking at the festival, and the food and drinks are great. Another reason to consider checking out one of the coolest festivals in the area is that there are three jousting competitions daily. These are held at 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM, and they are very exciting. 3. Catching a Performance at Stifel Theatre You also can't go wrong with catching a performance at Stifel Theatre at 1400 Market Street. From comedy shows to unbelievable performances by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, there is a show for everyone here. There is a lot to love about visiting Stifel Theatre, including its accessibility. You can access ADA-compliant parking on 14th and 15th Streets between Chestnut and Market. If you catch a performance here and love it, we recommend coming back to tour the theater. However, tours are only available on weekdays when there is no scheduled event, and you need at least nine other people to go with you. You can fill your fall with fun in the St. Louis area if you have a dependable car. If you don't have a car you can count on, we can help. Contact us today at Bommarito Chevrolet South County to schedule a test drive for a 2023 Chevy Equinox.