We are well aware that it has been unusually HOT here in St. Louis. Sometimes, it is so hot and miserable that we forget we can venture outside of the sanctity of our air conditioned home and still have a good time this summer. Here are 5 ways to get out for some summer fun in Forest Park Southeast.
1. Enjoy some ice cream.
Restaurants in Forest Park Southeast have some unusual ice cream treats worth checking out. Try the house made “carrot cake ice cream” or the “chocolate cayenne ice cream” at Sanctuaria. Head over to Everest Cafe for some mango ice cream or green tea ice cream. If you are a traditionalist and like plain vanilla, Novaks serves their vanilla ice cream with lots of rich, gooey chocolate sauce poured on top. Whatever the choice, the trip is well worth it.
Everest Cafe
Sanctuaria Wild Tapas Image courtesy of Riverfront Times
2. Go shopping.
The Grove offers some great shopping for those on a budget, but still want to look amazing and for those with no price limit. Check out The Little Blaque Dress. They offer stunning dresses and jewelry at reasonable prices from the trendy feather earring, to sensational Maxi dresses that are perfect for summer. Local furniture store, In Stages Home Décor ,offers a large selection of new and gently used furniture. If you choose not to leave your home, In Stages will not only shop for you, but also purchase items and place them in your home. The Grove is also home to a couple bookstores. Ujamaa Maktaba is an African-centered bookstore that offers a diverse selection of book topics such as holistic health, inspiration, conversational fiction, poetry, and non-fiction…to name a few. Not Just a Bookstore moved from the Loop to the Grove in 2010. The owners are advocates for literacy and host regular book signings, Friday Night Jazz featuring Fred “Saxxy Jazz” Walker and spoken word/poetry nights.
The Little Blaque Dress
3. Take your dog to a doggie day camp.
Hot pavement can really be tough on your dogs’ paws, not to mention they can get overheated while outside playing in this heat. You can keep those paws cool at K9 Carnival. They offer 5000 sq. ft of climate controlled indoor play space for those who work and live in Forest Park Southeast and surrounding areas. K9 offers a safe environment and staff members interact with your dog to ensure they get plenty of exercise and socialization while beating the heat.
Image courtesy of K9 Carnival
4. Quench your summer thirst.
The Grove Entertainment District offer a wide variety of tasty concoctions to quench your thirst on these sizzling days. Voted Best Margarita’s by St. Louis Magazines 2011 A-List, and one of the best Sangria in St. Louis by Metromix, Sanctuaria Wild Tapas drinks are not to be missed. Another option is Erney’s 32. Voted in Riverfront Times Best Gay Bar 2009, they get their name from the ice cold vodka drinks they serve at the bar and in the “VodBox” where the temperature is set to 32 degrees so you can sip vodka in its usual frigid environment. For those who prefer a non-alcoholic drink, head over to Everest Café for their sensational Raspberry Lemonade.
Image courtesy of Erneys 32
Sangria at Sanctuaria Wild Tapas Image courtesy of Metromix
5. For the artistic minded.
White Flag Projects opened its doors in the Grove in 2006. As a not-for-profit art gallery, they offer exhibits by progressive international, national and local artists such as Amy Granat, Greg Stimac, and Garth Weiser. Admission is free. So take a long leisurely stroll while viewing the most recent exhibit. Members of White Flag Projects ensure they can keep providing the local community with thought provoking art.
Art exhibition at White Flag Projects
