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[hulkhogan]

I'll be attending a conference in St. Louis soon, and everything one reads about the city mentions its having one of the country's highest crime rates. It almost sounds as if there is a mugger hidden behind each tree. The conference is downtown, but my travel budget will not allow staying at the conference hotel, so I'll be looking for lodgings elsewhere like in one of the suburbs. My questions are these:

1. Is St. Louis really that dangerous that one shouldn't be anywhere near downtown after dark? Are there any parts of the city to be avoided?

2. Where is there an area with affordable motels and maybe a shopping center or grocery store nearby where I don't have to worry about crime (if there is as much crime as they say)?

3. Are there any attractions that one would not know about from looking at the usual websites but that are absolutely worth seeing?

[slinger]

I'll be attending a conference in St. Louis soon, and everything one reads about the city mentions its having one of the country's highest crime rates. It almost sounds as if there is a mugger hidden behind each tree. The conference is downtown, but my travel budget will not allow staying at the conference hotel, so I'll be looking for lodgings elsewhere like in one of the suburbs. My questions are these:

1. Is St. Louis really that dangerous that one shouldn't be anywhere near downtown after dark? Are there any parts of the city to be avoided?

2. Where is there an area with affordable motels and maybe a shopping center or grocery store nearby where I don't have to worry about crime (if there is as much crime as they say)?

3. Are there any attractions that one would not know about from looking at the usual websites but that are absolutely worth seeing?

Those statistics are a misrepresentation.  St. Louis is an independent city, not part of any county.  These claims come from only studying the city proper, which is only about 300,000 people, making it the 58th largest city in the US.  However, St. Louis county (almost of of which is incorporated into individual municipalities, creating one huge sprawling area with countless governments) and the surrounding metro area has a population of almost 3 million, making it the 16th largest area in the US. The vast majority of the violent crime happens in concentrated sections of the city proper.

1. Downtown is smallish and usually not too bustling, minus a football or baseball game, and unless you want to go "clubbing."  There are definitely areas to avoid - North St. Louis city in particular, which is well enough outside of downtown.

2.  Stay in University City.  There is grocery, the Moonrise Hotel, shopping and events, easy access to public transit, centrally located, near WashU and Forest Park.  It's safe, but not generic, and suburb-y.

3.  City Museum.  Also see professorplum's thread from a few months back for other ideas.  http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,81103.0.html

[msparticularity]

I agree with Slinger totally, except to note that the Moonrise Hotel is easily as expensive as the downtown options. The areas you want to look at are along Hwy40/64 near Forest Park (there's a Red Roof Inn, along with the usual Holiday Inn and Best Western options) and in Brentwood. If you stay at the Residence Inn, for example, you are right at the Metro stop and can take public transit back and forth to your hotel. You are across the street from the Galleria, a major shopping mall, and a few blocks from Trader Joe's and Whole Foods--and you'll have a full kitchen! (Can you tell where I always stay?)

Not-to-be missed attractions include Forest Park stuff, almost all of which is free. The zoo and art museum are lovely.

Hulk, are you going this weekend for AESA?

[gotmilk]

Chiming in because I live here.

There is not a mugger behind every tree. In fact, the rates appear elevated because some minor crimes are considered major (like stealing license plates) and that tends to inflate the rate. That said, avoiding downtown after dark is probably a good idea. Don't go running alone in Forest Park late at night - but do check it out during the day. It is amazing.

As a female, I have no concerns walking a few blocks to my car in Soulard, South Grand, or the Central West End alone. Out in the suburbs, like Brentwood or Clayton, it is equally, if not more so, safe to do so. Just be aware and sober and you can avoid most issues, as with any major city.

[jackit_n_tyy]

I think the best St. Louis attraction is a new one:  the amazing City Garden sculpture garden.

I second staying in University City, fun neighborhood.