patio season

If you have ever lived in an area with four seasons, you understand the importance of patio season! It's the most wonderful time of year when area restaurants and bars finally set up their tables, chairs, and umbrellas on an outdoor space, the lovely wait staff ventures into the open air, and the night just seems to go on, and on, and on!
The Riverfront Times, Feast Magazine, and St. Louis Magazine have awesome lists of the best patio dining around town. Now, they have their fancy criteria for those lists, and there are some of my favorites on each, but here is my TOP 10 BEST PATIOS AROUND TOWN!

* McGurk's in Soulard has a beautiful space, open and two bars along with their usual menu of delicious creations! This is my favorite place that I recommend to everyone!

* Hacienda in Rock Hill is so lively and has a damn good margarita, laid back night out with yummy tacos and other favorites. This place can get crowded but is such a relaxing eatery!

* Llwellyn's in St Charles is cute and cozy, like a friends backyard party! Nice small menu with such delicious food, you can find something to wow you every time!

* Copia on Washington Ave is beautiful and one of my favorites for a great wine and dine evening. Upscale but relaxing, a nice place for a romantic evening or getting together with the girls!

* Big Daddy's in Soulard is fun and has a nice laid back patio with really good bar food! It'a also a fun place to people watch and get everyone together for a late night hang out!

* Rosalita's on Washington Ave is a big patio for the location with different flavors that come to be your new favorites! Eclectic, colorful, and comfortable for a beautiful evening out!

* Square One Brewery in Lafayette Square is small and quiet, a great place to unwind and talk about the days events and ponder over life questions, awesome beer list that is paired with such great food!

* iTap in Soulard is a good old favorite that has a big beer list that will keep your patio evening going a bit longer than you planned! The inside has a huge bar and wonderful large table by the door, but the best part is ... you bring your own eats! There are several places to order from nearby but you can plan a pot luck with your friends with all the beer you want!

* Atomic Cowboy in the Grove is so awesome, you can move around and meet new people, something is always happening And not to mention the outdoor bar with a great selection!

* Broadway Oyster Bar Downtown is one of the best with delicious plates full of flavor and music that just won't quit! You must check this place out if want great eats and a fun night!

There you have it! I've been to each one and many more, and all I gotta say is ...

LIFE IS SIMPLY BETTER ON THE PATIO!
xo

party like it's 1776

Who is ready for the long weekend?!
My plan is to hit as many festivals, activities, pools, and fireworks displays as humanly possible the upcoming days! Let's see what happening around town, shall we ...

Festivals & Parades

July 1 - 135th VP Parade kicks off the 4th of July holiday weekend! The parade begins at the redesigned Kiener Plaza at Broadway and Market Street and proceeds straight down Market Street to Union Station.
https://www.americasbirthdayparade.com/

• July 1 - JB Blast  Enjoy music performed by the Air Force Band of Mid-America, Shades of Blues in the Veterans Memorial Amphitheater (Jefferson Barracks Park) and a fireworks display. Admission is free. http://www.stlouisco.com/ParksandRecreation/Events/ctl/Details/Mid/21652/ItemID/3270?ContainerSrc=[L]Containers/stlouiscounty/Simple_Green_u&SkinSrc=[L]Skins/stlouiscounty/sub_full                                                                                                   
• July 1 - 4 Riverfest 2017  A four-day celebration in 2017 includes a parade, live music, carnival, food & craft vendors, and fireworks along the banks of the Missouri River in Frontier Park.  http://www.historicstcharles.com/includes/events/Riverfest-2017/1059/
• July 1-4  - Webster Groves Community Days  The 2017 Community Days celebration will run for four days from July 1-4 at Memorial Park. http://www.webstergroves.org/194/Community-Days 
• July 2-4 - Heritage & Freedom Fest  Celebrate America’s birthday at O’Fallon’s Heritage & Freedom Fest July 2-4. Activities include a carnival & midway, family day, kids' zone, and side shows. Admission to Ozzie Smith Sports Complex is free. http://www.heritageandfreedomfest.com/
• July 2-4 - Fair Saint Louis 2017  Fair Saint Louis is 3 days of FREE family fun, held again this year in Forest Park! Enjoy a full lineup of concerts, shows, exhibitions and running events, plus the biggest fireworks displays you'll ever see! https://www.fairsaintlouis.org
• July 2-4 - July 4th Fest at Six Flags  Six Flags is the premiere destination to celebrate our country and enjoy the summer. Experience exclusive ride times, Salute to Heroes event and nightly fireworks.  https://www.sixflags.com/stlouis/special-events/july-4th-fest
• July 4 - 4th of July Fireworks Celebration at Chesterfield  The fireworks start at 9:30 but the fun starts at 6:30pm with food trucks, live music, the Kids Zone. https://www.chesterfield.mo.us/4th-of-july-fireworks-celebration.html      

  July 4  - Wentzville’s 2017 Liberty Fest - Don’t miss Wentzville's July 4th Parade and Liberty Fest! After the parade, attend these free events at Progress Park; swimming, inflatables & face-painting, live music and fireworks.  http://www.wentzvillemo.org/departments/parks_and_recreation/recreation/special_events_and_programs.php

  

  
  

  Fireworks

  Saturday, July 1, 2017

  Arnold

  Celebrate Independence Day with your family and friends at Arnold’s famous “Red, White & Blue” Celebration in Arnold City Park! A spectacular fireworks display will begin at approximately 9:15 pm.

  
  

  Ferguson

  Ferguson celebrates “National Landmarks”. Cap off the evening with a spectacular fireworks display planned for 9:15 pm over January-Wabash Lake.  

  
  

       Lemay

  Bring the family to JB Blast 2017, a FREE celebration at Jefferson Barracks Veteran's Memorial Amphitheater! Friday, July 1, 7-10pm. Music by USAF Band of Mid-America. Fireworks will begin at 9pm.

  
  

  
  

  Sunday, July 2, 2017 

  St Louis Forest Park

  Fair Saint Louis 2017 Fair Saint Louis is 3 days of FREE family fun, held again this year in Forest Park! Enjoy one of the nation’s top Fourth of July Festivals with a full lineup of concerts, shows, exhibitions and running events, plus the biggest fireworks displays you'll ever see! 9:30pm Fireworks

  
  

  
  

  Monday, July 3, 2017 

  O'Fallon, MO

  Celebrate America’s birthday at Heritage & Freedom Fest  July 2-4. Activities include a carnival & midway, family night, kids' zone, and side shows. Fireworks July 3 and 4. Admission to Ozzie Smith Sports Complex is free.

  
  

  St. Charles

  Riverfest 2017  A four-day celebration in 2017 includes a parade, live music, carnival, food & craft vendors, and fireworks along the banks of the Missouri River in Frontier Park.   Fireworks July 3 and 4 at 9:20PM

  
  

  St Louis Forest Park 

  Fair Saint Louis 2017 Fair Saint Louis is 3 days of FREE family fun, held again this year in Forest Park! Enjoy one of the nation’s top Fourth of July Festivals!

  9:30pm Fireworks

  
  

  Village of Twin Oaks

  Enjoy a firework event in Twin Oaks Park (Ann Ave, Twin Oaks, MO 63021)

  7:00pm concert.  Fireworks following at 9:15pm

  
  

  Webster Groves

  Webster Groves Community Days  The 2017 Community Days celebration will run for four days from July 1-4 at Memorial Park. Fireworks July 3 and 4.

  
  

  
  

  Tuesday, July 4, 2017 

  Bridgeton

  Parade - July 4 at 10 am

  6:00pm - Festivities at Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex (BMAC); Food vendors, a live band concert and a spectacular fireworks display at dusk

  
  

  Chesterfield

  Join us for our 4th of July Fireworks Celebration. The fireworks start at 9:30 but the fun starts at 6:30pm with food trucks, live music, the Kids Zone

  
  

  
  

  Ellisville

  The City of Ellisville will host its Annual Independence Day Celebration in Bluebird Park on Friday, July 4.  Join us in the morning for the Independence Day 5K & Kids Fun Run.  Evening events are from 6:00 p.m. to 10:45pm.  Fireworks at 9:30pm             

   Eureka

  July 4th Celebration in Lions Park dedicated to military veterans throughout our community.  Concessions will be available for a nominal cost.  On-site parking will not be available for this event. Time: 7:00 – 10:30 p.m.

  
  

       Florissant

  On the grounds of the James J. Eagan Civic Center at Florissant Valley Park, which is located at the intersection of Parker Road and Waterford Drive.  Festivities begin with an outdoor concert performance by the Northwinds Concert Band at 7:30pm.  Following the concert, the City of Florissant is sponsoring its renowned Fireworks Display at 9:15 pm. Rain Date: July 5th at 9:30pm

  
  

  Hazelwood

  Join us for our annual Fourth of July festivities in White Birch Park. Live Music and fireworks at dusk, approximately 9:15pm. Bring blankets and chairs!

  
  

  Kirkwood

  The annual Freedom Festival and Fireworks kicks off in Kirkwood Park at 7:00 p.m. on July 4 with the music of Fanfare. Fireworks start at dusk. Rain date July 5.

  
  

       Manchester

  Join us for our Annual 4th of July Celebration in Schroeder Park. Concert will begin at 6:oo p.m. and the fireworks will follow (around) 9:00 p.m. Rain Date: July 5

  
  

  O'Fallon, MO

  Celebrate America’s birthday at Heritage & Freedom Fest  July 2-4. Activities include a carnival & midway, family night, kids' zone, and side shows. Parade on July 4; Fireworks July 3 and 4. Admission to Ozzie Smith Sports Complex is free.

  
  

  St. Charles

  Riverfest 2017  A four-day celebration in 2017 includes a parade, live music, carnival, food & craft vendors, and fireworks along the banks of the Missouri River in Frontier Park.   Fireworks July 3 and 4 at 9:20PM

  
  

  St Louis Forest Park

  Fair Saint Louis 2017 Fair Saint Louis is 3 days of FREE family fun, held again this year in Forest Park! 9:30pm Fireworks

  
  

  Webster Groves

  Webster Groves Community Days  The 2017 Community Days celebration will run for four days from July 1-4 at Memorial Park.  9:30pm: Fireworks Spectacular 

  
  

  Wentzville

  Don't miss the annual Wentzville’s 2017 Liberty Fest and annual 4th of July parade! Fireworks at 9:05 p.m.
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• Last but not least, I came across a list of fun runs going on the weekend too! I'm not a big runner, but a 5k like Rise Up and all these others, is a great way to be connected to your community and support an awesome cause!                                                                     * http://riseup5k.org/                                  * http://www.runningintheusa.com/Race/List.aspx?Rank=Month&Month=7&State=MO
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• SO MUCH SPARKLE, I COULD BE A FIREWORK
• xo 
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summertime st. louis!

Summer is here and there is so much to do around town, the calendar fills up fast! This is my favorite time of year, and no amount of humidity can stop me from taking in all the outdoor fun this city has to offer! Not to mention the patio dining, but that is another post for another time!
I've already missed out on a handful of events, what can I say, life got busy, but here are a few of my favorite summertime events in the St. Louis area ...

Circus Flora is such an amazing group of performers, great for the whole family!
~ http://circusflora.org/

PBS Commons is such a wonderful space and the kids will have a blast!
~http://www.ninenet.org/storytime/

Creve Couer Days is coming up if you want a fun night out.
~http://www.crevecoeurdays.com/

Missouri Botanical Gardens has the Whitaker Music festival, Garden of Glass, and Resident Days!
~http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/

Vintage Bliss at Westport Plaza, grab some friends for a day of shopping.
~http://www.westportstl.com/events/vintage-bliss/market-details

Contemporary Art Museum stroller tours every month for those too humid days
~http://camstl.org/calendar/event/2017/07/05/stroller-tour-morning-play-date/

Yoga Outdoors, enough said!! Yoga Buzz is amazing and so creative, go now to an event!!
~http://www.yogabuzz.org/events/

Laumier Sculpture park Stroller tours and more! Check out their calendar for all the events.
~http://www.laumeiersculpturepark.org/calendar/?view=calendar&month=June-2017

Farmers Market, but where? Just close your eyes and point! There are so many to choose from!
~http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/a-list-of-st-louis-area-farmers-markets/article_2324f837-ba13-5424-87d2-1303408e8666.html

Delmar Loop has some cool stuff happening! Such a great line up.
~https://visittheloop.com/loopartsfest2017/

Chesterfield Amphitheater is beautiful and has an awesome line up this summer!
~http://www.chesterfieldamphitheater.com/

Pick-Your-Own farms, this is a great list of areas for a farm fresh basket of fruit.
~http://www.pickyourown.org/MOsl.htm

Ball Park Village has a crazy calendar of events this summer, massive amounts of fun!
~http://www.stlballparkvillage.com/entertainment

Grants Farm is now open into the evenings for special events.
~http://www.grantsfarm.com/plan-your-visit/upcoming-events.html

Jungle Boogie at the Zoo, so much fun for the whole family!
~https://www.stlzoo.org/events/calendarofevents/jungle-boogie/

Food Trucks around town, so many yummy eats :-)
~http://www.stlouisco.com/ParksandRecreation/ThingsToDo/FoodTruckFest
~http://stlfta.com/trucks

Wehrenberg Theater is no Marcus Theaters and has stepped up it's game! Tons of cool rewards, specials, documerntary and classics under the event cinema tab AND a kids summer movie series!
~http://www.marcustheatres.com/marcus-specials/family-friendly-films/kids-dream-summer-film-series-2015-powered-by-american-family-insurance

The Muny, oh what a night it is at the Muny! Something everyone will remember.
~https://muny.org/#

Shakesspeare in the Park is a fun date night! 
~https://www.sfstl.com/2017-season/


Not to mention all the concerts and theater productions at the Peabody Opera, The Sheldon Concert Hall, The Pagent, Old Rock House, Stages St. Louis, the list goes on and on and on!!

SUNSHINE ON MY MIND

xo