"Flora Field" by Van Dyck Murphy Studio is a digitally fabricated terracotta screen wall that…read morereinterprets architectural ornament using sustainable materials and modern technology. Installed in the shadow of the pioneering Wainwright Building, the piece pays tribute to the building's original terra cotta detailing while introducing a contemporary approach. Designed by Kelley Van Dyck Murphy and Jonathan Murphy, the artwork consists of nearly 200 clay units, each 3D printed and assembled into a ten-by-ten-foot screen supported by a custom steel frame and concrete base. The name "Flora Field" draws from the building's decorative motifs, including hops flowers that reference the original owner's brewing business. The term "field" refers to a network of related components in architecture, and the piece resembles a dynamic grid of floral forms, each subtly distinct yet part of a unified whole. What makes this installation especially compelling is its material innovation. Instead of using plastic filament, the artists employed locally sourced clay, merging ancient craft with digital fabrication. The clay is extruded layer by layer using a 3D printer, guided by slicing software that translates the design into precise instructions. [Review 1172 of 2025 - 438 in Missouri - 24725 overall]

Dave was readily available and more than willing to help us honor our parents with a dedication…read moreceremony at their gravesite. The beautiful melodies provided by Dave Gallagher was a welcome surprise and sentiment by our family. Thank you, Dave, for helping me provide this gift for my Irish family!

This past year I attended the second annual adult Easter egg hunt and boy was it crazy! Tickets…read morewere $10 each and you could turn in 15 eggs. The silver ones got you a big prize and the rest had numbers on them that had to match the ones chosen and you won a prize for that too. We won a few small prizes but the excitement of the hunt itself was well worth the money. If I go again, I'll be sure not to linger in the back! The hunt is held at night, so be sure to bring a strong flashlight and a small bag. Half the fun was watching other people (even ladies three times my age!) scramble to grab the eggs they thought would be winners. The website says there were 25,000 eggs, which sounds about right. At the end of the night, a band played and they sold overpriced beer and food, then announced the grand prize winners. One of the prizes was a vacation for two so if you're a lucky person, you should definitely give it a shot!

Located near the campus of Saint Louis University and a gift of the Saint Louis University Museum…read moreof Art, this statue features a bronze woman, apparently lying on a beach. She's nude and partially submerged in the sand with the tops of her legs and torso exposed. It was installed in 2007 and is by artist Michael Atkinson. It's an interesting and unique piece of art. If you're okay with getting your butt sandy, it's apparently a SLU thing to lie on top of her in the same pose. My friend would only lie adjacent on the dry grass. There are some alternative names for the Untitled statue including "Floozie in the Jacuzzi" and "Slut in the Sand." Feel free to add your own name. [Review 14442 overall, 1768 of 2020, number 76 in Missouri.]

I stepped over a bunch of these before I noticed them and then had to back up and check them out…read more Yes, the original alignment of Route 66 was right here on Manchester Road through Maplewood between 1926 and 1933. Known around the world as a symbol of twentieth-century America, Route 66 was originally designed to connect rural and urban cities along its route. As the popularity of Route 66 grew, so did the demand for amenities such as lodging, dining, and fuel. Maplewood reaped significant benefits from this surge in travelers, evolving into a prominent retail hub. Stroll through the 7200 and 7300 blocks of Manchester Road today, you'll encounter sidewalk plaques recounting the histories of Maplewood's businesses that once thrived and those that continue to thrive along the original Route 66 alignment. I spotted the plaques for the Katz Drug Store, Sunnen Products Company, and Saratoga Lanes. There are more. When you're in Maplewood, look down and see some history. [Review 1273 of 2024 - 373 in Missouri - 22296 overall]

The Merchant Marine Anchor Memorial in St. Louis honors the civilian and military seafarers who…read moreserved during wartime, especially in World War II. Installed in 1999 near the Civil Courts Building, the nine-ton anchor once belonged to the USS Langley (CVL-27), the Independence-class aircraft carrier that earned -NINE- battle stars for its service in both the Pacific and European theaters. The anchor chain was secured through the efforts of Michael Sacco, President of the Seafarers International Union, and the memorial was dedicated by the S.S. Samuel Chapter of the American Merchant Marine Veterans and the Navy League of the United States-St. Louis Council. The first plaque reads, "Dedicated to American Merchant Marine Seaman and Naval Armed Guard who lost or risked their lives for our country in World War II and all wars of this century and all those American Merchant Marine and Navy Seamen standing by to deliver the goods through the world's oceans today." A second plaque was added in 2004 on National Maritime Day to recognize all civilian seafarers who served aboard U.S. Merchant Marine vessels in peace and war. The memorial stands as a quiet but powerful tribute to those who risked their lives delivering troops and supplies across dangerous waters. Though often overlooked, the Merchant Marine and Naval Armed Guard played a vital role in Allied success, and this anchor now serves as a civic symbol of their courage and sacrifice. [Review 1177 of 2025 - 443 in Missouri - 24730 overall]

I really enjoy the Hibernian parade and Dogtown event every year. It's a hokie, noncommercial…read moreparade and street party. This event is a shot in the arm for this areas uniquely neighborhood-esque business district. The residents have parties, picnics, etc. the restaurants have tents, beer gardens, music, and food. The local church has Irish dancing performances and the weather tends to cooperate most years. A good time is had by all. I tend to spend the first half of the day on or around Tamm (the parade route, restaurants, bars, and house parties). As the crowd gets younger, denser, and a wee bit drunk around the Clayton/Tamm corridor, I generally hike it with my group to lower Dogtown, where the restaurants have outdoor seating, live music, ample potties, etc. Since the Dogtown event falls on St. Patrick's Day and rarely falls on the weekend, there is some level of crowd control, which I like. It's still crowded, with lots of heavy drinking. SO, I do have to ask some of the folks with young kids WHY they hang around for hours after the parade is over. Once it becomes a big party, it is time to take the kiddos home. Seriously!!

For those of you looking for an official parade with floats and pageantry, the Dogtown St…read more Patrick's Day Parade is not it! But if you are looking for authentic, local Irish revelry, then this is for you! Always held on March 17, no matter what day of the week it falls on or what kind of weather we're experiencing, this parade consists mostly of flatbed pickup trucks, fire engines and groups of pedestrians. There are also some adorable little Irish dancer girls, Irish wolfhounds and bagpipe players spread out throughout the parade as well. One thing you will notice right away is that everyone in the parade and those attending the parade are either related, neighbors or send their kids to the same school. Normally this kind of small town mentality freaks me out, but once a year it comes across relatively quaint. If you are going to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Dogtown, be sure to get there early, find a good spot in front (so you can catch good beads), and make sure you have a DD to pick you up!

Torso di ikaro is a downtown Saint Louis sculpture that me and my family came across in august of…read more2018 while exiting a eatery called sauce on the side. The sculpture was right outside the main entrance and only a few blocks from the famed arch gateway park. Was very close walking distance as we hit that up next and walked there. Sculptor is of a giant torso and makes for a cool and fun photo op. Overall very nice piece in a area of Saint Louis that has several cool sculptures.

This was need to see. When we are in the area, we were exploring all the landmarks statues and came…read moreacross this. It's definitely unique worth a visit.