"Horses and carriages for all occasions" is a lot of what Brookdale Farms is about. In addition to quaint nightly carriage rides offered in downtown St. Louis, this business hosts parties, puts on hayrides and rents canoes, kayaks and rafts via Twin Rivers Canoe Rentals. In autumn, Brookdale Farms is the site of the Eureka Corn Maze and two Halloween-season frightenings: Red's Corn Maze Massacre (featuring a possessed, demonic army on a chemical spill-tainted farm) and the Eureka Butcher (a butcher shop that sells something other than animal meat). As they say 'round these parts, "fear the farm."
Conveniently located only a half-hour's drive from the heart of St. Louis, Missouri, Six Flags St. Louis is a stripped-down experience with the thrill-seeker in mind - if you're a fan of flipping upside-down at high speeds, or if you know a teenager who is, then this is the place to spend a sunny day. Many of the attractions have a minimum height requirement of 48", so keep that in mind as you plan your day.
Three Must-See Attractions at Six Flags Saint Louis
The Screaming Eagle - one of many bicentennial-themed wooden coasters you'll find at Six Flags parks around the country, the Eagle is one of the oldest rides in the park - but one with one of the longest opening drops, hairpin turns, and often fairly short lines, thanks to the ride being perceived as old hat by the more frequent park-goers.
Batman: The Ride - what could be more thrilling than the twists, turns, and loops of a modern steel coaster? Doing all of that while your feet dangle a hundred feet off the ground. Riders on Batman are suspended underneath the track instead of riding atop it, granting a sensation of flying to anyone daring enough to climb aboard.
Hurricane Harbor - the attached water park at Six Flags is something every park-goer is going to want to experience, if only because summers in St. Louis can easily hit 115 degrees. Whether it's to bob in the wave pool or experience a different kind of thrill on the park's many waterslides, the midday heat will drive you into Hurricane Harbor sooner or later.
Where to Stay Near Six Flags Saint Louis
The Holiday Inn Saint Louis West and the America's Best Eureka both boast conveniently-close accommodation. However, Saint Louis' small size means that you could stay in the very center of the city and still be less than an hour away from the front gates. If your trip includes landmarks around the city, and not just the amusement park, then you may want to look into someplace like The Cheshire, which isn't very close to the park, but is centrally-located in St. Louis itself, and is conveniently close to the major highways, putting the theme park in relatively-easy reach.
Best and Worst Time to Go to Six Flags Saint Louis
Summer weekends are quite busy. Because of the warmer temperatures in St. Louis, the park remains open all the way through October, providing weeks of lower-attendance opportunities after Labor Day Weekend. The first weekend after schools in St. Louis return to session are almost always a ghost town in a good way. Likewise, the warmer St. Louis weather means that the annual Fright Fest celebrations in October can be attended in shorts and sandals, unlike parks further north that might require a coat and gloves at the same time of year.
Discounts at Six Flags Saint Louis
The beginning of the season often sees a flurry of offers for group season tickets, many of which include heavily-discounted prices, free parking, and extra passes for friends and family. Deals are posted to this page, which is updated with specials throughout the year. Keep in mind that full-fledged season passes are good at all Six Flags parks, meaning that a weekend trip to Six Flags Great America in upstate Illinois might not be out of reach.
Food at Six Flags Saint Louis
No outside food, beverages, or coolers are allowed in the park. However, the park itself is full of restaurants, and there are several eateries located just outside. Additionally, it's relatively common to set up an impromptu picnic out of the back of your car around midday, and you may find many families shading themselves around the edges of the parking lot doing just that.
Parking at Six Flags Saint Louis
Parking at Six Flags Magic Mountain is $20 per car.
Transportation alternatives at Six Flags Saint Louis
Located miles down the highway away from the St. Louis city proper, pretty much the only way to get to Six Flags St. Louis is by car. Some of the Eureka motels may offer shuttle service to the park, but your mileage may vary.
Author's Bio: Sean Kelly is a freelance writer working out of St. Louis. The sun is not kind to him during the summer months.
