So I forgot to take photos but overall it was a very fun experience. To start the aquarium tour you go into a virtual train ride narrated by John Goodman that tells a brief history of STL starting in 1904, as the train rules along the city (shown on windows of the train).
Side note- surprised how packed the wheel and train shed/soda fountain restaurants. Ownership is pleasantly surprised how well the wheel and the entire project has done so far. This place will be jam packed in the spring and summer
I was there on Thursday, and I was surprised by how many people were there for a week day. The Soda Fountain had a steady stream of people, and the Train Shed looked to have a number of people as well. I spoke to the manager on duty at the Soda Fountain and he said they were very happy with the public response. He also stated that there would be a lot of security on site because there's a determined effort to "keep it all nice".
On a side note, the food was good at the Soda Fountain and my party had quick service. Several people came to the table to take care of us.
Well - I plan to go tomorrow, had friends that went today (adults, no children). Not the best reviews, said it was neat, geared toward children, and liken to a classy Bass Pro Shop. I am hoping that I have better perception, as I was looking for this to be a top attraction in the city.
Considering the size shown here it's definitely not going to blow anybodies socks off. I've also heard that the experience is about 45 minutes long. It will however still be a top tourist attraction that will gain money from a good portion of the Arch and Ballpark visitors every year. This aquarium fills a need that St. Louis had and will be a cash machine. The aquarium is apparently built with future expansion in mind so who knows what we will see in a phase 2.
Considering the size shown here it's definitely not going to blow anybodies socks off. I've also heard that the experience is about 45 minutes long. It will however still be a top tourist attraction that will gain money from a good portion of the Arch and Ballpark visitors every year. This aquarium fills a need that St. Louis had and will be a cash machine. The aquarium is apparently built with future expansion in mind so who knows what we will see in a phase 2.
They did also comment there is plenty of room for expansion. Let's hope that is not too far on the horizon. I would like to hear visitors encouraging others to go
STLCityMike wrote:Well - I plan to go tomorrow, had friends that went today (adults, no children). Not the best reviews, said it was neat, geared toward children, and liken to a classy Bass Pro Shop. I am hoping that I have better perception, as I was looking for this to be a top attraction in the city.
Anyone else on here been yet?
My wife and I have walked over two or three times now just to look we have not experienced any of the attractions and the most we have purchased is drinks. There has always been at least 200 people there. We were there 2 weeks before the aquarium opening and the line to get the year long passes was dense and all the way to the escalators. It was mostly families but there was a variety. If they come out with a pass that includes all attractions I believe we would go for it since we live downtown and you can easily make a short day of events there.
Just got back from the aquarium. Over time, I have visited aquariums in Chicago, Chattanooga, Baltimore and New Orleans (those I recall off hand). I would agree the attraction is family / kid friendly. The entrance has a beautiful ceiling display of some aquatic life and also some a planetary views. The simulated train ride (time travel in St. Louis and a quick jaunt from it's Mississippi to the ocean) is a neat experience and a great start. The first exhibit is the meeting of the rivers (MS and MO) and it was a good view of some of the fish - but I thought it was a relatively small pool with a modest viewing space. This size seems to be standarnd with the exception of the shark. This viewing size, at least in it's first few days open, causes viewing backup and more lines. Moving on, there were other exhibits on this same side of the old train shed including the river otters (which were fun to watch though they have access to area visible in exhibit 1 / below water and above water, visible later) and there is a a river monster exhibit about the same size as the confluence and river otter pool. We then head upstairs (the upper river otters available here to view) and there are several hands on exhibits that are very kid friendly before we cross to the other side and the largest pool for the sharks. Some lines to get in, and smaller viewing portals before we reach the largest, which, still seems smaller than viewing portals I have seen in other aquariums. There were no complete tubes that walked us through the shark tank, perhaps I miss understood renderings. After the sharks, a few more small viewing portals for deep ocean items that are interesting - jelly fish, octopus, and a choral reef - all small areas.
Overall - as an experience, it was very crowded and there were lines to get inside the building, lines to get into the actual aquarium, and then lines to view each portal. It was very good to see the entire Union Station so busy (there were lines for everything still). It was interesting, but I am not so sure we will see people visit St. Louis primarily for this aquarium. I feel they can do more the the external view to excited tourists and locals alike. I also wish there was some connection between the aquarium and the grand hall - which are connected but very sterile. Perhaps a couple of small touristy or food vendors would encourage traffic more. I don't think it would detract from the restaurants, which had a minimum of a 45 minute wait (NOT kid friendly). Simple hot dog stand, T Shirt sales or so .. and perhaps not specifically the Aquarium of STL in general.
I do hope those of you who have not been go experience for yourself. I can see myself visiting again in the future, especially with visitors. I would likely not buy a season pass, as once per year is more than enough for me.
The ferris wheel/aquarium/restuarants seems to be a hit. Seeing people post snapchat and instagram pictures of them visiting each attraction everywhere. Definitely a good look for the city.
I have heard nothing but good things about the whole experience at Union Station.
I've been told that when there is an event at Enterprise the place is very busy. Should be even more so once the Cardinals start playing.
Seems like union station is really a destination people want to visit. I love how social media friendly it is as well, when people share cool pictures of where they are it in turn makes others want to visit the location. I could not be more pleased.
^You have to love his certainty. Your car WILL be broken into. There WILL be fights. Guaranteed. 100%. And yet he's not sure if the management is public or private. Not sure how he rates "local guide" status if Union Station scares him. Probably just posted a lot of negative reviews.
LOL wow! So nothing happened to him at all, but yet he "did not feel safe," and he's so sure that something WILL happen? Also, I bet he gives all downtown businesses one star because there's "no parking."
Ridiculous. I have been there 3 times and here is what I have seen - families. Eek .. what a bad element. I saw NO need for security. I parked on the street twice and once in the lot and had NO issue.
So uhhh, just google that person's name for some interesting results. Either they died in 2017 or they're a registered sex offender. Either way, the review is 100% a troll job hoping to rile people up.
Was that a review for the shopping/mall Union Station from the 1980's?
Nah, in the 80s that shopping mall was wall to wall with . . . families. It was a zoo. The crowd photos above actually remind me a bit of the early days of the mall and the excitement surrounding it. But with more Ferris Wheel! Might be a review of the mall from the late 90s, I suppose, when things were closing down apace. (I used to enjoy hanging out there late into the evening for coffee, sitting on the lobby balcony overlooking the midway. Grab some O. T. Hodges, take a walk, and people watch.)
The "Istagrammable" effect is huge here, the overall aesthetic and colorful lights and attractions make this place a great place to not only visit but snap a few pictures. The amount of social media posts I have seen from my friends on break visiting union station is astounding. It seems like this will be a top 3 place to visit downtown for now on. Keep it up, Union Station!
Either way, the review is 100% a troll job hoping to rile people up.
