My recent trip to St. Louis was much more fun than I anticipated, thanks to several businesses in the Show-Me State going beyond the normal call of duty. These examples of extra service deserve to be noticed and lauded.
This was the 13th annual baseball trip with my friends. Due to a myriad of reasons, we needed to keep this one short, and therefore we chose St. Louis as our destination, mostly to keep alive the trip streak. Nothing against St. Louis, but we had all been there individually many times, and our hopes were not exceedingly high.
As is tradition, we picked a restaurant featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. JayHawk Evans picked Charlie Parker’s Diner in Springfield, Ill. The cool diner served standard fare, but it was fresh, tasty and plentiful. Pushing it over the top was owner Mike Murphy chatting with us (as he did with all customers). I love a “hands-on” personable owner.
We attended the Friday night game against the Atlanta Braves. I received press credentials, hoping to discuss travel with both teams. The media liaison for the Cardinals greeted us and offered his assistance in talking to players and coaches. This was followed by several other staffers helping us in various ways.
Saturday was our day for ziplining at Caveman Zipline at Meramec Caverns. Most of us were first-time zipliners, and the staff at Caveman really put us at ease. They calmed our jitters, which allowed us to fully enjoy the adventure.
Lombardo’s Trattoria was the setting for our big night out. Delicious Italian cuisine combined with outstanding service made this a wonderful night. Our server even made a special appetizer plate to meet our needs and give us a nice sampling. Putting this night way over the top was their cannoli, one of the top five I ever had!
On the surface, I described two meals, a baseball game and a day of fun. Each part would have been satisfactory as is, but each part was enhanced by staffers who went out of their way to make the experience better. The entire trip went from being a good time to being a great trip thanks to extra effort and attention from the businesses that served us.
— John Wroblewski, online contributor
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Mar 4, 2025What to Expect from This Year’s Philadelphia Flower Show
Spring is just around the corner (thank goodness!), and there’s no better way to celebrate than to surround yourself with blooms at the world’s oldest — and largest — horticultural event: the annual Philadelphia Flower Show. Presented by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and dating to 1829, this year’s event is currently underway at Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City, wrapping up March 9.
Sponsored Content
Madrid: The Charm of an Authentic City
They say Madrid is in vogue for many reasons: its lifestyle, its heritage, its cuisine and all of its new attractions. And it’s true, because Madrid is on the radar of travelers looking for a cutting-edge destination that still holds onto its essence. Join us as we explore its charms.
Must Haves
Mar 4, 2025Get Away for the Weekend in Style with a Well-Designed Duffel
Roundabout Weekender Tote The Alexis Drake Roundabout Weekender Tote offers a sleek combination of style, function and craftsmanship. At 14.5 inches by 27 inches by 10 inches, the Roundabout’s impressive capacity can support any weekend, long or short, without sacrificing its sleek silhouette. Meticulously handcrafted from full-grain cow and bison leathers sourced within the United States and lined with woven canvas, four large pockets keep the sizable interior organized, while reinforced handles and an optional shoulder strap provide superior support. Available in a variety of striking, limited-run color combinations, with customizable details. $598.
Daily
Mar 4, 2025Chase Opens Sapphire Lounge by The Club Location at Philadelphia International Airport
Chase’s newest Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club location has opened, a new addition to Philadelphia International Airport, located post-security in the connector between Terminals D and E and measuring 20,000 square feet.
Sponsored Content
Royal Air Maroc Marks Five Years with oneworld: Strengthening Connectivity Between USA and Africa and Expanding Global Reach
Royal Air Maroc proudly enters its fifth year as a member of the prestigious oneworld alliance. Since joining in April 2020, RAM has demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging as a dynamic airline that enhanced its digital services and expanded its network. The airline plans to grow its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037, reinforcing its global presence.
Daily
Mar 4, 20254 Can’t-Miss Events in Oahu This Spring
Those visiting Oahu, Hawai’i, this spring will be delighted to find an exciting list of must-do experiences. Below are a variety of Oahu’s top events to travel for this spring:
4 Hotels with Literary Experiences
Daily
Mar 3, 2025Away We Go!
March 2025
Mar 2, 2025Daily
Feb 28, 2025What to Know About This Year’s Cincinnati Music Festival
July 24–26, Paycor Stadium and Andrew J. Brady Music Center resounds with music as the Cincinnati Music Festival gets underway. Launched in 1962 and ranking as one of the country’s largest music festivals, CMF celebrates the very best of R&B, jazz, soul, and hip-hop.
Sponsored Content
Find Your Perfect Escape with Paradisus by Meliá — More Than Just All-Inclusive
Luxury travel today is about more than just beautiful accommodations — it’s about experiencing the destination. Paradisus by Meliá takes traditional all-inclusive resorts to the next level by offering indulgence with immersion, experiences and authenticity. Each resort is shaped by its location, local flavors and curated Destination Inclusive® experiences that bring you closer to the heart of the destination.
February 2025
Feb 28, 2025Wholly Immerse in Your Adventures with New Advances in Technology
OM System Tough TG-7 OM System might sound like a new arrival in the camera space, but it’s just the new name for industry stalwart Olympus. Continuing the theme of continuity, TG-7 updates the much-loved TG-6 underwater camera. Capable of descending as far as 50 feet below the waves, TG-7 features three preset modes to help beginners take stunning photos and video at different depths, as light behaves differently the deeper you go. Add on the PT-059 underwater case, and the camera will be safe down to 147 feet and you can also add optional lenses such as FCON-T02, for circular images, and FCON-T01, a tele converter for longer shots. $500.
ShareThis