Seven Ice-Cold Family Outings

Jessica Pupillo

Originally published January 2010

When the weather outside is frozen, the kids stuck at home are restless. While January is the coldest month in St. Louis, it’s one of the hottest months for family activities. So pull on the parkas and check out these icy events and activities.

1. Steinberg Skating Rink

Your budding hockey players and figure skaters will enjoy skating al fresco at Steinberg Skating Rink in Forest Park. The largest outdoor ice rink in the Midwest, Steinberg is open through the end of February.

400 Jefferson Drive, St. Louis
www.steinbergskatingrink.com
314-361-0613

2. Loop Ice Carnival

Freeze out the whole family at the Loop Ice Carnival, one-day only on Jan. 16, 2010. The event features ice-carving demonstrations, snowboarding, snowball throwing and fun contests.

The Loop (6000-6700 Delmar Boulevard), University City
www.visittheloop.com/events

3. Eagle Watching on the Mississippi River

For guaranteed eagle spotting, check out Eagle Days [click here], Jan. 16-17, 2010, at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.

www.greatriverroad.com/Eagles/eagleCover.htm

Bald Eagle near Grafton, Illinois
Photo: Betty M. Bannister

4. Fete De Glace (The Festival of Ice)

icecastle On Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010, kids of all ages will enjoy watching ice carvers armed with power tools compete in a one-of-a-kind ice-carving competition. Coffee, hot chocolate and toasty fire pits will keep you warm.

Historic Main Street (100-200 N. Main St.), St. Charles
www.historicstcharles.com

5. St. Louis Blues NHL Hockey

The only thing frozen in Scottrade Center during a Blues game is the ice. The fastest game on Earth, the Blues are sure to get your family cheering.

www.stlouisblues.com
314-622-BLUE

6. Hidden Valley Ski Resort

Who needs a big huge mountain range to ski or snowboard? At Hidden Valley Ski Resort, there are more than 30 acres of skiing terrain and runs that range from easy to double-black diamond. Hidden Valley offers lessons to skiers of all ages and experience levels.

17409 Hidden Valley Drive, Wildwood
www.hiddenvalleyski.com
Snow Report: 636-938-6999

7. Penguins at the Saint Louis Zoo

Penguin and Puffin Coast, with its balmy temperature kept between 45 and 50 degrees year-round, actually feels warm on a January day in St. Louis. Check the zoo schedule for feeding times and to see if the penguins will be walking outside their enclosures. Named on the top 3 zoos for kids by Parents magazine, you’ll find lots of chilly, and not-so-chilly things to see and do.

1 Government Drive, St. Louis
www.stlzoo.org
314-781-0900

Best Bets articles represent the views and the research completed by St. Louis Sprout & About journalists and are not driven by advertising or requests by vendors or venues. Best Bets do not imply an endorsement of a business or activity.

2 Comments

Feed

Sam Pupillo makes this comment

Seven Ice-Cold Family Outings

3 February 2010

Where is the best place to take your kids to teach them to ice skate?
Jessica makes this comment

Seven Ice-Cold Family Outings

14 January 2010

The St. Louis Zoo has announced their Winter Zoo dates. Each Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 24-Feb. 14, enjoy family fun at the Living World and throughout the zoo campus. Live entertainment, games and special treats -- plus the Penguin March at 2 p.m. More details in our calendar. Also, the zoo no longer has polar bears.