St. Louis’s Shaw Neighborhood: One of the City’s Jewels and a Great Place to Live, Play and Visit

St. Louis’s Shaw Neighborhood: One of the City’s Jewels and a Great Place to Live, Play and Visit
Named for the man who founded the Missouri Botanical Gardens—Henry Shaw—the Shaw neighborhood of St. Louis (which is comprised of two smaller communities called Tower Grove Park and Shaw Gardens) is one of the city’s oldest intact neighborhoods in St. Louis’s historic districts. It’s also one of the communities in the city that is still in the throes of gentrification, thanks to the Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation which strives to both improve and promote different properties by working with developers, sponsors, realtors, and others.
The area was purchased from French settlers by Captain William Chambers in 1816, and then was bought by Henry Shaw, who was then only 19 years of age and had just arrived to the St. Louis area. Once there, Shaw built his large country home he named Tower Grover House and began work on his garden, now known as the Missouri Botanical Garden. Shaw is the main reason why there are such a variety of architecture as well as the many different types of residences: Two- and three-story homes are seen next to multifamily dwellings, churches, schools, and small businesses.
Present day Shaw is still seeing a lot of new development, including the progress on new apartments, and ongoing renovations on the neighborhood’s old homes and building. While some still remain boarded up and empty, many associations like the Shaw Neighborhood Improvement Association are trying to get new businesses into the community, since there are so many new young families that have come to the area; many residents feel this is the next phase for the community.
Attractions in Shaw are plentiful and include the Missouri Botanical Garden, the famous Shaw Art, all of the beautiful and historic homes along the Flora Place boulevard, the stunning churches like St. Margaret of Scotland, and the Tower Grove Park. Tower Grove Park is an attraction and special part of the city all on its own; it was originally part of Henry Shaw’s land but he donated it in 1868 to the city of St. Louis and is now around 289 acres. This park has 11 pavilions of different designs, including Victorian, as well as a lovely lily pond, gorgeous plants, the Piper Palm House, which is a bandstand and the site of special events and music, tennis courts, a wading pool, open expanses of grass for picnics or playing sports, softball and soccer fields, and pathways for walkers, joggers, and dog walkers. The park also features almost 400 species of flowering plants, trees, and bushes, plus it’s a wonderful place for birdwatching, especially in spring and fall. There are also lots of statues in the park, such as Christopher Columbus, Alexander von Humboldt, William Shakespeare, and famous musical composers.
The famed Historic Shaw Art Fair has been held in the community for 21 years; it brings together the whole neighborhood with great art from artists from across the country, food, music, and more. It is held in every October, and is an event that residents, artists, and tourists look forward to every year.

Japenese Garden Festival at Shaws Garden

The end of summer and looking for something to do?
Since the mid 70's Shaws Garden has been hosting the Japenese Garden Festival.
An event that offers a lot of opportunities to learn about Japan's culture, art, food and the music. Also you can watch Sumo wrestling, Judo, Karate, and even Zen meditation.
Maybe you've seen Bonsai trees, minature trees and plants that are specially pruned to limit how big they become.
It's a great place for the children too. Offering lots of activities including calligraphy, top spinning, and traditional Japanese games of kendama, otedama, menkom, and fuki-warai.
You can participate in the creation of various Japanese crafts in an ongoing workshop offered by several crafters including Origami, hari-eh (Chigiri-eh, torn pictures), paper crafts, pottery, kimekomi dolls, kumihimo, tamari, shibori, ikat, and more.
One of our favorite places to visit is Seiwa-en, the “Garden of pure, clear harmony and peace.” One of the largest traditional Japanese gardens in North America, Seiwa-en covers 14 acres, including a 4-acre lake. Modeled on the chisen kaiyu-shiki, or “wet strolling garden,” a style developed by wealthy landowners of the late Edo period in 19th century Japan, Seiwa-en incorporates many principles of Japanese aesthetics drawn from Zen Buddhism, such as suggestion, naturalness, and asymmetry.
You can take a tour. Tours begin every half hour near the boat-shaped basin at the north entrance to the Japanese Garden, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The festival is held over Labor Day weekend. Saturday–Sunday, August 30, 31. 10:00 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Grounds open at 9 a.m. and remain open until 10 p.m. for candlelight walks.
Monday (Labor Day), September 1 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Costs are very reasonable, Admission (ages 13–64) $10 Seniors (ages 65+) $7 Children (ages 3–12) $3 Garden members, $3 (free for members' children 3–12)
Plan on arriving early before the crowds arrive. Located just North of Tower Grove Park.
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Favorite Wine Bars in St. Louis, MO.

Regardless of what type of wine you enjoy here are a few located in and around the Saint Louis area.

While in Saint Charles stop by and visit The Vine , located at 325 S.Main. Elegance is the name of the game at The Vine, a wine bar and bistro on Main Street in St. Charles. With over 110 wines available, you'll have fun sampling pleasure either by the bottle or glass. Plenty of outside seating is available, including a fine courtyard in back where you'll enjoy an afternoon lunch or sit-down dinner.

Going to The Delmar Loop then you gotta try Riddle's Penultimate Cafe & Wine Bar What makes Riddles Penultimate Cafe so unique? An ever-changing menu filled with perfected recipes. Most restaurants stick to one "theme" or type of food, but the owner of Riddle's opts instead to add whatever dishes he pleases. Aside from the menu, the list of wines at the wine bar is also in flux, with frequent additions. And, for those wondering, they do have more than just a wine bar; there's also a variety of beers and liquor. If that wasn't enough, Check out the live music schecule- they've got it going on six nights a week, and always without a cover.

While near Tower Grove Park in South Saint Louis one of our favorites is Eartowines If you're not looking you may drive right by this place but if you stop in you'll find an elegant, if slightly understated high-end wine bar. There’s an extensive wine list, but your non-wino friends will also have a good time. There’s a wide selection of specialty beers and cocktails, as well as a small but savory menu that includes cheeses and appetizers, pizzettas and desserts. There’s also live music at Erato all the time, so sit back and relax!

Or just a short drive away in my old nieghborhood of Lafayette Square stop by 33 Wine Bar Just don't blink or you may miss this little diamond. With a wine list boasting more than 700 different labels, choosing one can be a daunting task. Luckily, you've got a lot of help at 33. It also serves more than 40 different microbrews and imported beers... as well a selection of single malt scotches and small batch bourbons. Satellite radio pumps out a continuous stream of blues and jazz, giving the clean, minimalistic front bar an urbane feel. When the sun is shining, tote your bottle of wine out to the bar's rear patio.

So, the next time you're looking to try something new stop in one of our favorite wine bars.