2026 U.S. Nationals - St. Louis!

[rachakin]

There are many restaurants downtown and in the area surrounding the Enterprise Center. I can’t cover all of them, but I will provide all of you with a list of some local and personal favorites. Again, please feel free to reach out if you have questions about a place (especially if it isn’t included in this list).

Who doesn’t love a good brunch? My favorite brunch place in town is Fleur STL. Just south of Busch Stadium, it offers limited seating and mostly counter seating. Don’t leave if there isn’t a space available - they usually open up pretty quickly. If you visit, be sure to let Chef Tim know that Richard sent you!

https://fleurstl5.godaddysites.com/

Other good breakfast/brunch options near downtown/Midtown include Chris @ the Docket, UKRAFT Brunch Cafe, Chili Mac’s Diner, BLT’s (Breakfast, Lunch, and Tacos), and White Knight Diner.

Good options within walking distance of the Enterprise Center - Maggie O’Brien’s (Irish Pub), The Schlafly Tap Room (Local brew on tap, extensive bar menu, solid food), Lombardo’s Trattoria (Italian steak and seafood - fantastic), The Union Station Hotel Bar, and Syberg’s (wings). Again, I would avoid the restaurants at Union Station if possible.

There are many solid options downtown. One of the best places to start is Ballpark Village. This is the entertainment district around the baseball stadium. Many solid options here. A couple of my personal favs are Salt + Smoke and Katie’s Pizza and Pasta Osteria.

https://stlballparkvillage.com/

The Three-Sixty Rooftop Bar is located at the top of the Hilton at the Ballpark Hotel (another possible host hotel) and it offers some of the best views in all of downtown STL. The food is good, the atmosphere is great, and there are outdoor viewing areas that offer great opportunities for pictures.

https://www.360-stl.com/

Washington Avenue and the areas nearby offer a ton of fantastic options. Some of them include Aubergine Thai Cuisine, Sauce on the Side, Gyro Express (only open on weekdays), Sushi Ai, Sugarire, Hi-Pointe, Snarf’s, Bridge Tap House and Wine Bar, Pickles Deli (lunch/weekdays only), Burger 809, Ruth’s Chris, and Carmine’s. There are many more options, and as y’all already know, I am open to questions!

St. Louis is known for its barbecue. My personal favorite BBQ spot is Pappy’s Smokehouse. It’s not far from the Enterprise Center and is absolutely worth the trip. Be sure to check their hours if you do go (they close in the late afternoon on weekdays) and be prepared to wait for a few minutes in line. Also, if you go later in the day they may be sold out of certain items (usually the burnt ends and the brisket). Another good option downtown is Sugarfire. But def go to Pappy’s if you can!

https://www.pappyssmokehouse.com/

Also not far from the Enterprise Center is the Foundry Food Hall. I previously mentioned the Foundry for its attractions, the food hall is top notch. It’s only a mile from my home and I go all the time. My personal favs in the food hall are Turmeric Street Style and Kalbi Taco Shack.

https://www.cityfoundrystl.com/foodandbev

If time allows, definitely take an adventure into the Central West End (my neighborhood). Not only is it fun to explore, but there are some fantastic food and drink options here. Two places to add to your list are Brasserie and Scarlett’s Wine Bar.

https://cwescene.com/

The Hill is a great option for anyone who loves Italian. Just about any restaurant in the Hill is going to be a solid choice. Soulard, which is just south of downtown, offers several fantastic nightlife options and some solid restaurants. Dogtown, the Irish neighborhood, is located just south of Forest Park and also offers some great bars and restaurants. Anyone wanting to visit these areas will need their own vehicle or a rideshare to get there.

Lafayette Square is a quaint area with old refurbished Victorian homes, shops and restaurants. If you're Artsy, go check out Craft Alliance....there is a nice gallery to buy local art work.

 

[skipaway]

The practice schedule is here!!

2026USFSChampsMatrix (PDF) - U.S. Figure Skating

2026USFSChampsMatrix (PDF)

usfigureskating.org

Why……..is Dance practice always at oh-dark-30?

 

[Rukia]

Why……..is Dance practice always at oh-dark-40?

because making the dancers wake up in the wee hours to get completely tiffed for a practice is the funnier option (unless you are a dancer or dance fan)

 

[ice coverage]

As far as transportation is concerned ...

https://www.metrostlouis.org/metrolink/

Do you have suggestions on whether any public transportation route(s?) could cover part of the distance from downtown to Centene?
To help save some money before paying for Lyft for the rest of the way to Centene, I mean.

ETA:​

Trying to answer my own question ... how would it sound to you to take Metrolink from downtown to the airport; and then Lyft from the airport to Centene?
More time-consuming than Lyft all the way, but not as costly, I would hope?
(I think I would rather stay in one hotel downtown for my entire trip.)​

Thanks to you and others who are sharing knowledge of St. Louis.

Well we will have to endure Ashley Wagner screeching at us. She was unbearable in Boston…fortunately I brought my airpods with their noise cancellation feature.

And it was more of the same from her at Skate America in Lake Placid, unfortunately.
Never imagined I would be missing Rusty Kath, but in hindsight, I would prefer his voice quality and non-frantic (but upbeat) energy over the shrieking.
I'm fine with Agosto; wish he could have a different co-host in the arena. I wonder how Mirai Nagasu would do?
(I was a fan of Wagner's skating back in the day; just don't think she is a good fit for in-arena hosting.)

 

[Rhumba d’Amour]

And it was more of the same from her at Skate America in Lake Placid, unfortunately.
Never imagined I would be missing Rusty Kath, but in hindsight, I would prefer his voice quality and non-frantic (but upbeat) energy over the shrieking.
I'm fine with Agosto; wish he could have a different co-host in the arena. I wonder how Mirai Nagasu would do?
(I was a fan of Wagner's skating back in the day; just don't think she is a good fit for in-arena hosting.)

Once Jason does retire, I think he would be awesome in this role!

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Ashley mentioned on the Runthrough today that she had to read 42 pages of research for the “show” that she’s doing at Nats. Does screaming require that much prep? I’m hoping she’s slotted to do something else.

 

[Karen-W]

Ashley mentioned on the Runthrough today that she had to read 42 pages of research for the “show” that she’s doing at Nats. Does screaming require that much prep? I’m hoping she’s slotted to do something else.

Here's a theory - the screaming is overcompensation for the fact that she won't actually commit the 42 pages of research to memory.

 

[Carolla5501]

Ashley mentioned on the Runthrough today that she had to read 42 pages of research for the “show” that she’s doing at Nats. Does screaming require that much prep? I’m hoping she’s slotted to do something else.

She has to memorize which skater get the "Lets get LOUD FOR" shout vs the "GIVE IT UP FOR" shout (because apparently nothing else in the reading stays with her)

 

[kiss-n-cry]

Ashley mentioned on the Runthrough today that she had to read 42 pages of research for the “show” that she’s doing at Nats. Does screaming require that much prep? I’m hoping she’s slotted to do something else.

* Adding earplugs to my packing list...

 

[Sylvia]

The practice schedule is here!!

2026USFSChampsMatrix (PDF) - U.S. Figure Skating

2026USFSChampsMatrix (PDF)

usfigureskating.org

The link for the Practice Groups as of Dec. 10 https://usfigureskating.org/documents/2025/12/10/2026_U.S._Championships_Practice_Groups.pdf has been added now below the Color Schedule link on the event page: https://usfigureskating.org/sports/2025/11/3/2026-prevagen-us-figure-skating-championships.aspx

 

[Richard]

Do you have suggestions on whether any public transportation route(s?) could cover part of the distance from downtown to Centene?
To help save some money before paying for Lyft for the rest of the way to Centene, I mean.

ETA:​

Trying to answer my own question ... how would it sound to you to take Metrolink from downtown to the airport; and then Lyft from the airport to Centene?​

More time-consuming than Lyft all the way, but not as costly, I would hope?​

(I think I would rather stay in one hotel downtown for my entire trip.)​

Thanks to you and others who are sharing knowledge of St. Louis.

Sure thing, my friend! I think your best bet here would be to ride the MetroLink to the airport. Once there I would reserve an Uber or Lyft to the Centene Center. Luckily they're not too far apart.

 

[SidelineSkater]

Lafayette Square is a quaint area with old refurbished Victorian homes, shops and restaurants. If you're Artsy, go check out Craft Alliance....there is a nice gallery to buy local art work.

It's also home to the original Park Avenue Coffee location. There are a few of them scattered around town. Home to great coffee and a local sweet treat, Gooey Butter Cake. If you like extra sugary sweets - this is for you!

 

[TanithandBenFan]

There are many restaurants downtown and in the area surrounding the Enterprise Center. I can’t cover all of them, but I will provide all of you with a list of some local and personal favorites. Again, please feel free to reach out if you have questions about a place (especially if it isn’t included in this list).

Who doesn’t love a good brunch? My favorite brunch place in town is Fleur STL. Just south of Busch Stadium, it offers limited seating and mostly counter seating. Don’t leave if there isn’t a space available - they usually open up pretty quickly. If you visit, be sure to let Chef Tim know that Richard sent you!

https://fleurstl5.godaddysites.com/

Other good breakfast/brunch options near downtown/Midtown include Chris @ the Docket, UKRAFT Brunch Cafe, Chili Mac’s Diner, BLT’s (Breakfast, Lunch, and Tacos), and White Knight Diner.

Good options within walking distance of the Enterprise Center - Maggie O’Brien’s (Irish Pub), The Schlafly Tap Room (Local brew on tap, extensive bar menu, solid food), Lombardo’s Trattoria (Italian steak and seafood - fantastic), The Union Station Hotel Bar, and Syberg’s (wings). Again, I would avoid the restaurants at Union Station if possible.

There are many solid options downtown. One of the best places to start is Ballpark Village. This is the entertainment district around the baseball stadium. Many solid options here. A couple of my personal favs are Salt + Smoke and Katie’s Pizza and Pasta Osteria.

https://stlballparkvillage.com/

The Three-Sixty Rooftop Bar is located at the top of the Hilton at the Ballpark Hotel (another possible host hotel) and it offers some of the best views in all of downtown STL. The food is good, the atmosphere is great, and there are outdoor viewing areas that offer great opportunities for pictures.

https://www.360-stl.com/

Washington Avenue and the areas nearby offer a ton of fantastic options. Some of them include Aubergine Thai Cuisine, Sauce on the Side, Gyro Express (only open on weekdays), Sushi Ai, Sugarire, Hi-Pointe, Snarf’s, Bridge Tap House and Wine Bar, Pickles Deli (lunch/weekdays only), Burger 809, Ruth’s Chris, and Carmine’s. There are many more options, and as y’all already know, I am open to questions!

St. Louis is known for its barbecue. My personal favorite BBQ spot is Pappy’s Smokehouse. It’s not far from the Enterprise Center and is absolutely worth the trip. Be sure to check their hours if you do go (they close in the late afternoon on weekdays) and be prepared to wait for a few minutes in line. Also, if you go later in the day they may be sold out of certain items (usually the burnt ends and the brisket). Another good option downtown is Sugarfire. But def go to Pappy’s if you can!

https://www.pappyssmokehouse.com/

Also not far from the Enterprise Center is the Foundry Food Hall. I previously mentioned the Foundry for its attractions, the food hall is top notch. It’s only a mile from my home and I go all the time. My personal favs in the food hall are Turmeric Street Style and Kalbi Taco Shack.

https://www.cityfoundrystl.com/foodandbev

If time allows, definitely take an adventure into the Central West End (my neighborhood). Not only is it fun to explore, but there are some fantastic food and drink options here. Two places to add to your list are Brasserie and Scarlett’s Wine Bar.

https://cwescene.com/

The Hill is a great option for anyone who loves Italian. Just about any restaurant in the Hill is going to be a solid choice. Soulard, which is just south of downtown, offers several fantastic nightlife options and some solid restaurants. Dogtown, the Irish neighborhood, is located just south of Forest Park and also offers some great bars and restaurants. Anyone wanting to visit these areas will need their own vehicle or a rideshare to get there.

Thank you for all the helpful information! I know you said the restaurants at Union Station are a tourist trap, but since I’m staying at the Drury Inn those will be some of the most convenient options. Are any of those better than the others? Is it bad food or just overpriced?

 

[Rhumba d’Amour]

@Richard, what’s the best coffee shop in the Drury/Union Station area? I like to go for good coffee during comps.

Your tips are wonderfully helpful, thank you!