Hear carolers, see amazing window displays like the old department store days, and have s’mores and free drinks during the Central West End’s annual Window Walk in St. Louis.
Favorite Display
I feel that the best-decorated shop each year is Enchanting Embellishments.
Out front, they provided gingerbread cookies and s’mores the day we went.
Revolving Gingerbread men represented diversity this year including autism awareness and rainbow families. In the middle of the display, a sign reads: “We are ‘all’ cut from the same cloth. The only difference between us is the way we dress. Love one another! Happy Holidays!”
Andrew enjoyed watching the Christmas town train going around and around in the store.
Other decorations make nods to the Grinch and you could even find a Can-Can dancing reindeer.
In back they have MaryAnn’s Tea Room in an atrium glass space adorned for Christmas this time of year. They also do high tea here.
Doing the Walk
As we walked down the street we came across carolers singing Christmas songs and stopped and listened for a bit as they sang.
A woman dressed as a reindeer on stilts came by and asked if Andrew wanted a photo, but he was a bit scared of her. Although he was happy to pose with the man dressed up as a penguin.
He also wanted to check out the blow-up of Santa Claus on a motorcycle, which was one of his favorites.
Then we came to a man doing balloon characters for tips and Andrew had him make a penguin.
We did some sampling at the Gamlin Whiskey House and Sub Zero Vodka Bar, some free and some not.
The next stop was the World Chess Hall of Fame for gifts and Andrew watched a couple play the game on the large chessboard out front. Andrew asked if I could explain the game, yeah, that would have taken a while.
Maryland Plaza Activities
Along Maryland Plaza near Chase Park Plaza Hotel, a tent is set up for kids to do crafts and other activities. It has been free in the past, but this year it was $5 or you can bring a gift for a child. We didn’t have time to do it this year.
On Maryland Plaza, they also have a large Christmas tree and in front of snowmen, one adult and another child size that you can stand behind.
Santa Claus is also on hand so you can tell him what you want for Christmas and get a candy cane. Andrew wanted anything Spiderman-related.
Tacos for Lunch
Next, we had lunch at Mission Taco Joint. The restaurant is known for street tacos and we ordered the chile con queso with chips this time and this was very yummy. Be aware they serve the tacos family-style. I asked David where my taco was, and he pointed to the long line of tacos, oh, right.
Blown Up for Christmas
Our last stop on the walk is the blowup gallery set up across from Enchanting Embellishments. Here you have lots of Christmas blowups.
Here you can find Santa’s reindeer going up and down as they eat their meal before heading off on Christmas.
You can see the little boy from “A Christmas Story” in his pink bunny outfit. A tall Olaf from “Frozen,” and Hank the Octopus with Dory on his shoulder in a fishbowl from “Finding Dory.” Santa flying away in a balloon to Frosty or a Minion, there are lots of cool blowups for the kids to look for.
Lastly, we browsed through Left Bank Books, an independent bookstore with lots of holiday books along with many mainstream, indie authors like myself, and even a used book section in the basement.
Window Walk Activities are on Saturdays, Dec. 3,10, 17, and 24.
MORE CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES
