ROOKIE to CHAMPIONSHIP

[SciBorg Dave]

The VIKotics rookie team 5920 have done very well in their 2 PNW districts and other teams have been saying that we need to get ready for the CHAMPIONSHIP. The VIKotics are looking into plane tickets and getting our pits to St. Louis. What I want to ask the FIRST family is where is a good place to get lodging for 8-10 team members ? We will also stay 2 extra days for the team to visit St. Louis, what sites would other team recommend we visit ? We would like any other info to make a rookie teams experience at Championship a great experience.

[CalTran]

City Museum is a must.

[nedwards28]

I would like to hear people's responses to this as well. Last year we attended St. Louis and had a really tough time with hotels and travel. This year we are trying to book hotels just in case and can't find anything at all! Are we doomed?

I second City Museum! But, the zoo is pretty cool too as it's free and definitely one of the nicest zoos I've been to. It's a long walk though if you're on the metro.

[The other Gabe]

oh you must see the zoo, it's a bit of a walk but the tram does get you pretty close. going up the arch is an experience worth having as well

[Calvin Hartley]

Throwing my vote in for the City Museum. People of all ages will have a blast.

Get your hotels reserved soon. They get tricky to find.

[Jessi Kaestle]

Most of the hotels are only available via Experient. Yesterday was the deadline to have names in so a lot of rooms might have since come available. You can book the rooms without getting charged up until 3 days before your check-in date. If you only have 8-10 students, another option, depending on your schools policy would be to rent a house for the week. I know a few teams that have done that and had great success.

[Robomarfa]

Our school van was broken into last year at the City Museum. Break-ins happen every single day. Do not leave anything in the vehicle.

We rented a house and it was great.

[An Outlier]

We (the team I am on) were in the same position last year, and ended up taking a 26-hour bus trip to save our limited budget. Not recommended.

As for sights, the St. Louis Arch was a highlight.

[Sean4488]

We've always stayed at the Hotel Lumiere, which is right across the street from the Edward-Jones Dome, but it might already be full. And the city museum is 100% a must, but the zoo is great as well. Can't wait to see you guys at district champs!

[SciBorg Dave]

Originally Posted by Sean4488

We've always stayed at the Hotel Lumiere, which is right across the street from the Edward-Jones Dome, but it might already be full. And the city museum is 100% a must, but the zoo is great as well. Can't wait to see you guys at district champs!

We will see you at DCMP and we will be watching Shockwave this weekend.

[synth3tk]

City Museum, the Arch, and the library. The library is a really nice building architecturally and also has a lot of historical stuff about the city on display upstairs.

Also, if you have any mentors who are into sports big time, the Ballpark Village is a really great time during a game, even if you don't care at all for the sport/team on display. Last year the Blues were in the hockey playoff thingy, and the energy was electric.

[kolikolilo]

City museum, Arch, both were the highlight of my trip. (other then competing obviously)