Story by Diane Toroian Keaggy
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The economy has sucker-punched the job market, the housing industry and our nation’s budget. Romance, however, may be its real victim. After all, who can afford private getaways and fancy dinners for two?

To address the crisis, Go! announces its comprehensive Romance Stimulus Plan based on Jennifer Lopez’s guiding economic principal, “Love Don’t Cost a Thing.” In other words, we encourage Americans of every tax bracket to kiss. It’s fun, free and reservations are not required. Here we list some of St. Louis’ most romantic destinations for a little PDA (public display of affection). Vote for your favorite below or leave a suggestion in the comments section.

Skyview Drive-In
5700 North Belt West, Belleville
618-233-4400 or www.skyview-drive-in.com

For 60 years sweethearts have fogged up the windows at the Skyview, the only drive-in theater left in the St. Louis region. The starry sky provides the romance; the playground’s screaming kids offer the birth control.

McAdams Peak
Goat Cliff Trail in Pere Marquette Park, Grafton
www.greatriverroad.com or 618-786-3323

McAdams Peak ranks among the Metro East’s most romantic destinations, so long as you don’t think too long about its past. McAdams Peak was named for the professor who unearthed 100 Indian skeletons from the site more than 100 years ago. Today, it boasts stunning views of the Illinois River and Stump and Swan lakes.

“Spring may be the best time of year to visit because the dogwoods and redbuds are blooming,” said naturalist Scott Isringhausen. “The vista is gorgeous. I can’t say if it’s a good place for kissing but it sure is real pretty.”

Reference at Sol Lounge
4239 Lindell Boulevard
314-601-4317

Remember that corner in the library where you and your high school sweetheart would do “homework.” Reference, a lounge within the nightclub Sol, is just like that only with thumping music and hard liquor. Sol owner Brian Schmitz did not set out to recreate every teenager’s favorite makeout spot when he lined Reference with books and ultrasuede chairs; he just loves books.

“To me, it feels like an old library with its little alcoves,” said Schmitz. “As the night progresses and it gets busier and louder, you find couples like to retreat there. It’s absolutely a good place to kiss.”

Colossus
Six Flags St. Louis, 4900 Six Flags Road
www.sixflags.com or 636-938-4800

Many a first kiss was shared in Injun Joe’s Cave, the Six Flags attraction so slow and boring only the elderly and oversexed teens bothered to ride. Today, Six Flags offers couples Colossus, the 180-foot-tall Ferris wheel with spectacular views of the Missouri Hills. This ride is slow too, but hardly boring.

“It’s a euphoric feeling at the top,” said Elizabeth Gotway of Six Flags. “Couples just love to ride it.”

Busch Stadium
700 Clark Street
www.stlcardinals.com

No display of affection is more public than kissing before thousands of Cardinal fans on the Busch Stadium Kiss-Cam.

Auditorium No. 5
Galleria 6 Cinemas
galleria6.stlouiscinemas.com or 314-725-0856

The couches at the Moolah are great for cuddling, but kissers know the best place for smooching is the back corner of Auditorium No. 5 at the St. Louis Galleria.

“It’s just a very private, intimate space,” admits St. Louis Cinemas chief Harman Moseley. “We suspected something when we started getting calls from people asking, ‘What’s in No. 5?’ Ushers have seen people in varying states of embrace there. We don’t mind. Kissing in the movie theater is as old as movies themselves. That’s the American way.”

Lafayette Square Park
Lafayette and Mississippi avenues
www.lafayettepark.org

PDA is A-OK - that’s what Linda Weiner, relationship therapist and member of the Lafayette Park Conservancy, tells her clients. She recommends the historic Lafayette Square Park’s Grotto Bridge, which overlooks a small pond with flowers, ducks and benches.

“There is something about being out in nature that helps us get in touch with our nature,” said Weiner. “The feel of the breeze on your body, the smell of a flower - all of that helps connect to our sensual side.”

Locals tell their favorite spots:

Moolah Theatre & Lounge
3821 Lindell Boulevard
www.stlouiscinemas.com/moolah

“The Moolah Theatre is great for (being romantic). We go in, we always get wine … and then usually one of us will lie down on the couch in the lap of the other one.”

- Dan Hinote, forward, St. Louis Blues

Jimmy’s on the Park
706 De Mun Avenue
www.jimmyscafe.com or 314-725-8585

“I love the atmosphere of this restaurant. It’s intimate, there’s live music. You see a lot of couples there.”

- Ashley L. Tate, artistic director, Ashleyliane Dance Company

Central Library
1301 Olive Street
314-241-2288

“Nothing more romantic than being surrounded by books. The Italian Renaissance - architecture is sensual, open and humane. How could you not want to take a date here?”

- Michael Allen, assistant director, Landmarks Association of St. Louis

Tower Grove Park
4256 Magnolia Avenue
www.towergrovepark.org

“My wife and I love it there - laying down on a blanket for the fountain.”

- Cbabi Bayoc, artist

7 Honorable mentions

English Woodland Garden, Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard • Missouri Wine
Country • Courtyard at Molly’s Lounge, 816 Geyer Avenue • Katy Trail • Rowboats at Forest Park Boathouse, 6101 Government Drive • Patio at Sundecker’s, 900 North First Street • St. Louis Riverfront Tail

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Story by Diane Toroian Keaggy, blog entry by Charles Williams