With so much happening on campus, it can be hard to make time to step out of the WashU bubble. But it’s worth it. Whether you come from a big city or tiny, remote town, St. Louis has everything you could want. Here are some fun ways I’ve gotten off-campus this year.
Going to Forest Park
Just across the street from WashU’s campus, Forest Park is one of the largest parks in the United States and offers a ton of free attractions, including the History, Art, and Science Museums as well as the St. Louis Zoo. In September I went to the annual Great Forest Park Balloon Race. The night before the race, my friends and I went to the Park to see the Balloon Glow, during which the hot air balloons were blown up. The next morning, I could see the balloons fly over campus from my dorm!
(The Balloon Glow)
(View of balloons from my dorm window)
I’ve also really enjoyed experiencing my Southern Californian roommate’s first actually wintery winter with her. In November, we participated in a WashU winter tradition: sledding down Art Hill, utop which sits the Art Museum. Then, just last week, we went ice skating at Steinberg Skating Rink in the Park. We, of course, followed both sledding and skating with hot cocoa from Kayak’s, a cozy coffee shop/cafe right next to campus.
(Art Hill in the winter)
Grabbing a meal in different neighborhoods
St. Louis has so many cool areas, and getting dinner or lunch is a great excuse to explore them. The most common restaurant spot for Wash.U. students is the Delmar Loop, a strip of eateries, shops, and entertainment venues just a few minute walk from campus. My favorite Loop establishment is probably Seoul Taco, a Korean-Mexican fusion restaurant.
When I want a change in scenery from the Wash.U. neighborhood, the Central West End is a beautiful area with great restaurants. Just a few minutes away from campus by car or metro, it’s a quick and easy way to change things up. If you’re craving Italian food, The Hill is the Little Italy of St. Louis. You really can’t go wrong no matter which restaurant you choose there.
Seeing a show
From concert halls to fancy theatres, St. Louis has a multitude of entertainment venus that feature both local and touring acts. Recently, artists such as Travis Scott, Taylor Swift, and Ms. Lauryn Hill have performed in the St. Louis area. Coming from New York, I love having access to great theatre. A couple weeks ago I saw the national tour of “Fiddler on the Roof,” and in October I went to a midnight showing of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Tivoli, a movie theatre on the Delmar Loop that plays classic, independent, and foreign films.
(The Arch!)
