Attractions

Art Hill is a really cool spot in Forest Park, one of my favorites for picnics and sitting next to the giant statue of Saint Louis himself (King Louis IX of France, namesake of the city). At its summit is the Saint Louis Art Museum, a great place to spend an afternoon regardless of your artistic knowledge, given that it has both historical and contemporary art. There are also a lot of free events and concerts such as the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s annual free Forest Park Concert, which happens every September at Art Hill.

Ever heard of apples? Well, you won’t get enough of them at Eckert’s! There are three locations in southern Illinois. They all provide a peak setting for fall shenanigans with the homies. For $7, you get to ride a wagon to the apple orchards and the pumpkin patch, where you can pick as many as your arms can carry. The sights are beautiful and the experience of finding the perfect apples is second only to having zero Anki cards due. There are also many spots for cutesy pictures if you’re not into the whole apple-picking business. If not for anything else, going is worth it just to get away from the Central West End!

For those fond of spending time outdoors, you’re in luck because the Washington University Medical Campus sits right next to Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the U.S.! This beautiful space is filled with miles of pedestrian and bike paths and plenty of spots to sit and take in the scenery. It’s also home to the Saint Louis Art Museum, Science Center, Zoo, and Missouri History Museum, which are all free to enter, and The Muny, which hosts outdoor musicals. If you’re ever looking for something to do within walking distance, Forest Park is a great option!

Left Bank Books, which was founded by a group of WashU graduate students, is the oldest independent bookstore in St. Louis, with the mission to promote “literacy and justice for all.” Nestled right next to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, it has everything you could want in a bookstore: stacks and stacks of new books, used books, a resident cat named Orleans, and an abundance of non-book things like postcards, tote bags, mugs, and shirts. It’s both roomy and cozy, a great place to go with friends or go alone to clear your head, browse, and escape for a little bit.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to take a nice long walk in nature or a spot for some great photo ops, the Missouri Botanical Garden is definitely the place for you! It features a ton of plants both native to St. Louis and from places around the world, and it includes a greenhouse (Climatron) and a sensory garden with plenty of smells, textures, and even tastes for all to sample! I would also highly recommend checking out the Children’s Garden which is fun for all ages. The Missouri Botanical Garden also hosts the Garden Glow every winter season, during which a ton of beautiful holiday lights are placed around the garden that are a must-see! The Botanical Garden is honestly huge and will probably take multiple days if you want to see the whole thing, so it’s an ideal spot for a cute date, a fun getaway with family or friends, or just a relaxing day to feed the ducks and fish.

The Saint Louis Art Museum (SLAM) is located in the heart of historic Forest Park and faces a beautiful and expansive grassy slope perfect for picnics. Admission is free and there are free or paid parking options available. This three-story building consists of various exhibitions and pieces from BCE to contemporary art. If you ever get a chance to check the museum out, you have to go to the basement! The exhibitions may rotate but you will definitely get transported into another world (full of clay earthen dolls and pots or medieval spears, swords, and more)!

Even though it’s geared toward younger people, the Saint Louis Science Center is a great place to embrace your inner child! It’s not the largest, but it has a lot of interesting and interactive exhibits, and you can finish them all in one trip. They also have a giant T-Rex and it’s free, so that’s pretty fire.

I LOVE the Saint Louis Zoo. So much so that I’ve been to the zoo six times in the three months since school has started. While I’m a little biased (I grew up in St. Louis and went to the zoo every weekend as a kid), I can fully say that the Saint Louis Zoo is the best one I’ve been to so far in terms of the animal variety, size, and staff. On top of all that, it’s somehow free?! Whether you want to get up close and personal with the giraffes, see some MASSIVE tortoises, or swoon over the red pandas, the Saint Louis Zoo has it all, and I feel so lucky to have such an awesome attraction nearby. It’s a great place to take a walk and clear your head, show friends and family visiting from out of town, or just have fun hanging out with some buddies.

The St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station is a beautiful place! Although smaller than major aquariums in the country, there’s still a wide variety of exhibits with otters, sharks, jellyfish, and more. There are freshwater and saltwater tanks that feature creatures local to Missouri and also creatures from around the world, and there are also exhibits such as the Shark & Ray Touchpool and the Tidepool which allow for a hands-on experience. The aquarium itself has some fun and unique features, such as archerfish that can shoot water high out of their tank and a beautifully crafted clock at the entrance that both keeps time and serves as a tank for discus fish! The location of the aquarium itself is in downtown St. Louis and is close to attractions such as the St. Louis Wheel, Stifel Theatre, City Museum, and many other museums and restaurants.

If you’re not a sports fan when you come to St. Louis, you will be by the time you leave! The St. Louis CITY Soccer Club blew the opposition away by finishing its inaugural season at the top of its conference, and the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team ~almost~ escaped last place in its division! But no matter how successful the team is, attending major league games in St. Louis is always contagiously fun, whether you’re a fan of the sport or not. Personally, I don’t understand the rules of hockey whatsoever, but I had the time of my life just soaking up the ambience in the St. Louis Blues arena. It’s usually easy to find affordable last-minute tickets, or you can check out a bar near the stadium for a free way to catch the game (with cheaper drinks).

Need a breath of fresh air after a cold, winter day studying in Becker? Look no further than Forest Park! Steinberg is a seasonal, outdoor skating rink that’s super close and reasonably priced. Even though it’s a little small, it can be a cute little excursion to hang out and drink hot cocoa with your friends or a date. And if you do decide to lace up your skates, I’m sure it’ll make for some wonderful memories or, if you’re a klutz, be a great chance to practice your clinical skills.

The Fabulous Fox Theatre is the premier locale to watch your favorite musicals and performances. I watched a recent production of Les Misérables and really appreciated the great acoustics and ornate, pretty designs. The tickets are also very reasonably priced, so I would definitely recommend checking out a production there when you have the chance.

Ascending the Gateway Arch via a small elevator pod takes you from ground-level scenes to an expansive cityscape. At the summit, the view of St. Louis and the Mississippi River offers an awe-inspiring spectacle. It’s definitely a must-do that blends history, architecture, and breathtaking views.