St. Louis is a wonderful community filled with a wide array of affordable entertainment options, cultural attractions, and unique neighborhoods.
The city of St. Louis comes alive in the summer with festivals, art fairs, music, food, Cardinals baseball games, and so much more! During the evenings and over the weekends, our pre-college students have the opportunity to explore our vibrant city and get to know what makes St. Louis so unique.
Our City of Neighborhoods
St. Louis’ many distinct neighborhoods mirror the city’s cosmopolitan diversity. Food, music, and all the attributes of diverse cultures are intact in the city’s tightly knit communities. Jazz and blues—the city’s musical roots—can be heard as students explore the iconic towns located throughout St. Louis. Just north of campus, University City’s tree-lined residential streets are home to many professors and students. Its eclectic shopping and food district, the Loop, is a frequent gathering place for students. Clayton, which has lovely residential sections, is the financial and business district for St. Louis County. South City is home to the Missouri Botanical Garden, surrounded by century homes and a plethora of unique dining establishments located on nearly every corner. The Central West End comprises large, turn of the century homes, apartments, art galleries, music clubs, unusual shops, and ethnic restaurants.
The View from Forest Park
Between the University’s Danforth and Medical campuses lies Forest Park. The 1,400 acre historic park was the site of the 1904 World's Fair and is still home to The Saint Louis Zoo, The Saint Louis Art Museum, The Missouri History Museum, and The St. Louis Science Center. Students use the park year-round to bike, golf, in-line skate, play tennis, or pursue other activities.
Gateway to the West
The most visible symbol of St. Louis is its noted Gateway Arch. Designed by the late architect Eero Saarinen and completed in 1965, the Arch symbolizes St. Louis’ role as Gateway to the West. Take the tram 630 feet up the tallest monument in the United States or trace the history of Native Americans, pioneers, and explorers in the museum located at the Arch's base.
Getting Around
Getting where you want to go in St. Louis is easy. MetroLink, the area light rail system, connects Lambert Airport to the Danforth Campus, the Washington University Medical Center, North Campus, downtown St. Louis and the Metro East region of Illinois. The university provides pre-college students with a free metro pass that provides access to both Metro buses and the MetroLink light-rail system.
