The change of seasons are under way and before the weather hits
hard students at Saint Louis University have the opportunity to
take advantage of a city whose treasures seem small, until added
up.

Musically, the nearest venue for SLU students is Powell Symphony
Hall. Though these tickets do not come cheap, many have the chance
to purchase discounted seats through various student organizations.
With performances such as Holiday Pops just around the corner,
world-class symphony music is brought practically right to
students’ front doors.

Jazz at the Bistro, which features legendary greats of the
genre, also entertains the youth of St. Louis. For those with a
more contemporary taste, the Savvis Center and the UMB Bank
Pavilion serve as hosts to some of the most prolific artists of
today, ranging from alternative, rap, pop, classic rock and even
country. Smaller places like Mississippi Nights are famous for
launching indie bands to greater stardom.

The Fox Theatre, the equally meritorious neighbor of Powell
Hall, recently put on the Broadway production of The Lion King.
With dazzling costumes, a stunning score and a much-loved plot, SLU
students once again learned the majesty of dramatic shows. However,
prior to this fall, Cats, Annie and numerous other shows found a
home at the Fox.

Forest Park is a world unto itself. Its biggest boast? Its size
outshines that of New York City’s very famous Central Park. Bike
trails and walking paths are scattered cleverly, maximizing the
enjoyment for those who crave their time in the sun.

But when the rain comes down or one simply tires of peddling,
shelter is a short trek away.

Visitors to the St. Louis Art Museum will find culture and
sophistication on top of Art Hill, an excellent sledding spot on
snowy days. Traveling exhibits, such as the works of Vincent Van
Gogh and the Italian Renaissance father-daughter painter exhibit,
have made stops in the past few years. Aside from these special
exhibits, entry to the St. Louis Art Museum is free of charge.

With Halloween rapidly approaching, hayrides and other festive
celebrations are some of the ways students can enjoy Forest Park.
As soon as the school year ends, Shakespeare in the Park begins,
signaling the start of the more carefree summer months.

Clayton’s Shaw Park, whose greatest asset is the Missouri
Botanical Gardens, hosts weddings periodically, as well as the
Japanese Rock Garden. During warmer weather, those who frequent the
park find it an ideal spot for picnicking. The St. Louis Zoo
recently opened a new penguin exhibit but always comes through with
favorites like Big Cat Country.

Once the air turns cool, however, St. Louisans can reap the
benefits of being in close proximity of Steinberg Rink, the outdoor
skating rink that, for the last few years, has provided the city
with the feel of winter in New York.

Tilles Park also comes alive in winter, showing one of the most
elaborate Christmas light displays in the city.

St. Louis is notorious for having the largest Mardi Gras
celebration, behind only to New Orleans.

If Soulard isn’t for you, the Central West End offers coffee
houses, quaint bookshops, like Left Bank Books, and unique
restaurants, like Tomatillo’s, Dressel’s and Duff’s. Clayton has
more coffee shops, like Kaldi’s and Aesop’s, which may satisfy the
student looking for an off-campus location to study.

As far as academic and intellectual pursuits go, worthy schools
like SLU and neighboring Washington University and the University
of Missouri-St. Louis offer a variety of courses, seminars and
forums. Off-campus, Maryville University sponsors the St. Louis
Speaker Series at Powell Hall. The speakers are political leaders,
humorists, authors and journalists.

For those with an adventurous spirit, Lake of the Ozarks is a
short drive away. Likewise, Chicago is about five hours away, and
not too far off, Columbia and Kansas City are about two and five
hours away, respectively.

Moreover, Six Flags, about half an hour away, is an amusement
park with shows, rides and cotton candy.

And then there are the things that make St. Louis … St. Louis.
Toasted ravioli, Ted Drewes frozen custard and the Arch (perfect
for the Fourth of July Fair St. Louis celebration) are just a few
of the things unique to this city. Friendly people, four distinct
seasons and endless sources of entertainment and relaxation give
St. Louis its own flavor, which we all too often take for
granted.

Maryam Zia is a sophomore studying biology.