Another school year is upon us, and we can think of nothing better than to encourage the incoming freshmen as well as continuing students to explore their surroundings. Every year, there seems to be a great many students talking about how there is “nothing to do” in St. Louis. This notion couldn’t be more wrong. There is plenty to do in this great, blossoming city.

There is a veritable smorgasbord of activities and interesting places that are routinely overlooked, or at least not explored to their full potential. St. Louis is a city in the process of a renaissance, and attractions new and old are beckoning to the otherwise reclusive college students. We implore students, young and old, to explore classic landmarks and little-known areas in St. Louis that would otherwise be overlooked.

Hopping on a bus and heading to Forest Park, it is possible to discover places to which most freshmen are oblivious. There are the perennial favorites such as the zoo, Muny and art museum, but there are also lesser-known gems in Forest Park. There is the ever-romantic paddleboat ride through the Great Basin-boats can be rented at the Boathouse by the Muny. The St. Louis Science Center in Forest Park is home to the area’s only Omnimax theater which continually impresses with its stunning movies ranging from swimming with sharks to riding with a fighter pilot. Forest Park is so much more than trees and trails.

College is about exploring and broadening horizons, so try riding the Metrolink-it really isn’t scary. Not only is the Metrolink relatively cheap, but it takes riders to fun destinations, and different from the norm. From Laclede’s Landing, where one can wile away an evening gambling and drinking, or dancing and singing, to the fabled Delmar Loop of Rag-O-Rama joy, the Metrolink truly does link SLU with much of the city.

There are microbrewries to try-Schlafly’s and Morgan Street-and live music venues abound in the city. Some of the venues are within walking distance to SLU’s campus, including the Creepy Crawl, the Fox and Powell Hall. Did you know that you can get free tickets to see the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra (a Grammy-winning, nationally-recognized orchestra) if you arrive at the box office just 30 minutes before the music starts? Students have discounted prices at many venues in most major cities, and St. Louis is no exception.

When it comes to food, St. Louis is perhaps one of the best cities in the Midwest in which to live. There is of course the Hill, specializing in amazing Italian food that will transport any individual to Italy, but we also encourage the exploration of different ethnic foods. South Grand plays host to Thai and other Asian cuisines, which are reasonably priced and only a few short miles up the road. There are also many restaurants in the area that offer live music while you eat. The Broadway Oyster Bar specializes in blues, and Blueberry Hill features a variety of musicians.

We urge incoming freshmen to listen to their R.A.s and go on some, if not all, of the SLU-sponsored “field trips.” The trips not only help expand knowledge of the area, but also keep students from becoming bored as the middle of the semester approaches. Meeting people, exploring the city and focusing on making the best of being in a new environment-or rediscovering an old hometown-is what going to college on an urban campus is all about, so take advantage of the many benefits the city offers. Explore, dance, eat, drink, sing, hang out, chill out, be safe and discover a city that you thought didn’t have anything to offer.

And by all means, get back to us.