Life in St. Louis
St. Louis at a Glance
There are many ways to spend your time in St. Louis. Below are listed some of the most popular attractions for students, but, to get the full flavor of what St. Louis is and has to offer, visit Explore St. Louis.
Around Aquinas
Aquinas Institute of Theology is located in one of the popular neighborhoods of St. Louis, Midtown, and is close to another one of St. Louis' most beloved neighborhoods, the Central West End. Not far from the crown jewel of St. Louis, Forest Park, and the historical Tower Grove area, Aquinas is centrally located enough to always find something to do. Among the highlights of the Midtown neighborhood and steps away from Aquinas:
- Saint Louis University (SLU) - Founded in 1818, SLU is a Jesuit university located just across the street from Aquinas. We act in partnership with SLU to provide our students with the services and opportunities of a larger institution. For more information on what SLU offers Aquinas students, visit our Saint Louis University Resources page.
- City Foundry STL - A gathering place in the heart of the city that includes a food hall (with seventeen different local options and plenty of seating), as well as several retail stores and entertainment venues (including miniature golf, a museum of illusions, and a movie theatre). Just up the stairs from City Foundry is Fresh Thyme, a grocery store.
- IKEA - Just moved to St. Louis and need some furniture in a hurry? Have a craving for some Swedish meatballs? IKEA is just down the street on Forest Park Avenue.
- Top Golf - A golf entertainment venue less than a mile away at which players hit microchipped golf balls at targets on an outfield, scoring points based on accuracy and distance. The hitting bays are air-conditioned during the summer and heated during the winter, so there is never a bad time to go.
- Target - One of the newest additions to the Midtown neighborhood, the nearest Target is about a half mile down South Grand Boulevard.
The Rome of the West
With patron saints St. Louis, King of France, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, and St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louis prides itself on its thriving Catholic community. The St. Louis Diocese was elevated to an Archdiocese on July 20, 1847, by Pope Pius IX. St. Louis, and dubbed the "Rome of the West" for the number of parishes within the city and around the region, somewhat owing to the various European groups that settled the city. Notable churches in St. Louis:
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis - Completed in 1914, the "new" Basilica received its designation from Pope John Paul II on April 4, 1997. Between the Romanesque and Byzantine architectural styles and countless mosaics and stained-glass windows, the Basilica is a wonderful place to pray, reflect, and attend liturgies.
- National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows - Located across the Mississippi River in Belleville, Illinois, just 15 minutes from St. Louis, the Our Lady of the Snows Shrine is sponsored by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. The 200-acre property has a church, hotel, retreat space, and an outdoor, walking Stations of the Cross.
- The Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France - Formerly the Cathedral of Saint Louis, and colloquially called the Old Cathedral by locals, this was the first cathedral west of the Mississippi River and, until 1845, the only parish church in the city of St. Louis. It is one of two Catholic basilicas in St. Louis, and it is named for King Louis IX of France, also the namesake for the city of St. Louis.
Free Attractions
St. Louis boasts free attractions for locals and tourists alike. Below are just a few of the many choices.
- St. Louis Zoo - Consistently ranked in the top five zoos in the country, the St. Louis Zoo is located on 90 acres in Forest Park and is home to more than 500 different species of animals. The exhibits are constantly being updated, making multiple visits a must.
- The Muny - The country's largest outdoor theatre, the Muny is one of St. Louis's most popular summer attractions. They offer almost 1,500 free seats per night during each performance. Each season features both Broadway favorites and musicals you may not know existed.
- Anheuser-Busch Brewery - Home of the "King of Beers", Anheuser-Busch offers complimentary tours of their brewery every day. Stop by to see the 7-Step Brewing Process, as well as the famous Clydesdales. They'll even give you a couple of tasters following the tour!
Grand Center Arts District
The Grand Center Arts District is a thriving neighborhood of St. Louis, located just north of Aquinas Institute. The area has some of the best locales to enjoy theatre, music, and culture. A few of our favorites are listed below!
- Fabulous Fox Theatre - St. Louis' most famous theatre, the Fox annually hosts touring Broadway shows, concerts, and performers of all types. They also offer student rush tickets for most performances.
- Powell Symphony Hall - Home of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the second oldest symphony in the United States. Symphony guests are able to enjoy classical concerts, visiting conductors, and movies played with live scores.
- Angad Arts Hotel - Angad offers unique dining and nightlife experiences, in addition to their modern lodging.
Athletics
Aquinas might not have any athletics, but St. Louis sure does! Home to two championship teams and a blockbuster new franchise, St. Louis has a variety of teams for which to cheer.
- St. Louis Cardinals - The Cardinals are arguably the city's most popular sports franchise. The 11-time World Champions play at Busch Stadium III and feature dynamic ticket pricing throughout the season, which allows families of all sizes to affordably attend a Major League Baseball game.
- St. Louis Blues - Winners of their first Stanley Cup just a few years ago, the Blues are solidifying their spot as one of the National Hockey League's most competitive teams. Take in a Blues game for some fast-paced action on ice.
- St. Louis CITY SC - Our Major League Soccer (MLS) team, yet to be named, is the newest franchise in the city. On August 19, 2019, MLS awarded St. Louis with the 28th team in the league. Currently one of the best in the MLS, the games have become one of St. Louis' most popular attractions.