Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University was the first university in St. Louis, Missouri. SLU and the city have been shaping each other ever since. Maybe you can鈥檛 call St. Louis a college town 鈥� with nearly 3 million residents in the metro area, it鈥檚 too big for that. But it might be something better: a college city. So, what does St. Louis offer SLU students?
Career Opportunities in St. Louis
St. Louis is a hotbed of innovation and entrepreneurship 鈥� with Popular Mechanics ranking St. Louis the No. 1 start-up city in America 鈥� and SLU is right in center of it. The 200-acre The Cortex Innovation Community, a center for business, innovation and technology, neighbors campus and the metro area is home to eight Fortune 500 companies. No wonder there鈥檚 a strong SLU alumni network of more than 55,000 in St. Louis.
Learn About SLU's Economic Impact
Favorite St. Louis Attractions
Of course, there is the famous Gateway Arch. But if seeing the city from a height is your style, you can also try out the 200-foot high any day of the year. In the nearby 鈥� bigger than New York City鈥檚 Central Park 鈥� you will find the , , and (all of which have free admission). For something a bit more funky, check out the 10颅-story slide, indoor cave system and rooftop Ferris wheel at the , which is open until midnight on weekends. Looking for something even closer? SLU has three museums and a theater right on campus.
Cheer for the Hometown Teams
Known as one of America鈥檚 best sports cities, St. Louis is home to two professional teams: the Cardinals (baseball) and the Blues (hockey), whose fans fill the vibrant Downtown area on game days. A Major League Soccer expansion team is expected in 2022. SLU also has , including men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 basketball and soccer. Students get into all SLU sporting events free with their student IDs.
Eat up the St. Louis Food Scene
If you don鈥檛 already have a firm position on the appeal of Provel cheese, toasted ravioli and the best barbecue in the United States, it鈥檚 time to develop one. St. Louis is regularly featured in foodie culture 鈥� in fact, Travel + Leisure singled out St. Louis as "America's Next Great Food City." Get a taste for yourself . The , which offers tastes of more than a dozen cuisines, and local BBQ favorite , are both within walking distance of campus.
Chaifetz Arena, and Beyond
One the city鈥檚 best entertainment venues just happens to be on campus. SLU鈥檚 in addition to being a premier athletic facility, also hosts some of the largest concerts and comedy acts to tour St. Louis. At SLU, you鈥檙e also just steps away from , home to the city's premier live theater and concert halls, as well as entertainment options including the Alamo Drafthouse, an authentic German beer hall and Puttshack mini-golf (opening summer 2022) at the . For nightlife, head downtown or visit , which considered one of the 鈥�10 Great Streets in America.鈥�
St. Louis Neighborhoods
Like other great American cities, St. Louis is a , each with their own personality. Check out the sidewalk caf茅s and eclectic galleries in the nearby Central West End. Or pick up some fresh produce at the one of the nation鈥檚 oldest farmers markets in Soulard near Downtown.
St. Louis Public Transportation
Located in the middle of SLU鈥檚 campus is the , which can take you to sports stadiums and shopping centers throughout the St. Louis area day or night. Bonus: freshmen and sophomores who live on campus get free Metro passes. So explore.