St. Louis
A mid-size city with an outsize creative scene, St. Louis is a confluence of rivers, people, and ideas.
We love St. Louis. We think you will, too.
Beloved for its distinctive red brick and its incredible urban parks, our city has deep, historic roots. This is a place that reveres its designers, artists, thinkers, and makers, and our students are lively contributors to its culture. The city is sophisticated, homey, edgy, approachable, affordable, cosmopolitan, sure of itself, and down to earth. Most of all, St. Louis is a place for you to be you.
St. Louis is a place to experience culture.
With four major art museums, two sculpture parks, 14 National Historic Landmarks, dozens of galleries and artist-run spaces, a world-renowned symphony orchestra, and a thriving literary scene, your only question will be: How can I see it all??
Located atop Forest Park’s Art Hill—and boasting a world-class art collection from ancient to contemporary—SLAM is our favorite next-door neighbor. Founded in 1879. Best place to spend the day sketching.
This stunning campus designed by Tadao Ando presents contemporary and historic art exhibitions. Home of site-specific works by Ellsworth Kelly (Blue Black) and Richard Serra (Joe). Also one of our regular community partners.
Founded in 1976, this 105-acre gem is one of the first and largest dedicated sculpture parks in the country. Perfect for picnicking.
CAMSTL exhibits work from the most innovative artists practicing today. It also hosts the Great Rivers Biennial, which showcases the work of exceptional artists from the greater St. Louis area (including many Sam Fox School faculty and alumni!).
The nation’s oldest botanical garden in continuous operation and a National Historic Landmark. 79 acres of horticultural wonder, including a 14-acre Japanese garden. Don’t miss the peonies in mid-spring.
A 2.9-acre oasis in the heart of downtown, with an eclectic assortment of exciting outdoor works and a spray plaza for the pint-sized art enthusiast.
Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum
An integral part of the Sam Fox School, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum is one of the nation’s leading university art museums, serving as a center of cultural and intellectual life for Washington University and the broader community.
An architectural playground for all ages, explore tunnels, caves, slides, and rides at the City Museum in Downtown St. Louis.
Founded by the National Park Service in 1935 to commemorate Thomas Jefferson’s vision of a transcontinental United States, the Gateway Arch National Park includes the iconic monument designed by Eero Saarinen, the Old Courthouse, and more.
St. Louis is a place to make an impact.
We believe that art, design, and architecture are uniquely positioned to effect change. Each semester, through our Office of Socially Engaged Practice, we offer projects and courses that engage the St. Louis community. We put our skills to work for good.
Engaging with St. Louis
Students in assc. professor Derek Hoeferlin’s seminar Field Work 2.0 [Reality + Remote???] collaborated with Big Muddy Adventures on water research excursions on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.
Engaging with St. Louis
Students in professor Jack Risley’s Itinerant Artworks class created interactive, temporary public art pieces that were exhibited for one afternoon only in Forest Park.
St. Louis is a place to launch your career.
St. Louis is one of the most affordable, culturally exciting cities in which to launch your career. Our graduates have gotten their first public commissions here, opened their own galleries, and founded businesses from furniture design to fashion. This is where they got their start. You can go anywhere from here.
Select alumni-founded businesses + organizations
- HOK
- DDUGOFF
- Monaco
- Trivers
- Cheree Berry Paper
- Perennial
- Arbolope
St. Louis is a place to have fun.
People will tell you St. Louis is a baseball town (go Cards!), or a hockey town (ahem, 2019 Stanley Cup winners!), but it’s also a design town, a nature town, a music town, a bike town, and a food town.
St. Louis is a place to eat!
St. Louis is a serious foodie heaven.
Feeling hungry after taking in all of St. Louis’ cultural wonders? There are seriously great restaurants everywhere you look. From BBQ at Salt + Smoke to Dim Sum at LuLu’s, here are a few of our students’ favorite spots to grab a bite.
Iconic pub on the Delmar Loop. Live music, darts…even hot dog sandwiches.
Two words: hand-pulled noodles. (Or, is that three words?) Let’s try again: Get. Some.
Also founded by a WashU alum!
Amazing Thai food. We’ll have the Hung Lay Curry, thx.
A St. Louis original. Don’t call it ice cream!
Neopolitan pies, updated classics, and oh-so-good gelato.
Farm-to-table bistro + market. Get the sea salt chocolate shortbread. No, get two.
A time-traveling experience to the confections of yore. I think you’ve got a little powdered sugar on your nose.
🌮 Y.U.M.
Yunnan-inspired deliciousness in not-so-lil packages. Very vegan-friendly.
Old world favorites made in a drool-worthy culinary future. They sold out while you were reading this sentence.