HottyToddy Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

Many Ole Miss students come from small suburbs around major U.S. cities. HottyToddy.com staff reporter Lindsey Andrews grew up in tiny town Illinois just a few miles from St. Louis, Missouri.

I was born and raised in Collinsville, Illinois — fifteen minutes outside of St. Louis, Missouri. I can see the St. Louis Arch from my house, so I consider STL to be my hometown.
Like many who grew up in the suburbs of St. Louis, I did too, just across the river in Illinois. I have loved every aspect of growing up in St. Louis, and for that reason, it will always be my home sweet home.
As you would expect, there are many attractions and a long list of fun activities that St. Louis offers. Although I couldn’t possibly list every single one of them, below are a few of my favorites and essentials for anyone visiting.
By far, the best (and my personal favorite) thing to do is go to a Cardinal’s game. The St. Louis Cardinals are an important part of St. Louis culture, and it’s a rite of passage to attend a game. The season opener is on April 13 and games will be played until the end of September, unless of course we make it to the playoffs (which, let’s be real, usually happens.) There are plenty of opportunities to go to Busch Stadium and have a drink at Ballpark Village so take advantage of the fun!
Another essential aspect of the St. Louis sports scene are the St. Louis Blues. The season begins in October and usually ends mid- April, but for many Blues fans that means seven months of hockey fun. The games are always high energy and entertaining, even for people who haven’t grown up around hockey or don’t know much about the sport. Get your game face on and head to the Scottrade Center for a Blues game- I promise you will have a great time!
Although (technically) built for children, the City Museum in downtown STL is an experience for all ages. Using recycled material materials from around the city, the museum is essentially a giant playground. There are caves to explore, three story slides, a ferris wheel on the roof, an outdoor climbing gym that overlooks the city, and many more “playgrounds” to experience.
St. Louis’ oldest soda fountain, Crown Candy Kitchen, has been around since 1913 and it is a must- eat on the list of restaurants in the area. I highly recommend the BLT (it’s piled high with bacon) and the fire chief special ice cream sundae, but to be really honest, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. If you’re feeling really bold- try the milkshake challenge. Drink 5 in a half hour and you get them for free!
A definite must see is the St. Louis Arch. Overlooking both downtown and the Mississippi River, the 630 foot Arch commemorates westward expansion. Visitors have the option to travel to the top of the Arch via a four minute tram ride. The views are absolutely breathtaking.
One of the last things on the must- do list is visiting the St. Louis Zoo (and it’s free!) While growing up, my family and I took countless trips to the Zoo and I enjoyed every minute of it. There are six different ‘zones’ and over 24,000 animals to see. Definitely take a ride on the train and visit the penguin enclosure while you’re there- those are two of my favorite aspects of the zoo.
Growing up in St. Louis has been a fun experience and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I am proud to say I am from St. Louis, and it will always be a place dear to my heart.