Things to Do in University City, MO
Centrally located in University City, MO, and surrounded by neighborhoods such as Clayton, Olivette, and Ladue, The District Apartments are situated perfectly for easy access to cherished restaurants, bars, parks, and entertainment.
Top 5 Restaurants In University City, MO
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Blueberry Hill is much more than a restaurant— it’s a restaurant, a bar, a concert venue, and a hub for historic cultural memorabilia. Located in The Delmar Loop, just 10 minutes away from The District Apartments, Blueberry Hill has been in operation since 1972 and has earned the right to be called a true St. Louis institution.
The atmosphere is on point. The walls are covered from top to bottom with pop-culture memorabilia like vintage Pez dispensers, concert posters, and Archie comic books.
The music venue, called “The Duck Room,” is situated downstairs below the restaurant and has become a well-known stage for national and international acts to play when they come through St. Louis.
Whether it’s for dinner, a date, a concert, or a night out with friends, Blueberry Hill is truly one of the best finds in St. Louis.
801 Chophouse is, hands down, one of the most impressive steakhouses in the country. The secret to the superb flavor of their steaks is the care and attention to detail. Each steak is cut and dry-aged in-house using proprietary aging methods that result in an intensity of flavor that is difficult to find elsewhere. After seasoning with salt and pepper, the steaks are cooked in extreme temperatures that leave the inside of the meat cooked to the customer’s preference and create a perfect sear on the outside.
The menu is textbook steakhouse, offering tasty variations on the classic cuts like Ribeye, New York Strip, Porterhouse, Filet Mignon, Japanese Wagyu, and more. There’s also a large section of the menu dedicated to seafood.
801 Chophouse is pricey, but worth it. It’s perfect for special occasions and is destined to become one of your favorite steakhouses in St. Louis.
3. Katsuya
Japanese katsu was created, like much of the world’s greatest meals, through the intermingling of two distinct cultures. In this case, katsu was brought into being through the merging of Japanese and European culture. According to katsu lore, the dish was invented late in the 19th century by a Tokyo-based restaurant that wanted to cater to British businessmen by imitating another breaded culinary masterpiece— German schnitzel. The result made ripples globally and has remained a popular dish ever since.
Katsuya is located in the Delmar Loop, just north of Washington University, and provides a classic katsu experience, complete with a panko-breaded protein of your choice alongside rice and a cabbage salad with ginger dressing.
There is a good reason that Katsuya is one of the most highly rated restaurants in the Delmar Loop— the flavors are fantastic, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the service is impeccable. In fact, you might want to double your order in case you’re hungry for more.
4. Taco Buddha
There’s something about a plate full of tacos alongside a fresh margarita that hits the spot every time. That’s why we want to highlight Taco Buddha, one of St. Louis’ most popular taco shops with multiple locations. Luckily, a Taco Buddha was planted in University City, which means residents of The District Apartments are just a short drive away from an eclectic menu that seamlessly blends flavor both traditional and adventurous.
Every taco on the menu is inspired by a particular locale. Take “The Baja” for example. It has crispy battered fish, slaw, cotija cheese, and a house-made Baja special sauce that are inspired by the Mexican Baja. For something outside of the box try “The Jodhpur.” Named after a city in the northwest of India, this taco is put together with grilled chicken, masala, Raita sauce, and mango salsa.
To take your meal to the next level, pair any combination of tacos with chips, salsa, and one of their famous margaritas. Like I said before— it’s a combination that hits the spot… every time.
We love soup, we love dumplings, which means we really love this cherished restaurant that combines two of our favorite foods. Soup Dumplings STL is located just off Olive Boulevard, only a few minutes north of The District Apartments. For those not familiar, soup dumplings are currently in fashion and have become a comfort food for many. They bring together the chewiness of the dumpling dough with the warmth and heartiness of the broth. It’s a heart and belly-warming combination.
Dining at Soup Dumplings STL is a charming experience. It’s a cozy space with a simple, modern black & white menu. Behind the register you can see the kitchen crew crafting the dumplings. Do yourself a favor and stop by Soup Dumplings for a meal you won’t forget.
Top 5 Places To Explore In University City, MO
Vintage Vinyl
Music lovers unite at Vintage Vinyl in University City, a tried-and-true music shop that has been in business for over 40 years.
The selection of records here is massive, and the Vintage Vinyl team prides itself on curating one of the largest inventories of vinyl in St. Louis. You’re sure to find music-heads of all kinds flipping through bins of vinyl, searching for hidden gems to add to their collection. They also have an impressive assortment of CD’s for those without record players.
It’s also a great place to sell your old vinyl and CD’s. The staff is very helpful and will take the time to give you an accurate price.
Vintage Vinyl is just a short drive from The District Apartments and is one of St. Louis’ best finds.
Forest Park
In every major American city, there is a park that the local community treasures as something sacred, a green space where people from all walks of life come together to play, relax, and celebrate. In St. Louis, this is undoubtedly Forest Park.
Created in 1876, Forest Park boasts 1,300 acres of dynamic land featuring wildlife, lakes, monuments, and historic St. Louis landmarks like the St. Louis Zoo, the St. Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum, and much more.
Visitors love to use the park for games like volleyball, basketball, and tennis. There’s also a famous boathouse where people can rent paddle boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. A trip to Forest Park is the perfect way to spend a free afternoon or weekend. Of course, access to the park is free, so it’s ideal for anyone who is looking for something fun to do on a budget. Residents of The District Apartments will be happy to know that it’s only a short 7 minutes away from the community.
St. Louis Art Museum
Located on the west end of Forest Park, you’ll find one of St. Louis’ main culture hubs— the St. Louis Art Museum. This historic landmark has a collection that would impress even the most astute art critic, including paintings by Picasso, Brueghel, Joan Miró and a long list of others. Gaze upon works from globally recognized masters while you wander through a maze of elegant halls, arches, and marble walkways. It’s the ideal setting for deep reflection while you explore a collection of over 30,000 works from around the world.The vision for the St. Louis Art Museum was created at its inauguration back in 1904. It set out to be a free resource for top-tier art, and for over a hundred years it has done just that. Plan a trip to S.L.A.M. today!
Upper Limits Rock Climbing Gym
The Upper Limits Rock Climbing Gym offers “world class climbing with midwestern heart” to climbers of all skill levels. Ever since its inception in 1994, the Upper Limits team has provided Missouri and Illinois with access to epic indoor rock-climbing.
The facility at their Maryland Heights location, just west of The District Apartments, is massive and features mighty walls dotted with climbers looking to scale the heights and test their skills.
Day passes are very reasonable in price. Climbers who don’t own gear or are new to the sport can purchase a package that includes a harness, shoes, and chalk. It’s a great deal that gives you everything you need for an epic day at the climbing gym. The Maryland Heights location hosts meet-ups on Tuesday nights where folks can meet potential climbing partners and make new friends. It’s a fantastic way to foster connections and get inspired by the style and technique of other climbers.
Up Down STL
Arcade bars have made an impressive cultural comeback in recent years. In almost every major American city, you’re sure to find a bustling arcade bar inside of a vibrant, up and coming part of town. In St. Louis that’s Up Down STL, an 80’s and 90’s themed arcade bar with multiple floors of games including classics such as Pacman, Asteroids, Donkey Kong, and many more. They also have an impressive collection of pinball machines along with analog games like life-sized Jenga, Connect Four, and Skee-Ball.
The best part is that there is no cover charge, and it only costs a single quarter to play any game in the building. That means you and your crew will be able to keep the fun going all night long.