Pages 19-20 of the March 13, 2014 Image print issue contain exciting and generally underappreciated areas of St. Louis perfect for bored students to explore during a Spring Break stay-cation.  Here are five more unique neighborhoods to see.

1. Cherokee St. (http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2013/11/12/next-great-neighborhood-cherokee-street-in-st-louis/)

As this reviewer for The Daily South magazine states, Cherokee St. has the potential to be St. Louis’ “next great neighborhood.” Located fairly far down the 64/40 highway off of Jefferson Ave., Cherokee St. is one of the newer hubs of independent boutiques and restaurants of all varieties.  The art galleries are in abundance, so if you’re wanting to challenge yourself and grow culturally, Cherokee St. is polarizing in its difference to corporate West County.

2. Kirkwood (http://www.downtownkirkwood.com/)

Kirkwood provides more history than hipster.  The historic train station draws a lot of crowds, and walking downtown through boutiques and the farmer’s market is a good date idea.  Kirkwood epitomizes casual and laidback, and is not as far as other locations (a mere 22 miles from Lafayette).

3. Maplewood (http://explorestlouis.com/visit-explore/discover/neighborhoods/maplewood/)

The biggest pulls to the Maplewood area all involve cool elements of history.  Saratoga Lanes is the oldest bowling alley between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean, making a “must-see” in St. Louis.  Beer is very embedded in local history as well, and those who have enjoyed an Anheuser-Busch brewery tour can see something new at Schafly Bottleworks, an independent craft brewery with an attached restaurant.

4. The Hill (https://www.hill2000.org/)

The Hill almost needs no explanation.  After spending the day in Kirkwood, drive a little further downtown for dinner here.  The Italian food offered at restaurants like Charlie Gitto’s, Zia’s On the Hill and Cunetto’s House of Pasta is unprecedented in the Midwest.  Restaurants dot very organized streets established a little more than a century ago, and everything about the neighborhood makes those experiencing it feel like they’re in a separate world (even down to “The Hill” signs hanging off stone lamp posts distinguishing it).  Culture is in abundance at The Hill, and St. Louisians cherish the location as one of the finest they have to offer.

5. The Ville (https://law.wustl.edu/Staff/Taylor/slpl/staville.htm)

Another cultural staple of St. Louis, The Ville was one of the most advanced African-American neighborhoods of the 1920s.  As the Washington University website explains, many prominent black entrepreneurs helped the neighborhood flourish during the era that laid the groundwork for the African-American civil rights movement of the mid-19th century.  Elements of that culture are undeniably prevalent still, and it is absolutely worth checking out.  However, crime rates have become unfortunately high so some common sense is more needed here than elsewhere.