People always seem to say the grass is greener on the other side without appreciating what is right in front of them. Most people are too busy looking elsewhere to fully understand what they already have.

No one seems to appreciate Missouri and all of the fun events our state has to offer. Many people seek to find new experiences at tropical destinations while overlooking the perks of being a Missourian.

During this spring break, many classmates ventured into the sunshine state of Florida or took a lengthy plane ride to scenic islands in Mexico or other beach locations. Instead of spending time on the beach, I decided to stay in my hometown of St. Louis. While many people in my position would be disappointed, I accepted my fate with an open mind.

St. Louis locals don’t appreciate what this city has to offer them. No one brags about visiting the Zoo, which in fact is one of the best across the country. It brings more than 19,800 wild animals and 3,000,000 visitors each year. If you were to ask any given person, I estimate a small portion could say that have visited the Arch, which is a major Missouri landmark. St. Louis is nicknamed the Gateway to the West because we have the Arch.

Most people who live out of town associate Missouri with being the home of the St. Louis Arch while there are still people who have lived here for years that have only passed by while coming home from a vacation.

I continue to hear people complain about living in the ‘Show Me State’ without even experiencing what Missouri has to offer. St. Louis has certain areas that tie in with a variety of cultures.

While many seek out the long drive to Michigan Avenue in Chicago for the extravagant shopping and dining experience, St. Louis residents can find the same feel visiting the Delmar Loop downtown.

Most people are bored with the state we live in but instead of trying out new things, they continue to do the same activities. Weekends typically involve eating out at a favorite local restaurant or taking a trip to the same mall. Continually pursuing the same activities can get boring no matter where you live.

While St. Louis is taken for granted by most of their residents, they still manage to provide cool opportunities for people who live around the area. Downtown St. Charles is a historic town with prosperity and character. It is commonly overlooked and people don’t seem to view it as an asset. Not only does it offer dinner locations, Main Street has cute shops that run alongside it.

Missouri is a state that is known for many things and is looked upon as a great state in general. People who live in the area need to start noticing what St. Louis offers and take advantage of its plentiful opportunities. The grass may be greener on the other side but at least you still have a lawn.