With Spring Break right around the corner, campus is abuzz with talk of tropical getaways and cross-country road trips. But the truth is that not all Spring Break plans are equally glamorous, and maybe you’ll be finding yourself here in St. Louis over break. Whether you’re staying back by choice or due to other commitments, making the most of this week off of school is still fully within reach.

Graphic by H.N. Hoffmann

A staycation doesn’t have to be a sad-cation. To get you started, here’s a list of St. Louis-centered ideas based off where you’re most likely to be found on Washington University’s campus at any given moment. And no, the St. Louis Zoo is not listed, as it’s kind of a given, although you should go there too.

If you’re a fan of the Weil Hall green wall, check out the Missouri Botanical Garden
Step outside of your usual view of the Weil foliage and into the literal outside at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Right now through March 22, the Garden features an Orchid Show of hundreds of their blooming orchids, set on a rotating display open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Garden is of course beautiful to stroll through, but it also serves as a center for botanical research and science education—sustainability and plant conservation are central focuses of this National Historic Landmark. Immerse yourself in the springtime spirit and allow the vibrancy of plants to wipe away any of that mid-semester stress.

If you’re constantly cramming in Olin Library, try a local bookstore
First off, the B Stacks can get pretty depressing. I highly recommend finding a better lit, more welcoming go-to spot. But if surrounding yourself with bookcases is kind of your niche, St. Louis offers a terrific variety of independent bookstores that are affordable and plenty cozy on a rainy day. Left Bank Books sits in the heart of Central West End, providing collections of literature both new and used. Spend a couple hours browsing the shelves and recall the joys of leisure reading. Maybe it’s finally time to go from being an “I used to read so much as a kid” type of person to a “Let me tell you about this amazing book I discovered over break” type of person.

If you start your day at Sumers Recreation Center, play around in the City Museum
A break from school doesn’t have to mean a break from those gains. Whether it’s going on a run through Forest Park or going hardcore at the City Museum climbing apparatus, take the week to engage in physical acitivity outside of your typical gym routine. The temperature is finally warming up, and it would be a shame not to capitalize on the potential awaiting at Forest Park. Jog a loop around the Art Hill fountain and get the rhythm started with your favorite pump-up jams. And in regards to the City Museum, it’s a classic that never fails to entertain just about anybody.

If Danforth University Center crowds thrill you, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
If you like congregations of people, occasional food and some chaos, the 51st installment of the St. Louis St. Patrick’s Day Parade falls on Saturday, March 14. The city’s annual parade usually brings in around 250,000 spectators, filling the streets of downtown with an assortment of green attire and Irish pride. The parade’s congruency to Wash. U. campus tour groups flowing in and out of the DUC will make you feel right at home.

If you like hanging in your dorm, just enjoy that
Let’s be honest, some of us just really like the comfort of our own rooms. If you’re feeling like a homebody this break, embrace the chill time and catch up on everything you’ve been too busy for. Organize your closet, clean out your inbox, take a good nap or two (or 10?). When your friends return from break, jet-lagged and swamped with laundry to do, you’ll be three steps ahead of the game and all ready to begin the last stretch to summer.