We were boarded, buckled and ready to go when the announcement every traveler dreads came over the intercom. I never meant to leave the airport; my layover in St. Louis, bound for Oklahoma, was meant to be a short one, but the weather had other plans. I don't mind the middle seat. On one side of me, a woman was holding back tears as she reworked her travel plans to be at the dock before her cruise left for the Caribbean. On the other side, a stone-faced young woman barked at the airline rep over the phone that she simply had to be at work the next day. Everyone handles travel stresses differently, but I decided to find a blessing in disguise.

I had 24 hours to explore the Gateway to the West. After breakfast, I headed to Moonrise Hotel, a retro-style inn that serves as an anchor to historic Delmar Street (proud to be named “One of the 10 Great Streets in America” by the American Planning Association). My Uber driver, Ronney, recommended I try a root beer float at Fitz's, or check out the St. Louis Zoo (it's free!) in Forest Park (I later learned that MetroLink would likely be the best way to go from the airport to the local hot spots, rather than ride sharing, but MetroLink doesn't include hot tips from someone in the know.)

Not one to discount the advice of a veteran local, it was only a few blocks from Moonrise to Fitz's. Along the way, I encountered the St. Louis version of Hollywood's Walk of Fame, with stars dedicated to natives like tennis legend Jimmy Connors, poet Maya Angelou and aviator Charles Lindbergh. Fitz's was packed, but refreshed by a delightful float, I was ready for a stroll in the park.

I took the scenic route through the Hogwartsesque campus of Washington University in St. Louis, Wash U St. Lou for short, Wash U for shorter, and WUSTL for shortest. The campus is somehow at once palatial and austere; while the magnificent architecture and imperious archways would embarrass the finest castles in Westeros, the space also feels contained, optimized and efficient. The student union evoked a cozy ski lodge rather than the Great Hall you might expect.