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Guide for International Students: Around Rolla and Missouri

Information on culture, customs, and more to help our International Students transition to Missouri and the United States

Around Rolla and Missouri

 

Image of Fall Foliage in Mark Twain National Forest, AdobeStock Images

 

Mark Twain National Forest, located in southern Missouri, is a sprawling expanse of over 1.5 million acres known for its scenic beauty, diverse ecosystems, and recreational opportunities. Named after the famed author, this national forest is characterized by rolling hills, lush woodlands, clear streams, and rugged terrain, especially in the Ozark Mountains. t offers numerous outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and horseback riding, with trails like the Ozark Trail providing extensive paths for exploration. The forest is home to abundant wildlife, unique geological features, and several wilderness areas, making it a treasured natural destination in the Midwest.  Read more about the forest here.

 

About 80 miles northwest of Rolla, or 90 minutes by car, you can find Lake of the Ozarks. Created by the damming of the Osage River, Lake of the Ozarks provides ample outdoor recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and water sports.  Several resort areas surround the 1100 mile shoreline of the lake providing ample shopping and dining opportunities for visitors. Missouri Division of Tourism provides an overview of Lake of the Ozarks activities here.Image of Octopus Sculpture outside of Aquarium

 

Branson is a well-known entertainment hub with family friendly entertainment.  Located about two hours from Rolla, you will find amusement parks, theaters, shopping and dining.  Branson is also home to Table Rock Lake, another great location for boating and water sports.  Explore more activities around Branson here.

St. Louis is an hour and forty minute drive from Rolla, a short enough distance for a day trip.  It is a large city, home to many parks, museums, theaters and other cultural amenities.  Some of the highlights of St. Louis include

  • Forest Park in St. Louis was opened in 1876 and served as a site of the 1904 Summer Olympics.  One of the premiere urban parks in the United States, it also features 
    • The Muny, an open air amphitheater for theater productions 
    • the Jewel Box, an art deco green house
    • the Saint Louis Zoo
    • the Saint Louis Science Center including a planetarium
    • the Missouri History Museum
    • the Saint Louis Art Museum
  • The Gateway Arch and Museum of Westward Expansion emphasize the role St. Louis played in settling the United States west of the Mississippi River
  • The Grand Center is an historical, cultural district which includes arts institutions including 
    • the Fox Theater
    • the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis 
    • the Pulitzer Art Foundation
  • Across the Mississippi River, visit an UNESCO World Heritage Site at the Cahokia Mounds which displays the remains of a Pre-Columbian indigenous city.  The interpretive center provides models and artifacts relating to ancient Mississippian culture.

Rolla has several grocery chains available.

  • Walmart is a large, American supermarket chain.  It's "Superstores" offer a full selection of groceries, clothing, home items, and even car tires.
  • Aldi is a smaller grocery chain with low cost items.  They carry basic produce, meat, and dairy in addition to specialty items like German chocolates.
  • Price Chopper is a local grocery chain which also sells fresh deli items and baked goods.
  • Kroger is a large grocery chain selling typical American foods.

St. Louis has several international markets.

  • Global Foods Market - Kirkwood, MO
  • Jay International Food Co. - S. Grand Blvd.
  • United Provisions - 6241 Delmar Blvd
  • Worldwide International Food Market - Hazelwood, MO
  • International Market - Gravois Rd
  • Pan-Asia Supermarket - Manchester, MO