If you’re really just a big kid disguised as an adult, or someone fascinated by the unusual, the St. Louis City Museum is for you! Its nooks, crannies, slides, caves, giant chains, and more – all created from locally reclaimed materials – are enough to bring out the kid in anyone!
The name of the St. Louis City Museum is rather misleading. The old shoe factory houses less a museum than a bizarre fantasy world.
A hodgepodge of seemingly random objects – a ferris wheel, a school bus, an old fighter jet – jut unexpectedly from its exterior. Inside is even zanier, with tunnels, caves, even a circus and a life-sized whale to walk through. The St. Louis City Museum has thousands of square feet of things to explore and many experienced visitors quite seriously suggest taking kneepads.
Yet this is NOT a children’s museum. In fact, children who visit must be accompanied by adults to enter!
The St. Louis City Museum, which opened in 1997, was the brain child of founder Bob Cassilly. Cassilly, who died in 2011, envisioned the City Museum as a space for his imagination’s artistic creations. City Museum was built by Cassilly and a team of 20 artists, using locally salvaged materials.
Visitors are encouraged to play with, climb on and explore the museum’s various exhibits. You’ll find old chimneys, salvaged bridges, and a 10-story spiral slide that starts at the roof! The outside exhibit “MonstroCity” features a castle turret, a ball pit for adults, and two suspended jets!
The museum is one of St. Louis most popular attractions – and without advertising! More than 11 million visitors have walked through the doors since it opened and, yes: it can be crowded. There is often a line waiting to get in every morning. Folks wishing for a less busy visit should consider visiting on a weekday or after 5pm on weekends.
If you plan on visiting, tips include taking a flashlight, wearing closed shoes, and, as we said above: knee pads are suggested. Luckily, the City Museum gift shop has the latter for sale!
St. Louis City Museum is an active installation – an “ever-expanding collection of architectural relics” – so you never know what you’ll find when you visit!
St. Louis City Museum
701 North 15th St., St. Louis, Missouri, 63103
Monday through Thursday: 9am to 5pm
Friday through Saturday: 9am to Midnight
Sunday: 11am to 5pm
Learn more by visiting www.citymuseum.org.
Northeast Missouri Lodging
Whether you’re in Missouri on business or to get your knees dirty at St. Louis City Museum, you’re gonna want somewhere comfortable to call home. When it comes to the best lodging in Northeast Missouri, look no farther than a locally owned and operated Missouri B&B. In fact, excellent lodging in the form of Missouri Inns and B&B’s can be found all across our fair state. So go on, the next time you’re in Missouri, treat yourself to the best lodging there is: book your stay at a Missouri Bed and Breakfast Inn!