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    Saint Louis, MO

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    City Museum

    4.5 (1.8k reviews)
    Closed • 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

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    Bryan S.

    Doing tourist things after hearing that this was a must visit for people with small kids. This was on the list of to-do's as we had a short weekend visit to the STL area. .....Great place to see all of the things. Not a bad time at all. We got to see play and do so MANY things all active and the girls loved the play areas ...all of them. The bathrooms were clean and strategically placed...I was pleasantly surprised. The parking is close!...& I liked the exercise...our girls napped so hard after the visit. I am in firm belief that the overall planning and logistics of this place are professionally done & handled well! This venue is a must visit if in the area and you like hands on action. The girls had a blast and that is what matters most!! 10/10 times I will return.. for the price I paid... I could see myself doing this again with a longer stay in the area! Sidenote the people in guest service station were super awesome... All workers that interacted with our family had smiles on their faces and were so helpful. I feel for the price I paid...it was well worth it! We will return! *Questions reach out* Respectfully, Bryan and Family Oklahoma City

    Outside plane
    Lydia F.

    The city museum was THE BEST part of our trip to STL. We had 4 adults and 2 children, and the cost of tickets was low enough to ensure it's not burdensome, and many people can participate. We parked in the attached parking lot, which was card only and very convenient. I bought a locker and knee pads, which made the time here much better. I highly recommend these add ons. This place is more like a giant jungle gym than a museum. City Museum has climbing opportunities for adults, and I felt like a kid again. It gave me a sense of wonder and exploration. I recommend going outside in the morning while it's not too hot. A lot of the outside is metal and rebar. This area was very nice because I didn't feel claustrophobic outside. I know we must have missed a lot because each nook and cranny had more to explore. I'm sure there's some places I missed because I couldn't fit and some I just didn't see. I found out after we left that one area allows you to go under the floor. This museum is not a place where you should wear shorts or a dress. I recommend long pants. I tore my jeans on a rivet, and it would have cut me up in other clothing. We had 1 adult with us who was handicapped, and she wasn't able to stick with us at all. There are elevators but it is not disability friendly. Overall 10/10 would return.

    Francis S.

    Hands down my favorite "museum" in St. Louis. Honestly, calling it a museum almost feels misleading. It's more like an analog amusement park built from reclaimed pieces of the city. Old bridges, industrial equipment, architectural salvage, stained glass, pipes, castles, tunnels, and all kinds of odds and ends have been transformed into one giant playground. Everywhere you look there's something to climb through, crawl under, or slide down. The best part? The slides. There are giant multi-story slides scattered throughout the museum, and every single one made me feel like a kid again. My knees may have been questioning my life choices after climbing through all the tunnels and staircases, but it was 100% worth it. Half the fun is simply wandering around and accidentally discovering a new room or passage you completely missed the first time. This is not a place where you walk in a straight line from one exhibit to the next. You explore. You get lost. You backtrack. You find something hidden behind another room. It's impossible to see everything in one visit, and that's honestly part of the charm. A few exhibits were unfortunately closed while I was there. I spotted an underwater-themed area that I was really excited to explore, but it wasn't open that day. It just gives me another reason to come back. One of my favorite spaces was the old bank vault. It was such a cool piece of history tucked into this wonderfully chaotic place. There are also so many quirky corners that make perfect photo and TikTok spots. At times it reminded me a little of the Museum of Illusions, except instead of optical illusions, everything here is meant to be climbed on and explored. I had an absolute blast. Whether you're visiting with kids or you're just an adult who misses climbing on everything you weren't supposed to touch, this place is ridiculously fun. I'll absolutely be back the next time I'm in St. Louis.

    Brad G.

    So much fun! The first visit was nearly 10 years ago. That time was fun too. On my most recent visit, it was just as much fun. I think I had forgot just how many different holes and paths you could take. They've also added more stuff than I remember. They had a section roped off because they're adding yet another section. I wasn't sure I'd enjoy the place as much this time around but I did. This is a must-visit when in StL but be warned, you will be tired after playing on this adult playground. The only annoyance this time is that I seem to remember that you could pay one price and get everything. This time, there was the general ticket that gives you access to 3 floors but no roof access. No pinball access. You have to pay extra for those two things. I guess extra charges make sense but just wrap the price all in one. I feel like the floors and roof should be in one ticket. There were a few times that employees came out on the roof to run people off that didn't have the appropriate color of bracelet. If you love having fun, definitely do this when visiting StL.

    Victoria W.

    We went with a big group of adults, a 4-year-old, and a 2-year-old, and everyone had an absolute blast! There was truly something for everyone, and the kids' area was fantastic. Our kids loved that they could also explore and do so much throughout the entire museum. It was such a fun experience for the whole family, and we'll definitely be back. Highly recommend!

    Jimmy L.

    Had a blast at the City Museum. It was like a giant interactive playground for kids. My daughter was kinda groggy after her nap, so she wasn't as enthusiastic and energetic at the museum. My favorite part was probably the outdoor area with the steps as airplane.

    Museum
    Tony D.

    Our kids favorite activity from St Louis. We could have spent a whole day there. The young ones will love it. The parents will love it for a little while until they start to panic about not being able to fit through a small opening. That didn't happen to me... Enjoyed the climbing, the obscure aquarium, the labyrinth and more.

    Phil H.

    Such a quirky and artsy facility for a corporate event which I attended while in town on a business trip recently. Multiple rooms and levels with so much to see and explore. Its a learning museum where one can view different creative art pieces, climb on and around, slide down, discover obstacles to tackle like being a kid again in a playground, and check out huge art pieces which puts a smile on your face. Inside and outside. This place challenges your mind and your body. You can surely get your exercise in while here! Its a fun spot for sure and definitely wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Its more like a playground for adults but great for kids as I would think they would love this type of museum. Its easy to get lost in here and spend hours having fun in this labyrinth of craziness, but so worth the price of admission.

    Metal climbing structure and airplane
    Antwanett M.

    On a recent trip to St.Louis, we decided to check out City Museum. We visited years ago when the kids were younger. It hasn't changed much, but still a cool and eclectic place to visit. We explored, took great photos and made new memories on our weekend getaway.

    Zay M.

    I came here around 1:30pm on a Friday afternoon with my sons. We were visiting the area from out of town. All I can say is that you can and will be there for hours!! There is so many tunnels, ladders, pathways, etc. both above and beyond. It's SO interesting! Even my older teen son liked it (for the most part). There is so much in one spot from the skateless park to the mini art gallery to the aquarium! My kids enjoyed the fish tank where you can put your hand in and the fish eat the dead skin; we ended up doing that twice. There were two big slides that was nice. I noticed several slides were closed, which is a bummer but probably a safety hazard. My sons did so the airbrush tattoos, which for S/M size is $15 plus tax. If you have younger kids, buddy system recommended as it's EASY to get lost. You can start somewhere and end somewhere else. The wristbands do have a spot to write your number in case your child does get lost. I like how you can go in and out! We left to get lunch and get air because it can get hot inside. There are lockers for rent and a map on the 3rd floor. I'm sure there were places we missed and if we were there longer, I would go back! The one thing we didn't do was the rooftop, but I wish we had. That will be something we do when/if we're here visiting again! I recommend! There's so much adventure here. I do like how there are multiple entrances to certain parts. Some entrances are TINY and geared for kids and/or skinner individuals. This was a great time to spend our last full day in the city! :)

    Ernie E.

    This place is very unique and worth visiting, but if you are a hover parent or like myself very safety cautious when it comes to my kids this place might give you some anxiety. You definitely need a few hours to go through this whole place. It is multiple stories high and both indoors and outdoors. It is very hard to explain besides it being unique.

    Monica R.

    What a fun place! My teen son and I visited and had a blast climbing through all sorts of structures, some of which I totally chickened out on, lol. We did the rooftop add-on, but honestly, for a first visit I'd skip the extras because there is already so much to see and do with just the regular ticket. Also, going on a Saturday after 5:00 can save you a few dollars, and you still have plenty of time to experience a lot. My teen had an amazing time and said it was one of his favorite parts of our STL trip.

    Angela A.

    City Museum is one of those rare attractions that's almost impossible to describe--and that's exactly what makes it so special. It's not a traditional museum. It's an interactive world where art, architecture, creativity, and adventure all come together. We spent more than 3 1/2 hours exploring and still felt like we had only discovered a fraction of what the museum has to offer. The caves were easily my favorite part. They wind through multiple levels with hidden passages, colorful mosaics, and unexpected rooms that make you feel like a real cave explorer. Getting a little lost only added to the experience. As a travel photographer, I was in heaven. I took nearly 200 photos because every turn revealed another incredible scene, unique architectural detail, or imaginative work of art. If you enjoy photography, you'll want to bring a fully charged camera and plenty of memory cards. One thing I loved was seeing visitors of every age enjoying themselves. Kids were having a blast, but so were parents, grandparents, couples, and solo travelers. City Museum has a way of bringing out everyone's sense of curiosity. A few tips for first-time visitors: * Plan for at least 3-4 hours, if not longer. * Wear comfortable shoes. * If you enjoy exploring every tunnel and cave, bring knee pads and a headlamp. * Park in the official City Museum parking lot. It's only $15, while some nearby lots charge significantly more. If you're visiting St. Louis, don't think of City Museum as just another stop on your itinerary. Make it one of your priorities. It's one of the most creative attractions I've ever visited and easily ranks among the highlights of our Midwest road trip. I can't wait to go back and discover everything we missed.

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    Fun museum that keeps transforming and growing. Haven't been for like 20 years but it had so much fun stuff for kids and adults alike.

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    Page 1 of 45

    Ask the Community - City Museum

    Will adults with ni kids enjoy this?

    Beyond a doubt

    Are the indoor areas air conditioned?

    Yes! A great place to cool off.

    Where did you park to visit the museum and is the parking safe?

    There are multiple lots in the area, including one at the museum. Yes, it's safe.

    Do you give a military discount?

    No, they do not.

    How long should you plan for a good visit to see most things?

    3 hours. We didn't spend a ton of time in any one place but did take the time to climb the big slide and stopped for a leisurely beer and arcade games. I feel like any longer and your brain starts to overload.

    Is this museum meant for kids? Would adults without kids enjoy this?

    Yes! It's primarily for kids; the main floor is like a major jungle gym/maze. The second floor continues that theme but there's also a fun arcade, and then the third floor has more exhibit type things and an art room. It's such a fun place!!

    I am what you call a "PLUSH" mom. Will I have problem fitting through some of the areas?

    I am also a plush mom. And yes, there were some areas I dared not try

    Can adult do everything or is it just for kids?

    adults can do everything, and more! there’s adult sections like an old school arcade and bars!

    I have a 11 month old, 3 1/2 year old and a 6 year old? Is it too crazy for an 11 month old or 3 year old? I want to have fun with them but not anxiety about loosing them in the chaos. Help

    I would be a little nervous about it. It's a really fun place, but easy to lose track of the kiddos in the cave tunnels. If you bypass the tunnels (good luck) you'd be ok in the rest of the place.

    Is this a good place to bring a 3 and 6 year old or is it more appropriate for older children?

    Totally perfect for a 3 and 6 year old!!

    If I need to take a stroller for a younger sibling, is it easy to navigate?

    A stroller is easy to navigate on the ground but the climbing areas are endless so as long as the older kids are good on their own or another adult is available to climb up should another kid need help you would be fine with a stroller.

    Is the rooftop access worth the extra $5? What activities are up there?

    Depends on the weather... if it's nice... then it is a matter of you like the view, riding the ferris wheel and a bunch of artifacts (dome from the planetarium) etc.... If you're not into that - then don't bother.

    Is it better to purchase tickets online? There is a service fee added online but I would be willing to pay it if the line in person is extremely long.

    We have been there twice and never experienced a long wait to buy tickets.

    Is there a place to store a suitcase, travel bag, and backpack?

    Yes! There are lockers in the front of the museum that you can use.

    Best time to go?

    If you are an adult, the best time to go is in the evening on Fridays and Saturdays. "After 5PM on Fridays and Saturdays, all visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. (Proof of age required.)" There are fewer children running… 

    Is there bike parking?

    Yes! They have some great bike parking along the side of the building!

    About how much are drinks at the bars and is there a happy hour?

    Drinks depending on what you get range from $4-$10 and there is no happy hour, but there are specials from time to time.

    Is outside food allowed?

    According to the website? No. Is it strictly enforced? No. Having said that, there's a snack bar, a BBQ restaurant in the outside area, a taco and hotdog place on the roof, and a pizza, sandwich, salad place just inside the door.

    Better on Friday night or Saturday night/ which night is more lit lol?

    Saturday night would be more "lit".

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    Review Highlights - City Museum

    “Highlights are the caves, the 10 story slide and the ferris wheel which was out of commission at the time of our visit.”

    Mentioned in 98 reviews

    Read more highlights

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