City Museum in St Louis

St. Louis City Museum

The City Museum is truly a one-of-kind attraction and to someone who’s never been there, it’s difficult to describe this wacky place.  The Museum is a 600,000 square foot building crammed full of interesting things to do and see – indoor playgrounds, tree houses, and caves, even a Ferris wheel on the roof.  But it’s also the look of the place, the architecture that makes it truly amazing.  Designed by an internationally acclaimed artist and sculptor, the whole place is a work of art from all the objects, mosaics, tiles, and salvaged materials that make up the City Museum.

Kids (and teens and even adults!) will be amazed at the never-ending things to play on, climb through and jump in!  Inside the Museum is a cave system, multi-level enchanted forest, underground tunnels, treehouse, ball pits, and more.  Outside, a huge jungle gym was created from a castle turret, two aircraft fuselages, a fire engine, human-sized slinkies, and more!

There is also a Hall of Mirrors, World Aquarium, a working Shoelace Factory, and an interactive Circus.  You can find a mini-museum of Architecture, Natural History and more, as well as an actual 19th-century cabin, lived in by the son of Daniel Boone that was relocated to the inside of the Museum. There is also a Toddler Town for younger kids to play in, with smaller tunnels, balls pits, and slides. Everyone will enjoy getting in touch with their artistic side in Art City – you can paint, tie-dye, sculpt, and much much more, as well as watching professional artists paint, sculpt, and blow glass.

The newest addition to the City Museum is the new rooftop attractions, including a four-story Ferris wheel, slides, Splash Pond, rope swing, plus many more exciting things to do.

I could go on and on about all of the unique things inside the Museum, but the best thing to do is go and see it for yourself.  Their City Museum website also has a complete listing of all the activities and lots of cool pictures to give you a better idea of what you can do while you are there!

Make sure to check the calendar for dates and times, as not all attractions are always open.  The roof is closed during winter (will open up again in March) and the Circus performances are Wednesday through Sunday, and only at specific times during the day.  Admission is $12 (plus $5 for rooftop activities).  The price is definitely worth what you get; this is an all-day event that will wow people of all ages!  Not to be missed when visiting St. Louis!

World Aquarium

Since its inception in 1971, the mission of the World Aquarium is to increase the knowledge of aquatic life and environments, to enable people to conserve the world of water and to provide leadership for the preservation and sustainable use of aquatic resources.

Located in the City Museum in downtown St. Louis, this aquarium has adopted the animals from the Children’s aquarium including the small sharks, piranhas, catfish, crabs, alligators, and turtles. The staff offers an incredible hands-on learning experience.

With the addition of the 13,500- square- foot World Aquarium in June 2004, creature lovers of all ages have yet another incentive to call on downtown’s most intriguing retreat. See what it’s like to pet a shark, stingray, and sea turtle, but if you just can’t muster up the strength to conquer your fears of underwater beings, there are also less intimidating animals like Guinea pigs and such hanging around near the corals and tide pools at Sand Castle Beach.

Hours:
Mon- Tue: Closed
Wed- Thu & Sun 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Fri- Sat. 9:00 AM- 11:00 PM
School groups only on Mon.- Tue.

Enchanted Caves

Painted in mystery and textured with intrigue, the newest caves of the CITY MUSEUM offer explorers of all ages an opportunity to walk, climb and crawl through the mind of a master artist. Built within a historic shoe factory’s spiral conveyor tunnel system, the caves emanate from deep within the heart of CITY MUSEUM.

Cabin Inn

Although CITY MUSEUM is a playground of the mind for the young child as well as the inner child, there is one chunk of spectacle reserved specifically for the enjoyment of our older, vivacious visitors: Cabin Inn the City.
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Art City

Create your own work of art or watch professional artists demonstrate their craft! Art City features an ever-changing array of artists, painters, potters and sculptors at work. The Glass Studio demonstrates turning molten glass into unique sculpture forms and a variety of techniques, including glassblowing, hot glass sand-casting, etching, cutting, blasting, and polishing.
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Tiny Train Town Model Railroad

For the train fanatic in your family, explore the wonder of this exceptionally detailed miniature train display. The detail and care put into this elaborate exhibit delight the hearts of young and old.

Renovated Architecture

Featuring a fascinating collection of architectural relics, Architecture Hall represents the extensive collection efforts of exhibit curator Bruce Gerrie. This magnificent palace of history is available for evening rental to suit parties, dances, receptions and other functions.

MonstroCity

What happens when you mix two Saber 40 aircraft fuselages, a fire engine, a castle turret, a 25′ tall cupola, and several 4′ wide wrought-iron slinkies, and the creativity of CITY MUSEUM Creative Director Bob Cassilly and his crew? The result is MonstroCity, the most monumental, monolithic, monstrous montage of monkey bars in the world.

CM in the PM

CM in the PM If CITY MUSEUM is so magical in the daytime, you can’t imagine the world that’s unlocked when the sunsets. Candlelight, enchanting music, inspiration and laughter penetrate the city night. Cherished memories are frequently made on CITY MUSEUM nights.

Museum of Mirth, Mystery, and Mayhem

Beatnik Bob’s, a bohemian hangout with The Museum of Mirth, Mystery and Mayhem where artist Bill Christman conveys the innocence, tawdry charms and cheesiness of the carnival midway and eccentric roadside attractions. Don’t miss the Elvis Channeler, the Corn Dogs Through the Ages exhibit and the world’s largest pair of men’s briefs.

everyday circus

Everyday circus is a place that makes every day a Circus Day with inspiring, interactive circus entertainment, memory-invoking circus food, fun, fabulous parties and exciting, educational circus classes.

Vintage Opera Posters

From the collection of John Frank Lesser, these posters range from an 1845 Russian announcement for a performance of Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia to the 2003 season poster for Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Many posters were created for world premieres or for early performances of operas by Puccini or Massenet.

About the Museum