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. read more

See all

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. read more

City Museum - Museum - Museums Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

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. read more

See all

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 read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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! :) read more

See all

This place was very confusing, cool, and big! A great place for adults and kids! Beware of bus on roof. read more

City Museum - Slides and tunnels - Museums Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

See all

I thought I had written a review of this a couple years ago but maybe I didn't. I think of this place almost EVERY DAY. Definitely whenever someone mentions St Louis or anything that I associate with St Louis. It's my favorite place in the world. I think another reviewer recommended wearing closed toe-shoes, comfortable clothing that you can move in - preferably long pants - as long as they have good pockets, because you don't want to be carrying a purse or bag. This is important. If you have a fear of heights - the City Museum might make you forget that you have a fear of heights. Because it made me forget that I do. I was climbing everywhere. It's amazing. I know how to weld, and all the welds look great and are finished smoothly so you don't get scratched or snagged. Impressive! We went there once when our daughter was 6, and again when she was 21, and I can definitely say that I had a better time when she was older (even though, obviously, I was significantly older as well). Because it does seem a little not-safe if you have a little kid with you. But even then I had absolutely loved it. I live 8 hours away but would literally clear my schedule for the next couple days, anytime, if someone wanted me to go there with them. Just let me grab my sneakers and joggers and I'm ready! read more

The City Museum is a core memory from my childhood and a special place every kid deserves to experience! Every square inch of this massive building (inside and out) is a playground for kids to explore, crawl, run, slide, jump, climb, you name it. I grew up coming here, and trips to the city museum stand out as some of my most fun days as a kid. I remember crawling through what seemed like miles of tunnels and having the time of my life. I can't wait to come back as an adult when my toddler is a little bit older. I'm not sure I'll fit in the tunnels anymore, but I'm certain if there is one place that is guaranteed to bring out the kid in you again, it's the city museum. read more

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. read more

See all

Went with daughter and 3 school age grandchildren. We were checked in by a super friendly employee Grace. She helped put on all of our wristbands and then gave us a quick intro. We saw her later at the carousel , and she then found my 6 year old granddaughter who got "lost" going from one awesome climbing labyrinth to another floor! This museum is well worth the $ . We spent 5 and a half hours here! There are hidden tunnels and just fantastic places to slide and climb. 5 stars plus!!! read more

This place is insane in the best way possible. Such a fun, creative place and unliked anything I've seen. I went with my sister, brother in law, and nieces and we could've spent many more hours just wandering around. There are endless places to go, things to climb, and slides to go down. The kids absolutely loved it! The only downside is some spaces are just a bit small for adults, but they're doable if you're willing! I will absolutely be going back, even if my nieces aren't in town! read more

City Museum - Museums Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

See all

If you come to St Louis, you have to go here. It's a must. So whimsical and fun, for kids and adults - it's the most fun interactive museum ever! They host events and have a rooftop, late night things and adult only events, all kinds of things. So many corners of your imagination to explore here - my favorite memories as a kid was making the clay sculptures and sliding around the skate park. The caves are fun, and the slide is something you kinda have to do. The outside is a test of guts climbing these metal sculptures and structures. There is also a ball pit that was wildly popular when it's warmer. There is endless ways to get lost in here, secret caves and doors that lead to mazes or aquariums or a hamster wheel?! You have to see it for yourself and just experience. read more

See all

A museum, unlike any other! Take your kids to your friends, whoever to get lost in the whimsical world! They have multiple bars through out for adults. Truly one of the most apocalyptic places in the city! There is so much to learn, see and climb here! They even have a toddler town for the little ones. The roof offered great beets of the city and I recommend a ride in the Ferris wheel at sunset! read more

See all

Great place to bring your family!! Pro tip write your phone number on your childs wristbands and let them explore. Set up a meeting point or explore yourself and find one another, pleasing to all ages!! Highly Recommend read more

You probably don't need me to be this 1500th person to say this, but this place is awesome -- in both the modern sense and the classical sense of the word. Awesome in that it's just full of an insane amount of cool stuff -- shops, stations, and especially small tunnels that go all over the place. And awesome in the sense of inspiring awe and terror because it's overwhelming and easy to lose track of your children, especially given the tunnels, many of which are too small for adults and yet amazingly tempting and totally labyrinthine. Somebody told me that the whole place has a legislative exemption from generally applicable tort law and I almost believe it. This was the driving force behind our trip to St Louis, it was totally worth it, and while I was ready to tap out several hours in, our kids got a second wind and practically had to be pried away. I'm sure we'll be back in the summer sometime when it's supposed to be even cooler .... read more

Updating my review from 5 years ago! Continue to love love this place. Never seen anything like it anywhere else. Brought our 3-year-old niece and even though we had to really keep tabs on her since we can't depend on her to stay close, she had so much fun. So much for kids to do here! Be prepared to really crawl around if you are chasing your kids. Don't miss the aquarium as well as the caves. read more

This museum is a stl gem . It is like a ginormous playground with adventures for children and adults alike. Every floor has new adventures to discover . There are tunnels, slides and places to climb , aquariums , insectariums etc etc. There is a small circus with a few shows daily . There is an outdoor attraction called monstrosity and a fun rooftop with a hanging bus and a rooftop Ferris wheel . There are paid lots for parking and some metered parking spaces nearby. There are quite a few cafes and places to eat and drink in the museum and two solid gift shops. The museum also has after hours events and special decor on Halloween and Christmas . Oh and I forgot pinball . You can play a ton of pinball all day for a small free . The people who work there are slightly grumpy but ah well not everything can be perfect . read more

See all

Incredible Experience--With Some Pro Tips! This place was amazing and a great time overall! We went on a Tuesday midday, and while there was a decent crowd, it wasn't packed. We were able to explore everything without long waits or hassle. I went with my 19-year-old daughter, but I'm already looking forward to bringing her little brother once he's in his toddler years. Didn't post too many pictures because I don't want to spoil the fun and it would do this place justice! We spent hours here. We started at the rooftop and worked our way down--every level had its own theme: aquatic sections, caves, tunnels, mazes. It's easy to lose track of time and your kids in here. Some of the spaces are very tight--not something I'd recommend squeezing into as an adult. Thankfully, there are stairs that allow parents to meet up with their kids at the end of the tunnels. Heads up (literally): both my daughter and I hit our heads in the caverns--bring a helmet if you can. A headlamp would also be a smart addition. About the food: skip it. It was overpriced and honestly not good. I don't know if they offer in-and-out privileges, but I'd suggest eating beforehand or asking if you can come back in after grabbing a meal elsewhere. Tips I Wish I Knew Beforehand: * Knee pads: Tons of crawling--your knees will thank you. You can buy there for $11. * Helmet and headlamp: Especially for dark, tight areas like the caverns. I cracked my phone screen trying to use my flashlight. You can buy here but not sure of price. * Gym shoes and workout clothes: If you plan to participate, dress like you're going to a fitness class. * No shorts on slides: They'll slow you down (your legs stick). * Walkie-talkies: Genius for keeping in touch. * There is a toddler section. * There's a bar and seating for parents who are okay letting their kids roam a bit. * Not ideal for grandparents or anyone who has trouble walking or standing for long periods. * Pinball add-on: Small section that gets crowded. Don't prepay--you can add it later if it's worth it. Lastly, some areas can be intense--dark, tight, and a bit disorienting. Remind your kids (and yourself) to stay calm and kind. You'll occasionally get stuck behind someone who's scared, or be in a tight spot where someone needs to backtrack. Patience and understanding go a long way to make it a great experience for everyone. read more

See all

We are obsessed with the city museum. What started as a Black Friday membership purchase for the family quickly became an obsession. Outdoor areas, Ferris wheel, amazing art, ultimate kids climbing area, aquarium, circus, carousel, outdoor spaces I mean the list goes on and on. Our kids are 2 and 4, lots of people say it's for older kids but I think it is great for our toddlers! We have a blast with them and love it each and every time we go! We have conceived each and everyone of our friends to get seasons passes because of how great it is, you won't be disappointed! read more

Brought a school group here and the kids loved it. Not my cup of tea, and if you're easily overstimulated this place might not be for you, but there was so much for kids of all ages to do and experience. My only knock on the place was the dining experience. It took a long time to get our food after ordering it. The quality of the food didn't stand up to the price -- very expensive for middle of the road quality meals. And the menus in the venue didn't match up with the menus listed on their website, so there were a lot of things "they don't offer anymore." Otherwise, a great and unique stop in STL. read more

City Museum - Squirrel - Museums Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

See all

This is any kid's haven! There are SO many things to explore, climb and discover. It's truly a playground for all ages, even the adults, although we found it much harder to maneuver the small spaces than our limber kids! We saw a family who brought their own headlamps and that was smart because there are a lot of dark areas too. We spent about 4 hours there and still didn't even go to one or two floors. We will have to go back! There was a free "circus" show, which was a gentleman who di a little silly magic, comedy and some juggling. It wasn't a full on show, but he did a good job and gave it his all! Being January and very cold the outdoor area was freezing to be outside, but it was still open and available for the kids to go through it. This is a place I've wanted to take our kids for years and finally got the chance. It was worth the wait because actually now that they're older I felt more comfortable letting them run around and do their own thing. It might be challenging with the littles who can easily crawl up, down and through small areas with the parents trying to keep up. My kids had a great time. The price is super reasonable. If we lived here we would have definitely upgraded to an annual pass! read more

See all

This place makes you feel like a kid again! I went here in college with a bunch of friends and had a BLAST!! We spent hours here and explored the roof, outside areas, 10 story slide, etc. I took my nieces here about 6-7 years ago when they were in elementary school and still had sooooo much fun. It just was much harder to keep up and go into tiny spaces... so they navigated some of it by themselves with my friend and me watching. Idk why but the roof was closed. I took my kid when he was 2 and had a lot of fun! It was just hard to not lose him when I cant comfortably climb around and keep up with him. Also hard because most spots have multiple exits- so I recommend having 2 adults to supervise small children who don't have the ability to safely track their adults. Overall, I would def take my kiddo back when he's more independent! Also, when he's of age to go down the 10 story slide. read more

Planned a day trip here . Tuesday arrived at 10am - left at 2pm My children could have stayed longer.. Ages 9/7/4 loved everything. We had arcade & rooftop access . Something for all ages. It was a little hard to do some of the mazes, etc with my 4 year old so it was nice to have the older kid to assist. Would go back if we ever visit St Louis again. read more

City Museum - Tunnel outside - Museums Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

OMG!! I have no idea how to even explain this stop it's just something you've gotta experience. Doesn't matter whether you have children or are a kid at heart . This is like a Willy wonka / pee wees playhouse / Harry Potter wonderland . Really neat museum with mazes , slides & artifacts . Make sure you grab the YELLOW wristband to enter the rooftop experience. read more

See all

Bucket list check! Be sure to wear comfortable, close fitting garments and shoes that stay on. If possible, use only pockets to hold your stuff since some of the slides don't allow loose articles including purses. Dress in layers, my menopausal self was warm. Allow plenty of time to explore. Have a plan to keep little ones in sight. It is hectic, dark in places and the layout massively confusing. AND it is fabulous!!!! I've wanted to visit this museum for years and climbing to the plane outside was everything I dreamed of. The inside blew any expectations I had out of the water! Do not come to St Louis and miss this attraction. Fun at 47 for sure! read more

City Museum - Museums Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

So big and a lot to explore. Not too expensive but so very worth it. There are little tunnels everywhere with random secret paths. Its a bit tight to fit into sometimes but still fun. This place is amazing for familys and kids. There is so much to do. The variety is really good with rooftop activities, slides, climbing, food and so much more. Some tunnels are a bit claustrophobic and might not be great for people with claustrophobia. I really enjoyed this place and would definitely go back. I highly recommend this place. read more

See all

The place is a total maze and we didn't know it was more of a kids attraction than for adults, but even as adults (one with a bad knee) we still had fun crawling through the openings and exploring the building. I will say the pinball hall was a bit of a let down, it's like maybe 20 machines and it was so crowded we didn't get the try all of them read more

See all

I've been to the City Museum many times and live all of it, from the climbing spaces and slides to all of their yearly events. Anytime I go the staff is always really helpful to assist me with any issues or questions that I have. One of the areas that I think should be improved are their Christmas displays, they definitely could have added more around the different floors. read more

See all

A fun place to move around. The layout is a little confusing. It would be helpful if they offered maps to guests. Plenty of restrooms. There are a couple of gift shops, restaurants, and bar areas. Many of the exhibits require mobility to go up/down stairs and within tight areas. You do pay a fee for parking as well as entrance. read more

This place is crazy insane. You will definitely lose your children for 10-15 minute at a time and have no idea what floor they are on or where tunnel let out. Add the roof experience to your ticket for sure, but the pinball hall is not worth it. The kids had a great time. read more

A Place Full of Adventure! The St. Louis Museum is one of the coolest places I've ever been! It's full of history, fun, and adventure around every corner -- from caves and tunnels to slides that go down five floors. There's even an aquarium where you can touch stingrays, climb under tanks, and check out a super cool lizard exhibit. They also have adult-only nights with drinks, themed sections, and live shows -- we even watched someone breathe fire! There's truly nothing else out there like this place. That said, I probably wouldn't take really little kids. It's a lot of climbing, crawling, and exploring, and it can be a bit of a safety hazard (the wristband even says they're not responsible for accidents!). So go at your own risk -- but if you love adventure and unique experiences, this is definitely a must-see! read more

See all

-- The Most Fun You'll Ever Have Losing Your Kids (Temporarily) City Museum is like Willy Wonka built a playground, handed the blueprints to an architect who'd had too much coffee, and then let a bunch of kids loose. My niece and nephew absolutely LOVED it -- climbing through tunnels, crawling into mysterious openings, and disappearing into slides that may or may not lead to another dimension. As for me? I trusted that eventually they'd find their way back (kids are like homing pigeons when they're hungry), and in the meantime, I discovered the bar on the 4th floor. Let's just say a cocktail makes watching them scale a giant rebar jungle gym a lot less nerve-wracking. Between the caves, the rooftop bus, and the pure chaotic joy of it all, City Museum is part art, part playground, part fever dream -- and 100% worth it. Wear comfortable shoes, keep your phone charged, and remember: if you lose track of your kids, they're probably just having the time of their lives. read more

What is there to say, this is the best place in STL, perhaps the entire Midwest. We have had a yearly membership for the past few years. The new labyrinth exhibit is spectacular. My kids and I have heard the workers building it for about two years and the wait was worth it. The maze is tough, but not scary for the kids and ends with arguably the best and smoothest slide in the museum. Keep up the great work! read more

City Museum - New labyrinth feature - Museums Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

The City Museum is a St. Louis classic, we suggest it to everyone coming to visit. It's so unique and something for everyone, of all ages. My nephew is a little more timid and he was able to share the space with all the little kids without issue. The slides outside are insane and so cool. Definitely challenging but worth it. We could spend hours here, there's so much to see and so. Such a blast. read more

We visited the City Museum today and our two kids had a great time overall. However, we had a really difficult experience at the carousel that I hope management will consider. Our 4-year-old son is autistic and sometimes needs a parent physically beside him to feel safe and regulated in new or overwhelming situations. When I attempted to sit with him on the carousel bench, I was told I could not ride with him, despite seeing toddlers and infants riding with adults. Because of this, my son became extremely upset and sat crying while the ride went on and his sister was able to participate. I understand safety rules are important, but I hope staff can be encouraged to approach situations like this with a little more flexibility and compassion. Not every disability or support need is visible, and many parents should not have to explain private medical or developmental information in order for their child to feel included. I'm sharing this in hopes that accessibility and understanding can be considered more thoughtfully for families visiting in the future. read more