I honestly debated taking off a star for one issue, but in the end I couldn't bring myself to do it because everything else about this museum was so wonderful. First of all, it's free, which is incredible considering the quality of the collection. It's located in the middle of beautiful Forest Park, so even getting there is part of the experience. The museum sits on top of Art Hill, and the grounds are gorgeous with wide green spaces, walking paths, and beautiful views. It's the kind of place where you can easily spend an afternoon both inside and outside. The museum itself has an impressive collection spanning so many cultures and time periods. There are ancient artifacts, European paintings, sculptures, decorative arts... and yes, they even have Egyptian mummies. Seeing those in person was fascinating, although I'll admit it always makes me wonder about the provenance and how museum collections like that came to be. That's a much bigger conversation though. The staff were also fantastic. Everyone I spoke with was kind, approachable, and happy to share what they knew about the artwork and exhibits. You could tell they genuinely enjoyed being there. The only reason I almost docked a star was because I came across... well... a piece of poop on the gallery floor. It wasn't cleaned up immediately, and it seemed to sit there for a while before anyone noticed. It definitely caught me off guard. That said, I don't think it's really fair to blame the museum for another visitor's actions. Accidents happen, and while I wish it had been spotted sooner, it didn't take away from how much I enjoyed the museum overall. Beautiful setting, incredible collection, friendly staff, and one of the best free museums I've visited. Definitely worth a stop if you're in St. Louis. read more

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First off, it's hard to beat the setting which is right in Forest Park and the building itself is beautiful and historic. Walking to it already feels like it's part of the experience. Inside, the collection is genuinely impressive. There's a huge range from ancient artifacts to modern and contemporary art so it never feels repetitive. You can go from Egyptian pieces to seeing European pieces from Monet and Picasso in the same visit. One of the best parts is that general admission is free which makes it super accessible and easy to spend as much (or as little) time as you want without feeling pressured. The layout is spacious and easy to explore, although some sections feel stronger than others depending on your taste. It's also the kind of place where you can wander and really take your time. Great for both a quick visit or a longer afternoon. It's one of the best attractions in St Louis with a surprisingly deep collection. Definitely worth visiting especially if you're already in Forest Park. read more

Saint Louis Art Museum - Art Museums Near Me - St Louis, Missouri

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Piece for piece. Pound for pound. SLAM is free, yet the quality and quantity of the art works were amazing. From Monet to Van Gogh to african pieces. There are plenty of eras at this museum. Honestly, there are a lot of great works. There are free parking spots nearby as well as a garage, but you need to pay for that. Overall, beautiful space inside and outside of museum. read more

I am still trying to grasp the lay of the land here. So after lunch, my husband casually mentioned Forest Park was nearby, I was very intrigued because I knew two things about St. Louis: museums are free here, everything I want to see is at Forest Park. So we drive up and I am hit with those gorgeous feat of architecture and this beautiful view of park. There is plenty of FREE parking, but because the museum is free, we opted for paid $10 parking to pay our share. This is a mammoth of an art museum where it really holds true to the history of the building. I am used to very modern buildings so this was lovely to see. It was just as impressive as the Met in NYC. We weren't planning an art visit, and my little one was getting sleepy so we walked around the 1st floor. I saw some of my favorite Renaissance pieces, some modern art (Picasso, not my thing), and lots of lovely ancient, classical pottery. We will be be back! read more

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You really have to see these Anselm Kiefer paintings before they go! I love SLAM but haven't been in a while and have been wanting to see these paintings for months. Cue my brother in for spring break and we are going! They are absolutely MAGNIFICENT. I had to look very closely and from far away and everywhere between! The thickness and dimension of color combos etc are so striking! Love that the museum is free too, no reason not to stop by even for a short visit. Hate I took so long and have already decided I will be back! After I was satisfied, we talked to folks about what else was currently displayed. We wandered through some of the other galleries too and enjoyed talking through things. Love having such a well funded museum in town! read more

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Such a great event. With so many pretty flowers decorations. It was so crowded, which makes taking pictures harder and it was harder to find parkings as well. However it was so worth it. Seeing both the paintings and flowers in person were so much better. read more

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This place had amazing paintings! The tour guide was very nice! Seeing art from different cultures was spectacular! read more

Saint Louis Art Museum - Abstract art - Art Museums Near Me - St Louis, Missouri

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Such a beautiful building with stunning art exhibits throughout, you could easily spend hours here exploring! We had a wonderful time, and it was especially fun catching a glimpse of the staff preparing for a wedding. I'd definitely come back again read more

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I truly enjoyed exploring this museum. There is so much to see and I saw art work from famous artists that I read about in art classes. This includes Vincent Van Gogh and Diego Rivera. This is a great place for a solo trip, group or family trip and there is so much to see and do close by. The zoo is only a 10 minute walk away. read more

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It was a beautiful day, and that meant Forest Park was packed! My visit was during the Anselm Kiefer Becoming the Sea exhibit. After its stop here it will be done. The main hall displayed four massive pieces; it really invoked his intent from his visit to St. Louis and how the Mississippi reminded him of the Rhine. Those were so exciting. There were many rooms displaying his art, beyond the main room, another favorite was The Woman of Antiquity, holding sculptures based on notable women from ancient history. Plaster dresses with sculpted pieces replacing their heads that were symbolic of their identity. So cool walking in the room. Museum staff were notable present and helpful. I did learn about the line for distance from the art pieces. I wasn't planning on touching but was leaning close to see the wonderful texture. I was told in a nice way that I was too close. The Art Museum is beautiful, and the exhibit was well presented read more

Saint Louis Art Museum - Entrance - Art Museums Near Me - St Louis, Missouri

If you're in St. Louis, you absolutely need to experience this. It's breathtaking, calming, and a total must-visit. Plus, it's completely FREE! If you're a local or just visiting, it's an unforgettable part of the city. read more

Saint Louis Art Museum - Exterior - Art Museums Near Me - St Louis, Missouri

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Went here recently for the Art in Bloom event. Boy was it amazing! I have not been there since they remodeled- it is quite fantastic! Be prepared to walk! read more

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The great place to go with kids and enjoy art. The admission was free which is so convenient for big families. We love their exhibitions, their café, and the gift shop had various exotic items we had a great time. read more

We just visited the Saint Louis Art Museum and was thoroughly impressed by both the extensive collection and the gorgeous atmosphere of the building itself. While the museum is already a must-see in STL, our visit was made truly special by the guided tour given by Melanie. Knowledgeable & Engaging: Melanie brought a passion and expertise to the tour that was unmatched. She went far beyond just reciting dates, sharing captivating stories behind the brushstrokes and context for the artists. Highly Recommended: She made the art accessible to everyone in our group, sparking thoughtful conversations. Fantastic Atmosphere: The museum is pristine and relaxing, a perfect place to spend a day. If you visit, you must inquire about a tour with Melanie. She turned a great trip into an unforgettable cultural experience. Will be back soon! read more

Saint Louis Art Museum - Art Museums Near Me - St Louis, Missouri

The Saint Louis Art Museum is truly a gem. Admission is always free for everyone (except for add-ons like special exhibits or events). The museum building itself is impressive, perched at the top of "Art Hill" with a beautiful view of Forest Park. There is so much to see at the museum that you can return many times without seeing everything. It's a nice air conditioned space in the Summer too, if you just want to pop in for some culture while you cool off. We visited on a Friday night for one of their SLAM Underground events. Admission and most of the activities were free, including a themed craft. There was also a cash bar. We spent some time outdoors in the sculpture area outside since it was a beautiful night. There are two free parking lots on either side of the museum, across the street. There is a pay underground garage next to the museum (museum members get discount rates) or you can park for free on the street. read more

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This is a museum that was initially built for the World's Fair in 1904 and later made into the fantastic art museum it is today with a stunning collection! We visited during 7/4/25 because they were offering free tickets to the 1920s French fashion and car exhibit. Incredible (though sadly temporary) exhibit! When you're done gazing at the Picasso and Monet and Degas, hunt down John McCrady's Swing Low, Sweet Chariot painting. Admission to the Museum is free every day, while admission to main exhibitions is free on Fridays Hours Tuesday-Sunday: 10 am-5 pm Friday: 10 am-9 pm Closed Monday Free parking available read more

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The Anselm Kiefer exhibit was sensational. To think that he painted the 5 room towering pieces just for the exhibit. His combination of mixed media art combines his treasured memories with earthly materials and calming colors. Just loved it. read more

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Ansel Keifer St. Louis Art Museum. Decided to check out the Ansel Kiefer exhibit at the St. Louis Art Museum. It is such a great thing that you can see international Art exhibitions for free. We went early with no waiting. The exhibit was impressive. The medium Ansel used varied but was interesting natural items. The use of gold leaf, ash, and twigs made these exhibits stand out. His 1991 visit to St. Louis and the journey on the Mississippi inspired this exhibition. These new luminous new green and gold paintings depicting rivers and protective water spirits. His earlier works showed The Rhine river from his childhood memories. I would recommend you see these impressive 30 foot paintings before they are gone by the 25th of January. read more

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This museum is 3 levels of incredible pieces . It's completely FREE to the public . My favorite were the mummies & the large Picasso collections . The building is absolutely gorgeous. You'll want to stop and enjoy the view outside too. Plan at least an hour or so for this stop .Don't forget to grab a goodie at the cafe & gift shops on lower level. read more

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Our brief visit to the free venue was amazing! We wished we had more time (like a whole day) to luxuriously take in this beautiful museum. If you're in Missouri, you have to take a day to just hang out here. The grounds are beautiful. The exhibits are thought provoking, the staff is friendly, the museum is relaxing and beautiful inside and out. We had so many rain days. If we'd known about this gorgeous option, we would have chosen to spend over of them hanging out at this museum! If you find yourself in the area, you should know this museum is located in a fine arts district! There are other museums, a zoo, nice walking paths, and a large park. Even on the rainy day we went to the museum, there were lots of people running, walking, and enjoying the outdoors areas. The Museum has a cafe so you can stay the a while. My service dog was welcome because he has a trained skill not because he was registered with she fake online registry so don't try that! I appreciated the kindness and genuine effort but the museum staff to verify the status of my ADA compliance! Thank you for knowing the rules as well as I do! It keeps me and my service dog safe! You have to find your own favorite spots but I loved the Egyptian and African exhibits. The Textile exit was fun too. I always love interesting fabrics and textures. I only wish I'd had me time to fully enjoy this space. If I ever get back to STL, I'M going here FIRST for a whole day -- maybe two! read more

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Beautiful, timeless, peaceful. I prefer going throughout the week when it is a little less busy, but it is always a great time to spend solo or with loved ones. read more

I went to SLAM for their Art in Bloom event with some friends and I didn't quite know what to expect since it was my first time, but I LOVED it!! I'm glad I went with a group of friends who knew how to find all the locations of the flowers because I'm sure I'd struggle finding them. The flowers were located on every level including the parking garage in the lower level, so they were scattered enough so as not to crowd one area. I loved everything about the event! The flower archway in the main lobby was beautifully created and so we're all of the floral arrangements throughout the building. Some of the designs definitely left me thinking and in awe of their wonderful creations. read more

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Not sure as to how I never reviewed this place before. I've been to museums all over the USA and Europe as a professor of art and we're really lucky to have an art museum like this. Its a terrific general collection, not too over curated in any one area of art. Still they manage to put on special exhibitions and some real block busters too. Well worth the price to get a membership. read more

a short review: SLAM is a highlight of st. louis both on an absolute basis and on a relative one. in the absolute sense, it features a lot of art that is really amazing, and has a lot of interesting exhibits. on a relative basis this is probably the best museum in a 5 hour radius. not to mention it's free. maybe they should actually start charging a small one... i most recently came the the anselm keifer exhibit. i am actually not sure i saw the point in featuring this artist specifically beyond the fact that "SLAM has a commitment to german art" and that anselm has visited STL before (plus the rather pedantic fact that the missouri and the danube are both rivers) overall worth your time to visit read more

Very cool - vast range of periods and art forms represented across multiple floors and spaces. Well laid out and enough to see to spend hours on a lazy day. read more

I've lived here for 25 years and have never stepped foot inside the art museum. Been to many events on Art Hill and in Forest Park. Then I heard about the Roar exhibit that was coming and I jumped in feet first as a new member. One of the best decisions I made!! I've enjoyed all the member benefits from yours to free events to $5 garage parking to discounts in the gift shop and of course, ROAR member preview!! I am hooked. I have gone back several times in the few months I've been member. I'm 45 min away but it's worth the drive! If you have not gone, try it!! Well worth it!! read more

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This place is amazing! It is so much bigger than I thought it would be and it's FREE. I was impressed with the variety of art they had displayed here. Plus the museum itself is so spacious and beautiful, all the hard wood floors and marble flooring. Every thing is so well displayed and the lay out of the place was fun. Highly recommend coming here! There wasn't a ton of seating but it is sprinkled through your the museum read more

Saint Louis Art Museum - Art Museums Near Me - St Louis, Missouri

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Beautiful place and full of beautiful history. Our 4 year olds have been into arts lately so we brought them here to see different styles and cultures. They were interested for almost 25 minutes which considering their age was very impressive. read more

Really enjoyed the Roaring France car related exhibition. Never seen so many cars in the art museum before. Highly recommend to see before it is gone! read more

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Absolutely a must visit in St. Louis, and the best part... it's free admission! They have a cafe downstairs that has really friendly staff. Food was a bit pricey for what it is, but it's worth it especially since there's no admission fee. Their gift shop is also a great place to hang out and look at all the unique props and accessories they offer. read more

We have been members since Covid and love getting to come and see the newest exhibits! The current one features a blend of fashion, art and rare cars! They always have something new and compelling to come and see, and I am always surprised at what I learn when we are there! A great resource for our city and a must visit for those from out of town! read more

I always appreciate when the finer things in life are made accessible to everyone-regardless of ability to pay a high ticket price. The Saint Louis Art Museum is as accessible as it comes-free admission to everyone! The art inside is just as stunning as the building that it's in. I could spend hours in here admiring the different works and meandering through the various halls. There's so much to see! Even outside, there's a modest sculpture garden worthy of a morning stroll. If you need a little culture in your life, be sure to make a plan to visit. It won't cost you anything! read more

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Beautiful art museum in Forest Park. Free entry, lot of artworks from ancient Europe to Egypt to medieval weapons. The building overlooks a beautiful lake and landscape. Great spot for pictures taking. They even offer free winter coats check in and bags storage. read more

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I like the arts here. It's educational and good for people who like to learn about fine arts.

The St. Louis Art Museum is absolutely world-class--we were floored. From start to finish, this place delivers museum magic. Picasso? Check. Monet? Of course. That artist you pretend to know about at dinner parties? Yep, probably there too. Every gallery felt like a mic drop. We kept walking around saying, "How is this in St. Louis and not in Paris?" The collection is stunning, the space is gorgeous, and it's all somehow free. Honestly, it felt like we were getting away with something. If you're anywhere near St. Louis and skip this place... that's on you. Just go. You'll thank me when you're standing in front of a Degas, trying not to cry. read more

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We went to the Collected Exhibition opening and once again SLAM did not disappoint. They had exhibit specialists on hand to answer questions. Tons of activities. Live music. And of course amazing curated collections of people from St Louis. Highly recommend this exhibit! read more

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I came to the Art Museum on a Friday night for Art In Bloom. There were signs everywhere from the entrance to the park. The park was already full of people enjoying warm weather activities, so parking places were at a premium. We were directed to the Upper Muny parking lot, which is a lighted lot, and they had shuttles to run everyone over. The shuttle driver kept a party like atmosphere on his bus with jams, which made us all more excited to get there. On arrival, there were lots of people giving everyone a booklet telling us where to find each Art entry, and who made it. It was such a well thought out and run event. Each of the entries were beautiful as well. They were spread out over 3 floors, so you're going over the whole building. I am so glad I got to see it, the SLAM is a treasure in the city! read more

Saint Louis Art Museum - Another entrant. They were magnificent! - Art Museums Near Me - St Louis, Missouri

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went for art in bloom last night! it was also free fridays so it was super duper busy. although i love art in bloom i wish they made it a week day event so it wouldn't be as insane. it's wild going to the art museum and it being loud and seeing kids running around. i will say this year they had 30 exhibits where last year there was a little less. read more

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I have stayed here all my life and never been here. This museum is awesome. Private FREE parking. Admission FREE!! Building clean and clear of clutter. Staff very friendly and welcoming . I came to see the African American art and exhibits and and I was not disappointed. Very informative. Spaced just right. Spacious and well designed. All Art work and statues were very colorful and cool masterpieces. 3 levels of greatness. Dine in restaurants overpriced and food selection not impressive. Overall I really enjoyed it here! read more

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Vote Art museum and Forest Park neighborhood is best place to go on a Saturday afternoon if weather is not that crazy in STL. We always enjoyed zoo when kid is younger age; as teenagers and adults, you don't want to miss Art Museum. And both FREE! read more

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