I honestly debated taking off a star for one issue, but in the end I couldn't bring myself to do it…read morebecause 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.

First off, it's hard to beat the setting which is right in Forest Park and the building itself is…read morebeautiful 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.

A Hidden Jewel in St. Louis - Don't Miss the Magic Chef Mansion!…read more What a historic gem! The Magic Chef Mansion is one of St. Louis' most stunning and best-kept secrets. If you haven't taken a tour, you are truly missing out. This architectural treasure offers a glimpse into another era--where craftsmanship, elegance, and timeless beauty meet. What makes it even more special is the incredible care and devotion of Shelly, the current owner and resident. It's amazing how she has lovingly restored the entire interior, tracking down original furniture, lighting fixtures, and period-appropriate details to bring this mansion back to its former glory. What an act of love--and one that every visitor can feel the moment they walk through the doors. Every room is a story, and the guided tour is filled with fascinating history, local lore, and exquisite details. Whether you're a St. Louis native or a visitor, this is an experience that belongs at the top of your list. The Magic Chef Mansion isn't just a tour--it's a living, breathing piece of art and history. Don't miss the chance to be a part of it.

This is a wonder!!!! Beautifully maintained and decorated mansion. Owner guided tour for our…read moregroup. Charge for tours but well worth seeing this amazing turn of the 20th century mansion.

One of the BEST parts of St. Louis is all the FREE attractions . We decided to visit the science…read morecenter and we had sooooo much fun . Couldn't believe there was no charge for admission . Parking is free if you're a member, if not you'll be charged unless you walk over , shuttle or park somewhere else nearby free. (They often will waive parking with the purchase of a movie ticket at that their theatre ) This science center has an OMNI IMAX movie theater inside on level 3 , cafes , gift shop, shows and too many hands on experiences to list with so many neat artifacts . The kid in me would come back repeatedly . Lol

This was a pretty good museum, my favorite part is that it's free entry! My toddler is very much in…read morehis dinosaur era, so he absolutely LIT UP at the T-Rex. We were worried he would be scared, but he was so happy lol. The rest of the museum was pretty cool, but it focuses more on older kids so the small ones didn't have much to interact with. The outdoor area about agriculture was nice (there are chickens!) and a giant tractor to play on. Another interesting part was past the bridge called the Vault. It was just collections over time, and all over the world. If you have time to spend all day, it would be cool, but we're going to wait a little bit until my toddler is older. Parking is $15, but not bad compared elsewhere.

I had high hopes for an air and space museum here in Saint Louis (well, technically across the…read moreriver from Saint Louis) as this was a hub for the most famous world-wide carrier, Trans World Airlines aka TWA. This was the home of Charles Lindbergh, the first to fly solo across the Atlantic. Sadly, the museum does not appear to be open. I think they were a victim of the pandemic. There are still a couple of planes to be seen outside the museum, but there is nothing that I could see to tour or visit. If you want to see the planes, great. Enjoy! [Review 17253 overall - 118 in Illinois - 770 of 2022.]

Volunteer ran museums are the best, the people are always so knowledgable and friendly. This one…read morehappens to be in one of two Wright Brothers Hangers we have at this facility there is some history in its self! If you like planes they host fly ins and have some cool bits of history stashed away here. I've ran some charity events here and will always be willing to work with these guys.

This museum consists of the historic home of The Children's Poet Eugene Fields (really more his…read morefather's home, but they are both famous) and the extension, which includes gallery space and a research library. It is another excellent little museum in the area! I did not realize that I knew Field's poetry, but I recognized "The Duel" immediately. We were really here for the Weatherbird 125th exhibit and a talk given by the current cartoonist Mr. Dan Martin, but got there early enough to explore the other exhibits and take a guided tour of the house. The staff were very informative and great at answering our questions. I was also so impressed with the exhibit designs. I think this is WELL worth the 10 bucks entrance fee and parking downtown (they do have a small free lot, which is easy to drive right by). Im encouraging all my friends to catch the Weatherbird exhibit before it leaves at the end of March, and I'd be interested to see what they rotate in later.

The Field House in downtown St. Louis is one of the area's oldest surviving structures. Built in…read more1845 as a part of Walsh's Row, this is the only survivor out of a dozen houses. Roswell Field moved his family into the house in 1850, and his son Eugene was born the same year. Roswell Field was the lawyer who defended Dred Scott in the famous court case, and was one of the key proponents in getting the case moved to the Supreme Court. Eugene lived in the house as a boy, but was later sent to live with relatives back East. He went on to be a famed newspaper columnist and poet in his adult life, but in his later years and after his death at age 45, his children's poems became what he was remembered for. The St. Louis board of education had leased their property to build Walsh's Row back in 1845, and this became important in 1936, when the row was slated for demolition. The board decided to dedicate the Field House as a place where children could go to learn about local history, and it has remained open as a museum ever since. Much of Eugene's furniture was placed in the house after being moved from Chicago. In the 1960s, part of the house was used to display vintage toys, as Eugene was an avid toy collector in his adult life. More recently, the museum has opened an exhibit space next to the house, where many of the toys are kept, and has focused on restoring the house to look more as it would have in the mid 19th century. The tour is not very long, as this is an upper middle class house that isn't incredibly large, but there's lots of history here, and it gives a look into what life was like living in downtown St. Louis in the 1850s.

This is a great historical site. The Daniel Boone Home is authentic and original to the site. The…read morehistoric village is not original to the site but includes a number of historic buildings that have been preserved and relocated here. We took the guided tour ($8 for seniors) and had a phenomenal tour guide. He was a recent graduate with a degree in history. His tour was very informative and he tried hard to dispel some of the myths surrounding Daniel Boone and some misconceptions based on the Festus Parker protrayal of Daniel Boon on TV. He was great. After the guided tour of the house, we did a self guided tour of the historic village. This was well worth the visit.

This post is mostly a complaint about Nancy…read more Place is beautiful, beautiful wedding, MOSTLY helpful staff. However, we went to a wedding rehearsal after they told us over the phone we could, as long as it was between 3-5 people. When we showed up Nancy threw a total fit and would only allow one person inside the church at a time. We asked her if this is really how she wants to be remembered, as this was the first wedding, she didn't seem to care. Maybe this place should offer therapists, seems some of the work force is struggling at home...