The city museum was THE BEST part of our trip to STL. We had 4 adults and 2 children, and the cost…read moreof 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.

We arrived on a Friday summer afternoon with a few families, and unsurprisingly it was already…read morepacked. We passed on the $15 parking lot and found street parking not too far away. I believe tickets were around $20 each, and my wife eventually sprung for a $20 headlamp for our kid to explore the caves. And I will say, as a 40+ person with a preschoole, I did feel at one point my last breath would be had in those caves. There are just so many places in there for little ones to crawl and explore, but they also have some big drops in other areas that I had to help out with. It's fairly dark in there and I had to contort myself in ways I hadn't done in years, so be wary! The rest of the building feels similar, but with more light. It felt really cool noticing all the little slides and hideaways tucked everywhere, and really made me think about how often kids may get stuck in places? We walked past the aquarium and made our way to the carousel, where there was also more playground type areas. There was also this odd area that looked like a skate park, but without skateboards. So of course all us adults attempted to run up one of the ramps that felt like the warped wall from Ninja Warrior. I think my hip is still feeling that one. We did not end up eating here, nor do any of the outside stuff. Regardless, this place really is a wonder and will both excite and drain the battery of people of all ages. Lots of fun to be had here - just be sure to stretch ahead of time parents!

Valentine Day blues band! VIP seating up close and personal. Parking is awful. It's street parking…read moreand or garages charging 20 bucks . This show was two hrs so not worth the parking fee. We found a parking spot 3 blocks away. No food served here but you can order from neighboring food restaurant Sugar Fire. Restroom was in need of cleaning. Snacks were available for purchase but drinks were overpriced for the size. The band was good and entertaining. Song choices were ok. Seating was close and intimate with a sultry lighting. I would love to return and walk the museum .

Very well done with lots of displays and some are interactive. If you're a Blues fan cannot imagine…read morenot enjoying. You can also catch live music. Do check their schedule. Recommend!

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.

This is a hidden gem when it comes to historic houses. This house has been incredibly restored with…read morecare and attention to detail giving visitors a true step back in time to see what 19th-century Victorian life was like for a affluent family in St. Louis. The house itself is that last remaining piece of the original neighborhood which originally stood outside of city limits. The docent was knowledgeable, welcoming, and gave what felt like an insider's look into the Campbell family highlighting original family belongings. My favorite pieces include a gas lamp that illuminates beautifully (seriously stunning) and massive portait of James A. Campbell with his dogs. Oh -- and the ornate toilet. I recommend a visit at Christmas time. The house is beautifully decorated for the holidays and you might just get to see and HEAR a special Christmas tree stand/music box!

We took advantage of the free tours being offered at the Campbell house museum this weekend and it…read morewas a great time. The fact that so much of the original furniture, art, and accessories remain in top condition if wild after all these years. Our tour guide was fantastic and we really enjoyed ourselves. A must-do if you are at all interested in STL history

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.

Has several different floors of presidents, superheroes, celebrities, and two floors of horror…read morethemed displays. The figures are quite dusty and have some haphazard arrangements that could really pop with a set decorator who gives a damn. The plusses are that it only cost $10 and the variety of different displays. This is not a world class exhibit but a cheap treat for those seeking odd entertainment. Call ahead to ensure they are open. Within walking distance of the Old Spaghetti Factory, Kimchi Guys, and a many lofts that have killed a bit of the foot traffic. Paid parking adjacent. Nothing costs $10 anymore. EDIT: The horror levels of the museum (the most interesting aspect) have been removed by the owner to make way for mini golf. The crucifixion of Christ on Golgotha has also been removed.

I like to say that Laclede's is so grungy it's good. Really…read more My spouse and I stopped in for a visit during our anniversary weekend. I hadn't been here since 1993, and was too young then to see the Chamber of Horrors. I really wanted to return for this reason. We entered the museum and were greeted by a very friendly staff person working at the counter. She gave us the run down of what was on each floor, etc. Only $10 per person (I think it was) to go through the museum. Upon entering the storefront the wax figures look pretty accurate (these are also the best ones) - E.T., Shrek, Captain Jack Sparrow, The Hulk. Make your way up to the second floor and things get a little... interesting. Laclede's opened in 1983, so it's very possible a lot of these figures were installed then, and being wax in a poorly ventilated building, have aged accordingly. Johnny Cash, John Denver, Michael Jackson, the Royal Family, Patrick Swayze, Snow White and Seven Dwarfs, the science from The Last Supper have all seen better days. Several of the wax figures were even falling apart. Kind of creepy to see wax figures without hands. By the time you get to the Marvel characters like Iron Man and Captain American things look a little less haggard. Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones still looked pretty good, too. Poorly, poorly lit areas. Some of the lighting in the display cases wasn't working at all, so you didn't know what you were supposed to be looking at. Name plates are gone, so that was a fun game my husband and I got play. Audio/visual that accompanied some of the scenes was very old and/or inoperable, too. We got to the Chamber of Horrors (via a staircase to the basement) and it was was pretty darn spooky. Really loud, lots of flashing lights, and animatronics. Warning signs are posted, so heed the warning! I'm not overly sensitive to these things but I did want to get out of there and not linger. It was generally just kind of gross. This is not a place to visit if you can't do stairs, have poor eyesight, are afraid of the dark, narrow or cramped spaces, don't like that grungy feeling, etc. It's a maze. Not ADA accessible and as far as a I know no elevator. I think we spent about an hour here. The museum is located in the Historic District near the Old Spaghetti Factory Restaurant. We parked in a public lot that was monitored by an attendant. Only close to a casino - Horseshoe I think it was. The employee working told us to 'be safe' when we left, which we appreciated and questioned. Big ice cream case if you need something sweet after your tour. $10 is not at all too much for this unforgettable experience. Without hesitation, I recommend.

Loved how helpful the staff was on photos and walked us through the proper ways to view the…read moreillusions if we needed them to.

I had heard about this place a few times and my husband and I finally got a chance to check it out…read more The space is divided into rooms of what the illusion is supposed to be. There are employees at certain stops to help with picture taking, which is great. We went in order, you can do it however you like. It makes you think and its fun! They run specials at certain times for admission and if youre a teacher and have an ID, you're free!

Update: I've attended their newish exhibit, Mill Creek,…read moretwice already and it was so engaging and insightful to STL history. I've heard about Mill Creek but never knew anything about it until now. Hats off to whoever designed the layout and content to this exhibit! It was showcased in such a way that allowed me to understand Mill Creek and the unfortunate events in the eyes of the oppressor as well as the oppressed. The history, visuals, and how they connected past, present, and future together were thought provoking and definitely made me leave wanting to know more.

This wasn't our first visit to the Missouri History Museum and won't be our last. On our last…read morevisit, we saw a special exhibit on the St Louis World's Fair. This time we saw a special exhibition on the former Mill Creek neighborhood - a black community that was demolished in the early 1950's in the name of urban renewal. The exhibit showed what existed before the City's attempts at urban renewal. We also saw exhibits on historical America, Made in St. Louis, and some general historical stuff. The museum is well worth a visit.

The bathroom is clean and overall simple and effective. I would however give it one more star if it…read morehad some theming. Weather it's a train theme or fish theme.

Came down here to see Big Boy 250.. the Union Pacific's Steam Engine…read more This was a really great experience even though it was so hot and crowded!!!! We appreciated the Free Water!!! But felt sorry for people pushing strollers or older people who needed walking assistance as it wasn't close or in Union Station per se...

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.

I'm not from the St Louis area but this is still my second visit to the St. Louis Art Museum. This…read moreis truly a premier art museum with a diverse variety of exhibits, including an outdoor sculpture gardens. It's located in beautiful Forest Park and the views of the park from the front entrance are great. The building itself is an architectural gem. We spent over 2 hours here and only scratched the surface.