Sight guide · St. Louis · United States
Visiting City Museum
Artist Bob Cassilly turned the former International Shoe Company warehouse into a giant playground of salvaged materials: caves, tunnels, a 10-storey spiral slide, an outdoor climbing structure of steel and aircraft fuselages called MonstroCity, and a school bus hanging over the roof's edge.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sam valadi, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
City Museum is an experience in Downtown, St. Louis. Allow 3–4 hours; it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Experience
- Area
- Downtown
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- kids, rainy day, active and art
- Best months
- March–May
About City Museum
Artist Bob Cassilly turned the former International Shoe Company warehouse into a giant playground of salvaged materials: caves, tunnels, a 10-storey spiral slide, an outdoor climbing structure of steel and aircraft fuselages called MonstroCity, and a school bus hanging over the roof's edge. Adults enjoy it as much as children.
Tip: Wear closed shoes, kneepads if you have them and clothes you can crawl in, and bring a torch for the caves.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 3–4 hours.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Downtown, the Arch, Busch Stadium and the Washington Avenue loft district.
Best time to visit City Museum
City Museum is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- May: 25°C (77°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- March: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- April: 19°C (66°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit St. Louis has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day St. Louis itinerary visits City Museum on day 1, together with Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village and Delmar Loop.
- No. 4 of the 19 sights in our St. Louis things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- One of the picks in st. Louis on a rainy day.
- A family favourite in St. Louis with kids.
Near City Museum
Also in Downtown, so you can walk between them:
- Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village — 3 hours, mid-priced
- Gateway Arch — 2–3 hours, low cost
- Citygarden — 30–45 minutes, free
If you like City Museum
- Forest Park — Forest Park, Full day
- Saint Louis Art Museum — Forest Park, 2–3 hours
- Missouri History Museum — Forest Park, 1.5–2 hours
- Saint Louis Science Center — Forest Park, 2–3 hours
Staying near City Museum
Stay in Downtown ($$$) to walk here: the Arch, Busch Stadium and the Washington Avenue loft district. All areas to stay in St. Louis.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at City Museum?
Plan 3–4 hours. With Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village nearby, it fits a half-day in Downtown.
+Is City Museum free?
No, it is mid-priced. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit City Museum?
March–May, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Wear closed shoes, kneepads if you have them and clothes you can crawl in, and bring a torch for the caves.
+Do I need to book City Museum in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is City Museum good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in St. Louis. St.