Visiting Missouri History Museum

About Missouri History Museum

In the Jefferson Memorial Building in Forest Park, the free history museum covers St. Louis from its founding to the present, with a large gallery on the 1904 World's Fair and a replica of Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis aircraft, named for the city's backers.

Tip: Start with the 1904 World's Fair gallery to understand Forest Park before exploring the rest of the park.

Plan your visit

• Time needed: 1.5–2 hours.
• Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
• Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
• Where: Forest Park.

Best time to visit Missouri History Museum

Missouri History 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 Missouri History Museum on day 3, together with Saint Louis Science Center, Missouri Botanical Garden and Delmar Loop.

• No. 7 of the 19 sights in our St. Louis things-to-do list.
• Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
• Listed in free things to do in St. Louis.
• One of the picks in museums in St. Louis.
• One of the picks in st. Louis on a rainy day.
• One of the picks in historic sites in St. Louis.

Near Missouri History Museum

Also in Forest Park, so you can walk between them:

• Saint Louis Art Museum — 2–3 hours, free
• Saint Louis Science Center — 2–3 hours, free
• Saint Louis Zoo — 3–4 hours, free

If you like Missouri History Museum

• Gateway Arch — Downtown, 2–3 hours
• City Museum — Downtown, 3–4 hours
• Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis — Central West End, 45 minutes
• Soulard Farmers Market — Soulard, 1 hour

Staying near Missouri History Museum

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