Sight guide · St. Louis · United States
Visiting Saint Louis Science Center
The free science centre has hands-on galleries on dinosaurs, space and engineering, the McDonnell Planetarium and a glass bridge over the interstate where children can clock passing cars with radar guns.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Lightmetro, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Saint Louis Science Center is a museum in Forest Park, St. Louis. Allow 2–3 hours; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- Forest Park
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, kids and rainy day
- Best months
- March–May
About Saint Louis Science Center
The free science centre has hands-on galleries on dinosaurs, space and engineering, the McDonnell Planetarium and a glass bridge over the interstate where children can clock passing cars with radar guns. Some attractions, such as the OMNIMAX theatre, charge extra.
Tip: Head to the bridge over Interstate 64 for the radar guns, then catch a planetarium show.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2–3 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 Saint Louis Science Center
Saint Louis Science Center 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 Saint Louis Science Center on day 3, together with Missouri History Museum, Missouri Botanical Garden and Delmar Loop.
- No. 8 of the 19 sights in our St. Louis things-to-do list.
- 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.
- A family favourite in St. Louis with kids.
Near Saint Louis Science Center
Also in Forest Park, so you can walk between them:
- Missouri History Museum — 1.5–2 hours, free
- Saint Louis Art Museum — 2–3 hours, free
- Saint Louis Zoo — 3–4 hours, free
If you like Saint Louis Science Center
- City Museum — Downtown, 3–4 hours
- Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis — Central West End, 45 minutes
- Laumeier Sculpture Park — Sunset Hills, 1.5–2 hours
- Citygarden — Downtown, 30–45 minutes
Staying near Saint Louis Science Center
Where to stay in St. Louis compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Saint Louis Science Center?
Plan 2–3 hours. With Missouri History Museum nearby, it fits a half-day in Forest Park.
+Is Saint Louis Science Center free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Saint Louis Science Center?
March–May, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Head to the bridge over Interstate 64 for the radar guns, then catch a planetarium show.
+Do I need to book Saint Louis Science Center in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Saint Louis Science Center good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in St. Louis. St.