City Museum in St. Louis, Missouri

 

How exactly do I describe the City Museum in St. Louis, Missouri to someone who has never been there?  A funky, industrial playground for kids and adults? An old shoe factory turned quirky, urban jungle gym with a rooftop amusement park?

 

City Museum has:

• Tunnels and caves running throughout the bottom 3 stories
• 10-story spiral slides
• Climbing tunnels that look like giant Slinkies (inside and out)
• A school bus hanging off the side of the roof (that you can play in!).
• Rooftop Ferris wheel.
• Slides, slides, and more slides. Big slides, short slides, long slides, wide slides….
• A gigantic birdcage overlooking St. Louis that you can climb into.

 

Everything you see at City Museum is made of recycled, salvaged materials that have been locally sourced. This space was designed by an artist and sculptor (Bob Cassilly, who sadly died in 2011). City Museum is constantly making improvements and renovations. There were a few areas that were being worked on during our visit, but we found so many things to do! We’ll just have to do more exploring on our next visit!

This place is quirky and unlike anything that I have ever seen, and most importantly, it is a lot of FUN! If you are in St. Louis, the City Museum is a “must-see” attraction, especially if you are visiting with kiddos.

 

The Roof

There was rain in the forecast for the afternoon, so we headed to the roof first. Visiting the roof of The City Museum costs an extra $5, and it is worth every penny. You can take the 12 flights of stairs or the elevator.

 

Above: The Ferris Wheel and the Silos on the Roof. You can’t go inside the Silos, but you can climb up to them and go down the big slide that is nestled between them.

 

 

Photo Above on the left: The kiddos climbing up into the birdcage for some awesome views of St. Louis.

Above on the right: Our view from the Ferris Wheel – The Preying Mantis Slide

 

 

Photo Above: Our view from the very top of the Ferris Wheel.

 

Above:  Haven’t you always wanted to play in a school bus that was hanging off of the edge of the roof of a 12 – story building? Well, now you can!

 

Photo Above: Take the stairs or climb the rope to access the top of this huge slide. My kids could have stayed here all day!

 

Above: From the Roof, you can access the 10 story slide (just go under the dome below the giant praying mantis). This slide takes you (or your kiddos) down to the 3rd floor, which is the entrance to the enchanted caves. There was no access to the 3rd floor when we visited. You (or your child) will have to find their way through the caves to get back to the 1st floor. A very nice employee helped us find the cave exit (and my daughter).

 

 

 

 

First Floor – Outside

Photo Above: Huge Ball Pit. Can you even see my son in there?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above: Lots of bridges, slides, castle towers, airplanes, etc. in the outside play area.

 

 

Inside the City Museum

After you enter the museum, you will pay your admission and get your wristbands. From there, you can climb the colorful, funky steps that lead up to more spiral tunnels and slides.

Or, you can turn to the right (walk past the restrooms & gift shop) and enter into an oceanic playground complete with a climbing area and tunnel entrances.

 

 

 

This first-floor area is decorated like an underwater dream world. After turning the corner, you realize that you are in a huge treehouse. There are also tunnels and caves EVERYWHERE!

 

 

 

I feel like these photos don’t scratch the surface when it comes to all the things there are to see and do at City Museum. If you haven’t been, I suggest putting it on your bucket list.  It is so fun, and it is an experience you and your family will never forget!

 

More Info:

– City Museum serves food at several restaurants and cafés, including the Rooftop Cantina. The menus are kid-friendly and the prices are reasonable. There are also places to stop for just a drink or snack. More Info HERE

– The museum provides parking for $7. If the lot is full, there are surrounding parking areas with prices that range from $3 – $9.

-Watch this really cool City Museum video HERE

 

City Museum Survival Tips:

-Wear comfortable “play” clothes. Pants or jeans are recommended.

-If you plan on going to the roof, you might want to bring a change of clothes for the kiddos. There is a water play area where they can get wet.

-Wear comfortable close-toed shoes (there are some climbing shoes for sale in the gift shop).

-Make sure your kiddos know your cell number by heart or you can write it on their wristbands. Have a plan or meeting spot (or both!) because it is highly likely that you will get separated from your children at some point during your visit.

-Bring a small flashlight for the caves and tunnels. It is dark in there!

-Be sure to secure your money and important items. City Museum has a lost and found, but it is easy to lose unsecured items (this is the perfect time to bust out your sexy fanny pack!)

-Bring your own knee pads (or you can purchase some in the gift shop)

-There is an acrobatic mini-circus scheduled for most days. Arrive early because spaces fill quickly!

-Bring cash for parking and food.

-If your child is claustrophobic or scared of being in dark, cramped places, he or she may want to avoid the caves. Don’t worry, there are many other places to play.

-Bring a few Band-Aids or small First Aid kit. It is unlikely that your child will be hurt, but it is a playground (with a lot of running and climbing) and accidents can happen.

 

 

 

Hours & Admission

Admission:

*Prices updated 5/2019

The current ticket price is $15 (plus tax) for people ages 3
 and up (children age 2 and under are free), and $13 (plus tax) after 5
 pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Parking in the museum’s lot is $10. Admissionto our roof is still $5. They are also offering a season pass for $69.99 (plus tax), which pays for itself in 4 visits.

 

Hours:

Mon. – Tues. 9 am to 5 pm

Wed. – Thurs. 9 am to 5 pm

Fri – Sat. 9 am until Midnight

Sun. 11 am to 5 pm

 

 

 

St. Louis City Museum  // 750 North 16th Street – St. Louis, MO. 63103  //  314-231-CITY (2489)

City Museum WEBSITE

 

 

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