City Museum is the attraction St. Louis locals tell every visitor not to miss, and it is unlike anything else in America. The late sculptor Bob Cassilly and a crew of artists transformed a vast former International Shoe Company warehouse on North 16th Street into a playground of found objects: hand-built caves, hidden tunnels, spiral slides that drop through several floors, a giant whale you can climb inside, an aquarium, a circus area and a maze of reclaimed bridges, chimneys and ironwork. Outside, MonstroCity is a towering jungle gym of steel coils, airplane fuselages and treehouse-style platforms, and the rooftop has a Ferris wheel and a school bus hanging over the edge of the building. There are no maps and few signs, and that is the point: you wander, squeeze through gaps and discover something new around every corner. It is as much fun for adults as for children, and many of its fans are grown-ups who come back again and again. This page links to the Tiqets entry ticket, which is rated 4.7 from 44 reviews and lets you skip buying at the door.
How to visit: City Museum is at 750 North 16th Street in Downtown West, a short drive or ride from the Arch and a pleasant walk from Union Station. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. On the current schedule it opens Wednesday from 10:00 to 17:00, Thursday and Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, and Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00. The Tiqets ticket is a general admission entry ticket; plan on at least three hours, and many families stay all day. Some areas, including the rooftop, can have separate rules or fees and may close in bad weather, so check what is open when you arrive.
What to expect: this is a hands-on, full-body experience. Wear comfortable clothes you do not mind getting dirty, closed shoes and, if you plan to crawl through the caves and tunnels, knee pads; a small flashlight helps in the darker passages. Some of the tightest crawl spaces and the outdoor climbs are not for the claustrophobic or anyone afraid of heights, and parts of the building are not accessible for wheelchairs. Weekends and school holidays are busy and loud.
Making the most of it: arrive at opening on a weekday for the quietest hours, agree on a meeting point with your group because it is easy to get separated, and save MonstroCity and the rooftop for daylight. Friday and Saturday evenings bring a more adult crowd and later hours.
What to expect
The experience
A free-roaming, climb-everything playground of caves, tunnels, slides and salvaged architecture inside and outside a ten-story former warehouse.
Best time
Opening time on a Wednesday or Thursday for families, or a Friday or Saturday evening for adults.
How long
At least three hours, and many families stay most of the day.
Tips
Wear closed shoes and clothes you can crawl in, bring knee pads and a flashlight, and remember it is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families, playful adults and anyone who wants the most original attraction in St. Louis.
- Families
- The best family day out in the city, though very young children need close supervision on the climbs.
- Couples
- Come on a Friday or Saturday evening for a looser, grown-up crowd and later hours.
- Pair with
- The Gateway Arch in the morning, or Union Station and the Museum of Illusions nearby.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day.
Good questions
What days is City Museum open?+
It is open Wednesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Friday and Saturday have the longest hours, until 21:00.
Is City Museum good for adults?+
Yes, many of its biggest fans are adults who climb, crawl and slide alongside the children. Friday and Saturday evenings tend to draw an older crowd.
What should I wear to City Museum?+
Wear comfortable clothes, closed shoes and knee pads if you want to explore the caves and tunnels. A small flashlight is handy in the darker passages.
How long should I spend at City Museum?+
Plan on at least three hours, as the Tiqets ticket suggests. Families often stay most of the day because there is so much to discover.
Is City Museum accessible?+
Parts of the main floors are accessible, but many caves, tunnels and climbs require crawling and climbing. Ask staff on arrival which areas suit your group.
