Activity Overview
Housed in the 600,000 square-foot former International Shoe Company, the museum is an eclectic mixture of children’s playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel made out of unique, found objects. This isn't your typical museum experience. Caves, mazes, slides and climbing structures galore. One of the most unique and memorable museums you will ever visit.
The brainchild of internationally acclaimed artist Bob Cassilly, a classically trained sculptor and serial entrepreneur, the museum opened for visitors in 1997 to the riotous approval of young and old alike.
Things to See & Do
Atop the City features Big Eli, a restored, revived, and revolving four-story Ferris wheel that offers a one-of-a-kind view of the city from the pinnacle of St. Louis’s most one-of-a-kind attraction! While you’re exploring the roof, don’t miss the rope ramp slide, or the stepping stone Splash Pond. You can also get up close and personal with giant Praying Mantis at the top of the dome. And last but certainly not least, the famed City Museum Schoolbus is yours to command. Also - Sunsets viewed from the roof are the best! (There is a $5 extra fee to get to the roof)
Monstrocity: An enormous playscape comprised of wrought iron slinkies, fire trucks, stone turrets, airplane fuselages, slides of all sizes and shapes, and a pair of ball pits. Great fun for the both adventurer and the observer alike.
Caves: Explore a cool labrynth of caves complete with mystic dragon sculptures and twists and turns.
First Floor: Part undersea immersion, part treehouse hideaway, part cave adventure. Above you, visitors will be making their way through tunnels in the ceiling, giving them a birds-eye view of the beautiful and elaborate mosaic floor. Below, several underground passageways await you, taking you under the floor, or work your way through the treehouse and up into the ceiling again.
Fish Tank: Fish fans will enjoy the 5000 gallon fish tank, filled with fish native to Missouri waters.
Mezzanine: Climb up the treehouse and across the hallowed-out trunk to the mezzanine. Above the first-floor mosaics and aquarium, the mezzanine overlooks a two-story waterfall and goldfish pond. Giant barrels make perfect places to hide, and massive turtles hide among a bird’s nest.
World Aquarium: Crawl through an almost-underwater tunnel as sharks swim above, or reach into the sea to pet a stingray. Enjoy daily feedings, classes, and interactive programs every day.
City Museum Insider Tips
- What to Wear: Sneakers or closed-toe, closed-heel shoes are highly recommended to be worn in the museum. Sandals/flip flops are strongly discouraged. Please note that, regardless of style, footwear must be worn at all times. It is also recommended that you consider wearing full-length pants or jeans, as you will want to take advantage of our multiple slides, tunnels and various attractions.
- Tight Spaces: This place is one big giant climbable art project. Some of the activities (caves, climbers) do get kind of tight and are not for the faint of heart or folks with bad knees or backs.
- Ages: Recommended for ages 7+ mostly because smaller kids might be harder to keep track of unless you plan to go through all of the adventures with them.
- Bag and Coat Check: To avoid being slowed down as you explore the museum, you can drop your bulky, burdensome bag or winter-storm worthy coat at City Museum’s Coat Check located on the first floor behind the elevator. While you are there you can grab a soda, some candy or a number of other refreshment items.
- No food or drink is allowed to be brought into the museum.
- Handicap Accessible: The museum is handicap accessible, but there are areas that may be difficult to maneuver. The Cavesare built like an actual cave system, so there are tight spaces and uneven ground. MonstroCityis built as a giant jungle gym so there are multiple levels which are sometimes only connected by climbers.
- Wheel Chairs: City Museum does have wheel chairs available on a first come first serve basis.
- In and Out Policy: Guests may come and go as they please, as long as they do not remove their wristbands. (in and out policy does not extend to parking)
