Exploring the City Museum in St. Louis: A Whimsical World of Fun (For All Ages—Kind Of)

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The City Museum in St. Louis is unlike any other museum I’ve ever seen. It is housed in a former shoe factory. And now it’s part playground, part funhouse, and part art gallery. While it’s designed for kids and adults alike, I’ll be honest: if you’re a full-grown adult—especially a guy like my husband Steven—you may find yourself contorting your body in ways you haven’t attempted since childhood to have fun in this gallery playhouse.

Table of Contents

• A One-of-a-Kind Experience
• Attractions for Everyone
• What We Paid
• Adults-Only Evening Fun
• Add-Ons to Enhance Your Experience
• Final Thoughts
• Like it. Pin it.
• Address

A One-of-a-Kind Experience

From the moment we stepped in, it’s clear that the City Museum is not your typical museum. There are no quiet halls with “Do Not Touch” signs here. Instead, you’re invited to crawl, climb, and explore the hidden tunnels, caves, and slides in this multifloored museum. Now, while kids will scurry through these tiny spaces with ease, adults might need a chiropractor by the end of the day. Steven tried squeezing into one of the tunnels, and I swear he emerged looking like a pretzel. That said, there’s still plenty to enjoy if you’re not feeling particularly bendy!

Attractions for Everyone

The good news is that not all the attractions require you to be as flexible as a gymnast. The rooftop, at an extra cost, for example, offers a stunning view of St. Louis and features a Ferris wheel (no crawling required). You’ll also find larger installations, like the MonstroCity jungle gym outside, which offers a more adult-friendly adventure, aquariums, and pinball machines. And if all else fails, there’s always a bar. There’s Beatnik Bob’s on the third floor, the rooftop cafe, located on the, yup, roof, or the Boone’s Cabin Inn on the first floor.

What We Paid

We went with the single-day ticket option, which includes access to all four indoor floors and MonstroCity. Tickets start at $20, and we snagged a $2 military discount. If you want to add some extra fun, you can also get all-day Pinball Hall access or upgrade to rooftop admission for $8.

Adults-Only Evening Fun

Now, if you’re thinking, “I want to explore this place without kids running underfoot,” you’re in luck. The City Museum occasionally offers evening activities exclusively for adults. So, if squeezing through tiny tunnels wasn’t enough of an adventure during the day, you can come back at night and enjoy it without having to dodge toddlers!

Add-Ons to Enhance Your Experience

• Pinball Hall: Add all-day play at the gate or online
• Rooftop Admission: $8 for those panoramic views
• Guided Tours: Starting at $7 if you want the lowdown on all the quirky features

Final Thoughts

The City Museum itself is a cool example of repurposed architectural and industrial objects. Housed in the former International Shoe building in the Washington Avenue Loft District of St. Louis, this museum opened in October 1997 and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. It’s part art, part playground, and entirely unique for all ages (as long as your flexibility is up to the task). Whether you’re looking to channel your inner child or just want to enjoy the wacky architecture from a safe, non-crawling distance, there’s something for everyone. And if you’re like Steven, stick to the Ferris wheel and rooftop—your back will thank you!

Keep in mind, there are a lot of stairs—by the time we left, I was completely wiped out. To fully enjoy the City Museum, you’ve got to be light on your feet. If you’re up for climbing, crawling, and walking all day, you’ll have a blast. If not, you might wanna sit this one out. Just be ready for a serious workout!

Pro Tip: I suggest parking on the street or inside the museum. Parking around the museum was a whopping $15! Save your cash for the rooftop or a drink at the bar instead.

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Address:

750 N 16th St, St. Louis, MO 63103, United States
City Museum – Google Maps

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