Right in the heart of downtown St.Louis there is a unique museum. If you didn’t know it existed you might pass right by it not really knowing what hidden treasures await.
This museum incorporates all types of art to make a one of a kind play space filled with underground tunnels, caves, places to climb and hidden (and not so hidden) slides.
On the main floor you will need to get wristbands to enter. The wristband also has a place to fill in your phone number in case your kids get lost. There are so many places to explore I would recommend setting a meeting place because unless you are crawling right along side of them you will get separated.
Just beyond the front desk and past the gift shop you will find the caves and tunnels. They can get a bit dark at times, we saw a few kids with flash lights. There were plenty of adults making there way through so don’t be afraid to join right in.
I would highly suggest closed toed shoes and jeans if its not too hot out. The day we visited it was in the 90s so the kids wore shorts. We did see quite a few people wearing knee pads, which they sell in the gift shop if you decide you need them.
On the second floor you will find the bank vault room, here there is a giant wooden hamster wheel. There are plenty of metal rebar tubes to climb through. If you take the right ones you will find the entrance to the 3 story high slide.
Up on the 3rd floor there is a lot to explore. There’s a section with all sorts of architectural pieces that used to be on buildings. This area may not be so fun for the kids but the adults will appreciate it more. There is a small room with displays of bugs and animal skulls.
If you are visiting with a baby or toddler you will want to make your way to the 3rd floor. They have a toddler area for kids under 6. They have smaller slides and big foam blocks to climb all over.
Just beyond the toddler play space they offer a nursing room with a diaper full size diaper changer.
Also on this floor they have a room filled with old skate park half pipes. Great for letting the kids just run off energy. There is also a mini train, riders must be under 48 inches so most parent can not ride. It does not run continuously so you may have to check back if the sign says closed.
There a giant foam legos to build with just under a big spider web that you can crawl on. There were both adults and kids just relaxing on it.
There is also lots to explore outside. It was pretty hot and humid when we went so we didn’t spend a ton of time out here. There’s lots of rebar to climb and a few slides here and there.
There are 2 castle pillars to explore, the bottom of one even had a little dungeon cage. The other leads to a real airplane that you can crawl through.
There is even a giant outdoor ball pit. They have one just for kids under 6 right next to this one.
All throughout there a places to grab snacks and drinks. They even have a bar for the grown ups. The food is reasonably priced but they only real food they have is pizza so I would plan meal time before or after.
One place we didn’t make it to on this trip is the rooftop. This additional ticket option and is only open when the weather is nice enough. This is where you will find the school bus and a working Ferris wheel.
I think this is the perfect place for school aged kids. While there is a few things for babies and toddlers to do it may be best to wait until they are a bit older. I would strongly recommend tennis shoes and if possible pants, as there is a lot of crawling. You should also bring a water bottle as there is a lot of running and climbing.
The City museum is located downtown between Washington and 15th street.
Admission is $12 per person age 3 and up. The separate rooftop is $5 per person.
They have a small parking lot for $10 a car (cash only) There are other parking lots surrounding the building that are also $10 or you can try for a parking meter spot.