City Museum

I've had a membership now for over 4 years. My daughter and I are regulars, and we've taken as many as 8 other people with us. In our opinion, it's better than theme parks - no lines, and instead of SEEING stuff and RIDING stuff, you DO stuff. Figure 6 hours for a short visit. If you've got kids with you, here are my tips. 1. In each area, designate an easy-to-find "I'm Lost Place". Practice finding it. Let the kids know that we don't go past THAT door or THAT area until we are ALL together. If you get separated, go to the I'm Lost place, and somebody from the group will be along to collect you shortly. Practice getting lost yourself, and have the kids come get you. 2. Alternate your activities. Do something wild and active, then go to Art City to sit and cool off. Go do something else active, then go stroll through the Architecture Museum section. Go climb outside, then go watch the circus. Head for the roof, then make snowflakes. 3. The best bathrooms are adjacent to the Opera Posters room, and on the 3rd floor back behind the wooden bar. Avoid the one in the Skate Park unless it's an emergency. The cheapest bottled water is in Bob's Beatnik Lounge. 4. Wear jeans and closed-toe shoes. No exceptions. 5. Have a real flashlight for each kid. It totally changes the experience for them. Use in the caves and the enchanted caverns. 6. No getting wet after dark. 7. On your way out, tell each and every staff member you see THANK YOU. 8. Fork over the $5 for parking. It puts you in a fenced lot. Valuables go in the trunk. Leave the cell phone behind, unless you're using it for pictures.

We spent most of a day there came out and went to our car. Both passenger side windows were broke out and all of our luggage was gone. The police said this was common on the area of St Louis.

I went with my church youth group back in the summer, and we had an amazing time!! However, I would recommend going on a weekday if at all possible, it gets very crowded on weekends! The attractions also happen to be more entertaining if you are more on the small side. ;) There are some very small tunnels and passages to go through, but there is something for everyone. I found the price err, quite expensive, but after being there the whole day, I have to say, it was completly worth the money. And a bunch of fun was had by all. And our favorite was definatly the Enchanted Caves! Oh and another thing, I would also recommend starting out on the 4th flour and working your way backwads. Many parents and small children are on the 1st floor, and you never kno when you're going to trip on someone. Me and some of my best friends just happen to be going back the day after tomorrow, and none of us can wait!

it was Amazing and fun and great and wonderful i had great fun awsome thinngs to do and it was lots of fun and it was a great thing to do with kids and family and people that are not old old but still adults and children

This was supposed to be the "can't miss" of our vacation. It missed. Big time. The kids were quite excited about the City Museum before they went in. They had heard all good things about the place from their friends that had gone to St. Louis. At first, they loved it. They really liked the slides, which were kind of fun, I will admit. But then we started to progress through the museum. My son came back scared to death after climbing through a tree then coming out 10 feet above the ground in a tunnel that didn't even look sturdy. The whole place is filthy and just doesn't feel safe. And apparently there's supposed to be a "circus." It looked more like a bunch of people trying to do somersaults, and failing. And the one part that actually is a museum has nothing "museum" about it. All it is is some old things from 1850 St. Louis. Nothing impressive. The whole place has an unsafe feeling to it. My kids felt "insecure" while they were there. My kids also got claustrophobic. All in all, I can't even figure out how people enjoyed this place. None of the four of us had fun, and it was absolutely not worth the fifty dollars we payed. Luckily we chose to not go to the aquarium.

City Museum is by far the most fun you can have in the St Louis Downtown area. I have never seen anything like this place... it is a MASSIVE piece of art that also happens to be the coolest play area you have ever seen. At first glance (after you pick your jaw off the ground), you will think of what a lawsuit waiting to happen this place is. Filled with places to get stuck if you don't know your limitations and places to knock yourself out if you get too caught up in the excitement, city museum is an overprotective parent's nightmare. However, that is what makes this place so much fun! You can wriggle your way through a grate 40 feet above the ground, squeeze though a hole in the ground, and BAM! There's a gift shop you wouldn't have found otherwise. you can climb through a cave in total darkness, only to discover a 3 story tall circular slide! This place is about exploring and finding the inner child. With its antiquated (and potentially offensive to those too sensitive) artwork in the upstairs circus bar, you can get back to your roots and remember a time when political incorrectness was the norm. Relax by the fire pit, then get pummeled in the ball pit (complete with rope swings and monkey bars). There is an aquarium with a shark tank. The shark tank has a tube you can climb through. There is a petting zoo, another aquarium, a timed waterfall (which you can get caught in if you aren't careful), a jungle, slides you grew up dreaming about... This place has it all. I can't even touch on all the things there are to do at this place, and it will be a sad day if it ever gets shut down by a lawsuit from some inattentive parent. Enjoy this place. Go wild, romp around, get dirty, explore your surroundings as well as your imagination. Return visits are recommended, as you can honestly find something new and amazing every time you visit.

This place was unlike any place I had ever been. The experience my husband and I had here was priceless. We have memories to last a lifetime from this unique place and it helped to open our minds. When trying to describe this place to others; it's near impossible. It is something you will have to see and explore yourself. Do I recommend it....I almost require you to check out this place; you'll never forget it!

Pros: Unusual decor, lots of new ideas and room to explore; good place to wear the kids out; cool ideas for recycling Cons: Costly--we paid 48 bucks just for the museum for a family of 4; my 9 year old got hurt by bumping his head quite hard on an overhang, so SAFETY is a HUGE issue; not feasible for the very young or kids who have mobility issues; areas show a lot of wear and dirt; parking is an expense at 5 bucks Would we go back? Probably not. But it was fun to see. We did everything in 2 hours. It was very HECTIC tehre as well and we saw lots of parents lose their kids. I think knee pads and gloves are a great idea for climbing/crawling around (adults, too), as well as hand sanitizer! Bring a coat or sunscreen depending on the weather and wear sneakers! Good luck!

I'm 43 years old and loved it. My kids enjoyed it as well. It’s a little bit dirty in some places and a little bit smelly in others; but there is some much variety and it is so unique that you should be able to find something or some part that you like. I loved it all. Far and away the best kids/adult museum I have ever been to. Ever. Without a doubt.

Coming from Europe I did not expect such a place in US. This is a great playground experience for kids above kindergarten age. The kids are challenged and have a lot of great play structures to explore. The place is somewhat dirty so don't wear your best clothes. For safety hysterical parents as most American parents this is not the place to take your kids (For you non-Americans FYI most American parents are safety freaks and would not let there kids walk outside paved roads or let them run without wearing helmets). But if you think kids should be allowed to climb trees and play outside and that obesity and lack of physical activity is of more concern than a scratch on a kids knee this is absolutely the place for you.