Unlock the Secrets of The City Museum: 10 Insider Tips

Experience a museum unlike any other by planning a visit to explore the incredible things to do at the City Museum in St. Louis, Missouri. The City Museum is a labyrinthian playground where visitors of all ages can explore caves, crawl through tunnels, and even zip down a 10-story slide.

However, it is unique because it is an architectural masterpiece. An artist-built playground that has been created from old artifacts and materials and is ever-evolving. It is truly a city built inside a city! Climb into an airplane, ride on a rooftop Ferris wheel, then get lost in the 3-story treehouse! Everywhere you turn, there is a new space to explore.

Unlike the Saint Louis Zoo or Gateway Arch National Park, the City Museum is an all-day adventure. We share a few insider tips to help you plan out your visit.

What Is The City Museum?

The City Museum is the brainchild of artist Bob Cassilly and Gail Cassilly. The Cassillys and their longtime crew of artisans built the museum using all the weird and wonderful things that cities leave behind. Guests are transported into a magical playground that encourages guests to get lost in play. Let your adventurous spirit guide you to discover all the museum’s secrets.

In addition to the endless play, the museum is home to a fascinating collection of artifacts. There are so many fun things to do at the City Museum!  See the world’s largest pencil, the world’s largest underwear, and George Dehil’s collection of taxidermy butterflies, moths, and insects.

The City Museum is at 750 North16th Street , St. Louis, MO 63103.

Where Do I Park At The City Museum?

The City Museum offers a paid parking lot for guests that costs $10. Other parking lots are only a short walk away from the museum and tend to be cheaper. Street parking is available, but ensure your car is locked and anything of value is removed.

Is The City Museum For Adults?

The short answer is YES! The City Museum is a great place for all ages. While there are some tight spaces that only kids can explore, adventurous adults will have a blast being kids all over again. My husband and I first visited the City Museum before having our daughter and knew we would be back instantly.

I classify myself as a rather large adult at 5’11, and I could fit in most spaces and go down all the slides. I was only concerned once that the fire department would have to rescue me, but I managed to squeeze out like a raccoon through a hole in the fence.

Ten Insider’s Tips For The City Museum

Take A Guided Tour

Kids will not want to tag along for a guided museum tour when there is so much to explore. However, adults will enjoy hearing these stories from the museum and learning how it rose from an old shoe factory to a giant playground.

During your tour, your guide will dive into the history of the former international shoe company and point out the best things to do while showcasing what an architectural marvel the City Museum is. Appreciate the vast collection of art from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Discover architectural remains from cities, see a giant sausage statue, and then browse the different levels taking in all the oddities.

Tip: There is an additional fee for the tour, so purchase your tickets upon arrival.

Helicopter Parents Beware

Being married to a helicopter parent, my husband will tell you that the City Museum was his worse nightmare. Anxiety skyrockets when your child enters tunnels and slides that can go to different floors and rooms, and the stress of not knowing where they will pop out.

The City Museum even warns parents that they encourage children to get lost in play. Therefore, helicopter parents prepare to suit up and go along for the ride. Prepare to climb, crawl, squeeze, and sweat.

Here are a few tips that we recommend for helicopter parents at the City Museum: 

• Pick a meeting spot in case you get separated. We did the big white fish at the entrance.
•  Sew an Airtag into your child’s pocket to know their location. If placed in a pocket, it will likely fall out during climbing and crawling.
•  There are bars throughout the museum if you need a drink to calm your weary nerves. 
•  Have your child wear a wristband with their name and a phone number to call in case they get lost.
•  Lay ground rules. While I went along for the ride, I felt uncomfortable with her going in some places because I couldn’t fit in or know where it ended. At only five years old, I felt she would be scared if she didn’t know where she ended up.
•  Do a walk-through of each floor as a family. It will help you get a lay of the land and see where tunnels and slides may lead. You will also know what fun activities are not to be missed.

Bring A Headlamp or Flashlight

You will need one of these items when entering the enchanted caves. The flashlight on your phone will be okay, but an actual flashlight or headlamp is recommended to be able to see in the caves because it is DARK! After seeing many people with headlamps, I regretted not bringing ours.

The cave system is a work of art all on its own. Situated in the heart of the museum, the caves are man-made chambers full of sculptures of mythical creatures to discover. The caves lead to the 10-story and 5-story slides. 

Additional Things to Bring To The City Museum

Sneakers are an absolute must for the City Museum. It would be best to have good footwear to keep you steady and not slide out from under you. Lightweight clothing and long pants will be your staple attire, and I suggest bringing knee pads.

Consider A Locker

There are lockers available throughout the City Museum. We recommend bringing a fanny pack if you wish to keep your belonging on you. If you plan on crawling, it is best to have your items secured, as they can easily slip out of your pockets and never to be seen again. (Goodbye, hotel key card, by you enjoy your new home at the City Museum) 

Strollers 

You will have a love-hate relationship with your stroller at the City Museum. While it is terrific for itty bitties and having a spot for them to nap, you cannot take it everywhere. There is an elevator that will provide easy access to the different floors, but you will not be able to enter the caves and other tight areas with the stroller.

Some Attractions Have Height Requirements

Both giant slides have height requirements, so ensure your child is tall enough before venturing up countless flights of stairs only to be disappointed. There is a sign you can measure them by the stairwells leading up.

A miniature train, set up inside a recreation of the Missouri Pacific Line from Little Rock, AR to Pine Bluff, AR, as it was in 1963 and gives kids of a certain height a ride into tunnels and through the solar system. 

Don’t Overlook The Gift Shops

A museum as unique as the City Museum is bound to have a gift shop full of intriguing finds. While there are different gift shops throughout the museum, the one on the first floor is where you will find traditional touristy souvenirs and unique offerings. The gift shop on the 3rd floor sells artifacts from the museum.

Tip: You can buy knee pads and flashlights here if needed!! 

Shoe Lace Factory

Want a unique souvenir? Don’t miss the shoelace Factory inside the City Museum. The Shoelace Factory has called the City Museum home since 1997. Deemed the largest shoelace factory west of the Mississippi, you will find high-quality artisan color laces made exclusively on antique machines.

The Food Is Just Okay

After a few hours of exploring, your crew will start to get hunger pains. While food options are available throughout the City Museum, they are just okay.After waiting nearly an hour for mediocre pizza at the Lizard Lounge, we wished we had left to get lunch and then returned for more play.

The price was affordable at $18 dollars for a whole pizza. Maybe next time we will try Beatnik Bob’s Broken Record Cafe or the Circus Cafe.

The positive of eating on-site is that the kids could jump right back into the caves without the hassle of leaving. However, having a break from so much stimulation would have been welcomed.

Guests can come and go from the City Museum if they keep their wristbands on.

Tip: Outside food and drink are prohibited, so plan accordingly.

Go To The Rooftop

Have you ever climbed inside a praying mantis? Or perhaps you fancy taking a ride on Big Eli Ferris Wheel? A visit to the Rooftop of the City Museum will not disappoint, with even more outrageously fun climbing, sliding, and a school bus hanging over the edge of the building!

We visited the museum twice, and the Rooftop was closed for inclement weather. The third time is a charm. The Rooftop is seasonal (March-October) and will close during bad weather.

Note: There is an extra charge for rooftop admission  

There Is A Toddler Town

It can feel overwhelming if it is your first time at the City Museum with smaller kids. Take a break from the climbing and crawling by taking your little one to their designated Toddler Area on the third floor. The Toddler Area is designed for kids six and under. Families will sigh with relief to discover that the area is contained one floor with visible exits for tunnels.

The 3rd floor is home to the skateless park, the world’s largest pencil and the

There is also a bar next to it for parents to get a well-deserved drink if they are parched from following their kids around.

Consider Walkie-Talkies Or Watches With Messaging For Kids

Older kids will love to get lost in the jungle of slides which means it can be difficult for adults to help keep an eye out for children. Divide and conquer by sending parents to different portions of the museum where the kids are. We used Walkie Talkies as a quick way to communicate when there was no time to text.

Texting while crawling through a cave with a trail of kids behind you is next to impossible. The caves are dimly lit, but our walkie-talkies also had built-in flashlights, making it a win-win!

Older kids may opt for a watch with texting ability to quickly get ahold of their parents if they are lost or need assistance.

Have Your Hand Nibbled On By Flesh-Eating Fish

Experience a touch tank like never before by sticking your hand into the tank with a school of Red Garra. Red Garra, also known as Doctor Fish, feeds off detritus such as dead skill cells. Since humans shed 30,000 dead skin cells daily, sticking your hand in the tank will give them a tasty treat!

You can find the tank on level 2, and don’t worry; it doesn’t hurt; it tickles!

Jump into a Giant Ball Pit

You don’t have to be little to experience the joys of a ball pit fully. Ball pits are throughout the museum, so jump in!

You have now realized that the City Museum is not your typical museum. There isn’t anything quite like it in the United States. It is one of the most popular attractions in downtown St. Louis so ensure you add it to your St. Louis Itinerary, along with a trip to the top of the Gateway Arch. 

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Things To Do At The City Museum In St. Louis