How to Explore St. Louis Museums

Whether you're a visitor to St. Louis or you just want to know your hometown better, you'll enjoy exploring St. Louis museums. From an homage to contemporary art to a funky museum whose roof sports real airplanes, you'll find many points of interest.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Start with art. The historic Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park is one of the nation's leading comprehensive art museums featuring Oceanic art, pre-Columbian art, ancient Chinese bronzes, and European and American art of the late 19th and 20th centuries. Be sure to also check out the Contemporary Art Museum.
2. Know your history. Spend time at the Missouri Historical Society Jefferson Memorial Building in Forest Park and the Holocaust Museum & Learning Center. See the Black World History Wax Museum. And, don't miss the Lewis & Clark Center for a taste of our pioneer history.
3. Learn about science. The St. Louis Science Center houses traveling exhibitions as well as its own permanent ones and also has an IMAX Theater.
4. Have fun. You'll feel like a kid at the City Museum, which features circus performers, caves and the famous rooftop MonstroCity: an eclectic mix of two Saber 40 aircraft fuselages, a fire engine and a castle turret. If you have kids, bring them along or take them to the Magic House for the mirror maze and the three-story slide.
5. Find your niche. Some of St. Louis' most offbeat attractions include the Dental Health Theatre and the Dog Museum. While you're in West County, visit the Museum of Transportation.

Tips & Warnings

• Pace yourself. Limit your exploration to two museums a day.
• Break up your day with lunch at the Boathouse in Forest Park, the rooftop restaurant at Vin de Set or any one of the locations of St. Louis' favorite pizza place--Imo's.