Best Museums in St. Louis

Searching for fun things to do in St. Louis? Why not check out a few of our favorite St. Louis museums? Whether you’re a local art connoisseur or part of a family traveling with kids, you’ll find plenty to get excited about when you visit one of these popular, world-class institutions.

The National Museum of Transportation

St. Louis is home to the one and only National Museum of Transportation! Visitors young and old will find plenty to explore as they wander through its halls, learning about the often surprising ways that people get around. It’s been recognized for offering “one of the largest and best collections of transportation vehicles in the world,” and the experts here at Suntrup Volkswagen can’t help but voice our agreement!

City Museum

City Museum is undoubtedly the most unique of the St. Louis museums we’ve chosen to highlight, and if you spend much time talking to locals, it’s also the museum that’s most likely to be mentioned! Of course, some might also tell you that the City Museum isn’t really a museum at all: It’s a converted shoe factory, spanning 600,000 square feet, and full-to-bursting with sculpted, scalable landscapes that will stand up to even the roughest kids. You have to see it for yourself, and we promise you won’t regret it.

St. Louis Art Museum

There are so many reasons to get excited about SLAM, an enormous St. Louis museum with nearly 150 years of history! Although it’s home to an excellent permanent collection, this museum stands out for it’s memorable after-dark events and of course, it’s everyday free admission! Current exhibitions include a deep dive into the work of Paul Gaugin, as well as a sprawling look at the world of amateur photography.

If it’s a beautiful day, and you’d like to spend time enjoying art outside, be sure to check out the Laumeier Sculpture Park.

Contemporary Art Museum of Saint Louis

The St. Louis Art Museum is known primarily for its ability to put art history itself on display, but if you’re looking for works made after 1965, you’ll be happier with a day spent at the Contemporary Art Museum of Saint Louis! Come for the art, or come for the endless array of panels, distinguished speakers, artist talks, and musical performances.

The Magic House Children’s Museum

The Magic House is actually located in Kirkwood, so it technically doesn’t qualify as a downtown St. Louis museum. However, since we know that many people visit the St. Louis area with family, it’s a destination that we just couldn’t neglect to mention. The interactive exhibits and regular events will be enough to entertain any child on a day out, and it’s a great place for birthdays, too!

Suntrup Volkswagen is Your Local Guide to St. Louis!

While you’re exploring the area, why not check out the best St. Louis restaurants? If you’re leaving the downtown St. Louis area for some fun in the suburbs, you’ll want to explore the fun things to do in Fenton and Chesterfield, too! If you’re a fan of the arts, you’ll also want to know about our favorite places to visit in Webster Groves.