The St. Louis Art Museum is a 3-story museum in St. Louis, MO, featuring a wide collection of modern and ancient paintings, sculptures, and cultural artifacts. Drawing crowds of more than half a million people a year, it is a popular destination for arts aficionados throughout the Midwest. Along with the Saint Louis Zoo and the Missouri History Museum, it is a top attraction in Forest Park.
Best and Worst Time to Go to the Saint Louis Art Museum
Like the rest of Forest Park, the Saint Louis Art Museum is usually hopping on weekends. During the week, it attracts large school groups on field trips. To ensure you have plenty of space to peruse the masterpieces, plan your trip on a Monday through Friday between 3 and 5 p.m. The school groups are gone for the day at that point and the evening crowds are yet to arrive.
Must See/Do at the Saint Louis Art Museum
The Ancient Art Collection, featuring cultural objects from thousands of years ago from Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East, is a rare, must-see inclusion.
Fast-forward a few thousand years and check out the extensive Modern Art collection, which spans 13 galleries and features works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, Matisse, and other masters.
Admission to the Saint Louis Art Museum
Admission to the museum is absolutely free, no strings attached. Featured, rotating exhibits cost a nominal amount to view. Donations are welcome, but no pressure from staff to donate. Membership, which includes discounted parking/dining rates and invitations to special events, costs around $100 for a family.
Parking and Public Transportation to the Saint Louis Art Museum
Two large, free parking lots are situated adjacent to the museum on Fine Arts Drive. A 300-space underground parking garage is connected to the museum as well and costs roughly $15 a day.
Food at the Saint Louis Art Museum
The Café, the primary dining option, serves casual food (soups, sandwiches, pastries, salads, etc.) for $10 and under. No reservations required/accepted. A more intimate, upscale option is Panorama, a gourmet restaurant featuring locally inspired dishes and gorgeous views of Forest Park. Reservations are recommended and can be made up to a month in advance.
Insider Tip for Visitors to the Saint Louis Art Museum
The Saint Louis Art Museum's Featured Exhibit is completely free on Fridays. Show up to the museum in the late afternoon on a Friday and you will practically have the special exhibit to yourself.
Author's Bio: Marcus Whelchel lives, works, and writes in Saint Louis, Missouri with his wife and daughter. Those who know him best suspect he must have rolled down Art Hill one too many times.