City Museum

City Museum has been called a warehouse of adventure for people of all ages and a museum unlike any other.

With an enchanted forest, secret caves and passageways, a giant aquarium, a small circus, an architectural museum, a museum of oddities and plenty of slides, City Museum is a delight for people of all ages.
Housed on three floors of the former International Shoe Company building in a space equal to two and a half football fields, the Museum was born of the vision of several creative artists.
It's a wacky place where a school bus hangs off the roof and airplane parts appear to fly over the parking lot in the newest addition called MonstroCity.
City Museum is a recycler's paradise with many of the exhibits constructed from products that were made for other uses. It is constantly changing and expanding so that any two visits are rarely the same.

Highlights:

"Brontosaurus Staircase," a three-story staircase which soars to all three floors of the Museum. In a former life, the staircase graced St. Louis' old City Hospital. Spindles from conveyer belts of the old International Shoe Building were dismantled, painted by elementary school students in colorful designs and installed as part of the staircase's handrail.

The "World's Largest Windmill," a contraption that moves a 24,000-pound block of granite up and down two stories. Visitors can watch the hoist, powered by the salvaged generator of what was once the world's largest windmill, in action.

A walk-through sculpture of a life-sized Bowhead whale that wraps itself around a giant fish tank containing Mississippi River fish.

The front of St. Louis Title Company, built in 1897, which now serves as the ticket area for the Museum. The Title Company Building was torn down for construction of the Gateway Mall in the 1980's and held in storage for 11 years before the Museum recycled parts of it.

The stage of an old Catholic Center on which theatrical, musical and other groups can practice their performances at no charge on Saturdays. Groups ranging from Shakespearean troupes to cloggers and chorale groups use the stage, and visitors to the Museum may watch the rehearsals without additional charge.

Art City, an area featuring an ever-changing array of artists, weavers, potters and metal smiths at work. Visitors can often try their hand at the crafts being demonstrated.

A rotating display of toys and other items from the Eugene Field House and St. Louis Toy Museum.

A working shoelace factory which makes shoelaces to order before your eyes.

Beatnik Bob's, a bohemian hangout with The Museum of Mirth, Mystery and Mayhem where artist Bill Christman conveys the innocence, tawdry charms and cheesiness of the carnival midway and eccentric roadside attractions. Don't miss the Elvis Channeler, the Corn Dogs Through the Ages exhibit and the world's largest pair of men's briefs.

A model railroad set-up with more than nine miles of tracks and a miniature electric train.

St. Louis Architectural Museum, a treasure trove of architectural heritage which includes a huge variety of salvaged ornaments and facades from historic buildings in St. Louis and other cities.

Everydaycircus, a program of interactive, circus-oriented shows including live entertainment, rides, crafts, carnival games and concessions.
The Glass Studio where working artists turn molten glass into unique sculpture forms and a variety of techniques, including glassblowing, hot glass sand-casting, etching, cutting, blasting and polishing, are demonstrated. Will be available September through May. In the summer there will be demonstrations on a changing basis.

Youth City, a play area for children ages 3 to 8, with gravel pits, trucks, tools, a building block corner and Nerf bowling.

Mini City, a place for toddlers to have their own brand of fun with a curving chalk wall, a magnetic wall, several hippos and whales to climb on and a variety of art activities.

Location: Downtown in the heart of St. Louis' Loft District.