City Museum
City Museum fills what was once the International Shoe building in St. Louis's Washington Avenue Loft District, in St. Louis, MO, just off the old road. Opened in 1997, it is built largely from salvaged architectural and industrial pieces, turned into exhibits meant to be experienced up close. It has been praised as one of the country's great public spaces and scores well with families, making it a memorable stop for travelers of any age.
What is City Museum?
This is a privately owned museum unlike a traditional gallery. Its exhibits are made mostly from repurposed pieces of old buildings and industry, reassembled into spaces meant to be explored rather than just looked at. It is housed in what was once the International Shoe building, in the loft district.
It has earned wide recognition. The Project for Public Spaces named it one of its great public spaces, and in 2025 USA Today readers placed it ninth on their list of top immersive art experiences, and it also finished among the runners-up in the best children's museum category.
History of City Museum
City Museum opened in October 1997 in the old shoe company building. In January 2019 it was bought by Premier Parks LLC, a company based in Oklahoma City, itself a Route 66 city, so the museum now has a link to another stop on the old road.
Visiting City Museum: tips
Expect an admission charge. Plan at least two to three hours. Restrooms and parking are on site, the building is wheelchair accessible, and it is a strong choice for kids. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, since this is a museum made for moving around.
Other downtown sights are close: the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site is about 0.8 mile away and Gateway Arch National Park about 1 mile. A restaurant and a hotel are each about 0.1 mile from the entrance, which makes an overnight stay nearby easy.
Practical info
- Address
- 750 North 16th Street, Saint Louis, MO 63103
- Phone
- +1 314-231-2489
- Website
- citymuseum.org
- Hours
- Wed, Thu 9–5 · Fri, Sat 9 am–midnight · Sun 11–5
- On site & nearby
Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix
Where to eat near City Museum
All diners on Route 66 →
On the map
Full mapCity Museum with the 6 closest stops and places to eat (fork and knife). Tap a marker for details.
Tap a dot to see that stop here.
Stops near City Museum
All of Missouri
0.6 mi from City Museum
0.8 mi from City Museum
1.0 mi from City Museum
1.0 mi from City Museum
.jpg)
1.1 mi from City Museum
1.4 mi from City Museum
Questions about City Museum
Is City Museum good for kids?
Yes. In 2025 USA Today readers put it among the runners-up in their best children's museum vote.
Is City Museum free?
No, there is an admission charge.
Where is City Museum?
In what was once the International Shoe building, in St. Louis's Washington Avenue Loft District, just off the old road.
Own or run City Museum? Send us a photo or a correction.