City Museum

City Museum is an entertainment museum in St. Louis, Missouri, that transforms a former brick shoe factory into a multi-story adventure playground. The rooms open into concrete caves, spiral staircases lead to rooftop terraces, and metal structures for climbing and sliding rise everywhere.

Artist Bob Cassilly began converting the abandoned International Shoe Company factory building in 1997, gathering materials from industrial sites across St. Louis for the project. The opening took place gradually as more building sections were added over time.

The installation connects recycled industrial parts from old factories and demolition sites across the region into walkable art pieces. Visitors move through metal tubes, climb over old aircraft parts, and experience architecture as interactive play.

The facility is open Wednesday and Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM, Friday and Saturday until midnight, and Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. Visitors planning to explore the rooftop area should wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for changing weather conditions.

Inside, an artificial forest grows from metal structures and real plants, while axolotl aquariums are embedded in the walls. On the roof, a working Ferris wheel turns above the former factory chimneys.

Location: St. Louis

Inception: 1997

Address: North 16th Street

Opening Hours: Friday-Saturday 09:00-24:00; Sunday 11:00-17:00; Wednesday-Thursday 09:00-17:00

Website: http://citymuseum.org

GPS coordinates: 38.63360,-90.20060

Latest update: December 11, 2025 22:32