The Missouri History Museum is a free history museum in Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri. It’s operated by the Missouri Historical Society and housed in the 1913 Jefferson Memorial Building. It covers the history of St. Louis and the surrounding region from its earliest Indigenous inhabitants to the present day. This guide covers opening hours, admission, parking, transport, what to see, and practical tips for planning your visit.
Last updated: June 2026. Note that the museum is closed on Mondays — a detail many visitors miss — and that Thursday is the only evening it stays open until 8pm. Some special exhibitions carry a separate admission charge, even though general admission is always free.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 5700 Lindell Boulevard (Lindell & DeBaliviere), Forest Park, St. Louis, MO 63112 |
| Opening hours | Tue–Wed, Fri–Sun: 10am–5pm; Thu: 10am–8pm; closed Monday |
| General admission | Free |
| Special exhibitions | Separate fee may apply; children 5 and under always free |
| Parking | Free on site |
| Nearest transit | MetroLink: Forest Park–DeBaliviere station (short walk); MetroBus routes also serve the area |
| Typical visit length | 2–3 hours |
Missouri History Museum opening hours
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10am to 5pm, with extended hours on Thursdays until 8pm. It is closed every Monday.
Hours and admission were checked on the official Missouri Historical Society website and last updated in June 2026.
5 great St Louis experiences to book
- 🌆 Take a small group tour of the Gateway Arch – including tickets to the top.
- 🚢 Combine a visit to the Gateway Arch with a river cruise.
- 📸 At the Museum of Illusions, get reels of cool social media photos.
- 👻 Discover the dark side of St Louis on an evening ghost tour.
- 🍽️ On a food and history walking tour, learn about the flavours and stories of St Louis.
Missouri History Museum ticket prices
General admission is free, funded through the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District’s property tax subsidy. No booking is required for general admission.
Some special rotating exhibitions charge a separate admission fee. Children aged 5 and under are admitted free to all exhibits, including special exhibitions with a charge.
The museum is not included in any commercial city pass scheme. The MHS also operates the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum and the Library & Research Center — both separate locations.
How to get to the Missouri History Museum
By car: The museum is at the northern edge of Forest Park, at Lindell Boulevard and DeBaliviere Avenue. From downtown St. Louis, take Lindell Boulevard west into Forest Park.
By MetroLink: Take the Red or Blue Line to the Forest Park–DeBaliviere station. The museum is a short walk south through the northern edge of the park.
By MetroBus: Several routes serve the Forest Park area. Check metrostlouis.org for current routes.
Parking at the Missouri History Museum
Free parking is available in the lot at the museum. Additional free parking is available throughout Forest Park. The lot is described as limited — on busy weekends and during major events, Forest Park’s broader street parking is a practical alternative.
How long to spend at the Missouri History Museum
Allow 2 to 3 hours for the permanent galleries. Adding a special exhibition or attending a programme event may extend the visit to a half-day.
Accessibility at the Missouri History Museum
The museum is accessible to visitors using wheelchairs and mobility aids. For specific accessibility enquiries, contact the museum at (314) 746-4599 or check the accessibility information on the official website.
What to see at the Missouri History Museum
Permanent galleries
Seeking St. Louis is the museum’s core gallery, tracing the city’s history from the Mississippian mound builders through French colonial settlement, the Louisiana Purchase, westward expansion, and into the 20th century. Objects, photographs, and first-person accounts drive the narrative throughout.
The 1904 World’s Fair galleries are among the most visited in the museum. A large-scale model of the fairgrounds anchors an exhibit covering the Louisiana Purchase Exposition — the largest world’s fair ever held, which took place in Forest Park itself.
The Spirit of St. Louis — a sister plane to Charles Lindbergh’s famous aircraft, used in the 1957 James Stewart film — hangs in the Grand Hall and is visible from much of the building.
History Clubhouse is a 6,000-square-foot hands-on exhibit space for children, with immersive historical environments and interactive activities.
Lindbergh and Aviation covers the aviator’s St. Louis connections, including personal artefacts and memorabilia from his 1927 transatlantic flight.
Sports history galleries cover the Cardinals, the Browns, and the Blues, along with St. Louis’s broader sporting heritage.
Civil rights content is integrated throughout the galleries, reflecting the city’s significant role in the national civil rights movement.
On-site dining and shopping
Bixby’s restaurant offers lunch and popular weekend brunches, with a locally sourced menu and views over Forest Park. Reservations are recommended for weekend brunch. The Museum Shop stocks locally made products, St. Louis-themed books, and gifts.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| The museum is closed on Mondays | Many visitors plan a Monday visit and arrive to find it shut. Wednesday through Sunday are the safest days to plan around. |
| Thursday evening is the best time for quieter visits | Extended hours until 8pm on Thursdays attract smaller crowds than weekend afternoons. |
| Check special exhibition fees before you go | General admission is free, but some special exhibitions charge separately. Check the official website for current exhibitions and any associated costs. |
| Bixby’s requires a reservation at weekends | The restaurant’s weekend brunch is popular — book online in advance if you want to eat on site. |
| Forest Park is free to explore before or after | The museum sits at the edge of one of the largest urban parks in the US. Allow time to walk the park, particularly near the Grand Basin, before or after your visit. |
Frequently asked questions about the Missouri History Museum
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Missouri History Museum free? | Yes, general admission is always free. Some special exhibitions charge a separate fee. Children 5 and under are free for everything. |
| Is the museum open on Sundays? | Yes, Tuesday through Sunday, 10am–5pm. Closed Mondays. |
| Do you need to book in advance? | No booking required for general admission. Some special exhibitions may require advance tickets — check the website before visiting. |
| Is parking free? | Yes, free parking is available on site and throughout Forest Park. |
| Is the museum suitable for children? | Yes. The History Clubhouse is a 6,000-square-foot hands-on exhibit space specifically for children. Many other galleries also include interactive elements for families. |
Things to do near the Missouri History Museum
- Saint Louis Zoo (Forest Park, ~0.5 miles) — Free admission to the zoo itself; one of the largest free zoos in the world. Paid attractions (Adventure Pass) available separately. See separate guide.
- Saint Louis Art Museum (Forest Park, ~0.8 miles) — Free permanent collection; special exhibitions may charge on non-Friday days. Located on Art Hill in Forest Park. See separate guide.
- The Muny (~0.5 miles, Forest Park) — America’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre, with free seats available for every performance in the top rows. Summer season runs June through August.
- Jewel Box (~0.5 miles, Forest Park) — An Art Deco greenhouse in Forest Park, open to the public year-round.
- Forest Park (~adjacent) — 1,371 acres of free public parkland including the Grand Basin, walking and cycling paths, paddle boat hire, and views of the Art Museum and other Forest Park institutions.
What to visit tomorrow: similar history museums within two hours
- Gateway Arch National Park, St. Louis (~4 miles east) — The iconic 630-foot stainless steel arch, with a tram to the top and the Museum of Westward Expansion at its base. Tram and museum tickets charged; grounds free.
- Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, St. Louis (~4 miles east) — Operated by the Missouri Historical Society, covering military service from St. Louis and Missouri. Free admission. Check mohistory.org for current hours.
- Illinois State Museum, Springfield, IL (~1 hour 45 minutes northeast) — The state’s flagship natural and cultural history museum, with collections spanning geology, art, and human history.
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL (~1 hour 45 minutes northeast) — The largest collection of Lincoln artefacts in the world, with theatrical exhibitions covering Lincoln’s life and presidency.
