Free Museums & Cultural Attractions in St Louis050

St. Louisans are among the luckiest residents in the country when it comes to free admission at museums: Some of the city's very finest institutions offer free admission, all day, every day:

Saint Louis Science Center is always free and is an exceptional place for hand-on learning and exploring. The Center schedules nifty family- and student-oriented events throughout the year, including Homeschool Days, Free Public Telescope Viewing, and Amazing Science Demonstrations; check out the Center's online calendar to stay in the loop!

The opportunity to view more than 30,000 works of art. . . for free? Yep, the Saint Louis Art Museum opens its doors freely each and every day. Admission to featured exhibitions varies, but head to SLAM on Fridays, and special exhibits are free then, too. The Museum hosts a range of free events for families year 'round; the most popular are Family Sundays, when docents are on hand to traipse through the galleries with little ones in tow, offering guided tours aimed at young audiences. Once the tour is over, hands-on art activities are typically scheduled.

The Missouri History Museum offers free general admission; fees are sometimes charged for special exhibits, but visit on a Tuesday to see even these exhibitions for free. Storytelling in the Galleries is a popular ? and free ? family program held on Fridays and Saturdays, and the institution often schedules free concerts, author presentations, and films. Visit the Museum's online calendar of events for more details.

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark are a big deal in St. Louis - after all, it was our fair city from which they departed on their Corps of Discovery journey in 1804. The Museum of Western Expansion details their journey, as well as other stories and experiences of Americans on the frontier and Native Americans. Slightly farther afield is Camp River Dubois (also known as the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site), which was where Lewis and Clark wintered in 1803-1804 while they prepared for their trip.

The Magic House, St. Louis' award-winning children' museum, holds Target Free Family Nights every third Friday of the month between 5:30pm and 9pm. These special nights enable a family (no more than two adults and four of their own children) to enjoy the more than 100 hands-on exhibits in the museum.

Kids that have theater and music running through their blood need look no further than Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, which offers numerous educational events, including the free Kids ArtStart programs on Saturday mornings.

COCA (Center of Creative Arts) also offers classes and theatrical performances. Families are invited to partake in COCA's offerings for free during Free @ 3 Community Days, typically held the first Sunday of the month at 3pm.

Older children will appreciate Laumeier Sculpture Garden for its impressive, oversized artworks; little ones will appreciate the rolling hills and wide open spaces that are perfect for an afternoon romp.

Finally, the lovely and numerous gardens at MOBOT are free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesdays and Saturdays before noon (with proof of residency).

Do you know of more free stuff, events, and activities for kids and families around St. Louis? Add a comment below and we'll get right on it!

Note: Our editors make every attempt to keep this list as current as possible, but changes to these programs do happen. We recommend that you visit the venue websites for exceptions, other qualifying details, and any updates before visiting the venues themselves.