Art Museum building surrounded by trees in Forest Park, St Louis

Saint Louis Art Museum

Saint Louis Art Museum: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Your Guide to St. Louis Historical Sites

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

Nestled in Forest Park, the Saint Louis Art Museum (SLAM) is a pillar of artistic and cultural vitality in St. Louis. Founded in 1879 and housed in a landmark Beaux-Arts building constructed for the 1904 World’s Fair, SLAM has grown into one of the United States’ premier art museums. Its motto, “Dedicated to Art and Free to All,” encapsulates an enduring commitment to accessibility, education, and community engagement (The Wildcat Roar; St. Louis Moms). This comprehensive guide details everything you need to plan your visit—from hours and ticketing to exhibitions, accessibility, and nearby attractions—so you can fully immerse yourself in St. Louis’s vibrant cultural scene.

Art museum building surrounded by trees in Forest Park

Art museum building in Forest Park with trees and pathway

Black and white vertical photograph of the St. Louis Art Museum with horse-drawn carriage and group of people

Aztec plate with intricate painted motifs

Daniel interpreting the writing on the wall to Belshazzar, oil painting by Benjamin West

Face of Sculpture by Daniel Chester French at St. Louis Art Museum

First Future etching with aquatint artwork from Eva the Future series by artist in 1879-80

Group of fisherwomen standing on a beach with fishing nets

Portrait of Major Moses Seymour by Ralph Earl, 1789, oil on canvas

Historic photograph of St. Louis, Missouri cityscape with buildings and streets

Mrs. Moses Seymour with her son Epaphroditus in a vintage black and white photograph

Painting of Joseph recounting the prophetic dream to his father, with elaborate Mughal artistic borders

Front exterior of the Saint Louis Art Museum with grand columns and steps

Exterior view of St. Louis Art Museum with grand columns and stairs

Exterior view of the Saint Louis Art Museum rear facade with classical architecture

St. Louis Art Museum columns exterior view

Front view of St. Louis Art Museum with grand columns and steps

Introduction
Historical Overview & Significance
Visiting Hours & Tickets
Navigating the Museum & Visitor Services
Highlights: Current & Upcoming Exhibitions
Nearby St. Louis Historical Sites
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Visual & Media Recommendations
Conclusion & Call to Action
References

Historical Overview & Significance

Founding & Early Development

SLAM’s origins as the St. Louis School and Museum of Fine Arts reflected the city’s ambition to become a cultural hub in the Midwest (The Wildcat Roar). The 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition (World’s Fair) provided the opportunity to relocate to Forest Park, with Cass Gilbert’s Beaux-Arts building serving as a lasting legacy of that pivotal event (St. Louis Moms). The façade’s inscription—“Dedicated to Art and Free to All”—remains a promise kept to this day.

Growth & Collections

Today, SLAM holds over 30,000 works spanning five millennia and every continent (TripSavvy). The museum is especially renowned for its European paintings by Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso, its outstanding Max Beckmann collection, and significant holdings of African, Oceanic, Asian, and American art. The 2013 David Chipperfield-designed expansion added sleek, light-filled galleries and improved amenities (TripSavvy).

Architecture & Expansion

Cass Gilbert’s Beaux-Arts design is a visual anchor within Forest Park, harmonizing with the landscape and recalling the great museums of Europe (St. Louis Moms). The 2013 expansion brought a contemporary sensibility while maintaining architectural dialogue with the original building (TripSavvy).

Community & Economic Impact

SLAM is integral to the St. Louis arts scene and a driver of cultural tourism and economic activity. Its policy of free general admission, rare among major U.S. museums, ensures access for all (Explore St. Louis). Community programming, partnerships with local organizations, and collaborative exhibitions—such as “Narrative Wisdom and African Arts”—underscore its role as a living, inclusive institution (Art Africa Magazine).

Visiting Hours & Tickets

Regular Hours:
- Tuesday–Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: Extended hours until 9:00 PM
- Closed Mondays and major holidays (St. Louis Moms; SLAM Visit)
Admission:
- General admission is free every day.
- Special exhibitions may require tickets (typically $12–$20 for adults) except on Fridays, when they are free (SLAM Ticketing).
Entry Tips:
- Purchase special exhibition tickets in advance online, especially for popular shows.
- Arrive early on weekends or during major exhibitions to avoid crowds.

Navigating the Museum & Visitor Services

Accessibility & Inclusivity

SLAM is fully accessible, offering:

Ramps and elevators to all galleries,
Complimentary wheelchairs at Visitor Services,
Accessible restrooms,
Assistive listening devices and large-print materials,
Service animals are welcome (SLAM Accessibility).

Tours & Educational Programs

Docent-led Tours: Fridays and Saturdays at 1:00 PM, with rotating themes (SLAM What to See).
Self-Guided Tours: Supported by printed maps and a mobile app.
Educational Programs: Workshops, lectures, and art classes for all ages.
Family Sundays: Hands-on art activities and family tours each Sunday (TripSavvy).

Dining, Shopping, Parking

Dining: Museum Café offers locally sourced fare, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
Shopping: Museum Shop features art-inspired gifts, books, prints, and local artist works.
Parking: Paid garage and surface parking adjacent to the museum (free for members).
- Additional parking available throughout Forest Park.
Public Transit: MetroBus and MetroLink provide convenient access (SLAM Directions).

Family Activities & Event Hosting

Interactive exhibits and family restrooms.
Stroller-friendly access throughout the museum.
Event spaces for weddings, corporate events, and private gatherings.

Highlights: Current & Upcoming Exhibitions

Current Exhibitions (June 2025)

Portraits and Landscapes: American Visions, 1800–1950
Explore the evolution of American portraiture and landscape painting, featuring works by Thomas Cole, Mary Cassatt, and others. Runs through August 31, 2025 (SLAM Exhibitions).
The Future Is Female: Women Artists in the 21st Century
A showcase of contemporary women artists exploring identity and empowerment. On view until September 14, 2025 (SLAM Events).
Collective Futures: Art and Community in St. Louis
Highlights collaborative projects from St. Louis collectives, emphasizing art’s role in social change. Open through October 2025 (Kemper Live: Collective Futures).

Upcoming Exhibitions (Late 2025)

Impressionism and Beyond: Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay
Opening November 15, 2025, featuring Monet, Degas, Renoir, Van Gogh, and more (SLAM Upcoming Exhibitions).
Unseen STL History: The Cassilly Legacy
Launching December 2025, celebrating Bob Cassilly’s influence on St. Louis art and architecture (Unseen STL History).
A Night of Art & Fashion
A December 2025 event blending runway shows and live installations, highlighting collaborations between artists and designers (A Night of Art & Fashion).

Notable Past and Recurring Exhibitions

SLAM’s reputation is built on acclaimed exhibitions, including retrospectives of Kehinde Wiley and Monet, and the annual “Art in Bloom” festival (SLAM Past Exhibitions).

Nearby St. Louis Historical Sites

SLAM’s Forest Park location means you’re steps away from:

Missouri History Museum
St. Louis Zoo
Jewel Box Conservatory
The Muny outdoor theater
The Gateway Arch (a short drive away)

Combining these attractions offers a rich day of art, history, and recreation (Explore St. Louis).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are the Saint Louis Art Museum’s visiting hours?
A: Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM; Fridays until 9:00 PM; closed Mondays and major holidays.

Q: Is general admission free?
A: Yes. Special exhibitions may require tickets, but are free on Fridays.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, including docent-led tours and self-guided options with the museum app.

Q: Is SLAM accessible for visitors with disabilities?
A: Yes. The museum is fully accessible and provides assistive devices and services.

Q: Where can I park?
A: Paid parking is available next to the museum, with free options in Forest Park. Public transit is also convenient.

Q: Can I take photos inside?
A: Non-flash photography is generally allowed in permanent galleries; restrictions apply for some special exhibitions.

Visual & Media Recommendations

To enrich your experience, include:

Images of the museum’s iconic Beaux-Arts façade and Sculpture Hall.
Photos of collection highlights, such as Matisse’s Bathers with a Turtle or works by Max Beckmann (alt text: “Saint Louis Art Museum - Matisse Bathers with a Turtle”).
Interior shots of galleries and the sculpture garden.
Visuals of family activities, café dining, and the museum shop.
Embed a map showing the museum’s location in Forest Park, and link to virtual tours where available.

Conclusion & Call to Action

The Saint Louis Art Museum is not just a repository of world-class art—it’s a dynamic community space that invites exploration, learning, and inspiration. With free admission, award-winning architecture, inclusive programming, and a prime location among St. Louis’s historical treasures, SLAM offers something for everyone. Plan your visit by reviewing up-to-date information on visiting hours and tickets (SLAM Visit), download the Audiala app for audio guides and personalized recommendations, and connect with the museum on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.