St. Louis Art Museum: At One Fine Arts Drive in Forest Park, this is a exceptional art museum that has free admission at all times. The St. Louis Art Museum has an encyclopedic collection of more than 33,000 works. I focused on and enjoyed some great contemporary works as well as some wonderful impressionist paintings in the European galleries. Make sure to check out the new 200,000 sq.ft. addition by British architect David Chipperfield. The Panorama Restaurant in the East Building and the more casual Museum Cafe on the lower level of the South Building are dining options.
Also in Forest Park is the Missouri History Museum.
Other museums in town include the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts at 3716 Washington Blvd. It was closed for renovation when I was there last, but it is since reopened. The building was designed by the famed Japanese architect Tadao Ando. I am excited to see it on my next trip.
Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis at 3750 Washington Blvd.
Laumeier Sculpture Park: At 12580 Rott Rd., this is a sculpture park with 105 acres. Works include those by Donald Judd, Ernest Trova, Sol LeWitt and Robert Stackhouse.
City Museum: A museum that comes highly recommended.
Visiting the famed Eero Saarinen-designed landmark, the St. Louis Gateway Arch, is a must when you are in town. I remember my first visit in the 1960’s and then seeing it every day when I worked across the street in 1976 to 1978. It has recently opened after a $380 million redevelopment including an expanded museum and a new pedestrian bridge and better access.
