Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis (must see)

The Saint Louis Art Museum is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States, housing a collection that spans more than 5,000 years of human creativity. Founded in 1879 as the Saint Louis School and Museum of Fine Arts, the museum eventually established its permanent, independent home in the Palace of Fine Arts-the only permanent building constructed for the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition (World's Fair)-reopening as a public municipal institution in 1909.

Today, the museum holds more than 37,000 works of art representing cultures from around the world and offers free general admission. The museum's collection includes paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, textiles, photographs, prints, drawings, and artifacts from ancient civilizations to the present day. Visitors can explore galleries devoted to African, Asian, European, Oceanic, and American art, as well as one of the country's leading collections of German Expressionist paintings. The original Beaux-Arts building, designed by architect Cass Gilbert, was expanded in 2013 with a contemporary East Building by British architect Sir David Chipperfield. Together, the two structures combine historic architecture with modern exhibition spaces overlooking Forest Park.

Beyond its permanent collection, the Saint Louis Art Museum presents major temporary exhibitions, educational programs, lectures, gallery talks, concerts, family activities, and cultural events throughout the year. Conservation studios, research facilities, and public programs support the museum's role as both an educational institution and a center for artistic scholarship. By bringing together world cultures, historic masterpieces, and contemporary works, the museum offers visitors an opportunity to explore art across civilizations and time periods.