St. Louis is a cultural mecca that captivates residents and tourists alike with its various museums, parks, and many other attractions. A standout feature of the Gateway City is its capacity to honor and promote the arts. This amazing city contains some premier art institutions. Perhaps the most magnificent art museum in St. Louis that deserves a day of exploring is the Saint Louis Art Museum located in Forest Park. This gorgeous, three-story building was originally built in 1904 as a palace for the “Meet Me in St. Louis” World’s Fair. Today, it contains renowned artists’ work, from Renaissance to Impressionist art, as well as works from Asia, an amazing collection of Pre-Columbian art, and a vast collection of distinguished modern art. If you’re not already convinced, here are a few more reasons why you should join the half-million yearly visitors and make a day of visiting the St. Louis Art Museum:

1. Standout exhibitions

The St. Louis Art Museum should be on your list for several reasons, above all for its extraordinary exhibitions. The amazing collection of art is sure not to disappoint. In addition to permanent collections, the museum also hosts rotating exhibits and installations, including their Currents series, displaying contemporary artists’ work. A couple standout exhibits to check out are “Fired Up: Ink Painting and Contemporary Ceramics from Japan”, on view until March 25, 2018 and the upcoming exhibit “Sunken Cities: Egypt's Lost Worlds”, which will be on view from March 25 - September 9, 2018. Check out their website for more information on upcoming exhibits.

2. Visually stunning

Along with the art exhibits, there is even more visually stimulating incentives to visit. The gorgeous architecture inside and out will leave you amazed. The building itself was designed by architect Cass Gilbert, whose style was inspired by Roman architecture from the Baths of Caracalla in Rome. Aside from the beauty of the museum itself, the location offers a great scenic view over Art Hill, one of Forest Park’s iconic spots.

3. Free admission

St. Louis is known for its free cultural attractions for visitors and locals alike. The cherry on top of the experience at the St. Louis Art Museum is that admission is free. You can visit the museum any day to drink in some of the best art and culture that St. Louis has to offer at no charge. Their motto is rightfully, “Dedicated to Art and Free to All.” If you’d like to get into featured exhibits for free, the day to visit is Friday. They’re open to visit each day except Mondays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and admission to featured exhibits is free on Fridays.

4. Art and Culture classes

The museum also offers a more direct educational experience from their hands-on classes, gallery talks, and lectures. Adults and youth can explore art and culture through signing up for a class or taking part in a lively gallery discussion. A upcoming gallery talk to check out is “Dreams, Community, and Individual Voices: Generations of Abstraction from a Lakota/American Perspective” by Dyani White Hawk, the artist and curator. This talk will take place on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 11am and Friday, March 9, 2018 at 6pm. Check out their website for more details about upcoming classes and talks.

5. Exciting special events

The St. Louis Art Museum knows how to involve their community, and they offer monthly special events throughout the year. These events are often of interest to children and adults alike. From their “Family Sundays”, to concerts, film viewings, and other celebrations, they provide many unique ways to explore the museum. Join them on the final Friday of every month for “SLAM Underground” from 7:00-10:00 pm, where they host scavenger hunts, gallery games, art-making, music, and a cash bar with a signature cocktail to go along with that month’s theme. You can find out more about their special events here.

 In terms of art, St. Louis has a lot to offer resident and visitor enthusiasts. At one of the U.S.’s principal art museums, you can gaze and take inspiration from paintings, sculptures, ancient masterpieces, and cultural art from all over the globe.

The St. Louis Art Museum is one of the best places to soak up the artistic flair this city is known for.