Explore the Laumeier Sculpture Park in St. Louis, Missouri. This gorgeous sculpture garden is one of the best free things to do in St. Louis!
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The Laumeier Sculpture Park is basically an outdoor art museum, which is the perfect combination for me. Not only do you get to see really cool works of art up close, but you get to spend time outdoors walking and breathing fresh air.
While sculpture parks are not a new concept, Laumeier was actually ones of the first ones in the country when it was founded in 1976. It now covers about 105-acres of land and features over 60 sculptures, with short trails meandering through the park.
I put Laumeier Sculpture Park on my list of the Best Free Things to Do in St. Louis because the park is beautiful, the art is really fun, it’s a great place to do some walking, it’s dog-friendly, and there are lots of events and activities going on throughout the summer season. Definitely a must-visit in St. Louis!
Laumeier Sculpture Park
Living in St. Louis, the Laumeier Sculpture Park is one of those places that I always wanted to visit, but never actually did. That seems to be standard when you live somewhere–you skip all of the cool attractions because…well because you’re busy, right? But I FINALLY went this summer, and I’m so glad I did!
The park is tucked away about 20 minutes from Downtown St. Louis, near the neighborhoods of Kirkwood and Webster Groves. It feels quite secluded as you walk further into the park, and you’ll even find trails taking you back into the woods. It really is a beautiful park; a fun place to walk, picnic, or hang out, even if you’re not that interested in the art…
But let’s talk about the art, because that is the reason I’m recommending this place. Large-scale sculptures dot the land, from giant eyeballs, to giant deer, to giant….who knows what some of this stuff is? It’s all really cool though, and walking through these over-sized works of art will make you feel like a kid again. And actual kids will love this place just as much. There’s even a children’s sculpture garden, with pieces that they can play on and interact with (unlike most of the art, which is in the no climbing territory).
The Laumeier Sculpture Park is open year-round, although due to notorious Midwest weather, you’ll want to plan your visiting times to this outdoor gallery carefully. May-November is generally pretty good weather for an outdoor stroll, although you’ll need to watch out for rainy days here and there. If you visit during the heat of summer, I recommend going in the mornings so you can leave by noon. But as long as you’re prepared for the day’s weather, you can visit any time.
I love this place because…well, because it’s free, first of all. Whether you’re a tourist or a local, free attractions are always a plus. You can pop in for a quick stroll, or spend a couple of hours wandering through the park. It’s a really fun place to visit, especially if you A) like art and/or B) are with your family. Art in the outdoors, what could be better?
More Information about the Laumeier Sculpture Park
Address: 12580 Rott Road, St. Louis, Missouri
Admission: FREE
Hours: Open Daily 8 am to 30 minutes past sunset
Parking: Free parking lot
Want to explore more of St. Louis?
- Best Free Things to Do in St. Louis
- Explore Missouri Botanical Gardens
- Welcome to Gateway Arch National Park
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