Museums
Local GemWorld Chess Hall of Fame
FreeFree galleries celebrating chess in art and history, marked by the world's largest chess piece, a 20-foot king on the Central West End sidewalk.
SightseeingIconicRainy-day pickFree to visit
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
4431 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108 · St. Louis, MO
Why you should go…
From the outside it's a green-domed Romanesque landmark on Lindell Boulevard; inside, every arch and dome shimmers with mosaics, some 41.5 million glass tesserae installed between 1912 and 1988, among the largest mosaic collections in the Western Hemisphere. Scenes span the Bible and St. Louis's Catholic history in Byzantine golds and blues that shift as the light changes. The basilica is free and open daily; a small Mosaic Museum on the lower level explains how artisans set it all by hand.
- #mosaics
- #church
- #architecture
- #central west end
- #free
Good to know
General sightseeing guidance
Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.
The forecast is part of the ticket
Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.
Golden hour sells out first
Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.
Dress a layer warmer
It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.
Timed entry is common
Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.
What's around here?
The closest stops to Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.
0.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums
- Theatre & EventsDate Night
The Fabulous Fox Theatre
$50+A jaw-dropping 1929 movie palace hosting Broadway tours and big-name concerts. The interior alone is worth the ticket.
1.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Theatre & Events
- MuseumsFamily Favorite
Saint Louis Science Center
FreeFree hands-on science fun, dinosaurs, a planetarium dome and a glass bridge over the highway where you can clock traffic.
1.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums
- SightseeingFoodie Favorite
The Hill
FreeSt. Louis' Italian-American neighborhood, dense with family-run restaurants and bakeries.
2.1 mi awayMore like this
- SightseeingHistory Buff
St. Louis Central Library
FreeBeaux-Arts landmark library in downtown St. Louis, free to explore inside and out.
2.8 mi awayMore like this
- SightseeingLocal Gem
Cherokee Street
FreeHistoric antique and arts district on St. Louis's south side, home to Cherokee Street Antique Row.
3.6 mi awayMore like this
