Walls Off Washington is one of St. Louis’s most vibrant and evolving outdoor art galleries in the heart of the Grand Center Arts District. The Walls Off Washington is a free and ever changing collection of large scale murals by local and international artists, transforming alleyways into immersive visual experiences. It’s a hidden gem perfect for art lovers, photographers, and anyone looking to explore creative culture in St. Louis.
Stretching nearly two miles along the Mississippi River, the St. Louis Graffiti Wall—officially the Mural Mile—is the longest continuous graffiti wall in the United States. This legal art wall has been an open-air gallery since the early 1990s and is home to the annual Paint Louis festival, where artists from around the world gather each summer to refresh the wall with new work. It’s a must-see for fans of street art and urban culture.
Named one of the top escape room destinations in the world, St. Louis Escape in Soulard offers immersive experiences with Hollywood level sets. Choose from multiple themed rooms like Dracula, Haunted Hotel, Wizard of Oz, and Cellar, or try your hand at their custom built blacklight miniature golf course; a one of a kind experience all on its own.
Bonus: St. Louis Escape is located right next door to The Darkness Haunted House and Monster Museum, consistently ranked as one of the top haunted attractions in the world.
A true St. Louis treasure, Venice Café is a mosaic covered bar bursting with color, character, and live music. With its eclectic decor made from repurposed materials and found objects, it’s like stepping inside a folk art sculpture. Venice Cafe offers live music multiple nights a week, a funky courtyard, and a creative, casual vibe. Pro tip: It's cash only, so come prepared.
While the City Museum’s indoor playground of architectural wonders is well known, fewer visitors make it to the rooftop. It’s open seasonally and absolutely worth the extra ticket. Ride a school bus that hangs off the edge of the building, ride the ferris wheel, slide down multiple slides, and catch a breathtaking nighttime view of downtown St. Louis. The rooftop is unlike anything else in the city…. maybe country?
