World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries — Attraction in St. Louis

I had first come to know of the WCHoF, whilst doing some Chess research. I was SHOCKED! to learn it is located right in good ol, just down the road: StLouis MISSOURI ! Definitely an honor to have access to the entire World's chess-ness, via exhibits, concerts and events all tucked in close to Home at a humble, yet well utilized location! The gift shop, is where You need to be careful! Not that You'll be unsatisfied, but trust Me, I wanted 1 of EVERYTHING! It's a great out of the norm sort of variety shop. Yesss, many Chess specific items; but an overall just clever and well thought about inventory and merch they carry, for even a non Chess head!!! It's a Freeeee museum(please donate if possible so it can remain possible🤞) It's a great gift shop for ages like...ALL! Bebe onsies, for the Chess to come, DELUXE GORGEOUS handmade boards, pieces, and a nice line of jewelry (again, not just Chess pendants, cheap metallic coated and on a ⁵⁰cent gumball chain) They have brain building and interactive "toys" and they have trivia challenges, books of fiction and non, and books of neither-needing You to write, scribble or record scores! There was a GIANT JENGA tower, which was just HUGE! About 2 ft tall at least and width accordingly! Their was a desktop atari ACTUALLY PLAYABLE! So many items inspired by other art, artists, music, history, science, math, Youth, Vintage, play or proper(actual tie Your self BOWTIES!)

If You can, GO! Go for an exhibit, go to a free museum tour, just pop in the shop and pick Your Aunt Carol a lovely turquoise bracelet, in Her favorite color of purple gift bag for Her 68th bday celebration, and Your twin niece and nephew can start a garage band with the self teaching INSTRUMENTS or build a toddler sized replica ROCKET?!¿!!

Maybe I'll see Ya there, cause I will most definitely...

Me and my son was so happy to finally make it this evening, but to our surprise there a camera crew on site filming for whatever reason they arrived right after we did so there were signs for the customers to be able to see when it comes to certain chest games that weren't able to be touched for the camera crew they moved away so when we got there that were things that we touched that we were unaware that we were supposed to be touching the first incident was rather polite and knowledgeable the second encounter with one of the workers was very abrupt and very rude mind you the first incident was in the gift shop and the second incident was in the museum itself for an FYI if you're excited to go to this Museum please take the time to keep in mind that even if you don't see the sign that says don't touch because it's in font size seven at the bottom of a piece of paper that can be missed if you don't read the description of the display for the museum and the future there needs to be a sign in bold print in front of the display separate from the description for those who don't find the interest in Reading certain descriptions on certain displays don't plan on returning, our experience was ruined rough and...

Clean & peaceful place to visit Staff is helpful and friendly We were impressed with the quality of the displays. Enjoyed seeing different and unusual chess pieces and boards my favorite was the one made from Amber🥰donation box was made available as u leave. But there was no pressure in paying to be there. Good size gift shop didn’t go in there on this visit They had a tournament going on the 3rd floor with some famous players in it (according to my son) we enjoyed watching the live stream of it there and continued to watch it after we left on their YouTube channel We stayed over an hour and paid $5 to park across the street in a lot. Requires credit card to do so. Free parking is available along the street. None available that we could see nearby visited between 12:45~ 1:15 Will come back here again. There were available chessboards to play on outside across the street A good place to walk the nearby area lots of places to eat. I noticed a lil Mexican place that smelled great as we drove by a Lebanese restaurant a place called the drunken fish that I’m told I believe Magnus made mention of a lot of places had outdoor seating Enjoyed the atmosphere in the neighborhood very quaint...