Though it’s rarely ranked among the nation’s most prestigious museums or given the credit it really does deserve, the St. Louis Art Museum features some truly impressive exhibits spanning from the earliest days of human expression to the most avant-garde works of our time. The museum’s façade is a typical affair with grandiose columns, a fountain, and a broad lawn perfect for lunching on a sunny day after a few hours’ exploration. Constantly rotating exhibits highlight new discoveries in ancient architecture, restored paintings from the Renaissance, or fascinating single-artist spotlights from every era and movement. Permanent exhibits are housed in immaculate, modern rooms that encourage lengthy meditations on these masterpieces. The St. Louis Art Museum’s general admission is free, though special exhibits have varying fees (but are always free on Friday). The museum permits reproduction, so bring your canvas if you feel like a little artistic exercise of your own.