Old Courthouse, St. Louis City

Location: 11 N. 4th. St., St. Louis, MO 63102   Open Daily from 8:00am–4:30pm

Website: https://www.nps.gov/jeff/planyourvisit/och.htm

The Old Courthouse was completed in the mid 1850's.  I've always wanted to do one of their free tours but just never got around to it until today. I was lucky and found a meter so I only spent a dollar on parking. The tour is about 30 minutes and that's definitely enough time to see the entire building. They also offer a Junior Ranger program for kids, here's more on that from their website:

"The Junior Ranger program at Gateway Arch National Park is designed to help young visitors learn more about the people, places and events related to St. Louis history and westward expansion during the 1800s. Junior Ranger activities are designed to help connect young visitors to the park's resources and encourage them to become active stewards of their national parks. Young visitors ages 5-18 can earn a Junior Ranger badge at either the Arch or Old Courthouse.  Junior Ranger activity sheets are available at the information desk at both sites. Complete the selected activities to receive your badge. As the Junior Ranger program is site-based, we do not send out activity sheets or badges through the mail."

They have a little movie theater and a nice museum explaining the Dred Scott case.

Ranger starting a tour

Looking up at the dome- it's gorgeous!

On the second level looking down at the rotunda. You can look in a few of the old courtrooms. 

Another courtroom

Looking down from the 3rd level

To sum up this is a very cool old building with a lot of historic significance, but I don't think young children will enjoy it. This building doesn't have elevators and my tummy was doing flip flops looking down. There are lots of steps.