Clayton can be explored through several distinct themes: the history of the Historic Hanley House, public art and the annual Saint Louis Art Fair. Its parkland and a competition pool also offer specific points of interest. If you’re planning a stay, you can start by deciding which of these facets will shape your trip.
Historic Hanley House: History and Visitor Status
One historical landmark is the Historic Hanley House. Martin Franklin Hanley had the house built in 1855. As a restored historic house museum, it contains original family furnishings, artifacts and letters depicting life in 19th-century Missouri. This brings together a specific construction date and a museum portrayal of that period. For your planning, its current status is key: the Historic Hanley House is closed until further notice. Its history remains a cultural point of reference for Clayton, but a visit to the house cannot currently be planned.
Public Art: Collection, Map and Audio Tour
Clayton’s public art can be explored through its collection, map and audio tour. The city’s public art collection includes works by Botero, Milles, Ben Tre and Trova. The public art map can help you find artworks in Clayton. If you’d like to combine public art with other points of interest in the area, you could consider the city’s audio tour via the OtoCast app. It covers local art, historic places and parks, offering a different focus from the map. Since app availability may change, check beforehand if you want to make the tour a firm part of your plans.
Saint Louis Art Fair: An Occasion to Plan Around
The Saint Louis Art Fair takes place every year in downtown Clayton. It is a free, three-day event. If the Art Fair is one reason for your trip, check the specific event dates in advance. This will help you fit the event into your stay, rather than relying only on the general information that it takes place annually.
The two cultural attractions differ considerably when it comes to choosing when to travel: the Saint Louis Art Fair is a recurring event with specific dates, while the Historic Hanley House is closed until further notice. The event can therefore give your stay a set date, while the house cannot currently be planned as a stop on your visit.
Oak Knoll Park and Shaw Park Aquatic Center
If you’d also like to consider parkland when choosing where to visit, Oak Knoll Park offers a specific point of interest: it is home to a native stand of 150-year-old post oaks. The Shaw Park Aquatic Center offers a different focus, with its 50-meter competition pool. The park is centered on a specific stand of trees, while the Aquatic Center offers a clearly defined sports facility. If you’re planning to use the pool during your stay, check its current availability in advance.
Getting Here and Choosing a Hotel
Two MetroLink stations serve Clayton. This is a specific indication of the area’s transit connections to consider when planning your trip. If MetroLink is relevant to your journey, take this information into account when deciding whether to stay in Clayton.
Discover more destinations: Valley Park, Sunset Hills, Hazelwood, Oakville, Ferguson, Earth City, Green Park, Concord Township.
For the broader travel overview: St Louis.
