DaVinci Machines Exhibition

I had purchased a Groupon for this a couple months ago & it was to expire in a few days. So, Mom & I took a road trip downtown with my toddler to see this exhibit. I was actually surprised with how small it was — there’s only about 60 models, but they were really pretty cool. It’s amazing how creative & crucial to technological advancement that Davinci was.
Honestly, I would have liked to stay longer, but it was not really terrific for little kids. They do have some displays where you can turn a crank to see them work & that was fun. But other than that, mine just wanted to touch all the untouchable displays & roll around on the really gross carpet. Needless to say, we didn’t join the tour and we left & went to Citygarden instead.
I am glad I got to see it, however briefly. Very interesting stuff, and I love the way the models are built out of rich woods & natural fibers — aesthetically lovely. Just maybe not so much with a high energy toddler.

Leonardo DaVinci was the greatest genius of all time.
This is possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn about him and his amazing inventions.
Be sure to watch the movie and take the guided tour. Both are FANTASTIC!

This exhibit makes me feel like a kid again. It shows you an insider’s perspective into Da Vinci’s mind, one that you simply can’t find in other museums, libraries, or online. The display is extremely similar to the ones they had in 2011/​2012, so maybe not worth a second trip if you have already been here. However, if you haven’t this place is amazing for the little ones.
There are many hands on activities that will intrigue the kids and the kids at heart. Plan on about 2.5 to 3 hours to see everything. However, I would recommend skipping the movie, but definitely going on the tour. That would cut your time down to two hours. All in all, an amazing experience and definitely a great place to take kids over Spring Break and the Summer.

DaVinci Machines has returned to St. Louis after a successful ²⁰¹¹⁄₂₀₁₂ season and, at least based on the previous reviews here, brought a very similar (if not the exact same) set of displays. Guided tours are available on the weekends and there are some activities for kids as well. To do everything casually, plan on about 2.5 hours (there’s a 45-​minute film).
The go-​to review on this is probably John H’s from Dec. 29, 2011. With the minor exception of the ending date for 2013 being some time in May, his review covers everything that you’ll want to know (even the accessibility via MetroLink).
A few additional tips:
1) During the week, the entrance is via the Bank of America Tower. On weekends, it’s through a revolving door that leads directly into the exhibit’s space in the former banking lobby.
2) Metered street parking is available (it’s free on the weekends). The building is wheelchair accessible via a ramp on the plaza down 8^th Street. The exhibit also has its own bathrooms if you need them.
3) Definitely take the time to see if a deal is available. Living Social, Groupon and others have offered 2-​for-​1 or better for the exhibit and redemption is easy.
4) Models that you’re welcomed to touch (gently) are marked with small green cards and ones that you should observe only are marked with red ones. It seemed like about a third of the items could be touched. The water screw is pretty cool to operate along with the robot drummer.

A wonderful birthday surprise for our 15 year old son who has aspirations to be an engineer. Both of our boys thoroughly enjoyed the hands on exhibit. Our tour guide was exceptional and really added to our visit. It was an inspiring afternoon and ignited our desire to dream, create and explore. Highly recommend.
Check out Groupon, Morgan’s Deals, and Deal Chicken for discount tickets.

Simply and truly amazing. This exhibits turns Leonardo Da Vinci’s innovative drawings into working models. The genius of Da Vinci is divided into several areas: War Machines, Flight, Interactive Machines and Mechanics.
Many concepts that are common knowledge today were only theories in the 15^th century. And theories that Da Vinci either conceived of or brought to reality for the first time. Levers, counter balance, wing design and mechanical gearing.
The flying machines are amazing in their precision and designs. Da Vinci had iron, leather and heavy fabrics to work with. But he design a hang glider that is eerily similar to the modern versions seen floating in the sky. He designed flying machines with rotating rotors, (helicopter), rolling armored gunships, (tanks), and machines that could easily lift granite pillars to aid in building construction.
Several of the exhibits are interactive so you can actually work the machines. Seeing the ingenious designs in action is inspiring. Imaging Leonardo figuring out the direction of the ropes or the strength of a timber gives the visitor a glimpse into a great mind.
There is also a section showing a brief introspection of Da Vinci’s paintings. Mona Lisa, The Last Supper and several royal portraits are discussed.
With over 60 individual exhibits, this show is worth every penny. Be prepared to spend a couple of hours viewing, reading and admiring. The gift shop is likely to catch your eye with a wide assortment of goodies.

I had no clue this exhibit existed but by chance I happened to be positioned across from the old BOA building while downtown for the World Series parade. I followed the exhibit on twitter, they announced a contest for free tickets and I managed to win myself some. Awesome! I looked at the price and it did seem pricey but that same day I went to the Monet exhibit at the art museum and I can say now that the DaVinci Machines was the better exhibit.
I’m a nerd so the exhibit appealed to me. I loved that some of the machines are interactive and while I didn’t take the tour, I overheard the guide and he offered some great insight. I was surprised that the video in the back was as informative and interesting as it was. Usually you see something like «How DaVinci plotted to destroy the world with the Mona Lisa» or some other crazy theory video but this was quality with new facts my nerd self didn’t know.
It’s small, it’s quiet but even kids seemed to enjoy it. I’m excited to see something like this downtown and I hope more exhibits like it appear. Get there soon because it’ll be gone by the end of February.

I am so happy this exhibit passed through Saint Louis! It seems like it would have been a better fit for the History Museum or Science Center, but understand that scheduling/​space conflicts can happen.
The office lobby is still plenty big to showcase the exhibit, and it is presented in a thoughtful and efficient manner to best show off each piece in the appropriate grouping while keeping the line moving. The descriptions are insightful. It’s fun to be able to interact with some of the displays, and they have informative video looping at a couple of spots for even more information. There are guided tours, which we did not use since we would have had to wait 35 minutes and we had dinner reservations right after. It took us about an hour to get through, but I could have spent another half hour or hour watching more video and playing around as well.
At $ 14, this is a bargain for an exhibit with this many pieces– 50 or more. I have also seen coupons all of the internet, which would make it a deal for a family. I think kids would love the interactive pieces, and Da Vinci is such an important inventor/​scientist/​artist/​thinker!

It grabbed me, and didn’t let go for a couple hours. I saw scale model machines for work, war, and flight, all envisioned by Leonardo da Vinci long before the industrial revolution. Many of the exhibits are working machines, and some are interactive. The experience was less like an art museum and more like a science center, but on a smaller, more manageable scale. Awesome.
In case you haven’t heard, the machines are based upon Leonardo’s detailed notes and drawings, about one-​third of which have survived since his death in 1519. Docents regularly lead tours through five themed areas: war machines, flying machines, nautical and hydraulic, principles of mechanics, and masterpieces. At the end of the tour, there’s opportunity to view a 45-​minute film, wander on your own, and/​or visit the gift shop area. I took advantage of everything, though didn’t sit still long enough to see the entire film.
Don’t miss the portable hexagonal mirror room, which Leonardo designed for some particularly wealthy duke (I think). In a room like the one set up here, the Duke and his friends had a 360-​degree view of themselves, sort of a Renaissance «photo booth.» Imagine the fun those Renaissance types would have had with mobile phones, posting self-​portraits to facebook. Yes, Unilocal reader, when YOU go, I know you’ll be sneaking shots in that space. Not that I would do anything like that ;)
The exhibit is easy to find, just inside the doors of the bank tower on the southwest corner of 8^th & Market. I rode the MetroLink to 8^th & Pine, and walked two blocks south. Admission is $ 14/​person (I think there are group discounts available). Get there before it all ends on February 28^th.