Gateway Arch National Park — Attraction in St. Louis

Visiting the Gateway Arch in St. Louis was an unforgettable experience that I highly recommend to anyone exploring the area. The Arch is not just a stunning piece of architecture but also a symbol of American history and ingenuity. Here’s a breakdown of my visit:

Location & Accessibility: The Gateway Arch is conveniently located in downtown St. Louis, with easy access by car or public transportation. There’s plenty of parking nearby, though it can get busy during peak times. The grounds surrounding the Arch are beautifully maintained, with pathways that make for a pleasant stroll along the Mississippi River.

The Visitor Center: The underground visitor center is modern, spacious, and well organized. The museum inside provides a fascinating look at the history of westward expansion, the construction of the Arch, and the city of St. Louis itself. It’s interactive, educational, and engaging for all ages. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, answering any questions with enthusiasm.

The Tram Ride to the Top: The tram ride up to the top is a one of a kind experience. Each tram pod is compact but comfortable, with a retro design that adds to the charm. The ride takes about four minutes, and during the ascent, you can feel the engineering marvel of the structure. It’s not for those with severe claustrophobia, but the journey is smooth and safe.

The View from the Top: The observation deck at the top is simply breathtaking. From 630 feet above, you get panoramic views of St. Louis, the Mississippi River, and beyond. It’s amazing how far you can see on a clear day. The small windows provide a unique perspective, and it’s thrilling to think you’re standing at the highest point in the city.

Overall Ambiance: The entire experience felt well-managed and enjoyable. The grounds, the museum, and the tram ride were all clean, well maintained, and thoughtfully designed. I also appreciated the accessibility options for those with mobility challenges.

Tips for Visitors: • Book Tickets in Advance: The tram ride is popular, and tickets can sell out quickly. • Arrive Early: This gives you time to explore the museum and avoid potential crowds. • Consider the Weather: The view is best on a clear day. • Take Your Time: Spend time walking around the park to fully appreciate the Arch from all angles.

The Gateway Arch is truly an iconic destination that combines history, adventure, and beauty. It exceeded my expectations and left me with a deeper appreciation for the spirit of exploration and innovation. Don’t miss this landmark if you’re in St. Louis it’s worth...

A must visit when touring the city of St Louis.

Entrance to the Gateway Arch is spectacular and is a special photo op at anytime of the day.

The museum is fantastic and the layout of the exhibits simplify the context for the building of the Gateway Arch for all to understand. Many exhibits can be touched. I was even impressed with the Braille structures they have for those that are blind. I was surprised to learn about the reason of the building of the Gateway arches that I did not know before. The engineering of the Gateway arches is also explained and is quite marvelous.

There are a couple of paid experiences here such as a VR walkthrough and elevator ride to the top of the Arch. (1) I would skip the VR experience walkthrough of the 1800s. The kids thought it was boring. I didn't find much to learn that is not explained in the museum. (2) The experience riding the elevators up to the top of the Gateway Arch is a must. The elevators are quite compact if your party is larger than three. Do note that there are several stairs after the reaching the top that one must surmount. Anybody wanting to reach the summit of the arch must be able to walk steps. The lobby at the top of the Gateway Arch provide several windows to take in the views from both sides of the Mississippi River. The lobby is air conditioned which is a nice reprieve from the hot summer day outside.

The volunteer guides provide a wealth of knowledge that can further add contacts to historical background regarding the area of St Louis and the building of the Gateway Arch. These volunteer guides were super friendly and approachable.

There's a rather large gift shop selling everything you would expect to find at a souvenir shop. And if you find yourself hungry exploring the museum there is a large Cafe. The cafe houses various types of American style cuisine. Plenty of room to sit and...

We wanted to visit the Arch 10 years ago, but the team was closed as they were doing construction on the Arch/ Gateway Arch National Park. We were excited to come back (now with kids in tow) to see the arch and museum.

We reserved our tram tickets in advance online - each tram can take up to 5 people in close quarters. We were encouraged to arrive 30 minutes before our reservation. Since we were driving a Ford Transit we couldn't fit in the parking garage, but found street parking (2 hr max time limit) a few blocks from the arch.

When you enter the Gateway Arch National Park, there is a security checkpoint like TSA security and you have to remove your items, put them in a tray and walk through the body scanner.

After that you're free to go to the museum which leads to where you check in for the tram. It's a very well done and interactive museum and there are restrooms and a restaurant too! When you get ready to board the trams, you are taken to an area where you can watch informational videos and get a photo taken that you can purchase ($30-35) after your tram ride.

The trams are small, 4 ft tall doors to enter. The doors have windows which allow you to see the mechanics of the tram system as you ascend/descend, as well as the thousands of stairs that are inside of the arch!

At the top, you can get out and look through the narrow windows at the Missouri side and Illinois side. It's a bit eerie to be so high, but it felt very safe. Park rangers are present to answer questions.

Then you descend in the same team you were previously in (there are always other passengers to swap places with). It was a cool experience - that even my child that said he was afraid of heights will eventually look...