The Gateway Arch

The Gateway Arch, also known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, is a 630-foot-tall (192 meters) stainless steel arch that commemorates the westward expansion of the United States. The arch was designed by Finnish American architect Eero Saarinen and completed in 1965.

The Gateway Arch is located in St. Louis, Missouri, and has become one of the city's most iconic landmarks. Visitors can take an elevator to the top of the arch for a view of the city and the Mississippi River. The Gateway Arch is also home to a museum about westward expansion.

The Gateway Arch is open every day from 9am to 10pm. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children under the age of twelve. It is free to visit from 9am to 6pm on Tuesdays and from 3pm until closing time on Sundays.

Experience and Activities

Experience a destination where the stories are as incredible as the views,  and the Gateway Arch is one of those destinations. Bringing together art, nature, history, and adventure, the Gateway Arch is an inspiration as well as a destination. Spend a few hours or a whole day. The Gateway Arch will change your perspective, inside and out.

1. Tram Ride to the Top -  Take a one-of-a-kind elevator ride to the top of the Gateway Arch and see views that stretch into five different states! The tram ride includes a riveting documentary on the construction of the Gateway Arch and Missouri River area.
2. Museum -  Learn about the people and history that make St. Louis one of America's great cities at the Museum of Westward Expansion, located inside the Gateway Arch. Exhibits include a full-scale reproduction of a 19th century steamboat, interactive exhibits on Lewis and Clark's exploration of the west, and more.
3. Outdoor Observation Deck -  Come to the top of the Gateway Arch on an outdoor observation deck and see St. Louis, Missouri in a whole new light! Visitors are provided with telescopes to see even more of St. Louis's landmarks.
4. Old Courthouse - The Old Courthouse, located just a few blocks from the Gateway Arch, is one of the most significant historic landmarks in the St. Louis area. This Romanesque Revival building served as both a courthouse and a jail, and is now open to the public as a museum.

To get the complete Gateway Arch experience, plan time to enjoy one or all of these additional activities.

1. Helicopter Tours -  For those looking for a new perspective on the city of St. Louis, take advantage of helicopter tours departing from the Gateway Arch grounds. These tours are operated by three local companies and offer spins around the Arch, downtown St. Louis, or along the Mississippi River. 
2. Riverboat Cruises -  Take a scenic cruise up the Mississippi River aboard the Gateway Clipper fleet of paddle steamers. These are actual coal-fired, paddlewheel ferries that have been cruising the river since 1923.
3. Dining -   There are a number of restaurants located on the grounds of the Gateway Arch, as well as in downtown St. Louis just a few blocks away. From sit-down establishments to food trucks, there is something for everyone.
4. Shopping -  The Gateway Arch National Park offers a variety of shopping opportunities, from educational souvenirs and trinkets to high-quality, made in the USA clothing items. 
5. Tour of Monument -  The park offers a theater presentation and a tour inside the monument that reveals the details of its construction. The visitor's center also provides exhibits about the French explorers, Lewis and Clark, who were key figures in St. Louis' early history, as well as the American westward expansion.

If you want to learn more about American history and the westward expansion, or if you're simply looking for a fun day out with the family, The Gateway Arch National Park is well worth a visit. With something to appeal to everyone, it's no wonder this popular attraction is one of the most visited places in Missouri.

Information provided by ABC Environmental Contracting Services.

If you are looking for a place to appreciate plants and flowers, the Missouri Botanical Garden is the place for you!