Gateway Arch National Park

This is a Wikivoyage user page.

Gateway Arch National Park is a United States national park in St. Louis of Missouri. Unlike most other national parks in the U.S., Gateway Arch National Park functions more like an urban national park.

Understand

See and do

• 1 Museum at the Gateway Arch (Museum under the Gateway Arch). (updated Dec 2021)
• 2 Gateway Arch, toll-free: +1-877-982-1410. Summer: 8AM-10PM daily; fall, winter, spring: 9AM-6PM daily (last tram 1 hr before closing). Designed by Eero Saarinen, this is the world's tallest national monument, built to be a symbolic gateway to the West. The icon of the city, the Arch is right on the bank of the Mississippi and offers an inspiring sight to travelers coming in from Illinois. There's a gift shop and a confectionery, as well as a inspiring film called "Monument to the Dream," about the building of the Arch; it is an exceptionally well-made and memorable tribute to how a vision was made tangible. But the main attraction is the Journey to the Top; you'll ride a unique tram/elevator—essentially a cross between a cable railway and a ferris wheel—up either the north or south leg to the top of the arch, where you can see for dozens of miles into Illinois and Missouri. The cars are very small; they hold five very close friends or relatives each, and are not suitable for the claustrophobic. Tickets sell out during peak season; expect a long wait on major summer holidays to go to the top. Entry only (incl film): adults $3, under 16 free; Journey to the Top (incl entry and film): adults $10, ages 3-15 $5. (updated Aug 2015)
• 3 Old Courthouse. The site of the historic Dred Scott slavery case which was one of the seeds of the Civil War. While the Park is under construction, you can buy tickets to the arch here. The Courthouse also holds exhibits from the now-closed Museum of Westward Expansion, which used to be underneath the Arch. Free.  
• 4 Old Cathedral (Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France), 209 Walnut St, ☏ +1 314 231-3250. The first cathedral built west of the Mississippi River (1834), this is the only building that was spared when the park was constructed. It's still an active Roman Catholic basilica.  

Buy

• Arch Store. (updated Dec 2021)

Eat

• 1 Arch Cafe, 358-122 S Leonor K Sullivan Blvd, St. Louis. (updated Dec 2021)