THINGS TO DO AT GATEWAY ARCH NATIONAL PARK – MISSOURI

Prior to February 2018, the Gateway Arch and grounds were known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. The park offers the opportunity to learn more about Thomas Jefferson and the westward expansion of the United States. Construction of the Gateway Arch began on February 12, 1963, and it was completed on October 28, 1965.

One of the most popular things to do at Gateway Arch National Park is the tram ride to the top. The north tram was opened to the public on July 24, 1967, and the south tram was completed in 1968. The tram ride transports you 630 feet to the top of the tallest man-made structure in the United States. You will want to plan for the tram ride to take at least an hour not counting waiting in line.

Does the Arch move?

It takes a 50-mile-an-hour wind to move the top 1 1/2 inches on each side of the center. The Arch was designed to move as much as 18 inches and can withstand an earthquake. On a normal good weather day, you should not feel the Arch moving.

How far can you see from the top of the Arch?

On a clear day, you can see up to 30 miles in each direction. It is worth noting that St. Louis is a hazy city so you will want to be prepared for a minimal view. Dense fog can surround the Arch creating zero visibility at the top.

Gateway Arch Museum

The Gateway Arch Museum was re-opened in 2018 with brand new displays. The interactive museum is dedicated to telling the story of America’s pioneering spirit and the westward expansion of the United States. Exhibits span from 1764 to 1965 and include

Colonial St. Louis, Jefferson’s Vision, Manifest Destiny,

The Riverfront Era, New Frontiers, and Building the Gateway Arch.

The Monument to the Dream Film plays at the Tucker Theater located in the Gateway Arch Visitor Center. The 28-minute film details the building of the Gateway Arch.

Mississippi River Boat Cruise

The “Riverboats at the Gateway Arch” is a part of the oldest Mississippi excursion boat company that has called St. Louis its home port since 1917. The Riverboats are replica 19th-century paddle-wheel riverboats named Becky Thatcher and Tom Sawyer, and they transport riders back in time to when steamboats ruled the mighty Mississippi and fueled the nation’s westward expansion, making St. Louis truly the Gateway to the West. The riverboats are located on the St. Louis Riverfront below the south leg of the Gateway Arch at 50 S. Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63102.

Visit the Old Court House

The Old Courthouse was the location of the Dred Scott Case along with hundreds of other civil rights suits, and it features restored courtrooms and free exhibit galleries telling the story of Lewis & Clark, Native Americans, and colonial St. Louis. You can shop for memorabilia and gifts at the Old Courthouse Shop. Entrance to the Old Courthouse is free.