You can spot it long before you actually reach downtown St. Louis—the Gateway Arch rising like a silver ribbon against the Midwestern sky. It’s hard to describe the feeling you get when you finally see it up close, standing at its base and looking straight up. It’s massive, gleaming, and somehow still graceful—a fitting monument to the spirit of adventure that built a nation.
The Gateway Arch: More Than Just a Pretty Curve
The Gateway Arch isn’t just the tallest monument in
the United States (standing a full 630 feet high)—it’s a symbol of
dreams, ambition, and the push toward the unexplored West.
Designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen and completed in 1965, the Arch commemorates St. Louis' historic role as the "Gateway to the West" during America's expansion in the 19th century. But it’s not just something you admire from afar—you can actually go inside it, and trust us, you’ll want to.
Riding to the Top: A View Like No Other
We bought our tickets at the sleek Gateway Arch Visitor
Center (a beautiful underground museum and entrance built into the
landscape) and waited for our ride up. Instead of a traditional elevator, the
trip to the top is done via little futuristic tram cars that feel like a cross
between a Ferris wheel pod and a spaceship capsule.
It’s a cozy fit—five people to a pod—but the ride itself is
smooth and surprisingly quick. In just a few minutes, we stepped out at the
top, where narrow windows offered jaw-dropping views.
On one side, you can see the Mississippi River winding south toward Memphis. On the other, the St. Louis skyline stretches out, with Busch Stadium and historic brick buildings dotting the view. On a clear day, you can see up to 30 miles in any direction.
The Museum at the Gateway Arch: Stories Worth Stopping
For
Before or after your trip to the top, don’t miss the Museum
at the Gateway Arch, located right beneath the monument. It’s brand new,
beautifully designed, and free to visit.
Through interactive exhibits, you’ll learn about the Native
American tribes, settlers, and pioneers whose stories shaped the westward
expansion. It’s a deeper, richer experience than we expected—and a great way to
connect the Arch itself to the human history it represents.
The Grounds: Parks, Paths, and the Mighty Mississippi
After our trip to the top, we wandered the Gateway Arch
National Park, 50 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds surrounding the
monument. Wide paths, shady spots, and the gentle hum of riverboats on the
Mississippi make it a lovely place to stretch your legs and take it all in.
You can even hop on a riverboat cruise at the
waterfront below the Arch for a completely different view and a fun way to soak
up a little more history with the breeze in your hair.
Final Thoughts: A Monument Worth the Journey
Some landmarks are famous, but when you finally see them,
they feel... smaller somehow. The Gateway Arch is the opposite. Standing
at its base or staring out from its summit, you feel part of something bigger—a
dream, a journey, an untamed spirit that’s still alive today.
St. Louis itself has so much more to offer, delicious food,
world-class museums, baseball, music, but the Arch is the heart of it all. It’s
a must-see, must-experience, and absolutely worth the trip.
If You Go:
- Buy
your tram tickets online in advance, especially on weekends and
holidays.
- The Museum
at the Gateway Arch is free and open daily.
- Riverboat
cruises typically operate spring through fall.
- Allow
2–3 hours to fully experience the Arch, museum, and park grounds.
