Gateway Arch

Gateway Arch National Park

Most famous for its landmark arch near downtown, St. Louis Missouri also carries a rich history and several interesting sites to visit.

Just after the turn of the 20th century, Saint Louis was among the five US cities with the highest population, not to mention the Show Me State city held the 1905 World's Fair and the 1996 Olympic tournament—the only time the Western Hemisphere hosted the Olympic games. Learn more about the baptism of Saint Louis Missouri.

In recent times, however, fortunately or unfortunately, the metropolis has seen an enormous exodus, diminishing in population from 4th place to now 51st.

On account of the World's Fair and Olympic games drawing the hub bub, for visitors there are several wonderful sites to visit. Obviously there's the Gateway Arch, but any child with half his brain tied behind his back could think of that.

As well as the Arch designed by architect Eero Saarinens, there is the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame museum, The Hill, Forest Park (I lived there for a while), and the St. Louis Art Museum.

Common Questions about The Arch

How much does it cost to visit the Gateway Arch?

It’s free for people 16 years and younger, and for 16 years old and older, the entrance fee is only $3.

What is the gateway arch made of?

Stretched around The Gateway Arch’s pair of carbon steel walls is a stainless steel skin.

What does the Gateway Arch represent?

Standing now for 50+ years, the Arch is supposed to symbolize the last American frontier and the gateway to the west.

How long does it take to get to the top of the Gateway Arch?

In all, it will take a person about ten minutes to go up to the top of the Arch and back down to the bottom, because you’ll spend four minutes getting to the apex and three minutes descending to the ground; and loading time takes about another three minutes.

From many kilometers away, one can see the Gateway Arch—one spoke of the the Jefferson National Memorial wheel—first designed by Eero Saarinens in 1948 but finally finished in 1967. Standing 60 yards tall with a 60 yard girth at its base, the Arch is the largest (by size) structure in St Louis Missouri and in the United States, aside from buildings.

For breathtaking vistas, one can ride to the highest portion within the Arch. Beneath the stretched structure, memorializing the settlers of the Mississippi River, is a museum. The Arch is also called the Gateway to The West, because it was through this arch that the first colonists had to pass before reaching the frontier.

Either before or after visiting the Gateway to The West in Jefferson National park, you'll want to see the St. Louis Art Museum located in Forest Park. Holding a great collection of art from old relics to modern classics showcasing Picasso, Van Gogh, and Rembrandt, the building itself is one full of splendor and magnificent architecture.

Speaking of Forest Park near Mississippi River, you should also amble through there since it's bigger than any park in the country; and moreover, the Muny (the oldest and still the biggest outdoor theater in the USA) and the St. Louis Zoo are in Forest Park.

After visiting all the above, you'll be hungry. The best Italian restaurants can be found on the Hill. Celebrated sports players like Joe Garagiola and Yogi Berra were reared on the Hill, so head down there, not to mention many other famous people who lived (or still live) in this hollow.

Situated downtown one and a half blocks away from the Busch Stadium, you'll find the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum in Ballpark Village, which is a fine nook to park your Prius (but be careful...St Louis is notorious for car thievery).