How to Bookend Your Visit to the Gateway Arch
We have insider tips on what to do before and after you take the tram to the top of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
On your next trip to St. Louis, make the Gateway Arch your first stop.
Completed in 1965, the 630-foot-tall monument stands as a gleaming symbol of national identity and an iconic example of mid-century modern design. Tram rides to the top require timed entry tickets, which are available from 9:10 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. year-round. The journey lasts between 45 and 60 minutes, but don’t worry – it only takes four minutes to ascend and three minutes to descend after you squeeze into a futuristic, five-person pod. At the top, small windows reveal spectacular views of the Old Courthouse, downtown St. Louis and Clayton to the west and the Mississippi River and Illinois to the east. Tickets often sell out, so reserve your spots ahead of time.
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The Museum at the Gateway Arch offers a free, innovative and accessible experience, showcasing more than 200 years of St. Louis history.
With six interactive galleries, you’ll hear untold stories of the city’s founding, examine westward expansion from multiple perspectives and see artifacts and tactiles commemorating America’s pioneering spirit. You can also take a deep dive into the history of the Gateway Arch, learning new tidbits about its design, construction and lasting legacy. For more information, watch Monument to the Dream, a 35-minute film that documents the creation of the magnificent structure.
While you’re here, check out the virtual-reality experience, Cobblestones & Courage, which transports visitors to the 1850s St. Louis riverfront era. Surrounded by the sights and sounds of the working riverfront, you can learn real stories from three individuals: John Parker, an enslaved dock worker who loaded and unloaded steamboats to make money to buy his freedom; Anna Hormann, who emigrated from Germany to St. Louis with her family; and James B. Eads, who designed a “submarine” to salvage cargo from sunken steamboats at the bottom of the Mississippi River.
Once you’ve experienced everything in Gateway Arch National Park, we suggest exploring more of downtown St. Louis.
Here are our insider tips for things to do – plus, places to eat, drink and play for breakfast, lunch and dinner – in conjunction with your visit to the Gateway Arch.
Plan Your Visit
Ready to bookend your visit to the Gateway Arch? Get insider tips on what to do before and after you take the tram to the top.
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