Gateway Arch Reviews (St. Louis, Missouri)

A must see for everyone

Decatur, Texas

August 31, 2010

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The St. Louis Gateway Arch is remarkable. The Arch is the tallest national monument in the United States at 630 feet and you just don't realize how tall that is until you've stood beside it. The Museum of Westward Expansion is housed at the bottom ...Read more

From journal St Louis Missouri

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by wallyjenny

MASSAPEUA, New York

August 26, 2009

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I'm afaid of heights but I went to the top.. You have to do it. I did make the mistake in buying the combo tickets for my family for the Riverboat Cruise---Totally a waste of time--DONT DO IT!

From journal St Louis

Gateway Arch (The)

by RoBoNC

Indianapolis, Indiana

January 2, 2008

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Best of IgoUgo The most recognizable symbol in St. Louis, and perhaps in the rest of the country, ranking up there with Mount Rushmore, is the Gateway Arch. The Arch is but one of a number of sites that is located on the grounds of the Jefferson National ...Read more The most recognizable symbol in St. Louis, and perhaps in the rest of the country, ranking up there with Mount Rushmore, is the Gateway Arch. The Arch is but one of a number of sites that is located on the grounds of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. It is a 91 acre park that also includes the Old Courthouse, which decided the Dred Scott case in 1857 as well as the Museum of Westward Expansion. The park’s location is near the starting point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition which led to the nickname "Gateway to the West."

My first impression of the Arch was that it was another architectural wonder. As we crossed over the Mississippi River, the Arch stands next to it with the St. Louis skyline in the background. At a height of 630 feet towering over the "Mighty Mississippi" it is the tallest structure in St. Louis. The most amazing aspect about the Arch is that there is a tram system that takes you to the top of the Arch with some of the most amazing views of St. Louis, the Mississippi River, and Illinois.

Visiting the Arch and the rest of the park is an all day affair. The park has an extensive security system such as found in many airports. Plan to arrive at least thirty minutes prior to your time to board the tram. All three sites in the park open at 8:00am and they close at 10:00pm with the exception of the Old Courthouse, which closes at 4:30. The only fees in the park is for the Arch which costs $10 for a ride to the top. Tickets are also sold for the theater and riverboat crusies on the Mississippi. Discounts are given when combined with the tram.

The Visitor’s Center is located underground beneath the Arch. After going through security, we boarded the tram. Each pod on the tram holds five people and if you are someone who is claustrophobic then you might want to avoid going to the top. The pods reminded me of something out of 2001: A Space Odyssey. The pod is egg shaped with five seats and I felt as if I was going into space. The tram ride to the top takes four minutes and the tram rotates periodically to conform to the curved track of the Arch.

Upon exiting the pods, we found ourselves at the top of the Arch. There are windows at the top, which are barely visible from the ground. The views from the top are breathtaking. All of St. Louis is visible, as well as the Mississippi River, and Illinois across the river. It has been said that on a clear day, you can see as far as 30 miles. There is no time limit for staying at the top of the Arch and when you are ready to go down, get in line for the descending tram.
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From journal Two friends, Four Days and a Lifetime of Memories

Gateway Arch (The)

by VA_traveler

Dumfries, Virginia

March 9, 2007

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Does it make me sound like a stupid tourist if I go on and on about how I didn't realize the St. Louis Arch was as big as it is? Probably. So I'll minimize my comments on the subject, and just say - WOW! This thing is HUGE!The arch is located right ...Read more

From journal Go Ahead and Delay my Flight - I Dare You!

Gateway Arch (The)

by anna195

Springfield, Missouri

September 19, 2006

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This is a very plain, yet awe-inspiring monument. And we hadn't even gone inside the museum yet. My boys thought this was just about the "coolest" thing they'd ever seen. The way the sun reflects off of the arch and the view of the Mississippi River ...Read more

From journal Things to do in St. Louis

The Arch

by onesundaymorning

Los Angeles, California

August 4, 2006

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Best of IgoUgo The arch is a must see when you are in St. Louis. I choose to take a ride to the top, which was a great deal of fun. The ticket cost $10.00 and a tram to the top leaves about every 10 minutes. The trams were unlike anything that I have ever seen, ...Read more

From journal A Day in Saint Louis

Gateway Arch (The)

by Cherice

New York Mills, Minnesota

March 5, 2006

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We went up into the Arch and walked around the museum. The museum part is free and is really interesting. It does cost a few dollars to go up into the Arch, but it is worth it. You ride in a neat car to the top and can see really far. You can stay ...Read more

From journal St. Louis

Gateway Arch

by chasindaylight

Bloomington, Illinois

August 14, 2005

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Best of IgoUgo When you think of St. Louis, one of the visions that immediately pops into your head is most likely the Gateway Arch. St. Louis is filled with easily-recognizable structures, but this is probably the most prominent. The Arch is located on the ...Read more When you think of St. Louis, one of the visions that immediately pops into your head is most likely the Gateway Arch. St. Louis is filled with easily-recognizable structures, but this is probably the most prominent.

The Arch is located on the well-developed Gateway Arch Riverfront and is part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Millions of people visit this steel structure each year, gazing at its 630 ft. stature. But, after you’ve taken a few pictures, what else is there to do? Plenty!

Underneath the arch is an air-conditioned plaza that houses the Museum of Westward Expansion, including a Lewis & Clark exhibit that features talking mannequins. There are a couple of shops in which you can buy St. Louis and Arch souvenirs. There is also a vending area where you can get drinks.

There is still a tram that runs to the top and you can buy your tickets here, as well. I am claustrophobic, so there was no way I was taking that tiny elevator up to the top, but the lines were long of more adventurous tourists who couldn’t wait to reach new heights. Tip: You can order your tickets online at GatewayArch.com and bypass the ticket line when you get to the Arch.

When you’re done visiting the Arch itself, head on down to the riverfront and hop aboard a riverboat cruise (gatewayarchriverboats.com). Or, grab some fast food at the Arch View Café.

There are plenty of trees in the park, so it's easy to find a shady spot during the humid summer months. Also, if you walk to the right (as you're looking at the arch) you'll see a tree-lined path with benches...a perfect spot for relaxing before your next activity.

If you’re driving to the Arch, the Arch parking garage on Washington Street charges $6 for the first 9 hours and .75 each additional hour. Or, you can take the MetroLink. Get off the train at Laclede’s landing and walk a short distance to the Arch. For specific instructions on driving to the Arch, check out www.gatewayarch.com.

Weekends are busy, so expect crowds.

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From journal A Day in St. Louis

Gateway Arch

by Ron148

Eau Claire, Wisconsin

November 4, 2003

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Best of IgoUgo The Gateway Arch is the dominating structure in downtown St. Louis. The arch is part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, which commemorates the westward expansion of the US in the ninteenth century. The arch is an imposing structure ...Read more

From journal Desoto Getaway

The Gate Way Arch

by gr8skot

Morgantown, West Virginia

May 30, 2003

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Travel from the airport to the Gateway Arch was easy. You park in a nearby parking garage and it is a short picturesque walk to the Arch. We visited the museum, which is free, as well as the gift shop, and purchased tickets for the tram. The ...Read more

From journal Day in St. Louis

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