Missouri's Gateway Arch National Park has two superlatives in the usa: the tallest monument in the smallest national park. It’s one interesting destination as it symbolizes the country’s expansion within the 1800s. May possibly not be a wildlife spot, but it’s full of history.
The arch has become an icon not only to St. Louis but in the United States. The memorial was completed in 1965, and also the area was officially designated a national park in 2022. It was established to commemorate the Louisiana Purchase, and it is current website is the location of the first civil government west from the Mississippi River. The park also features that old Courthouse, in which the historic Dred Scott v. Sandford case was heard – a landmark decision considered a stepping stone towards the Civil War.
Gateway Arch National Park is a spot to remember the United States’ colorful past – a location to commemorate the struggle for freedom and determination.
Plan The Visit
Since it’s located in St. Louis, the park can be simply accessed. Listed here are the outlet hours from the facilities.
- The park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- There’s an outlet and cafe in the region.
Activities In The Park
Though the park is small, it's packed with history. Visiting this is a satisfying chance to learn.
Visit The Arch And Old Courthouse
The arch is the main attraction, and therefore, it’s the most visited in the park. Listed here are tour choices for an advisable visit:
For $15 to $19, tourists can ride a tram to the peak (63 stories high) where they are able to see the expanse of the park and nearby areas. The tour will last from 45-60 minutes. There's also combination tours which involve cruises and film watching. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the winter months and until 8 p.m. every summer. There’s no entrance fee.
The museum features exhibits about colonial St. Louis, Indigenous peoples, pioneers, explorers, President Thomas Jefferson's vision, the riverfront era, and also the arch. The Old Courthouse is another landmark to look at. It’s one grand building full of civil rights history.
Rivercruise
The park is situated across the Mississippi River, the best ways to appreciate its views is as simple as cruising.
The daytime St. Louis Riverfront Cruise is ideal for checking out the city's sights. It costs $24.
A dinner cruise costs $54 and can let guests enjoy the views together with live music and good food. Tourists who wish to make their Sunday memorable may take the brunch cruise filled with live entertainment. It is $51.
The Blues and Groove & Spin cruises cost $24 and will let guests enjoy music with higher ol' drinks. There's also the Decked Out Divas, a cruise with a drag show to enliven guests as they drink within the sights of the river and also the park. It is $24.
Guided Tours and Tucker Theater
The park is small, however it has rangers which will take guests on an interesting tour. They will tell them stories concerning the arch and the Old Courthouse. There’s a great deal to learn in this humble destination. Tourists may also spend $7 for a 35-minute viewing of the documentary Monument of the Dream at Tucker Theater. This film will share with guests the history of the park.
Wildlife Spotting
The park is within an urban center, but that doesn’t mean it's lacking in wildlife. Thanks to the nearby river, some furry pals and winged friends visit the park.
Birders can sit pretty in the park as they observe resident birds such as peregrine falcons, waterfowls, doves, blue jays, robins, mockingbirds, pigeons, and starlings. And through summer, chimney swifts, eastern wood pewees, swallows, thrashers, and blackbirds frequent the area, while winter attracts gulls, sparrows, and juncos. There's additionally a small population of mammals in the park, like squirrels, opossums, raccoons, rabbits, woodchucks, and domesticated cats. Monarch butterflies and the invasive emerald ash borer will also be present in the park.
Plant species include ornamental turfgrass, London plane trees, bald cypress, bluestems, switchgrass, prairie dropseed, side oats grama, and windflowers, amongst others. Aside from the meadow, you will find zen gardens and also the Explorer's Garden, where botany lovers can fill their logbooks with new entries.
Nearby Attractions
For people who can’t get enough of St. Louis, there are more attractions to go to following a historical journey around the block.
St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station takes tourists to the sea as it features galleries on sharks, rivers, and oceans. It's open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday, and until 8 p.m. on other days.
Admission costs $25
There's no way to increase using the St. Louis Wheel. This 200 feet high Ferris wheel gives guests a 15-minute ride of stunning city views. It's open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- The price is $15 for adults and $10 for children
- There are combination tickets using the aquarium.
Thrill-seekers can busy themselves conquering the challenges of the St. Louis Ropes Course. You will find three-stories a lot of obstacles in this action-packed destination, giving guests their fill of adrenaline. It's open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday, and until 8 p.m. on other days.
- Admission costs $15
Missouri is happy with Gateway Arch National Park, rightly so, since it spells the United States’ past and might be a symbol because of its future. This humble destination is rich in history, a place where Americans can be thankful – for that stories and the views.
