Learn at St. Louis' Gateway Arch

christopherwanstal
Nov 13, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Jan 10

1 day itinerary

One of the newest members of the National Park System, Gateway Arch is unusual in the fact that it sits in the centre of a city, rather than being surrounded by wilderness. Formely a national monument, this icon of the St. Louis skyline was incorporated into a national park following refurbishment and development of the area around it. Spare a few hours to see this impressive architectural wonder and to learn all about what it symbolises.

The largest manmade arch in the world can be seen from miles away as you approach the city of St. Louis. The centrepiece of the national park, the 630 ft tall arch was constructed in the 1960s in an impressive feat of engineering. When you arrive, one of the best places we like to start is at the museum, which provides over 200 years of history. The beautifully displayed exhibits help you to understand the nation's westward expansion courtesy of explorers Lewis & Clark, and how the construction of Gateway Arch symbolises key components of American history.

Next, feel free to explore 5 miles of paved trails that cross the grounds surrounding the arch. There are reflection ponds to the north and south of the arch that beautifully capture the scene on calm, sunny days!

You can also walk down to the edge of the Mississippi River which Lewis & Clark used extensively on their westward expedition. A busy route even today, you may see boats and ships pass whilst steamboat restorations and recreations can be seen moored up on the banks. If you want to see the arch from the water, then you can purchase a ticket to hop on one of the famous paddleships for a river cruise!

After seeing the arch from below, make sure to grab a ticket to head up to the to summit of the arch via an ingenious tram system. Small slit windows will allow you to see out over St.Louis in one direction, and compare it to the more sparsely populated view of Illinois. From both directions you will realise how strikingly flat the land is, contributing to the Midwest being a powerhouse of the agricultural world. It does however make it vulnerable to tornadoes, as unfortunately seen in St. Louis as recently as 2013.

Having seen the Arch from below, the top, and possibly even the water, your final stop of your day should take in a different, very important part of American history. Within the national park area lies the Old Courthouse, which has just undergone the largest ever public-private refurbishment partnership in the history of the NPS. One of the best reasons to visit the courthouse is to visit the Northeast Gallery. Here, you can focus on one of the nation's most infamous court cases - Dred Scott v Sandford - which many believe was a major precipitating factor for the start of the American Civil War. The exhibition details Scotts’ fight for freedom, which began in the Old Courthouse, and how the legal and political environment at the time culminated in the extremely controversial U.S. Supreme Court Decision to deny American citizenship to those of African descent. The gallery also reflects on the legacy and relevancy of that case today.   

A sombre but important end to a day at Gateway Arch NP discovering the history of the USA - with all the good and the bad that inherently comes with it. Enjoy the rest of your day exploring St. Louis if you wish. City Museum is essentially a giant playground suitable for adults and kids alike, or take in some Major League Baseball if the Cardinals are hosting that evening!