St. Louis Archives | Gateway Arch https://www.gatewayarch.com/category/stlouis/ Gateway Arch Thu, 16 Dec 2021 17:01:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 6 Things to Know When Visiting the Gateway Arch https://www.gatewayarch.com/6-things-to-know-when-visiting-the-gateway-arch/ Thu, 16 Dec 2021 17:01:35 +0000 https://www.gatewayarch.com/?p=22115 There are so many things that go into planning a visit anywhere, sometimes it’s difficult to make sure you’ve checked all the boxes! We’re going […]

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]]> There are so many things that go into planning a visit anywhere, sometimes it’s difficult to make sure you’ve checked all the boxes! We’re going to make this easy for you. Here’s what you need to know when planning a visit to the Gateway Arch.

  1. Planning ahead is key

What’s worse than hearing, “We’re sold out”? While the Museum at the Gateway Arch is always free, tickets are required for the Tram Ride to the Top of the Arch and the Documentary Movie “Monument to the Dream.” The tram ride sells out early and often, particularly during spring break, summer and the holiday season, so purchase your tickets in advance via our webstore or by calling 877-982-1010.

  1. Determine your parking… now!

While there are numerous parking garages and surface lots located near the Arch, we are excited to announce that through a partnership between Gateway Arch Park Foundation and Interpark along with Bi-State Development, preferred parking at a discounted rate ($9 for first five hours) is available at the Stadium East Garage, located at 200 S. Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102.

You can pre-purchase parking with no validation required online. If parking is not pre-purchased, validation is required by scanning/stamping your parking ticket at one of two validators inside the Visitor Center at the Gateway Arch. (Validators are located in the West Entrance lobby just outside the restrooms and on Level 1 next to the Explore St. Louis Information Desk.)

With each preferred parking purchase at the Stadium East Garage, $1 will go to support ongoing conservation and preservation efforts, educational opportunities and community programs at Gateway Arch National Park through Gateway Arch Park Foundation.

  1. Know where you should enter the Arch

For more than 50 years, visitors entered the Arch at the monument’s legs. But all that changed in 2018 with the renovations to the Arch Visitor Center and Museum. Now the only entrance to the Arch is the monument’s west entrance plaza, which faces the Old Courthouse and Fourth Street. (For visitors needing to be dropped off, use the ADA-accessible sidewalks along Luther Ely Smith Square at Market Street & Memorial Drive, or at Chestnut Street & Memorial Drive to reach the west entrance plaza.)

If you’re taking the Tram Ride to the Top, arrive at the Arch at least 30 minutes ahead of your scheduled tram time.

  1. There is so much to see, so take your time

Where should you begin your Arch visit? It’s all up to you! Here’s our suggestion, though: Book a Tram & Movie Combo, which includes the tram ride and the documentary movie “Monument to the Dream,” about the construction of the Arch. See the movie first, then take the tram after – you’ll have a newfound appreciation for the construction workers who built the Arch without wearing harnesses!

Before or after the tram and movie, tour the free Museum at the Gateway Arch, which explores more than 200 years of St. Louis history, from colonial times to the Arch’s construction. (Allow at least one or two hours to explore the museum, but more time may be desired.) The six exhibit galleries feature an array of artifacts and interactives, including a full-sized, vertical log house for visitors to experience life as a St. Louisan in the 1700s, a 5-block scale riverfront levee model of what downtown St. Louis Riverfront looked like in 1852, and a replica of the historic Old Rock House featuring stones from the original building that were saved during demolition.

During or after these adventures, grab a bite to eat at the Arch Café or shop for limited-edition souvenirs and gifts at The Arch Store. Both the café and store are located in the tram lobby.

  1. Don’t forget the park grounds

With a jaunt around the 91-acre Gateway Arch National Park grounds via the park’s five miles of pedestrian pathways, you’ll have access to the Arch and riverfront from all sides, as well as the grounds’ iconic reflecting ponds. You’ll also see a diverse mix of more than 4,000 trees, including many species native to Missouri.

The 7.5-acre North Gateway of Gateway Arch National Park includes the Lewis & Clark Explorers’ Garden for children with a raised walkway featuring views of the Eads Bridge and the Mississippi River. Plus, you’ll get unencumbered access to Laclede’s Landing to explore other parts of the city.

While the Old Courthouse is currently closed for renovations, walk around the perimeter of the historic building to take in its incredible architecture and reflect on the many civil cases heard there throughout history, including Dred and Harriet Scott and Virginia Minor.

  1. Share your experience, and come back again soon

We want to see where your Arch journey takes you! Share your experience with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Tag @gatewayarchstl in your photos and use the location “Gateway Arch National Park” or “Gateway Arch.”. Also, leave us a review on TripAdvisor, Yelp, Facebook or Google, as we take your thoughts seriously in making the Arch experience the best it can be for future visitors.  And please, come back and visit again very soon!

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]]> A Lesson in Gateway Arch Architecture https://www.gatewayarch.com/a-lesson-in-gateway-arch-architecture/ Fri, 15 Oct 2021 17:23:44 +0000 https://www.gatewayarch.com/?p=21755 The 56th anniversary of the completion of the Gateway Arch is October 28! To celebrate, we’re spotlighting some of the unique aspects of the monument,  […]

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]]> The 56th anniversary of the completion of the Gateway Arch is October 28! To celebrate, we’re spotlighting some of the unique aspects of the monument,  including the Gateway Arch’s architecture.

The Architect

Designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, the Arch is an inverted catenary curve, the shape made when holding a chain at both ends. Saarinen set out to emulate the geometric shapes of the existing monuments to Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson in Washington, DC. He decided an arch was the best representation of a gateway for the “Gateway to the West.”

The Construction

At 630 feet, the Arch is as tall as it is wide – an optical illusion to most! Each leg of the Arch consists of double-walled, steel equilateral triangles, which are stacked one on top of the other and welded together. The complex engineering design and construction is completely hidden from view; all that can be seen from the outside is the Arch’s stainless steel outer skin.

The Topping Out

On October 28, 1965, the day the Arch was topped out, construction workers used heavy jacks to force the legs to 8.5 feet apart (they had rested only 2.5 feet apart) to fit the 8-foot-wide keystone.

Learn more about the construction of the Gateway Arch in this look back from Johannes E.M. Jensen, associate director of the National Park Service in the 1960s. To stump your friends on Gateway Arch trivia, head over to our FAQ page.

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]]> We Love Our Visitors! https://www.gatewayarch.com/we-love-our-visitors/ Fri, 08 Oct 2021 20:26:43 +0000 https://www.gatewayarch.com/?p=21731 We love seeing pictures and videos of your visits to Gateway Arch National Park — here are just a few of our recent favorites. Keep […]

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]]> We love seeing pictures and videos of your visits to Gateway Arch National Park — here are just a few of our recent favorites.

Keep sharing your pictures with us! Be sure to tag us on Instagram @gatewayarchstl, use #gatewayarch or #seedifferently, and location tag “Gateway Arch National Park.”  Happy snapping!

 

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]]> A Pawsitively Fantastic Park https://www.gatewayarch.com/a-pawsitively-fantastic-park/ Fri, 20 Aug 2021 17:00:13 +0000 https://www.gatewayarch.com/?p=21490 Gateway Arch National Park isn’t just for humans! Your four-legged furry friends are also invited to enjoy the park’s 91 acres of greenspace and more […]

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]]> Gateway Arch National Park isn’t just for humans! Your four-legged furry friends are also invited to enjoy the park’s 91 acres of greenspace and more than five miles of walking trails. Owners just have to follow the B.A.R.K. Ranger principles when visiting any National Park to ensure humans and animals alike have a safe and fun visit:

Bag your pet’s waste

Always leash your pet

Respect wildlife

Know where you can go

Share your visit with your pup! Tag us on Instagram @gatewayarchstl!

 

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]]> Show Your Love for the Arch https://www.gatewayarch.com/show-your-love-for-the-arch/ Fri, 04 Jun 2021 17:05:20 +0000 https://www.gatewayarch.com/?p=20984 We’re sure the Gateway Arch is your favorite monument.  So why not show your love for the Arch whenever you take to the road?  Order […]

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]]> We’re sure the Gateway Arch is your favorite monument.  So why not show your love for the Arch whenever you take to the road?  Order the newly redesigned specialty Arch license plate for your car (Missouri cars only) and support the Arch at the same time.

When you order this handsome license plate from the non-profit Jefferson National Parks Association (JNPA), your tax-deductible contribution will support enriching educational programs for all ages at Gateway Arch National Park.  The design not only features our iconic monument, but its graceful lines are a nod to the Arch’s new circular west entrance.  Plus, the license plate bears the park’s new name.

You can order Gateway Arch license plates at any time, regardless of your current Missouri license plate expiration date. To get started, follow the step-by-step instructions at archplates.jnpa.com, which include submitting your tax-deductible donation to JNPA as well as completing the state’s application for personalized plates. You can customize your own plate message, so use your creativity!

What are you waiting for?  Your car wants the new Arch license plates!!

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]]> Volunteer at Gateway Arch National Park! https://www.gatewayarch.com/volunteer-at-gateway-arch-national-park/ Thu, 01 Apr 2021 21:32:36 +0000 https://www.gatewayarch.com/?p=20475 April is National Volunteer Month! If you are looking to get involved this year, look no further than Gateway Arch National Park. Here’s how you […]

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]]> April is National Volunteer Month! If you are looking to get involved this year, look no further than Gateway Arch National Park. Here’s how you can get make a positive impact and support St. Louis’ urban national park!

The Gateway Arch Park Foundation and the National Park Service recruit individual volunteers on an as-needed basis. Individual service volunteers work with both organizations in the following departments:

Gateway Arch Park Foundation

  • Operations
  • Communication
  • Development
  • Events

Gateway Arch National Park

  • Administration
  • Education and Interpretation
  • Library and Museum
  • Grounds Keeping
  • Visitor Services

Volunteer opportunities are also available on designated days of service, which demonstrate and celebrate the power of volunteers working together to support neighborhoods, communities and the world. The National Park Service participates in national and local days of service to help preserve the national park for years to come, including National Public Lands Day (September), National Park Week (April), National Volunteer Week (April) and Family Volunteer Day (November).

Volunteering also has its perks, including an annual general membership to the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, free parking during volunteer hours, and more!

If you are interested in volunteering at Gateway Arch National Park, the Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s volunteer page on their website will help you get started.

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]]> Pups of the Gateway Arch https://www.gatewayarch.com/pups-of-the-gateway-arch/ Fri, 19 Mar 2021 16:05:20 +0000 https://www.gatewayarch.com/?p=20440 Gateway Arch National Park is for everyone — including dogs! We’re sharing few of our furry visitors’ favorite ways to explore the park grounds. Your […]

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]]> Gateway Arch National Park is for everyone — including dogs! We’re sharing few of our furry visitors’ favorite ways to explore the park grounds.

Your dog can become a B.A.R.K. Ranger! All they have to do is visit the park, take the pledge and get a badge. Learn more online.

 

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]]> Arch-You Glad for Arch Pictures? https://www.gatewayarch.com/the-arch-this-year/ Tue, 29 Dec 2020 18:34:43 +0000 https://www.gatewayarch.com/?p=19806 While 2020 was busy happening, you all were busy taking the most magnificent photos of our favorite (and most photogenic!) monument. Here are a few […]

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]]> While 2020 was busy happening, you all were busy taking the most magnificent photos of our favorite (and most photogenic!) monument. Here are a few we loved this year. Your New Year’s Resolution: Keep snapping those Arch pics, and tag us @gateawayarchstl with #GatewayArch or #SeeDifferently.

 

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]]> Exploring Your Urban National Park https://www.gatewayarch.com/exploring-your-urban-national-park/ Fri, 17 Jul 2020 14:58:12 +0000 https://www.gatewayarch.com/?p=18585 Independence National Historical Park. Statue of Liberty National Monument. Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Gateway Arch National Park. What do these […]

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]]> Independence National Historical Park. Statue of Liberty National Monument. Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Gateway Arch National Park. What do these places have in common? They are all sites within the National Park System that are located in an urban area.

While the National Park System is comprised of more than 400 sites, at a little over 90 acres, Gateway Arch National Park is the smallest designated “national park.” But don’t let the acreage fool you. The park is truly an urban oasis in downtown St. Louis. According to the National Park Service, the landscape design for the park, created by Dan Kiley, one of the country’s leading contemporary landscape architects, “reflects the curvilinear nature of the structure. Kiley applied geometrical precepts and classical landscape design elements to create a setting that is both spectacularly and subtly appropriate. The scale, impact, and design of the grounds constitute an essential mooring for the world-famous Arch and merge the Arch and its grounds, with one reflecting the other.”

The grounds feature pathways for walking, jogging or cycling; ponds that provide areas for picnicking or relaxation; as well as the North Gateway, which includes a natural amphitheater and the Lewis and Clark Explorers’ Garden, an area for kids to play. The grounds are also home to diverse plant life that includes native species as well as historical panels that detail historical events, people and places that have connections to the park land.

This summer, take a morning or afternoon to explore and enjoy the Gateway Arch park grounds! They are open to the public and dog friendly – so bring your furry four-legged friend too!

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]]> Our Favorite Recent Instagrams https://www.gatewayarch.com/our-favorite-recent-instagrams/ Fri, 13 Mar 2020 21:04:10 +0000 https://www.gatewayarch.com/?p=15698 It’s no secret the Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse provide so many cool and unique photo opportunities to spice up your ‘gram! Here are some […]

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]]> It’s no secret the Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse provide so many cool and unique photo opportunities to spice up your ‘gram! Here are some of our recent favorites. Be sure to share your photos with #seedifferently and #gatewayarch so we can see ‘em!

 

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Arch Madness 💙 #stlouis #gatewayarch #samoyed

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When your students become your friends 💞💕💞 @ashmerk makes me so happy 💗. #stlouisarch #gatewayarch

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