Gateway Arch

The Gateway Arch soars in a gleaming stainless-steel curve 192 metres above the Mississippi at St Louis, the tallest monument in the country and a memorial to the westward expansion of the United States. Elegantly simple, it holds a small tram that carries visitors up its hollow leg to a viewing chamber at the top.

Background

The Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen designed the arch in 1947 as a weighted catenary clad in stainless steel, 630 feet high and 630 feet wide. Building lasted from February 12, 1963 until October 28, 1965 and cost $13 million in all, and public visits began on June 10, 1967. It stands on the site where St. Louis was founded in 1764, beside the Mississippi River on its west bank, and the idea goes back to the civic leader Luther Ely Smith in late 1933. It is the world's tallest arch, officially dedicated to "the American people", and was listed as a National Historic Landmark on May 28, 1987.

Source: Wikipedia, "Gateway Arch"

What's there

• The arch - the soaring stainless-steel curve above the river.
• The tram to the top - the ride up the leg to the viewing windows.
• The view - St Louis, the Mississippi and the plains from the summit.
• The museum - the story of westward expansion beneath the arch.

When to go

Year-round; a clear day for the best view from the top. The tram to the summit is popular, so book ahead in busy periods.

Good to know

The tram to the top is a small, snug pod ride not for the claustrophobic, and the viewing windows are modest. It is essentially one monument and a view, a couple of hours. The surrounding downtown riverfront is quieter than it once was.

Nearby

Downtown St Louis and the Mississippi riverfront are around it; the city's brewery and Forest Park are a ride away.

Key facts