Gateway Arch
A soaring stainless-steel arch on the Mississippi at St Louis - the elegant Gateway to the West, with a tram to the top.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
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.
What you actually see
- 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.
Honest expectations
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.
What to pack for Gateway Arch
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
