The Gateway Arch
Even though the Gateway Arch is now a national park, I have decided to keep this post under the Missouri tab. I’m not entirely sure I agree with the change. It is an epic man-made monument that steps into history while also looking into the future. On the other hand, it doesn’t have the beauty and epic landscapes other parks provide.
The Arch is the most accessible national park to cross off your list. You can easily access the park and see it all in a few hours. The only reason you might feel like you need another trip is for a view from the top during a different season. Fall leaves? Or maybe white-covered streets? Since STL is my home, I will be sure to go back.
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So let’s talk about what you will see at the Arch. Before you go to the top you will immerse yourself into the stories of westward expansion at the museum. The exhibits feature hundreds of years of history with six different galleries stepping further through time. The museum has plenty of interactive components to engage all audiences.
Now step in line for the adventure to begin. Before boarding, there is now a neat exhibit featuring a show and trivia. The tram ride to the top is cramped inside the tiny cars. As you transport 630 feet to the top of the tallest monument you will gaze over the 40,000+ tons of concrete and steel making the 63-story high arc in the sky. Once at the top, enjoy the views stretching miles in front of you. If you look to the west, you gain an expansive view of the city. Then turn east to look over the Mississippi River and surrounding lands. The experience lasts about an hour and costs start at $15.
If you want to expand your day trip to the Arch, you can go down the steps to travel along the Mississippi River on a paddle-wheel riverboat. The riverboats offer a variety of experiences, from sightseeing to dinners, and specialty outings. If you exit the new west entrance, you can walk across the street to the Old Courthouse. Walk the halls where civil rights history was made. Two landmark cases were held at this very courthouse: Dred Scott sued twice for his and his wife’s freedom and later Virginia Minor and her husband argued for women’s right to vote. Although none of these cases were won, they brought the attention needed to lead to change.
*Unfortanelty, the Old Courthouse is temporarily closed while it undergoes renovations as the final part of the CityArchRiver Project.