Even though the Gateway Arch was not completed until 1964, Franklin D. Roosevelt designated the land for a memorial to represent the people who shaped the region decades before construction began. In 1948, a national contest was held to determine the shape of the memorial structure. The museum at the base of the arch contains the architectural renderings of all the finalists for the design. Hands down, the design by Eero Saarinen was the most unique and innovative of all the designs. When you view the renderings together, the winner was clearly obvious.
Designing and engineering the construction took a long time. The documentary film shown in a theater near the museum at the base of the structure is an inspiring account of American ingenuity. Watching the capstone lifted by a crane to the top of the arch with an American flag attached to it will give the viewer pride in what we the people can do. Tickets for the film are between $3-$7 and are available at the ticket counter in the big hall at the base of the arch.
The best part of visiting the Gateway Arch is the view! Visitors can purchase tickets online or at the ticket counter at the base of the arch to travel to the top of the arch, where you can view the East and West to the horizon. Tickets cost $12.00 for adults and $8.00 for children. Tram entrances are located on either side of the arch base. A guide leads you to the tram elevators that will take you to the top, giving you safety tips and interesting facts about the arch along the way. Family groups are assigned to a futuristic-looking pod that is more like a roller coaster car than an elevator. The pod must accommodate the angle of the arch on the way up. Don’t worry, though! It is very slow, but it does zig and zag on the way up.
When you reach the top, you can look through the viewing windows set on each side of the arch. One side faces West and the other side faces East. On the West side, one can view the city, including nearby Busch Stadium and the Old Courthouse. The Eastside is a stark contrast to the Westside. Looking toward the East, one can see the Mississippi River and the countryside of Illinois and Kentucky. If it is a windy day and you stand still in the viewing area, you can feel the arch slightly swaying. The top of the arch is not very large, so only a small group of people are allowed for a certain amount of time so that the next group can enjoy a visit. to the top.
After seeing the documentary film and going to the top of the arch, explore the beautiful grounds surrounding the arch. Photo ops abound in every direction with water features and tree-lined paths. The grassy areas are a great place to spread a blanket in the shade of the arch to view it from a unique perspective.
While you are visiting the arch, get a ticket for one of the riverboats that travel up and down the Mississippi River. The boats dock in the shadow of the arch. A wide stretch of stairs leads visitors down to the dock and adds another aesthetic to the beauty of the grounds.
A day at the Gateway Arch can consume an entire afternoon. To extend your day, you could explore the historic neighborhood just North of the Arch or tour the Old State Capital that is directly in front of the Arch. Plan to spend at least a full afternoon viewing and touring the Arch, museum, documentary film and riverboat. If you want to tour the Old Capitol and the surrounding neighborhood area, it would be wise to plan an entire day for the outing. If you are in the St. Louis area, the Gateway Arch is a must-see attraction.
