The Gateway Arch
The Gateway Arch
4.5
Points of Interest & LandmarksObservation Decks & TowersMonuments & Statues
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
From the thrilling views to the amazing stories, a visit to the Gateway Arch is an experience that never fails to inspire. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, you’ll find activities to please every member of your party. Attractions include the Tram Ride to the Top of the Gateway Arch, the Museum at the Gateway Arch (opened July 3, 2018), a documentary film about the construction of the Arch, shopping at The Arch Store, a new Arch Cafe, and cruises aboard the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch. Tickets sell out early and often - advance purchase strongly recommended. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Neighbourhood: Downtown
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  • TerryFerns
    Mumbai, India96 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    630 Ft above with the lovely view of the city below.
    The ride upwards (4 Minutes) and Downwards ( 3 minutes ) at the ARC was so very nice and pleasant in that small round shaped cube. The view from the 630 feet arc above with the view down below was just so very awesome. Next downstairs the museum with all the history of the arc was just very knowledgeable .The garden and the riverfront was also so very soothing to the mind. Worth an visit and not top be missed visiting all.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written October 16, 2023
  • Myra J
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We could see for miles and miles! WOW!
    My husband and I took a road trip to celebrate our 42nd wedding anniversary and to celebrate that I am cancer FREE! (Thank you Jesus!) He has talked for years about visiting the Gateway Arch, so I surprised him with a stop in St Louis to see it. NOTE: Purchase your tickets online before you come as well as your parking ticket. If you purchase the parking tick online it is only $9 (2023) and is good for 5 hours. What an amazing time we had. I am still recovering and have a hard time walking or climbing stairs and very claustrophobic. The tram is small (it has to be) but will hold 5 people. The ride to the top was 4 minutes and the ride down is 3 minutes. You are given 10 minutes at the top to enjoy the view. We had a very clear day and could see for miles. I was able to ride the tram to the top without any problems. The views were Incredible! I do have to say that there are many steps, but they are broken into levels and easy to climb. My legs killed me the next day but as I said I am still recovering. Everyone should take a day and visit. The museum is a day in itself. So much time was involved in making it, it deserves you taking your time to view it fully. Everyone we encountered was professional and friendly.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written October 16, 2023
  • Barb B
    41 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An amazing feat of engineering.
    The grounds around the gate are beautifully maintained. Take the trip to top, unless you are afraid of heights. the views are outstanding. Don't miss the documentary movie on how this was built. There were no OSHA regulations at that time, and there were no death related accidents. Take a look at the shoes they wore, and no one was tethered.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written October 16, 2023
  • Stephanie C
    77 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing
    The park is well maintained and beautiful. The museum is very informative and relaxing. The trip to the top was short (video on UTube) The top was really neat. You get the feeling of being at the apex. The views were spectacular. Well worth the trip for our 43 rd National Park visited.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written October 18, 2023
  • 828wendyb
    Preston, United Kingdom51 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing Arch!
    I had always wanted to into the Gateway Arch and I wasn't disappointed. I went on a Saturday which I hadn't really intended to do as I thought weekends would be very busy but as a government shutdown was threatened which would mean the park would close I decided to go for it. Seemless process , given a 'boarding pass' with a number on, I said stairs were a bit of a problem at the moment and so was given number1 . This number decides which 'pod' you will go into. Yes the pods are small but not in it very long and once you get out and walk inside the arch it isn't that cramped. You don't walk over the complete arch as you either travel up the North side or the South side so you can walk halfway . The views are amazing, obviously there is limited time at the top so that there is a flow of people. if anyone is concerned about feeling claustrophobic then before you buy your ticket you can see and sit in a 'pod' that is near the ticket desk and get a feel for the size of it. Personally I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written October 19, 2023
  • Ed D
    Peachtree City, Georgia666 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The arch is an engineering marvel.
    The Gateway Arch in Saint Louis should be on everyone’s bucket list. The museum below the Arch is well done. I highly recommend the movie and tram to the top. If you are claustrophobic, you may consider not riding to the top. The tram cars seat five, and the compartment is small. The arch is an engineering marvel.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written October 19, 2023
  • rickbrennanrn
    Trinity, Florida642 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A great museum
    A must stop if you're in the area. Parking can be a bit tough, but we went during the week and lucked out. The museum was very impressive. Actually learned quite a bit about the entire westward expansion. A great half day trip that was free.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written October 23, 2023
  • abroadwithashley
    Minneapolis, Minnesota1,724 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely Park
    We made our way to Gateway Arch National Park first thing because I wanted to photograph the arch in the morning light and, because like the majority of our summer road trip, the weather promised extreme heat later in the day. We had opted not to visit the museum or ride the tram to the top. Instead, I took a stroll through the park, enjoying the different vantage points of the arch throughout. The park’s website even has a page dedicated to the best spots to photograph the monument.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written October 27, 2023
  • Calmjohn
    Leavenworth, Kansas7,467 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Second Visit
    WE had been here before, but to only visit the Arch. This time it was 'park time'. The many different points of the park were great, and the vantage points of the Arch were different and great for photography. The high light of the visit was the museum with it many descriptive displays of what 'used to be.' Where more than half a day disappeared to we have no idea. It was a great experience.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written November 7, 2023
  • PowerTrippers
    Cocoa Beach, Florida1,518 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Bucket List Experience
    I’d been up inside the arch as a teenager, but my wife had never had the pleasure. I was excited to give her this experience. Honestly, it’s a whole production with getting the timed tickets, going through the TSA-type security, and the whole process of getting into the lines, getting to the tiny little trams, etc. After all that, you only get 10 minutes at the top, but it’s all worth it. The views of St.Louis and the Mississippi River are amazing. The entire experience is unique and something everyone should experience at least once. We’d definitely recommend. -The PowerTrippers
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written November 14, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
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Sara W
3 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
I found the Gateway Arch to be underwhelming and somewhat of a tourist trap, with lots of waiting. TLDR is: lots of waiting, very cramped. If you do choose to go up the arch, make sure to get tickets ahead of time, as they sell out quickly. At the base of the arch is the Arch Museum, which is worth visiting, is free and you don't need tickets to enter, but you will have to pass through airport-like security to access it. Once you arrive at the entry to go up the arch (tickets required), you wait in line for a while (at least 15-20 past your "ticket time", usually), and then are assigned a group and a tour guide. However, there isn't really anything to tour, so you spend a few minutes watching a video of recaps of the last 50 years, then wait while people take group photos. Then you move to the "pod train" area and wait some more for the tram. Eventually, you are squished into pods (5 people per pod) and ride 4 minutes up to the top. At the top, there are small slit-shaped windows (about 5 inches tall and maybe 18 inches long), which are the only ways to look out. The space at the top is quite crowded, noisy, and hot. Then you have to wait to ride the elevator down.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MK in the STL
Weldon Spring, MO232 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2021 • Family
I brought my wife and 3 boys to STL for Spring Break. We included the Arch, as any out of state tourist should do, but the price you pay for tickets versus what you get is way off.

I knew going in there were NUMEROUS covid restrictions in place to the point where I was surprised they were open. They ARE owned by the feds so all you hear during your whole visit is covid this covid that, "hey, 3 year old, put your mask one millimeter higher on your nose or you'll spread covid and we will have to kick you out with no refund." It is completely ridiculous your entire visit is all about how to follow the rules. But, feds. Go figure.

They only give you ten minutes at the top and assign you a window because, well, covid restrictions must be rubbed into your faces. Feds. The only good thing about the experience was the girl at the top was happy to give visitors a break from hearing covid nonsense by offering to take pictures of your group with your own camera.

But it's a very fast ten minutes and then you are covidly escorted to the south tram for the ride down.

Until the feds decide they have had enough of the tyranny, I do not recommend visiting the arch specifically for the visit to the top. We felt we got completely jipped. Thanks, feds.

In the museum, which is free admission, you can learn just about everything about the Westward Expansion. Very interesting and the only place where there are no fed covid nazis watching over your shoulder to see if you are wearing your mask 1 millimeter lower than what it should or come within 5' 11" of someone else.

So go to the arch for the museum, but hold off on going to the top until you can get your money's worth.
Written April 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LexGSR
LexGSR196 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
My second visit... the first was 30+ years ago. It's still incredibly impressive up close, and the associated museum discusses the construction extensively... which really is great for architecture geeks and structural engineers! I really enjoyed it.

What I did not enjoy was that I checked very carefully what time it closed. We got there over an hour before then. But the last tram to the top had already left. This was extremely disappointing. I recommend that they put IN BIG LETTERS that the last tram is over an hour before closing, and that tickets in advance are a good idea.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

michellehouse
Evansville, IN283 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
I personally think the museum under the arch is more worth the visit than to actually go to the top. Yes it's a neat experience and it's fun to walk the curve of the arch at the top. But let's be honest you have to pay to go up, you have to wait for the elevator, the elevators are TINY and the cram up to 5 grown adults into one. Then you get to the top and it's a really small space and it's crowded and the windows really aren't that big, then you have to wait around for the elevator to take you back down. We took the kids up just so they could say they've been up there.

The museum/visitor's center is amazing though. It goes through the history of westward expansion and also covers the design and construction of the arch itself. the museum is completely worth the visit. Visiting the museum is completely free.

If you are going up in the arch you can pre-buy your tickets online. Remember you'll have to go through security so give yourself plenty of time.
Written March 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paul S
San Diego, California540 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020
Limited access to the top of the arch is available with reservations. The gateway arch is a marvel of design and construction. It is 630’ high. Architect Eero Saarinen did a great job with catenary shape, the taper of the arch dimensions from the base to the top, the triangular cross section of the entire arch and the stainless steel exterior. There are eight car trams that take you to the top. There is a tram in the north leg and another tram in the south leg of the arch. Each car has five seats. Our tour had only three groups of two. There was an empty car between each group. The ride was 4 minutes up and 3 minutes down. Excellent views are had from the windows of the observation room. Each group was restricted to 4 windows (2 on each side). The underground visitor center has exhibits on the history of Saint Louis and the making of the arch.
Written September 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ajkwawer
Los Angeles, CA68 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
This was a return visit to visit the Arch after a long hiatus. For a senior citizen such as me access to the Arch and its museum are less than optimum. Available parking is, by my standards, too far from the Arch. The Arch itself is well worth the walk and the museum offered interesting information about the move of population to the west and the Arch construction. The same cannot be said about the tram ride to the top of the Arch. The view from the observation area and the approximately 10 minutes spent at the top leave much to be desired. During our visit the tram "broke down" and the delay it caused was significant. We were fortunate to be on the first tram back down and we tried to not think about how many tram loads of people had to wait to go down and those who were waiting to go up.
Written January 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RellufRemle
Saint Louis, MO28 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
The Gateway Arch has been redone and greatly improved. The new museum has a lot of exhibits about St. Louis history and the arch -- and it is free. Riding to the top of the arch still requires a fee, but is worth it, especially on a clear day. Movies are also available for a price, but you may want to just buy a copy on DVD in the gift shop if you have a large group.
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dustythoughts
Manchester, CT2,169 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020
This arch doesn't look like much from the photos, but it's much more stunning when you see it in person. It's pretty big and sits right on the river, so if you take the pod to the top, you get an absolutely gorgeous view of the city. They take good precautions during the pandemic: you can only take the pod to the top with people in your party, and they sanitize everything frequently. Your entrance ticket allows you access to the entire park/grounds as well as a museum, so even if you don't go to the top of the arch, there's still plenty to see.
Written November 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brittney Henson
Ethridge, TN206 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
We enjoyed this and it wasn’t badly priced, $14 a person.
It has a self guided historical tour before entering the top of the arch with many artifacts from the building to just history of St. Louis. Also there is a cafe and a store, we did not go to either of these. If you are claustrophobic, I would be weary about going up in the tram car as it is VERY small with a small window. 5 of us were crunched inside of it and I’m NOT claustrophobic, but had to put my mind elsewhere to be calm.
Individuals of all ages could enjoy this.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RoseS_US
Aurora, IL141 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020 • Family
If you enjoy visiting historically significant locations, or even if you are trying to go to all of the National Parks, this would be an enjoyable place to go. The Gateway Arch National Park had more than I expected.

You can ride to the top of the gateway arch and in an interesting little pod. Once you ride up, you will need to walk up the stairs (See images of the size of the pod. The door to get in is small. The pod seats six people. It might be an issue if you’re claustrophobic or if you have an issue with going up and downstairs stairs.) From the top you can view the surrounding areas from the windows. It feels like you are in an airplane.
There is a museum at the bottom of the arch. The museum explains why the arch was created, the significance of the area, and some interesting information on the architectural design and build. I spent a few hours at the museum with my family. It is definitely worth looking through the museum.

The old courthouse is also right there on the park. It is a historically significant site for 2 historical significant cases (Dred Scott case & Virginia Minor). Across from the old court house is a is monument dedicated to Frankie Freeman and a marker the identities the spots where the trails west began.

I visited during a time when COVID-19 Had some limitations. Only 13 people were allowed to go up per ride to the top. That was good and bad. Good because you’re not so cramped. Bad because there’s not as many chances to take a trip to the top.

You do have the ability to have a boat ride and arch combo. I did not go on the boat ride so I cannot comment on it. The courthouse was Locked down due to COVID-19 so I could not enter in and look around but they did have information in front of the old courthouse along with a Dred Scott monument with information about the case.

There are a good number of affordable restaurants, hotels, and other attractions with walking distance for a meal.
Written October 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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