Gateway Arch National Park is unique among the national parks. It is located downtown in a large city – St. Louis, MO. It is the smallest of the national parks, and it focuses not on nature but on history.
I’m not much of a history buff, so I was surprised at how much I enjoyed our visit to this national park. There is a lot to see and do packed into a small area, and it is all done very well. Here are 11 unique things to do in Gateway Arch National Park.
Published November 29, 2023…Updated January 9, 2025
Getting There
The park sits right on the Mississippi River in downtown St. Louis, MO, just a couple of blocks away from Busch Stadium, where the St. Louis Cardinals play baseball. In fact, the best place to park is in the Stadium East Parking Garage.
(Click on the map to enlarge the image.)
The park has an arrangement with iParkit that will allow you to reserve 5 hours of parking in the garage for just $9. The garage is well-lit, dry, and is equipped with elevators.
11 Unique Things to Do at Gateway Arch National Park
So what is so unique about Gateway Arch National Park?
1. Ride to the Top of the Arch
The Gateway Arch is 630′ high, and you can go all the way to the top! Fortunately, you don’t have to walk – you can ride the tram, which takes you inside the Arch to the very top.
The Tram Tour starts with a guide giving you instructions and information about The Arch, as well as a video that is both educational and entertaining. Then it’s down the stairs to the base of The Arch, where you will board the tram.
The specially-designed tram will whisk you to the top in 4 minutes. The ride is tight, as there are only five seats per tram car, and these are knee-to-knee with the other occupants.
At the top, there is a viewing area where you can look out of windows on both sides of the Arch. The viewing area is large enough to hold over 100 people comfortably. There are actually two trams, the North Tram and the South Tram, so the viewing area is divided into two areas, one for each tram.
On one side you have an amazing view of St. Louis, while the other side looks out over the Mississippi River. Photo opps! You’ll have 10 minutes at the top before you have to head down again.
The entire experience took a bit less than 60 minutes and was well worth it. Reservations are recommended. Although two separate trams are traveling simultaneously, they tend to fill up quickly.
2. Visit the Museum at the Gateway Arch
The purpose of this national park is to both educate and celebrate the westward expansion of America. The museum emphasizes the role of St. Louis in United States history, from the city’s founding in 1764 to the completion of the Gateway Arch in 1965. I’m not a history buff, but I found this area fascinating, partially because it is so well done.
As you enter the Visitors Center at the entrance to the park, you will have to pass through security, just like you do at an airport. That was quick and easy, and the personnel there were very friendly. One of the security guards even sang to us! You will exit the security area into the museum.
The museum will take you on a tour of the westward expansion to the present day. The exhibits are in six separate galleries, each representing a different period. They include…
- Colonial St. Louis
- Jefferson’s Vision
- New Frontiers
- The Riverfront Era
- Manifest Destiny
- Building the Dream
We appreciated that the museum includes the perspective of the Native Americans, as well. This is their story, too.
Give yourself plenty of time to wander through the exhibits. This is not some stuffy, old museum. The displays are beautiful, often interactive, with video in most every room. You’ll want to spend more time there than you think you will.
3. Watch the Movie “Monument to the Dream”
We highly recommend seeing the movie, “Monument to the Dream”, a documentary telling the story of the building of The Arch. The movie is shown in the Tucker Theater in the Visitor Center, just past the Museum. After watching it, both Mary Ellen and I were dumbstruck at what has been accomplished here.
A crew of less than 100 men completed this structure in only 2.5 years. None of the workers were lost, in spite of the fact that none of them wore safety harnesses. The documentary shows actual footage of the workers at staggering heights maneuvering HUGE sections of the arch into place.
Monument to the Dream Show Schedule
| Winter Showtimes | Summer Showtimes | |
| 9:00 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. | 3:00 p.m. |
| 10:00 a.m. | 11:00 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. |
| 11:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | 5:00 p.m. |
| 12:00 p.m. | 1:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. |
| 1:00 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. | 7:00 p.m. |
| 2:00 p.m. | ||
| 3:00 p.m. | ||
| 4:00 p.m. | ||
| 5:00 p.m. | . | |
| . | ||
Theater schedules are subject to change.
Running Time: 35 minutes
4. Take an “Up Close” Look at The Arch
It’s difficult to imagine how large The Gateway Arch is until you stand next to it. It is 630′ tall and 630′ wide. It is the tallest structure in Missouri and the tallest national monument in the United States.
This massive monument is formed by 5,199 tons of steel supported by 38,107 tons of concrete. The dimensions of the bases of the Arch are 54′, and it narrows to 17′ at the top.
The Arch will sway in high winds (as most tall structures do), but even in 150 mph winds it will only sway 18″ (9″ in either direction).
Try getting some sunrise or sunset photos of the Arch. They are sure to be stunning!
5. Take a Stroll Around the Grounds
Gateway Arch National Park is the smallest of the national parks, taking up only 93 acres of space, but what’s unique about it is that this is 93 acres of landscaped, manicured space, with The Arch resting right in the middle of it all.
This area is absolutely beautiful. There are five miles of paved paths running through it, with benches for sitting in the sun or shade. There are ponds on each end, with flocks of Canadian geese in each one. Kids get to play in the large, grassy areas throughout the park.
6. As Long as You’re Strolling, Stroll Down to The Mississippi River
One unique thing about Gateway Arch National Park is that it sits just above the Mississippi River. There are steps that lead down to it from both ends of the park, as well as a large set of steps just past The Arch.
There is a paved walkway next to the riverbank, where you can walk right down to the Mighty, Muddy Mississippi River. Look for the statue of Lewis and Clark, as well as markers showing how high the river rose during floods. You’ll be shocked at how high it rose!
7. Take a Ride on the Tom Sawyer Riverboat
The Riverboat Cruise is a narrated tour of the riverfront along the St. Louis shoreline. There is inside seating, or you can sit on one of the decks outside – your choice. There are also snacks available during the tour, and bathrooms.
To be honest, the riverboat tour was our least favorite part of our trip to Gateway Arch National Park, but to be fair, Mary Ellen grew up in Vicksburg, MS, on the Mississippi River, so there was no novelty there for her.
Gateway Arch Riverboats also offers special cruises, such as the Dinner Cruise and others.
8. Take a Tour of the Old Courthouse
The Old Courthouse has a storied history. It was the site of the Dred Scott case, where Scott and his wife Harriet, sued for their freedom from slavery. The Scotts won their trial, but it was eventually overturned when the Supreme Court ruled that slaves were considered property and had no standing to sue.
It is also the site where Virginia Minor sued for women’s right to vote in 1873, a suit that was eventually heard, and dismissed, by the US Supreme Court in 1874.
It was not until August 18, 1920, with the ratification of the 19th Amendment, that women were granted women the right to vote. The 19th Amendment legally guarantees American women the right to vote.
Tours of the Old Courthouse are normally available, however, it is currently undergoing a huge, multimillion-dollar renovation, and is expected to reopen to visitors in the spring or summer of 2025.
9. Take a Virtual Tour
The “Virtual Reality Theater” is a bit of a misnomer. The “theater” is simply an area in the tram lobby just outside the Arch Store, that has been cordoned off and has a few tables and chairs.
Visitors are given VR headsets, with which they can experience the St. Louis riverfront as it was in the 1850s. The experience, “Cobblestones and Courage” is in 3D and is fully immersive.
Viewers will hear stories of the struggles and courage of the people who lived and worked in St. Louis during that time, including John Parker, an enslaved dock worker; Anna Hormann, an immigrant from Germany; and James Eads, who designed a ‘submarine’ to salvage cargo from sunken steamboats at the bottom of the Mississippi River.
“Cobblestones and Courage” is a 10-minute experience.
Tickets are $10 for adults, and $8 for children (ages 5-15).
10. Shop in the Arch Store
If you’re looking for souvenirs, this is your spot. It’s located in the tram lobby, just past the museum area. We browsed mugs, tees, hoodies, books, toys, puzzles – they even make their own fudge! (I recommend the Cookie Dough Fudge. Yum!)
11. Stop by the Old Cathedral
The Basilica of St. Louis, King of France, is one of the oldest structures in St. Louis. In 1764, land was deeded to the inhabitants of the area for the building of a small log cabin church. The current structure was completed in 1834. It is not technically a part of Gateway Arch National Park. To residents of St. Louis, it is known as the “Old Cathedral”.
This was the first Catholic Church west of the Mississippi River. It is also where all five of William Clark’s (of Lewis and Clark) children were baptized, as well as the son of Sacagawea, the famous Shoshone teenager who helped Lewis and Clark on their expedition.
Located on the front corner of the park, on Walnut Street, the Old Cathedral is still active today. When the church building is not in use, you are welcome to come in for a self-guided tour.
Where to Stay Near Gateway Arch National Park
Given its proximity to downtown St. Louis, Gateway Arch National Park has a LOT of options for lodging. Here are three options if you want to stay VERY close to the park.
(Click on the map to enlarge the image.)
Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis At The Arch
Located one block from the entrance to the park, Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis At The Arch is a 3-star hotel with over 3,000 reviews rating it 4.6 stars. Amenities include an eighth-floor terrace offering amazing views of the Gateway Arch and the Mississippi River.
Pricing starts in the $110s per night, which includes breakfast.
Nearby restaurants include Carmine’s Steak House, plus the restaurants in Ballpark Village, just two blocks away.
Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark
Located two blocks from the entrance to the park, the Hilton is a 4-star hotel with over 5,000 reviews rating it 4.1 stars. It features non-smoking rooms, an onsite restaurant, indoor pool, fitness center, business center, and pet-friendly rooms.
Pricing starts in the $140s per night.
Nearby restaurants include Ballpark Pizza, and Market Street Bistro, plus the restaurants at Ballpark Village, just one block away.
Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch
The Hyatt Regency is located just across the street from the park. It is a 4-star hotel with over 6,000 reviews rating it 4.3 stars. Amenities include non-smoking rooms, multiple onsite restaurants, fitness center, business center, and pet-friendly rooms.
Pricing starts in the $100s per night.
Nearby restaurants include Starbucks and Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the park open?
According to the National Park Service…
“The park grounds are open from 5:00am–11:00pm year-round. The museum is open from 9:00am–6:00pm during regular hours (the day after Labor Day through the Friday before Memorial Day) and 9:00am–8:00pm during the summer (Memorial Day – Labor Day)*
The Arch Store closes about 15 minutes before the museum closes. The Arch Cafe is open from 9 to 4 during regular hours and 9 to 6 during the summer. And the last tram departs one hour before closing.
Gateway Arch National Park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, and is open with extended hours November 24 & 25, 2023 (9:00am to 8:00pm).”
Is Gateway Arch National Park worth visiting?
Absolutely! We felt like our visit there was a big WIN! Lots of fun + we learned a lot about our country. And, of course, the Arch is amazing.
How long will it take to go through the park?
We did the park in one day. That included riding the tram, viewing the documentary, riding the riverboat, exploring the museum, exploring the grounds, shopping in the Arch Store, and eating lunch at the Arch Cafe.
But we did not visit the Old Courthouse (closed for renovations) nor the Cathedral (ran out of time). I also wish I had spent more time in the museum. You’ll probably need two days to do it all.
Is there a place to eat in the park?
Yes! You can eat at the Arch Cafe, located in the tram lobby. There is seating in the cafe as well as the tram lobby. The cafe serves burgers, barbeque, sandwiches, cookies, soft drinks, etc…HOWEVER, our lunch there was not very good. We think you would be better served walking a couple of blocks to one of the restaurants in downtown St. Louis.
Are dogs allowed in the park?
Dogs are allowed in the OUTSIDE sections of the park. Please be aware the park requires pet owners to abide by “B.A.R.K. RANGER PRINCIPLES”…
- B – Bag Your Poop and dispose of it.
- A – Always Wear a Leash.
- R – Respect Wildlife. No chasing squirrels, birds, etc…
- K – Know Where You Can Go. Only service animals are allowed inside.
Where can I purchase tickets?
You have two options here. One, you can purchase tickets in the Visitors Center when you arrive at the park. The ticket counter will be on your left when you enter the center, behind the Info Desk and next to the restrooms. It looks just like a small airport check-in area.
Or Two, you can reserve your tickets online. We did this, and we HIGHLY recommend it. Tickets may be purchased for individual experiences or can be bundled together for a discount. Reserve tickets may be purchased at www.gatewayarch.com.
The Verdict – Gateway Arch National Park – 11 Unique Things to Do
We enjoyed Gateway Arch National Park MUCH more than we thought we would. It is filled with unique things to do – riding the tram to the top of the Arch, visiting the museum, strolling the grounds, and much more. The only thing we would not do again is the riverboat ride.
If you’re interested in history, you will love this park. If you’re not interested in history, you will still find it a fun place to visit.
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The Author
Jeff Powell is the Creator/CEO of National Park Ventures. He and his wife Mary Ellen are on a venture to visit every national park in the United States and share what they experience with their readers. Their goal is to help their readers maximize their own national park ventures.
Jeff and Mary Ellen have two sons, two grandkids, and two dogs. They live in the mountains outside Blue Ridge, GA.