Exploring St. Louis' Gateway Arch: A Must-See Travel Destination

Standing at 630 feet tall, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri is one of the most iconic structures in the United States. Located in Gateway Arch National Park, it is clad in stainless steel and built in the form of a weighted catenary arch. It is the world's tallest arch and Missouri's tallest accessible building and some sources consider it to be the tallest human-made monument in the Western Hemisphere. For any visitor or resident to St. Louis, exploring this incredible structure should be at the top of your list of things to do!

The Gateway Arch was designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen and structural engineer Hannskarl Bandel and construction began on February 12th, 1963. The arch was dedicated as part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial on October 28th 1965 by President Lyndon B Johnson. The arch stands atop a hill overlooking downtown St. Louis and provides visitors with amazing views from its observation deck located at its crown - which can be reached via an internal tram system that runs to both legs of the arch. In addition to simply admiring this impressive structure from afar, there are plenty of other activities for visitors at Gateway Arch National Park like taking a guided tour with a park ranger or exploring interactive exhibits such as those found inside the underground museum located beneath the monument’s base that provide insight into its history and development.

The park also includes lush green spaces such as Luther Ely Smith Square where visitors can relax after their visit to the arch or take part in various recreational activities like fishing and picnicking along its banks near Laclede’s Landing. Additionally, visitors looking for more active pursuits may enjoy renting bikes from City Museum Bikes & Outfitters where they can explore not only Gateway Archive National Park but also many other attractions within downtown St Louis itself - including popular spots like Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village where you can catch a Cardinals game or grab some food afterwards!
 

The Gateway Arch Experiences:
 

Tram Ride to the Top:

Admire the startling beauty of this 63-story concrete and steel structure, soaring majestically into the Midwest sky. Marvel at its 43,000 tons of awe-inspiring mass as it creates an iconic arc in the horizon! Take a thrilling ride on a tram that goes up inside one of the legs of the arch and comes out at an observation deck at the top where visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of downtown St. Louis and the Mississippi River below.
 

Museum:

For those who want a more educational experience there is also a museum located beneath the arch which features six themed galleries spanning two centuries of history. From Colonial St. Louis to Jefferson's Vision, Manifest Destiny, The Riverfront Era and New Frontiers - explore it all before finishing your tour at the legendary Gateway Arch!

Admission is free so it's an activity that won't break your budget! 
 

Riverboats at the Gateway Arch:

Embark on a thrilling journey through time aboard an authentic 19th century paddle-wheel riverboat and explore the captivating beauty of downtown St. Louis both day or night! Be dazzled by its majestic skyline views as you cruise along the tranquil waters.
 

Old Courthouse:

Walk through this building which was built in 1839 and where ordinary Americans made civil rights history by challenging slavery in Dred Scott v Sanford case before heading all the way up to Supreme Court level! This historical landmark is also open for public tours throughout every day except major holidays so make sure not miss out on it while you're visiting St. Louis!

Places to stay in St.Louis near The Gateway Arch

Here are some excellent accommodation options conveniently located near The Gateway Arch in St. Louis:

• Hyatt Regency Saint Louis at The Arch(0.15 km away)
• Hilton St. Louis Downtown at the Arch(0.20 km away)
• Drury Plaza St. Louis at the Arch(0.20 km away)
• Live! by Loews - St. Louis(0.28 km away)
• Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark(0.30 km away)
• Hotel Indigo - St. Louis - Downtown an IHG Hotel(0.32 km away)
• Missouri Athletic Club(0.45 km away)
• Hampton Inn St Louis- at the Arch(0.45 km away)
• Hotel Saint Louis Autograph Collection(0.50 km away)
• Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis Convention Center(0.58 km away)

Conclusion:

Exploring St. Louis' iconic Gateway Arch is an absolute must for anyone who passes through or lives nearby this great city! Whether you're looking for amazing views from 630 feet up above or want to learn about its history through interactive exhibits, there's something for everyone here at Gateway Arch National Park. Take advantage of all that this incredible monument has to offer by planning your visit today!