The Gateway Arch is 630 feet of stainless steel rising from the west bank of the Mississippi — the tallest monument in the United States. It marks St. Louis as the gateway to the American West, commissioned to commemorate the Louisiana Purchase. You can ride a small tram up inside either leg to a cramped observation room at the top, with views over downtown and the river. The underground visitor centre holds the Museum of Westward Expansion, which traces the Lewis and Clark expedition and the settlement of the West. Book tram tickets in advance in summer; the queues for security can be long.
Gateway Arch
America's tallest monument, with tram rides to the top
| Address | 11 North 4th Street, St. Louis, MO 63102 |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | Daily 9am–6pm (summer: 8am–10pm); closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day |
| Phone | 314-655-1700 |
| Website | www.gatewayarch.com |
A story
The two legs of the Arch were built simultaneously from opposite ends — each rising independently until they met at the top in October 1965. The final keystone section fit with only a quarter-inch to spare, helped along by firefighters hosing down the south leg to shrink the steel enough to align.