Gateway Arch National Park

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"Why is Gateway Arch a national park?" I don't know how many times that question has come up in conversation since we've been on this trip. It's usually coming from me, directed at someone who is either doing the same thing we are or is from St. Louis. Not a single person has ever been able to explain it to me.


There is a very nice visitors center here. It's all underground beneath the arch, and it was recently redone. We spent a lot of time browsing the displays, and we attended a ranger talk.

But we couldn't visit the arch and not go up to the top (well, four of us at least!). The way to the top hasn't changed since the arch was built almost 60 years ago. There are a series of 8 "pods" in each arm that get you up there in about four minutes. Due to the fact that the legs aren't straight up (you know, being an arch and all), the mechanics are a combination of an elevator (to pull you up the curve) and a ferris wheel (to keep your car upright as you tackle that curve).



The pod doors have windows, so we were able to see the inside of the arch on the way up. There are stairs that go all the way up. I told the kids that they were there in case the pods broke down. Then Caleb very astutely pointed out that they were not actually next to the pods, rendering them useless in that situation. You got me on that one, son.


The top is cozy. You get 10 minutes there and then have to head back down so the next group can come up. One side offers a great view of the city, and the other side offers a view of western Illinois. As it turns out, western Illinois isn't much to look at.

We could feel a slight sway on the day we were there, but it wasn't anything scary. The arch is designed to sway up to 9 inches in either direction in 150 mph winds.


We followed our visit to the arch with a boat ride up and down the Mississippi. Our captain explained some of the history of the city and the river's use for commerce.

The grounds around the arch are very nice. They were also full of leaves when we visited. Big, clean, dry leaves. And that only means one thing to kids (and my wife): leaf pile!

The kids spent the next two hours jumping in leaves, which took on special meaning after a year of being in parts of the country that don't offer this opportunity.



After our visit, we still don't understand why this is a national park (it should really be a national monument), but we agreed we were glad that it was because that designation is what brought us here.
Location: Gateway Arch National Park, 11 N 4th St #1810, St. Louis, MO 63102, USA

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