Gateway Arch - observation tower ride, odyssey theater, campground information

Gateway Arch St. Louis Missouri
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Park

Gateway Arch The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Park in St. Louis Missouri was established on the banks of the Mississippi River in December of 1935. The entire park includes the Gateway Arch, the Museum of Westward Expansion, and St. Louis' Old Courthouse. Hotel and camping accommodations are available locally, just check some of the ads on this page.

The Gateway Arch is a stainless steel structure rising 630 feet. This stunning monument is our nation's tallest. The Arch's foundations are sunk 60 feet into the earth and is built to withstand both earthquakes and high winds. While you are taking the four-minute tram ride to the observation room you can look out a small window for a view of the Arch's structural interior. Once at the top you can stay as long as you would like. The arch overlooks the Mississippi River on one side and and the city of St. Louis on the other side.

The underground visitor center's floor plan follows a circular pattern with galleries depicting a 100-year span of westward expansion. Additional attractions at the visitor's center include the Tucker Theater, the Museum of Westward Expansion, and the Odyssey Theater. You can follow the amazing story of a man and his determination to build the Gateway Arch in the documentary called "Monument to the Dream". You will see the construction workers at heights of up to 630 feet meticulously fastening the stainless steel sections together.

The Museum of Westward Expansion inside the Visitor's Center contains an extensive collection of artifacts, an authentic American Indian teepee, one of the first recreational vehicles: a covered wagon, numerous mounted animal specimens, and an overview of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

The Odyssey Theater shows a film produced by National Geographic, Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West. The film recreates the compelling adventure in history depicting the dangers and adventures encountered by the Lewis and Clark Expedition of the unmapped American Northwest in 1804. Only two blocks west of the Arch is one of the oldest standing buildings in St. Louis, the Old Courthouse, begun in 1839. Presently the courthouse is a museum charting the history of St. Louis and restored courtrooms.

Entrance tickets include tram, movie, riverboat, tram/movie combination or tram/riverboat combination. We recommend calling for turn by turn directions because navigation to parking is a little tricky if you have never visited before.

Visit Stone Mountain Georgia for more information.

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