Gateway Arch National Park Things to Do

The Explorer Garden was designed to support native pollinators with primarily native plants, ensuring blooms from February to October. Unlike manicured landscapes, it is managed primarily to provide habitat for insects. Previously, this area was a concrete parking garage, removed to enhance green space in the CityArchRiver project. The garden now has walking trails, large flat rocks for resting, and a drinking fountain, promoting a natural environment for all visitors.

An architectural wonder, the Gateway Arch is 630 feet of gleaming stainless steel in a timeless curve against the sky. Eero Saarinen won the 1947-1948 competition for a monument to memorialize Thomas Jefferson and the pioneers who went west with his Gateway Arch, a classic shape in a revolutionary material. Today, visitors can journey to the top in the unique tram system, learn about the history of St. Louis' role in westward expansion, see a film, shop and eat inside.

A marker on the Grand Staircase noting the high water point from the Flood of 1993.

A wayside exhibit that discusses the curved shapes found in the architecture and landscape design of the park. Includes a tactile map of the grounds and tactile exhibit demonstrating a catenary curve.

A perfect spot to stand and take in the engineering marvel of the Gateway Arch. Walk around or lie down on the green lawn and gaze up at the shining steel curving above you.

A statue of Dred and Harriet Scott in honor of their historic fight for their family's freedom.

The Eads Bridge is an architectural wonder with a fascinating history. Still in use serving vehicular, pedestrian and light rail traffic, it was constructed in 1874 as the first bridge across the Mississippi River below the confluence with the Missouri River and is the oldest standing bridge on the river.

The flagpole in Smith Square is a good place to start your walking tour of the Gateway Arch grounds.

Once the bustling heart of city, the riverfront is still a great place to observe the Mississippi River.

Sculptor Harry Weber created this 22 foot bronze statue of William Clark, Meriwether Lewis and his dog, Seaman as a commission for the Greater St. Louis Community Foundation. It was installed on the riverfront in 2006 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the end of the Lewis and Clark expedition and their return to St. Louis. The statue was moved to a higher location upon the riverfront in 2016 to protect it from flooding.

The south leg of the Gateway Arch. Get close up and examine the materials that make up this architectural wonder. Check out the welds and see if you can spot any marks left from the construction. Look up and see how the light moves across the surface.

The Old Courthouse is the location of the first two trials the Dred Scott Case. Dred and Harriet Scott and over 300 enslaved persons sought their freedom here through the legal system.

A scenic and accessible spot to take in the lovely view of the north pond. Please respect the ducks and geese nesting with their young and keep your distance.

One of Gateway Arch National Park's visitor centers

The Tucker Theater mural at Gateway Arch National Park honors those who made the Arch possible. Created by artist Jay Tschetter, it features a 13-foot steel Arch model, construction scenes, and national landmarks. Made from 2,500 sculpted bricks, it was dedicated in 1998. The mural includes figures like Eero Saarinen, Luther Ely Smith, and others who played key roles in the Arch’s creation and legacy.

The Museum at the Gateway Arch covers 200 years of history about the westward expansion of the United States with an emphasis on St. Louis’ important role during that era.

Designed for visitors 5-12 (but open to all!) the Junior Ranger program is designed to help young visitors learn more about the people, places and events related to St. Louis history and westward expansion in the 1800s.

Have fun riding the train and sharing St. Louis area history!

Tram Ride to the Top: Getting there is part of the adventure. Enjoy stunning views from the top of America's tallest monument.

Gateway Arch National Park offers you multiple opportunities to improve your health through physical, mental and learning challenges. Will you rest below an architectural wonder and take a moment to breathe? Will you stroll through the paved paths of the Explorer’s Garden? Will you learn something new about history? The possibilities are endless - personal wellness is out there waiting for you. And, it is well within reach.

Move along the historic St. Louis Riverfront Trail

Stroll through the paved paths of the Explorer’s Garden located in the North Gateway area of the park. In the Garden, you can find plants that were used by Native Americans and detailed by Lewis and Clark in their expedition journals as they traveled west.  

Visit the reflection ponds to the north and south of the Arch. Relax and soak in the environment by using all five senses.

Explore the five miles of paved trails on the Gateway Arch grounds

Ascend the Grand Staircase or gently sloping ramps to the top for a fantastic view of the mighty Mississippi River.

Learn more about the construction of the Gateway Arch through this award winning film!

Enjoy your train ride and learn fascinating local history!

Find the perfect souvenir and support Gateway Arch National Park with your purchases!