One of the great things about retirement is that we have time to make impromptu stops during our travels. When our journey took us through St Louis and we saw the big arch in the skyline we thought, “we have time, let’s stop!” Gateway Arch is the nation’s smallest national park with only 91 acres, but it was definitely worth the trip. I was excited to see the world’s tallest arch up close. At 630 feet tall it is also the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere.
Gateway Arch National Park is right in the middle of St Louis along the Mississippi River. The grounds are very beautiful and, like the arch, are curve-inspired. Throughout the park curves define the landscape and can be seen in the paths, retaining walls, and pond edges.
Founded in 1935, the Gateway Arch National Park commemorates Thomas Jefferson’s pioneering spirit and vision of a transcontinental United States. The underground Visitor’s Center museum features 6 themed exhibits highlighting 200 years of the area’s history from 1764-1965. At the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, St Louis became a major center of trade and was the gateway to westward expansion.
By the 1930s, though, the rivers’ role in trade decreased and railroads became the way to move freight. Businesses left the riverfront and the deserted area was seen as an eyesore for visitors to the city. An architectural competition was held to revive the waterfront in 1947 and Eero Saarinen’s innovative and graceful stainless-steel design was chosen from 172 entries.
After the contest winner was announced in 1947, it took 32 years of planning to work out the actual design plans! The catenary curve design (the shape made by a free hanging chain when held at both ends) was very complicated to calculate. There were many issues to overcome in building such a unique monument. Here are just a few:
–two cantilever structures were to be built separately and had to meet exactly at the top
–the structure was too tall to use standard cranes
–figuring out the whole arch part of the arch wasn’t easy and involved complex mathematical formulas that took hours to calculate
–figuring out how to leave just enough space at the top for the final connecting piece (with 0.01 inch margin of error!) AND adjusting for heat differences of each side due to the sun
–how to transport people to the top of a curved structure.
The arch was constructed from 1963-1965 with a budget of $13.4 million and a few hundred workers. It is made up of 142 equilateral triangles made of stainless steel. There is concrete inside the arch for the first 300 feet and then the upper half is hollow, depending on the pressure of the inner and outer steel sides for support. Built to withstand earthquakes and high winds, the monument was designed to sway up to 18 inches.
Our timing was good as tours to the top of the arch had just opened back up from coronavirus closures. The number of people who can go up at a time is limited now and you have to wear a mask. It was interesting to learn that the tram ride is a combination of elevator and Ferris wheel so that the pods can remain upright as they ascend the curved arch.
The ride to the top of the arch only takes 4 minutes. You are assigned a viewing window at the top where you can look out over the city. I’m sure this is normally very crowded, but we only had 4 people with us that day. Park rangers are stationed at the top to answer questions and were very knowledgeable. The view was awesome!
This was an easy and fun stop. There are parking garages close to the park and easily within walking distance. The Casino Queen RV park is just across the river from the Gateway Arch and very convenient. We are glad we stopped to see this beautiful park!
Awesome pictures and narratives too. Safe travels!!
Thanks David & Carol! We’ve passed the arch so many times it was nice to finally see it up close.
Thanks for sharing your tour with us. We’ve driven past the arch but didn’t have time to stop. That’s amazing how it’s built but with my fear of heights, I’m glad I get to take the tour with you.
Since the tram ride it totally enclosed, it really didn’t seem too bad as far as heights. The view from the top was amazing though!
How did you two do during the ride to the top??
Hi Jacki, The ride is pretty short and you are totally enclosed, so it was not too bad. You feel like you are kind of in a space pod due to the curved nature of everything, but it was pretty easy and well worth it to see the stunning views from the top!
Awesome post! This one is still high on our list and a must do for the Great American Road trip! It’s especially cool that you basically got it all to yourself. That’s a real rarity these days.
Thanks, Laura. We did luck out with our timing! I am typically a plan-ahead gal, but my husband’s spur-of-the-moment idea definitely won out this time:) Gateway Arch is so accessible, being right along the road through St Louis, and with online ticketing the whole thing was super easy.
WOW the Gateway Arch is so very cool, interesting and iconic too! What a view from the top of the arch. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Yes, Sandi, it is such an amazing view from the top! Also just learning about how the arch was made was very interesting. I highly recommend visiting if you ever get the chance.
I was very little when my family visited here. I am looking forward to visiting again to see if the view is just as stunning as I remember.
Hi Missy, I definitely think Gateway Arch is worth another visit. I can imagine that the city might have changed some from when you were younger, but I bet you will still find that the view is awesome!
I hadn’t ever considered stopping here, but now we will add it to our list! We’ve been visiting outdoor parks these days more than ever.
Hi Holly, We had passed the arch many times while traveling and I didn’t even realize that it was a national park. I am very glad we did stop this time! A lot of interesting history and architecture knowledge and a beautiful view will be your reward:)
I think the Arch is such a cool place to visit – we’ve been a few times and it amazes me each trip!
Hi Pam–thanks for checking out my blog post. I’m glad you enjoyed the Gateway Arch–it is definitely an amazing place!
Great article Robin! I’ve been to the top of the arch and the view is awesome. I love all the historical information you provided, and I never knew there was a RV park so close. My husband and I hope to eventually purchase a RV, so will be following your blog.
Hi Roselyn, Thanks for checking out my blog. You will have so much fun when you get your RV–we have been traveling now for 2 years and it has been a blast! Thanks for following along with us on our travels. Maybe we will meet out on the road one day:)
I’ve driven past the arch but didn’t stop. Ugh! I really wish I had. Now I need to take my girls and we can explore it together. The museum looks super interesting.
Hi Leeanne, We did the same thing numerous times but then finally did stop at the arch. It is so worth it–you and your girls will love seeing all of the museum displays and the view from the top is so cool!
I went to school only a few hours from St. Louis and had meant to visit, but never did! I live in Chicago now which isn’t too far either, so I might take a road trip this summer to finally see that iconic arch 🙂
Hi Natalie! I highly recommend making the trip to see Gateway Arch. We were not disappointed and couldn’t believe we had waited so long. You are lucky you live pretty close too. Happy travels!
We enjoyed our time in St. Louis and at the arch. It’s been a long time!
Hi Angie, We didn’t really have time to see much else in St Louis but we definitely enjoyed the arch. We will have to plan another trip to see the other sights too. Did you go up inside the arch?
We’ve driven by this twice while traveling, but haven’t had the nerve to drive over pulling our travel trailer. That national park passport book looks neat. Do they actually have rubber stamps for it at each park?
Hi Julie Ann, that was our dilemma too, but we are glad we finally stopped. There are several different type of passport books–mine is for Travel Stamps (https://travelstamps.com/collections/national-park-books) and they do sell a sticker for each park. There is also a rubber stamp at each park with the name and date you visit. Other types of passport books only have room for the rubber stamp, but I liked the stickers too.
How did you get across river from casino rv park? Husband does not want to fight traffic and heard there was team or walking option
Hi Pam,
I am not aware of a walking option from the Casino Queen area as you have to cross the river. We unhooked our car from the RV and drove to the Gateway Arch–it’s only about 2 miles and wasn’t bad unless you go at rush hour. There are parking garage options right across the street from the Arch so that was pretty easy.
Cool! I’ve see it from the outside, but not from within. Thanks for the literal insight 😉
Hi EB, I hope you get to visit inside the arch–it was very cool! Thanks for checking out my travel blog:)
Can’t wait for my husband to retire so we can hook up the Travel Trailer and hit the road! For now, I will live through you.. lol Thanks for the great post and information!
Hi Cathy, hopefully his retirement will be here before you know it. You already have your travel trailer so you will be ready to go! Thanks for following along with us:)
Just came across your post. We stopped in St. Louis on one of our cross-country travels and loved this National Park. The courthouse is also a great stop. We aren’t retired….yet….but have been able to go cross country a couple of times in our RV. Great site with some great information!
Shane
Hi Shane, Thanks for checking out my blog. We have so enjoyed our travels since retiring 3 years ago and are happy to pass along what we’ve learned to others. I’m glad you have been able to get some trips in your RV–there is so much beauty out there. I loved seeing Gateway Arch NP too, especially after passing it on the highway so many times. Happy travels!