Jefferson National Parks Association Reviews

Great visitors center! Loved the history and all the info about the arch and early settlers of the area and west.

The history to build the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is a complicated one. The idea was pitched by Luther Ely Smith in 1933. He later convinced President Franklin Roosevelt to declare the memorial a National Park if the city of St Louis passed necessary bonds for construction. Smith proposed that any national memorial to Jefferson should be symbolic of the Louisiana Purchase and at the starting point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

St Louis struggled with land purchases and subsequent eminent domain as 40 blocks of prime downtown property was bitterly fought over. Not until 1942 was the land started to be cleared. In 1950, President Harry Truman dedicated the open site. Soon after though, the Korean War forced the project to be placed on hold. Luther Ely Smith, deemed the father of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, died before its completion (or its start) in 1951.

Excavation of the site along the St Louis River began in 1961. At a building cost of around $15 million, the Jefferson Memorial Gateway Arch was finally completed in 1965. Vice President Hubert Humphrey dedicated the park in 1968.

The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial was established to commemorate the Louisiana Purchase and the movement westward that followed. It also honors Dred Scott who sued for his freedom in St Louis. Sitting on a 91 acre park, the steel Gateway Arch stands 630 ft tall and 630 ft wide at its base. It is now a St Louis icon.

Underneath the Gateway Arch is a visitor center and museum. There is also a theater, a library and an educational bookstore.

From here, one can purchase a ticket to ride the internal tram (tracks are inside the arch leg) to the top of the Arch. This is not a trip for those afraid of very cramped spaces or fear of elevation. Given the structural shape of the Arch, one can literally see straight down from the tram's observation area. For some, it might be overwhelming.

Across the street is the St Louis Old Courthouse. Famous for the Dred Scott Trial in 1846 where Scott and his wife filed for their freedom, the Supreme Court decided the important 'freedom' case in 1857. Also administered from this NPS park is the nearby Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site.

Whether viewing the Gateway Arch from the ground (it is an architectural wonder) or taking the tram high inside the Arch's leg, the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is an amazing place to visit.

Very interesting. Lots of information about St. Louise and the arch itself. Highly recommend visiting if you are in the area.

It was a quick visit due to our late arrival. The museum has a lot of great information and exhibits.

It was nice to see, visitor center was closed due to renovations

Very informative! I had a fussy child, so I did not get to read and see everything. I would definitely like to go back and see everything I missed. I especially enjoyed all the artifacts.

If you re in St Louis this is definitely the top thing you should see. Even if you aren t staying in museum it s work your time to spend a few hours at this location ! The ticket process is slightly confusing but at the end of the day it s all worth it once you get into the tram to go up and see the great views of the city. Also worth noting that you are literally looking out of the top of one of the largest monuments in the world!

Grounds have been kept up and maintained well over the years. Although, I did not visit the museum on this occassion I have been there recently. It is a great museum and honors the history of the area. The grounds outside made for a great venue during the 2019 St. Louis Blues Stanley Cup Rally. We travel to St. Louis a few times year and we almost always find ourselves at the Gateway Arch. It is the Gateway to the West.

The arch grounds are good, except I think it s dumb that they don t let you ride the scooters around there. Seems like you would rather have people ride there then on the dangerous streets.

Very pretty park. Dont go up in the arch unless you KNOW you can handle sitting in that tiny thing for an hour. Being in the top isn't really worth it.

Amazing new museum, took about two hours to go through.

Very easy to get here, an interesting experience to be had by anyone visiting.

The arch is definitely worth the time to wait on the trolley if you ve never been before. I would highly suggest going to the top even though the space is a little cramped. It has been completely renovated in the last few years so I would definitely suggest going back if you ve been before but it s been a while.

The Gateway Arch is an American institution! I was very impressed with the design, the staff, and the overall experience. I visited prior to the renovations, so I anticipate the the experience has only improved since.

I really enjoy myself dancing sing the blues thank you so much

One of the best park experiences I have ever had and I go to a lot of parks. All the rangers are so friendly and love their jobs, it is truly a magical place

As many times as I've been to STL we ate FINALLY seeing the arch

This is an amazing place. The museum is fascinating, so much history.

While I enjoy going to any of the National Park Service sites, the Arch is totally amazing! The size, the shape and grandness of the structure is awesome! There are some nice exhibits in the museum as well and the ride to the top is definitely well worth it. The is a cafe (Pappy's BBQ) and a gift shop with some nice items as to the history of the Arch and of course novelty items. Also would visit the Old Courthouse which also had some nice exhibits and the inside of the dome is pretty. Parking in nearby decks and on street. Also great shots of the Arch from the Jefferson Expansion Memorial.

Excellent place to go with a family or solo. Make sure to build in time for security. A wonderful place and one worth seeing!

The educational segments were more interesting than the ascent. The museum is excellent!

This is a nice place to visit if you are in St. Louis. Lo5s of history on the city.

Renovation and museum Amazing. Had out of town family, Arch highlight of their visit of course. My grandson (5) will run those Arch stairs 4EVER. Me not so much. I LOVE the Arch.

Wonderful place to visit before you go into the Arch

Beautiful, educational, fun, great views, clean, fantastic trip.

The best place to see with the Arch winning combanation

The museum is free and it's really great. My family plans on stopping in again to take more of it in. The rangers were all really friendly and made the experience that much better.

Arch is a wonderful setting & nice Improved museum....wish it focused more on the Arch and not history of area!

New addition to arch. Have many interesting things to learn about history.

Absolutely love going here. Next time I'm going to the museum underneath it and the museum on top of it

Nice place. People who has national park pass can go for free

Really well done with lots of history and amenities. The photo taken on the way up was remarkably inexpensive for purchase and looked great

Really fun, just note they require you to go through metal detectors and such.

It is an iconic piece of Americana. Recommend you visit even if it is just to the free areas.

Just amazing. If you go, watch the movie about the building of the Arch. It's completely worth it and fascinating.

Very well maintained lawn, had a very nice nap in the sun

It's a marvel of a monument. Nice area to just hangout, enjoy the view with the mighty Mississippi in the foreground. The museum is free but the cost of a trip up the arch is pretty steep. If you're gonna do it, might as well get the package deal with the ferry ride and all that, not much difference in price but would be more worth it than just the trip up, in my opinion.

Loved the museum and plaza. Skip the tram to the top, though. What a cluster...

Went with a friend visiting from Michigan, had not been there in 2 years, since they finished it. It was beautiful and we totally enjoyed it.

Great new design of the green space around the Arch

It's a beautiful place the only drawback is you can't go inside the arch because of the Corona virus

Beautiful open area. Drinking fountains,, security and a museum. A must see when visiting.

Easy to get to, a really fun sight and a neat, free museum!

Love this place beautiful artwork great interpretation

Really cool place. Plan ahead for your tram tickets.

It's obviously not for small children but very interesting.