The Gateway Arch Reviews

Great Park to view also don't forget to go inside, it's Free. Get your Tickets online and you can see the museum.

It's always fun to be able to appreciate our national parks and the history behind them .

The tour guides were great and loved the views of the city

A beautiful monument. Spend the time to go through the museum and go up to the top. There are windows and you can look to the east or west.

The arch is amazing. It's a wonderful view. Definitely something that you need to see when you visit St. Louis

This place is absolutely stunning. It is a modern engineering marvel and the team system while small and cramped offers a very secure feeling ride. The views from the top are to die for and you can see 2 states with ease. Also due to the way the windows are designed to lean outwards, you can see directly under the arch including it's shadow during noon.

Definitely a cool place to visit. Is is a bit expensive to go to the top though.

Beautiful unique place to go! Also a great place to get out of the heat as it is beautifully air conditioned. Don't go on the tour if you are claustrophobic or hate tiny spaces, the cars that you ride in are very small. But the view at the top is astounding!

I is a wonderful place to learn a lot of great things about our American history. They keep it every pretty clean for the most part. In side is a Beautiful and historic museum.

Well organized super friendly amazing view not rushed out once you get up to the top! Will definitely be coming back!

The Gateway Arch itself is awesome. I would not pay to do the tram to the observation deck again. Tiny pods that fit 5 people to go up and down. Once up the observation deck is tiny. Very small & skinny rectangular windows to view the city. We also did the steamboat cruise. It was nice thing to do once and got some history along with it. The movie about how the Arch was constructed was good. Amazing amount of work and precision went into it!

Nice place to go when in the city for a date, just a day out, or to learn about some of st Louis history

Very cool! I've seen it before but it's always fascinating to see again.

Great pit stop on our 16 hour road trip. Even without buying tickets to do anything with the arch we had a great time walking around it, looking at the waterfront and checking out the old cathedral next door. Great place to take pictures as the sun was setting and there weren't a lot of people due to the hockey championship game going on.

Great info on the history and unique experience riding up with a great view at the top

Nice place to visit while passing through St Louis. There's a park right next to the arch. To go up inside the arch, tickets sell fast so I recommend ordering them ahead online. Parking is paid, but you should find a space as long as there's no flooding like when I was there.

The description I see here is a very sad attempt to describe such an amazing and glistening monument to our nation's history. This is a memorial that they said could never be built - due to its seeming impossibility. Calling it "curved" is an insult to the design and shape. This is a catenary curve, the shape a chain takes when hanging upside down by its own weight... but this is inverted! The structure itself is an equilateral triangle made of concrete wrapped in stainless steel, in addition as a whole the arch's two legged base forms an equilateral triangle with the top. What a monument to geometry and physics, and to those who built this structure, especially the ironworkers! Imagine having to invent and build a completely new mechanism to "climb' both legs of the Arch while slowly attempting to raise higher as the height of the Arch legs grew! As they got near the top they had to build a cross piece to anchor both legs together...Pictures from the construction are amazing. (Watch the movie "Monument to a Dream") The final piece did not fit due to the extreme heat of the weather and the top had to be "hosed down" to cool it enough to allow the capstone to fit. AMAZING. Not a single life was lost in its construction. The architect and designer of the Arch, Eero Saarinen, sadly did not live to see its finished beauty as he died of a heart attack before its completion.

Another story - in order to carry visitors and allow them to ascend to the top these engineering geniuses also had to invent a special tram. That is a whole other story. I am not a mathematician or engineer, but an appreciator of beautiful architecture. As you can see I could go on and on, and it is indeed a "Monument to a Dream".

So much fun fun for the family.Interesting, educational...God Bless America

The arch is an amazing sight! When museum was awesome as well. Just a graceful structure.

Make sure and buy tickets before the day you want to go!

Abbreviated review version:

Wasn't sure how much we would enjoy it - went anyway.
Took the morning trip-less crowded.
ENJOYED IT!! Was cool seeing the view from the top.
Found out it does indeed take minimum of 45-60 minutes to make the round trip that they say it takes.

Full review:

So we were in St Louis for a wedding and had some time to kill before we left for home. Debated on going to the top of the Arch...... Wasn't overly excited about it but decided to go. Took the 10:10 tour on Sunday. Glad we went. It was much cooler than expected. Have a nice museum to wander through while waiting for your tour time. Sunday at 10:10 was not crowded. They advise allowing 45-60 minutes for your trip to the top. We were silly enough to think it would not take that long as we wouldn't spend that much time at the top. (And we went early so we figured it would not be crowded) Well, we didn't spend that much time at the top.

However, your aren't admitted until your time slot. (thankfully, security lines were empty in the morning). We waited for our time slot, (10:10) were admitted to the line and zipped through security. We had to wait for the tram to finish coming down from the top and 1 load of passengers to get loaded and taken to the top and come back down before we got to go. It was 10:25 by that time. 4 minute ride to the top, unload and walk up the final steps to the viewing area. (10:32 now). Spent 12 minutes looking out both sides of the Arch, taking some photos of the view and some selfies of us in the Arch. (10:44 now). Depending on how crowded it is at the top, you may have to wait for a window to open up. We did not. Our tour was only half full and the top was not that crowded (again-go early)

Luckily, didn't have to wait in line to go down, just had to wait for the tram to get back to the top in to go down, took the three minutes ride down and viola , trip complete at 10:54! ( It is a 3 minute trip down-unload/reload-4 minutes back up /unload. Easily 10 minutes so depending on when the tram left before you got in line, and if there are people waiting in front of you, will change how fast you get down)

Complete trip took 44 minutes and the security line was empty for us. When we got back down the security queues were filling up, so it would probably take an hour for the round trip.
That doesn't include times to view the museum or the surrounding area.

So yes, easily an 45-60+ minutes to take the round trip to the top. And that does not include seeing the musuem or the surrounding Park.

Also, they put 5 people in a tram car. You WILL be sitting in close contact with your fellow passingers. Not for claustrophobic people. Very small cars.

AND THE MOST IMPORTANT PART--
don't forget to buy your tickets before the day you want to go. They can and will sell out, especially for the afternoon times.

A must visit location whenever in St Louis. The visitor center is mostly underground and much larger than you would expect. Has a cool museum with St Louis and Arch history. There is also a nice food bistro as well with snacks and sandwich's to choose from. You will buy your ticket to go up in the arch up top/front and then wait for your embarking time. Screens all around the place will tell you when it's your turn so you can enjoy the museum and bistro downstairs at your leisure while you wait. Be prepared to go through a TSA-like screening station before getting to go downstairs, just like at the airport. If you are claustrophobic, or do not like high places, going up in the arch will not be your thing. The 'pods' you ride will hold 5 people at a time but they are very small. The door that let's you in is only like 4'x2'. So be sure to use your deodorant before you leave to go because you will be shoulder to shoulder with potential strangers because they will fill up the pods before sending them up. You will be instructed which side of the arch to go up, but you can go down either side. Once up in the arch, there is plenty of room to move around. They have a system to keep a maximum amount of people up top. You view from small windows on each side which are on ledges which lean out. Can be a little freaky as you can look straight down, but it's awesome for those who love heights. Views from both side are spectacular. Highly recommend!

Always love the Arch. The new improvements to Arch grounds are wonderful. Keep making it walking and biking friendly.

The new Arch grounds are fantastic. If you haven't been... Go!

The walkway and park to get to the arch is very nice. We walked our dog, it was lovely.

I was here 11 years ago, bit in the evening after the arch had closed. This was the first time i was able to see everything. The new museum is really neat and visiting the top is a must. The ride up and down is cramped though so be prepared for small spaces.

Great history, seeing how this monument was put together and the history of the area was fantastic

Felt like I got to experience a unique piece of history. I didn't have time to go through the museum, but it was pretty impressive by the looks of it and free so that's always a plus! I wasn't terribly impressed that they forced you to get your picture taken in front of a blue screen before riding up to the top so that they could try to sell you a $30 picture of yourself with the arch afterward. It feels a little bit like an infringement of your privacy to be forced to have your picture taken. But other than that, and the staff that was less than friendly or enthusiastic, the experience was pretty good. The view is truly wonderful from the top and it's just an experience like no other that you will have anywhere else! And a unique view into history. I definitely felt like I was back in the sixties!

Tram to the top was so far behind we were there 1 1/2 hours after our ticket time. Then would have had an hour wait up top. We just left. Only highlight the lemonade stand outside. It was great.

Lots of fun. Museum has fun for young or old. I didn't go up into the arch this trip but it is lots of fun, although rather expensive. I would make sure you go up at least once. Be aware that you have to take off your belt when going through security. I hate having to do that. So if you can wear pants that don't need a belt that is what I would advise.

It's fun to go up in the arch, but its awesome to photograph right after sunset.

I can't really provide the greatest review ever as I was only there after the tours closed. I believe they typically close around 9-10 pm so if you are looking to get into the arch and actually ride the elevators to the top then just know the closing time. Still the park is clean and is beautiful to walk through at night with the lights on. The other thing is I believe they officially close the park and turn the lights off as well around midnight but if you want to double-check I'm sure it will tell you online. The American flag is out in front of their court house I believe so I tried to capture it while it was flying in the wind. Also their is easy access to the Mississippi River off behind the arch and of you want a helicopter tour of the city then walk down the stairs on the other side of the arch from where I took the picture and you will see a boat that has a helipad and a ticket booth for tours. I give 5 stars as it was clean and very beautiful, as well as it's a cheap little excursion for families/couples.

Great tourist destination to walk around. You can ride up the arch and see views. The museum inside is interesting and is free

Very beautiful monument made out of stainless steel. Twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty makes amazing view from the Arch viewing point. Very nice experience. Highly recommend to tourists.

We visited the arch a couple of weeks before the opening of the new entrance, coming up from the riverboats. We saw the north entrance roped off, went toward the south end to no avail. Finally found someone who told us where the new entrance was. There were no signs, no information of any kind to let people know where to go. On our way back to the car we pointed some other confused people in the right direction.

That being said, it is a fascinating experience. On the ride up, in the 'pod', one can see, through the window on the door, views of the inside. There are staircases everywhere, going all the way up, attached to various landings, platforms, the interior frame of the arch itself. One can see workshops, offices, cables, pipes, etc. THEN the top. The windows are small but they have constructed platforms for people to lean on, rest arms or hands on while taking in the amazing views. It is an unforgettable experience. You can stay up there as long as you like, but it is a bit chaotic with people and their kids coming and going from both sides, so that seems to keep the flow going. And there's really only one thing to do up there ;) Highly recommended.

Entry is strictly prohibited through the base of the Arch. The guards are not paid or beholden to hold your hand and guide you to the correct entry point, so read the signs and avoid the base of the Arch. Now that we have that out of the way, I had a hugely awesome day here with my Dad! Highly recommend spending the bucks for the lift to the 630ft summit.

Very cool place to go best bart is the rennovations and the settlers desplays noticable crampt and hotter up in the arch and way way more sceurity but it was a geat experince

It was my son's and my grandson's first time. They loved it

What a bright renovation! I always have loved going to the arch. Enjoying the museum and of course the trip to the top If all of the excellent views. It was always a little dark and dreary on the underside. However the new version of the arch is extremely bright! The museum seems to be missing some unique touches of the old Museum but still was enjoyable. The fountain and lakes on the new grounds are a beautiful touch. Such a pleasure to be able to walk around such beauty.

It is an impressive work of architectural art! You can go to the top and look around, there are horse carriages, helicopter rides, and a steam boat to float around on. You can also visit an old courthouse and church that are within park grounds.

Amazing. The museum was very nice and informative. Going up the arch was cramped. A little hard when you have tall or big people, but a great experience for us. We went later in the day and it was not as busy and then got to enjoy sitting on the steps facing the river. The weather was great also

We purchased tram tickets to the top of the arch online so there was no wait to board the tram. Trams are small. Going up is easier than waiting to come down. Really tight loading/unloading to come down. $52 2 adults and 2 children for the ride to the top. A bit pricey but something you really need to do once.

The modern museum under the arch, and the delightfully cramped capsules from the 1960's that take you up the arch, all add up to a unique experience that will entertain all ages for half a day. The documentary film is fun for showing 1960's steelworkers in action. Allow time for delays caused by the fact that both the capsules and the film are timed entry. Bicycle racks are available, but are not particularly under surveillance.

My wife says it's so cool but then scary! Find out for yourself if it is scary!

16 dollars to see the entire city totally awesome. It was a great experience. You can see old courthouse, Busch stadium, Union building etc. I stayed up top for over an hour. It would be nice to have a cup of coffee:) while watching the city from 630 ft. But they don t allow beverage.

Really cool area to see the history behind it. The view is incredible.

The revamped museum is soooooo much better than the previous. If you havnt been since the remodel, go and go soon!

A must visit if you are in St. Louis. The newly renovated museum is phenomenal. It is divided into 6 parts, each part depicting a different time of St. Louis. I love it. (P.S.: it s free). The tram ride to the top is definitely worth it (13/person). Some people find the tram car to be small. I thought it was okay (and I m 6 ft. tall). The staff at this place is very helpful and polite too. All in all, a very enjoyable experience.

The new expansion is pretty nice! There is updated displays in the museum, although I would like to see more interactive stuff for the little ones. The new entrance is nice and I like the security and ticket booth set up. The elevators and top is the same of course.

New Renovations are nice need to do something with the top area though

Much more interesting and cooler than I thought it would be. Friendly staff and it's inexpensive to visit.

Well worth the ride to the top. The attraction was remodeled prior to summer 2018. The entrance is hard to find if you are under the arch. Head away from the river and you will get to it towards the end of the grassy area. The entrance area has excellent air conditioning so it is a relief in summer. There are a lot of displays to learn about the area prior to boarding the carts to the top. The 5 person carts to carry you 3 minutes to the top of the arch are very small and have a small window to see the inner structure of the arch. The cart is about the size of a compact car designed to hold 5 people, but 5 are squished in. Consider this if you are claustrophobic. The cart is a clunky ride where you should feel secure but there is a lot of mechanical noise from a system constructed with some old equipment.
The experience at top over 600 feet above the entrance way is fantastic.Looking east, west.and down is a beautiful view. The view eastward an hour before is amazing where the long shadows from downtown and arch look impressive. You can stay at the top as long as you want. The ride down is about 3 minutes in the same cramped cart.

Incredible view of the city and a wonderful historic landmark. great for the whole family

Even though we weren't able to go up in the arch, we had a good time. We could get into the museum and gift shop, but just needed a reservation.

Cool... but shouldn't be a national park, but a memorial, historic park, or monument. Right downtown St. Louis. No trees, plants, wildlife, or natural features unique to the park or that need protecting. Just a cool architectural feature in an inner city green space. There is a court house were Dred Scott sued for his independence. If you are looking for grandeur and the natural beauty of a national park, seek elsewhere.

Thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the arch. Loved the ride up and view from the top.
The movie was excellent. Very interesting to see how the arch was constructed.

The arch is an amazing piece of architecture. We were especially impressed by our tram guide Adam. He was very helpful and full of knowledge.

Nice veiw but the room at the top is very crowded. Would not reccomend for those who don't do well with tight spaces or being high up. The park around the monument is still quite nice, however.

The Arch, a Federal site, recently completely updated the museum with a film of the construction of the arch, interactive learning devices, etc. And of course, you can take a ride to the top of the arch. The word iconic is overused. In contrast, the arch is truly iconic, meaning that many people around the world know it as a unique display of architecture and major engineering feat for its time.

First time actually going inside and up in the top of the arch and I loved it! No issues at all, tour was simple and got straight to the point, instructions were easy to follow the whole time. There is also a museum under, a gift shop, and a place to eat! Highly recommend if you come to St. Louis.

The renovation is absolutely beautiful! So bright and modern. You could spend many hours in the museum enjoying all that's there. Lunch in the cafe is yummy and offers some St.Louis novelties.

Whoa man. That thing is way bigger than I thought. Definitely worth a see up close

The tram tour to the top is totally worth it.. one time experience. Loved it!

Wow. I am not a fan of heights and was a bit intimidated at the size of this structure. I had no idea it was taller than the Space Needle. The ride up in the small capsule with 5 people was interesting to say the least. The views though were incredible. I loved seeing Busch Stadium lit up at night. The line wasn't too bad at night and the video showing how it was made was really awesome. I highly recommend this place it was awesome. Thank you for that.

Pure energy at night when the moon is shining. Stand directly underneath and look up

The arch is just amazing and loads of fun. there aren't many things like this to enjoy in the US, if you have the opportunity you sure and try it.

Very beautiful place and the Arch is such a stunning design! My family and I enjoyed the view, and enjoyed getting close by it taking pictures. It was busy during the time that we went, so we were not able to ride up the arch, but we were looking forward to it. Maybe next time during a future trip! We still had a great time!

If it wasn't for my wife coming back fm the store, we never would have known our waitress was hacking all over our food. We promptly left!!

The area is nice. Parking is a bit crazy, requires about a half mile or more walk from parking to Arch. The museum is always packed and will take a while to get in. The wait in line to the top of the Arch is excruciatingly long. The open park under the Arch is a nice area for picnics and play.

This was my second time visiting the Gateway Arch. I really enjoy the history of the area and the museum and displays. I really like going up the trams to the top. The views are spectacular! The trams are tight, but it is well worth it!

Wooow! I didn't imagine something this big! It is beautiful at the sunset with some purple clouds... Amazing. The area is peaceful, a lot of people just lay on the grass to read a book or have a quick lunch! Really enjoyed the moment. Because of the covid situation you can't enter the arch and go at the top right now. But even from the ground it is worth the trip!

It would be better to attend during off peak hours if you don't like large crowds but they have a decent system to keep the foot traffic moving. My kids LOVED the view from the top and found the tram ride up pretty fascinating.

Museum renovation was well done! Free to visit and worth the time to take it all in!

How can you not like the gateway Arch? This is a staple for when you visit. There is an observation deck located at the top, so you get to ride the fun elevator up!

Great experience! You have to try it. I had no idea an entire museum is underground below the arch! The ride up can be a little intimidating for those that are claustrophobic, but make it to the top and your rewarded with some amazing views! Could have done without the panhandlers outside as we were taking pictures.

I love this place! Saint Louis is a great city (Springfield is better ;) , and this is obviously the best place there. The gift shop is cool and they had some Arch themed root beer, which was a nice treat but if I recall maybe overpriced. The best thing to do there is go ride the elevator to the top. I personally wasn't disappointed, but I had family waiting at the bottom who thought that I was at the top for 45 minutes, when really it was only 15 with all the waiting and elevator rides. Just know that before you go.

I have driven by the arch so many times during my 30 years a truck driver, I finally took the opportunity to stop and visit...
Was well worth the stop

Amazingly fun and scary! Very beautiful from the outside, and the view from the top is so wonderful.

Wonderful. Awesome greatest place in St. Louis. Can be for family and friends or a romantic date. History and exploring with excitement. The renovation is amazing. All them kids had a blast and we're not bored. The cafeteria food was really good with limited options, but you get to eat at the Gateway Arch museum. Can't pass that up. The ARCH grounds and park so relaxing and exciting to watch the River activities.

It was amazing I went up in the Arch and got some really pretty pictures the only thing is if you are Claustrophobic or scared of heights it is very educational because there is a documentary, cruise and a museum. There is also a store with good priced items.