St. Louis Gateway Arch - St. Louis, MO Review

Many cities have a specific landmark that is instantly recognizable by most anyone and is often used to identify the city. Some of these landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, have become the symbol of their respective cities. St. Louis, Missouri, fits into this category. The landmark that most of us associate with St. Louis is the Gateway Arch, a tribute to the western expansion and Thomas Jefferson's vision of an ever- expanding United States in the early 19th century. This memorial is located on the banks of the Mississippi River, right on the edge of downtown St. Louis.

Monument Commentary:

Gateway Arch is a massive, stainless- steel monument that rises more than 630 feet above the ground, and is recognizable from many miles away. As you approach from the East, via Interstate 70, the arch slowly becomes visible around 12 miles outside the city. There's an observation room, at the top of the arch, which can be reached only by taking the Arch Tram; a small, cramped enclosure that takes you up the inside of the arch, to the room at the top. The tram is very small inside. They claim that it can hold four or five passengers, but I can't see how this is possible (unless all 5 are under 10 years of age). Each tram car is similar to an amusement park ride. You climb inside, through a hole in the wall, along with a few other passengers. The door is closed, and you begin your ascent to the top. Since the tram has to navigate the curves of the arch, you will notice that the car will start to rock, as it adjusts itself to the center of gravity, ensuring that the passengers remain upright. If you suffer from extreme claustrophobia, you might not be able to handle these small trams. Keep in mind, though, that this is the only way to get to the top.

Once you reach the top, you can enjoy the view from the observation windows. There are a few windows on each side of the monument, facing downtown St. Louis to the west and East St. Louis to the east. The windows are not very large, and you might have to stand and wait your turn, to catch a glimpse of the view. It's worth the wait, though, to look out over the city from 630 feet above the ground. You can look down into the stadiums and out over the downtown area of St. Louis. In the opposite direction, you can view the Mississippi River and watch the steamboats as they travel up and down the great river. Other than the river, there isn't much to see to the east. Most of the scenery can be found to the west, overlooking the city.

There's also a museum dedicated to the Gateway Arch, located at the base. Here, you can find out all sorts of facts detailing the construction of the arch and the trams. Every little bit of detail is covered, like the precise engineering that went into the construction of the monument and the special design structure of the trams that makes them operate effectively.

Bottom Line Viewpoint:

There are monuments all over the world that symbolize their respective cities. For the city of St. Louis, that famous symbol is the Gateway Arch, the centerpiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. The ride to the top can be a bit discomforting to those who are claustrophobic, but I recommend it to anyone who visits this monument. It's a great feat of engineering, and a must- see attraction if you ever visit St. Louis.