Latest reviews about St. Louis Gateway Arch - St. Louis, MO

OldHippie says "In Memory of Eero Saarinen" about St. Louis Gateway Arch - St. Louis, MO

OldHippie — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:19:00 GMT

America's tallest national monument. But, how did it all begin? From About.com, "In 1935, the federal government selected the St. Louis riverfront as the site for a new national monument honoring the pioneers who explored the American West."

1935! Just goes to show how slowly our government works. It wasn't until 1947 the government began looking for an architect. The winning architect (Eero Saarinen) sadly never saw his design completed. He died of a brain tumor in 1961 at the age of 51, and is buried in Michigan. The Arch wasn't completed until October 28, 1965.

I remember as a boy, every day the weather was nice, workers downtown would eat lunch outside just to watch the construction. And back then, there was no OSHA. (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) Imagine being hundreds of feet up in the air with no safety net? Although there were no harnesses worn by the men working on the Arch and the wind conditions made it a dangerous job, no one was killed...

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philster001 says "Amazing and Fun" about St. Louis Gateway Arch - St. Louis, MO

philster001 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:11:36 GMT

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mommartin7981 says "The Arch is a fairly good attraction." about St. Louis Gateway Arch - St. Louis, MO

mommartin7981 — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 15:59:15 GMT

The tram experience can be very frightening if windy. The trams are also not spacious enough for people that don't like closed in places. On the other hand, the view when you make it to the top is awesome. It is a historical site. The areas around the Arch are also nice to visit, which makes the visiting experience better. The wait can be long to go up. The location along the river and surrounding park is beautiful....

movietiffany says "An amazing sight and a must see in St. Louis" about St. Louis Gateway Arch - St. Louis, MO

movietiffany — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:49:26 GMT

When you drive into St. Louis the Gateway Arch is one of the first things that you see. Even from far away it looks huge and just is an amaazing sight!
When you finally make it to your destination and you can see it a little closer you are still blown away. Parking was a little hard to find which means that you had to walk a little ways, but if you really want to see this then you will go through the trouble.Once you find parking and you walk up to the Arch it takes your breath away. You relize that it is big,but don't relize how much so until you are right upon it. You have to look straight up into the sky which makes the Arch look like it is blowing in the wind and it is going to fall on you! You won't be abe to take a picture of the whole thing just yet,you will have to go further back to achieve this.
Once you are to the door to get into the Arch then you are faced with a long line that you have to wait in. Due to security having to check each person that walks in and you have...

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mecarol says "What an experience and an awesome structure!" about St. Louis Gateway Arch - St. Louis, MO

mecarol — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:56:40 GMT

This was an awesome experience - definitely worth going to if you're in St. Louis. The tour is very well organized and it's great to take the ride up to the top to be able to look over the city. Then downstairs is a great museum and a short movie explaining how St. Louis came to be. Very informative...very well done...very interesting! By the way, if you're claustrophobic, you may want to skip the tram ride to the top - it is small and enclosed. ...

cjstoffels says "Wonderful Museum" about St. Louis Gateway Arch - St. Louis, MO

cjstoffels — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 19:19:45 GMT

The Museum of Westward Expansion in the base of the Arch is well worth visiting. As soon as you arrive purchase your tickets. You'll no doubt have to wait unless you are one of the first visitors of the day. While waiting you can explore the museum which is included for free. It's set up like a time line and is quite astounding. The ride to the top of the Arch is quite cramped but it's not a long ride. Once you are inside the Arch you can feel the wind. It's not easy seeing out of the windows due to their height but you are able to see a long distance on a clear day. If you go on a hot day, be prepared that it's even hotter at the top. Most people don't stay at the top very long because of the small space, remember you will be inside the Arch itself. It's well worth the visit....

bethjo says "Westward Ho" about St. Louis Gateway Arch - St. Louis, MO

bethjo — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 14:37:57 GMT

I live in St. Louis, and love to take visitors up in the arch. Regardless of how many times I go up, it is always special.

The arch defines both St. Louis and the drive for westward expansion. There is a museum in the basement which is nice. However, the experience of visiting the arch is only truly experienced when it is seen in combination with the movie that explains how the arch was built.

The movie is fantastic and gives both kids and adults an idea of how hard it was to construct. Seeing the movie transforms the arch from a great view into a history lesson in construction and architecture. if you are pushed for time and don't see the movie in the arch, buy the video from the gift shop.

The tram line is generally long. The cars are small. Once up, the view is great.

One of the two sights I recommend for visitors to St. Louis.

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Barbee says "Beautiful Landmark" about St. Louis Gateway Arch - St. Louis, MO

Barbee — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 04:27:10 GMT

Many many times over the years we have taken our children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and adults to the St. Louis Gateway Arch. Everyone enjoys it. You can see the Arch from miles away. It sits near the river and is beautiful day or night. When you go in to the Arch, you must go underground. There is a movie room that you can watch a film of the making of the Arch that is fascinating from a architectural view. There is also a museum to go through. For souveniers there is a nice gift shop. If you are not afraid of heights and are not claustrophobic, then you must go to the top of the Arch. The view from the top of St. Louis is awesome....

Mellieisme says "Great Place to See the City" about St. Louis Gateway Arch - St. Louis, MO

Mellieisme — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 04:05:06 GMT

Growing up in St. Louis The Arch is very special to me. I have been up in it several times. After riding in the tram to the top you can see great views of the city and the Mississippi River. The tram cars are small and the room at the top is also small, so be prepared for that. It also sways in the wind which is a strange feeling. Not to be forgotten, there is a neat museum at the foot of the Arch. I think anyone who travels to St. Louis needs to visit the Arch. To me it is the most famous landmark in St. Louis. For those afraid to go to the top, visit the museum or enjoy the park that the Arch sits on....

boogums says "Lots of fun; great for family" about St. Louis Gateway Arch - St. Louis, MO

boogums — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:35:55 GMT

Not only is it amazing piece of architecture, but it is a fun and informitive place to visit. At the bottom of the Arch there is a wonderful (and free), museum, a gift shop, and a lovely little coffee shop.

The Arch sits in the middle of a beautiful park that overlooks the Missouri River, with optional riverboat cruises. Take your family and have a blast!!

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Lo0405Lo says "You'll regret not going up in the Arch later!" about St. Louis Gateway Arch - St. Louis, MO

Lo0405Lo — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 15:03:09 GMT

The last time I was at the St. Louis Arch, years ago, it was 4th of July week/weekend. There was a bunch of us who had waited for over 4 hours to go up in the Arch, in the hot, steaming sun. We finally got up there and got in, but then my Dad and I realized we couldn't take the enclosed feeling and got out. We did not want to risk having a panic attack because of us feeling trapped! Next time I'm in St. Louis, I'm going to break my fear and go up in the Arch!...

sweetheartok says "A whole half hour of fun." about St. Louis Gateway Arch - St. Louis, MO

sweetheartok — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 16:42:33 GMT

When standing below the arch, it is interesting to think about how it was made and how it manages to stand on it's own. It is also nice to ponder who might be watching you from the top of the arch and if they can see you making funny faces. Going up in the arch is not quite as romantic as one might picture, due to the slow-moving, slighlty scary, and very cramped tram cars. Upon reaching the top of the arch, a beautiful view of St. Louis and all it has to offer awaits, and one could spend an entire five to ten minutes contemplating who the people on the ground are, how far one can really see, and what would happen if a freak accident occurred and the arch came tumbling down unexpectedly. Overall, it's a half hour filled with small adrenaline rushes and amusement that is nice to experience at least one in your life. ...

prettygreeneyes says "this is beautifully lit up at night" about St. Louis Gateway Arch - St. Louis, MO

prettygreeneyes — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:37:36 GMT

i love to travel and dont care where its to.. each place has its own special qualities about it. this was maybe the 4th time i have seen the arch and each time i have seen something different about it. the beauty of it when it lights up at night is remarkable and a site to see....

latter8rain says "alot of history in one place" about St. Louis Gateway Arch - St. Louis, MO

latter8rain — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 07:41:00 GMT

St. Louis Arch it holds alot of history in one place. It is easy to get to has ample parking and very educational for youth. The arch is also a very inexpensive site to see. It has a great museum just beneath the arch and an excellent movie explaining the arch and its history. The bad points is the tram to get to the top of the arch is very small and not for anyone affraid of heights. Outside of those 2 downfalls the arch is a wonderful place to visit....

LaurieOCS says "One of a kind!" about St. Louis Gateway Arch - St. Louis, MO

LaurieOCS — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 18:45:46 GMT

It is really something to see the Arch up close and personal (though you can see it from miles away, too!)! I was glad I went up in it, but it was harrowing. The cars are small and it's a noisy, bumpy ride. I thought I'd be ok, even though I don't like heights, because it's enclosed. Not so. That was the closest I've come to a panic attack -- I think all that stopped me from having one was that I knew no matter what happened, I still had to get into that little car and go back down! But even for the faint of heart in terms of heights, it's a cool site to see....