St. Louis Gateway Arch
add photos35 Reviews for St. Louis Gateway Arch
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'11, '12
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"national park"
Monument and national park. Due to national park status, the jr ranger program interested my older boy, and the museum was of interest to him to. Of course the arch itself was impressive and the ride to the top was an experience the kids enjoyed. The observatory was cool too. Great visit.
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"Very fun!"
The kids really enjoyed the museum. Unfortunately, we were not able to go on the tram because it broke down. I asked if it happened often and was told that it wasn't uncommon. They did try to get us onto another tram, but the time just went by and we had to leave. That was disappointing.
The gift shop had many things to buy at many different levels in cost. You could spend as little as .51cents for a stamped penny, or you could spend much more! We were able to afford gifts for friends as well as things for ourselves and the kids.
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"Ride up is not ideal, but..."
The ride up to the top of the Gateway Arch is an uncomfortable experience!! It is stuffy, cramped and downright scary. But, the view at the top is breathtaking!!! We had a great time and took tons of pictures. It is a must do if you are in the area!
1 family found this helpful
"The arch"
This is great place to visit not only for its beauty on the ground but also because of the things underground.Beneath the arch there is a museum chronicling early American history with fun and interesting exhibits. The exhibits are set up great to catch kids' interest, but are interesting for adults as well. Expect to wait in a long line in order to get inside. We had to bring a small chair for our 4 y.o. son and some toys for him to play while we waited in the line. After a great underground day you may try the nearby caffe for a yummy meal.
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"Once is enough"
My family and I went to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis the end of last summer. It was so unbelievably crowded we could't hardly stand it. It was so impressive to walk up to, but once inside it was nuts! We had to wait for 2.5 hours just to get in line for the ride. Then another 45 till we got to go up. Once at the top, it was so crowded we were literally elbow to elbow. Could hardly even get to a window to look out.....aauuuggghhh!! Everyone should do it once, but that is enough for a lifetime!!
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"Fun and educational"
I have been to the St. Louis Arch several times and it's always a lot of fun. Beneath the arch there is a museum chronicling early American history with fun and interactive exhibits. The exhibits are set up great to catch kids' interest, but are interesting for adults as well. There are also two IMAX theaters and, of course, you can travel up the Arch to the viewing platform. The view really depends on the weather, but the ride up in the original elevator cars is fun! If you go during the week, expect to contend with multiple field trip groups.
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"Lots of fun"
You probably don't want to ride up the arch if you are clautrophobic. If you can stand tight places, riding a "pod" to the top is really a blast. The design is facinating, and the view is spectacular once you reach the top. The museum underneath is very well done, and you won't want to miss it. A great experience for all ages.
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"Informative"
It was very interesting to see how they had built the arch before going up into it. The movie sort of boring for the younger generation, but it was also very informative. The "pod" to take you up to the top of the arch though was cramped; about a three and a half by four little "pod" to hold five people. It had amazing views at the top once you got there though.
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"A Great Experience"
The St. Louis Arch is a landmark that is well worth visiting! Not only is it a great experience to ride in the tiny capsules to the top, but the museum underneath is very educational and entertaining. My kids loved the entire experience. They thought the elevator was a space ship and loved the giant stuffed buffalo in the museum.
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"A St. Louis Must"
The St. Louis is Arch is in all the history books as the Gateway to the West. This attraction is a must. It might be the same everytime you go but everytime I seem to learn something different. The museum itself is free but you have to pay to go up to the top and to some of the different shows. The ride up to the top is different and if you are someone who doens't like tight spaces, well....just trust me, it's worth it!!! Close your eyes and you will be at the top in no time. The views at the top are awesome. My daughter loves how the cars look like matchbox cars. It is a beautiful place.
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"Great Fun!"
I was skeptical of this attraction at first, thinking it wouldn't be very kid friendly. That turned out not to be true. Much of the museum/souvenier part was underground, which the kids loved. The little elevator ride up was CRAZY! And the view from the top was absolutely amazing! Loved it! Worth doing again.
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"Never gets old"
I know it doesn't seem all that exciting because it's the same every time but for some reason it never gets old. I see the arch every time I visit St. Louis, to me it is the mascot of St. Louis and possibly of Missouri as a whole. Like the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State Building it is a unique attraction that you just have to see to believe. I love sitting in the weird elevator that doesn't go straight up and sitting on the ledge of the windows at the very top looking as far into the distance as possible. Even just looking at the shiny exterior of the base is amazing and thinking about all the people who are sitting at the top of this gravity-defying marvel is intoxicating.
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"Worth Seeing"
Being from around the St. Louis area, it's very easy to take the St. Louis Arch for granted. We see it often and it's more of a piece of scenery for us rather than a landmark. That being said, the arch is is something everyone should at least experience once in life. Walking into (or under) the arch brings you to a museum... sometimes boring to kids, appealing to some adults, and to an area to purchase your tickets for your ride to the top. This is the most incredible part of the Arch (besides standing at it's base and looking up at it.) The view from the top is nothing short of incredible, and on a windy day you can even feel the Arch sway a little (good for those adventure seekers out there.) But be warned: the ride to the top is not the most comfortable. The cars that click their way up to the top are small. In fact, small may be an understatement, so kids who don't do well in large spaces may go stir crazy by the time they actually get to the top (which can take 10 - 15 minutes). If you make it there, you're golden! The view is priceless... (and the tickets aren't thaaat expensive.)
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"Love the Arch!"
We love taking our family to the Gateway Arch anytime we are near St. Louis. The kids love going around the museum and hearing stories. And of course, the highlight is to ride to the top of the arch and look out at the city. Amazing! Something you definitely want to do if you are around St. Louis.
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"Worth Seeing"
This is one of those must see's as a tourist, but it is just an arch. If you are claustrophobic the tiny pea pods you ride to the top of the arch in are a bit much. My two tips? Go early and buy tickets online. The Westward Expansion Museum isn't bad either. Definitely educational and the kids think it is cool. The Movie is great, much like an imax. If you are there, I wouldn't miss the movie or the museum.
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"Fun! But can be scary."
If you plan on going to the top of the arch, there are a couple of things to warn your kiddos about ahead of time. First, on a very windy day, the arch will sway a bit. Second, to get to the top, they load 5 people at a time on a tiny little "pod" that goes up a track to the top. It can feel a little cramped and the ride can be bumpy.
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"Do it at least once..."
The St. Louis symbol, the Gateway to the West is a definite trip at least once. You can reserve tickets online as you will be scheduled for a specific trip time. The earlier you reserve the better chance you will have of getting your preferred time. There is a museum in the base of the Arch that chronicles the expansion of the West. The best part though is the extreme climb via a very small elevator to the top of the Arch. From the viewing windows you can look at the miniscule things below and feel the sway back in forth!
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"Must see"
If your visiting the area, or even driving through you have to see the Arch. The grounds along the riverfront is a great place to picnic. The Arch Museum is interesting, educational, and free! There is a nominal charge to ride to the top of the Arch but totally worth it to see the view. May not be so good however for small kids or adults who are afraid of heights or confined spaces.
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"Not for young kids"
We really like going to the Arch and seeing the Arch, but haven't been inside as much, as our kids are little and are too scared to go to the top (and I don't want to pay so much $ for scared children in a tram ride) - there's not much at the top anyway. :) The park around it is fun and good green space downtown, and the museum inside is fun if it's a rainy day.
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"So much fun!"
And educational. Can hardly believe that it took us moving to Pennsylvania and then coming back to visit family before we ever visited the Arch. Our daughter was about 5 years old and she loved it! She even enjoyed walking around the little museum before going up in the tram. Her favorite part was the capsule to the top! She even says now at 11 she would love to go back and take her baby brother who is only 2!
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