Welcome to the Jefferson Westward Expansion Memorial - or better known as the Gateway Arch.
The memorial park is undergoing an expansion and renovation right now, but the arch just recently reopened one of the trams to the top observation deck.
Once you enter the memorial you see a lot of construction going on. The theatre (which is behind this wall) is still open and is showing a documentary on the arch from design to conception.
When fully operational, there a total of two trams (one in each leg of the arch) that consist of 8 pods that seat 5 passengers each.
Here is a look into one of the pods. Each seat 5 people. It is a very cramped space. The ceiling is only about 4 feet tall. I'm 6'4" and had to sit crouched over to fit in. Luckily, there were only two other passengers in the pod with me.
Welcome to the top of the arch.
The apex of the arch is 630 feet above the ground.
You can look out through these windows on either side of the arch.
The Illinois side of the arch gives you a view of the Mississippi River.
This side of the river is not as developed as the Missouri side (in my opinion).
Looking straight down you can see the steps down to the riverfront. You can also see the shadow of the arch, which is always one of my favorite things to look at from so far up.
On the Missouri side, there is a lot more to look at.
Here is that expansion to the Memorial that I was talking about. This will be the new entry to arch and museum that is scheduled to open later this summer.
There is also a new "green bridge" that crosses over the interstate. This new bridge will connect the Old Courthouse with the arch making a new larger complex. You can also see the Old Cathedral in the lower left hand corner.
Busch Stadium - home of the St. Louis Cardinals. They were having a day game today.
The Gateway Arch is a must stop for visitors to St. Louis. It will be even better when the expansion and renovations are completed this summer.