Gateway Arch

 

Welcome to Gateway Arch National Park

The National Park Museum has received a massive update and expansion since our last visit

The entrance to the museum

The museum is divided into sections.  This section focuses on the design of the arch

A model showing how the elevator works

Here is a model of the tulip style seats that the cabins of the elevator use

This section covers 1838-1860 or the Riverfront Era

There is a big display on riverboats

Here is what the riverfront looked like back then

This section covers 1804 - 1840 or Jefferson's Vision

Statue of Thomas Jefferson

A very large teepee is on display

This section covers 1764 - 1804 or the Colonial St. Louis

There is a cabin on display here

Pelt trading was big during this time

This section covers the Manifest Destiny

Full-sized stagecoach on display

There is also a tribute to Native Americans

This section focuses on 1860 - 1930 or New Frontiers

The big focus here is manufacturing

In the Arch Lobby there is a museum store and models of the arch.  This model shows the visitor viewing area at the top of the arch

A huge wall mural of prominent figures that helped lead to the building and construction of the arch.  Behind the wall is a theatre that shows a documentary on the arch

Before deciding if you actually want to go to the top.  There is a full scale mockup of the top that you can try out.  The real beacon on top of the arch is the same size as the one on display here

Time to take our ride to the top

The capsules are quite snug.

Looking out into the insides of the arch and the emergency staircase

Welcome to the top

The windows aren't very big, but they offer a great view

Illinois

The shadow of the arch on the Mississippi River

One last look at Illinois

Downtown St. Louis, Missouri

There's the new entrance to the Arch

For those wondering what it looks like at the Top during the current "situation"

It is 630' tall at the very center of the top of the Arch

The exit is the old entrances to the Arch.

The Gateway Arch National Park is a great place to visit

Gateway Arch

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.