Sight Riverfront, Downtown St. Louis & the Arch
Gateway Arch National Park
A sight in Riverfront, Downtown St. Louis & the Arch, moderately priced ($$) and worth about 2 hours. Best time to go: Morning Dec 30.
Why go
The 630-foot steel arch on the riverfront, with a tram to an observation room at the top and a museum below.
It is one of 6 curated places we feature in Downtown St. Louis & the Arch, alongside 2 activities, 1 place for a drink and 1 place to eat. The closest of our other picks is Kiener Plaza, 0.3 mi away as the crow flies.
- Type
- Sight
- Neighborhood
- Riverfront
- Price
- $$
- Time needed
- 2 hr
- Best time
- Morning Dec 30
Nearby
Our closest curated picks, including 1 beyond Downtown St. Louis & the Arch. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.
- 1Kiener Plaza
Downtown plaza facing the Old Courthouse and the Arch, home of the free Winterfest Neon Nights party on Dec 31.
Activity · 0.3 mi straight-line - 2City Museum
Old shoe warehouse turned into a playground of caves, slides, tunnels and rooftop climbs built from salvaged parts.
Activity · 1.0 mi straight-line - 3Grand Hall at Union Station
Barrel-vaulted 1894 lobby of the old train station, now a bar with a light show projected on the ceiling.
Drinks · 1.3 mi straight-line - 4St. Louis Union Station Hotel
Hotel inside the restored 1894 Romanesque train station, on the MetroLink line to the airport and Forest Park.
Stay · 1.3 mi straight-line - 5Crown Candy Kitchen
Soda fountain open since 1913 in Old North St. Louis, known for BLTs, malts and house-made chocolates.
Food · 2.0 mi straight-line - 6Pappy's Smokehouse
Memphis-style barbecue counter in Midtown, known for dry-rubbed ribs that often sell out.
Food · Forest Park & the Central West End · 2.2 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Gateway Arch National Park is a stop on our St. Louis New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
When to go
Average daily highs in Downtown St. Louis & the Arch run from 39°F in January to 88°F in July; May is usually the wettest month. For Gateway Arch National Park itself, we suggest: Morning Dec 30.
Modelled monthly averages for Downtown St. Louis & the Arch from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Downtown St. Louis & the Arch weather by month.
Getting there
Map links open a live search for Gateway Arch National Park, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Coordinates
- 38.62460, -90.18500
- Destination
- Downtown St. Louis & the Arch, Missouri
- Website
- nps.gov
Gateway Arch National Park: quick answers
How much time do you need at Gateway Arch National Park?
Plan on about 2 hours at Gateway Arch National Park. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Gateway Arch National Park?
Our pick: Morning Dec 30. Insider tip: Book tram tickets ahead and check holiday hours before you go.
Which TripsCircle routes include Gateway Arch National Park?
Gateway Arch National Park appears on St. Louis New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Gateway Arch National Park to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Downtown St. Louis & the Arch.
Plan Downtown St. Louis & the Arch
- Downtown St. Louis & the Arch travel guide 6 places
- Best time to visit Downtown St. Louis & the Arch weather by month
- Downtown St. Louis & the Arch to Forest Park & the Central West End 5.1 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.