Gateway Arch & Old Courthouse

When visiting St. Louis, this totally has to be on the To-​Do list. Fun for everyone, and a major must see! Since it was the hubbster and mine first time, we couldn’t resist the chance of going straight to the top.
Starting at the Old Courthouse, our Fam walked up the steps and then came into viewing a spectacular interior from the hallway and then up to the ceiling. Our smart phones did their best in capturing the artistry, but its really a sight for your own eyes to see. We then moved on to purchasing the tickets for the «pod» ride up to the famous arch. There is a replicated «pod» model to sit in before you experience the real thing. Staff is friendly and are able to answer any questions. Once we were ready, we all went ahead and crossed the street to the entrance for the arch. Before the ride, there is a brief introduction of the Arch’s history done by an Attraction host or hostess, and when that’s completed, the tour begins to the «pod» entrance.
The Fam enjoyed the ride up, which wasnt too long — about 4 mins. Once inside, we were at the actual top of the arch. Super AMAZING views of the St. Louis, and the Mississippi river are to be seen! A++ for simple adventure and cool city views!
Perks: Awesome day trip for the Fam or school kids. If you are a tourist, its not as pricey to do for your Itinerary. Picture taking is highly recommended!
KNOW before you GO: If you are claustrophobic, or have any health concerns like high anxiety, heart issues or phobias, please let the staff know right away before going up. They may already ask you ahead of time before you pay for your tickets. Also, there are NO restrooms at the top of the arch.
Awesome TIP: As with any other tourist attraction, there is the commemorative photo op before you go inside. To souvenir or not? Be wise. (photos are $ 25-​$ 30)
OverALL: Fun with history. Fun with the Family. Tourists welcome! Its all worth it!

Not sure why there’s a Unilocal entry combining both the Old Courthouse and the Gateway Arch as those are two different places. For what it’s worth, you can purchase tickets to the Gateway Arch at the Old Courthouse as we did. The ticket center also has a demonstration pod showing the crazy sci-​fi like vehicle you will be riding in on your «Journey to the Top». Friendly staff at both locations.

The old court house is a beautiful building! We took lots of pics. A lot of history took place there, that’s for sure. The building isn’t wheelchair or stroller friendly at all. The elevator used to get up was closed so we had to carry the double and single stroller up stairs. Didn’t really care for that but we wanted to see everything as a family.

I enjoyed my visit here. The museum inside or near the arch was interesting but I was most amazed by the arch. I got online to read about why it was build and other details after my trip there. Good place for kids and people visiting out of town. If you are scared of heights you must overcome them because the ride up to the top of the arch is a great experience and the view from the top is breathtaking.

Worst place in USA have a chain link fence all around it if you are handicapped you can’t get it boo to st Louis

Gateway Arch & Old Courthouse is certainly a bucket list event for any American.
I will be the first to admit that the Saint Louis experience leaves a lot to be desired, hell I couldn’t wait to get out of there. That said, the Gateway Arch really was a jaw dropping experience. Of course I have seen countless times on television but I had no idea how massive this landmark really is. It is hard to describe in words and I would implore that everyone should see it at least once in there life. The Old Courthouse, well it is an Old Courthouse. No surprises there. No real awe factor either.
The good news is that you can’t miss the Arch if you withing 30 miles of STL, it is as big as any of the towers. A must see.

Yeah, this is incredibly touristy, but you have to do it!
The Old Courthouse is beautiful and underrated. The Dred Scott case was commenced here and it has a rich history. It is interesting to see time stand still in the restored capital and courtroom. Not to mention, it is air conditioned and sometimes you need a little cool off…
Now the arch:
1 — Pack water and snacks!
2 — This is a great park so spend some time here.
3 — Wear comfortable shoes, walking is unavoidable.
4 — Use the parking garage, they do not kick you out after your visit and you can walk around the landing as well. The price is really affordable.
5 — There are two entrances to the visitors center (where you take the elevator up). So check each side, sometimes one line is shorter.
6 — The elevator? If you are claustrophobic just do not chance it. They are tiny, seriously google it.
7 — The arch is gorgeous but you can get the best pictures from the steps of the courthouse.
So have fun! Definitely not a place to skip.

The Gateway Arch is a must see if you are passing through St. Louis. We were there on a warm, sunny day and there were hundreds of people in the park area that surrounds the arch. After taking a bunch of photos and checking out the park area we entered the visitor center under the arch. Security was tight at the national monument. Comparable to airport security with walk through metal detectors. Access to the visitor center is free. They have a very nice museum/​visitor center with animatronic figures that talk and give info. There are many interesting exhibits to view. There is also a nice gift shop located in the visitor center.
We paid the $ 10 per person to ride the elevator to the top of the arch. Each elevator compartment seats 5. It is a tight fit (think of 5 adults shoved into a broom closet). The elevator swivels like a ferris wheel as you ride to the top, so it is best to evenly distribute the weight in your elevator. The 4 minute ride is a little nerve racking, and if you aren’t claustrophobic you might be by the end. There is a stairway, I’m not sure if it is open to the public or if it’s for emergencies only, but they said that it’s 1,076 steps to the top. Once you reach the top there are great views of St. Louis and the Mississippi river. I also found it a little nerve racking leaning out against the walls to view through the windows. I believe they said the Gateway Arch is 630 feet high, the tallest national monument (higher than the Washington Memorial and almost twice as high as the Statue of Liberty. Definetly worth a trip to the top if you’ve got the nerve.
Parking was an issue during our visit. There was a lot of road construction in the area. You are best off parking downtown, several parking ramps are located right next door to th Busch Stadium (St. Louis Cardinals ballpark), Which I didn’t mind because it gave me a chance to check out the ballpark. The walk is only about 3 blocks to the Gateway Arch.
After checking out the arch, there is a beautiful plaza area located behind the old courthouse. Nice fountains, gardens, and sitting area (This area seems to attract the homeless people after dark), but very pleasant during the daylight hours!

A St. Louis must-​see. When you go here, it might be a good idea to bring some activities to play in the park where the arch sits. It’s a really nice and scenic place to just hang out. I haven’t been up since I was a little kid, but I hear it’s not thaaaat great. The long line outside is for the museum beneath the arch, you still have to buy tickets for a later time to go up the monument.

IF YOU ARE CLAUSTROPHOBIC, FUH-​GET ABOUT IT HONEY. THE «CAPSULE» ELEVATOR IS NOT FOR YOU.
TIP: *** THERE ARE TWO ENTRANCES.*** The closest one to the parking lots usually have a longer line. There’s another entrance to that other side of the arch (between 620 – 640 feet walk) and it is not as crowded since no one else (tourists, precisely) knows about it. The only way you would know, if you’re not familiar with all the hulla-​balloos, is when one of the (dare-​i-​say?) rangers (???) or «arch-​workers» inform you that THE OTHER END OF THE ARCH HAS A SHORTER LINE; then the youngsters with stronger, longer, strides and more dense, calve-​muscles sprints towards, and if you are over the age of 30 (and about 25 or more, for the alcoholics or/​and smokers out there) you better keep post. You just might lose this battle.
It was a short and sweet trip to St. Louis (minus our awful experience with Budget rental cars off of the St. Louis International Airport — please take the time to read that, and if you dont have time time, in a nut shell: READ YOUR RECEIPT BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE COUNTER. gets?)
A-​N-​Y-​W-​A-​Y:
$ 10 per person. There is a designated time when the «capsule» elevator takes you up, but there is no designated time when you come down (you can stay there until closing time, if you want, but you MIGHT stay up there for 45 minutes TOPS.) The elevator was a bit, tiny tiny tiny bit, scary.
There’s «The Westward Expansion Museum (which we didn’t check out,) a small gift shop (where we bought a magnet,) and a cute little food boutique where you can buy nuts and chocolate bits and what have you (which I took pictures of their products but didn’t buy anything.) Theres also some kind of theatre there. All of these are available at ground floor.
However, when you do manage to go to the top without imagining yourself hyperventilating, it’s … it’s kinda cute. Honestly, it’s not all that thrilling (but I have been to some really high and very picturesque places.) In all fairness, it does offer you some bragging rights to say «I was atop the arch of the ‘gateway to the west.’ «Yet, you look to one side: there’s a miniature view of the old capital, some buildings, and the stadium — then, on the other side: the nutrient-​rich, muddy Mississippi River and that kick-​ass water fountain. All in all, for 10 bucks, it is not too shabby. Check it out. Take pics for 30 minutes downstairs and another 30 – 45 minutes upstairs.
PHOTO OP TIP: there are these stairs by the river, side-​ways of the arch where you can sit. Have someone sit on top of the stairs and your «photographer» kinda lie down and take the pic from ‘ground up.’ This should give you a slight less-​flattering frontal profile view from under your chin, BUT it will get the arch as your background. Check out my St. Louis profile pic — not the best, but you will get the drift.

What can I say. It’s a St. Louis icon, a symbol of westward expansion. If your in St. Louis… Go!
The look out at the top is amazing, you can see the new stadium and the river. The museum and visitor center is very well done. There are two theaters, gift shop, photo center.
Warning. The tiny little egg shaped pod that they call a «tram» to the top can make the toughest of claustrophobs reeling (not me of course). It does feel a little like a Disney land ride, standing in line waiting for the doors to open… Watching a info movie to keep the masses entertained.
Also; try not to go when there is a school field trip or a weekend. That’s a given though I’m sure :-)

I like the Arch and it is nice to just get in the pod that takes you the top of the 630 feet construction of steel!
This is my second time on top but my first time I was so excited and I loved everything about it, especially the view is beautiful of the city and river.
The second time I went I wasn’t as amazed it was still beautiful but not as exciting for me. It’s a one time deal of things to do in my opinion. This time I went with my friend. It was cool to be with someone to see their face and get wrapped up in their excitement about going to the top of the Arch. Although the view was still gorgeous the look on my friend’s face was priceless, as the Arch swayed a little when the wind blew she had enough… I think we were up there 5 minutes, even the people we rode up with in the pod asked us if we were leaving… I just shook my head yes and the sightseeing part of our fun and food adventure was over… lol, she was ready to go and go we did… lol
When you get your ticket they tell you the tour is about 45 – 60 minutes note that is wait time to get on the pod that takes you to the top of the Arch is added into that time frame. It only takes about 4 minutes to get to the top once you enter the pod.
After you get up there depending on the amount of people that are on top of the Arch you may be there for 10 to 15 minutes… there is no time frame once you get up to the either so if you wanted to stay longer you can!
I’m still glad I was able to experience the Arch and although I didn’t stay up there that long the second time I think its something to see the city from that high up, we even saw a wedding while we were there this time!
If small wonders become big wonders to you then this a must see!

I’ve always wanted to come here and finally made it! I had a great time and the crowd wasn’t too bad at all. The elevators going to the top were very unique. I was very surprised how tall it was, only seeing it from a distance you dont really apprecaite it until your next to it. There are some beautiful views from the top.

Out of towners just wanting to check a national monument off the list. It was pretty neat. Could either be a half hour trip or 3 hour trip depending on the movies you wanted to watch. Have a free museum to walk through while waiting for your tram to take you to the top. I think there could have been more info and facts about the arch on the tour. Tram cars a little small but we all fit just fine.

Don’t let the simplicity of the Gateway Arch fool you. What looks simple and timeless defied a lot of odds in its construction. From start to finish, I enjoyed my experience here. I would highly recommend purchasing tickets for the tram to the top ahead of time because lines can be crazy. Also, I would highly recommend paying the extra $ 5 to see the 20 min movie that details the construction of the arch from start to finish. It sheds a new light on your experience there and you walk away in awe of the engineering feat that you stand in. What’s also cool about this place is the unexpected surprise of the Lewis and Clark museum located underground. It’s free and a must see, so allow yourself the time to do it all. You should note that parking in the garage is free if you show your receipt before exiting, which is really nice.
Beware that from the time you clear the ticket taker, it can take another 45 minutes before actually getting into the tram that will take you to the top of the arch. The tram looks like a little capsule that holds a maximum of 5 people. The ride to the top is definitely unlike any other elevator experience you have had and might be overwhelming from those who suffer from heights or claustrophobia. However, it is so worth it when you do finally make it to the top. On a clear day, from 630 ft. high, the windows offer views up to 30 miles away. It is the only place in St. Louis that this will happen.
Also, the grounds that the arch is located on, border the banks of the mighty Mississippi, and on a nice day, this would be an ideal location to picnic at.
Tourist trap or not, the Arch is a must-​see in St. Louis!

Oh… World’s Fair constructions that offer a view. A touristy «must» — but really. Sort of underwhelming.
The museum downstairs is amusing and free like all city museums, but move onto the Arch itself and you pay a decent amount for not that great of an experience. First you get shoved into these ancient rickety pods and slowly make your journey to the top. No views on this portion of the trip. Once up top you have like what… a 7×20ft room with teensy little windows overlooking the river or the city. The view IS nice, although only goes in two directions. Wow, well… then. This proves interesting for all of 5 minutes tops, then you get yourself back into a claustrophobic line to take those little pods back down.
So the arch, fun to do once — but I wouldn’t recommend repeat visits.

The must-​see of St Louis, but not for the claustrophic or acrophobic (fear of heights). Takes you up all the way to the top and you can see parts of the city, although the slough behind it isn’t really that impressive. My dad and brother even got to watch a baseball game while they were up there, the «really cheap seats,» as they called them. You can spend unlimited time up at the top, but five to ten minutes will suffice.
The only problem is that the cable cars are tiny! (hence the claustrophic warning) Best for children or adults under five feet. You are hunched over all the way up and down.
The museum below the Arch is free for all and has some worthwhile exhibits. Not the most memorable tourist attraction I’ve visited, but certainly a nice one.

Holy f*ck, is it moving? I think I just sh*t my pants. Excuse me, does your gift shop sell fresh undergarments?
These are just a few of memorable quotes that could be heard while visiting the Gateway Arch. 100% of them may have originated from my mouth, but can you blame me? It was an exceptionally windy day and that piece was swaying like a m*ther f*cker. Some ‘Day After Tomorrow’ ish, Fo Sho.
It was really.truly.super.unbelievably cool to see up close and in person. I defo thought just driving by it would be enough for me but once getting the parking sitch figured out, I’m oh so glad we made the mild but violently windy march to touch, feel, and sway with the Gateway to the West.
Highlight: walk out on the lawn area to the mid-​point marker with your Mr. (or Miss) LoverLover. Lay down, look up, make out. Can haz awesomez + V. romantic… as long as you don’t sh*t your pants.

Always a good thing to visit when in STL! If you want to ride to the top, be prepared to be in a TINY capsule for a few minutes to get up there. it’s fine as long as you aren’t claustrophobic. Sometimes it’ll get crowded so maybe going on a weekday would be better for those who don’t like the crowds. You can get some great photos taken from the top on a clear day, and definitely take some cool photos at the bottom.

Marine week was awesome!!!