Plizio Visual Lab

Gateway Arch

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Landmark

Weather…

The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, is the tallest man-made monument in the United States and serves as a symbolic gateway to the West. Designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, the arch takes the form of a weighted catenary curve, standing exactly 192 meters (630 feet) high and wide. The structure is clad in stainless steel and is engineered to withstand wind speeds of up to 150 miles per hour. Construction began in 1963 and was completed in 1965, forming the centerpiece of what is now Gateway Arch National Park. Visitors can ascend to the observation deck at the peak via a unique pod-based tram system, which provides sweeping views of the Mississippi River and the surrounding metropolitan area. It is widely recognized as a masterpiece of mid-century modern architecture and 20th-century structural engineering.

Location: United States
Top sights: Saint Louis Art Museum · World Chess Hall of Fame · National Blues Museum
Nearby: Memphis (15 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-1	1	7	13	19	24	26	25	21	14	7	1
Rain mm	63	64	93	121	130	107	101	93	80	94	86	74

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

The Gateway Arch is open to visitors; you can ride the tram to the top observation deck. The museum below is also worth exploring.

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Typical hours

Generally open from 9:00 to 18:00 daily, with hours extending in summer. Last tram departure is typically one hour before closing.

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Photography

Photography is allowed throughout the Arch, including the observation deck. Tripods may require a permit inside the building.

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Time needed

A visit with the tram ride and museum takes about 2 hours. Add another hour if you stroll the surrounding Jefferson National Expansion Memorial grounds.

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Combine with

Combine with the Old Courthouse directly adjacent, part of the same national park. Also consider the City Museum or Anheuser-Busch Brewery nearby.

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Getting there

Located downtown St. Louis, easily reached by car, light rail, or on foot. Paid parking garages are nearby.

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Insider tip

Buy tram tickets online in advance to avoid long queues. For the best photos, visit during golden hour when the stainless steel glows.

Geography

Coordinates

38.62470, -90.18470

Facts

The total construction cost was approximately $13 million.
The arch weighs approximately 17,246 tons in total.
The foundations extend 60 feet into the ground.
The structure can sway up to 18 inches at the top in high winds.
There are 16 observation windows on each side of the apex.
It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

St. Louis2 km · SExplore →

Jackson, MS2 km · EExplore →

Missouri River9 km · NExplore →

Lake Pontchartrain10 km · NExplore →

Cahokia Mounds14 km · NExplore →

Port of South Louisiana35 km · SExplore →

Slidell45 km · NExplore →

Wisconsin Dells46 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Gateway Arch (14)

Saint Louis Art Museum 🏛 museum

The Saint Louis Art Museum houses over 30,000 works and is located in the Gateway Arch Landmarks area.

🌐 slam.org🕒 Tu-Th 10:00-17:00; Fr 10:00-21:00; Sa-Su 10:00-17:00🆓

World Chess Hall of Fame 🏛 museum

The World Chess Hall of Fame is the world's only museum dedicated to chess, in the Gateway Arch Landmarks area.

🌐 worldchesshof.org🕒 Mo-Tu, Sa 10:00-17:00; We-Fr 10:00-21:00; Su 12:00-17:00🆓

National Blues Museum 🏛 museum

The National Blues Museum celebrates the history and influence of blues music in the Gateway Arch Landmarks area.

🌐 nationalbluesmuseum.org

Sugarloaf Mound 🏺 historical

Sugarloaf Mound is the last remaining Mississippian culture mound in St. Louis.

St. Louis City Hall 🏺 historical

City hall building in St. Louis, serves as government seat.

🌐 stlouis-mo.gov♿

Union Avenue Opera 🎭 culture

Union Avenue Opera performs at the Union Avenue Christian Church in St. Louis.

The Muny 🎭 culture

Outdoor amphitheatre in St. Louis, one of the oldest outdoor musical theatres in the US.

🌐 muny.org♿

First Church of Christ Scientist Saint Louis ⛪ religious

First Church of Christ Scientist Saint Louis is a Beaux-Arts Christian Science church in St. Louis.

Antioch Baptist Church ⛪ religious

Antioch Baptist Church is a brick Gothic Revival Baptist church in north St. Louis.

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis ⛪ religious

Cathedral in Arch designed by Barnett, Haynes, and Barnett Company with a large mosaic interior.

🌐 cathedralstl.org🕒 Mo-Fr 06:00-17:00, Sa-Su 07:00-18:00

The Fabulous Fox 🎭 culture

Historic theatre in St. Louis known for its architecture.

🌐 fabulousfox.com

MacArthur Bridge 📍 landmark

Railroad bridge across the Mississippi River in St. Louis.

McKinley Bridge 📍 landmark

Bridge connecting St. Louis to Illinois across the Mississippi.

Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge 📍 landmark

Cable-stayed bridge carrying Interstate 70 across the Mississippi.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book tickets?

Yes, advance reservations are highly recommended for the tram ride up.

How long does the ride take?

The ride to the top takes about 4 minutes.

Is it suitable for children?

Yes, it is very family-friendly with interactive museums at the base.

Is there parking?

There is no on-site parking, but there are many garages nearby.

How much time to plan?

Plan for 2 to 3 hours for the entire visit.

Gateway Arch: where is it located?

Gateway Arch is located in United States.

Gateway Arch: what is there to see?

Highlights include Saint Louis Art Museum, World Chess Hall of Fame, National Blues Museum.

Gateway Arch: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →

Gateway Arch

Best time to visit & climate