Date Visited: December 7, 2025
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Reviewers: Judy and Evan
Official Website: https://www.nps.gov/jeff/index.htm
Our Visit
We visited Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis on December 7, 2025. This is the smallest national park in the United States, and it's definitely different from the other national parks we've visited. No mountains, forests, or hiking trails to explore. Instead, there's a giant stainless steel arch, a museum, and a rather interesting ride to the top.
It was also SO COLD outside. As Texans, we weren't particularly interested in spending much time wandering around in December weather. Fortunately, most of what we wanted to see was indoors.
Going to the Top
Of course, we had to go to the top of the Arch. That's kind of the point of visiting, right?
What I found most interesting wasn't actually the view, but how we got there. The tram system that takes visitors to the top is a pretty impressive piece of engineering. The Arch is curved, so a traditional elevator wouldn't work. Instead, the tram uses small enclosed capsules that travel along the inside of the structure while adjusting to its changing angle.
I thought the whole mechanism was fascinating. Evan agreed and was particularly impressed with the engineering involved in both the tram and the construction of the Arch itself.
Once at the top, we could look out over St. Louis and the Mississippi River. The view was fine, but I wouldn't call it amazing. It's certainly unique, though. There aren't many opportunities to look out over a city from the top of a giant arch.
The experience of getting up there was more interesting to me than the view itself.
The Museum
The museum underneath the Arch was a pleasant surprise and probably the best part of the park overall.
There's quite a bit of history presented here, and they've done a really nice job with the exhibits. We learned about the history of the area and the engineering behind the Arch. I especially appreciated how much information they managed to fit into the space without making it feel like an afterthought.
Evan rated the historical aspects of the park even higher than I did. He particularly enjoyed learning about the construction, including how the stainless steel exterior was built.
The museum also made the experience more worthwhile for me. Without it, this would have been a pretty short visit.
Interestingly, the exhibits at the top seemed a bit dated compared to the museum below. After seeing how well the museum was done, I would have liked to see the same attention given to the information at the observation area.
Our Favorite Things
My favorite part was the tram mechanism. I liked seeing how they engineered a system to transport people through a curved structure. The ride was a lot more interesting than I'd expected.
Evan's favorite was the museum, although he also thought the tram was impressive. He appreciated the engineering throughout the entire structure, from the stainless steel exterior to the elevators.
We both agreed that the history and engineering were what made this park interesting, rather than the scenery.
Things to Know Before Visiting
We spent about two hours at Gateway Arch National Park, which was plenty of time for what we wanted to see. You could probably do it faster if you only wanted to ride to the top, but I'd recommend allowing time for the museum. It's worth seeing.
The park is also very accessible compared to most national parks. We visited between my chemotherapy and first surgery, when my stamina wasn't great, and I had no trouble enjoying the attractions. There was very little physical effort involved in our visit.
Evan recommends reserving your tram tickets ahead of time if you're visiting during a busy period. It would also be worth choosing a clear day if the view from the top is important to you.
And if you're visiting in December, bring a coat. A good one.
Our Ratings
We use a five-point scale: 1 = Poor, 2 = Below Average, 3 = Average, 4 = Good, and 5 = Excellent. Shared ratings are averaged only when we both provided a valid score.
| Category | Judy | Evan | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scenery | 1.0 | 2.0 | 1.5 |
| Views & Wildlife | N/A | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| History & Educational Features | 4.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Facilities & Accessibility | 3.0 | N/A | 3.0 |
| Other Activities & Attractions | 3.0 | N/A | 3.0 |
Categories marked N/A were not rated or were not applicable. Geocaching was unable to be assessed, hiking wasn't meaningfully evaluated, and we didn't participate in water activities.
Overall Ratings
Judy: One visit was enough
Evan: One visit was enough
Our ratings reflect an interesting distinction. We both appreciated the history and engineering, but neither of us found the scenery particularly impressive. This is one of those parks where the main attraction is more about what people built than the natural environment.
Official Park Information
Gateway Arch National Park is located along the Mississippi River in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. The park commemorates the city's role in the westward expansion of the United States and includes the 630-foot Gateway Arch, the Museum at the Gateway Arch, and the historic Old Courthouse. The Arch was completed in 1965 and was designed by architect Eero Saarinen. Visitors can take a tram to the observation area near the top, explore exhibits about the region's history, and walk through the surrounding park grounds.
For additional information, tickets, and current visiting conditions, see the official Gateway Arch National Park website.
Final Thoughts
Gateway Arch National Park is worth visiting if you're in St. Louis, particularly if you enjoy history, architecture, or engineering. The museum was better than we expected, and the tram ride is certainly something different.
That said, it's not a park we'd make a special trip to visit again. We both felt one visit was enough.
I'm glad we went, and I'm glad we took the time to see the museum rather than just riding to the top and leaving. For such a small park, there's quite a bit to learn. Just don't go expecting the usual national park experience.
