Discover the Best of History, Nature, and Culture at Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis!
Gateway Arch National Park is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves exploring cities and the great outdoors. Located in St. Louis, Missouri, this park offers visitors the chance to learn about American history, walk through beautiful gardens, and enjoy stunning views from one of the world’s tallest arches. Here are eight things you won’t want to miss when visiting Gateway Arch National Park.
1. Take a Tram Ride to the Top of the Arch
One of the main draws of Gateway Arch National Park is its iconic 630-foot arch that towers over downtown St. Louis. The only way to get to the top is by taking a tram ride that runs inside each leg of the arch itself! Once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views stretching up to 30 miles in all directions.
2. Explore Museum Exhibits
Before or after your tram ride up into the arch, make sure you spend time exploring some of Gateway Arch National Park’s many museum exhibits on offer at its visitor center and underground museum space below ground level beneath Westward Expansion Memorial Plaza (formerly known as Jefferson National Expansion Memorial). From interactive displays showcasing frontier life on America’s western frontier during early settlement days through today’s digital media experiences highlighting modern urban lifestyle trends across different regions throughout North America – there’s something here for everyone!
3. Visit Old Courthouse
Another highlight of Gateway Arch National Park is its historic Old Courthouse building just westward from Jefferson Monument which houses an extensive collection covering topics from slavery era trials held within it such as Dred Scott vs Sanford case among others that set important precedents regarding national civil rights laws.
4. Walk Through Beautiful Gardens
The park also features expansive green spaces and beautifully manicured gardens that are perfect for a leisurely stroll or picnic lunch with friends or family members amidst refreshing natural surroundings with fountains dancing around reflecting light back up into sky towards towering steel structure above creating stunning visual effects that you won’t soon forget.
5. Take a Riverboat Cruise
If you’re looking for a unique way to experience Gateway Arch National Park, consider taking a riverboat cruise along the Mississippi River. You’ll learn about the history of St. Louis and see some of its iconic landmarks from the water, including the Gateway Arch itself.
6. Attend a Concert or Event
Throughout the year, Gateway Arch National Park hosts concerts and events ranging from live music performances to cultural festivals celebrating diverse communities’ contributions towards nation building over centuries with displays showcasing rich traditions passed down through generations as well as contemporary creations that reflect today’s social realities too.
7. Explore Nearby Attractions
While visiting Gateway Arch National Park, be sure to explore some of the nearby attractions in downtown St. Louis such as City Museum (an interactive art installation housed inside an old shoe factory), Forest Park (a sprawling urban park with museums and gardens), Six Flags St. Louis amusement park among others offering hours upon hours of fun-filled activities suitable for all ages!
8. Take in Stunning Views at Sunset
Last but not least, make sure you stick around until sunset so that you can enjoy stunning views of both cityscape and natural surroundings bathed in hues of pink, orange, purple stretching across horizons creating mesmerizing visual display before darkness sets in transforming everything into magical wonderland full of twinkling lights reflecting off shimmering waters below!
In conclusion, Gateway Arch National Park is an incredible destination filled with history, culture and nature all rolled into one amazing package making it worth your time exploring when planning your next adventure!