SnapshotPlanning Your TripWhen we visited the park We have visited the Gateway Arch multiple times over the years. We usually are visitors during the spring or summer months. This is a national park that doesn't take a ton of time to see, but the city has a lot to offer if you are looking for a longer vacation. Things to Consider 1. This park is not like other National Parks, as it honors the westward expansion of the US. The Arch is the focal point and a symbol as the Gateway to the West. 2. If you only are stopping through here, you can see a lot by just visiting the Riverfront area. However, if you have time, schedule either a tram ride up the Arch, or a Riverboat Tour. 3. I wish we would have made time to do the Riverboat tour, and been able to see more of the city. 4. Parking is limited, so plan accordingly. Plan to walk or use public transportation to get here on busy days. If you are visiting when there is a game happening, there will be additional traffic as well. Check the schedule! 5. The Arch sways at the top, so if you do not like heights or small spaces, you may not want to take the tram to the top. If you think you can make it, you will be glad to say you have done it at least once! How to Get There From Missouri Interstates:Interstate 44 East/55 North: Take Exit 292 for Lumiere Place Blvd./Washington Ave./Eads Bridge then take the u-turn from the left lane to access Pine Street and downtown. Interstate 64 East: Take Exit 40 for Last Missouri Exit. Turn left onto Gratiot, then left onto Fourth Street. Continue north on Fourth Street to access downtown. Interstate 70 East: Take Exit 249B for Tucker Blvd. Turn left onto Market Street to access downtown. From Illinois Interstates: Poplar Street Bridge: (55 South/64 West): After crossing the bridge, continue on 64/40 West and take Exit 40A for Stadium/Tucker Blvd. Continue straight off the exit then turn right on Walnut Street to access downtown. Martin Luther King Bridge: After crossing the bridge, turn left under the interstate onto Carr Street followed by an immediate left onto Broadway to access downtown. Eads Bridge: After crossing the bridge, continue straight on Washington Avenue to access downtown. Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge: After crossing the bridge, take the left exit for North Tucker Blvd. Turn left on Market Street to access downtown. Traveling By MetroLink The Gateway Arch is easily accessible from St. Louis' MetroLink regional transit system. Board at any station and exit at 8th and Pine or Lacledes Landing and follow the signs to the Memorial (a ten minute walk). The trip from Lambert St. Louis International Airport to Gateway Arch National Park is 28 minutes, with departures to and from Lambert every 15-20 minutes. Where to Stay There are many places to stay in the St. Louis area. Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch This hotel is a block away from the Gateway Arch and the riverwalk. The rates start at $143 a night depending on location of the room and date of stay. This is the closest hotel to the Arch and offers a great way to walk around this area of St. Louis. Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at the Arch This hotel is a block away from the Gateway Arch and the Riverwalk. It is across the street from the above listed Hyatt. The rates start at $165 a night depending on location of the room and the date of stay. This hotel is about the same distance from the Hyatt. It is easy to walk around the Arch and Riverwalk area from the hotel. There is also a pool area at this hotel for those with young kids. What We Did We have only every stopped and walked around the arch with our kids. When we were younger without kids, my husband and I went into the arch on our way to Branson, MO. We went into the arch, walked around the museum they have there, and braved a tram ride to the top of the arch. If you are considering the tram, it is a small pod with a small viewing deck at the top of the arch, and it sways on windy days. I was convinced to do this, and I am glad to say I have done it, but I do not have a desire to do it again. It was cool being able to see the city from so high up, but it was also crowded and felt claustrophobic. We then spent time walking around the Riverfront and enjoying stretching our legs a little before the rain came in. We were there for under an hour, but it still was a good stopping place for us. If we returned, I would take a tour on one of the Riverboats, and make sure to walk over to the Old Courthouse. Last time we were going to do this, it was closed. It is something I would still like to see. Where this fit in our Road Trip We usually stop here on our way to somewhere else or to visit friends that live in the suburbs. We have stopped before on our way to Branson, MO, which is a very fun trip for young kids. The latest time that we stopped was on our way to Hot Springs, AR for a vacation with friends. This was the first stop of our trip and a good halfway stop for us on our way. NPS App and All Trails Maps I highly recommend using the National Park Service (NPS) App, as well as the All Trails App for hiking. There is limited service in the park, so planning ahead is helpful. These two apps allow you to download sights, maps, and trails so that you can access information anywhere. The NPS app also links to the full National Parks Website, with a plethora of information. Don't forget to follow along on Instagram @wanderlust_with_three
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