Sight guide · St. Louis · United States
Visiting Gateway Arch
Eero Saarinen's stainless-steel arch, completed in 1965, rises 192 metres over the Mississippi and is the tallest arch in the world.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: St_Louis_night_expblend.jpg : Daniel Schwen derivative work: ← fetch comms, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Gateway Arch is a landmark in Downtown, St. Louis. Allow 2–3 hours; it is low cost. Tram tickets often sell out on summer weekends and holidays; buy timed tickets online in advance.
Key facts
- Type
- Landmark
- Area
- Downtown
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Recommended
- Good for
- views, history, kids and architecture
- Best months
- March, September and November
About Gateway Arch
Eero Saarinen's stainless-steel arch, completed in 1965, rises 192 metres over the Mississippi and is the tallest arch in the world. Small five-seat tram pods climb inside each leg to a narrow observation room with views over the river and city. The museum beneath it tells the story of westward expansion and the arch's construction.
Tip: Book the tram for early morning or late afternoon, and arrive early for the airport-style security screening.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2–3 hours.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: Tram tickets often sell out on summer weekends and holidays; buy timed tickets online in advance.
- Where: Downtown, the Arch, Busch Stadium and the Washington Avenue loft district.
Best time to visit Gateway Arch
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- November: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- March: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- September: 27°C (81°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, moderate crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-November the sun sets at about 16:48 local time (calculated for St. Louis).
When to visit St. Louis has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day St. Louis itinerary visits Gateway Arch on day 1, together with City Museum, Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village and Delmar Loop.
- No. 1 of the 19 sights in our St. Louis things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- One of the picks in historic sites in St. Louis.
- A family favourite in St. Louis with kids.
Near Gateway Arch
Also in Downtown, so you can walk between them:
- City Museum — 3–4 hours, mid-priced
- Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village — 3 hours, mid-priced
- Citygarden — 30–45 minutes, free
If you like Gateway Arch
- Missouri History Museum — Forest Park, 1.5–2 hours
- Anheuser-Busch Brewery — Soulard, 1–2 hours
- St. Louis Union Station — Downtown West, 1–3 hours
- Chain of Rocks Bridge — North St. Louis, 1–2 hours
Staying near Gateway Arch
Stay in Downtown ($$$) to walk here: the Arch, Busch Stadium and the Washington Avenue loft district. All areas to stay in St. Louis.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Gateway Arch?
Plan 2–3 hours. With City Museum nearby, it fits a half-day in Downtown.
+Is Gateway Arch free?
No, it is low cost. Booking ahead is advised.
+When is the best time to visit Gateway Arch?
March, September and November, the quietest of the good months. Book the tram for early morning or late afternoon, and arrive early for the airport-style security screening.
+Do I need to book Gateway Arch in advance?
Tram tickets often sell out on summer weekends and holidays; buy timed tickets online in advance.
+Is Gateway Arch good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in St. Louis. St.