Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

Again, another thing where I was here at the wrong time. Thankfully despite all the renovations, you can still go up in the arch and take in the view.
I bought my ticket at the courthouse, and they have maps to help you figure out how to get to the arch through all the construction… it’s not that complicated but it does feel like you’re on a bit of a scavenger hunt to something that potentially might not exist.
I didn’t check out what else was around underneath, there seems to be a museum but someone had tried to tell me everything was closed here and that was dumb… basically only the one side of the arch is open to go up and down. That does not make the entire thing closed.
Anyway, the bonus to coming while the grounds around the Arch aren’t pretty: there is less of a claustrophobia problem. Both going up and coming back down I was in a little pod by myself, which was super ideal. It’s a short ride, but man I cannot imagine being stuffed in there with four strangers.
At the top there’s a couple people to answer your questions, but I was just here for the view. It’s been awhile since I’ve been somewhere so flat… so it’s just absolutely incredible how you just see land as far as you can without any hills in the way.
Since most of my time was spent in the downtown area, it was interesting to see just how far things spread out beyond that. The East St. Louis side was not as interesting, I did not come at the right time for the fountain to be in action across the river.
The only thing that was like slightly off putting was that the arch sways way up there. It was fine until some woman kept pointing it out and then I was like I NEED THE GROUND.
I didn’t know that much about the Arch prior, so I’m going to have to check out that documentary other people have mentioned in their reviews. Since my hotel room had me looking right at this thing for days, I did note how cool it was at various times of day to just see how it reflected. And the symbolism of it is pretty cool too, definitely interested to know even more!

What a great place to visit. There is definitely the better part of an afternoon worth of sight seeing here. There is a sightseeing boat tour. The arch is an exhibit/​memorial. There is also the old court house with all of its exhibits and displays.

I can not thank the people who work in here enough!
We walked into the museum scatterbrained at the fact that we had walked in late. Per their website policy it stated that we would not be able to get a refund or change either. However being that it was on a quiet Thursday morning, the representative was able to change our tour times to the next available. Whew. At that point we had a whirlwind of events take place so the last thing I was wanting to do was miss out on taking my mom up the Arch.
This museum is fairly smaller than what I had remembered. But still rich in history for those history buffs out there.
We always have a great time wandering around, reading about the westward expansion and eating all the fudge we can possibly stuff our faces with.

Ever seen an outdoor museum? Welp, the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is just that. Beautiful history and culture rich (Dred Scott, Virginia Minor) park which serves as the resting place for our cities Gateway Arch.
I particularly enjoy outdoor exercise at the Arch grounds. From jogging along the running trail to climbing the Riverfront stairs, the tranquil scenery is amazing.
To explore St. Louis and not travel through Jefferson National Memorial would be a travesty. Bring the kids, the dogs, picnic baskets and blankets too. Make a day of it, I promise you’ll create memories here.

Conceived in the 1930’s and built in the 1960’s The St. Louis Arch is an amazing monument to the Westward expansion of the United States. An unknown fact about the Arch. The land was acquired in the 1930’s by eminent domain.
It was not until 1947 that the citizens of St. Louis challenged Eero Saarinen to design a monument like no other.
Here are some fun facts.
The Gateway Arch is a 630-​ft (192 m) monument in St. Louis, Missouri. Clad in stainless steel and built in the form of an inverted, weighted catenary arch, it is the world’s tallest arch, the tallest monument in the Western Hemisphere, and Missouri’s tallest accessible building.(thank you wikipedia)
As a young teenager I saw Arch start construction in 1963 and finished in 1965. I remember seeing it rise as two distinct legs destined to meet at the top 630 feet above the ground.
Today almost 50 years later I took what may well be my final tour of the Arch. Two things are must do while at the Arch first take the little barrel to the top of the Arch and second watch the Charles Guggenheim film on the building of the Arch. Both amazing.
(NB the museum in the leg of the arch is closed for renovation.)

So. Much. History! This museum is beautifully laid out, with deference given to every population Missouri has. The Dred and Harriet Scott statue is pretty amazing!
The museum is free and exhibits interesting for your and adults. Its a bit of a walk to the front door, if you’re disabled or carting strollers, be prepared!

Cool to see the arch at least once. You must do the journey to the top to compete the experience. The windows at the top are pretty small, but they give you as much time as you like up there to take in all the view. If you hate heights or small spaces then this is seriously not for you. Very cramped in the trams to the top.
The rangers were very good at ensuring no one cut the line, which I complimented them on. The park rangers were hit or miss as far as being friendly and helpful.
As a pilot, I noticed the top of the arch has an aircraft avoidance light. I found there was a hatch on the top of the arch to change it-​thought it was interesting.

I don’t mind paying $ 10 to visit a national park. This is actually a very good deal. What bothered me the most and the reason for the lower score is that this national park does NOT give a military discount to retired military. They do give a discount for active service members which is great considering what little they get paid. However, I find it exceptionally appalling that a person who has honorably retired from one of the fine U.S. Military branches cannot get a break on the entry price to their own nation’s park. Really? Pitiful! (I can’t speak for military discounts at other national parks as this is the first one we visited since my husband’s retirement) I’m more than happy to pay my full price to keep our national parks open.
As for the park, it is beautiful and inside the base is a neat museum. Taking the trip to the top of the arch is not for anyone suffering from claustrophobia as four people are placed into a very small car about the size of a bathtub and a half. If you suffer from acrophobia, remember that you will be 630 feet above the ground and they will not let you take the 1000 plus stairs down. And the car ride is blind and two people will travel backwards. On a clear day, you can’t see forever, as the song goes, but about 30 miles.

This place is awesome! My wife and I spent the day here going up in the Arch and walking through the museum. The Lewis and Clarke iMax movie was great!

I really enjoyed my tour of the museum. If you are a history buff then this is an ideal tour for the family. The facility is well maintained. The Rangers on staff are extremely knowledgeable and polite.

The arch site in St. Louis, MO is one is our national landmarks not to be missed. Very easy to access in downtown St. Louis right on the Mississippi River, everyone should have a trip to the top on their bucket list.

My first time in the Midwest I knew I had to come here. I made it a point to make a pit stop in St.Louis. I was actually moving to the Midwest so this felt like a welcome mat to me. I had to stop here anyways since there was a major storm. Going up into the arch was a lot of fun. It was a tight squeeze in there but it was worth the money.

A really nice history museum below the arch. Plenty of things for the kiddies to do and learn. Interesting to note that this is the largest memorial in the U.S. — even bigger than Mt. Rushmore. Didn’t go to the top due to the lines, but the trip to the top costs about 14 smackers with your choice of movie (Lewis and Clark expedition, building of the arch, etc). Be sure to prepare for the security line/​groping.

While in the area at Scott AFB, I decided to take the MetroLink to visit the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.
I didn’t realize there was so much to do at the memorial. Operated by the National Park Service, they offer the beautiful Museum of Westward Expansion, along with two stores and of course, the Gateway Arch.
Very ‘family friendly’!
The center of the memorial serves as an information booth, where visitors can learn not only about the memorial, but also about other National Parks, local attractions, accommodations and such. Of note: all of the Park Service personnel were knowledgeable, courteous and cheerful.
Entry to the memorial is free. Fees apply to entering the Arch and to the two documentary films currently running. Purchase a ride to the top of the arch and a movie for a package discount.
Access to the site involves airport-​style screening. Empty your pockets, remove belts and coats. There was a short line to get in on 31DEC, but it was not all that bad.

I’ve been here a dozen times. Sometimes I go up in the arch and sometimes I just troll the free museum. Either way, it’s always enlightening. During this recent trip, going up might have been an option, but we decided to skip because the wait was an hour.
Summertime + kids + vacationers = long waits
This place is extremely well-​organized, clean and educational. They also have some nice gift shops. A definite MUST when in St. Louis.

Why 4 stars? Because this is definitely a unique experience.
— — —
You are sent up in Willy Wonka cars. This is not for the claustrophobic.
Once you’re up there, the views aren’t super easy to look out of, due to the small, fogged-​up windows… but it’s still the most unique «high building view-​point» you’ll ever take part in.
The coolest part was that the Cardinals were playing a game while we were up there. It’s extremely far away, but I could tell that a guy grounded out to the pitcher while I was watching. Or was it 1^st base? Possibly 2^nd base? But it was definitely an out, and on the ground. That happened.

When you come here be prepared to take off your coat, your belt, things out of your pockets and place it all in an x-​ray machine as you walk though a metal detector!
Now, don’t let that stop you from coming to Jefferson National Expansion they have a great free museum and a slightly high priced store but what tourist attraction store isn’t over priced… I found a magnet for 2.95 so I was good!
This is one of those places that should go on your Bucket List!

When people think of the landmarks in the United States, they usually go for the Statue of Liberty for New York (it used to be the Twin Towers, but let’s not go there), the Hollywood sign for Los Angeles and of course, the iconic Arch for St. Louis. It’s a memorial that as far as I know is completely unique in the world. What’s amazing is how massive it is — you can see it from miles away, peeking over the horizon from west St. Louis as you approach on the highway.
I’ve been inside it and I’ve ridden the elevator to the top for the spectacular view, which I recommend highly. The warning is that if you’re claustrophobic, you might want to skip it though. It’s a small elevator and it’s a bit of a bumpy ride, as it’s straight up as you start from the bottom and it has to go a bit closer to sideways as you get closer to the top. But the view is well worth it!
Underneath the Arch is a massive museum dedicated not just to the Arch but to the expansion westward that started from St. Louis. It really is the Gateway to the West.
If you have time, watch the video that shows the construction of the Arch in the mid-60’s. It’s amazing to watch the engineering that went into standing up this monument.
This «business» was hard to find on Unilocal.I was searching for «Arch». I managed to find it though. I had no idea that it was the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial!

My girlfriend and I were both a little disappointed with the overall experience of the Arch. Even though the rest of St. Louis looks like its completely abandoned, the Arch was poppin’. I can only imagine it on a weekend (we were there early afternoon on a thursday). The view is fantastic if you know what you’re looking for (ie. old courthouse, the stadiums, etc.). After the 4 minute ride up, in a tiny little tram squished with other people you may not know, you get to the top and are allowed to stay up for as long as you would like. Unfortunately the windows are very tiny and are very few, this makes for a quite crowded area.
Definitely a must see because its a great piece of american history, but dont hold your hopes up too high.

Yes, this involves the arch. But above and beyond that it is museum that documents invaders of the US as in from Europe and how they stole land from the Americans, and with very impressive advancement.
A must see for any American child and anyone wondering what America is about. Our history is not pretty but this is impressive. Makes one wonder.

World Class Museum.
It was Memorial Day and they had a one-​minute silent period. That was moving and powerful. Many had wet faces. We didn’t do the tram ride, wife thought it would be claustrophobic.
Everything else is great. But, really, do they need all that airport style security?