Visiting the Gateway Arch - What You Need to Know

by Jenna Todoroff

Visiting the Gateway Arch: What You Need to Know

Construction is underway at Gateway Arch and its surrounding park in downtown St. Louis to make way for an entirely new visitor experience coming in 2017. A few things have changed for visitors looking to make a trip to the Arch during this time, so whether you’re exploring travelling options or already knee-deep in planning a getaway to St. Louis to visit the Arch, we’ve got you covered with all you need to know.

There are two significant changes for Gateway Arch visitors during this time:

The Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis is the start of your Gateway Arch experience. It’s the Gateway Arch’s Ticketing & Visitor Center during construction, where you can purchase your tickets for the Arch. Soon, temporary museum exhibits—with some items from the Museum of Westward Expansion, which recently closed for construction—will open at the Old Courthouse. So before you head to the Arch grounds, take a tour around the OCH to learn about westward expansion and the Old Courthouse’s role in famous trials, such as Dred Scott & Virginia Minor.

A timed ticket is required to enter the Gateway Arch. Guests are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets prior to the day of their visit by calling 877-982-1410, visiting ticketsforthearch.com or in-person at the Old Courthouse or the Gateway Arch Riverboats.

There are two types of Gateway Arch tickets: 

• Journey to the Top tram ride ticket: Includes entrance to the Arch facility, tram ride to the top and a showing of the award-winning documentary Monument to the Dream. ($10/adults; $5/kids 3-15; $7/adults with America the Beautiful pass
• Arch Entry-Only Ticket: Includes entrance to the Arch facility and a showing of Monument to the Dream. ($3/adults; free for kids & America the Beautiful pass holders)

Before your trip, visit gatewayarch.com/directions for the most up-to-date construction news and detour routes, and to determine your best route. Visit http://getaroundstl.com for a list of downtown St. Louis Preferred Parking locations.

If you are planning to get to the Old Courthouse and Arch Grounds by MetroLink or by foot, please take note of these change: 

• By train: The 8th & Pine MetroLink stop is your stop for the Gateway Arch, via the Old Courthouse Ticketing and Visitor Center.

• By foot: The Walnut Street Bridge, located at Memorial Drive and Walnut, is the only pedestrian access point to enter the Gateway Arch grounds from the west side of the park.

  • The Arch’s Grand Staircase is available for pedestrians coming from the Mississippi riverfront on the east side of the park.

  • During construction, there is NO pedestrian access from the north or south ends of the park.

If you have any other questions, feel free to call the Gateway Arch’s Call Center at 877-982-1410.