When Eero Saarinen unveiled his design for a monument and public park in downtown St. Louis, it looked pretty darn close to what you’ll see today at Gateway Arch National Park. Of course, it took more than 50 years to get it just right. The good news is that as of July 3, experiencing the Arch became a lot more memorable.
In addition to major beautification improvements extending west to the Old Courthouse, a brand new, state of the art visitors center and museum is receiving rave reviews from locals and tourists alike.
More than $380 million has been spent on finally bringing Saarinen’s early vision of a first-class park to life. The first improvement guests will notice is a stunning new entrance, with natural light beaming in from floor to ceiling windows. The new ticketing counters and security checkpoints make waiting in line much easier. And depending on the season, you’ll stay comfortably cool (or warm) instead of standing in a long line outdoors.
The museum itself is something even a visionary like Eero Saarinen could never have imagined. Towering video screens with images depicting westward expansion greet you, just before you are immersed in six, high-tech galleries, all telling various stories of America’s journey beyond the Mississippi River.
A log cabin is part of the Colonial Era exhibit in which guests can learn about St. Louis prior to the days of Lewis and Clark. The museum’s biggest exhibit is a large model of the riverfront as it appeared in 1852. The display shows what the city looked like after it was rebuilt following a massive fire that destroyed more than 400 buildings. There is even a collection of odds and ends that were discovered underground while construction crews were digging.
For guests who can’t make it to the top of the Arch for whatever reason, an exact replica of the top section now lets guests look out the windows and via real-time webcams, view downtown St. Louis just as the tourists do from the very top. There are also numerous photo-ops within the museum that are fun for any age.
Have more time on the agenda? Other activities nearby include Mississippi River tours on paddle boats, a visit to the historic Old Courthouse, or even a bike ride along the miles of new pathways around the park.
For more info: gatewayarch.com
—Bill Clevlen
