Gateway Arch National Park is a striking landmark on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri.
People built this iconic monument to honor Thomas Jefferson and the westward expansion of the United States.
The Museum beneath the arch invites you to embark on a journey through time and discover the rich history of the American frontier.
The Shaka Guide walking tour of Gateway Arch National Park offers a unique opportunity to explore the site's diverse attractions, from the soaring arch itself to the Old Courthouse and the scenic Riverfront Park.
As you stroll through the park, you'll gain insights into the pioneers who ventured westward, the challenges they faced, and the legacy they left behind.
You'll also learn about the United States of America's struggle for identity through the eyes of the people who fought to set this country on a path to freedom.
Itinerary
1. Keiner Plaza
BrianROwens
- Duration: 10 minutes
People named this 1.9-acre park after Harry J. Kiener, an Olympic athlete born in St. Louis. Kiener competed in the 1904 St. Louis Olympic games, as part of the U.S. track and field team.
Later in life, Kiener became a steel executive and a philanthropist. In his will, he donated this land to serve as a public plaza.
Today, you can find statues, fountains, a playground, and plenty of seating from which to admire the city skyline.
2. Old Courthouse
Chazzs
- Duration: 1 hour
The Old Courthouse of St. Louis has gone through many changes. People originally built the courthouse in 1828, expanded it in 1839, and redesigned and remodeled it several times since.
The courthouse is linked to two landmark cases that went to the US Supreme Court. A National Park museum inside the courthouse details the history and legacy of those cases.
3. Dred and Harriet Scott Statue
NPS
- Duration: 10 minutes
The Dred and Harriet Scott Statue on the east side of the courthouse honors the Scotts' fight for freedom in the US courts.
Although ultimately unsuccessful, their struggle led directly to the United States Civil War.
4. Luther Ely Smith Square
C. Rayne Warne
- Duration: 20 minutes
The Luther Ely Smith Square is the start of the St. Louis Gateway Mall, along a row of parks and green spaces running through downtown St. Louis.
The park commemorates Luther Ely Smith, the father of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the predecessor of Gateway Arch National Park.
The park is also the start of the Gateway Ach Trail, which winds through the National Park. There are two beautiful zen gardens in this park for shade and relaxation.
5. Visitor Center & Museum
C. Rayne Warne
- Duration: 2 hours
The Gateway Arch Museum of Western Expansion is one of the best National Park museums in the country. It has an incredible collection of artifacts, as well as fun and interactive exhibits.
This is also where you can purchase tickets for the various activities at the park, like a riverboat cruise, a 30-minute film, a VR experience, and of course, a tram ride to the top of the arch. There is also a gift shop and restaurant inside the museum.
6. Gateway Arch North Leg
Linda L Kung
- Duration: 10 minutes
Get up close to the Gateway Arch!
7. Explorer's Garden
Sam Wilson
- Duration: 15 minutes
People know this northern section of the park as The North Gateway. It’s a seven-and-a-half-acre section of the Gateway Arch National Park, and features a natural amphitheater that hosts concerts and events throughout the year.
It also features the Explorer’s Garden, where you can find plants that Lewis and Clark wrote about on their travels and that Indigenous People used.
There are about 26 different plant species in the garden and another five types of wild grass in the surrounding Native Meadow..
8. Eads Bridge
Jeff Kopp
- Duration: 5 minutes
The Eads Bridge is the oldest surviving bridge across the Mississippi. Built-in the late 19th century, the Eads Bridge was a groundbreaking achievement.
Renowned engineer James Buchanan Eads designed it, and it was the first bridge in the world to use steel as its primary structural material.
9. The Captain's Return Statue
SPTinSTL
- Duration: 10 minutes
This bronze statue of Lewis, Clark, and Lewis' dog Seaman, memorializes the expedition's heroic return.
Sculptor Harry Weber created it, and people added it to the riverfront in 2006.
10. Mississippi Riverfront
Kbh3rd
- Duration: 10 minutes
Get down close to the historic Mississippi River! Nearby, you can take a Helicopter tour of the park, or board the riverboat cruise.
11. The Grand Staircase
Bev Sykes
- Duration: 15 minutes
The Grand Staircase of Gateway Arch National Park rises up from the riverfront to meet the arch. The staircase represents Rising Up to the West, and all the challenges and riches it possessed.
12. Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France
C. Rayne Warne
- Duration: 1 hour
Known locally as The Old Cathedral, people first established this church in the 1700s, soon after the city was founded. They constructed the current building in 1834.
The church is only open to visitors on on the first Sunday of the month, after the noon Mass has ended. But there is a museum that's open several days a week.
Explore Gateway Arch with Shaka Guide
As you conclude your walking tour of Gateway Arch National Park, we invite you to take a moment to reflect on the rich history and cultural significance of this iconic landmark.
From the soaring arch itself to the informative museum and the scenic Riverfront, the park offers a truly unforgettable experience.
As you leave, you'll carry with you a deeper appreciation for the pioneers who shaped America's westward expansion, and the pioneers of freedom.
Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Gateway Arch National Park Tour!
We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.
For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our Gateway Arch National Park Itinerary.
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