About the Museum
Underground museum beneath iconic arch documenting westward expansion. Exhibits cover Lewis and Clark, pioneer journeys, Native displacement, and St. Louis as Gateway to the West.
The Gateway Arch Museum sits beneath the iconic Gateway Arch in St. Louis, at the heart of Gateway Arch National Park. Visitors enter the monument through the Gateway Arch Visitor Center, which faces Fourth Street and the Old Courthouse. The museum is free to all visitors and tells the story of westward expansion and St. Louis's role as the Gateway to the West, while the surrounding national park preserves more than 90 acres of urban green space along the Mississippi riverfront.
Exhibits and Things to See
The experience spans indoor galleries, the monument itself, and the riverfront park. Highlights include:
- Six innovative museum galleries featuring universal design, interactive elements, and stories of westward expansion
- The Tram Ride to the Top, which carries visitors inside the Arch for a sweeping view of St. Louis (advance reservations are strongly recommended, as rides sell out)
- An award-winning Virtual Reality Theater that transports visitors to the 1850s St. Louis riverfront
- The Old Courthouse, where the pivotal Dred and Harriet Scott trials took place, with free exhibits on American judicial history and African American life in St. Louis
- Riverboat cruises and over 91 acres of parkland with reflection ponds, gardens, and paved paths
Planning Your Visit
Hours vary depending on the attraction within Gateway Arch National Park, and tram and cruise tickets are best purchased in advance because they frequently sell out. Allow extra time to pass through security at the Visitor Center. For current hours, ticketing, and combo packages, visit the official website at gatewayarch.com.
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