Gateway Arch National Park Walk
The Gateway Arch in downtown St. Louis stands at a height of 630 feet and is constructed from stainless steel, forming the world’s tallest arch. It is also the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere.
If you walk the grounds of the Gateway Arch National Park, it can look different from how you view it through woods, along lakes, or even by the Mississippi River.
History of the Gateway Arch
Built to commemorate Thomas Jefferson’s transcontinental United States and was formerly known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.
In 1948, a nationwide design competition determined what shape the Memorial would take, and in 1963, construction began on architect Eero Saarinen’s design for a stainless steel arch. Completed in 1965
My Time Here
I did a 3.6-mile walk incorporating the different paved paths around the Arch and walking back and forth across the historic Eads Bridge.
Parking
I parked in the Metrolink lot near the Casino Queen which is free parking near the Ead’s Bridge. Otherwise, you can use parking garages in downtown St. Louis. Along with the Arch, I also wanted to have views of the Arch from the distance with the St. Louis skyline.
Starting the Walk
Out of the parking lot, I made a left onto South Front Street and came to the bridge with steps going up to it. You can also use the elevator here that is available for Metrolink riders. You can even take the Metrolink across the bridge to the Lacledes Landing station. Then head left towards the Arch.
Next, I walked up the stairs where they ended then headed up the ramp to the top level of the bridge. As I walked, I took photos of the skyline and the Arch and watched the river flow below me.
Eads Bridge
Built in 1874 with metal and stone and was the first bridge to cross the Mississippi River south of the Missouri River. It is also the oldest bridge currently standing on the Mississippi.
Entering the Arch Grounds
At the end of the bridge, I headed into the national park grounds and walked along the North Pond towards the Arch.
After coming close to the Arch I made a right and walked towards the Old Courthouse through Luther Ely Smith Square. I wanted to check this historic site first.
The Old Courthouse
The Old Courthouse is currently closed but it is a historic structure.
In 1849 Dred and Harriett Scott filed a suit for freedom at the courthouse in 1846. In 1857 the Supreme Court ruled that the Scotts and All African Americans were not citizens of the United States. Opposition to this decision was one of the causes of the Civil War.
Below the Arch
I walked out of this square and headed toward the Gateway Arch Visitor’s Center.
If I wanted to, I could have visited the free museum below or paid the admission for a tram ride to the top. Instead, I took a moment to use the restroom and be in air conditioning on a hot day.
Next, I took a moment to take in the views. First around it.
Then next near one of its legs.
After walking around it, I walked to the right to go by the Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, or what locally is known as the Old Cathedral.
Old Cathedral
This grey stone cathedral was the first one West of the Mississippi River. Completed in 1834.
Originally the church began as a tent in 1766. Native Americans visited here, and many missionaries traveled westward from here. Between 1826 and 1843, the Archdiocese of St. Louis included much of the land between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean.
After passing the Old Cathedral I walked on a path on the west side of the South Pond. I followed the path around the pond toward the Mississippi River.
I came to a long cement ramp. You can also take a set of stairs to go down to the riverfront.
Next, I came to a road then another set of stairs led to cobblestones along the river and a nearby riverboat.
Riverfront
St. Louis was the third busiest port in the United States from the 1830s-1850s. Steamboats waiting to load and unload cargo lined up for miles along the Mississippi River. When the Civil War interrupted river traffic, the port began to decline. By the 1890s Chicago was the Midwestern port with access through the Great Lakes.
I walked along the cobblestones before taking the stairs back up to Leon K. Sullivan Boulevard.
Along the street is the paved Riverfront Trail that goes for 12 miles north of the Arch.
I came to a huge set of stairs and headed up them for a close-up view of the Arch and walked along it for a while.
In the field, a large group of soccer players were doing practice in the large grassy field in front of the Arch.
Next, I could have taken another ramp to go north, but decided to stay nearer the Arch walking along a wide cement path lined with trees.
Explorer’s Garden
At the northeast end of the Arch grounds, you can walk around trees, shrubs, and flowers in the Explorer’s Garden.
A path even goes among the bushes and trees allowing you to commune with nature in the city. My son likes this area.
A ramp also leads down to the Explorer’s path near the ramp I had skipped earlier.
Laclede’s Landing
Heading out of the garden I made a left onto a cement path that went towards where I had originally walked in the Arch grounds.
The path went by an opening under the Ead’s Bridge.
This street opening leads to Laclede’s Landing. I walked over into this area briefly. Here are some of the original brick buildings and cobblestone streets of early St. Louis. Located in Laclede’s Landing are a number of restaurants, a casino, a hotel, and even a wax museum.
I walked back out of the historic district and made a left toward where I had entered the park.
Heading Back
Walking back I noticed Casino Queen in Illinois and the many different types of bridges which also cross the river here. Then admired the Arch and the downtown buildings one last time before walking the stairs down to my car.
Final Thoughts
I forget how enjoyable it can be to go to the Arch grounds. Filled with trees, ponds and views of the city along with of course the Arch itself. With the many paths here you can walk numerous miles in this area. Also, for more of a workout, a lot of people go up and down different stairwells that go to the riverfront and back.
I chose the MetroLink parking lot in Illinois since I also wanted to walk along the Eads Bridge and it is free. If you decide to only walk the park grounds your choices for parking are along the streets or nearby parking garages. These options are numerous and could put you about anywhere west of the Arch grounds.
DETAILS
Drive: Take the exit for 14th Street and go north then make a right onto Washington Avenue after crossing the Eads Bridge make a left onto Riverpark Drive then a left onto B Street and then a right onto Bogy Avenue and MetroLink Parking will be on the right.
Hours: 5 a.m. — 11 p.m. Arch grounds
Admission: Walking the Arch grounds and going to the museum is free but there is admission for the Tram ride to the top.
Address: 200 S Front St, East St Louis, IL 62201
GOING TO THE TOP OF THE ARCH
Go to the pinnacle of the 630-foot Gateway Arch in downtown St. Louis where you can have far-off views of Missouri and Illinois.
MORE ST. LOUIS CITY WALKS
Urban Walk Around Busch Stadium
Having a ballpark hotdog, walking around Busch Stadium, and even buying some authentic baseball memorabilia was my hike in downtown St. Louis.
Black History Month: Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing
See the 1855 Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing on the Riverfront Trail along the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Mo.
Compton Hill Water Tower
The Compton Hill Water Tower stands 179 feet at the highest point in the city of St. Louis. It is an attraction in itself. Yet, it is also paired with a controversial statue in Compton Hill Reservoir Park where I took a hike in the city.
