A Moment of Reflection
Visit the reflection ponds to the north and south of the Arch. Relax and soak in the environment by using all five senses.
1-99 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
National Park · MO
Things to do in Gateway Arch
The National Park Service lists 15 things to do at Gateway Arch National Park. 11 have no extra fee, 10 need no reservation, and 9 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Updated · NPS Data API
A View From the Top
Tram Ride to the Top: Getting there is part of the adventure. Enjoy stunning views from the top of America's tallest monument.
45-60 Minutes Year-round Reservation required Fee applies
Become a Trails & Rails Guide
Have fun riding the train and sharing St. Louis area history!
Summer, Fall Reservation required Pets allowed
Carve Your Own Path
Explore the five miles of paved trails on the Gateway Arch grounds
15-120 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Explore the Museum under the Gateway Arch
The Museum at the Gateway Arch covers 200 years of history about the westward expansion of the United States with an emphasis on St. Louis’ important role during that era.
Year-round
Explore with Lewis and Clark
Stroll through the paved paths of the Explorer’s Garden located in the North Gateway area of the park. In the Garden, you can find plants that were used by Native Americans and detailed by Lewis and Clark in their expedition journals as they traveled west.
1-99 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
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Gateway Arch Wellness Challenge
Gateway Arch National Park offers you multiple opportunities to improve your health through physical, mental and learning challenges. Will you rest below an architectural wonder and take a moment to breathe?
Year-round Reservation required Fee applies Pets allowed
Move Along the Mississippi River
Move along the historic St. Louis Riverfront Trail
Year-round Pets allowed
Report for Duty
Designed for visitors 5-12 (but open to all!) the Junior Ranger program is designed to help young visitors learn more about the people, places and events related to St. Louis history and westward expansion in the 1800s.
30-90 Minutes Year-round
Rise to the West
Ascend the Grand Staircase or gently sloping ramps to the top for a fantastic view of the mighty Mississippi River.
5-20 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
See Monument to the Dream
Learn more about the construction of the Gateway Arch through this award winning film!
35-35 Minutes Year-round Reservation required Fee applies
Shop at the Arch Store
Find the perfect souvenir and support Gateway Arch National Park with your purchases!
Year-round
Shopping
Travel aboard Trails & Rails: Amtrak’s Lincoln Service between St. Louis and Springfield
Enjoy your train ride and learn fascinating local history!
6 Hours Summer, Fall Reservation required Fee applies Pets allowed
Visit the Brick Mural
The Tucker Theater mural at Gateway Arch National Park honors those who made the Arch possible. Created by artist Jay Tschetter, it features a 13-foot steel Arch model, construction scenes, and national landmarks.
Visit the Old Courthouse
One of Gateway Arch National Park's visitor centers
Year-round Pets allowed
Before you go
Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Gateway Arch. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.
Things to do at nearby parks
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Sources
- National Park Service Data API — things to do, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026. Descriptions are short excerpts; photos are NPS photos shown from nps.gov with their credit.
- Gateway Arch National Park — things to do on nps.gov