Why St. Louis, Missouri, the Home of Gateway Arch National Park, Is Worth a Visit in Its Own Right

As a national park lover, I’ve been coming across social media posts mocking my state’s only national park. Sure, Gateway Arch National Park cannot compare to iconic locations like Yosemite and Yellowstone. However, if you come to Missouri just to mark one of the 63 national parks off your checklist, I encourage you to broaden your vision beyond the postage-stamp boundaries of the park itself and take a look at the grand city of St. Louis, as well. Go through the Arch to see what wonders await.

In the past decade, my family has planned many trips around the country to visit national parks. From the epic depths of the Grand Canyon to the rainbow prisms of Yellowstone to the towering peaks of the Tetons, the national parks have never failed to wow me with their majesty. Breathtaking natural landscapes are, indeed, a part of most national parks, which makes Gateway Arch National Park a bit of an anomaly. It is the smallest park (at 193 acres), one of the newest (upgraded from a national monument to a national park in 2018), and among the most urban, rivaling Cuyahoga Valley and Hot Springs national parks.

However, I might argue the 630-foot stainless steel arc at the center of Gateway Arch National Park is as iconic as Old Faithful. Whenever my travels take me east of Missouri, I feel like I’m home again as soon as I see the Arch rising over the crisscross of interstates. While it is a symbol of home to me, it was actually built to symbolize the “Gateway to the West.” And, that it does. If you drive through Missouri to reach the other national parks to our west, you’ll find a dramatic change in both scenery and culture. 

Plus, Gateway Arch National Park is located symbolically on the banks of the Mississippi River. You only need to read Missouri’s most famous native son’s ode to the river in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to understand the way this natural landmark shaped our nation as much as the mountains celebrated in other parks. Spend time on the riverbanks during your visit to marvel at the history and power of the “Big Muddy.”

Enough about the national park itself, let’s take a look at the reasons you should expand your vision to the city beyond the park. For starters, I recommend heading to Forest Park. I dare say there is nowhere else in the nation where you can enjoy as many free attractions as you can in this singular spot in St. Louis. This alone makes our gateway to the Gateway Arch National Park worth a visit! As a native Missourian, I was shocked to find out most museums and zoos charge admission when I began traveling outside the Show Me State. 

While Forest Park itself was opened in 1876, it would rise to fame as it hosted the 1904 World’s Fair and the Olympics. Over 1,500 buildings were built for the seven-month Louisiana Purchase Exposition, but only two remain, the Palace of Fine Arts (which now houses the St. Louis Art Museum) and the Flight Cage (now part of the St. Louis Zoo).

Visit Forest Park to marvel at the grandeur of man-made natural beauty and to consider the impacts of a time when places like this were constructed for the good of the people. Walk up the gleaming white steps of the St. Louis Art Museum atop Art Hill to look out on the Grand Basin and try to imagine what it would have been like in 1904. Then, head inside to find a surprisingly grand collection.

While in Forest Park, I recommend heading to the St. Louis Zoo next, even if you aren't a big zoo person. This zoo consistently ranks among the top 10 in the nation. From my days as a child visiting the zoo on field trips to my time as a mom showing it to my kids, the barking sea lions and their silly antics remain my favorite. What I love about this zoo is how it feels timeless in places like the Primate House, where the Spanish architecture provides a frame for the animal habitats. While history is ever present, the zoo has modernized over the years and features upgraded exhibits and experiences (like this cool sloth encounter!). 

Nearby, you’ll also find the free Science Center and History Museum, where you can spend hours entertaining the kids and learning about the past, present, and future. Then, meander through the park to find architectural gems like the Jewel Box, the World’s Fair Pavilion, and the Boathouse. Like New York's Central Park, Forest Park is a place for the people. While there is much to see, the best moments are often spent on a blanket, enjoying a picnic with your family. Don't forget to look for the giant turtles.

A trip to St. Louis can easily involve several days spent in Forest Park alone. But, it’s also worthwhile to venture outside the Gateway Arch National Park and Forest Park to explore the city. From the wonderfully whimsical St. Louis City Museum to hip neighborhoods like the Delmar Loop, you’ll find an energetic, diverse city to explore. Grab a concrete at Ted Drewes to get a taste of St. Louis’ Route 66 history, visit quirky statues at the beautiful Citygarden in the heart of town, or take a tour of Anheuser-Busch Brewery, which was founded in St. Louis in the 1850s. This is just the start of all you can pack onto your potential itinerary!

I know that Missouri is often considered flyover country, but I challenge you to come to St. Louis for our national park but to stay for our history, culture, and free attractions. St. Louis is a city where the past and present meet below the Gateway Arch, inviting you to venture out to see so much more than the 193 acres of the national park.