Gateway Arch050

You'll be among vast company, and standing tall, once you visit the Gateway Arch: The signature St. Louis structure is the fourth most-visited tourist attraction in the world and, at 630 feet, is the tallest national monument in the United States.

Trams that whisk visitors to the top of the arch in less then four minutes can be boarded underneath the north and south legs of the arch. Trams leave every 10 minutes and can hold five people each. Once atop the arch, the views of the Gateway Arch Riverfront and beyond are breathtaking. Visitors can stay up top as long as they wish.

Bear in mind, you might have to stand in a long line to purchase tram tickets, and then you might have to wait around for your departure time. The "will call" line is much shorter, so advance ticket purchase is highly recommended. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time online.

While awaiting your tram ride, families can look through the Museum of Westward Expansion, or take in one of two movies; Monument to the Dream (about the making of the Gateway Arch), or Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West. The museum is free. Admission fees apply to the movie screenings. Money-saving tram/movie combo tickets are available.

A gift store is located near the north leg of the arch, offering visitors a chance to stock up on all sorts of mementos from their visit to the Gateway to the West.