One week from today, Gateway Arch National Park will reopen in phases, allowing limited access to the visitor center, museum, gift shop and café.
What’s being called “Phase I access” means that beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17, the Gateway Arch Visitor Center and Museum at the Gateway Arch, as well as The Arch Store and Arch Café, will reopen to the public. Other park offerings, including the Tram Ride to the Top, remain closed and are part of later reopening phases for the Arch. Outdoor spaces surrounding the monument have remained open in accordance with federal, state and local health guidelines for COVID-19.
“The health and safety of our visitors and our employees is our highest priority,” said Pam Sanfilippo, chief of Museum Services and Interpretation at the Gateway Arch. “This phased approach will allow us to refine the visitor experience as necessary, assess visitation levels and adjust capacity, and monitor changing conditions in the City of St. Louis and surrounding counties and revise operations, if needed. We are so excited to tell the stories of St. Louis and westward expansion onsite while continuing our virtual programming.”
Some of the guidelines in place for the reopening include:
- Mandatory, free timed ticket reservations to enter the Arch facility.
- Timed ticket reservations will open Monday, June 15, at noon.
- Reservations should be made at gatewayarch.com or by calling (877) 982-1410.
- Significantly reduced visitor capacity inside the Arch facility.
- Social distancing floor markers throughout the Arch facility.
- Plexiglas barriers at ticket/order counters and the security checkpoint.
- Rigorous and frequent disinfecting and sanitizing of public spaces and surfaces.
- Hand sanitizing stations located throughout the Arch facility.
- Established queuing lines for the Arch Visitor Center ticket counter, security checkpoint, The Arch Store and Arch Café.
- Visitor experience staff members wearing face coverings and gloves where appropriate.
- Employee safety and disinfecting training.
The National Park Service is also encouraging visitors to follow CDC guidance to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and take their own necessary precautions to protect themselves and the people around them:
- Practice social distancing by maintaining at least 6 feet of distance between you and others.
- Wear a face covering when social distancing cannot be maintained.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
- Stay at home and contact your doctor if you feel sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Visitors to the Arch must enter the monument at the new glass west entrance, which faces the Old Courthouse. The Arch legs have been designated as exits only.
The Gateway Arch is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
For more information, visit gatewayarch.com
