There is nothing that epitomizes St. Louis more than the Gateway Arch. The nation’s tallest monument – at 630 feet – celebrates America’s pioneering spirit and the vital role St. Louis played in the country’s westward expansion.
It’s a big month for the Gateway Arch National Park. Following a $380-million reconstruction, the park (which also includes the Old Courthouse) will be marking the grand reopening of its museum, as well as the return of Fair Saint Louis to the Arch grounds for America’s Biggest Birthday Party.
For St. Louisans who haven’t been to the Arch lately (numbers show locals visit only once every six to 10 years), you’ll be surprised at the transformation. Among the biggest changes: You’ll no longer have to dodge traffic to get to the Arch grounds, and once you do, there’s no more guessing which leg of the structure is the entrance. Oh, and did we mention that the new museum and visitor center is 50 percent larger, and definitely much more on par with other national park museums across the country?
The stunning metamorphosis is part of the City Arch River project, and a result of a partnership involving the National Park Service, Gateway Arch Park Foundation, the Bi-State Development Agency, Jefferson National Parks Association and Great Rivers Greenway.
Visitors to the Arch can now enter via a central entrance in front of the monument that leads to a spacious welcome area from which they can access the museum, ticketing and loading zones for the tram rides, the gift shop and a new café.
The much-anticipated museum reopening signifies its first renovation since it opened its doors in 1976. You’ll be happy to know that the taxidermy show-and-tell of your childhood is no more. In its place is a top-notch attraction that uses high-tech wizardry, along with an abundance of historical artifacts and a few impressive replica pieces that allow for more hands-on interaction.
There’s also plenty of symbolism throughout the museum’s well-planned design. As visitors walk east toward the museum, they are greeted by “settlers” on their westward journey, by way of towering video screens that lead to the galleries. The “Old Rock House” gallery features a replica of the historic building assembled with stones from the original structure that was demolished to make way for the construction of the Arch. In “Manifest Destiny,” there are now two distinct perspectives on “how the West was won,” including Native American voices that tell their side of the story.
Following its unveiling on Tuesday, July 3, the museum will be open for the summer from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (The Old Courthouse, from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.) The park grounds are open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round.
GATEWAY ARCH PARK FOUNDATION
archpark.org
The nonprofit foundation ensures that the Arch and its surroundings are well-supported for generations to come. Memberships help sustain its work, and members receive complimentary parking and tram rides, invitations to special events and other perks. The foundation hosts public events year-round.
Sunrise Yoga
7 to 8 a.m., every Tuesday through Oct. 16
Welcome the sunrise at Kiener Plaza. Yoga Buzz instructors lead a 45-minute, all-levels class set to calming music. Free
Kiener Cocktails Happy Hour
5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, June 28
Relax and chill with an open bar featuring specialty cocktails, appetizers from Ruth’s Chris, and pizza from Porano Pasta. $20 (in advance), $25 (at the door)
Blues at the Arch
6 to 9 p.m., Fridays in August (except Aug. 31)
In partnership with the National Blues Museum, the four-week concert series features a lineup of popular local, regional and national acts. Free
IN AND AROUND THE GATEWAY ARCH
The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis
The Spa at the Four Seasons is the ultimate in posh pampering. As you await your massage or facial, the spa’s relaxation room allows for time to unwind, sit back and enjoy the calm. There’s also a steam room and whirlpool for even deeper repose. And because this is the Four Seasons, after all, it has managed to make treatments even more indulgent – with Bissinger’s chocolate, no less! The Four Seasons and the St. Louis-based chocolatier have partnered to offer decadent body scrubs, facials and manicures using Bissinger’s proprietary cocoa blend as a base. Use your willpower to avoid sampling during treatment. As a reward, you’ll get an edible Bissinger’s treat at the completion of your service. fourseasons.com/stlouis
Pharaoh’s Donuts
If ever a donut can make you swoon, a blissfully pillowy fried dough ring from Pharaoh’s is it! While its downtown storefront (within walking distance from the Arch grounds) has only been around for a couple of years, Pharaoh’s has been making wholesale donuts for two decades. And it’s definitely been worth the wait for those of us seeking donut perfection. You’ll find all the classics such as glazed, long johns and jelly-filled, plus others topped with lemon, custard, whipped cream and all sorts of other deliciousness. It’s a bit tricky to find – be sure to look for the golden Pharaoh sign on the side of the building, and step right in! 202 N. 9th St.
