ST. LOUIS— Experience the sights above and stories below this summer at Gateway Arch National Park. The National Park service is offering even more ways to experience St. Louis’ urban national park this summer through free, ranger-led events, programming for all ages, and extended summer hours.
“Whether you’re visiting from out-of-town or planning a staycation, Gateway Arch National Park offers a variety of experiences for visitors of all ages and abilities,” said Pam Sanfilippo, Program Manager, Museum Services & Interpretation, Gateway Arch National Park. “In addition to taking a Tram Ride to the Top to experience the sights above, visitors are encouraged to take in the stories below in the Museum at the Gateway Arch, explore the 91-acre park grounds by participating in ranger-led programs such as walking and running tours, gaze up at the stars during evening programming, or complete a Junior Ranger activity book.”
Extended Summer Hours:
• The Gateway Arch and the Museum at the Gateway Arch are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Gateway Arch National Park Grounds are open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The summer season begins the Saturday before Memorial Day and ends after Labor Day weekend.
Summer Programming:
Gateway to the Stars Series:
Learn about astronomy and space with the National Park Service and its partners, the St. Louis Astronomical Society and Dark Sky Missouri. Each program features a presentation by a guest speaker held either inside the Arch Visitor Center or outside on the West Entrance Plaza, followed by telescope viewing of the night sky from 8:00 to 9:30 pm.
When: 7:00 pm – 9:30 p.m. on the following dates:
• Friday, May 26 | Animals of the Park
• Friday, June 23 | The Great American Eclipses of 2023 & 2024
• Friday, July 28 | Roadmap to the Night Sky
• Friday, August 25 | Kids Explorer Night | *reservations required; for more information or to reserve your spot email Richard Fefferman at e-mail us or call 314.655.1704.
• Friday, September 22 | Autumn Adventure | *starts at 6:30 pm
• Friday, October 27 | Ghosts of the Arch Grounds | *starts at 6:30 pm
Gateway to Inclusive History – Juneteenth Conference: Monday, June 19, 2023
Join the National Park Service between 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to celebrate Juneteenth and learn about National Park Service programs related to African American history. Conference topics include the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, the African American Civil Rights Network, a lesson on how to nominate St. Louis sites to those networks, and information on building an inclusive community to commemorate and share these important stories.
Run with a Ranger: Mondays at 7:00 a.m. and Saturdays at 8:00 a.m.
Beginning June 17 through August 13, join a park ranger for a 2-mile run through Gateway Arch National Park. The ranger will adapt the run to the group and shares insights about St. Louis along the way. Participants should meet near the Arch Visitors Center entrance.
Puppet Program: Saturdays and Sundays at 2:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Park rangers use puppets to engage with and educate kids on the various themes of Gateway Arch National Park. Participants should meet the park ranger in the Education Classroom, located on the lower level of the Arch Visitor Center. This program begins in late June, check nps.gov/jeff for details.
Coffee with a Ranger: Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
Ever wonder what it’s like working for the National Park Service? Pick up a cup of Joe or another beverage at the Arch Café, located on the lower level of the Arch Visitor Center, for a chat with an Arch employee. Topics and employees change each day – from interpretive park rangers to tram mechanics, to members of the park management team. Meet at the Arch Café tables in the tram lobby – just look for the ranger!
Walking Tour: Daily at 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
Explore Gateway Arch National Park’s trails with a ranger-led walking tour of the grounds. Exercise your body and your mind as you hear stories of St. Louis’ history. Participants should meet the ranger near the Arch Visitor Center entrance. (In case of inclement weather, the meeting place will be in the Arch Visitor Center lobby.)
Museum Tour: Daily at 12:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m., and 4:15 p.m.
Learn about the purpose of Gateway Arch National Park and St. Louis’ role in the westward expansion of the U.S. on a ranger -guided tour of the Museum at the Gateway Arch. Explore six exhibit galleries that focus on over 200 years of shared history. Tours will meet at the entrance to the Museum.
Touch Tables: Daily at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
For the young and the young at heart! Meet the ranger stationed with the cart in the Museum at the Gateway Arch. The cart includes objects that you can see and touch, including animal hides, tools, and clothing from St. Louis’ early history. The ranger will share information and answer questions about the objects.
Ranger-Narrated St. Louis Riverfront Cruises: Daily through September 4 at 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
An NPS ranger leads the one-hour St. Louis Riverfront Cruise aboard the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch, located below the Arch on the St. Louis Riverfront. This cruise highlights the history of St. Louis and the role the Mississippi River plays today. A new Junior Ranger program for the riverboats will be available for the summer. $24/adults; $14/kids ages 3-15; $22/seniors (ages 60 and older; free for kids 2 and under. Tickets are available for purchase at gatewayarch.com.
National Park Service Fee-Free Days: August 4
In celebration of Great American Outdoors Day on August 4, 2023, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. At Gateway Arch National Park, the $3 entrance fee included in each adult Tram Ride to the Top ticket and adult Documentary Movie ticket is waived on these days.
ARCH VISITOR REMINDERS
Visitors should arrive at the Arch at least 30 minutes ahead of their scheduled tram time and enter the monument at the Arch entrance plaza, which faces Fourth Street and the Old Courthouse. The Arch legs are exits only. Entrance to the Arch Visitor Center and the Museum at the Gateway Arch is always free. All visitors must pass through an airport-style security checkpoint to get to the lower level of the Arch facility.
The Tram Ride to the Top of the Arch sells out early and often. Visitors are strongly encouraged to purchase tram ride tickets in advance at gatewayarch.com/buytickets. For more information, visit nps.gov/jeff or gatewayarch.com, or call 877-982-1410.
Arch parking is available at the Stadium East Garage, located at 200 S. Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102, for a fee. Visit iparkit.com/TheArch to pre-purchase parking with no validation required. If parking is not pre-purchased, validation is required by scanning/stamping parking ticket at one of two validators located inside the Arch Visitor Center. With each parking purchase at the Stadium East Garage, $1 will go to support ongoing conservation and preservation efforts, educational opportunities, and community programs at Gateway Arch National Park through Gateway Arch Park Foundation.
Metered street parking is also located near Gateway Arch National Park.
ABOUT GATEWAY ARCH NATIONAL PARK: Gateway Arch National Park is a unit of the National Park System that commemorates Thomas Jefferson’s vision of a unified continental nation and St. Louis’ role as the gateway to the American West during the 19th century and preserves the Old Courthouse as the site of the Dred Scott case. The park includes the Gateway Arch, the Arch grounds and the Old Courthouse, located on the riverfront in downtown St. Louis. Admission to the Museum at the Gateway Arch is free, and most programs are free of charge and open to the public. Many programs and events at the park benefit from the generous support from park partners Gateway Arch Park Foundation, Jefferson National Parks Association and Bi-State Development. The Gateway Arch is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Old Courthouse is currently closed. The park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. For more information about Gateway Arch National Park, visit NPS.gov/jeff.
Original source can be found here