exterior view of Busch Stadium with fans gathering outside

Explore

Park Grounds & Riverfront

Explore the 91 acres of green space along the Mississippi River.

Photo: tour listing on Viator

The Gateway Arch park grounds connect the monument to downtown St. Louis. Entry to the outdoor areas is completely free. You can walk the paths, photograph the 630-foot steel structure, and visit nearby historic sites.

large stone building with red tile roof in St. Louis

Luther Ely Smith Square

15 minutesGreat photo spot

This redesigned park space stretches directly over I-44. It provides a seamless pedestrian connection between the Arch and downtown St. Louis. Stop here for one of the best unobstructed photos of the monument.

metal tray with various smoked meats and a sauce bottle

The Old Courthouse

45 minutesReopened May 2025

Located just west of the Arch, this historic 19th-century site is where the Dred Scott case was heard. It reopened in May 2025 after a major renovation, with new galleries on the Dred and Harriet Scott case.

interior view of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis

Riverboats at the Gateway Arch

1-2 hoursMarch–November

These 19th-century paddle-wheel boat replicas offer sightseeing and skyline dinner cruises on the Mississippi River. They operate seasonally from March through November. You can book a Captain's View combo ticket to ride both the tram and the boat.