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This page I wrote for my old rv website RVforSaleGuide.com before developing the Vanabode as the best travel vehicle for cheap easy long term road trips. People still like big rv's despite the much greater cost and trouble to operate, so here's what I know about them.

Gateway Arch in St. Louis Missouri

Gateway Arch - travel information, hotels, food in Saint Louis Missouri. The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Park was established on the banks of the Mississippi River in December of 1935. The park includes the Gateway Arch, the Museum of Westward Expansion, and St. Louis' Old Courthouse. St. Louis hotel and camping accommodations are available locally, just check some of the ads on this page.

The floor plan of the underground visitor center follows a circular pattern with galleries depicting a 100-year span of westward expansion. Additional attractions include the Tucker Theater, the Museum of Westward Expansion, and the Odyssey Theater.

The Gateway Arch is a stunning stainless steel structure rising 630 feet which is our nation's tallest monument. The Arch's foundations are sunk 60 feet into the ground and is built to withstand earthquakes and high winds.

While taking the exceptional four-minute tram ride to the observation room riders may look out a small window for a view of the Arch's interior. At the top stay as long as you would like overlooking the Mississippi River on one side and city of St. Louis on the other.

Picture of Gateway Arch

Witness the amazing story of a man and his determination to build the Gateway Arch in the documentary "Monument to the Dream". Stand in awe at the construction workers at heights of up to 630 feet meticulously fastening the stainless steel sections together.

The Museum of Westward Expansion, contains an extensive collection of artifacts, an authentic American Indian teepee, one of the first recreational vehicles: a covered wagon, mounted animal specimens, and an overview of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

The Odyssey Theater presents a large-format film produced by National Geographic, Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West. The film recreates a compelling adventure in history which depicts the dangers and adventures encountered by the Lewis and Clark Expedition of the unmapped American Northwest in 1804.

Two blocks west of the Arch is one of the oldest standing buildings in St. Louis, the Old Courthouse, begun in 1839. Today, the courthouse is a museum charting the history of the city of St. Louis and restored courtrooms.

Picture of passengers in pod awaiting ride to top of Gateway Arch

Picture from top of Gateway Arch

Prices for this one-of-a-kind experience range from $10 to $20 adult prices, children and youth prices range from $3 to $17. Tickets include tram, movie, riverboat, tram/movie combination or tram/riverboat combination. For parking you will need to call and get exact directions off the highway, it can be a little tricky.

Picture of Jason at foot of Gateway Arch

Travel info - The River Queen Casino RV Park is just across the river and was extremely convenient to the sites. Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, Gateway Arch is located at 11 North 4th Street, St. Louis, Missouri. Map location of Gateway Arch.

American Road Trips - reviews & pictures of places we visited on $20 a day - food, gas and lodging.

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