News Release

Summertime Events and Programming at Gateway Arch National Park

Gateway Arch National Park

NPS Photo/Sue Ford

News Release Date: May 25, 2022

Contact: Pam Sanfilippo, 314-655-1634

Contact: Jenna Todoroff, 618-580-8187

ST. LOUIS—This summer, explore St. Louis’ urban national park with free, National Park Service-led programming and events for all ages, including the annual Gateway to the Stars stargazing series, a living history program commemorating the 1780 Battle of St. Louis, and ranger-narrated cruises aboard the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch.

“The 91-acre Gateway Arch National Park is for everyone, so join us this summer season and interact with National Park Service rangers, discover history in the free museum, take the Tram Ride to the Top of the Arch, learn the Arch’s construction with the documentary movie Monument to the Dream, purchase gifts at The Arch Store, enjoy a meal at the Arch Café, and explore the park’s beautiful trails and greenspaces,” said Pam Sanfilippo, Program Manager, Museum Services & Interpretation, Gateway Arch National Park.

Gateway Arch Summer Hours
Saturday, May 28 through Labor Day, Monday, September 5, the Gateway Arch operates in extended summer hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The last Tram Ride to the Top of the Arch leaves approximately one hour before closing.

Throughout the summer, park rangers will offer ranger-led walking and running tours, museum tours, puppet programs, interactive tactile activities, coffee with a ranger and morning yoga. Schedules will be posted at the park providing the day’s activities, times and locations.

National Kids to Parks Day: Saturday, May 21
On National Kids to Parks Day, Gateway Arch National Park hosts a day of free activities to encourage kids of all ages to get outside and enjoy all the aspects of this amazing park. This year’s programs are keeping with the National Park Service Wellness Challenge, as visitors have opportunities to complete all three challenges – physical, learning and mental – through the programs listed below and the Junior Ranger booklets. Pick up an NPS Wellness Challenge Guide at the Information Desk in the Arch Visitor Center, and get guides stamped upon completion of an activity in each challenge category.
 

• 10:00 a.m.: Yoga for Families: Bring a mat, towel and water and meet at the Arch’s west entrance for a yoga session for the entire family. An NPS ranger and a yoga instructor lead a fun-filled class where each move will be centered in traditional yoga practice with a Gateway Arch theme. No previous skill necessary. Accommodations will be made based on physical ability and skill level.
• 1:00 p.m.: Ranger-led Walk Around the Park: Take advantage of Gateway Arch National Park’s five miles of trails and explore the grounds with a ranger-led walking tour, which begins at the Arch’s west entrance and loop around the monument and park.
• 2:00 p.m.: Rise to the West: Join a ranger at the top of the Grand Staircase, overlooking the Mississippi River, and learn about early St. Louis history! Take the opportunity to ascend and descend the Grand Staircase or gently sloping ramps for fantastic views of the river.
• In addition to these scheduled programs, all day visitors and families can also enjoy:
  • Personal Reflection Activity: Use a map of the park grounds to explore the unique and amazing areas of St. Louis’ urban park! List and describe as many plants, trees, and animals on the back of this sheet, and mark where they are. When done, bring this sheet to the front desk inside the visitor center to earn a Junior Ranger pin.
  • Self-guided Exploration: Download the NPS App and find interactive maps, tours of park places, on-the-ground accessibility information, and much more. The free app is currently available for iOS and Android devices.

Gateway to the Stars Series: Monthly, May Through October, 6:45 to 8:30 p.m.
Gateway to the Stars returns for its 13^th year! Learn about astronomy and space with the National Park Service and the St. Louis Astronomical Society. Each program features a presentation by a guest speaker beginning at 6:45 p.m. in the Arch Visitor Center, and telescope viewing of the night sky from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Arch west entrance plaza. (Fall Gateway to the Stars events will take place September 3 and October 8).

• Saturday, May 28: The Globe at Night
• Saturday, June 12: Stories in the Stars
• Saturday, July 10: Kids Explorer Night
• Saturday, August 14: The New James Webb Space Telescope

Battle of St. Louis Commemoration: Saturday, May 28, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Join the National Park Service at the south leg of the Arch to learn about St. Louis’ role in the American Revolution and how citizens of St. Louis defended their village from the British attack on St. Louis on May 26, 1780. Living History volunteers will conduct musket and cannon firing demonstrations and share stories of St. Louis’ Revolutionary War Battle at the south reflection pond.

Ranger-Narrated St. Louis Riverfront Cruises: Daily, May 28 through September 5 at noon and 1:45 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. $24/adults; $14/kids ages 3-15; $22/seniors (ages 60 and older); free for kids 2 and under.

ARCH VISITOR REMINDERS
Visitors to the Arch must enter the monument at the new glass west entrance, which faces the Old Courthouse. The Arch legs are exits only. Entrance to the Arch Visitor Center and the Museum at the Gateway Arch is 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. Please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of your scheduled tram time. For more information, visit nps.gov/jeff or gatewayarch.com, or call 877-982-1410.

Parking: 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 tickets at one of two validators located inside the Arch Visitor Center. Validators are located in the West Entrance lobby just outside the restrooms and on the lower level of the Arch facility, next to the Explore St. Louis Information Desk.

With each preferred 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.

ABOUT GATEWAY ARCH NATIONAL PARK: The Gateway Arch and the Old Courthouse are part of Gateway Arch National Park, located on the riverfront in downtown St. Louis. The Gateway Arch features the Tram Ride to the Top, the Museum at the Gateway Arch, the documentary film Monument to the Dream, The Arch Store and The Arch Café. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Old Courthouse is currently closed. The park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Most programs are FREE of charge and open to the public. Programs and events at the park are made possible by the generous support from park partners Gateway Arch Park Foundation, Jefferson National Parks Association, and Bi-State Development. For Tram Ride to the Top and Documentary Movie tickets, go online to gatewayarch.com, call 877-982-1410 or visit the ticket counter in the Arch Visitor Center.