Explore the Museum under the Gateway Arch

the Building the Arch gallery

Jennifer Clark/NPS Photo

Connect with the past, present and future while exploring six interactive story galleries in the museum. 

Experience over 200 years of historic events, multi-cultural influences and the inspiration behind the Gateway Arch. 

Challenge yourself to consider different perspectives and discover previously untold stories. Rethink and reimagine the city of St. Louis and westward expansion with each story you encounter in the museum.
 
You can experience the galleries chronologically or just wander as you spot something that catches your eye. To start in chronological order first head to Colonial St. Louis on the right side of the walkway after you pass the giant screens. There are interactive elements for young people (or the young at heart) in each gallery. Every gallery also features touch stations, so those with low or no vision have the opportunity to experience a representation of a key artifact from that gallery.  

Learn about the six museum galleries here.

Park Rangers are stationed in the museum to answer questions and direct you to exhibits. Rangers also offer regular museum programming -- check out our park calendar to see what's happening on your visit date.

Details

Activity

Museum Exhibits

Age(s)

All ages, but minors must be with an adult parent or guardian. 

Pets Allowed

No

Service animals are allowed, but no pets. Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. (Americans with Disabilities Act guidance on service animals) & 28 CFR 36.104)

Activity Fee

No

There is no fee to visit the museum. 

Location

Under the Arch

the museum is directly under the Gateway Arch, enter through the Visitor Center entrance and make your way down to the first floor

Reservations

No

Reservations are not required to visit the museum. 

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Day, Dusk

The museum is open the same hours as the Visitor Center, during the day and in summer during the early evening. 

Accessibility Information

This museum was designed with accessibility as a priority. The museum is accessible with all areas reachable by those in wheelchairs. There are audio describer and audio enhancer tours available for those with low vision or with limited hearing. There are tactile models in all galleries.