Attractions
Gateway Arch
Within the riverside park known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the Gateway Arch is a soaring landmark above the city's skyline - the thin stainless steel arc reaches to twice the height of the Statue of Liberty at 630ft. It symbolizes the role of St Louis as the 'Gateway to the West' for the pioneers who journeyed along the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails towards the western frontier. It is also dedicated to the US president who was responsible for opening up the West. An observation deck that is reached by a tram system provides magnificent views over the city, the Mississippi and the spreading plains. Also on the site with the Arch is the Old Courthouse Museum that was the venue for the hearing of several momentous cases during the 19th century. At the base of the monument is the excellent Museum of Westward Expansion with exhibits covering exploration of the west and its honored pioneers, including Lewis and Clark, the Plains Indians and buffalo soldiers. The Odyssey IMAX Theatre shows big-screen films about the region and its history.
Address: St Louis Riverfront
Telephone: (877) 982 1410
E-mail: info@gatewayarch.com
Web site: www.gatewayarch.com
Transport: Laclede's Landing Metro Stop
Openingtime: The museum is open daily 8am to 10pm (summer) and 9am to 6pm (winter). The tram runs daily from 8.20am to 9.10pm (summer) and 9.20am to 5.10pm (winter)
Admission: Museum free; tram $10 (adults), $3 (children 3-12). Other concessions available
Forest Park
The beautifully landscaped Forest Park is larger than New York's Central Park and its leafy grounds are filled with attractions. The acclaimed St Louis Art Museum has a magnificent international collection of art, covering works from prehistoric times to contemporary, and houses one of the most extensive collections of German Expressionism worldwide. The St Louis Science Center features life-size dinosaurs along with displays and interactive exhibits on the environment, aviation, technology and more. There is also an OMNIMAX Theatre and Planetarium. Thousands of animals roam the beautiful grounds of the St Louis Zoo, with indoor and outdoor cage-less displays, and a Living World Exhibition features an animated robotic figure of Charles Darwin who summarises his theories on evolution. The Missouri History Museum documents life in St Louis with old photographs and displays on river life, black music and western expansion.
Telephone: (314) 289 4444 (Science Center), (314) 781 0900 (Zoo), (314) 721 0072 (Art Museum), (314) 746 4599 (History Museum)
We bsite: www.stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/parks/forestpark
Transport: Metrolink to the park and Shuttle Bugs travel the parks roadways between attractions
Openingtime: Zoo: Daily 8am to 7pm (summer), 9am to 5pm (winter). History Museum: daily 10am to 6pm, until 8pm on Tuesday. Art Museum: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm, until 9pm on Friday. Science Center: Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 5.30pm, Friday and Saturday 9.30am to 9.30pm (summer); 9.30am to 4.30pm, until 9.30pm on Friday (winter); 11.30am to 4.30pm/5.30pm on Sundays
Admission: Grounds and museums are free. Some zoo attractions require an admission fee
