Oh, no, we thought.
The Gateway Arch website won’t sell us any tickets.
Five of us wanted to go fully appreciate the landmark after the Library and Marketing Conference 2019 had concluded.
We’d witnessed the majesty from the adjacent Hyatt Regency at the Arch often during our stay.
Let’s walk over and see if we can buy tickets at the gate, I mused to the library gang.
Me and a landmark.
We were excited to try.
Five tickets for the 4:20 excursion up, coming right up. Tickets are closed out online two hours before trip time, the kind clerk responded to my query.
Hover over a gallery photo for a description. Click on an image for an enlarged slide show.
After going through a TSA-style check-in before entering the National Park, we walked through the museum and an elaborate foyer.
Big things ahead.
We entered a Disney-type line leading to the elevator.
The lift to the top was provided by a series of eight cabins that seat five people each.
The ride up takes four minutes, our guide explained before we climbed into Cabin Eight. The ride down would take three minutes. I immediately appreciated the gravity of the situation.
Toward Missouri.
Immediately I was struck by the sunset over Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Mighty Mississipi,
I looked toward home, eastward over the Mississippi River and the banks of Illinois.
The views straight down displayed just how high up we were.
Me in a cool place.
I was hoping to capture a selfie with a cool view out. The lighting would not go along with my hopes.
At the wheel.
I did get the St. Louis city ferris wheel at the back of this photo, though.
The Fitbit would go nuts.
My new friend Mark said he would like to take the stairs down. No thank you.
Mark Bialczak 
Was it like a stair-step roller coaster to get up and down? I vaguely remember that, but your photos don’t match my memory. I remember really liking it, and being able to feel the movement while I was in the arch.
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Eight cabins that fit five people each, so 40 folks go up per tour shift, Joey. The cabins bounce around going up the track, and back down the same track. I did feel movement in the arch up top, for sure.
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Yeah, no, I checked with The Mister and his sister (we all went then) and it was only two people per, so that’s definitely different. Change is good, I’m sure 🙂
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Updates happen, Joey. You betcha.
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I’m so glad you did it!
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It was really wonderful, Nance.
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WOW!
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Looks
Like so much fun!
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It was a must-go, Y!
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🙂
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I love the downs and ups of this wonderful post, Mark!
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I was level-headed at the top of the arch, promise, Ann.
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We caught it just perfect many years back when someone from the Cardinals hit a home run so they shot off fireworks just as we were looking at the stadium. So cool seeing fireworks from above them!!
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That is what I call wonderful timing, DJ! I was thrilled by the sight of the empty stadium. I can just imagine the fireworks over the city skyline!
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I would not take the stairs either 💜 great photos 💜
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I think the stairs would be TOO MUCH Willow. Yikes.
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Oh! Yes ! 💜
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Oh! Wow!
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I was so happy to be there, MBC.
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I’m so glad you didn’t give up and found these amazing views
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A true statement of our nation, Beth!
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