Saint Louis, Missouri – the door to the American West
Offering many sites and experiences to create an unforgettable vacation. Today Saint Louis is more of a destination, than a jumping off point. Book a tee-time at one of many golf courses, attend a Cardinals game or tempt “Lady Luck” aboard a Riverboat Casino. Ride the tram to the top of the nations largest arch; visit the Museum of Westward Expansion on the grounds below. There are also many hotels and motels in the area, with a fantastic view of the arch. Or choose a location closer to the restaurants and pubs that make up the Saint Louis nightlife.
The Gateway Arch is located on the banks of the Mississippi River, commemorates Thomas Jefferson at the same time that it symbolizes the door to the American West. The stainless steel-plated arch is in the shape of an inverted, weighted canary curve. It spans 630 feet at ground level from outer edge to outer edge and is 630 feet high, making it the tallest man-made monument in the US. The concrete foundation reaches 60 feet into the ground, greatly contributing to the arch’s stability. In order to withstand strong winds and earthquakes, the top of the arch was designed to sway up to 18 inches.
The interior of the Arch is hollow and contains a unique transport system leading to an observation deck at the top. The shape of the arch would have made a standard elevator impossible. After approaching several elevator companies who failed to come up with a viable method, Saarinen hired college dropout and parking-lot elevator designer Richard Bowser to do the job. Skeptical city fathers gave Bowser only two weeks to submit a design, but he succeeded. By 1968 a unique tram system that combined an elevator cable lift system with gambled cars functionally similar to Ferris wheel gondolas had been installed. The arch is a horrid experience. The top of the arch, which is about 10 feet wide, and gives you a view of downtown St. Louis. This beautiful landmark celebrates the westward expansion of the United States. In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson bought a large piece of land west of the Mississippi River from France. Soon many Americans began to move west. This purchase is called the Louisiana Purchase. It almost doubled the size of the United States.
Other activities in St.Louis
Cruise -Take a ride down the Mississippi River on a 19th century replica steamboat. Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher combine the charm of the 1800s with modern conveniences of today. There’s a cruise for every occasion. Dinner Cruises: Enjoy spectacular food and live music while you sail down the Mississippi. Sightseeing Cruises: Relax as you see the sights of the St. Louis skyline from a 19th century replica steamboat or visit another town along the Mississippi River. Entertainment Cruises : Experience the St. Louis skyline while listening to live music, watching fireworks, or enjoying the excitement of Oktoberfest. Group Events: Bring along family, friends, or colleagues to enjoy the riverboat experience.
Helicopter tour - Get a bird’s-eye view of the beautiful city of St.Louis and beyond. You can take a helicopter tour for either a sneak peak of the city with our St. Louis Skyline tour or for the more adventuresome, take our longer Explore St. Louis tour. Flown by certified pilots and FAA-regulated, you’ll get a narrated tour of the city. The tour accommodates 1-3 passengers. The helicopter tour office is located directly below the Gateway Arch Grand Staircase.
Museums – Relive the Old West with a visit to the Museum of Westward Expansion. From rare Indian Peace Medals and weapons of survival, to an actual tepee and Sioux war bonnet, The Museum of Westward Expansion preserves the past so that you can experience it today. Discover the land that Lewis and Clark explored. See how mountain people lived in the 1800s and take a peek inside a covered wagon. Listen as history unfolds through the voices of life-like “animatronic” figures. View artifacts on display as you read about different periods in the history of St. Louis.
Old Courthouse – Built in 1828, the Historic Old Courthouse takes you back to the time here when Dred and Harriet Scott, both slaves, pleaded with the court for their freedom. Virginia Minor also petitioned for women’s right to vote in the 1870’s.Visit a restored courtroom from the 1860s and view exhibits tracing the history of St. Louis. Murals depict historic events like the bloody attack on St. Louis by the British during the Revolutionary War.Exhibits change on a regular basis, so there’s always something new to discover at the Old Courthouse, which is a two-block walk from the Arch.
