The Arch / Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
The Arch / Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Photo by Clint Pollock, 2008
The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is located in St. Louis, MO
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial or, ‘The Arch’ as it is more commonly known, has much to offer for a family vacation idea. There is tremendous history, extremely unique architecture and rare Lewis and Clark artifacts. A trip to the Midwest should not exclude this memorial to the earlier western expansion of our nation’s population! Check below for great Jefferson National Expansion Memorial information.
Uniqueness
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial consists of the Gateway Arch, the Museum of Westward Expansion, and St. Louis’ Old Courthouse. During a nationwide competition in 1947-48, architect Eero Saarinen’s inspired design for a 630 foot stainless steel arch was chosen as a perfect monument to the spirit of the western pioneers. This breathtaking national park reflects the spirit of the country’s pioneers, and stands in tribute to Thomas Jefferson – the man whose dream inspired the spread of freedom and democracy from “sea to shining sea.” No trip to St. Louis is complete without a visit to the Gateway Arch – the stunning stainless steel structure that rises from the banks of the Mississippi and is our nation’s tallest monument. More than an engineering marvel, the arch has come to represent the spirit of the City of St. Louis, the Gateway to The West.
The Museum of Westward Expansion, located below the Arch, is as large as a football field and contains an extensive collection of artifacts, mounted animal specimens, an authentic American Indian tipi, rare Indian peace medals, a Sioux war bonnet, and an overview of the Lewis and Clark expedition. The Museum preserves some of the rarest artifacts from the days of Lewis and Clark. There are three museum stores that offer a large selection of materials on St. Louis history, mercantile history from 1870, and western history. There’s plenty to offer the history buff.
Located just two blocks west of the Arch, the Old Courthouse is one of the oldest standing buildings in St. Louis, begun in 1839. It was here that the first two trials of the Dred Scott case were held in 1847 and 1850. Today, the building houses a museum charting the history of the city of St. Louis and restored courtrooms.
Whether you come for a day or spend a week, you’ll be struck by the sweeping symbol of the Arch; stirred by exhibits that celebrate the American West; and moved by the historical events that took place here. Don’t miss a tram ride to the top of the Arch for a stunning panoramic view of the St. Louis area. See a screening of the film “Monument to the Dream” which details the construction of the Arch. Experience the ULTRA 70 wide screen feature films in the high tech Odyssey Theatre such as “The Great American West” which dramatically portrays incidents in the history of westward expansion, telling several very human stories which are set against the magnificent backdrop of the spectacular mountains, deserts, and seacoasts of the western United States. The “Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West” vividly portrays the exciting story of discovery and exploration led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.
Construction of the Arch began in 1963 and was completed on October 28, 1965, for a total cost of less than $15 million. The Arch has foundations sunken 60 feet into the ground, and is built to withstand earthquakes and high winds. It sways up to one inch in a 20 mph wind, and is built to sway up to 18 inches. A Grand Staircase leads from the St. Louis levee up to the base of the Gateway Arch, an idea that originated in 1957 with the Gateway Arch’s designer, architect Eero Saarinen. Due to funding and change of plan design, the staircase was not completed until 2003. Fees are charged to ride the unique tram system to the top.
The total acreage of the park is 90.96 acres. Almost 3,000,000 visitors come to the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial every year. The Gateway Arch is open daily from 8am-10pm Memorial Day through Labor Day (summer hours) and from 9am-6pm the remainder of the year. Park is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, & New Years day. The Old Courthouse is open daily from 8am-4:30pm, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, & New Years day. Free ranger-led tours are given on a regular schedule, with times and subjects of tours posted each day at the entrance to the Museum and the Old Courthouse. These tours usually last 45 minutes. Arrangements for ranger-led tours can be made in advance by calling 314-655-1700. Efforts have been made to make facilities at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial accessible for visitors with disabilities. Please call 314-655-1700 for more information Monday through Friday. Please notify the receptionist if you have any specific needs. The Old Courthouse is accessible by wheelchair lift from the Broadway entrance on the west side of the building. A bell may be pressed for service. The museum galleries and rest rooms on the first floor of the Old Courthouse are fully accessible. Due to the historic nature of the building, the upper levels of the Old Courthouse are not wheelchair accessible. The theater at the Old Courthouse has audio enhancement. Special audio-taped tours of the Old Courthouse are available for a nominal fee. At the Gateway Arch, the Museum of Westward Expansion, all restrooms, and lobby area are completely accessible. Wheelchairs are available for loan at the Information Desk. Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (JNEM) and St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley have formed a unique partnership to benefit memorial visitors who are deaf.
The majestic Old Courthouse has remained over the past 150 years as one of St. Louis’ most prominent architectural landmarks. Plan your visit to see all the permanent exhibits and special events! The Old Courthouse was the site of the first two trials of the pivotal Dred Scott case in 1847 and 1850. It was also where Virginia Minor’s case for a woman’s right to vote came to trial in the 1870s. You may tour this historic structure, and visit the restored courtrooms to learn more about our 19th century judicial system.
St. Louis’ Old Courthouse is listed in the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. The Network to Freedom recognizes sites, programs and facilities with verifiable associations to the Underground Railroad. The phenomenon popularly known as the Underground Railroad has been broadly defined by the National Park Service as the “historic resistance to enslavement through escape and flight.” The Old Courthouse is linked with the story of the Underground Railroad, and with that of slavery, as a property associated with legal challenges to slavery. It was a public forum as well as a courthouse. Slaves were auctioned from its steps in estate settlements, while one man’s suit for freedom helped plunge the country into Civil War. The Old Courthouse was the site of hundreds of suits for freedom, but one gained notoriety. In 1847, Dred Scott, with his wife Harriet, sued for, and were granted, their freedom. After many appeals, the case was decided upon by the Supreme Court. The decision stated that slaves were property, and as such, had no right to sue. The Dred Scott Decision hastened the start of the Civil War.
Let the kids come be a Junior Ranger here! This park offers a lot of history and architecture in two different locations. The junior ranger books have activities at either the Old Courthouse or the Museum of Westward Expansion under the Gateway Arch. They can do all three activities at one site, or spread it out over both. There are three separate booklets, one designed for each of these three age groups: 5-7 year olds, 8-10 year olds, and 11-13 year olds. Visit the information desk to pick up a booklet. To receive their badge, they must bring their completed booklet to the information desk. After this, they may purchase a patch in the Arch Museum Store or the Old Courthouse.
Winter is the best time to visit if you hate crowds. The weather is generally mild and there will be no waiting in line. Summer is the busiest season, so either come early to beat the crowds or come late in the day. Fall and spring are busy group tour seasons, although the crowds are still thinner at these times.
Summers are often hot and humid, with average temperatures in the high 80 or 90 degrees Fahrenheit while autumn and spring are mild and pleasant.
A bus drop-off area is available to better serve our visitors. It is located alongside the Old Cathedral parking lot, with access from Memorial Drive. Parking for buses and recreational vehicles is available in the privately-owned parking lots on the south end of the Arch grounds at 2nd and Poplar Streets. Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard, on the east side of the Arch, can also be used as a bus drop-off area.
Paid parking is available in the Arch Parking Garage located on the north edge of the Arch grounds off of Washington Avenue. Parking is $6 for the first 9 hours and 75 cents for each additional half hour. The garage has an Early Bird special of $4 for those entering the facility between the hours of 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Maximum vehicle height is seven (7) feet. Please note that it is a considerable walk from all parking points to the Arch. The Old Courthouse is located adjacent to many public parking areas within one to two city blocks.
There is a $3.00 park entrance fee that is included in the tickets purchased for activities. Tram: $10.00 for adults (17 and older), $7.00 for youths (13-16), $3.00 for children (3-12 yrs.), and $7.00 for a National Park Passport (A program where you can receive a canceled stamp, similar to an international passport stamp, in a passport “book”. Proceeds for the passport book and stamps go to the National Park Districts.)
Movie: $7.00 for adults, $4.00 for youths, $2.50 for children, $4.00 for Passport.
Riverboat: $10.00 for adults, youths and Passports, $4.00 for children.
Tram & Movie: $14.00 for adults, $11.00 for youths and Passports, $5.50 for children.
Tram & Riverboat: $20.00 for adults, $17.00 for youths and Passports, $7.00 for children.
Visitors may purchase tickets in person for the day of the event. However, you can save time by purchasing tickets online. A $3 processing fee is charged per transaction for this service.
There are campgrounds available within a two hour trip to St. Louis.
Ulysses S. Grant National Historical Site is 10 miles away. Grant’s Farm is 10 miles away. The Missouri Historical Society is 5 miles away. There are a number of county parks-St. Stanislaus, County, Spanish Lake, and Bellefontaine as well as Forest Park, Tower Grove Park, and North Riverfront Park all around the St. Louis area. The Mississippi and Missouri Rivers run around the area where you will find Pelican Island, Mosenthein Island and in Illinois, Chouteau Island, Horseshoe Lake, the Cahokia Mounds State Park and Frank Holten State Park.
From Lambert International Airport (North)
Traveling east on I-70, take the Memorial Drive-Downtown Exit (250B). Travel through one stoplight (Pine St.), then turn left on Chestnut. Cross over the highway then turn left on Memorial Drive. Stay in the right lane and turn right on Washington Avenue. Traveling east, the garage is on the right. Note: If you’re flying your own plane into St. Louis, we suggest landing at St. Louis Downtown Airport, located five minutes from the Jefferson Memorial.
From Illinois (East)
Traveling west on I-64, I-55/70 cross the Poplar Street Bridge. Take the Memorial Drive/Arch Riverfront/Convention Center Exit Only (right lane). Garage parking and the riverfront are accessible by traveling past the Arch and taking the first right onto Washington Avenue. Traveling east, the garage is on the right.
From South St. Louis
Traveling north on I-55 and I-44 (I-44 East merges with I-55 North) take the Downtown Exit (209A) and then take the Memorial Drive Exit (251C) which is the 2nd right-hand lane (the far right lane goes to Illinois). Garage parking and the riverfront are accessible by traveling past the Arch (right lane) and taking the first right (Washington Avenue). Traveling east, the garage is on the right.
From West St. Louis
Traveling east on I-40 take the Broadway Exit (last Missouri Exit-40B). At the stop sign turn left. At the 2nd stoplight (4th Street) make a left turn onto 4th and travel north to Walnut. Turn right on Walnut and travel east to Memorial Drive. Turn left on Memorial Drive. The Arch garage is past the Arch (traveling north). Turn right on Washington Avenue. Traveling east, the garage is on the right.
Metro Link
The Jefferson Memorial is easily accessible from St. Louis’ Metro Link Lightrail. Board at any station and exit at Laclede’s Landing and follow the signs to the Memorial (a five minute walk). The trip from Lambert National Airport to the Jefferson Memorial Lambert Airport is 28 minutes, with departures to and from Lambert every 10 minutes.
Approximate Mileage from the following major cities to Jefferson National Expansion Memorial:
By Car:
East St. Louis, MO – 3.24 miles
Springfield, IL – 101.01 miles
Chicago, IL – 296.83 miles
Springfield, MO – 217.43 miles
Chesterfield, MO – 22.06 miles
By Plane:
Lambert-Saint Louis International Airport – 14.88 miles
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, 11 N. 4th St., St. Louis, MO 63102
Visitor Information Recorded Message-314-655-1700
