First thing to know is you can’t park close. It’s a hike just to get to it. It’s now a national park – the country’s smallest, they told me – and the grounds are sculpted and foliaged aesthetically, if you’re into that sort of thing. Which means the lonnnng walk provides a scenic view. The setting is spectacular. Downtown to the west, the mighty Mississippi the the east.

When you get there, it’s quite the site. It’s very aesthetic and the triangular shape is quite beautifully executed.

So we decided to go up. But the entrance is another lonnnnnng walk from the base of the arch.

Once inside, it’s beautifully done. You have to buy a ticket for the “tram” that takes you to the top and there’s typically a wait. There’s lots to see, they’ve created quite the display area that tells the story of how St. Louis was the gateway to the west. We got a bite to eat, in our case Italian subs that were tasty and pre-made, ready to heat and serve.

Then we stood in line for our time slot, but got bumped to the next group ten minutes later. Then we went into the waiting area and waited for another ten minutes, watching corny videos playing on the cement walls. Then it was time to go to the tram station and wait in front of our assigned car, another ten minutes.

Finally into the circular pod with seats for five and the door closes. Fortunately it’s a glass door and you can see the inside of the tower as you go up. Helps keep that claustrophobia away!

Finally, at the top for – you guessed it – ten minutes! Small windows angling outward, you can see the base of the tower, which boggles my mind, and for thirty miles in either direction. Fabulous view. Ten minutes is enough, then it’s time for the ride down, a smile all the way.  Despite the wait it was worth doing.

I recommend it to everyone, but plan to spend some time there and do a lot of walking.