two glass cases, one holding a model of the Arch grounds and one a large model of the Arch structure
Fee applies

Explore the Museum under the Gateway Arch

Gateway Arch National Park

The Museum at the Gateway Arch covers 200 years of history about the westward expansion of the United States with an emphasis on St. Louis’ important role during that era.

Connect with the past, present and future while exploring six interactive story galleries in the museum. Experience over 200 years of historic events, multi-cultural influences and the inspiration behind the Gateway Arch. Challenge yourself to consider different perspectives and discover previously untold stories. Rethink and reimagine the city of St. Louis and westward expansion with each story you encounter in the museum. You can experience the galleries chronologically or just wander as you spot something that catches your eye. To start in chronological order first head to Colonial St. Louis on the right side of the walkway after you pass the giant screens. There are interactive elements for young people (or the young at heart) in each gallery. Every gallery also features touch stations, so those with low or no vision have the opportunity to experience a representation of a key artifact from that gallery. Learn about the six museum galleries here. Park Rangers are stationed in the museum to answer questions and direct you to exhibits. Rangers also offer regular museum programming -- check out our park calendar to see what's happening on your visit date.

Tags

Museum ExhibitsAfrican American HeritageBisonArchitecture and BuildingAsian American HeritageColonization and SettlementCommerceTradeEngineeringEnslavementExplorers and ExpeditionsFarming and AgricultureFortsGrasslandsHispanic American HeritageImmigrationIndustryLatino American HeritageMigrationsMilitaryMonuments and MemorialsMountainsNative American HeritagePresidentsScience, Technology and InnovationSocial MovementsCivil RightsTragic EventsTrains and RailroadsWars and ConflictsCivil WarColonial/European Contact ConflictsFrench and Indian WarIndian and Frontier WarsMexican WarWestward ExpansionHomesteadingThe Gold RushWildernessWomen's HistoryartifactsMuseumMuseum Artifactswellnesswellness challengewellness programMissouri

Visitor Photos

No visitor photos yet

Details

Duration Details

The exhibits can be experienced in a short browse before catching a tram or in through study reading all the panels and interacting with all the exhibits. It's up to you!

Fees

There is no fee to visit the museum.

Fees Apply

No

Seasons

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

Time of Day

Day, Dusk

Accessibility

This museum was designed with accessibility as a priority. The museum is accessible with all areas reachable by those in wheelchairs. There are audio describer and audio enhancer tours available for those with low vision or with limited hearing. There are tactile models in all galleries.

Pets

No — Service animals are allowed, but no pets. Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. (Americans with Disabilities Act guidance on service animals) & 28 CFR 36.104)

Reservations

No — Reservations are not required to visit the museum.

Age Info

All ages, but minors must be with an adult parent or guardian.

Location

Under the Arch

View on NPS.govBack to Gateway Arch

What visitors say

Reviews.

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!