A person simply cannot go to St. Louis without seeing the arch on the skyline (The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial). It’s a visual work of art and looks different from every angle depending on the sunlight, cloud coverage, location, and time of day. Seeing the arch was a bucket list, and it didn’t disappoint. We did not get to go to the top because we didn’t purchase tickets ahead of time, but we got to enjoy it all the same. The visit to the welcome center was very educational with wall murals depicting how the arch was built and to get that cherished stamp in the National Park Passport Book.
The walkway up to the memorial via the riverwalk was interesting. Below is a man on his cell phone by a painted piano. We saw several similar pianos around the city. The one on the riverwalk seemed a little lonely, so I’m glad cell phone man kept it company for a little while.
The riverwalk was visually interesting–from horse and buggies to ornate bridges and walkthroughs. There was a lot to take in.
This is a view in front of the arch facing the river. The activity is jumping on the riverfront, but you can also see the distinct shadow of the arch on the water.
We had to get the obligatory selfie with the arch in the background.
Then, when finally reaching the base of the arch, we had to touch it. We were touching the arch (at least Dani and Mike were) in the photo below. While I thought the arch was spectacular, I was disappointed in the graffiti they obviously tried to eradicate. What’s wrong with people?
Below are photos from different angles depicting varying views depending on light and location. These are from different sites around the arch.
After marveling at the arch, we took a walk to see the Old Courthouse, which was beautiful, patriotic, and serene. Everyone used hushed voices and I think it was the quietest place we visited in the city.
After the Old Courthouse, the day was winding down quickly. It was time to seek out dinner and end our St. Louis adventure with a family meal and visiting time. We found a sweet little Italian place close by named Charlie Gitto’s.
We had a delicious meal, visited, and then headed back to the RV to wind down for the night. On the way back, the kids stopped to get us a St. Louis gooey butter cake, a St. Louis-inspired dessert that topped off our weekend perfectly. Tomorrow, we’d return to Branson and prepare for another work week.
What a lovely, exciting weekend. Thank you, St. Louis.
Where We are Currently: Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, IN
Where We Are Headed: Lafayette, LA
Blog Post Location: St. Louis, Mo.
While we posted no video on St. Louis, you can keep up with our current adventures on the YouTube Channel at RandomBitsRV. Be sure to connect with us on Instragram RandombitsRV.
We too get our National Park Passport Book stamped (when we remember) – fun memories in addition to photos.
I love my passport book! I hope to have it entirely filled by the time I leave this earth. If I don’t, I hope our kids will continue until it’s all done. 🙂 Happy stamping!!! 🙂 Thanks for dropping by.
Same here! It’s cheaper than buying a bunch of memorabilia in the gift shop, too. 🙂
We have definitely got to go see the Arch before the end of this “Great American Road Trip.” Good to know we need to book tickets to go inside beforehand. I would have assumed you could just show up. Awesome pictures! I love all the different angles and how you got the sun behind it. I’ll bookmark the restaurant recommendation as well. Looks like a great way to spend a weekend!
It was a whirlwind weekend, but definitely worth it. City Museum and the arch were my favorites. I’m not sorry we got to make the detour to visit St. Louis–loved it.
Very cool pictures of the arch and boy that dessert looks yummy! Thanks for sharing it all.
Gooey butter cake is delicious–too delicious. LOL
It has been several years since we last saw the arch. Your photos show it off beautifully.
It was the first time for me, and I loved seeing it. I didn’t get to go to the top, but not appreciating heights all that much, I’m okay with that. 🙂
The windows at the top were tiny, so we couldn’t see as much as we thought we would.
Interesting post!
Thank you!
The photos are amazing. I am left wondering, however, how does a human fit into the arch going to the top? Perhaps you need to be there to see the size … but it looks awfully tiny to go to the top and then there is the issue of how the arch supports all the weight of people up there. One day I will see for myself – but thanks for taking us along on this epic journey.
I thought the same thing about whether a person fit at the top. The truth is that it is HUGE and the architecture and engineering is a work of art. Depending on where Dani lives, I’ll definitely go back to St. Louis.
Yes – it looks like a great place to visit more than once.
Glad you had a great time. I’ve never been there, but its on the list!
It’s definitely worth it!
So fun to visit a blog from somebody who is still living the ‘full-time life’ … when I came here in response to your comment on our ‘FullTime-Life’ blog, I thought for a minute that i was looking at one of my own older posts :>)))….. we loved living this way as we did for over 10 years — and I can see that you love it just as much as we did.
Your post on St Louis brought back some great memories, We really enjoyed our time in the midwest …. Thanks for the memories!
Thank you for stopping by and reading.
Great journey. Thank you.
We had a great time! Thank you!