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Landmarks Downtown St. Louis Walking Tours

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Landmarks Downtown St. Louis Walking Tours:  History, Culture, Architecture and Exercise: What could be better on a Saturday morning?

Explore the fascinating history, culture and architectural legacy of Downtown St. Louis from the City’s founding through its current development. We offer two tours on Saturdays, 9 am to 11:30 pm, April through October.

Tours are limited to 10 people and cover about two miles at a leisurely pace. Tickets are $15 (children younger than 12 are free). Purchase tickets at LandmarksTours – STL.org

EAST TOUR: Explore the architectural legacy of the heart of the city. From the bustling riverfront of the French American entrepreneurs to the skyscrapers of the 20th century, you’ll find famous architectural and engineering marvels, including these highlights: Old Courthouse | Old Cathedral | Eads Bridge | Gateway Arch | Old Post Office | Wainwright Building

WEST TOUR: St. Louis’ grandest public buildings are a testament to the City’s ambitions during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Explore their history, architectural significance and how they changed the area from blighted to monumental, including these highlights: Union Station | Stifel Theatre | Central Library | City Hall | Campbell House | Soldiers Memorial Military Museum

Purchase Tickets in advance at:  LandmarksTours – STL.org #LandmarksToursSTL

Information

Additional information.

Visiting the Gateway Arch: Enter the monument through the Gateway Arch Visitor Center, which faces Fourth Street and the Old Courthouse. The Gateway Arch legs are exits only. Please allow at least 30 minutes to go through security. Tickets sell out early and often, advance reservations are strongly recommended. Pending availability, additional tickets may be available for same-day purchase beginning at 9am each day through our website, call center, and ticket center at the Gateway Arch. Same-day ticket availability is not guaranteed and sells out early and often.

• Hours & Pricing
• Directions & Parking
• Sample Itinerary
• Tram Ride to the Top
• Riverboat Cruises
• Virtual Reality Theater
• Old Courthouse
• Activities & Attractions
• Tour Operators
• Field Trips
• Private Events
• Group Pricing
• Submit Photos

Plan Your Visit

Beyond the amazing views, the Gateway Arch offers an abundance of things to see and do. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, you’ll find activities to please every member of your party. Click below for a sample itinerary and everything you need to know to plan your visit to the Gateway Arch.

Activity Pricing Schedule and pricing subject to change.

The gateway arch.

Normal—Daily 9:00am–6:00pm*

Summer—Daily Saturday before Memorial Day – Labor Day 9:00am–8:00pm*

The park grounds are open from 5:00am–11:00pm year round.

* Last tram leaves one-hour prior to closing.

The Old Courthouse

Temporarily Unavailable

Riverboats at the Gateway Arch

Cruising March through November (Cruise times and hours vary. Go to gatewayarch.com/riverboats for full schedule.)

Private events offered year round.

Gateway Arch Call Center

Summer 9:00am-7:00pm

Winter—Daily 9:00am–5:00pm

The Gateway Arch and Call Center are open year-round but are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day .

Summer Hours run the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Winter Hours run the Tuesday after Labor Day through the Friday before Memorial Day weekend.

Directions & Parking

Passenger drop-off/pick-up available on 4th Street across from the Old Courthouse, between Market & Chestnut. Accessible metered parking available (first come, first served) on Memorial Drive between Walnut & Market Streets and Chestnut & Pine Streets.

Find directions from any of St. Louis’ convenient highways and bridges.

Find the most pedestrian-friendly routes.

Public Transit

Skip driving and parking—take MetroLink, MetroBus, or the #99 Downtown Trolley to the Gateway Arch.

Bus Directions

Find important details for groups arriving by bus.

Gateway Arch

Learn more about preferred parking when visiting Gateway Arch National Park

Learn more about parking when visiting the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch

This video shows you how to save money on your visit to Gateway Arch National Park by pre-purchasing your parking. It also demonstrates the process of parking in the Stadium East Parking Garage, walking to the Gateway Arch entrance and how to validate your parking if you did not pre-pay for parking. 

As one of America’s cherished national parks, the Gateway Arch takes your safety and security very seriously. Here are a few simple guidelines to ensure a safe experience for all visitors.

Visitors entering the Gateway Arch facility are subject to search and screening by magnetometer and x-ray equipment, similar to airport security.

Allow plenty of time to go through security screening. During our busier times the wait can be up to 30–45 minutes.

Pack lightly for faster screening. These items are prohibited inside the security gates: pepper spray, mace, guns (including CCW), cat eyes, brass knuckles, and knives with non-folding blades or blades longer than 4”.

Accessibility

The Gateway Arch is an experience enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. Recent improvements have expanded access to even more of our attractions. With the exception of the Tram Ride to the Top of the Gateway Arch, the second and third decks of the riverboats, and the upper floors of the Old Courthouse, most facilities at the Gateway Arch are wheelchair accessible. See below for specific directions to our various attractions.

Tram Ride to the Top:  The Tram Ride to the Top of the Gateway Arch is not fully accessible for guests with mobility impairments, as no wheelchairs, scooters or strollers are permitted on the Observation Deck. To reach the top and return, you must be able to manage at least 96 steps, divided into six flights, and you may need to stand for 30­–60 minutes. No seating or restrooms are located at the top of the Arch.

New Museum at the Gateway Arch:   The new Museum at the Gateway Arch was designed to prioritize universal design throughout the galleries to accommodate people of many different abilities and to make the experience better for everyone. Universal Design is the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size or ability. The museum features hands-on, touchable exhibits; large print text cards; front access for wheelchairs; interactive computer simulations; and much more.

Gateway Arch National Park Grounds: Motor vehicles are prohibited but electric-powered mobility assistance devices (e.g. electric scooters, wheelchairs, and Segways) for transporting persons with disabilities are permitted on park roadways and walkways.

Guests may borrow a wheelchair by leaving a valid form of identification with a National Park Service ranger at the Information Desk inside the Gateway Arch or Old Courthouse.

Parking for the Gateway Arch:  Preferred parking at a discounted rate ($10 for first five hours) is available at the Stadium East Garage.

• Location : 200 S Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102
• Pre-purchase parking with no validation required : iparkit.com/TheArch If parking is not pre-purchased, validation is required by scanning/stamping your parking ticket at one of two validators located inside the Visitor Center at Gateway Arch National Park. Validators are located in the West Entrance lobby just outside the restrooms and on Level 3 next to the Explore St. Louis Information Desk.
• Important note:  On dates with St. Louis Cardinals’ home games, downtown St. Louis event days, and other Busch Stadium event days discounted Arch parking MUST be purchased by 11:59pm on the date prior to the game. If parking is not pre-paid, event parking rates will apply and parking tickets cannot be validated. Please check the  Cardinals schedule  and plan ahead for Arch parking.
• Blackout dates, including Cardinals Opening Day, might apply for discounted rate pre-paid parking.

Additional parking locations in downtown St. Louis, visit  explorestlouis.com/travel-tools/get-around-st-louis/downtown-parking/

Parking for the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch: The Riverboats at the Gateway Arch are located on the Mississippi River accessible from the cobblestone levee at 50 S. Leonor K Sullivan Blvd. (St. Louis, MO 63102). Riverfront parking is available for a cash fee and is not operated by the Gateway Arch or Riverboats at the Gateway Arch. To access the riverfront parking, take Chouteau Ave. east to Leonor K Sullivan Blvd. north. For maps and directions, go to gatewayarch.com/riverboatdirections . DO NOT USE GPS NAVIGATION due to recent street closures along and near the riverfront. Note: Parking availability is subject to weather and river conditions. For current parking updates, please visit gatewayarch.com/riverboatdirections prior to your visit.

Hearing-impaired visitors   may request assisted listening and captioning devices for the documentary movie and the museum from the Information Desk inside the Gateway Arch.

Sight-impaired visitors  may request audio description devices for the documentary movie from the Information Desk inside the Gateway Arch.

Service animals  ( as defined by the US Department of Justice ) are permitted at the Gateway Arch and the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch.

Strollers are permitted everywhere except in the Arch trams and the Observation Deck at the top of the Gateway Arch. You may park strollers at the tram ride loading zones located below the Gateway Arch before taking your Tram Ride to the Top. Many families park strollers there, so you may want to label yours with your name and address.

Visiting the Riverboats from the Arch grounds:   New, sloping pathways now lead from the Arch grounds down to the riverfront. If driving by car, parking is available for a cash fee on the levee at 50 South Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63102.*

Visiting the Arch from the Riverboats:  Enter the Arch grounds from the riverfront via the Grand Staircase. For wheelchair access, use the ramps from the riverfront to the Arch grounds. Another park entrance is available at the north via Laclede’s Landing, the 1st and 2nd Street entrances to the park are also wheelchair accessible.*

Visiting the Arch from downtown St. Louis: All walking paths onto the Arch grounds from the City are open. See our Pedestrian Map for details.*

*Visitors entering the monument must use the west entrance, which faces Fourth Street and the Old Courthouse. The Gateway Arch legs have become exits only.

**NOTE ABOUT RIVERFRONT ACCESS: Due the slope of the levee, the paved pathways on the cobblestones leading to the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch are not ADA compliant.

For additional information or assistance, please email  [email protected]  or contact our  Call Center  at  877-982-1410.

To learn more about accessibility at the Arch grounds, visit the Gateway Arch National Park website .

Frequently Asked Questions

Still curious about the fascinating gateway arch.

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Downtown Architectural Walking Tours

April 01-October 29, 2023 | Saturdays April through October, 9:00am to 11:30. Rain or shine.

Landmarks Downtown St. Lous Walking Tours

• The Downtown Walking Tour Season runs from April 1 through October 28, 2023.
• We offer two downtown walking tours: East & West
• Each tour runs every Saturday from 9-11:30 am [rain or shine].
• The walk covers about 2 miles.
• Tours are limited to 15 people.
• Tickets are $15 per person.

To learn more and purchase tickets, visit https://landmarkstours-stl.org/  

*Specialized or additional tours can be arranged. Please fill out the form on our “ Contact Us ” page.

Landmarks Downtown-West Walking Tour

• Curated, guided tour
• Transportation is not provided
• Station Grille, 1820 Market St, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA Union Station, Meet under the canopy of the primary hotel entrance along Market Street
• Kiener Plaza Park, 500 Chestnut St, St. Louis, MO 63101, USA The tour ends on the western end of Kiener Plaza
• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Transportation is wheelchair accessible
• Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
• This is a two-mile walking tour
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• Downtown St. Louis

Similar experiences

• Discover746706 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Insightful Downtown Walking Tour Richard was a wonderful tour guide walking us around St. Louis landmarks and describing the history of the buildings. We learned so much about the start of St. Louis. I highly recommend, especially if you love architecture and history! Read more Written October 2, 2023
• E3192LIbrians 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fun tour Tim was friendly and enthusiastic about the city of St Louis. A wonderful tour guide. The walk was easy and covered about 1.5 miles around the Arch. Read more Written September 10, 2023
• kenneth c 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Experienced guide makes the tour worth it. Our guide was a wealth of information and made this tour worth it. A former teacher and seasoned educator, he mixed historical references with current events and personal experience. Read more Written September 3, 2023
• HeatherH974 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Wonderful Tour - Learned so much Our tour guide Richard was full of knowledge about all things St. Louis, having been born and raised here. Lots of great sites and lots of interesting facts. Would plan for 3 hours if you are trying to coordinate a visit to the Arch. Read more Written September 3, 2023
• SaloTrip 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles downtown Saint Louis wonderful walk and visit, Full with valuable information. The guide was very knowledgable, interesting and nice person. Really reccomended Read more Written June 24, 2023
• 973marilynv 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles West and East tours are great! These tours are so interesting! St Louis has so much interesting history and unique beautiful architecture! Well worth the time for tourists and locals.The volunteer guides know and love what they do. Thank you Charlie! Read more Written May 11, 2023
• 94erinh 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great way to learn St. Louis history My sister and I did the architectural walking tour east and had an amazing time. Our tour guides were a husband and wife team The Hoffmanns. They were so knowledgeable and fun! I learned so much about a city that I’ve lived by and visit often my whole life. I totally recommend this tour and The Hoffmanns. You can’t beat the price of only $10. And when we tried to tip the Hoffmanns they refused and asked us to donate directly to landmark instead. We had such a great time that we are planning a west tour next. Read more Written August 4, 2022
• ameiklej 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles WONDERFUL walking tour of STL Sharon and Warren were absolutely wonderful tour guides! I have lived in STL on and off for a few years. I was surprised at how much I learned. Even with the tour being just over 2 hours, the time flew by due to the engagement and passion Warren and Sharon had for the information they were sharing about STL. I would recommend this tour to ANY visitors or STL residents. It was a wonderful look at STL history! Thank you Sharon and Warren! Read more Written November 1, 2021
• Eacano01 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great tour Wonderful walking tour. This was my second time in St. Louis. The walking tour brought to life the rich, and unavailable history of the city. Sharon and Warren explained how and why this was the fourth largest city in the the USA. They explained different important aspects of the city’s history that you could not know without a tour. Read more Written October 30, 2021
• 495MarkW495 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Very enjoyable and immersive experience of the history of downtown St Louis. We had a wonderful overview of the unique history of St Louis by Warren and Sharon. Their talk was very informative and fun. We stopped at many places on our 2 1/2 tour where they pointed out amazing architectural details of historic buildings and shared stories of the people and the time period which helped us appreciate St Louis even more. My husband, son and I highly recommend this tour and it was a highlight of our trip. Read more Written June 22, 2021
• tveihman 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Very informative We have lived downtown STL for 11 years and decided it was about time to learn about its beginnings. Sharon and Warren were our guides and did an outstanding job. You could tell they are passionate about St Louis and are knowledgeable about the architecture, history, settlers, and points of interest. They live in the city and can provide places to visit, eat, and play. Read more Written September 11, 2019
• Brian K 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Don't miss this excellent tour while in St. Louis ! I signed up for this tour ahead of time in anticipation of visiting St. Louis to attend my wife's cousin's wedding. It cost only $10 plus processing fee. I invited my wife, my daughter and son-in-law to join the tour. We met up with the guide in front of the old court house and there were about 20 of us in the group. The tour lasted about 2 hours and 15 min altogether. Our guide Ryan, born and raised in St. Louis, is a history teacher in town and also works at the MO history museum, Ryan was one of the best city tour guides that I ever had anywhere in the world ! He was simply superb, talking about all kinds of interesting stories related to each building and attraction we passed by. He was very attentive to each of us, answering every question patiently and effectively. He basically knew everything about St. Louis. I had no idea that this city is related to so many famous people and incidents in the history of US. All of us learned so much about this city. He was also very funny and entertaining as well. The time went by so quickly and we were all very impressed with the whole tour. We actually ended up missing going up the famous arch and we were still absolutely glad we attended this tour instead. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone. Read more Written September 8, 2019
• Tricia R 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great way to see the sights of St. Louis Very informative and organized tour of the main sights of downtown St. Louis. Warren and Sharon provided great stories and information on the city and it's history. Read more Written August 29, 2019
• ExPatinNica 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles great info- need more SHADE! We enjoyed the first half of a very interesting walking tour- but St Louis is HOT in the summer. The tour leader had lots of fascinating info to tell us- it would really help if, when we stopped walking to listen, we could stop in the shade! Such a small change would make a big difference... Read more Written July 21, 2019
• Susan D 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Interesting tour highlighting the history and architecture of downtown St Louis Despite the hot day, Glenn did a very nice job of describing the architecture and repurposing of many buildings in the downtown area. He interspersed his commentary with personal anecdotes and gave us a better idea of St Louis' past but also the city's plan for the future. His knowledge and familiarity made the tour a great way to spend a few hours in the city. Read more Written July 16, 2019

More to explore in Saint Louis

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Landmarks Downtown-West Walking Tour provided by Landmarks Downtown Walking Tours

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See STL Walking Tour – The Ville

A single St. Louis neighborhood has been home to Grammy Award winners, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Kennedy Center honorees, Grand Slam titleholders, one of the first Black woman millionaires, the founder of the first Black collegiate sorority and a chemist who worked on the atomic bomb.

The Ville is the neighborhood, and it’s the latest addition to the lineup of See STL tours.

In partnership with 4theVille, See STL has created this special, two-hour walking tour to show how the historic, self-sufficient Black neighborhood has nurtured some of the country’s greatest institutions and notable figures.

One of the guides is a lifelong resident of the community, and you never know which stories he’ll share.

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