Gateway Arch National Park Self Guided Audio Walking Tour

Overview

Discover the iconic Gateway Arch with our self-guided audio tour! Explore the history and significance of this architectural marvel and its role in westward expansion. Stroll through the park, learn about the Old Courthouse, and enjoy views of the Mississippi River while our guides share fascinating stories about the region's past and the making of the Arch. Perfect for history buffs, families, and adventurers, this tour brings the Gateway Arch to life. Simply download, plug in your headphones, and immerse yourself in the story of this national treasure! *Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours*

Itinerary

1. This 1.9 acre park was named in honor of Harry J. Kiener, an olympic athlete who was born in St. Louis. Kiener competed in the 1904 St. Louis Olympic games, as part of the U.S. track and field team. Later in life, Kiener became a steel executive and a philanthropist. In his will, he donated this land to be used as a public plaza. Today, you can find statues, fountains, a playground and plenty of seating from which to admire the city skyline.

   · 10 min

2. Old Courthouse

   The Old Courthouse of St. Louis has gone through many changes. Originally built in 1828, the courthouse was expanded in 1839, and has been redesigned and remodeled several times since. The courthouse is associated with 2 landmark cases that went all the way to the US Supreme Court, and a National Park museum inside the courthouse details the history and legacy of those court cases.

   · 1 h

3. Dred And Harriet Scott Statue

   The Dred and Harriet Scott Statue on the east side of the courthouse is dedicated to the Scotts' fight for freedom in the US courts. Although ultimately unsuccessful, their struggle led directly to the United States Civil War.

   · 10 min

4. The Luther Ely Smith Square is the start of the St. Louis Gateway Mall, along row of parks and green spaces running through downtown St. Louis. The park commemorates Luther Ely Smith, the father of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the predecessor of Gateway Arch National Park. The park is also the start of the Gateway Ach Trail, which winds through the National Park. There are two beautiful zen gardens in this park for shade and relaxation.

   · 20 min

5. Museum of Westward Expansion

   The Gateway Arch Museum of Western Expansion is one of the best National Park museums in the country. It has an incredible collection of artifacts, as well as fun and interactive exhibits. This is also where you can purchase tickets for the various activities at the park, like a riverboat cruise, a 30 minute film, a VR experience, and of course, a tram ride to the top of the arch. There is also a gift shop and restaurant inside the museum.

   · 2 h

6. The Gateway Arch

   Get up close to the Gateway Arch!

   · 10 min

7. This northern section of the park is known as The North Gateway. It’s a seven-and-a-half acre section of the Gateway Arch National Park, and features a natural amphitheater that hosts concerts and events throughout the year. It also contains the Explorer’s Garden, where you can find plants that Lewis and Clark wrote about on their travels, and that were used by the Indigenous People they encountered. There are about 26 different plant species in the garden, and another five types of wild grass in the surrounding Native Meadow..

   · 15 min

8. Eads Bridge

   The Eads Bridge is the oldest surviving bridge across the Mississippi. Built in the late 19th century, the Eads Bridge was a groundbreaking achievement. It was designed by renowned engineer James Buchanan Eads, and was the first bridge in the world to use steel as its primary structural material.

   · 5 min

9. This bronze statue of Lewis, Clark, and Lewis' dog Seaman, memorializes the expedition's heroic return. It was created by sculptor Harry Weber, and added to the riverfront in 2006.

   · 10 min

10. Get down close to the historic Mississippi River! Nearby, you can take a Helicopter tour of the park, or board the riverboat cruise.

    · 10 min

11. The Gateway Arch

    The Grand Staircase of Gateway Arch National Park rises up from the riverfront to meet the arch. The staircase represents Rising Up to the West, and all the challenges and riches it possessed.

    · 15 min

12. Known locally as The Old Cathedral, this church was first established in the 1700s, soon after the city itself was founded. The current building was constructed in 1834. The church is only open to visitors on on the first Sunday of the month, after the noon Mass has ended. But there is a museum that's open several days a week.

    · 1 h

How to use your ticket

HOW TO REDEEM YOUR TOUR: Thank you for purchasing the Gateway Arch National Park Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour. Before you start your adventure, you'll need to redeem and download the tour in the Shaka Guide app. Follow the instructions below: *Please Note: The redeem code is the 10-digit booking reference number on your ticket (located under the barcode). 1. Download the Shaka Guide App in the App Store or Google Play Store (or use the link at the bottom of this email) 2. Open the app and sign in/create your account 3. Go to Support → Retrieve Purchases 4. Tap on Redeem Purchases 5. Enter your Redeem Code (10-digit booking reference number on your ticket located under the barcode) 6. Tap on Redeem Purchases 7. Download your tour(s) Once you've redeemed your tour, you'll find it under "My Stuff" in the app. For a smooth ride, download the tour with wifi before you go. Should you need further assistance or have other questions, email us at aloha@shakaguide.com or call (808) 201-8138 DOWNLOAD THE APP HERE: www.shakaguide.com/download

Meeting and end point

What to know before you go

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Travelers must have a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app.
• The app must be downloaded and the tour redeemed before arrival.
• Strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is required to download the tour in advance.
• Location services (GPS) must be enabled on the device
• Travelers are responsible for securing any required entrance passes, reservations, or permits before starting
• Best visited in summer — longer hours and grounds at their best; park open year-round
• Book tickets in advance for tram rides, films, VR, and riverfront cruises — these sell out
• Much of the tour has no shade — bring sun protection and watch for traffic when crossing streets
• You will receive confirmation immediately when you book.

Travelers

Pricing per group (up to 15 people).

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

• From 1 days before : 100% refunded
• From 0 days before : 0% refunded

Product code: 102020P137

Activity offered by Shaka Guide Apps via Viator.