This is such an amazing architectural accomplishment that everyone needs to experience it. Even if…read moreyou aren't willing to go up to the top there is a free museum on the ground level that is very interesting, as well as a historical movie and a virtual reality experience. This is the smallest national park, and you will need to park in a parking garage, private lot, or use street parking. But it is just a short walk of a few blocks to get to the Arch. It is recommended to purchase tickets online because they often sell out. But today, a Monday morning, I just walked in a purchased a ticket for the next tram to the top. If you are claustrophobic you might not be able to ride the tram to the top. The cars are very, very small. There are five seats in each. But if you handle the tight space it is totally worth it to ride to the top. Once at the top you are allowed to stay for ten minutes, then you board the tram for the return trip down. The gift shop is worth a look, my favorite is the large collection of exploration history books. Many books about Lewis & Clark, of course, also other many other books about exploration and early history of St. Louis and the West. Books on pioneering women too, and Sacagawea. The tram ride was a bargain at only $17. While I didn't have time to view the movie today I have seen it before, on my last trip, and it is definitely interesting.

In considering the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, I was scratching my head as to the number of stars I…read moreshould assign. I'm going to go with 4 stars since I would not feel compelled to visit it each time in St. Louis, which is infrequent to begin with. That said, these are 4 very strong stars. The Gateway Arch is highly symbolic. It represents the critical mass of westward movement in the United States to lands on the other side of the Mississippi River. It's interesting to note that the center point of America's population inches west and south with each passing year, but is still in the Midwest and not excessively far from this national park and monument. The Gateway Arch is the work of architect Eero Saarinen. It's debatable if this, a stainless steel arch over 600 feet high, is his most famous work ... or if it's the soaring reinforced concrete TWA Terminal at New York JFK Airport resembling the outstretched wings of a large bird. Less known is his design of Terminal 1 at nearby Saint Louis Airport, with its series of connected cross vaults. That someone would envision such a project is almost dizzying. The Gateway Arch manages to look both spindly and stout. Standing at its base, one sees just how massive the base of the legs on each side of the arch are. This then explains how it's possible for the legs to taper as the structure continues upward. The arch was designed to be large enough to have some visitors at the top and steady enough but flexible for forces such as wind. There was a lot of planning and detailing involved. The overarching feature - no pun intended - is that the monument is the reciprocal of a catenary curve, meaning the shape of a necklace or chain held by each hand and allowed to dangle downward. If you let a chain hang, it wouldn't be a circle. It would form the catenary shape we are all accustomed to because all the vectors of the forces are in balance at that point. While the arch is the main event, a lot of planning went into its site, its plaza, its building podium, the inclusion of many spaces such as a theater, and, of course, the little train of funicular bubbles in each leg of the arch allowing tourists to ride to the top. Going to the top of the arch is the high point of the experience. (I unintentionally keep backing into puns.) Note that the individual glass compartments for the ride up are small and those prone to claustrophobia might have difficulty with this. The lobby has restauration, gift shops, articles from the arch's construction, and a theater. Visiting the theater is very informative since a short movie chronicles the conceptualization, design, construction, opening, and operation of the arch. The biggest "ah" moment in the film is when the keystone of the arch is slid into place, over 600 feet up in the air, and fits snugly and with the small tolerances intended! Clearly, the small observation leg at the top of the arch is narrow and people's visits need not be that long. There is a small ribbon of windows on each side. On the eastern side, one sees the endless prairie-like land of Illinois across the Mississippi River. On the western side, one sees the city of St. Louis and its suburbs. The arch was thought of after significant parts of St. Louis's city center had been developed. One could only wish that they could have foreseen this monument and left a vast mall type lawn open to its west. That's not the case. The arch is something one needs to see at least once. I've seen it twice over several decades. It's also amazing how, depending on where you are in St. Louis or if across the river, each vantage point on this unique monument is slight different owing to its dynamic design. The Gateway Arch is part of the national park system. There is a fee to visit it, but it's fairly priced. It is, without a doubt, money well spent to experience it at least once.

A very good interpretation/museum for this amazing lock and dam. Wander through the aisles there,…read morethen sign up for a tour of the lock and dam. The structure will blow your mind. Huge and what a feat of engineering. We were lucky to be able to watch a barge go through the lock. What a sight! An awesome ranger provided so much information and explanation of the one of 29 "steps" for boats/ barges on this 600mile portion of the Mississippi River. Fascinating!

Great place to visit with lots of information. Very kid friendly. Also cool that they offer tours…read moreof the dam three times a day.

Very pretty gardens, photogenic area. There were at least 3 photoshoots going on while we walked…read morearound. The walking trails were well-groomed, easy to follow. If you walk long enough you will end up on SIUE campus. This is a pretty short, relaxing walk - I do wish there were more trails through the 36 acres of the whole gardens.

Recognized as a "signature garden" by the Missouri Botanical Gardens, its multimillion-dollar plan…read moreis only partially realized. With each passing year it looks a little more refined. The Gardens has become a popular venue for outdoor photography, and on Saturday afternoons you might find wedding parties; high-schoolers celebrating milestones such as homecoming, prom, or senior year; or a family snapping birthday or holiday photos. The half-mile loop is a pleasant place for a mind-clearing walk, though it can feel a little remote, and might be safer to travel with a buddy or two. If you're a biker, you may like to know that the entrance is off a paved trail, part of the 100-mile Madison County bikepath system.

Landmark in the middle of nowhere, that's pretty cool. There' s plenty of parking and a plaque…read morewith info that you can almost read, but may be better to bring a large piece of paper and pencil to transfer the message to easier readability. .|\---/| | o_o | .\_^_/..2021

Everywhere we go, people want to know, who we are...... We…read moreare the birds, the mighty, mighty birds....... That is part of an old high school cheer. I'm a graduate of Southwestern High School and the Piasa Bird was our mascot. So the Piasa Bird has a special place in my heart. Growing up in the area, I remember another location of the bird being painted on the bluffs. It was sit back further from the road, so this present day location is more tourist friendly. When visiting the Alton and Grafton area, it is worth a stop to view the painting and to read the legend of the mighty, mighty Piasa Bird.

We're from Texas. I surely enjoyed it and came here to just see it. Also road the unique ferry…read moreacross the two rivers. I'd recommend it to go see it and make a picnic lunch and eat it out there.

completed in 2007 the lighthouse greets the boating public arriving at the Port of Grafton. pretty…read moresure the thing lights up since there's a bulb up there, but I don't see an actual lens or reflector so I have no idea how functional it is maritimely; looks good as a nightlight thought and it could maybe help get boaters to the boat launch or something... regardless, it's such a nice backdrop for vacation pictures with the decorative metal work and fancies around it. the lighthouse sits across the lot from the Grafton Ferry and depending on how the river is running may appear to be high and dry or rising out of the waters or anywhere in between. if it looks moist use your best judgement when approaching.

This is regarding an event. We thought this candle light tour was going to be led by someone else…read more You have to drive your own car around East and west side of Belleville. One house was built in 2004- not sure how it's historic compared to the first house we saw that hits 100 years old next month. Each home was beautiful in their own. Was it worth $25... eh This would be neat if the homes were along the same pathway and maybe a small bus. Heck my home could be added to that, built in 1918 and remodeled in 1960's orig door and wood flooring. Cellar access, but would I open my house up to a lot of strangers... hard to say. The staff and people that opened up their homes were so kind and inviting. Overall, a little disappointed in this event. Belleville, do better. Please

I recommend calling ahead and getting a tour ahead of time. Once you do, there's a lot to check out…read moreinside this museum! Of course, you are taken back to old times by looking at old furniture and such in the rooms. You can also check out the Emma Kunz House that is not far from the SCCHS. The tour guide (can't remember his name offhand!) was very enthusiastic in sharing the history of St. Clair County. If you would like to know a lot about local history, I strongly encourage you to experience this. You'll find out Abraham Lincoln's connection to the area along other cool trivia. There are events related to the historical society, which I haven't yet checked out.

This wasn't our first visit to the Missouri History Museum and won't be our last. On our last…read morevisit, we saw a special exhibit on the St Louis World's Fair. This time we saw a special exhibition on the former Mill Creek neighborhood - a black community that was demolished in the early 1950's in the name of urban renewal. The exhibit showed what existed before the City's attempts at urban renewal. We also saw exhibits on historical America, Made in St. Louis, and some general historical stuff. The museum is well worth a visit.

Update: I've attended their newish exhibit, Mill Creek,…read moretwice already and it was so engaging and insightful to STL history. I've heard about Mill Creek but never knew anything about it until now. Hats off to whoever designed the layout and content to this exhibit! It was showcased in such a way that allowed me to understand Mill Creek and the unfortunate events in the eyes of the oppressor as well as the oppressed. The history, visuals, and how they connected past, present, and future together were thought provoking and definitely made me leave wanting to know more.

Visited on weekend celebrating the beginning of the expedition. The museum has a vast amount of…read moreinformation about the trip, supplies, people involved, readying for journey. This weekend had reenactors outside showing early 19th century crafts. Fun for all and great learning experience.

We stopped by on a whim when visiting the in-laws. It happened to be the anniversary & there were…read moreperiod actors interacting that were set up throughout, with assorted stations. This was both cool & informative. There was no entry fee, always a plus. The info desk had a guest book. It appeared most visitors who signed were from Illinois. The movie wasn't playing during our visit, I'm not sure if there was a mechanical issue or if it was because of the special celebration. So, I can't speak on it. It's smaller than I expected, yet very interesting & I did learn a few new details. We walked out to the cabins/fort & they were all locked with some of them having the roofs/walls collapsed. Perhaps an entry fee is in order for maintenance/upkeep. Overall, worth a stop, especially for those interested in the expedition.