Tuesday, September 08, 2009

St. Louis, Missouri and the Gateway Arch




 One of the many stops of the USA leg of the 2000 Millennium Tour of the UP Concert Chorus was St. Louis, Missouri. It was a short stay, just a couple of days, and a couple of concerts, but we managed to squeeze in a trip to that giant steel arch they call The Gateway Arch....
My memories of St. Louis are now a bit vague, but I do remember feeling that not unfamiliar sense of amazement, if only to satisfy the nerd inside, curious at how they managed to build that huge metal structure from the ground up.


The Gateway Arch - Facts and Figures



Are you equally amazed? Here are some facts and figures of that giant metal arch (according to Gateway Arch Riverfront - arch photo also from this site):

  • It is 630 feet tall and weighs 17,246 tons.
  • There is a tram inside the arch that takes passengers from the museum at the base, to the viewing deck at the top. Woot!
  • It cost US$ 13 Million to create the structure and another US $ 3.5 Million to build the tram.
  • It took 2 years and 8 months to complete it.


Some Travel Tips to St. Louis


If you're visiting St. Louis, be sure to drop by the Gateway Arch - it is architecture at its finest. :D And if you have time, go on the tram and visit the viewdeck - it only costs $10.

Enjoy the museum at the base of the arch - there is a lot of learn from their displays about the history of Missouri and the Arch as well. You can also consider taking the river cruise and to pass directly under the giant archway, or visit the other tourist places in St. Louis like the Zoo or the Anheuser-Busch Brewery and try out some local beer. :D

When we were there, we went around the museum but did not have time to go up the viewdeck. Maybe next time. Hehehe.

Many thanks to our hosts in St. Louis, Missouri! You're awesome for letting us into your homes. :D (Lol at my get-up haha! I was 18 so.. haha!)




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