The Gateway Arch National Park commemorates Westward Expansion as part of American history. After the Louisiana Purchase, settling the purchase became a priority. Many overland trips by pioneers began here. Also, located at the confluence of the Missouri and the Mississippi rivers, St Louis was an important trading post. To commemorate this chapter in US history, the land was purchased, the park was developed, and the 630 foot wide (at its base), 630 foot high Arch was designed and built. The Arch is elegant, a simple, graceful looking stainless steel structure that overlooks the Mississippi, located in beautifully landscaped surroundings. The Arch itself will bring out your inner photographer; so many ways to capture this structure visually! It is also an engineering marvel, from a design as well as a construction point of view. The Visitor Center provides interesting historical displays about St. Louis and the bridge.It also provides a well done and slightly suspenseful movie about how the Arch was designed and built. Spoiler Alert: No construction workers were killed and the structure did not fall down! It is quite easy to spend a day here, learning about the Arch, touring the neighborhood, and riding up to the top. So in addition to watching the movie, I decided to take a waterfront tour by riverboat, a stroll through the gardens, a survey of the visitor center displays, and, of course, the trip to the viewing area on the top. I am a bit queasy where heights are concerned. Fortunately my friend Laura was online and provided me with great support and encouragement before I rode to the top. She wrote stuff like "better you than me" and "it's been nice knowing you!" Thanks, Laura 😆! Anyway, I sucked it up, rode to the top, had amazing views, and got a few nice pictures. I did not fall out, the Arch did not collapse, and I lived to tell the tale. Totally worth the time and trouble to see this thing!