Gateway ArchCity/Region: St Louis
Within the riverside park known as the
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the
Gateway Arch is a soaring landmark above the city's skyline - the thin stainless steel arc reaches to twice the height of the
Statue of Liberty at 630ft (192m). It symbolises the role of
St Louis as the 'Gateway to the West' for the pioneers who journeyed along the
Oregon and
Santa Fe Trails towards the western frontier. It is also dedicated to the
US president who was responsible for opening up the West. An observation deck that is reached by a tram system
provides magnificent views over the city, the
Mississippi and the spreading plains. Also on the site with the Arch is the
Old Courthouse Museum that was the venue for the hearing of several momentous cases during the 19th century. At the base of the monument is the excellent
Museum of Westward Expansion with exhibits covering exploration of the west and its honored pioneers, including Lewis and Clark, the
Plains Indians and buffalo soldiers. The Odyssey IMAX Theater shows big-screen films about the region and its history.
Address: St Louis Riverfront
Phone Number: (877) 982 1410
Email Address: info@gatewayarch.com
Website: www.gatewayarch.com
Transport: Arch-Laclede's Landing Metro Stop
Hours: The museum is open daily 8am to 10pm (summer) and 9am to 6pm (winter). The tram runs daily from 8.20am to 9.10pm (summer) and 9.20am to 5.10pm (winter)
Admission: Museum free; tram $10 (adults), $3 (children 3-12). Other concessions available
Forest ParkCity/Region: St Louis
The beautifully landscaped
Forest Park is larger than
New York's Central Park and its leafy grounds are filled with attractions. The acclaimed
St Louis Art Museum has a magnificent international collection of art, covering works from prehistoric times to contemporary, and houses one of the most extensive collections of German Expressionism worldwide. The
St Louis Science Center features life-size dinosaurs along with displays and interactive exhibits on the environment, aviation, technology and more. There is also an OMNIMAX Theater and Planetarium. Thousands of animals roam the beautiful grounds of the
St Louis Zoo, with indoor and outdoor cageless displays, and a Living World Exhibition features an animated robotic figure of
Charles Darwin who summarises his theories on evolution. The
Missouri History Museum documents life in St Louis with old photographs and displays on river life, black music and western expansion.
Phone Number: (314) 289 4444 (Science Center), (314) 781 0900 (Zoo), (314) 721 0072 (Art Museum), (314) 454 3150 (History Museum)
Website: www.stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/parks/forestpark
Transport: Metrolink to the park. Shuttle Bugs travel the parks roadways between attractions
Hours: Zoo: daily 9am to 5pm. History Museum: daily 10am to 5pm, until 8pm on Tuesday. Art Museum: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm, until 9pm on Friday. Science Center: Monday to Thursday and Saturday 8.30am to 4.30pm, Friday 8.30am to 9.30pm, Sunday 11am to 4.30pm
Admission: Grounds and museums are free. Some zoo attractions require an admission fee
18th and Vine DistrictCity/Region: Kansas City
In the 1920s the neighborhood of 18th and Vine was the heart of the jazz scene and today the museum complex houses the celebrated
American Jazz Museum, the Blue Room Jazz Club and the
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. The Jazz Museum honors jazz greats like
Louis Armstrong and
Charlie Parker and visitors can experience the rich culture and history through dozens of exhibits and an interactive studio. The fascinating history of the Negro Leagues is documented in the
Baseball Museum and exhibits, video presentations and memorabilia reveal stories about baseball stars like Buck and Paige.
Address: 1616 E. 18th Street
Phone Number: (816) 871 3016 (Visitor Center)
Website: www.experiencekc.com/18thandvine.html
Hours: Jazz Museum and Negro Leagues Baseball Museum: Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 6pm, Sunday 12pm to 6pm. Blue Room: Monday and Thursday 5pm to 11pm, Friday 5pm to 1am, Saturday 7pm to 1am
Admission: Jazz Museum and Negro Leagues Baseball Museum: $6, or $8 combined ticket. Blue Room: $5 on Friday and Saturday. Concessions available
