Your Guide to the Gateway Arch National Park: Don't Go

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Lauren Barrett

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Yes, I was just as surprised as you are to learn that the Gateway Arch is a National Park, but it is, and I have had the fortunate pleasure of being in its presence for 15 minutes. The stainless steel structure bends its massive self on the banks of the Mississippi River and surrounds itself with the wasteland, excuse me, the city of St. Louis. 
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I don't like being squeezed into enclosed metal and then made to stare at a rundown city, so I didn't go up in it. I merely took an obligatory picture, and we got out of dodge. 

The Logistics

• Started and ended our cross country road trip in St. Louis
• Traveled with my husband and parents
• Heck no, we didn't stay in the city

The Itinerary 

• We went to Busch Stadium, which was the only bright spot of St. Louis when we first landed. 
  
• Got out dodge and headed to Kansas City. 
• Arrived back in St. Louis before our flight. 
  
• Visited the Arch.
  
• Drove around, couldn't find anything to do, and then decided we would rather wait at the airport than in the city of St. Louis. 
  

Recommendations/Suggestions

• Don't go. 
• I only like to kid about my disdain for St. Louis. We are sure it's a lovey city, and we would need to do more research or ask a local about where to go. 

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​Lauren BarrettI was born in New Jersey, grew up in West Virginia, went to college in Pennsylvania, and now lives and works in North Carolina. She is a high school teacher of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing by day, a cross country coach by the afternoon, a writer by her son's naptimes, and a full time mom to an amazing toddler. She loves her faith, running, visiting MLB stadiums with her husband, chocolate, scrapbooking, pretending she would actually do well on the Amazing Race, re-watching The Office, listening to Bobby Bones, and helping out all moms. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, James, and son, Henry.