This post may contain affiliate links which means we may receive a commission for purchases made through links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We will only recommend products that we have personally used!
In March 2021, we embarked on an exciting trip to St. Louis, Missouri. We were particularly looking forward to experiencing a riverboat cruise and visiting the famous Gateway Arch. We booked a package deal that included both activities and couldn’t wait to explore the city.
We opted to park outside of town at a metro station and take the metro train into downtown St. Louis. This was a great decision, as it saved us the hassle of navigating through the city’s busy streets and allowed us to enjoy the scenic route into town.
Our first stop was the riverboat cruise. We boarded the “Becky Thatcher” and were immediately struck by the boat’s charm and character. The boat’s wood-panelled interiors, complete with brass fixtures and vintage decor, transported us back in time.
As we set sail, we were treated to stunning views of the St. Louis skyline and the Mississippi River. We passed by the iconic Eads Bridge, which was once the longest arch bridge in the world, and saw the impressive Anheuser-Busch Brewery in the distance. Our river cruise was completed with an amazing crash into the dock!
After disembarking from the riverboat, we were greeted by an incredible busker who was performing on the steps at the base of the Gateway Arch. His soulful rendition of “Ain’t No Rock” filled the air and attracted a crowd of mesmerized onlookers… well, just us as the wind was fiercely blowing. We stopped to listen to him for a while and even bought his album to take home with us.
While we waited for our scheduled elevator ride to the top of the Arch, we stopped at the Museum of Westward Expansion, located beneath the arch. This museum provided an in-depth look at America’s westward expansion, with exhibits on Lewis and Clark, the Oregon Trail, and the impact of westward expansion on Native American tribes.
Then it was our time to ride to the top of the Gateway Arch. We hopped on the unique elevator, which took us 630 feet up to the observation deck at the top of the arch. The view was simply breathtaking. We could see the entire city of St. Louis and beyond, stretching out in all directions. We spent a good amount of time taking in the panoramic views and snapping photos to capture the moment.
Overall, our visit to St. Louis was a memorable one. The combination of the riverboat cruise, the incredible busker, and the stunning views from the top of the Gateway Arch made for a perfect day. We highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for a unique and exciting way to explore this beautiful city.