Riding To The Top Of The Gateway Arch In The Tram Car: What It's Like & What You Can See Of St Louis
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- čas přidán 1. 02. 2020
- Riding To The Top Of The Gateway Arch In The Tram Car: What It's Like & What You Can See Of St Louis
When I was a kid growing up across the river from St. Louis, I got to ride the tram to the top of the Gateway Arch many times. Everytime relatives or friends from out of town came to visit, they wanted us to take them to see it, and I always got to go up with them. I never got tired of that view, or of witnessing the excitement, and even trepidation, of those going up in the Arch for the first time. But I had since moved about 100 miles from St. Louis, and hadn't taken the trip on the Arch Tram in several years. The grounds around the Arch, as well as the Visitor's Center and the Museum, underwent a major renovation and transformation that was officially revealed on July 3, 2018. We hadn't had the chance to see up close what they had done to the Gateway Arch National Park, so we took a trip to check it out. That visit also seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to take the tram ride once again! I was excited about trying it, and was looking forward to seeing if it was like I remembered. The experience was great, and the view from the top of the Arch is still as amazing as I remembered. It's an incredible structure and a marvel of design and engineering combined, making it one of the wonders of my world, at least!
#GatewayArchSTL #StLouisArch #GatewayArchNationalPark
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Went up with my Mom back in the 80's... lost her a few years ago... what I wouldn't give to go back to the 80's when life was good and I still had my Mom around.
❤️
Ditto, but it was with my Dad.
Lost him during the lockdown of 2020.
80s were a different place n time no doubt .Myself prob was always on drugs and running from the cops .
I feel ya
😭👍👌✌
Clark Griswald passed right by in 1983 and wouldn’t stop by on his way to Wally World.
and the arch wasn't even closed for repairs
Excuse me, could you please tell me how to get back on the express way?
He got lost on the expressway. Nah, nah. U dont want to go that way! I'm not even from around here. I'm from the east side of Chicago
"Think they know the Commodores?"
@@christopherrice8432 they ran into some trouble in st louis
I can't thank you enough for making this very well detailed video. I've always wanted to know what it was like to go up in the arch.
Glad it was helpful, Sean! Maybe you'll get the chance to go someday.
Been there done that
It was really fun and I really thought the backstory was good
Absolutely the same. I've always asked myself these questions. Excellent documentation on this. Thank you very much!
Same here Sean =)
As an Australian who is unlikely to get to do this I really really appreciated your video. I never knew until recently that you could go in the arch. Cheers mate.
Aussie Aussie Aussie
@@BruceOp Oi Oi Oi
Random but I just went on the arch in St Louis a few days ago and I heard a family of people from Australia boarding a tram
Interesting you say that, I come across Australians all the time, nearly everywhere, one dude from Melbourne comes
to South Texas just to hunt white tail deer, I seen also Aussies in Europe visiting Italy
A lot of foreign folk do not know that you can go into it to the top. It does not look as big in width from a distance. We had visitors from the UK that were shocked that you could go into it. Unfortunately we didn't have time to do it.
I feel like an idiot. I never knew you could go inside it.
Unless you're from the local area, I don't think it's common knowledge that you can go up in the Arch, so don't feel bad.
I'm from Texas, never been to St. Louis and I never knew you could actually go in it either.
I know a lot about it from reading percy Jackson. (The first book)
@@GmaGpaAdventures ya iam from Maryland 🇺🇸 never knew either! ⛺🛂🌮🍙🎧🌈 didn't know you could go inside the Arch!
@@GmaGpaAdventures ya St Louis Missouri! I brought my ex boyfriend daughter from there to Maryland on a gray hound bus years ago! Then later sent her back! 😃
"Unless you're really claustrophobic, I think you could handle it."
Bub, I'm barely making it through this video without screaming.
I have to admit it’s a small space to be in even by yourself, much less with four other people! I was fortunate to have one to myself.
I didn’t consider myself claustrophobic until I got in the capsule. The ride up was very stressful. I would rather have walked up the stairs. I’d like to go back up if I ever visit there again but I don’t think I could do it.
Amen
I'm the same damned way and about 20 years ago my wife and some friends shamed into going up in this thing - I was freaked. Never again.
I had to sit in the middle of the walkway trying not to throw up or think about how much it was swaying back and forth.
I did this "ride" back in 1973 with some college friends and I am both claustrophobic and have an extreme fear of heights. For some reason neither triggered during this trip which I remember very well. The views are fantastic. Your video is spot on to the experience I had. Thanks
Thanks so much for this video. As someone who suffers anxiety, particularly triggered by unknown and new situations, a video like this really helps me feel at ease preparing for a visit. Much appreciated.
Glad to hear it helped!
I can be like that as well. I was up in the Washington Monument and after about 15 minutes started to feel some some swaying and started to feel panic. I wonder is this is like that.
It might be similar in some respects. The Arch can sway somewhat in a strong wind, and is built to sway as much as 18 inches. But, you don’t have to stay long, and I’ve seen people take the next tram down right away. Everyone’s different, and there’s no shame in doing a quick turnaround at the top, or just not going up at all.
Becareful the elevators are VERY small, first and only time i ever got claustrophobic
Damn,.. Would have never guessed that there is a ride inside. 0.0
Or that workspace mentioned in the middle. It's bigger than it looks I suppose
Me either 👍
The cars that go upside down are the best!
Yeah it's pretty cool, I've been up to the top before. The arch does sway a little on a windy day, and you can feel it at the top.
@@johnmeye haha!!!
I'm 55 years old and this is the first time I'm hearing you can go inside to the top 🤦🏻♂️
I've been robbed 😢😭😭😭
Lots of people don't know about that...you can't tell by looking at it. Now that you know, maybe you'll get a chance to do it someday!
That's surprising. I've been in it before when we visited St. Louis. It's pretty fun, you should go sometime. They also have an interesting movie/video in the museum that shows how it was built. The view from the top is nice, but a little stomach churning if it's a windy day, because it does sway a bit.
I'm almost 53
and i never knew that either
No your alive to enjoy it!
I didn't discover that until we went there (May 2013) and I was 46 at the time. It was amazing!
As we watched people exiting the tram I saw a woman get out looking a bit red and fanning herself. It made me worry that it was going to be a very warm and cramped ride up. I'm not claustrophobic but it worried me that it was going to be an unpleasant experience. It really wasn't though. She must have been claustrophobic or maybe having a heat flash. You must go if you can!
I went up in the late 70s with my two kids and my dad. I don't remember much about the ride up or down except it felt like I was in a bullet. I really enjoyed being up top. My dad was a St Louis ironworker so the trip was very informative about steel and cables and things. He told me how safe it was so not too scary. He also worked on missile silos in North Dakota and many other interesting structures. I miss him.
As someone who was born and raised and still live in St Louis it's nice to see so many people interested in the Arch. The city really does have so much to offer people.
We completely agree with you...St. Louis is a great city and we love it! We go there often, and even though we don't live in the area anymore, it still feels like home.
I haven’t visited St. Louis since Bob Gibson was on the mound and Harry Carey was in the booth. The Cardinals were my childhood dream team and that two-day trip was magic! I’d love to return and see (or appreciate) the whole city.
Ya, after watching this. I think I'll make a stop in St Louis.
@@jamesnash6101 Wear a vest. A bulletproof one.
@@painkillerjones6232 why would you say that?
I have to admit, riding to the top of the arch was a lot cooler than I thought it was going to be. In fact, so was St. Louis! The zoo is great, good restaurants, and the City Museum is one of the most unique places I have ever been to. That place alone is worth the trip.
Glad you got to see some of the sights of St. Louis! And I agree...the City Museum is one-of-a-kind!
It's unique, not most unique. Something is unique or it is not.
@@alastairgreen6783 To hell with you.
When I hear or read, 'St. Louis', the first thing I think of is beef and BBQ. I'll bet it's a great food town. Thanks for the free ride and views with labels.
The before-times are so strange looking back. 5 people, possibly strangers, in such a tiny confined space. So many surfaces to disinfect. The craziest part is that this is only 1 year and 10 days ago, and it feels like an entirely different world.
Honestly screw anyone who wants it to stay like this dystopian, depressing shell of a world forever. Things must go back soon.
@@syntenel2283 I mean there are some things that should stay. Like blowing out birthday candles on an entire cake, then serving the cake that was just blown on to all of the guests. That shits nasty
@@abnormallynormal8823 I agree with that.
@@syntenel2283 Yes, shit sucks. But screw anyone who wants to ignore a global plague and kill millions of people. Things will go back to normal when enough people get vaccinated, and not any sooner.
@@syntenel2283 Syntenel needs their diaper changed obviously. Can't handle facts, science or logic - so they throw a big adult temper tantrum because they can't have their own way. Time for your nap.
In 1969, when I was 9, my family moved from NY to Ca. We went up in the Arch and then followed Route 66 all the way to the Santa Monica pier. Me and my little sister are the only one’s left from that wonderful trip now. Awesome memories!
That sounds like an incredible trip...glad you got to make those memories with your family!
@@GmaGpaAdventures Thanks! It was the best trip of my life. I just wish we had video cameras back then. I’d give just about anything to be able to see my whole family back together again, even just on video.
I love St Louis !!!🥰
@@sharondavid-melly1498 I happen to love St. Louis too...one of my favorite places! Feels like I'm home whenever we go there.
I went up in the arch around 1972 while visiting friends near St. Louis. Even more than the view, I recall the interesting ride in the claustrophobic elevator, creaking and shuddering as it slowly adjusted itself on the way up. Even more than 50 years later, it's a strong memory.
There's no ride quite like that one, for sure! It sticks with you!
Excellent videos on the Arch! I truly had no idea there was a museum or that you could ride to the top. I thought it was just a giant sculpture!
Yes, just to look at it you wouldn't think you could go up to the top of it! Incredible design and engineering.
Yeah, me too.
Wow no idea it was shallow
U must b a millennial?
@@creamcheese6662 what does that have to do with it? I was born in 1991 and I've seen the arch in person several times, I never knew there was a museum
I remember as a little kid being terrified riding in that tram because my friends thought it was funny to try to make it rock back and forth as much as possible.
Jfc
You mean that ferris wheel rocks back and forth when you're in it I hate riding in that! ☕🎡🎡🎡🎠
I was scared as well thinking it'd go upside down...which it didn't :P
That's a good indicator to stop being friends with those kinds of people. They aren't intelligent and seem to never change. Keep the intelligent ones around.
@@gravemind3590 they were 6 or 7 at the time. i won't hold it against them :)
I wanted to go up a couple years ago when I was in St Louis for business, but didn’t have time. You have given me the next best thing!
Glad I could do that! Maybe you'll get a chance to do it for real someday.
In 1973 I drove by it on a trip to CA & BC. Unfortunately my traveling mates didn't want to spend the time to stop.
@@GmaGpaAdventures
Great video, sir! It brought back memories of the tour when I was there at the age of 14 in 1972. My mom was from St Louis and my dad was from Fredricktown. We drove from Seattle in a station wagon much like the Griswolds in the cinematic masterpiece “Vacation”.
This was a great experience for us Australian tourists! Highly, highly recommended!
Glad youwere able to go and see it! It's a very unique experience.
I talked my husband into going up,in 1999...I had been up many times,since I lived there.He was an unwilling participant,but finally gave in.He has told me,many times,since that day...how grateful he was because it was an adventure and a wonderful experience
It’s the leaning forward to look out the windows that always makes me clench up...
Yeah same here, especially if it's windy and the thing is swaying, wow that feels weird like you're about to fall!
No worse than walking the catwalk on the Space Needle.
@@trevorjameson3213 Sounds like a rush. I should visit when it's windy
Clench...oh yeah...and we were up there on a windy day.I couldn’t feel the wind until we were in line to go back down.I thought I was going to throw up.
You think THAT'S bad. Try going to the top of the Stratosphere in Las Vegas! Been to both.
Thank you CZcams algorithm for recommending this thorough, very well narrated video of the Gateway Arch! 👍
Thanks for watching!
When I was there, I did not go up because I feared my claustrophobia would be too much and regretted not going since. If I had known that you can see the stairs and mechanics of the building through the window door while riding up and down, I would have done it. I thought you were in that small space with no window whatsoever. Thanks to your video, I will go on the next chance I get❤
Awesome! It does help being able to see out a window. Can't imagine walking all those stairs, but I guess maintenance and Park employees have to do that sometimes.
I always knew there was an "elevator" inside. Thus was the first time I ever seen inside of it. Thanks!
This is wayyy different. We went like 15 years ago. They use to be normal metal color and the museum was way different also. Awesome renovations they did!
Yeah I noticed that too. It's completely different now. We went back in '97 and the elevator thing was yellow, with a small steel bench on either side. The museum wasn't much back then, but they did show the movie about how it was built. Fun experience and nice views from the top.
It really didn't look like much of a "museum". Unless he just didn't show much of it.
My last visit was back in 1973 when I was stationed at Scott AFB. Still remember what an amazing experience that was. What a marvelous piece of engineering.
It really is incredible, and the tram system is one-of-a-kind. Amazing piece of architecture and engineering. Glad you had the chance to go!
My wife and I went up in 1981. It seemed like there were only two seats, side by side. Very nice narrated vid, good camera work. Cheers from Syracuse, NY Bob
Glad you had the chance to take the ride to the top! They've made a lot of changes to the tram ride and the Arch itself over the years, so it probably is different now than it was back then. Thanks a lot for taking the time to comment and watch...we appreciate it!
I have a intense fear of heights, but after watching this I know I could go. Being inside and looking down does not bother me. Thank you for showing me this, I now have another destination to go to when things get back to normal.
I’m glad you feel like you could go now, and I hope that you’ll get that chance soon!
Well the arch is great if you're scared of heights. Lol. When I went to the top, it was a windy day, and you could feel it swaying. You should still do it because it's worth the trip and the views from the top are really nice.
I would say don't go on a windy day so you'll have a more pleasant experience. I truly enjoyed it. Even the very cozy ride up and down with my boyfriend plus 3 strangers. It goes quick enough. Just a heads up when you're looking out the windows it's at a slight slant. You just have to remember that you're safe and in a steel structure. To me it was so fun! I really enjoyed it and would do it again. 😊
I heard someone fell off the arch last year I would rethink your thought.
Went up the tram once with a group of engineering students and the Park Service guide let us walk down the stairs to see the internal construction of the Arch. That was pretty cool because the stairs zigged zagged down the inside of the arch leg next to the tram, and eventually wrapped around the tram nearer the bottom.
That's awesome...I'd like to do that some day. If I remember right, there are 1076 steps, and I'd love to see how they're constructed. Glad you were allowed to do that!
@@GmaGpaAdventures the top third of the steel stairs run parallel to the front doors of the tram as it starts its gradual decent down. As the arch leg interior begins to widen, the stairs start to zig zag around the interior wall of the arch, supported on a triangular steel framework. The bottom 2/3 of the leg, the stairs zig zag across the interior sides, and the tram glides down the center surrounded by the descending stairs. I recall the day after my decent, my legs were really sore.
I was on an airplane delivery flight and as I flew across St Louis at about 400 feet to stay under controlled air space, I looked ahead at the arch and thought to myself, I'm going to fly through that thing. Then another thought flashed into my head ----- there's hundreds of people on that arch and every one of them will have a camera and someone is bound to get a picture of my tail numbers and I'll be in deep shit with the FAA. Good judgement prevailed and I turned away just in time. It sure was a beautiful sight.
Great decision! Others have done it, but that's some serious trouble to get into.
Actually 5 planes have illegally flown through the Arch and in 1980, a parachutist attempted to slide down it. The outcome was deadly. I remember this happening. I live here and we go up it every once in a while. If you go on a windy day, you can feel and see it swaying back and forth when your at the top. The elevators/cars have gotten stuck too but that doesn’t keep us from going time to time. Luckily, I have not experienced them stopping or getting stuck. It’s unique and if one is here in the Lou, you ought to go see it and go up to the top.
I am terribly afraid of heights. I forced myself to do this a number of years ago. I just barely managed to handle my fears, and while I feel a sense of accomplishment, I would never do it again. I still sweat when I think about the experience, and watched this vid all the way through.
As a child did you ever go with a parent shopping in a tall building? My dear mom took me shopping and left me in the toy section. I could not walk to the window. Today, in my 70s and healthy, I still do not like heights. I still regret going into the Stratosphere in Las Vegas. It was terrifying. I unfortunately took that ride that shot straight up but on the way down, the carriage that held us lowered at an unsteady rate, causing motion sickness that lasted for the rest of the day. I even hate riding on aircraft. Did enough of that in the Air Force. If I was meant to fly I'd be a Raven, but I'm only a humble human.
When the arch is energized, it becomes a massive time travel portal, and you can get back to 1985 in the tram!
I knew that, but I was told to keep it a secret! Let’s just keep it between us...we don’t want a bunch of people clogging up the portal and slowing things down.
Can it bring you back to a time when that joke was funny?
@@mikegruber172 I laughed my head off!
@@timothyschwark6088 ok fine
So you can do the '85 World Series over and hope maybe the ump gets that call right this time and the Cards get the win they earned?
The most unique monument in our country imo
And a unique elevator too! Interesting way to get to the top. An iconic landmark of the country that provides amazing views at the top
I agree with all you said! There’s nothing quite like it.
It was a unique time in America's history.
We were such a super rich nation that we could erect giant monuments such as this.
@@dougn2350 STFU MAGA boy.
By amazing you mean "really high?" There is nothing to actually see, just flat expanse.
@@johnsmith1474
Still better view than from atop the San Jacinto Monument.
In my 51 year existence, I never knew how they actually went up the arch, I knew they did. I just didn’t get how, now I do thanks to you. Thanks! Great video!
I'm glad it helped! It's a very unique mode of transportation, isn't it!
That was interesting , never saw that before … looks like fun
It's worth doing if you're ever in the area!
They did a very nice job with their presentation before you go to the top.
Yes they did! They give you a good bit of history and background about the Arch, and the on-site museum adds further to the story of St. Louis and it’s role as the Gateway to the West.
I haven't been up in that thing since the 80s. One thing I remember is feeling the whole arch swaying in the wind.
That’s a big surprise when you feel something that big move back and forth while you’re in it. It’s made to sway as much as 18”, but that would in an extreme wind, and normally it moves only slightly or not at all.
I went up in it about 10 years ago. I really like the Gateway Arch. I think it's kind of an underrated/overlooked structure. Until you're actually there, I don't think people appreciate how big and majestic it is. The thing is just colossal. It towers over the whole city and can be seen for miles. I live in NYC and every few years take a road trip to visit people in the Midwest. I always stop in St. Louis to check out the arch.
I agree with you about it being underrated/overlooked. At 630 feet tall, it's the tallest monument in the United States, and it's a magnificent work of art, architecture, and engineering. Glad you had the opportunity to go!
While here you oughta check out food on The Hill. See how it compares to NYC Little Italy 😁. Go Cardinals!
As a former St. Louis Arch tour guide myself (2018), I can say that the guy you had as a tour guide, is one of the best. Looking back at how it was when I worked there to how it was just a year ago, is kind of jarring. The queue would always be packed and we would always end up with total strangers in cars together. Nowadays they couldn't do that.
Anyways, great video. I haven't been back there and to the top since I left. You really covered all the best parts and the greatest views. And you gave me a little bit of nostalgia from my time working there.
Thanks for watching, and I’m glad it brought back some memories for you! The guide did a great job, and sounds like I was lucky to get him for my tour.
Been many times. On a windy day, it is something special.
For sure! It's built to sway up to 18 inches, so in a strong wind it's a whole other experience.
I worked there for 4 summers. Oh the stories I have.
I bet! Can't even imagine...maybe you should make a video!
Okay your audience is waiting...
@@Rep0007 yes lmao want to hear some
I had lived in Missouri and never seen or been in the Arch. Your video touring the Arch was well done.
Thanks for watching!
I've driven through St. Louis on I-70 back around 1990, and while the arch is really amazing to look up at in the daytime, it's pretty awesome at night -- they light the underside, so the approach only shows the far leg curving up in the dark sky, kind of like a giant dinosaur with a verrrrry long neck! 😺💕🐾
This great Arch was built with steel from Struthers wells in Warren Pennsylvania my hometown. As I pass by this great amazing icon I can't help but think about my dear Mother.
Glad it brings back some memories for you.
As a native of St. Louis, I was there when it was built. The joke then was that the two sides wouldn't meet at the top. Of course, they did. On that note, they took their surveyor readings at night so the heat wouldn't distort them. I have been up in the arch several times and the only thing that bothered me was when I realized that, unlike a building, there was nothing under your feet except 630' of air. Of course, the floor of the viewing gallery and the structure of the arch itself gives you more than adequate support, but still a strange realization.
In addition to the museum, there is a restaurant and souvenir shop underneath. Try to go on a clear day if you can.
That would be about equal to a 60 story building.
So, like being on a bridge.
No thank you but the resturante sounds fun xx
@@JustFunandGames On a windy day you can feel it sway a tad.
@@Garth2011 Also the city has a rule that no downtown buildings can be taller than the Arch.
I went up it in the mid-70's with my dad and sister. Good times but I miss my dad.
Glad you have that memory with your dad.
My parents went in the 70’s to!
I visited back in the late 80's. It's way bigger at the base than I thought. Still cool all these years later. Thanks for bring back good memories.
Glad we could help you with the memories! Thanks for taking the time to watch.
I went up the Gateway Arch almost 30 years ago and it was a blast. The elevators are exactly as I remembered. Lo! What a engineering marvel.
It really is an incredible feat of design and engineering - it’s amazing that it was ever built!
Glad you were able to go!
Awesome video! I was in St. Louis as a kid and passed on going into the arch. Afterward my mom told me how claustrophobic she was in the elevator and I decided I could never do it. Now I have a real sense of what it would be like to visit the top of the arch. Thank you so much!
Glad it helped you get to see what the experience is like...thanks for watching!
The elevator ride alone would be fun. But not if it didn't have a glass door. All elevators should have glass doors. I can't deal with being completely locked in and can't see out.
Looks like they've improved the cars since I was there. I remember climbing into what looked like a big Maytag dryer!
So many improvements!!! The grounds, the museum it is so wonderful! I live South of St Louis and have been there many times...I can't wait to see all they have done since I last time I was there!!
Exactly what I remember saying! Was such a claustrophobia inducing experience. Worth it though.
I thought it reminded me of the thing Mork from Mork and Mindy travelled in! But no, Maytag dryer really nails it!! ✔️💯💯
The primary difference is the Cars make more frequent and less dramatic leveling corrections.
It was a Maytag dryer.
My dad took me up into the Empire Building many years ago and that was a site to see.R.I.P. Daddy😘🙏🏾
Glad you got to make that memory with your father. I've got some great memories of my dad when we went on family vacations...miss him and those good times.
@@GmaGpaAdventures thank you 🙏🏾
I was up there with my family in the early 70's; as a kid, i was kinda nervous but once we got up there it was thrilling and amazing! My parents have passed now, but the memory of them taking us kids up there will never be forgotten! :)
Glad you were able to make that memory with them!
Brings back memories - Went up in the early 90's.
I was 13. I ripped a heinous fart on the way up and apologized to the people that entered for the ride back down just as the door closed. That's one of the moments that wakes me up at 2am now that I'm 37. I'M SORRY, strangers!!
HIGH LARIOUS
Back in 1992 I rode the car with 4 strangers and someone farted when the door closed. Worst ride ever. when we came out on top the view out the windows it was foggy out. Could not see much.
@@ken-fo5zu Aw, that is super depressing. A fart and fog? T_T
My grandfather and grandmother stopped and we went up on our way from Mitchell Indiana to crowley TEXAS. I loved it, and the river was so close the next week they had to close the arch down. It was 1980. 🤠👍
The river has done that a few times, and it's amazing when you see how far below the Arch the water normally is.
I'm from St. Lou-ish and I think we often forget how awesome that thing is. I've been to the top more times in the last 50 years than I can remember. It never gets old, just more expensive. Worth every penny.
I'm agree...I'm still impressed by it!
As a St. Louis native in the suburbs of Fenton area. I go every year four times. Different seasons always something New. Love it.
Fenton !!
That’s a great idea! The city view changes a lot with the seasons, so you won’t be seeing the exact same thing every time. Shout out to Fenton!
Oh Fenton.... lol many memories of Fenton. 😁
I got to discover my fear of heights going up in the arch as a kid. So that was nice.
I bet quite a few people have found that out in an Arch tram. It’s only a 4 minute ride up and 3 down, but that’s a loooong time when you’re claustrophobic.
@@GmaGpaAdventures or if it jams and you're stuck there not knowing when you will come down....then i try to knock myself out...
@@GmaGpaAdventures Forty plus years ago, when we went, I thought we were told that the trams, the ones traveling up, and the ones traveling down, were connected together as one unit, to provide a counterbalancing action. Therefore the time for the ride up would equal the time for the ride down. Has that been changed?
Love the guide's way of pronouncing Eero Saarinen's name. :D We Finns do it in a bit different way. Would love to visit the Gateway Arch some day!
I hope you do get the opportunity to see it in person...it is a beautiful piece of architecture and engineering. Eero Saarinen was a true genius. Can you explain how his name should be pronounced...I hate to even try to say it because I know I get it wrong!
I did this in 1974 when I was a senior in high school. It was pretty exciting then. Our band played at a contest in St. Louis.
This is one of those things you do once in your life and then don’t want to ever do again.
It's one-and-done for a lot of people.
Why ? Is it Scary? It seems insane 😂😂
@@GmaGpaAdventures why? It must be so scary. Especially if your cart is full 😞😞😞😧
I loved the ride but hated the height!
@@Mickcotton no its not scarry, just not much to do at the top.
Wow! So different than when I was there in the mid 70s. The tram cars back then were cramped, and resembled the inside of an empty dishwasher. Thanks for the video!!
Ha Ha! "Inside of an empty dishwasher" is a great description.
I remember going up in this as a kid in the mid 90’s. I was about 4 I think. I remember going up in that elevator and being so scared as it adjusted. I was afraid it was gonna fall.
Good news! It didn’t! Thus the comment…
You're a survivor! It can make you wonder sometimes whether you made a mistake going up in it.
They have changed that a lot, I was last there in 1982, I remember going down steps right near the base of the arch and a large museum underneath it, with the trams being on the east side with a que line.
It's amazing this was designed and built in the middle 60's before computers took over the architech world.
I know! It was quite an achievement back then and still impresses me.
I went up it in 1969. I was 13. I remember being afraid of the sloped floor, that I would fall down. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to take the stairs.
@@janharker8520 You would probably be absolutely shot if you took the steps, especially up AND down.
Built in the early '60s. Designed in 1947!
@@apaulmcdonough2170 Yep. Infrastructure like that is often designed and planned decades in advance.
I'm going to St Louis in about a week. I've never been on the arch, and wanted to see what it's like. I feel prepared now that I watched this.
Glad to hear it helped! Enjoy St. Louis and even the Arch if you get time.
Did you get to go to the top of the arch?
@@lorenavelvet No, unfortunately. Tickets were sold out.
Cold days hold less moisture in the air. Clear winter nights the stars pop.
My home sweet home.
Went up when I was 17 yrs old.💞🙏🇺🇸
Glad you were able to experience it. St. Louis still feels like home to me, and we get there often.
I just happened on this video, thank you for the virtual experience!
Thanks for going along!
I like how your just like calm while your talking like it’s nothing to it!
Meanwhile I’m watching this and getting anxiety 😳
Sorry, didn't mean to cause anyone anxiety! And I know it's not for everyone. Luckily there are other things to see and enjoy at the Arch!
@@GmaGpaAdventures it’s all good.
I do eventually want to go up there @ one point lol
I grew up in STL and was a teenager when the arch was being build. I lived on 21st Street and my friends and I would go down to the riverfront and watch them building it. Been up it numerous times and always amazes me. What most people don’t know the arch can sway 16feet however you never notice it do to the size and height.
Apparently we went up on a windy day because I DID feel it swaying and to this day, I've had a fear of heights from going up in the Arch!
As a native St Louisan, the Arch is without question the best thing about St Louis - by far!
It’s the only good thing lol
Our equivalent is the Juche Tower
Built for my grandpa's 70th birthday. A symbol of and named after the Juche ideology. The monument provides amazing views of Pyongyang
Very interesting! I didn’t know about the Juche Tower or the Juche ideology, so I looked it up. I learned something today. Thank you for watching.
🤣🤣
You seem like a cool dude. Why does everyone hate you?
I laughed when you punked and owned Trump. Good times.
I like your original comment !
Thank you for this video, im from indonesia and very curious about 'how to get to the top of the St Louis Arch' in 03.00 am. So i found this. Now i can sleep 😴
Lol! Glad it helped you get to sleep! Take care of things in Indonesia and sweet dreams.
Haven't been up there since I was 10. My family took a trip to Missouri back in August 2002 and my dad and I went to the top of the arch. My mom and brother stayed at the bottom due to my mom's fear of heights. Still have the photos I took from the top. After a few days in St. Louis, we headed to Branson. It sure was a fun vacation for me.
It is a beautiful work of sculpture and an extremely well-designed tourist attraction. Don't miss the movie about making it.
I agree, on all counts!
If you look that way is Missouri: Developed with sky scrappers.
If you look to the other side it's Illinois: There is a Casino.
Pretty much sums it up.
You can see signs with gas prices displayed on both sides of the border.
Don't forget East St Louis is there too. Back in the day it was the place to go to party all night after St Louis bars closed at 2:00.
@Tracy Wagner the strip clubs are in Washington Park. No one goes to the bars there anymore unless you want shot.
The metro east has a population of over 500,000.
I went up there one time when I was 8. I can’t do it no more. My nerves are bad and my anxiety is worse.
I'm glad you had the chance to do it once! There are lots of other things left in the world to experience that won't cause anxiety. Take care.
@@GmaGpaAdventures Bless you!
I went as a kid too. I hated every minute of it. Hated the tram, hated the fact the floor was curved at the top, most of all I hated it took so damned long to leave!
This brings back some great memories for me. The first time I went up in the Gateway Arch was in 1970 on a family vacation when I was about 14 years old. It was a lot different back then. I remember old Busch Stadium where you could look right into it, and there was a game going on when we were there. I am 6'6" tall so its a tight fit for me, but doable. Been there a few other times, and this inspired me to go back again. Thanks.
Glad to hear you're wanting to go back. I can't imagine being 6'6" and riding in that tram! I remember looking down into old Busch Stadium like that too during a game...good times.
I went here with my family in the late 70's. It was the single most traumatizing event of my life. Watching this fills me with anxiety and dread.
The Arch is an amazing thing to view, travel up and down in too. My one visit there the day was grey, overcast with drizzle rain. The wind picked up as we we in the museum and waiting to ascend. By the time we reached the top the gust were 25-30 mph. The Arch...SWAYS! WOW! I thought we were heading for the Mississippi River. I had to restrain the little girl scream that was trying to come out...OF ME. Loved it all. Thanks for the memory.
HaHa! Yes, it does move in high winds...it was made to sway! And even if you know it's supposed to, it's still a weird feeling to be up there when it does. I looked it up and found this about that: "The Arch has 60-foot deep foundations and is built to withstand high winds and earthquakes. The structure sways about one inch in a 20 mph wind; it is designed to sway up to 18 inches in 150 mile per hour winds." Crazy!
my sweat and blood was inside the lettering for the Casino Queen. I cut and fit almost all the lettering into the sign face, both building façade and the huge 2 legged marquee sign. Man, that was a lifetime ago... My ex fiance and I were lining up permission ( because you can get it from the parks dept ) to have a quick nuptials ceremony up there in the top of the Arch. Whew... dodged a bullet there. Great video!
Lol! Glad you dodged the bullet...doesn't sound like it was a meant-to-be thing. That was a big job doing the Casino Queen letters. That's where a lot of people park and then ride the Metrolink over to Busch Stadium for a Cardinals game.
I went up right before we moved from Illinois when I was 7. My great aunt and uncle had come to visit and my mom forced me to go up because she said “you may never get this chance again.” I was scared because I thought it was some sort of thrill ride. Cried on my great uncles shoulder the entire ride up. 😂 got up there and was unimpressed as a 7 y/o. I’m glad now at 32 that my mom made me go up. Worth it!
Haha! Great story...I made many trips up to the top whenever relatives came to town, so I can relate. I'm pretty sure I was scared the first time too!
I live in Michigan. Have driven by it maybe a dozen times on my way to see my parents in OK. Flown over it several times landing in St. Lo. too. Never been in it. Always wanted to go. Very cool. Thanks for sharing the video. Still on my bucket list!!
We just got back from Traverse City, Michigan...enjoyed our trip! Hope you get the time someday to go to the Arch and see it in person!
You weren’t a Tiger fan in ‘68 were you? That team broke my heart by inexplicably beating my Cardinals, but I am getting over it, slowly. (Actually the Tigers earned that win👏. They were amazing in the last three games. But I’m still not over it! 😢)
The Arch is more than people think. It is where many thousands from all over the midwest, eastern America and world immigrants gathered in late Spring every year way back in the day (1800's) and would literally walk to the West coast. It was the gateway.
St. Louis was the gateway to the west, not the arch. The arch was finished in 1965.
@@coryw3339 Correct, they named the Arch after their own history tradition.
LoL in what bible town did you learn that misinformation?
Architect Eero Saarinen - "A suitable and permanent public memorial to the men who made possible the western territorial expansion of the United States, particularly President Jefferson"
@@HamburgerAmy What part of history don't you understand?
Been in the arch many times! It's great fun!
You must live in the area, like myself.
The way they built that Arch has got to be the riskiest most nail biting structure ever created.
I know! As a kid, I watched it being built, and was fascinated by how it was done. The great thing was, no one died during its construction. That's a testament to the safety precautions in place on the job site.
Thank you for this. I've always wondered what it was like in there.
Glad I could show it to you...thanks for watching!
Back in the 80's , me and 3 friends were on our way up in the elevator. Just a minute or so before we got to the top, one friend let loose a horribly smelly fart and we were trapped with no place to go . The doors opened and we fled the scene as a new group immediately piled in to go down. They had to suffer the wrath of my friend's fart all the way down.
I so feel like my daughter would do this lol. She runs us out of the car. My 3 sons can't even knock you out like her LoL 🤣.
Lol everyone loves a good fart story
Eewwww!!!!!
I was at a hospital in Chicago with a buddy and right before we got off the elevator he let one rip that I swear started peeling the paint off the walls and we hit every button on the elevator and a bunch of people got on right after us it was the greatest thing ever lol
Class always tells. Americans have none.
I was always wondering how to get on top of the arch, thanx for this video and greetings from Germany!
Thanks for watching! We have some family that lives near Brandenburg and I’ve visited them once. Germany is a beautiful country!
Thank you for that tour of the Arch , it was well engineered and cleaner than I expected .
Thanks for watching! It’s well kept up, and it’s an amazing piece of architecture and engineering, for sure.
“That WAS fun!!!” Fantastic video‼️ I thoroughly enjoyed this ‘Grandma & Grandpa Production’💯🎥🎬❕❕❕ Thank you Grandpa! 👏🏼👍🏼🙌🏼👌🏼😉😃🥳
Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment…we really appreciate it. And we love the Arch!
I Remember the Cars Up In 1969, the Old Stadium was being built. Thanks for the Memories.
Glad it brought back some good times for you.
I’ve lived near STL, my whole 23 years and I’ve never been to the top of the arch. Just the bottom! Great video
You should try it sometime! Going up in the tram is an experience all by itself, and on a clear day you can see a long ways.
Sounds like me. I’ve lived in DC for 31 years, still haven’t been to the top of the Washington Monument 🙄
R really r
@@GmaGpaAdventuresguys have really tree err tee to see your ff is tt weewwf
Oh you should. It’s a lot of fun
Man, I haven't been inside that thing since the 80's. You can feel it sway.
Yes, on windy days you’ll feel it move! It was built to sway up to 18 inches and withstand earthquakes.
Another episode of "John Malkovich journeys across America"
I was a truck driver for years man and would always go through St Louis going out west and I always wondered what it was like inside that thing now I know thank you so much for the tour that you did
You’re welcome, and I’m glad it helped you see what it’s like.
I bet there's no truck parking anywhere by it. I enjoyed seeing it when I was going east over the bridge.
I went up in the arch with my two friends while driving home from LA to Jersey and it was crammed but it’s a fun ride up definitely unique.
Glad you had the chance to do it, and experience that ride! It can be a really tight fit if the tram is full, but it's a short ride and it's over fast.
@@GmaGpaAdventures did they make the elevator area larger since 2010? I remember 3 of us being tight
The St. Louis Arch is a very cool monument; I hope to one day go to the top of it as the view looks amazing.
And I hope you enjoy the ride when that day comes!
I and my wife went up there while visiting
friends near Bethalto, Illinois in the early
2000's. It was in January, so it was cold,
and there was some snow on the ground. It was very interesting and fun.
We also went to a riverboat nearby that
was on the Missouri side, called the
President casino, as I remember it.
We were back visiting our friends in
Winter another year when they had
the Lewis and Clark reenactment with
Keel boats on the river by Ft Dubois,
and the Father of the husband we were
visiting was a player on one of the Keel
boats, on the river. We also visited a
nearby museum to see a Keel boat and
other historic items there.
You've had some great experiences in the area! I would like to see the Lewis and Clark reenactment with the Keel boats...very interesting.
lay off the enter key jeez
@@cooldude2251 I thought it was going to be a poem