St Louis - Gateway Arch

In the center of the park is the Gateway Arch, symbol of the city's role as the "Gateway to the West". This parabolic arch of stainless steel, 625 ft high, was erected in 1959-65 to the design of Eero Saarinen, based on an unexecuted project by Adalberto Libera for the entrance to the Esposizione Universale di Roma of 1942. Eight elevators run up to the observation platform on the highest point of the arch. Under the arch are the Visitor Center and the Museum of Westward Expansion, and beyond it the boarding place for the Mississippi excursion boats. Moored in the river are a number of floating restaurants.