Wakita Trip Stop 1: The St. Louis Arch

Today during my trip west toward Oklahoma, I finally got to experience the Gateway Arch up close — and honestly, seeing it in person is completely different than seeing photos online. Standing underneath it really makes you realize just how massive it actually is. We started the day from one of the overlook areas across the river before heading right down to the Arch grounds themselves, and the views of downtown St. Louis were incredible.

One of the coolest things I learned is that the Gateway Arch is actually the tallest monument in the United States at 630 feet tall. It was completed in 1965 and was designed by architect Eero Saarinen as a symbol of westward expansion in America. The stainless steel exterior gives it a completely different look depending on the weather and lighting — especially at sunset when it almost glows against the skyline.

Walking around the base of the Arch was impressive enough, but being right next to it gives you a whole new appreciation for the engineering behind it. The structure was designed to sway slightly in high winds, and each side was built separately before meeting perfectly at the top. It’s honestly crazy to think they were able to line it up so precisely back in the 1960s.

The area around the Arch was packed with people today, but it still had this unique atmosphere that mixed history, architecture, tourism, and just pure Americana. For someone like me who loves architecture, photography, and road trips, it was definitely one of those bucket-list stops that lived up to the hype.

This was an awesome start to the trip, and it’s hard not to think about how many travelers over the years passed through St. Louis heading west — kind of fitting considering where I’m headed next. Many more pictures to come! Stay Tuned.

Ryan Jakubowski Photography (2026)