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Rolling on the River: Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruises

No visit to the Gateway Arch in downtown St. Louis is complete without a riverboat tour of the Mississippi! Step back in time as you board the Becky Thatcher or Tom Sawyer and take a tranquil tour of the riverfront.

Before interstate highways crisscrossed the nation, people did their luxury traveling by train and steamboat. St. Louis was a bustling river town in the 1800’s with hundreds of steam powered paddlewheelers docked on riverfront! There’s a cool display of what St. Louis looked like back then at the Arch’s new museum –be sure to check it out on your next visit.

Riverboat Cruise at the Arch

The riverboats can take your family on a hour long tour of the riverfront –there’s a sightseeing cruise running every day from March to November.

But if you want to make it really special–book a dinner or brunch cruise! The Becky Thatcher is set up with a double decker dining room and takes visitors on a two-hour tour of the riverfront while you dine on a delicious buffet.

Brunch on the Riverboat Becky Thatcher

Sunday Brunch Cruises are a great way to celebrate Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Of course you don’t need a special occasion to enjoy a wonderful weekend at the Arch with your family! There’s one or two brunch cruises scheduled every month the boats operates. Check out their current schedule under “specialty cruises” here.   There’s also dinner cruises, dancing cruises, and a couple cruises up to see the lock and dam where the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers meet!

What’s included with my ticket?

Your brunch ticket includes a buffet full of scrambled eggs, blintzes, French toast, sausage, prime rib, stuffed chicken, veggies, pasta, dessert, and coffee, iced tea, orange juice, milk and chocolate milk. Soft drinks, beer and cocktails are available at the bar for an extra charge.

What to Expect on your Riverboat Brunch Cruise

First, you’ll want to reserve your spot early by getting tickets online . Tickets are $45 for adults, $18 for kids 3-12 and free for little ones under 2. 

The boats are docked at the foot of the Gateway Arch. Stop by the ticket office to pick up your tickets by 12:30 — the boat leaves promptly at 1pm!

Then you’ll come aboard and be directed to your seat. Unlike the sightseeing tours, the Brunch Cruise has reserved indoor seating with white linen table clothes. Tables are located by the windows, so you can enjoy the whole cruise from the comfort of the cabin, or pop upstairs to watch from the observation deck. 

The food might be served buffet style, but you’ll also get a friendly waiter to serve your drinks and clear the plates. Don’t worry about standing in line either, the serving staff dismisses diners by table so the buffet isn’t overwhelmed.

And while you wait, enjoy a little Dixieland music!

Where do I park?

Best Photos of the Arch are Here

If you’re looking to get a postcard photo of the Gateway Arch, a riverboat cruise is where to be! You can also get a pretty cool one from the Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park over on the East Side, but you don’t need to worry about pesky power lines messing up your shot here. ( Here’s a few more ideas for great photos with the Arch! )

Riverboats at the Gateway Arch

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Riverboats at the Gateway Arch - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Gateway Arch Riverboats

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Review Highlights

“ Louis we decided to ride this riverboat along the river and it was such a fun experience! ” in 17 reviews

“ There were concessions on board, but no one minded that I brought a drink onboard with me that I had purchased in the arch cafe . ” in 2 reviews

“ You'll pass your dock and go under a few more bridges before turning around and heading back to the dock . ” in 11 reviews

Location & Hours

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50 S Leonor K Sullivan Blvd

Saint Louis, MO 63102

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Take a relaxing cruise and discover the best view of the St. Louis skyline from replica nineteenth-century paddle-wheel riverboats, the Becky Thatcher and the Tom Sawyer. They were brought to St. Louis in 1964 so spectators could get a close-up view of the Arch as it was being constructed, and are the only riverboats on the St. Louis Riverfront today. During a variety of cruises offered, hear the waters churn and admire the view as you ride along the mighty Mississippi River, where Lewis and Clark completed their historic journey. Choose a One-Hour Sightseeing Cruise, Skyline Dinner Cruise or one of many specialty cruises. Hours Cruises run March-November, rain or shine. Departure times and costs vary for each cruise. Tickets Advance ticket purchases are recommended, and are required for certain cruises. Tickets available by phone or online. On-board concessions vary for cruises. Also your entire family may enjoy casual dining, dockside at the Paddle Wheel Café, with a spectacular view of the Gateway Arch. Parking is available on the levee in front of the riverboats. Parking on Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard is illegal and cars will be ticketed. Accessibility Ramps from the street to the levee provide wheelchair access to the riverboats. The first floor of both riverboats and the riverboat dock are wheelchair accessible. The second and top decks of both riverboats require using stairs. …

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The Arch is always a nice touch to a STL visit! The entire experience was fun and informative. Going up the arch was fun. Before we got on the tram, we participated in a learning session. We saw videos of how things were constructed and about the builders. I believe that there are sessions held with the founders and builders as well. I love how organized everything was. We stayed with our group took fun photos and learned so much! Once we made it to the top, it was a really nice view. Now I don't know if it was my fear of heights or what, but I became super dizzy and nauseous. But I did get a few pics and videos. Once we came back down, we stopped in the restaurant to eat. They have a really good system to make sure you get your food quickly. We had the ribs and wings. All of the sides come with original lays potato chips. We also had the juices. They were good! Finally, we shopped in the souvenir shop. It had so many great items. I always get a magnet for my refrigerator collection. If you are in St. Louis, this is definitely a place to visit!

Take a cruise on the Mighty Mississippi River. Board on a replica 19th century paddle-wheel riverboat for a different view of the Gateway Arch and the banks of the Mississippi. Love the names, the Becky Thatcher and the Tom Sawyer, that were originally used to take sightseers to view the construction of the Gateway Arch in the 1960s. Today, the cruise goes under several bridges, the Eads, the MLK, the MacArthur. On a beautiful sunny fall day, it was nice to be on the river enjoying the sunshine, but the tour itself was not that interesting and it was hard to hear the narration. Buy tickets at the National Park Service office inside the Arch and then walk down the steps to the riverbanks to board. The sixty-minute cruise is $25 ($24 plus a $1 service fee). If I had to do it again, I'd opt for a themed cruise like the Blues Cruise or Halloween for $30.

See all photos from Helene S. for Gateway Arch Riverboats

Now I can say I've been on a riverboat on the Mississippi. Otherwise not much to write home about. We did this before going up in the arch, so we knew some landmarks to look for from the top. I was glad they had food on board because we had totally run out of time to grab lunch after landing at the airport and needing to head straight to the riverboat!

View of the arch from the boat

Good food is not something I would have expected from a riverboat, but the food on our boat was really good. I'm still thinking about the gooey butter cake. The service was amazing and very friendly, too. You should know: When the boat is up and running, it gets very loud in the dining room area of the riverboat. I was trying to hold up a conversation with people at my table while I was eating, and I felt like I had to shout and ask them to repeat what they said. Upstairs on the deck, it's a little more quiet. But inside, you hear the roar of the engine from start to finish. But you should't spend too much time inside, anyway. The point of these riverboat cruises is to look out at the scenery, and your best view is from the deck. There is no bad seat on the deck, so just pick a spot and relax while the St. Louis skyline whooshes past you. From the riverboat, you can see the St. Louis Arch really well, as well as the behind-the-scenes graffiti and whatnot that you typically don't see from land. I love urban decay, so this is right up my alley. You also pass under bridges and see other watercraft go by. Our riverboat ride was about two hours. Just enough time to eat, snap some selfies on the deck, and bask in the sunshine on a really cool boat that's chugging down the Mississippi River.

I wanted to do a riverboat tour when in town as I had fond memories of doing it when I was a kid. Boarding process was quick, they take your photo ( you can skip it) and they bring it to you on the boat hoping you buy it. We initially sat on the upper deck but it started raining with thunder and lightening so we went down to a covered deck. Should have went indoors as it had the air conditioning! As you go down the river there is a staff from the Missouri history society talking about what you are seeing and changes in history. The sites themselves were actually pretty depressing. As someone who grew up here and came down to visit the floating McDonald's, eat or shop in Laclede's landing it was very bleak. Lots of unhoused person encampments, a rotting casino dock. You cruise up the river for 30 minutes and come back down for a total of an hour. They had food and drinks at the dock, as well as restrooms. It wasn't a terrible experience just sad if you remember this area in it's former glory.

On our trip to St. Louis we decided to ride this riverboat along the river and it was such a fun experience! The riverboat was really big and had lots of seats for people to sit and relax in... but it really didn't help that it was a pretty humid day, but we were prepared beforehand. As we cruised down the Mississippi River, we got to see so many cool things such as historic sites and landmarks. There were big bridges that we went under, and we even saw some big cargo ships that were carrying all kinds of goods. We also saw some wildlife, like birds and fish jumping out of the water. The best part of the cruise was when we got to see the Gateway Arch from the river. It looked even bigger and more impressive from down below! The captain of the boat also told us lots of interesting facts about the history of St. Louis and the river. Overall, I would definitely recommend the Gateway Arch Riverboat cruise if you're ever in St. Louis. It's a great way to see the city and the river from a different perspective, and it's a fun and relaxing way to spend an afternoon.

View right before we went under the bridge.

The old power plant, I think. I was melting due to the heat so I would forget some things the tour guide would say.

My friends and I were looking for something convenient to our location (Busch Stadium) it's only about 3 blocks away and right past the Arch, down the stairs. It was sadly only an hour but filled with lots of info. Bar on board had nice choices.

The Riverboats at the Gateway Arch: we did the Tom Sawyer riverboat cruise. Actually took it as part of the Arch ticket. The margarita by the bartender was really good. Some history is narrated throughout about the bridges etc seen while sailing on the Mississippi River, but the cruise is just too slow; and the speaker had this crackling sound while announcing, didn't feel like listening to it. Super hot as well. Overall didn't feel worth the money. We went at 4.30 pm. Don't know if they have a better experience at other times.

Ehh... This really isn't a "must do." The Mississippi River water is pretty disgusting and the sights around aren't that spectacular. The approximately one hour narrated tour (by a park ranger and also the captain) seemed to be a little strapped for fun facts around the area.

It's nice and scenic and informative, and it's nice you can bring your own drinks on and enjoy the view. However the plastic chairs are old and filthy, you can't tell me for one second they can't afford to buy new chairs to make it look a little better. It would make the experience so much nicer. They are simple plastic lawn chairs that run for 20-30 a piece at most stores. Those chairs need to be thrown out immediately. If the company is reading this, do better.

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Riverboats at the Gateway Arch

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Gain a new perspective while cruising the Mighty Mississippi. With a variety of sightseeing, dinner, and specialty outings to choose from, a riverboat cruise makes a unique and relaxing way to experience the Gateway Arch and downtown St. Louis.

Available March through November. Cruise dates and times vary. Located on the St. Louis Riverfront below the Grand Staircase of the Gateway Arch.

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St. Louis Riverfront Cruise

Return to a time when steamboats ruled the river. The one-hour narrated riverfront cruise aboard the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch explores the history of downtown St. Louis, including the Mississippi River’s role in its past, present and future.

Cruises run daily from March through November. Times vary depending on the season.

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Visiting the Gateway Arch: Enter the monument through the Gateway Arch Visitor Center, which faces Fourth Street and the Old Courthouse. The Gateway Arch legs are exits only. Please allow at least 30 minutes to go through security. Tickets sell out early and often, advance reservations are strongly recommended. Pending availability, additional tickets may be available for same-day purchase beginning at 9am each day through our website, call center, and ticket center at the Gateway Arch. Same-day ticket availability is not guaranteed and sells out early and often.

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Riverboats at the Gateway Arch: Holiday Cruises

ST. LOUIS– The Riverboats at the Gateway Arch, located below the Arch on the St. Louis Riverfront, will celebrate the holiday season with a lineup of cruises for all ages and interests, including breakfast with Santa Claus, a holiday dinner cruise, a festive drag show brunch and a New Year’s Eve party.

“Create lasting memories this holiday season aboard the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch,” said Mary Lamie, Executive Vice President of Multi Modal Enterprises, Bi-State Development. “The riverboats have a festive cruise for everyone and offer unique experiences that can’t be found anywhere in St. Louis.”

A complete cruise schedule is available at gatewayarch.com /riverboats. Reservations are required for all cruises. Cruises sell out fast, so it is highly encouraged to make reservations early by calling 877-982-1410 or visiting gatewayarch.com/buytickets .

PJs and Pancakes with Santa Cruise It’s a holiday outing for the entire family: Cruise the Mighty Mississippi on a replica paddlewheel riverboat with the big man himself—Santa Claus! Come dressed in your favorite PJs and enjoy a bountiful breakfast buffet, holiday crafts and other activities, unique views of downtown and the Arch, and take a photo with Santa. WHEN: Saturdays: November 23 & 30, December 7 & 14. 9:30-11:30 a.m. TICKETS: $38 per person. Children 2 and under are free.

Jingle & Mingle Holiday Dinner Cruise Celebrate the holidays in style and make memories aboard the Jingle & Mingle Holiday Dinner Cruise. This floating extravaganza features: DJ spinning festive classics and today’s hits; chef-prepared buffet dinner with all your holiday favorites; cash bar featuring beer, wine and cocktails; and festive lights and decor from top to bottom. WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, December 5-15. 7:30-10 p.m. TICKETS: Thursdays: $50 for adults; $30 for children; Fridays-Sundays: $53 for adults; $33 for children. Children 2 and under are free. Discount alert: The more, the merrier! Bring your friends, family or co-workers together for the celebration, and enjoy discount pricing on groups of 20 or more.

Blues Cruise Dance the night away and take part in a St. Louis tradition, as the Soulard Blues Band provides rocking, live entertainment and you enjoy illuminated views of downtown St. Louis. WHEN: Thursday, December 12. 8:30-11 p.m. TICKETS: $22 per person. Cash bar. Must be 21 or older.

Brunching with Queens Cruise Don’t let your weekend be a “drag”! A merry Sunday Funday is guaranteed as you enjoy a fabulous brunch buffet and host Jade Sinclair and St. Louis’ most glamourous queens provide live, holiday-themed entertainment. WHEN: Sunday, December 15. 1-3 p.m. TICKETS: $47 per person. Cash bar. Must be 21 or older.

New Year’s Eve Party Cruise Ring in the New Year with a view of the magnificent St. Louis skyline. Featuring an elegant three-course dinner, open bar, DJ entertainment, and midnight champagne toast. WHEN: Monday, December 31. 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. TICKETS: $99 per person. Must be 21 or older.

LOCATION AND PARKING The Riverboats at the Gateway Arch are located below the south leg of the Gateway Arch at 50 S. Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63102. Parking is available on the Mississippi River levee in front of the boats for a cash fee.

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Visiting the Gateway Arch: Enter the monument through the Gateway Arch Visitor Center, which faces Fourth Street and the Old Courthouse. The Gateway Arch legs are exits only. Please allow at least 30 minutes to go through security. Tickets sell out early and often, advance reservations are strongly recommended. Pending availability, additional tickets may be available for same-day purchase beginning at 9am each day through our website, call center, and ticket center at the Gateway Arch. Same-day ticket availability is not guaranteed and sells out early and often.

• Hours & Pricing
• Directions & Parking
• Sample Itinerary

Tram Ride to the Top

• Riverboat Cruises
• Virtual Reality Theater

Old Courthouse

• Activities & Attractions
• Tour Operators
• Field Trips
• Private Events
• Group Pricing
• Submit Photos

Experience a destination where the stories are as incredible as the views.

Bringing together art, nature, history, and adventure, the Gateway Arch is an inspiration as well as a destination. Spend a few hours or a whole day. The Gateway Arch will change your perspective, inside and out.

Tram Ride to the Top: Getting there is part of the adventure.

Gaze at over 43,000 tons of concrete and steel making an iconic, elegant arc 63 stories high into the Midwest sky. Shaped by the inspired design of Finnish-America architect Eero Saarinen, the Gateway Arch celebrates the westward expansion of the United States and the pioneers who made it possible. Since its completion in 1965, the monument has taken millions of visitors on the trip to the top to enjoy stunning views stretching up to 30 miles to the east and west.

Begin your tour with our new, interactive pre-boarding exhibits featuring 60s era animation and Gateway Arch trivia. Then, be transported 630 feet to the top of America’s tallest monument.

Each tram tour has an anticipated duration of 45-60 minutes. For the best experience, purchase your Tram Ride to the Top tickets before you visit. Start planning your Gateway Arch adventure now.

Please Note: The Tram Ride to the Top of the Gateway Arch is not fully accessible for guests with mobility impairments, as no wheelchairs, scooters or strollers are permitted on the Observation Deck. To reach the top and return, you must be able to manage at least 96 steps, divided into six flights, and you may need to stand for 30­–60 minutes. No seating or restrooms are located at the top of the Arch.

Museum: See history differently.

Challenge yourself to consider different perspectives and discover previously untold stories of westward expansion at the Museum at the Gateway Arch. Our innovative, accessible and interactive museum features 200+ years of history within six themed galleries, commemorating America’s pioneering spirit and acknowledging the positive and negative impacts of westward expansion.   The galleries span from 1764 to 1965 with topics covering Colonial St. Louis, Jefferson’s Vision, Manifest Destiny, The Riverfront Era, New Frontiers, and Building the Gateway Arch. Admission to the museum is free.  

Learn more about the Museum Galleries.

Riverboats at the Gateway Arch

Riverboats at the Gateway Arch: Cruise through time on the Mighty Mississippi.

Travel through time on a replica 19 th century paddle-wheel riverboat. Day or night, the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch offer stunning skyline views that have been voted Best in St. Louis. With a variety of sightseeing, dinner, and specialty outings to choose from, a riverboat cruise makes a unique and relaxing way to experience the Gateway Arch and downtown St. Louis.

Brought to the St. Louis riverfront in 1964, the Tom Sawyer was originally used to take curious sightseers out on the river to view the construction of the Gateway Arch. While the city may have changed since then, the views of the Gateway Arch are as impressive as ever. Access the St. Louis riverfront via Chouteau Ave.

50 South Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63102

Old Courthouse: Landmark in Every Sense of the Word

Note: The Old Courthouse is temporarily unavailable

Walk the halls where ordinary Americans made civil rights history. Built in 1839, the Old Courthouse is a prime example of mid-19th century federal architecture. But it is two landmark cases that secure its place in history.

Beginning in 1847, the enslaved Dred Scott twice sued for his and his wife Harriet’s freedom. But, the U.S. Supreme Court decided against them, ruling that African-Americans were not citizens and had no right to sue. In 1873, St. Louis suffragette Virginia Minor and her husband filed a civil suit arguing for women’s right to vote. Although their suit was denied, they brought great attention to the fight for voting rights for all U.S. citizens.

11 North 4th Street, St. Louis, MO 63102

Activities & Attractions

To get the complete Gateway Arch experience, plan time to enjoy one or all of these additional activities.

The stories behind the Gateway Arch are just as incredible as the views. Learn more about the history and meaning of this one-of-a-kind national memorial.

St. Patrick's Day 2024 parades livestream: Watch celebrations around the US

Thousands of people, both Irish and non-Irish alike, will celebrate Irish heritage by attending one of the many parades around the U.S. this weekend in honor of St. Patrick's Day .

USA TODAY is providing live coverage Saturday morning of celebrations in multiple cities for St. Patrick's Day, including in New York City, Chicago and Savannah, Georgia. You can watch parade coverage at the embedded video at the top of the page or on USA TODAY's YouTube channel .

For many Americans, St. Patrick's Day is more than just a day of religious observance for the patron saint of Ireland , although that's the reason why celebrations began. In the U.S., the holiday (which is not recognized federally) is also a chance for everyone to celebrate Irish culture and heritage.

Even if you can't make it in person, there's still an option to watch some of the most popular parades happening around the country. Here's how to watch.

What is corned beef? How this recipe became a favorite for St. Patrick's Day

When is St. Patrick's Day?

St. Patrick's Day is held on March 17 every year in remembrance of St. Patrick, who died March 17, 461.

Although he was born in Britain, he is believed to be responsible for bringing Christianity to Ireland.

Watch the St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City

Since March 17 falls on a Sunday, the New York City parade will be on Saturday, March 16, starting at 11 a.m. ET.

New York City St. Patrick's Day parade: Route, how to watch live

Watch the St. Patrick's Day parade in Chicago, Illinois

In one of the more unique ways of celebrating St. Patrick's Day, the Chicago River will be dyed green on Saturday, March 16, at 10 a.m. CT.

The parade will be held the same day and start a few hours after the river dyeing, around 12:15 p.m. ET.

Dyeing the Chicago River green 2024: Date, time, how to watch St. Patrick's Day tradition

Watch the St. Patrick's Day parade in Boston

The 119th-annual South Boston St. Patrick's Day parade will be on Sunday, March 17, beginning at 1 p.m. ET. The parade is held by the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council and always falls on the Sunday closest to St. Patrick's Day.

The parade also celebrates Evacuation Day , a local Massachusetts holiday commemorating when British forces left Boston during the Revolutionary War on March 17, 1776.

Boston St. Patrick's Day pararde: 2024 route, time, how to watch and stream

Watch the St. Patrick's Day parade in Savannah, Georgia

Savannah, which hosts one of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades in the country , will host its parade on Saturday , scheduled to start at 10:15 a.m. ET.

St. Patrick's Day in Savannah: Everything you need to know for the 2024 parade, celebration

The 2024 parade also marks the 200th anniversary of the celebration in Savannah.