Gateway Arch, Saint Louis

The Arch is an engineering marvel without question, but because it's federal property - and the feds are more paranoid than the guy with the backwards jacket and tinfoil hat - you have to submit to another airport search to even get in the place. All to see the history of westward expansion ... which never required Lewis and/or Clark to empty their pockets.

I don't know what the feds are thinking, but the Arch isn't a legitimate terrorist target.

Unique Suggestions: Don't go. Stop feeding the paranoia.

Fun Alternatives: The StL city jail has less intrusive security than this.

Sure I would not recommend multiple trips up the arch, but did you explore all the wonders UNDER the arch! There is history to be learned about the area in an extensive museum that is free to the public, movies to view about St. Louis history. Even a movie about the building of the arch. Dont dismiss it so completely as a total trap.

The Arch of St. Louis is a bit of a tourist trap. It costs $7.00 to go to the top. DON'T go if you are closterphobic in the least!!! I mean it...it's small in there!!