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    Compton Hill Water Tower

    4.5 (11 reviews)

    Compton Hill Water Tower Photos

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    Jimmy R.

    What takes 198 stairs to climb, rises 170-feet and and has THE best 360-degree view of the metropolitan St. Louis area that stretches as far as Illinois and the Jefferson? Is it The Arch? No. Its the Compton Hill Water Tower! Did you know you can inside and up to the top of this one? These tall behemoths struck me as odd when I moved to St. Louis. I had never seen them before and with good reason. They are rare. Apparently, this one is one of only seven surviving such towers in the United States (two others are also in St. Louis), and was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places around 1972. It sits in Reservoir Park, surrounded by this large, naked statue, adjacent to, a lily pond, fountain and walking paths. Oh, there is a dog park too! So, yes.. this has the best view. It's only open on the first Saturday of the month. Panoramic views to say the least. The Arch just isn't that great because one view is the great city and the other is a grain tower on Illinois side. Bring good shoes. Strike up a conversation with the preservationist board members who are probably running the tower and answering questions. If you ever wondered whats in those water reservoirs next door, now you can see from the top of the tower. Just remember its usually first Saturday of the month roughly April to October. Check their website. Walking up and inside this is like a hot tub time machine.

    Super moon!
    Joe A.

    Methinks the pictures say enough. A great landmark in STL (read the history on some of the other reviews here) ... and perfect for a picnic or to wow out-of-towners with cool architecture and history. Oh yeah, and it's open on Full Moons, so do that.

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    Review Highlights - Compton Hill Water Tower

    The Arch just isn't that great because one view is the great city and the other is a grain tower on Illinois side.

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    Gateway Arch - Got the top to ourselves

    Gateway Arch

    4.2(964 reviews)
    2.8 miDowntown

    Whether you're a tourist or a local, the arch never gets old. Make sure you book your tickets in…read moreadvance because they sell out pretty fast. The tram ride up is one of the most unique experiences. It's weird but also a cool sensation where you're moving sideways and upward at the same time, around 3 mph. The ride down feels slightly faster for some reason. Each tram fits a maximum of 5 people (or 6 with a baby in lap), so it is a snug little pod. If you or someone in your group has claustrophobia, I wouldn't let it stop you. Some of my friends have mild claustrophobia and they were fine. The tour guides while you're waiting in line are enthusiastic and keep things fun. I appreciated them. Once you get to the top, you have about 8 to 10 minutes to take in the view through these little windows that kind of make you feel like you're looking out of a plane. The view of the river is nice and you can spot planes and ships from up there. While you're waiting for your time slot or even after, there's a really nice Missouri history museum section at the entrance worth browsing through. Don't skip the gift shop, it's worth a quick stop. The grounds under the arch are a full park, so it's a great excuse to just be outside and enjoy the space. Perfect for families, friends, or anyone who wants a fun and easy way to spend some time in the city.

    Had the best time with my youngest travel companion!! Teaching the next generation of explorers…read more The entire staff was wonderful even as I almost got tackled by security because I didn't realize my eye glass cleaning wipes kept kicking off the alarm. Keep that in mind, totally empty your pockets to avoid an embarrassment. Loved the tiny tram ride to the top and back down again. The museum under the park is amazing and well done. The gift shop is well appointed and prices aren't too bad at all. The cafe also isn't too bad. Just watch your receipts. I got over charged and heard it's happened fairly recently with a few other people. Will certainly come back again and explore some more.

    Photos
    Gateway Arch - This thing is BIG

    This thing is BIG

    Gateway Arch - Standing at the base of the north leg.

    Standing at the base of the north leg.

    Gateway Arch

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    Frank Lloyd Wright House In Ebsworth Park

    Frank Lloyd Wright House In Ebsworth Park

    4.9(23 reviews)
    11.3 mi

    We joined a group of people to do a group tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright house in Kirkwood, MO. It…read moreis well worth the $20 tour fee. Anne was our docent. She was very knowledgeable about Wright and Russell and Ruth Kraus who the house was built for and the only residents. The Kraus house is one of the very few Wright houses that have not been remodeled and contains the original furniture designed by Wright. It has a cozy feel from the time you walk inside. I was intrigued by the esthetic design throughout the home.

    I've been to about 150 Frank Lloyd Wright homes and have been lucky enough to have been inside…read morearound 30. We didn't know if we could get on the tour that day so we first stopped by to see it and take some pictures. We met an intern and found out that we could get in on a tour about 2 hours later. So we paid our fee and went to see Frank Lloyd Wright's mentor, Louis Sullivan's Wainwright Building in downtown St. Louis. I believe this is one of Sullivan's best work still standing. When we returned for the tour I was stunned. This is a great, late house by Wright that has many magical and playful elements to it. It's has most of the original furnishings and something totaling unexpected in a Usonian house--art glass windows. The tour guide was new and did an excellent. Everyone involved in this project should be very proud of the work they've done, and continue to do.

    Photos
    Frank Lloyd Wright House In Ebsworth Park
    Frank Lloyd Wright House In Ebsworth Park
    Frank Lloyd Wright House In Ebsworth Park

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    Compton Hill Water Tower - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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