While visiting St. Louis Missouri for the ACEC IT Forum Conference in September, I had a chance to visit some of the landmarks near the Hyatt Regency hotel. The Old Courthouse is one of the landmarks that stands immediately adjacent to the Gateway Arch. The St. Louis Old Courthouse is part of the Gateway Arch National Park. It was originally built between 1839 and 1862. The Old Courthouse replaced a smaller First Courthouse. It's theme is a Greek Revival style with a central rotunda. There are several landmark cases that occurred in the St. Louis Old Courthouse. The building is stunning with the Doric columns, the facades, and how the layout is centered around a large rotunda. The Old Courthouse has undergone renovation in the recent years, including upgrades with elevators and ramps, climate control, restored courtrooms and some new exhibit galleries! You can visit and tour the rotunda, restored courtrooms, and history exhibit galleries. If you're visiting the Gateway Arch, I recommend stopping by the St. Louis Old Courthouse. It's close and there is a lot of historical information regarding the history of St. Louis Missouri and the Old Courthouse. read more

Old Courthouse - St. Louis Old Courthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

It is s a Greek Revival building with an Italian Renaissance-style dome. The dome was completed in 1862, making it one of the first of its type. The courthouse is significant for 2 of the nation's most significant legal cases; the Dred Scott case and the Virginia Minor case. The Dred Scott case, which began in 1846, included trials in 1847 and 1850 at the Old Courthouse. The case was ultimately decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1857, ruling against the Scotts and stating that they did not have the right to sue as citizens. The Virginia Minor case, regarding a woman's right to vote, was tried in the 1870s at the Old Courthouse. We were able to walk inside the courthouse, sit behind the judges desk & read about the cases. There was a lot of interesting information to read & videos to watch. read more

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We DID NOT get a chance to tour the old courthouse but have this on our "bucket list" for our next visit to St Louis. From the outside, this is a beautiful old courthouse located just west of the Gateway Arch. The view from the base of the arch is great. One of the historic cases that was argued in this courthouse was the Dred Scott case. read more

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This court house was closed most the time when I was in St. Louis downtown. This review was for the outside and surrounding of the old courthouse. It's always a great spot for pictures taking with the arch at the background. read more

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We thought the Old Courthouse was going to be a quick pit stop on our way to the Arch but we spent a lot more time here than we thought. We were told it had just reopened after a renovation and we are glad we got to see it. The courthouse was beautiful and their exhibits inside were great. The kids were able to become Jr. Rangers at the Courthouse and the Arch which was a nice touch. Overall we absolutely loved our time at this historical location and I suggest allowing enough time to explore. read more

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I visited the Old Courthouse at 11 N 4th St, St. Louis, MO today, May 25, 2025, and it's a beautiful piece of history! The Greek Revival architecture and iconic cast-iron dome, finished in 1862, are stunning, especially in the rotunda with its vibrant frescoes. The first-floor exhibits, reopened after a $27.5 million renovation, are engaging--particularly the Dred and Harriet Scott gallery, which dives into their 1847 freedom suit with compelling artifacts and panels. Another exhibit, "Pathways to Freedom," highlights Black life in St. Louis, and the restored courtroom display feels like stepping into the 1850s. The staff was welcoming, sharing insights about the courthouse's role in landmark cases like the Scott trials and Virginia Minor's suffrage case. It's free, which is great, and the location near the Gateway Arch makes it an easy combo visit. The new elevator and UV-protected windows add accessibility and light, enhancing the experience. My only disappointment was that the third and fourth floors remain closed post-renovation, so you can't explore the upper levels, which I heard have unique historic elements. Parking downtown was also a bit of a pain--try the stadium garages nearby. Still, a must-visit for history lovers, just wish the upper floors were accessible! read more

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We visited the St. Louis Old Courthouse about 90 minutes before closing, excited to explore and teach our kids about the important history there as a homeschooling family. Unfortunately, our experience that first day was disappointing--a male National Park Ranger rushed us through and asked us to leave 30 minutes before closing, which cut our visit short and left our kids a bit confused and disappointed. However, we decided to come back the next morning, and we're so glad we did! The Park Ranger on duty that day was absolutely phenomenal. She not only welcomed us warmly, but she also engaged our kids with fun questions and quizzes, helping them explore and understand the exhibits on a deeper level. She made history come alive, and her enthusiasm was contagious--she truly rocked! The courthouse itself is stunning, with incredible architecture and so much important history, especially regarding the Dred Scott case. I highly recommend a visit--but try to arrive earlier in the day for the full experience! read more

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Visited the smallest of all the National Parks yesterday with my husband who is from St. Louis and lived there for 50 years. He's of course been in the arch many years ago but was impressed with the updates and renovations to the museum and entrance. The tram to the top is reasonable - the wait from the line, to the trams, watching the brief video, ride up, 10 minutes up, and ride down is all about an hour or so if the line isn't too long (maybe 20-30 people). It's definitely worth the visit and their cafe and gift shop is wonderful with tons of cute items inside for keepsakes and the usual collectible National Park items. The outside is well-kept and clean with plenty of parking nearby in the city. It's an easy to walk park and was overall about a 3-4 hour visit. Note: The tram is very very small inside with 5 seats that are super close together and a low ceiling. read more

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This was need to see. We were exploring St. Louis and Crossing old courthouse. It was nice to see and fun to check out. I would definitely recommend it. read more

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The St Louis Arch in Missouri has got to be one of the most amazing places. Plan on a couple of hours to visit this National Park. The Museum inside is just as fascinating as the grounds around the Arch. Time VERY well spent. The Arch itself ~. It's large 630 ft structure stands majestically along the Mississippi River and is the tallest monument in the US. Designed in 1947..... but not built until 1963-1968. What a magnificent engineering feat for its time. We will stop again when we get back in this area.... there is so much to see. read more

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A great place to cool off on a hot summer day with lots of history. The architecture is beautiful. The staff was friendly and we learned a lot while there. read more

While many may not think of visiting a Courthouse, it is fun if you have visited other famous courthouses in various other US cities to perform comparisons. Is this for everyone, probably not, but I enjoyed my short visit after visiting the Gateway Arch right across the street. There was no charge, which is nice, but you will likely only spend half an hour here to be honest. There is some serious history to this courthouse that is displayed in several halls, which adds to the excitement to be honest. It is not an active occupied courthouse like many others around the country, but still worth the visit to catch up on some history within St. Louis. Easy to add to your list if visiting the Gateway Arch. read more

Quite elegant, unique and oversized! It impacts the majority of area surrounding ... If not obstructed. That's part of the fun! The brilliance of design makes this impact everyone on an active and passive level who can see it. So it's not historic going back hundreds of years... Yes yes yes... But it transformers all within sight of ït subliminally or overtly. It's something you just can't ignore within it's horizon. read more

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What to say about this place. The Old Historic Courthouse is an extremely important site for the interpretation of a major decision in American jurisprudence and one that, in part, ultimately led our nation into the Civil War. The Dred Scott decision essentially laid out, horrifically, that the US Constitution did not include rights of citizenship for peoples of African descent, neither slave nor free. The members of the court had hoped their decision would put to rest issues surrounding slavery but it in fact had a catalytic and enflaming effect. It has been noted by some historians as the worst decision ever made by the highest Court in the land. So step into this historic building, see & learn more about this historic event, and contemplate, if you will, man's inhumanity toward fellow man. It is a place to be carefully preserved and to fully interpret this horrid situation - because if we as a free Nation don't learn from our past & evolve for the better, we have little to hope for in terms of growth for the common good. Must visit place in Saint Louis and for that matter in America. read more

Old Courthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

Can you go to St. Louis without visiting the arch?! Absolutely not. We'd never been before, so made our way over on a beautiful spring day. I had no idea that you could ride an elevator up to the top and enjoy the view. The elevator carts were super interesting and moved pretty fast. It's a tight space up there, so if you're claustrophobic, it's maybe not for you. It was super cool though and I'd definitely recommend it. They had just renovated everything too, so it looked great in there. read more

Old Courthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

You've seen it as part of St. Louis' skyline...so why not check this piece of history out? If you're visiting the Arch, this is the next place you gotta visit. It's been around since 1828, as it has survived a lot - including a fire. Of course, it hasn't been used for cases in almost 90 years. Today, it is run by National Park Services, as part of the Gateway Arch National Park. Admission is free. The main historical part of the courthouse is the Dred Scott case, which started here in 1846 as it went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. This is known to be one of the factors that sparked the Civil War. Inside the building, you will learn a lot about what went on during the trials. You will also learn about St. Louis' role as the "Gateway to the West." Be sure to go in as many areas as possible inside the building. Some things to note: be sure to check out the Dred and Harriet Scott statue, which is facing the Gateway Arch. Also, get a look at the inside of the Rotunda part. Lastly, if you're a National Park passport stamp geek like me, be sure to get it stamped at the gift shop here. read more

It was perfectly fine. It's a cool bit of history, and something that I wanted to see just so that I could say that I saw it. The views are very pretty, but it's more of a road trip stop than a destination. Most of the time spent here is dealing with crowds. read more

Old Courthouse - Arch - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse is belong to US park service. The arch and courthouse are located at the prime location of the city. It is gateway to welcome the boater from mighty Mississippi River. This gateway symbolizes St. Louis is the city of all float. The Arch Gate and the courthouse is align. It is perpendicular to the Mississippi River. The arch has tram to the top. They sold combo tickets with the river cruise and the movie. You can it as individual ticket when you don't have much time. The arch room of the top is limited room. You can see the entire city. The arch is 630 feet tall monument and open in 1965. President is not allow to the arch because of security reason except president president Eisenhower. The courthouse is built mid 1800. The dome is like church cathedral. It is beautiful building. A lot of civil right cases were ague here. read more

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When people think St. Louis, they think of the iconic Gateway Arch. But in the background and just a few steps away is another iconic spot: the St. Louis Old Courthouse. This is where the Dred Scott court case was filed, when an enslaved man unsuccessfully sued for his freedom. The Courthouse is well maintained with tons of information to read and explore. You can even step inside the actual courtroom. There are multiple levels to explore, and the interior dome has amazing, intricate details. Highly recommend visiting this before or after you Gateway Arch visit! read more

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This is a review of the Arch only. It has changed a lot since the last time I visited (over 20 years ago). They just completed a big renovation of the visitor center below. It's completely free to enter and is worth looking around. There are a lot of interactive displays and exhibits. The waiting area for the trams (pay extra for this, the movie, and the boat rides on the river) to the top reminds me of an airport. There is a food court, gift shop and vending machines. When you buy your team tickets, you have a designated boarding time which is displayed on a large screen by each leg (north or south) of the Arch. read more

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Attention shutterbugs! * If you are planning to visit St. Louis this is your summons to go to court. The Old Courthouse that is. If you love taking pictures, the Old Courthouse provides the camera candy for memorable photos of St. Louis. Although, it is my opinion that the Gateway Arch gets the majority of the attention in St. Louis, the Old Courthouse is just as worthy. Chances are that if you are viewing or photographing the Gateway Arch from the west or east that it forms an upside down "U" over the Old Courthouse cast iron dome. Fundamentally the Gateway Arch and the Old Courthouse are companion landmarks. They are both incorporated into Gateway Arch National Park. Both have a separate Yelp combined Business Listing.   Before you go to court, it is helpful to know some facts about the landmark that you are going to spend time inside of or outside admiring and photographing.The first fact is that the Old Courthouse is a 137 years older than the Gateway Arch. The Old Courthouse was built in 1828 seven years after Missouri became a state in 1921. The Gateway Arch was built in 1965. It was designed by Lavielle and Morton, the first architecture firm west of the Mississippi River. In its early years it was the tallest building in Missouri until Union Station was built in 1876. From 1828 to 1930 it was a functioning Courthouse. Inside the building two famous court cases took place: 1. the suit by Dred Scott for freedom from slavery and 2. Suffragist Virginia Louisa Minor for the right to vote. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.   With all the facts and history that I mentioned above, it is far more than a charming historic landmark to look at and photograph. The outside and inside is covered with history. Inside the courthoude are reinactments of the famous trials, galleries showcasing history, and restored courtrooms.  My court dates were back in late July and early August. I can summarize the landmark from a maxed-out character limit review into one word: "Awesome." Throughout my week in St. Louis I admired and photographed the Old Courthouse from numerous directions in the day and night. This included:   1. Looking east from Keiner Plaza   2. From Gateway Arch National Park   3. From 4th Street and Broadway.   4. Up close   5. From the seats in Busch Stadium   Every angle gave a different perspective to the Old Courthouse. There is no denying that the east and west views where it shares the horizon with the Gateway Arch is spectacular. I also enjoyed looking north where the tallest building in St. Louis One Metropolitan Plaza towers above the dome. From the bleachers it is a critical component of the St. Louis skyline.  Spending time here, I felt as if I was in a Washington DC along the Mississippi. From spending time in both cities I observed similarities. Just like the United States Capitol Building, the Old Courthouse abuts a linear park called a mall. Just like the United States Capital building it is capped by a massive dome modeled after the St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.   It is the cast iron dome that drew my eyes and camera to the building. It is an amazing architectural work of art that goes back to 1861 when William Rumbold built it where a cupola had been. It was finished by 1864. Throughout the years there have been renovations.   Speaking of renovations, a major renovation occurred before my last visits. That was capping I-44 with a new park that connects the Old Courthouse to the Gateway Arch. In my previous visit, I-44 created a barrier between walking from the Old Courthouse to the Gateway Arch. Thanks to this move, I freely walked between the Old Courthouse and acres of walking trails in the refurbished Gateway Arch National Park.   After spending time in court taking in rich scenery, history, and architecture the judgement is in favor of the shutterbug*. The verdict: The shutterbug* will be rewarded with positive memories, knowledge, and fantastic pictures. I have shared my reward through this review. *Shutterbug is the word for an amateur photographer who loves taking pictures and photographers. In the age of digital photography many Yelpers like me fall in this category. read more

This was the first time visiting the arch and it was really cool! Driving around the city you get peeks of the arch and it's a little unreal when you actually start to walk up to it. Be warned there is no designated parking for the arch so you have to park in one of the public parking lots. The majority of them were $25 when we visited (there was a monster truck rally going on the evening in the dome so I think the prices were actually hiked up). We drive around for probably half an hour before finding a $2 (!!!) lot just south of Busch Stadium which only about a 10 minute walk to the arch. The arch is made of of polished steel and just beautiful. The shine, the angles, the corners....it all just works! On their site they say to buy your tickets ahead of time, either online or in the old courthouse. Do it. We waited in line for about 30 minutes to buy the tickets. Before entering you must go through a metal detector after removing everything from your pockets, your belt, and your jacket/coats. The museum is currently under construction (estimated to be completed in June) so we missed out on that. To get to the ride up you just go under the entrance and even further down some stairs. If you are claustrophobic you will have some trouble. The door to enter the (elevator/escalator/tram...I can't remember what they called it) is only 4 feet tall. The capsule is a sphere that fits five people bumping knees. When entering don't sit back because you will bump your head. And believe me, it hurts. It takes 4 minutes to go up and 3 minutes to go back down. So it your one of those claustrophobes but think you can handle that time span, go for it! The view from the top it amazing! The city is spread out below and just beautiful. We went at the end of the day so the sun was beginning to set and it all looked magical! Be warned the little windows will most likely be covered by the grease of former patrons foreheads trying to get a view straight down. There are two trams (that's what they called it lol!), north and south. You do not have to go down the way you came up and there isn't a limit for how long you stay up. Conceivably you stay from open to close if you wanted! While visiting we missed out on the old courthouse due to time restrictions but it looked masterful from the outside! read more

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If you have at least thirty minutes to set aside during your downtown St.Louis exploration, add the historic Courthouse (US National Park attraction) to your hit list. This free-to-visit courthouse marks the spot where the famous Dred Scott took place and has been around since the early 1800s (and survived the big St.Louis fire). Here are a few more reasons to pop your head inside: -stunning original iron staircases from the 1860s -a vibrantly painted rotunda -several historical exhibits that highlight the history of St.Louis being the gateway to the west, fur trades, Native American relations, bison populations and overall history of the city and state. -small gift shop -signage highlighting the architectural aspects of the building read more

A must see for anyone visiting St. Louis. The Old Court House is a perfect accompaniment to the arch. They together make up the Gateway Arch National Park. Two incredible pieces of architecture that represent America's dream and fulfillment of being a nation "from sea to shining sea" and the dark underbelly of how we accomplished that goal. Two facets of the court house make it noteworthy. The rotunda is awe inspiring with it's tall, multi floor vistas to gaze up towards the heavenly artwork and sculptural details. I'm sure that many tourist casually driving past assume that this building is or was Missouri's capitol. The other more somber reason is that this is where the Dred Scott case was first filed and started it's journey to the US Supreme Court where they conveniently forgot that part about "...all men are created equal..." From Dred Scott to Ferguson - St. Louis shouldn't be overlooked for civil rights historical tourism. Go for the history, go for the beauty, go for the great views of the arch,go cause it's free, just GO! read more

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What a beautiful building! The paintings and layout are reminiscent of a time when monuments were built to last. Though it's unclear in which courtroom the Scott decision was determined, several courtrooms are restored to give visitors an idea what it may have looked like during the trial. Placards on the bottom floor tell part of the story, but ask a ranger for more. Ranger Carl was incredibly knowledgeable about the case and awed me with the amount of detail he could provide. He told me of the complicated issues surrounding the decision as it related to free and slave states and muddy expectations when passing from one to another. I'm very grateful for his knowledge and the time he took to provide his insight. read more

If you are in downtown St. Louis or visiting the Arch, stopping by the St. Louis Old Courthouse is a must. It's free and full of history! We went on a Saturday afternoon and easily found metered parking right in front of the building. The story of why the Old Courthouse is famous is intriguing and I learned something new! I won't give out the details so that you can go an find this out for yourself, but it's inspiring. Tours are available or you can do a self-guided tour. All 3 levels are open to the public and rangers are available on-site to answer any questions. There is a lot of beauty and opportunity for photo taking here. Throughout the building are informational plaques that help guide you through the courthouse. If you cross the street to the park there is an opportunity to get a great photo with the Arch behind the Courthouse. read more

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Sounds boring but really an interesting place to see! Not much to do probably be done in hour max but the history in the building is amazing and the architecture is very unique! Definitely something to stop by read more

I have a phobia of heights and stopped here for a friend. What I liked, was I was able to accompany him to his line and see the museum stuff for free. I chose not to ride to the top, but there was a life sized section of what the top is like. Inside that life sized section was a video feed of what people at the top were seeing. I liked how catered it was to someone like myself. The gift shop was loaded with stuff for people to buy and there was a café to grab a bite while I waited. Come check out history and enjoy the view, whether or not you go to the top. read more

Before my visit, I did not know anything about the Old Courthouse except that it is where tickets to the Arch are sold. Based on the name and appearances alone, it makes sense why the building is a historical landmark. It was not until I stepped inside though that I realized the historical significance of this place. The Old Courthouse is an example of neoclassical architecture and has a rounded dome like the U.S. Capitol Building. In fact, the Old Courthouse's dome was built before the U.S. Capitol's dome. On the inside, the rotunda is breathtakingly beautiful. The dome is covered with murals, and a giant American flag hangs from the ceiling. It is definitely architecturally significant. The historical significance though is that this is where the Dred Scott case took place before escalating up to the Supreme Court, which was one of the events leading up to the American Civil War. There is an exhibit dedicated to the Dred Scott case, and there are also other exhibits dedicated to the early history of St. Louis and its role in the American westward expansion. Two of the courthouses are restored and open to the public, and one of the courthouses is where the Dred Scott case likely took place in. There are no elevators so expect to get some steps in if you want to go to the second and third floor to admire the artwork closer up or see the courthouses. The Old Courthouse is free to visit, and you have to pass by here anyways to see the Arch so it is worth a stop if you are into history or are simply passing by. There is also a gift shop if you want to pick up some souvenirs. Guided tours are available at specific times throughout the day, and there is a quick tour and a full tour. I learned so much from the quick tour so I imagine that the full hour tour is even more informative. If you have the time, give an hour or two to your visit. If you are on a time crunch, just take a little bit of time, maybe 10 to 15 minutes, to do a quick walk inside the building to admire the architecture and soak in a little bit of history. Do not miss out on the free opportunity to see and learn a little about St. Louis, Missouri, and America. read more

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While most courthouses have importance and for famous trials this courthouse built in 1828 is significant for its history and architecture. And two rather infamous trials and events. In 1846 the slave Dred Scott sued for his and his wife's freedom as they had been held as slaves in free states. It was found by the Supreme Court of the United States they were not citizens and were sold back into slavery. My understanding is they were sold on these courthouse steps. In 1872 Virginia Minor attempted to vote in a St. Louis election and was arrested. One of the first attempts at suffrage. While voting rights were not addressed in the constitution and was a state by state jurisdiction it took until August 18, 1920 for women right to vote throughout the country. Courthouse can be many things this one was rather infamous. It is hard not to walk into that courthouse and think people were purchased and sold in this country and at this location. And women could not vote until 1920. We must learn from our history and never repeat the mistakes we have made again and forever. read more

Old Courthouse - Covered wagon - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

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I do like the museum. I like the dome. I like all of the interesting history. I do not agree with the Dred Scott decision. Sammy, age 6 read more

Construction of this spectacular domed courthouse began in 1839 and today it is a part of the National Park Service's Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Check out the photos that show just how awesome the building is. You'll see a huge central dome, maybe eight or nine stories high, covered in flags and patriotic bunting. It's quite beautiful. It served as both a state and federal courthouse, and in 1846 was the site of the first legal step of the famous Dred Scott decision on the legality of slavery. That case went all the way to the Supreme Court, where in 1857, the court ruled against Mr. and Mrs. Scott because slaves weren't considered citizens and therefore could not file suit. Today, the Old Courthouse houses dozens of exhibits and artifacts from the Museum of Westward Expansion, because the museum is being renovated. There are great exhibits showing the French settlement of St. Louis, Indian affairs, the Lewis and Clark expedition, mountain-men and fur traders. What an awesome building. read more

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This was an interesting experience. I am not sure I would go back - I appreciate the security clearance but also am not sure that I was interested enough to go in, if I had realized that you basically strip down to the basics - I could barely hold my pants up trying to get my stuff back on after I went through. It was frustrating too because getting in there was not as easy as I would have thought - not knowing anything about it other than seeing it - the directions were not clear to get in - it referred to directions - but if there is nothing out there stating the directions where you are - finding the entrance was very confusing as was the exit - I even went over and over it with the person guarding the exit to make sure I left from the side closest to my car (I didn't) really got my steps in this day. read more

When visiting the city of St. Louis, a must see for true history buffs like myself, and its free! Before my couple of trips to St. Louis, I was scratching my head whenever viewing photos of this building and the famous arch. Wondering what was a capital building doing in St. Louis? Not realizing that it was a courthouse; a very historic courthouse. Built in 1828, the Old Courthouse is most noted for the Dred Scott case that took place here in 1847, after Mr. Scott and his wife Harriet sued for their freedom. The case was Scott v. Emerson. The verdict went against him and his family. Study your history to refresh your memory of this American history lesson, that went back and forth for many years we all studied in school... Or should have. On walking through this building, one can feel the years of courtroom drama. There is a great exhibit on the history of the Dred Scott case and his family, with rare photos and artifacts. Almost an eerie feeling came over me at times, because you can almost find yourself alone as you wander the floors. There are courtrooms furnished to their 19th century period and you can walk a good ways into them. Various plaques commemorate some of the standout events that have taken place here, but they have lost track of the actual Scott v. Emerson courtroom. Only speculating where it may have taken place. A fascinating walk through an important landmark of America's past. On a lighter note, there is an interesting souvenir shop and tickets to the Gateway Arch can also be purchased here. read more

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I am going to review the whole thing, except going up in the arch because it has been along time since I have done that. We were headed to Springfield Missouri area for labor day weekend to visit grandma. We decided to spend a bit of time in St. Louis to see few sites. My father in law wanted to see the new "arch museum" and so we decided to see yea there saturday morning. The museum has been opened for just a few weeks and the one thing I noticed was some of the "statue" things had letters missing already. I couldn't tell whether it was from people stealing the letters or just poor workmanship. IT doesn't really matter either way. The museum was great. There was so much information about the history of St. Louis and the history of the Arch itself. I was very impressed. My husband and I had done a fair amount of site seeing history the day before so while i was impressed with the museum, I walked a bit quicker than I might of in other circumstances. I will say that I learned a lot that i didn't previously know. We did not go up into the arch this trip, I am sure that I will go up there again but decided not to this time around. After we did the Arch Musuem we went to the old Courthouse and WOW. What an experience. Definitely worth checking out. The admission is free and there was so much history in this courthouse. (Make sure you look up when you are in the center.) The Courthouse was the home of the Dred Scott Case which was a huge turning point in American History. It is something that isn't really taught anymore and I can't wait to take my children to see the exhibit. I can't wait for the conversation that will take place inside the exhibit and then outside the exhibit. I was so happy that my family had time to allow me to see this piece of history I had never seen before. We will definitely be coming back. read more

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Whenever I need a refresher course as to why the city of Dred/Dread and this region is in steady decline ,I come here!!! The history contain in this building will tell 75% of the St Louis story. read more

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Breath taking experience. It's beautiful. The whole scenery, it's breath taking. I would 100 recommend go to the Arch and explore downtown. I recorded my experience and post it on YouTube. Feel free To watch it, it starts at 2:15 https://youtu.be/C3QD21nx1Fw read more

Old Courthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

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I suppose I'm glad that I visited the Gateway Arch to say I've done it, but I was disappointed in the experience. The line was long, crowded and cramped. After standing in line for 30 minutes, you travel to the top of the arch with 4 other people in a very small pod. This takes 4 mins. You get out of the pod and and have to squeeze by other people waiting to get down. The top of the arch is small and the windows are slender. The ride down is just as cramped as the way up and that pretty much completes the tour. If you are looking to get a great view of the city, I recommend going to a restaurant such as 360 where you can have drinks, food and take in the view. read more

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Anytime I can visit a national historic site and structures, I'm sure to spend multiple hours reading up on the significance of the place. The Old Courthouse is full of exhibits plus some of the original courtrooms during the Dred Scott case. You don't have to get tickets at the Courthouse, but I'd highly suggest it in case the ticketing booth outside is not open next to the Arch...and you need a ticket to even go into the Arch anyway. FYI, if you have a National Park Pass, bring the card with you! It'll save you a few dollars on certain tours. If you're not claustrophobic or afraid of heights, go on the tour where you go to the top of the Arch! A cool tidbit one of the rangers/guides at the courthouse demonstrated with me was the acoustics of the courthouse from the very middle of the floor. Those one the other balconies could hear you, even if you weren't trying to project your voice. Probably pretty handy when the courthouse was being used. Alright, now for the Arch. There's construction on the side were the courthouse is, but there are some signs and they give you a map to get to the Southern/Right base, which is the entrance. You'll need to go through security, similar to airport security. Once past this part, each tour group gets a brief introduction to the Arch and how it was built. You load up in small pods that are elevated to the top of the Arch. I don't know why these pods have windows since you can't see out of the Arch, so you just see stairwells. The top is a small, curved viewing room with little window slits to peer out of. The view towards the city is more interesting and luckily there weren't tons of people there, so everyone had a chance to peer out of multiple windows. One of the best cityscapes of St. Louis. Definitely worth the visit! read more

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This place is amazing and filled with information !! and on top it's free! If you have time, I definitely recommend it. read more

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