Gateway Arch is a Modernist arch in St. Louis, Missouri, and a filming location for National Lampoon's Vacation (1983). Built in 1965, it was designed by Eero Saarinen, and is a National Historic Landmark. It is owned by National Park Service (United States).
Location: Gateway Arch National Park, 11 North 4th Street, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Verified facts
- Designed by Eero Saarinen
confidence 85/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-5510, SRC-5511, SRC-7955, SRC-7956 - Built in 1965
confidence 85/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-5510, SRC-5511, SRC-7955, SRC-7957 - Architectural style: Modernist
confidence 70/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-5510, SRC-5511, SRC-7958 - Located in St. Louis, Missouri
confidence 85/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-5510, SRC-5511, SRC-7959, SRC-7960 - Historic designation: National Historic Landmark; U.S. National Register of Historic Places (1987); Gateway Arch National Park
confidence 85/100 · 5 independent sources · SRC-5510, SRC-5511, SRC-7960, SRC-7961, SRC-10101 - Owned by National Park Service (United States)
confidence 85/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-5510, SRC-5511, SRC-7959, SRC-7962 - Appeared in National Lampoon's Vacation (movie, 1983)
confidence 80/100 · 5 independent sources · SRC-5512, SRC-5513, SRC-7963, SRC-7964, SRC-9882
Evidence & sources
- SRC-10101 — Gateway Arch — Wikipedia (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5510 — Gateway Arch — Wikipedia (Tier 2, encyclopedia; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5511 — Britannica — Gateway Arch (Tier 2, encyclopedia; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5512 — Vacation (1983) — Movie-Sounds.org (verbatim film dialogue) (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5513 — National Lampoon's Vacation — Wikipedia (Tier 2, encyclopedia; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5514 — Gateway Arch National Park — National Park Service (Directions) (Tier 1, official; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7955 — National Park Service – History & Culture, Gateway Arch National Park (Tier 1, official; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7956 — Gateway Arch – Explore the Gateway Arch's History (Tier 1, official; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7957 — Gateway Arch — Official Site, About (Tier 1, official; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7958 — Gateway Arch — Structurae (International Database of Structures) (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7959 — National Archives – A Gateway to the West (Tier 1, official; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7960 — National Park Service – Gateway Arch National Park (Tier 1, official; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7961 — National Parks Conservation Association — Gateway Arch National Park (Tier 2, secondary; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7962 — National Park Service – Gateway Arch National Park Purpose and Significance (Tier 1, official; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7963 — AAA Magazine (Northeast) — Retrace These Famous Movie Road Trips (Tier 2, article; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7964 — Yahoo Entertainment — How much of ‘National Lampoon’s Vacation’ was actually filmed in St. Louis? (Tier 3, article; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-9882 — Plugged In (Focus on the Family) — National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) movie review (Tier 2, press; retrieved June 2026)
How we verify
Every fact above is independently corroborated by at least two reputable sources and
confidence-scored before publication. Claims that cannot clear that bar are withheld. We show the
street address only for non-residential public landmarks (museums, commercial and civic buildings,
publicly documented filming-location sites); the exact addresses of private residences and any
personal information are structurally barred from publication. Last reviewed June 2026.
Plan Your Visit
Hours: Gateway Arch National Park grounds and museum open daily (hours vary by season); the museum under the Arch is free. Tram operating hours vary by date.
Admission: Museum free. Tram-to-the-top: adult (16-59) ~US$39-43, senior (60+) ~$37-41, child (3-15) ~$25-29 (incl. $3 NPS entrance fee); tram + VR/movie packages higher. Prices vary by date.
Frequently asked questions
Where was National Lampoon's Vacation filmed?
Gateway Arch, in St. Louis, Missouri, is a real-world filming location used for National Lampoon's Vacation.
Can you visit Gateway Arch?
Yes — Gateway Arch is open to the public. Hours: Gateway Arch National Park grounds and museum open daily (hours vary by season); the museum under the Arch is free. Tram operating hours vary by date.. Admission: Museum free. Tram-to-the-top: adult (16-59) ~US$39-43, senior (60+) ~$37-41, child (3-15) ~$25-29 (incl. $3 NPS entrance fee); tram + VR/movie packages higher. Prices vary by date..
Who designed Gateway Arch?
Gateway Arch was designed by Eero Saarinen.
Where is Gateway Arch located?
Gateway Arch is located in St. Louis, Missouri.