Last chance to visit The Museum of Westward Expansion

As of Tuesday, February 17, the free Museum of Westward Expansion below the Arch will close after some 40 years (and a few childhood memories). We're sad to see it go, but are promised a remodel and new displays to come along with the Arch ground makeover. The new exhibit will be $3 per person to enter, with kids under 16 free. (We've heard rumors this may be a temporary fee to cover costs, so stay tuned.)

UPDATE: We were excited to visit on the second to last day the museum was still open for some nostalgia and photos (and caught the last ever ranger led talk about miners during the gold rush). While I already miss that old stuffed bison :: sniff ::, the coming things here are pretty cool. The area where the museum was will become the new entrance with new displays. The current entrances will be exits only. The $3 temporary fee is to deter a lot of people down below because space will be limited. This is to allow those who are waiting for friends who have gone up to watch the building of the Arch movie while they wait. The IMAX theatre is also being removed to make way for the shops to relocate, and they plan to add some actual eateries as well beyond just vending. So now we wait with anticipation for the forthcoming changes, both inside and out.

PARKING: If you plan to visit The Arch right now, we also advise parking either by the Old Cathedral or up around Ballpark Village for a bit of a fee. We tried The Landing, and were told it's impossible to reach the Arch grounds from there with all the construction. (That said, don't be shy about patronizing The Landing, as they need more business during the remodel.)