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Jefferson National Expansion MemorialFlags flying below the Gateway Arch
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Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
Operating Hours & Seasons
 

Hours
The Old Courthouse is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is free.

For most of the year, the Gateway Arch and Museum of Westward Expansion are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 
(winter hours). We are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
The remainder of the year from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Arch and Museum are open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m (summer hours).

When to Visit
Summer is high season at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Come early, or come late (the crowds are light during the evening). Make a day of it -- plan a visit to another of the city's terrific attractions. During August and September, the crowds thin out as kids return to school. Fall is a busy time due to many group tours. The day after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days so be sure to arrive early!

Winter is a perfect time to visit! There are no lines for the trams, no waiting for movies, and the weather is surprisingly mild. Prolonged periods of extremely cold weather are rare, and in fact, records show that the temperature doesn't get lower than 32 degrees more than 25 days throughout the winter!

When spring returns, so do the group tours. In May and early June, there are light crowds with minimal waiting. The weather is mild and the extended hours give your plans flexibility.

Normal Daily Mean Temperature (in degrees Fahrenheit)*
January - 29.3
February - 33.9
March - 45.1
April - 56.7
May - 66.1
June - 75.4
July - 79.8
August - 77.6
September - 70.2
October - 58.4
November - 46.2
December - 33.9

Average Percent of Days with Sunshine*
January - 50%
February - 52%
March - 54%
April - 56%
May - 59%
June - 66%
July - 68%
August - 65%
September - 63%
October - 60%
November - 46%
December - 53%

*Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Looking up at the Gateway Arch with clouds in the sky.
Gateway Arch
Learn more about the Gateway Arch
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Old Courthouse
Old Courthouse
Learn more about the Old Courthouse
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Moccasins from the Museum of Westward Expansion
Museum of Westward Expansion
Learn more about the Museum of Westward Expansion
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Drawing of Dred Scott from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 1857  

Did You Know?
In 1846, a slave named Dred Scott sued for his freedom at the St. Louis Courthouse. His case went all the way to the Supreme Court, where the verdict set the stage for the Civil War. Today, the Old Courthouse is part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Click to learn more about Dred Scott.
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Last Updated: October 23, 2008 at 15:08 EST