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Museum of Westward Expansion


TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 4.0 of 5 stars
TripAdvisor Popularity Index: #14 of 106 attractions in Saint Louis
Traveler Description: This museum chronicles the hardships encountered during the overland migration of the 19th century, which shaped the American West.
Familiar with Museum of Westward Expansion? Write your own description and share what you know with other travelers.
Attraction type: History museum, Museum
Activities: Shopping, Leisure education
Address: 11 N. Fourth Street Saint Louis, MO 63102
Tel: 314-655-1700

Reviews you can trust

[ Date ] [ Rating ]
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4 of 5 stars
zippy608   180 contributions
Wakefield, MA
Oct 20, 2009
1
person found this review helpful

I noticed that while there are alot of great reviews for this museum there are also alot that are not so great. All I can say is that it is really too bad that some people don't appreciate the history of our country and what it took to make this country what it is today. I thought the museum was... more

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4 of 5 stars
SwimSwamSwum   720 contributions
McKinney, Texas
Oct 3, 2009

I had been here years ago and had really wanted to come back. I was not disappointed. This is a wonderful museum. A few animatronic figures tell stories about the US and the Indians, there is an impressive collection of peace metals, lots of vignette settings and the wall is ringed with photos of the sights that might have been... more

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5 of 5 stars
hatlad   124 contributions
Sep 26, 2009
1
person found this review helpful

I thought this museum to be very well done. Found it very worthwhile, educational, well laid out, labeled etc etc. (Didn't find it at all biased and I really can't understand some of the negative posters on here. ) In fact, I even complimented the ranger on the way out about how well done the museum was. more

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5 of 5 stars
Trips1230   1 contribution
Niagara Falls
Aug 24, 2009
1
person found this review helpful

I have been to the museum twice. The arch ride to the top is secondary for sure. If you really want to learn about Jefferson's vision of westward expansion, you will not be disappointed. The Lewis and Clark journals give incredible insight as to the attitude and beliefs in the United States at the time. Ranger talks and interactive exhibits... more

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3 of 5 stars
caflygrl   17 contributions
Boston, MA
Feb 17, 2009

PROS: The Museum seems very well put together. It is nice and spacious. There is an exhibit about all the medals Lewis and Clark gave out on their expedition. There was a live show going on about Buffalo Soldiers. And hey, it was free! CONS: As another reviewer mentioned, poor labeling on artifacts! For example there was a teepee set... more

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2 of 5 stars
Francois71   1 contribution
Montreal
Jun 18, 2008

The museum gives the impression that the history of Mississipi area starts with the Louisiana purchase. It is a shame that it completely ignores the Natives and the French explorers who gave to many Mississipi-Missouri area their names including St-Louis, Lafayette, Joliet, Des Moines, Baton Rouge and New Orleans. more

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4 of 5 stars
rachime   22 contributions
Knoxville, Tennessee
Aug 24, 2007
1
person found this review helpful

I loved the fact that this museum was layed out on-the-round. It allows visitors to explore at their own pace while they wait for the arch. Most exhibits had ways to either read the text or listen to it. I was not expecting such a treat since it was included with the arch ticket. Really good value. I think kids... more

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1 of 5 stars
Pani_B   10 contributions
St. Louis
Oct 20, 2006
2
people found this review helpful

I think this museum is truly awful, but since you're going up in the Arch and you have to wait for your train, or for the movie to start, you'll probably end up going here anyway. It's all timelines and sepia photos and lots of text. I came out more confused than enlightened. It would maybe help if there were... more

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2 of 5 stars
KingCobra7003   136 contributions
Marlton, NJ
Aug 17, 2006
1
person found this review helpful

This museum is located underneath the Gateway Arch. Once you get through security, you are free to roam through the gift shop area and the museum. The museum is free so it's not that bad. There are plenty of tiles to read throughout but I wasn't totally satisfied. If you want to see a great museum about history of everything,... more

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5 of 5 stars
DyersburgTraveler   519 contributions
Dyersburg, TN
Mar 26, 2006
4
people found this review helpful

The Museum of Westward Expansion, located underground between the legs of the Gateway Arch, is a engrossing look at how the west was explored and settled. The museum contains a hodgepodge of items, from authentic artifacts, to recreated settler and Native American structures, from Lewis and Clark in photos, journals and maps, to preserved animals, like buffalo and bear. The... more

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Museum of Westward Expansion Address

11 N. Fourth Street, Saint Louis, MO 63102
Tel: 314-655-1700