One of the most famous landmarks in St. Louis will go dark at night from May 1 - May 14 for bird migration season. This according to a news release from the National Park Service.

“Our feathered friends are flying home after spending the winter months in the south,” said Tarona Armstrong, Deputy Superintendent, Gateway Arch National Park in the release.. “Every bird migration season in the spring and fall, we turn off the upward lighting on the Gateway Arch’s exterior to avoid the possible disorienting effect on birds that migrate at night.”

I wondered if that would make it a better time to head to the Gateway Arch for a visit, or if that might be a detraction. It turns out it really doesn't matter. The Arch is only open until 6:00PM CDT through Memorial Day, so it's not like you can take the tram ride to the top and look down on a lit up St. Louis.

Looking down on St. Louis lit up at night from the Gateway Arch isn't really something you can do anytime of year. Looking at their photo gallery I didn't see any night shots from the top of the Gateway Arch. It could be because even in the summer the Arch closes at 8:00PM CDT and it's still light out.

Or perhaps there's a simpler explanation: The Gateway Arch itself is the more interesting photogenic subject, not looking down on St. Louis. And telling people you've done the tram ride to the top of the Arch, and the fact you can ride to the top of it, is more interesting than what you can see from it.

If that's the case and you're looking to get a great photograph of the Gateway Arch lit up at night, you might not want to head to St. Louis until after May 15. That's the night the Arch will be lit back up.

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