There is always a connection to the Mississippi River.
Our Ag Coast of America cruise and field trip opportunities on the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch allows teachers to connect classroom curriculum goals to our region’s transportation, manufacturing, and logistics industries. We offer this special educational cruise on the first Wednesday of the month, for students to get an up-close look at our region’s multimodal freight network, including roads and bridges, rail and barge facilities, and multimodal freight transfer services and ports.
The Ag Coast of American cruise is part of our one-hour Riverfront Cruise. To purchase tickets, select the “St. Louis Riverfront Cruise” and purchase tickets for the first Wednesday of the month.
2023 dates: August 2, September 6, October 4.
2024 dates: April 3, May 1, June 5, July 3, August 7, September 4, October 2.
Connecting classroom curriculum goals to the region's transportation, manufacturing, and logistics industries.
Students can explain transportation technologies and how they
impact our local region.
Our Riverboat Captain will identify ports, river terminals, barges, and
conveyor belts or cranes that are typically used for unloading and
offloading barges.
Students can apply economic concepts to evaluate economic,
security, and transportation opportunities.
Guests will see first-hand why the St. Louis region’s port system is almost two and a half times more efficient on its river usage that its closest competitor. Our captains will identify barge freight and port operations including loading and offloading freight from barge to rail or barge to truck.
Students utilize resources to aid in career exploration and planning.
Opportunities for students to connect with area colleges, businesses, and industry leaders might be available depending on the cruise. The region’s robust Ag Coast allows for plentiful career opportunities in logistics, supply chain, transportation, research and development, C-Suite and more!
Schedule an Ag Coast Cruise
The Ag Coast of America Cruise is held the first Wednesday of the month and is open to student groups, educators, and others interested in learning about the Ag Coast and the many career opportunities available in the region’s transportation, manufacturing, and logistics industries.
Small groups will be accommodated on regularly scheduled one-hour riverfront cruises on the first Wednesday of each month.
Price: $24 for adults and $14 for ages 3-15.
Discounts are available for groups with more that 20 participants. Groups of 20 or more, contact groupsales@gatewayarch.com to purchase tickets.
Private charters are also available. Private charters include rental of one of the riverboats for a 90 minute, private, narrated cruise and can accommodate up to 125 guests. The cost per person varies based on age, group size, and whether the group is participating in a regularly scheduled tour or a private chartered tour.
“The demand. I didn’t know the demand for railroads and the opportunities were so high. I think it’s really cool they highlight all these job opportunities and the courses. One of the companies had a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) program, and I’m currently learning CAD at my school, so it’s really cool seeing that incorporated.”
– Payton, High School Student