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Every September since 2002, the Gateway Arch goes dark every night in September. It’s a way to help keep fall-migrating birds from becoming disoriented by bright nighttime lights.  The National Park Service estimates that 40% of the U.S.’s migratory waterfowl use the Mississippi River corridor for a migration route.

I was lucky enough that my visit spanned the end of August and the first of September, so I got to see the Arch both ways. Honestly, I sort of like the non-lighted September version better.

Also it was very hot while I was there (feels-like temperature one day was 109°) so it was hard to imagine that anything fall related was very close to happening. I mean, obviously it will because pumpkin spice everything is creeping onto menus which is the most certain way to tell the seasons are changing. I guess.

Gateway Arch
Saint Louis, Missouri
photographed 8.30.2026