Arrive To: You may check in to your guest room beginning at 3:00 p.m. If you arrive early and your guest room is not available, you are welcome to leave your luggage at the hotel while you explore Chicago until 3:00. At 4:45 p.m. meet in our hotel's meeting room on the main level, where you will be greeted by your group leader. Our program begins 5:00 p.m.

Dinner: What a fantastic way to start our week! Our dinner tonight is in a Chicago icon - the Tribune building. This beautiful landmark is a 2-block walk from our hotel. We enjoy our first dinner at the new Howells and Hood restaurant, named after the Chicago Tribune building's famous architects. We may dine outside on the patio if weather permits. Discover pieces of famous sites from around the world as you explore the building's exterior.

Evening: Chicago lights up as the sun goes down. We board a double-decker bus for a City Lights tour, as our first evening's introduction to Chicago.

Lodging: Comfort Suites Michigan Avenue

Meals Included: Dinner

Chicago riverboat architectural tour; learn about city highlights from the top of a double-decker bus; hop on/off at sites you wish to explore further.

Breakfast: Breakfast is provided in our hotel.

Morning: Gain fascinating insights into Chicago's skyline with a boat tour on the Chicago River through the downtown, with instruction by the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Our river excursion begins at the famous Michigan Avenue Bridge, located only 1/2 block from our hotel.

Lunch: Chicago is famous for it deep-dish style of pizza. Experience the local culture as we sample this popular specialty.

Afternoon: What would you most like to experience? The remainder of the day is free time. Join your group leader on a narrated trolley ride through Chicago's downtown and historic neighborhoods (trolley pass is included). Or use this time for self-exploration of famous art, peruse amazing museums, sample ethnic dishes, explore Michigan Avenue shops or stroll through Millennium Park. Detailed site information and leader assistance is provided.

Dinner: Choose your favorite spot for dinner during your afternoon and evening of free time. Dining suggestions are provided in your program packet. Your Group Leader invites participants to join her for any meal.

Evening: Our evening permits free time to enjoy activities of your choosing: attend a concert or theater performance, explore local sites, or relax at our hotel.

Lodging: Comfort Suites Michigan Avenue

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Chicago neighborhood tours and afternoon free time to explore your favorite sites.

Breakfast: Breakfast is provided in our hotel.

Morning: Travel Tip: If you wish to visit several museums, consider purchasing the Chicago CityPass. These tickets provide FastPass entry ahead of long lines. For more information, go to cityPASS.com/chicago

Morning: So many interesting things to do- and the choices are yours! Enjoy the personal perspective of local hosts as they introduce us to their city. You may participate in a one-hour walking tour near our hotel (included); or explore museums or sites on your own (additional admission fees); or register in advance for a 2-4 hour personal guided tour (no additional cost). For more information about the 2-4 private tour, go to www.chicagogreeter.com. You MUST register at this website no later than 7 days before our program begins to request a free private 2-4 hour tour. You may select from many topic choices. Contact your group leader if you'd like assistance in booking this private tour.

Lunch: Join your group leader for lunch at a local restaurant during your free time today, or try other local favorites, such as the Russian Tea Room, Billy Goat Tavern or Chicago Italian beef. Dining suggestions are provided in your packet.

Afternoon: Free time permits self-guided excursions to the sites of your choice. Your trolley pass provides transportation to Chicago's top attractions; plus narrated tours to Chicago neighborhoods, including Chinatown and Little Italy. Your group leader provides assistance; or you may explore attractions with her if you prefer.

Dinner: Reconnect with other group members during our evening dinner; followed by orientation for tomorrow's train trek to St Louis.

Lodging: Comfort Suites Michigan Avenue

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Train ride from Chicago to St Louis as your Study Leader shares stories and insights.

Breakfast: Breakfast is provided in our hotel

Morning: We shuttle by taxi to Chicago's Union station for our day of train travel to St Louis. Your train seat has ample leg room, so you can relax and listen to exclusive Road Scholar narrations while enjoying the views. Learn about this region's early settlers and history; and the significance of the Mississippi River as we cross this legendary waterway. While riding the train, you may listen to the Lead Instructor's narrations, dine in the dining car, read a book, watch the scenery from the observation car, catch a snack or a nap. The choice is yours!

Lunch: Lunch is your choice -- purchase sandwiches or snacks from the train's cafe, or you may carry food with you onto the train. Your group leader will provide suggestions on where to purchase a lunch to take on the train.

Dinner: Enjoy an evening of food, conversation and relaxation. Complimentary cocktails and light meal is provided 5:30 -7:00 p.m.

Evening: A Road Scholar exclusive: we enjoy a trolley tour of St Louis with history and narration by a local expert. Following our mid-afternoon train arrival in St Louis, we check into our hotel. A special trolley charter takes us on a 22-mile (75 minutes) exploration of St Louis through the downtown, along the riverfront and into Forest Park, location of the 1904 World's Fair and Summer Olympics. We return in time for the hotel's complimentary cocktail reception.

Lodging: Drury Plaza Hotel at the Arch

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast: A breakfast buffet is included at our hotel.

Morning: We board a riverboat to experience the mighty Mississippi. Our excursion travels along the National Park grounds and Arch, under the Eads Bridge, and near the beginning point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Our National Park ranger shares anecdotes and the historical significance of this region.

Morning: We visit the landmark of St Louis -- the arched Gateway to the West. We walk across the street from our hotel to the National Park grounds and St Louis Arch. Free time permits viewing museum exhibits inside the arch. You may purchase tickets to view a documentary or take a tram ride to the top of the arch.

Lunch: A box lunch is provided as we board our riverboat by the Arch.

Afternoon: Free time provides opportunity to explore St. Louis sites of your choosing. One option is to join your Study Leader and walk 1 block from our hotel to the beautiful Old Courthouse, known especially for two historic court cases: The Dred Scott Case, a slave who sued for his freedom; and Virginia Minor's case of women suffrage. Your Study Leader will share these stories and accompany your exploration inside, where you can view exhibits or watch a video (free admission). Or self-explore other St. Louis sites, including the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Zoo, walk to nearby Busch Stadium or visit a brewery and Budweiser Clydesdale stables. You may wish to simply relax at our hotel or visit with group members - the choice is yours.

Dinner: A light dinner with conversation and complimentary cocktails are provided in our hotel 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Lodging: Drury Plaza Hotel at the Arch

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Train ride from St Louis to Kansas City, as your Study Leader shares stories and insights.

Breakfast: Enjoy a breakfast buffet in our hotel.

Morning: Following a breakfast buffet in our hotel, we take our next train ride to Kansas City. Learn what historical events brought this city to prominence, and how the river impacted its growth. Contrast the city's history with narrations on Kansas City today. You may again choose how you wish to spend your time on the train - listening to the exclusive Road Scholar lectures, reading, watching the scenery, dining, or relaxing.

Morning: Enjoy off-road views through America's lush heartland. A favorite scenery point for many passengers is the stretch near Hermann, MO, where the line hugs the bluffs above the Missouri River and passes through two tunnels.

Lunch: Lunch is your choice -- choose from a leisurely meal in the train dining car, purchase sandwiches or snacks from the train's cafe, or you may carry food with you onto the train.

Afternoon: After our mid-afternoon arrival at Kansas City's beautifully-restored Union Station, we transfer to our hotel. Transportation is included.

Dinner: Visit with other group members over dinner during our first evening in Kansas City.

Evening: Evening is free to explore, visit with group members, or relax in our hotel, which has the largest outdoor pool in Kansas City,

Lodging: Kansas City Holiday Inn at the Plaza

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Sunken Steamboat Discovery; Truman Presidential Library; Farewell Dinner.

Breakfast: We start our morning with an included hot buffet breakfast at our hotel.

Morning: A Road Scholar exclusive! Meet a modern day treasure hunter and listen to his fascinating story while viewing treasures from his sunken Missouri River steamboat. Group transportation is included to this museum located near the Missouri River and the Kansas City Market.

Lunch: Join your group leader for lunch (additional) at a local restaurant; or choose one of the many other dining options. Our hotel is walking distance to Kansas City's popular Country Club Plaza, filled with restaurants and shops. Our hotel shuttle offers transportation if you prefer to ride to a lunch destination.

Afternoon: Your afternoon of free time offers activities of your choice. You may choose to travel with your group leader to the Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri (30 minutes from our hotel). Transportation and admission to the Truman Library are included. Or select from many other Kansas City attractions, including the Jazz Museum, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, National WWI Museum, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Toy & Miniature Museum, and the Federal Reserve Bank's very interesting Money Museum. Some charge an admission fee, others are free admission. Our hotel shuttle provides free and easy transportation.

Dinner: Our program ends with a special farewell group dinner at a famous local restaurant. What's on the menu? Famous Kansas City barbecue, of course!

Lodging: Kansas City Holiday Inn at the Plaza

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast: A hot buffet breakfast at our hotel is included before departures.

Morning: Independent departures from Kansas City. This is a travel day, with no scheduled sessions or meals. Amtrak and the Kansas City International Airport provide convenient schedules to many destinations.

Afternoon: Participants traveling by Amtrak via Springfield, IL may wish to stop and visit the Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum. This award-winning museum opened in 2004 and features cutting-edge technology in its exhibits.

Meals Included: Breakfast