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Signature City St. Louis

Program Number: 12804RJ
Start and End Dates:
6/2/2013 - 6/7/2013; 10/13/2013 - 10/18/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Price starting at: $949.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Signature Cities
Meals: 13; 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Journey to the heart of America for a comprehensive exploration of the “Gateway City.” Explore the city’s greatest landmarks, glimpse history at Forest Park, site of the 1904 World’s Fair, and visit the Anheuser-Busch Brewery and its world-famous team of Clydesdale horses. Experience the beauty of the world-renowned Missouri Botanical Garden, and the picturesque Sach's Butterfly House.




Highlights

• Get the inside stories of great city icons, including the Gateway Arch, St. Louis Cathedral and Missouri’s Botanical Gardens.
• Study the architectural history and rich heritage of the city while venturing into various neighborhoods.
• Go back in time at Forest Park, the site of the 1904 World's Fair. Visit the St. Louis Zoo, Art Museum, and History Museum.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles over smooth surfaces, standing up to one hour.




Date Specific Information

6-2-2013

This date, accommodations will be in a hotel in a historic building in downtown St. Louis. Excursions will include all those mentioned, with the exception that a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River will replace the Sachs Butterfly House. Please see program details page for specific itinerary details.



Coordinated by St. Charles Community College.




St. Louis

Now one of the Midwest's urban centers, this area at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers was home to Indian cultures well before the French established a trading post in 1764. Site of the 1904 World's Fair, the city today is home to a rich cultural mix including great music, vibrant neighborhoods and the world's largest brewery.
Accommodations
Upscale hotel in St. Louis suburb with access to multiple restaurant and entertainment options, pools, sauna, fitness center.
Meals and Lodgings
   Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel
  St Louis, MO 5 nights
 Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: Experience the stylish new surroundings, upscale amenities and state of the art technology of the Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel. With an ideal location in Westport Plaza, this beautiful lakeside hotel is situated in a unique entertainment plaza and is just steps away from various restaurants and entertainment venues. Make a splash in the outdoor pool, or enjoy the indoor pool located at the Sheraton Westport Plaza Hotel, just steps away. Enjoy the lake and walking trails, or enjoy nearby Creve Coeur Park with its serene landscapes, beautiful sailing lake, and jogging trails. Play a round of golf at one of several championship courses, all just minutes away.
  Contact info: 191 Westport Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63146 USA
phone: 636-878-1500
web: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=795
  Room amenities: Beautifully appointed rooms with Sweet Sleeper beds and state-of-the-art technology. Flat screen televisions in every room. In room refrigerators are available upon request. Handicap accessible rooms available upon request.
  Facility amenities: Indoor pool, outdoor pool, fitness center, sauna, walking trails, multiple restaurants, multiple bars, free internet access, guest computer stations, free shuttle available to nearby casino or Gold's Gym.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Bathroom: Limited number of roll-in showers available; handicapped bathrooms available on request.
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: $119 double; $109 single Reservations must be made by participant. Identify yourself as being member of Road Scholar group.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: $119 double; $109 single Reservations must be made by participant. Identify yourself as being member of Road Scholar group.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Check in to hotel at 3 PM. You will be staying at Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel that night.
  End of Program:
Check out of hotel by 11 AM. You will be staying at Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Parking is located beside hotel in covered parking area at no charge to guests, but guests must get ticket validated daily. Parking also available in front of hotel (uncovered) - no validation required.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  St Louis, MO
  Nearest city or town:  St. Louis, Missouri
  Nearest highway: Interstate 70
  Nearest airport:  Lambert International Airport in St. Louis
  From End of Program
  Location: St Louis, MO
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

St Louis

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Hotel Shuttle
Sheraton
phone: 314-878-1500

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$0
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

Less than 30 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

Approximately 8 miles
   

Complimentary hotel shuttle runs 6:30am to 11pm, every 30 minutes.
 

St. Louis

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
St. Louis County Cab
phone: 314-991-9500
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$20
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

Less than 30 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

Approximately 8 miles
 
Driving Directions
  From Lambert St. Louis Airport Westport Plaza located in Maryland Heights, MO. Take Interstate 70 West to Interstate 270 South to Dorsett Road, Exit 17. Turn left on Dorsett Road. Turn right on Progress Parkway and continue straight ahead into West Port Plaza.
  From North Westport Plaza located in Maryland Heights, MO Take Interstate 70 West to I-270 South, take Exit 17 to Dorsett Road. Turn left on Dorsett Road, turn right on onto Progress Parkway. Continue straight ahead into West Port Plaza.
  From South Westport Plaza located in Maryland Heights, MO. Take Interstate 55 North to I-270 West/North. Take Exit 17 onto Dorsett Road. Make a right turn on Dorsett Road, then a right onto Progress Parkway. Continue straight ahead into West Port Plaza.
  From West Westport Plaza located in Maryland Heights, MO. Take Interstate 64/Route 40 East to I-270 North to Dorsett Road, Exit 17. Turn right on Dorsett Road, then turn right onto Progress Parkway. Continue straight ahead into West Port Plaza.
Elevation Note: Midwest location provides for very low elevation. All activities below 1,300 feet.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Welcome and Program Orientation
(Sunday, October 13)
   
 Arrive To: Program Orientation, 5:00pm, Sheraton Meeting Room
 Dinner: In hotel, 6:00 PM.
 Evening: View documentary video of St. Louis' unique brick structures.
   
Accommodations: Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Architectural tour of city, St. Louis Cathedral Basilica, lunch on St. Louis "Hill", Anheuser Busch Brewery Tour
(Monday, October 14)

Note: Considerable standing and walking at Cathedral and brewery tour.
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy upscale breakfast buffet at hotel.
 Morning: Begin the day with an architectural tour of St. Louis from the comfort of the bus. After the tour, we will take a guided walking tour St. Louis' Cathedral Basilica, home of the largest mosaic collection in the world. Study the architectural design of Romanesque and Byzantine styles, where east meets west.
 Lunch: Enjoy lunch on the "Hill", and maybe even try your hand at Bocce Ball at Milo's Bocce Garden. This unique neighborhood in St. Louis remains primarily an Italian-American neighborhood. It was established in the late 19th century when immigrants were attracted by jobs in nearby plants created to exploit the local clay. Baseball greats Yogi Berra and Joe Garagioli Sr. grew up on the Hill, along with other sports notables. After lunch, enjoy an authentic Italian Gelato or an Italian pastry at nearby shops.
 Afternoon: A trip to St. Louis is not complete without a visit to the Anheuser Busch Brewery. Even if you are not a beer lover, you will be impressed by this historical facility, which is beautiful and spotless. We will also visit the stable housing the majestic Clydesdales horses. If you are a beer lover, you can sample free Anheuser-Busch products at the conclusion of the tour.
 Dinner: Enjoy a delicious Italian dinner at Trattoria Mineo, just steps from your hotel room.
 Evening: Meet me at the fair! Enjoy a presentation on the sights, sounds, and discoveries of the 1904 World's Fair, held in St. Louis.
   
Accommodations: Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, Faust Park, Missouri Botanical Garden
(Tuesday, October 15)

Note: Some walking at Butterfly House and Faust Park. Tram is available at Botanical Garden, so you can walk as much or as little as you wish.
   
 Breakfast: Delicious upscale breakfast buffet at hotel.
 Morning: Hundreds of colorful exotic butterflys can be seen in free flight at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, an 8,000 sq. ft. conservatory located at St. Louis County's Faust Park. A path winds through the interior garden that features a waterlily pond, waterfalls and lush exotic, flowering, tropical plants. The air is misted continuously to maintain a seventy-five percent humidity level. Visitors can enjoy taking pictures of the butterflies. Staff members are available to identify the species or answer any questions. After taking in the beauty of the butterflys, we will stroll the manicured grounds of this park and enjoy other attractions including visiting the St. Louis Carousel with more than 60 hand carved horses and deer, or a Historical Village with authentic 19th century buildings, if you wish.
 Lunch: As we work our way to the world-reowned Missouri Botanical Gardens, we will make a stop in Tower Grove Park for a picnic lunch. This gorgeous park will take you back to a simpler time. A gift to the City of St. Louis from 19th-century merchant Henry Shaw (who was also responsible for the adjacent Missouri Botanical Garden ), this park was laid out in the mid-19th century as a Victorian walking park. Much of the park is car-free, with winding roads for walking and biking. Unique flamboyant Victorian pavilions may be reserved for picnics notably the Turkish and Chinese pavilions and the lovely "Ruins" area is a restful spot with a pond and fountain. Other features include a beautifully restored Victorian bandstand, tennis courts and a small wading pool.
 Afternoon: Field study to the Henry Shaw's dream, the Missouri Botanical Garden. Discover why it is one of the top three botanical gardens in the United States. Explore the garden at your leisure. Round-trip tram ride to various areas of park included on our tour.
 Dinner: St. Louis is a great baseball city. Home to the St. Louis Cardinals, you'll find that most St. Louisan's love to chat about their hometeam, and trips to Busch Stadium to cheer them on is a favorite pasttime. In fact, St. Louis was named the Best Baseball City in the US by the Sporting News. Enjoy dinner at Patrick's Restaurant in Westport Plaza, surrounded by baseball memoribilia.
 Evening: Free evening.
   
Accommodations: Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Visit the Gateway Arch national monument in the morning, enjoy lunch at a historic building in one of the many unique neighborhoods in St. Louis, and then return to Westport Plaza to enjoy a free afternoon and evening.
(Wednesday, October 16)

Note: Walking down a paved sidewalk required to reach Arch, and there are multiple steps leading down to Arch entrance.
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy upscale breakfast buffet at the Sheraton Hotel.
 Morning: This morning we will visit the Gateway Arch, a national monument built as a tribute to Thomas Jefferson and all those pioneers for who St. Louis was the Gateway to the West. Travel to the top of this 630 foot high stainless steel structure for amazing views of the Gateway City, the Mighty Mississippi, and neighboring Illinois. Or choose to keep your feet on the ground and visit the wonderful Westward Expansion Museum under the arch. Either choice provides a rewarding experience. On your way back to the bus, stop in the Old Cathedral, site of the oldest Catholic parish west of the Mississippi, and location of the baptism of Poncahonta's son.
 Lunch: Lunch at Sqwires Restaurant in Lafayette Square. The Lafayette square area of St. Louis is a revitalized old neighborhood characterized by rows of Victorian "Painted Lady" homes and a beautiful central park managed by a neighborhood conservatorship. Sqwires is located in a historical wire factory. While dining you can observe some of the remaining features of this facility.
 Afternoon: Free time to explore on your own.
 Dinner: Free evening to enjoy St. Louis and various cuisines on your own.
 Evening: No program.
   
Accommodations: Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Explore Forest Park, site of the 1904 World's Fair, and one of the largest urban parks in the country, surpassing Central Park in New York City by 500 acres. Sites will include the St. Louis Art Musuem, St. Louis History Museum, and the St. Louis Zoo.
(Thursday, October 17)

Note: Moderate walking.
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy an upscale breakfast buffet at the Sheraton Hotel.
 Morning: This morning you will have time to explore the St. Louis Zoo, one of the only free zoological parks still remaining in the US. Visit the giant birdcage, left from the 1904 World's Fair, along with many other natural habitat exhibits.
 Lunch: Today we will lunch at a true St. Louis icon and enjoy food native to the St. Louis area.
 Afternoon: Enjoy the afternoon exploring the St. Louis History Museum and the St. Louis Art Museum. Schedule is flexible -- if you prefer to spend all of your time at one museum, we can accommodate that.
 Dinner: We will enjoy a very special dinner this evening to celebrate our last night together as a group. Take a little time to freshen up at the hotel after our day's activities, then meet the group for a grand send-off!
 Evening: No formal evening program, but feel free to explore the plaza with your new friends if you wish.
   
Accommodations: Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Program Conclusion and Departures
(Friday, October 18)
   
 Breakfast: Meet in the breakfast area near the hotel restaurant for breakfast and closing. Program to conclude by 9am. Please check out of rooms by 11am. Have a safe trip home!
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


St. Louis: Its Neighborhoods and Neighbors, Landmarks and Milestones


Author: Robert E. (editor) Hannon


Description: A comprehensive look at St. Louis and St. Louis County's neighborhoods and , its Landmarks and how the area has evolved over time.



Insider's Guide to St. Louis


Author: Dawne Massey


Description: With this guide, readers will get an inside perspective on St. Louis--the city's more than 170 parks, a thriving live music and local arts scene, an abundance of nightclubs and casinos, and world-class sports teams, not to mention the Gateway Arch. St. Louis is known for its abundance of fascinating and free visitor attractions, winning professional sports teams, authentic blues and jazz clubs, and many hundreds of neighborhood restaurants. This authoritative guide will show you how to explore Americas Gateway to the West.



St. Louis: The 1904 World's Fair


Author: Joe Sonderman, Mike Truax


Description: For seven months in 1904, St. Louis was the greatest city on earth. Millions flocked to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition to behold the inventions of the early 20th century. Many saw electric lights, automobiles, aircraft, and moving pictures for the first time. At a time when few traveled more than a couple miles from home, visitors encountered the people and cultures of faraway lands. It was an educational experience, a university of mankind. The Pike offered amusement rides, wild animal displays, and fanciful trips through the Hereafter and Creation exhibits. Fairgoers visited the Alps, the North Pole, Russia, and Paris and witnessed famous battles. Everyone wanted to ride the great Observation Wheel. There were hootchy-kootchy dancers and wonderful new foods, such as the ice-cream cone. But it was all temporary, a dream city made to last only a few months. With the exception of todays St. Louis Art Museum, the grand palaces are gone. St. Louis: The 1904 Worlds Fair tells the story of the greatest Victorian-era worlds fair since the lights of the fair faded over a century ago, while also examining the fairs legacies and legends.



St. Louis Then and Now


Author: Elizabeth McNulty


Description: Celebrating America's favorite cityscapes, this series combines historic interest and contemporary beauty. Then and Now features fascinating archival photographs contrasted with specially commissioned, full-color images of the same scene today. A visual lesson in the historic changes of our greatest urban landscapes.



Gateway Arch: An Architectural Dream


Author: Robert J. Moore Jr.


Description: This coffee-table sized book contains over 200 photographs (black/white and color), 23 essays and 16 oral history excerpts describing a memorial that not only captures the inspiring stories of our country's westward expansion, but is itself an incredible story of courage and innovative design.



Missouri Botanical Garden (Images of America: St. Louis)


Author: Todd E. Styles


Description: The Missouri Botanical Garden has grown from the dream of businessman and philanthropist Henry Shaw to a National Historic Landmark and a world-renowned center for science, conservation, education, and horticultural display. Enlisting the help of some of the most famous botanists of his time, Henry Shaw planted and opened the Garden to the public in 1859. The photographs in this book chronicle the dynamic history of the Missouri Botanical Garden and the men and women who have continued Shaw's legacy for over 150 years. The Garden today comprises 79 acres of magnificent horticultural display in south St. Louis, featuring a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, Henry Shaw's original estate home, and one of the world's largest collections of rare and endangered orchids.





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