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Missouri

Signature City St. Louis: History & Heritage in the Gateway City

Program No. 12804RJ
From historic Central West End to sleek Gateway Arch, St. Louis is a fascinating blend of past and present in the U.S. heartland. Explore its arts, architecture and magnificent parks!
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Start
Signature CitiesSmall GroupCity Discoveries
Length
6 days
Rating (5)
Activity Level
Starts at
2,549
Special Offer
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
11 meals ( 5B, 2L, 4D )
8 expert-led lectures
10 expert-led field trips
2 performances
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Walking up to 2 miles. Remember to bring your name tag.
Afternoon:
After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to meet with program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
At 5:30 p.m., we will go on a walk through the neighborhood with a local expert to a local restaurant for dinner, weather and time permitting. Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private bus unless noted otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Evening:
Returning to the hotel, the evening is at leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 15 miles throughout the day, approximately 2.5 hours riding time with several stops. Considerable standing, walking up to 3 miles, and steps in the Arch, on the Arch grounds, and in local neighborhoods. Seating available. To take the tram to the top of the Arch and back, you will need to be able to navigate 96 steps over six different flights. No seating except in the tram car to the top.
Breakfast:
At the hotel with an expert-led historical overview of St. Louis, setting up themes for the week.
Morning:
We will depart by bus for Gateway Arch National Park, the only national park within a city. Built as a tribute to Thomas Jefferson, this iconic 630-foot monument is a symbol of westward expansion. We’ll take a tram ride to the top for panoramic views, explore the park grounds, and delve into history with a park ranger at the museum and Old Courthouse, where we will experience the Dred Scott case.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will learn about St. Louis past and present—from Dred Scott to the displacement of the Mill Creek Valley Community, and new organizations, such as City SC and Great Rivers Greenway, honoring the past while creating a brighter future for St. Louis. Our local expert will jump on our bus with us to begin our exploration of the many neighborhoods of St. Louis, highlighting the architectural and cultural histories.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 5 miles throughout the day, approximately 1.5 hours riding time with several stops. Considerable standing, walking up to 3 miles, steps, and some uneven terrain at Forest Park. Seating available.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, where its historian will give a brief overview of this historic property.
Morning:
Aboard the bus, an expert from the Missouri History Museum will join us to share all that Forest Park, the largest urban park in the continental US, has to offer. Dedicated in 1876, Forest Park is best known for hosting the 1904 World’s Fair and Summer Olympics. It is the cultural heart of the city, home to the zoo, art and history museums, a science center and planetarium, and the Muny, the nation’s oldest and largest outdoor theatre. Forest Park is a true public space and urban oasis that blends woodlands and waterways with culture and recreation. At the Missouri History Museum, we will experience the 1904 World’s Fair for all its achievements and innovations, as well as the complexities and challenges of the time.
Lunch:
We will head over to the St. Louis Art Museum where our visit begins with lunch.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, a docent will lead us around the St. Louis Art Museum before we have some time to explore independently. (Depending on season, a Forest Park Forever expert may join us to share what it takes to maintain the beauty of Forest Park.)
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 10 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours riding time with several stops. Considerable standing, walking up to 3 miles, steps, and some uneven terrain on cobblestone streets. Seating available.
Breakfast:
At a local restaurant.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will spend the day exploring several neighborhoods that showcase the amazing architecture and transformations of these communities. We’ll start with a walk around Lafayette Square, one of St. Louis’s oldest neighborhoods, developed in the 1830s and known for its stunning Victorian architecture. With the park as its anchor, Lafayette Square is a model of historic preservation and community revival. We’ll board the bus with a local expert to experience other neighborhoods, including Soulard, which was founded by French settlers in the 1700s and known for its red-brick homes, live music, the historic Soulard Farmers Market, and one of the biggest Mardi Gras celebrations in the country. Next, we will make a stop on Cherokee Street, an historic St. Louis corridor, once a bustling commercial hub, now alive with antiques, murals, and vibrant Latinx culture. Finally, we’ll stop on The Hill, the iconic Italian neighborhood of St. Louis with old-world charm, family-owned shops, and festive traditions that celebrate its Italian heritage.
Lunch:
On your own with a variety of places to choose from on South Grand Avenue, a vibrant culinary corridor where flavors from around the world meet local favorites. Savor Vietnamese pho, Ethiopian injera, Persian kebabs, inventive plant-based, or Mediterranean small plates. There is something for everyone.
Afternoon:
We’ll pay a visit to Anheuser-Busch where a docent will show us a place packed with history and stunning views of the property. We’ll learn about the life of an Anheuser-Busch beer from seed to sip and visit the Budweiser Clydesdales’ Paddock and Stables. Returning to the hotel, we’ll have some time to relax and freshen up before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant with entertainment.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 10 miles throughout the day, approximately 1 hour riding time with several stops. Considerable standing, walking up to 3 miles, and steps.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Following a short bus ride, we will take a step behind the curtain and experience the magic of the Fabulous Fox Theatre with a docent. We’ll discover fascinating stories about legendary performers, architectural secrets, and the craftsmanship that brings every show to life before returning to the bus to ride to our next site. At the National Blues Museum, we will learn from a docent how St. Louis became a critical hub for blues during the great migration, creating its unique vibrant sound blending Delta blues with jazz and ragtime. Explore renowned musicians, iconic artifacts, and interactive exhibits that bring the blues to life.
Lunch:
On your own at The Foundry Food Court.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will visit the Missouri Botanical Garden, where we can enjoy seasonal displays, greenhouses, and quiet spots to explore and connect with nature. We’ll discover why it is one of the top botanical gardens in the United States. Explore the garden, Climatron, and more at your leisure. Tram rides are also available.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
Tonight, we will head out to enjoy a local performance. Our program was planned far in advance when details of this performance were not available. When confirmed, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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