Family & Non-Rail Tours
Non-Rail Luncheon
31502, Tuesday, July 10, 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., $28
Lunch at the Top of the
Riverfront, the Regal Hotel's revolving restaurant
on the 28th floor overlooking the Gateway Arch, the Mississippi River, and the City of St.
Louis. The lunch menu includes The Regal Riverfront Salad for fresh mixed greens with
white cheddar dressing, grilled breast of chicken served with honey almond glaze with a
wild rice medley, fresh seasonal vegetable, rolls and butter, dessert, and coffee or tea
(soda is extra).
Tour Descriptions
St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern Railway
Murder Mystery / Dinner Trip
Tour #13575, Sun, July 8, 1:30–8:30 pm, $75
Ride the St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern for a murder mystery dinner. Enjoy your meal while you join in on the fun of solving a murder or just enjoy the three-hour train ride. The train leaves Jackson, Missouri, and returns there. There is a two-hour bus ride each way.
St. Louis Past to Present: Cahokia Mounds
& Riverboat Cruise
Tour #24301, Mon, July 9, 9:00 am–2:00 pm, $25
Visit the largest prehistoric Indian center in America where population reached 20,000 between 700 and 1500 A.D. Weather permitting; you will have a walking tour. Then it’s lunch on your own at Union Station, built more than 100 years ago, followed by a 1-hour narrated Riverboat Cruise on the Mighty Mississippi.
Ethnic St. Louis: The Churches Tour
Tour #24302, Mon, July 9, 9:00 am-4:00 pm, $45
Visit the Shrine of St. Joseph, the only Baroque church remaining in St. Louis, built in 1844. At St. Mary of Victories, the second oldest church, enjoy a homemade meal prepared by its parishioners. Next, St. Raymond’s Church built in 1800’s features large golden dome in Eastern-style architecture. Finally, the St. Louis Cathedral has the largest collection of mosaics in the world.
Lincoln Land, Springfield, Illinois
Tour #24303, Mon, July 9, 9:00 am-6:00 pm, $55
Visit the Lincoln Home Visitor Center and 4-block area restored to its 1850’s appearance. Tour the Lincoln home, Old State Capitol, and see an original copy of the Gettysburg Address in Lincoln’s own handwriting. Lunch is included. Visit the Dana Thomas house, designed and furnished by Frank Lloyd Wright. The last stop is Lincoln’s Tomb, resting place for Abe, Mary and 3 of their children.
A Day at Six Flags
Tour #24324, Mon, July 9, all day, canceled
Tour #54324, Thr, July 12, all day, canceled
Grant’s Farm / Ted Drewes Frozen
Custard
Tour #22304, Mon, July 9, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm, $20
Grant’s Farm is the 281-acre estate of the late August A. Busch, Jr. Aboard the tram, pass the log home build by Ulysses S Grant and the historic fence made of rifle barrels. A game preserve on 160 acres houses many rare breeds. Visit the stables and one of the largest collections of antique carriages and the famous Clydesdale stallion barn. Finish on historic Old Route 66 at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, a St. Louis tradition since 1929 (dessert included).
An Evening at the Muny Opera
Tour #23323, Mon, July 9, 5:00-11:00 pm, $65
The Muny (occasionally known as the Municipal Opera), located in Forest Park, is the largest outdoor theater in the country featuring Broadway musicals. En route your guide will give a tour of Forest Park, the site of the 1904 World’s Fair and one of the largest city parks in the country. The mansions of Lindell Boulevard and the Washington University campus border the park. Enjoy a buffet dinner served on the rehearsal stage behind the main stage followed by a backstage tour. Take your seats under the stars and enjoy a Roman Holiday.
Gateway to St. Louis: Introductory Tour
Tour #32305, Tue, July 10, 2:00- 5:30 pm, $17
Trace the history of St. Louis from your air-conditioned bus: Laclede’s Landing on the riverfront, the Gateway Arch, Old Cathedral, Old Courthouse, and the Central West End’s turn of the century mansions and Washington University’s Medical Complex. Visit the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica, housing the largest collection of mosaics in the world, and the History Museum in Forest Park. One of the largest city parks in the country, Forest Park was the site of the 1904 World’s Fair and is home of the St. Louis Zoo, Art Museum, Science Center and Municipal Opera.
Anheuser Busch Brewery and Ted Drewes
Custard
Tour #32306, Tue, July 10, 2:00-5:00 pm, $20
Visit the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales and stables, Brew House, Fermentation Building, and packaging plant. See a video about the brewing process and stop at the hospitality room. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard on historic Old Route 66, a St. Louis tradition, completes the tour.
St. Louis Zoo
Tour #32307, Tue, July 10, 2:00-5:00 pm, $17
Plan on lots of walking on this visit to the 83-acre park, home of 6,000 different species. Begin with a visit to the Living World. A ride on the Zoo Line Railroad is included.
Historic St. Louis Progressive Dine-Around
Tour #33320, Tue, July 10, 6:00-10:00 pm, $68
Experience a unique view of St. Louis history with a visit to two of its oldest and most well loved neighborhoods for an evening of food, drink and fun. Start with appetizers and a drink at Laclede’s Landing where cobblestone streets and brick and iron-front buildings recall the riverfront days of steamboats. En route to dinner, you’ll pass through Lafayette Park and Compton Heights, late nineteenth century neighborhoods. Dinner is on "The Hill," a large Italian community with a restaurant, grocery or bakery on nearly every corner. Finish with dessert on historic Old Route 66 at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard.
A Day in Forest Park
Tour #44308, Wed, July 11, 9:00 am-1:00 pm, $16
One day isn’t enough to visit all of the attractions in Forest Park, the site of the 1904 World’s Fair. You’ll visit the St. Louis Science Center with more than 500 hands-on exhibits and the Art Museum. With everything from mummies to modern, it’s considered one of the top 10 in the country. Lunch, not included, is available at both locations.
Mark Twain Country: Hannibal, Missouri
Tour #45309, Wed, July 11, all day, canceled
Missouri Botanical Garden and Historic
Neighborhoods
Tour #42310, Wed, July 11, 1:00-4:00 pm, $22
The oldest botanical garden in the country, this National Historic Landmark was founded in 1859. The tram will go through 79 acres of flora found in climates ranging from tropical rainforest to driest desert. Visit the Climatron (the first geodesic dome greenhouse based on Buckminster Fuller’s design), the 14-acre Japanese Garden, and on your own the English Forest, rose garden or leaping fountain. Then view three of St. Louis’s historic neighborhoods, Compton Heights founded by German beer barons, Lafayette Square’s Victorian mansions and row houses, and Soulard’s working class neighborhood boasting the oldest continuous farmer’s market west of the Mississippi, and nearby Anheuser Busch Brewery.
City Museum and Mississippi Riverboat Cruise
Tour #42311, Wed, July 11, 1:00-5:00 pm, $25
Play at the City Museum, for kids of all ages, a place of fantasy, mystery, crafts, and whimsy, featuring a man-made 4,000 square foot cave, Architectural Museum, Museum of Mirth, Mystery & Mayhem, and the MoPac Arkansas Division model railroad featured in June 2000 Model Railroader. Then board a replica paddlewheeler and enjoy a one-hour cruise taking in the St. Louis skyline.
Mississippi Riverboat
Dinner Cruise
Tour #43321, Wed, July 11, 6:30-10:00 pm, $55
Tour #63325, Fri, July 13, 6:30-10:00 pm, $55
Experience the Mighty Mississippi first-hand with a two-hour cruise on an authentic paddlewheeler. See the city’s original settlement area at Laclede’s Landing and view the St. Louis skyline as you enjoy a delicious Prime Rib dinner and listen to one of St. Louis’ best Dixieland bands.
Caves and Cellars:
Meramec Cavern and Mt. Pleasant Winery
Tour #54312, Thr, July 12, 9:00 am-5:00 pm, $52
Meramec Caverns is Missouri’s #1 show cave, considered one of the best in America. The guided tour is one hour and 20 minutes. Lunch at the Cavern Restaurant is included. Then it’s on to Mt. Pleasant Wine Company, founded in 1881 in Augusta. Sample wine, fresh baked bread, and Missouri cheeses. You’ll want to dress in layers — the caverns are about 60 degrees year-round.
From Mounds to Mansions
Tour #54313, Thr, July 12, 11:00 am-4:00 pm, $38
A gourmet box lunch is provided en route to Cahokia Mounds, the largest prehistoric Indian center north of Mexico. Weather permitting, enjoy the walking Plaza Tour, climb (with steps) the man-made earthen mounds and see a wooden sun calendar. Next, visit the 42-room mansion built by Samuel Cupples in 1889 at a cost of $500,000, featuring lavish interior, carved imported wood paneling and Tiffany stained glass. Finally see the Chatillon-DeMenil mansion, built in 1848, an excellent example of Greek Revival architecture with elegant wallpapers from France and beautiful period furnishings.
The Butterfly House at Faust Park and The
Magic House
Tour #54314, Thr, July 12, 11:00 am-4:00 pm, canceled
Our Lady of the Snows
Tour #54315, Thr, July 12, 9:00 am-1:00 pm, $18
Visit the 100-acre national shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. See the Way of the Cross, Outdoor Altar, Resurrection Garden, Lourdes Grotto, Christ the King Chapel and the Mary Chapel Memorial Garden. A tram tour of the grounds in included and time is allowed to lunch on your own at the Shrine Restaurant and to visit the gift shop.
Murder and Mystery at the Bevo Mill
Tour #53322, Thr, July 12, 6:30-10:30 pm, $67
Hear about St. Louis’ rich brewing history and the colorful Busch family as you pass Anheuser-Busch Brewery and its corporate headquarters, 70 red brick buildings covering 100 acres. Dine at the Bevo Mill, built for August A. Busch halfway between the brewery and his home, Grant’s Farm. Mr. Busch studied various construction methods of Dutch windmills and used the Mill Room as his private dining room. Take on a new persona to discover the culprit in Murder on the Mississippi when an unpublished novel by Mark Twain "found" by billionaire Donald Frump results in foul play.
Historic St. Charles and the First Missouri
State Capital
Tour #64316, Fri, July 13, 9:00 am-2:00 pm, $20
The first state capital was located in St. Charles in 1820. Several rooms have been restored and are furnished with antiques reflecting early 19th century life in St. Charles. Stroll Main Street, a nine-block Historic District filled with 80 restored buildings dating from 1790 to 1900. Known for its cobblestone and gas-lit streets, it is packed with antique and craft shops. Lunch on your own. Plenty of walking!
Critters and Flitters:
Butterfly House and St. Louis Zoo
Tour #64317, Fri, July 13, 9:00 am-2:00 pm, $22
The Butterfly House in Faust Park has more than 100 species of the world’s most beautiful butterflies. Then visit the world famous St. Louis Zoo, housed in Forest Park, site of the 1904 World’s Fair. Begin at The Living World, and then take time to visit the 3,500 different species and the Zooline Railroad, included in your cost. The Zoo has an extensive breeding program and babies are born by the dozen each year.
Sainte Genevieve and Kimmswick
Tour #64318, Fri, July 13, 9:00 am-4:00 pm, $40
The French village of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, is the oldest permanent settlement in the state, founded in 1732. The guided tour includes several of the village’s most historic homes dating from the 1700’s. At Kimmswick, step back into the late 1700’s, eat at the Blue Owl Restaurant and Bakery, and enjoy the town’s many craft and antique shops.
Missouri Wine Country: Hermann, Missouri
Tour #64319, Fri, July 13, 9:00 am-3:00 pm, canceled
Cardinals Baseball Game at Busch Stadium
Tour #63520, Fri, July 13, 7:10 pm, $17
Join the group in Terrace Reserve at Busch Stadium to see the St. Louis Cardinals play the Detroit Tigers. Game time is 7:10. Wear red. Block and a half walk west from the convention hotel.
Cardinals (baseball) home games the week of the National
Convention:
July 12, 7:00pm DET
July 13, 7:00pm DET
July 14, 1:10pm DET (11th Annual Christian Family Day)
July 15, 2:10pm MIN (Rawlings/Tim Edmonds Bat Day)
Send email questions to our Family Activities chair at familyactivities@gatewaynmra.org.