ST. LOUIS — People attending UMA Motorcoach Expo 2017 in St. Louis will have a choice between eight different tours focusing on the city’s history, museums, sports facilities, food and drink, shopping and other attractions.
The tours, which will be hosted by Explore St. Louis, will include:
Baseball, Brews & Blues –This tour begins with a stop at Busch Stadium, home of the 2011 World Series champions, the St. Louis Cardinals. With seating for more than 40,000 fans, this field of dreams is like no other.
The next stop will be Anheuser-Busch Brewery. Participants will tour the brewery and learn how the beer is made, and visit the stables with the famous Clydesdale horses.
The final stop will be the National Blues Museum, named one of the “12 New Museums to Visit” in 2016 by The Smithsonian. While exploring the artifacts and cutting-edge technology, museum aficionados will revel in the history of blues music and enjoy lunch at Sugarfire Smokehouse BBQ.
Meet Me in St. Louis –Start with a driving tour through the magnificently restored Forest Park, which encompasses 1,300 acres and is home to the St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Science Center and St. Louis Zoo.
The zoo features Polar Bear Point, home to Kali, the first occupant of the exhibit, who joined the zoo family in June of 2015.
The art museum, considered one of the top 10 in the country, houses a collection of more than 33,000 works.
The final stop is the Jewel Box, where the interior warmth lends itself to the tropical plants that grow inside year-round.
The Grand Tour –Participants will visit three of the most architecturally, as well as culturally, interesting buildings in St. Louis, including the Fabulous Fox Theatre, built in 1929 by William Fox of 20th Century Fox fame.
The theatre was designed after a Hindu temple and now presents concerts and Broadway musicals. There will be a brief performance on the theatre’s Wurlitzer organ.
The tour will head to the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica, home to more than 83,000 square feet of hand-laid mosaics, 250 relics and the papal chair and kneeler used by Pope John Paul II.
The highlight of the tour will be the Missouri Botanical Garden, home to the world’s first Climatron, a geodesic dome greenhouse. Lunch will be at Sassafras Café.
A Little Taste of St. Louis –Nosh, nibble, devour! This tour includes the most delectable spots in St. Louis.
Enjoy a taste of The Loop neighborhood at Fitz’s Root Beer, followed by a bite of the Arch from Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company,a family-owned handcrafted premium chocolate company. In The Hill neighborhood, a charming Italian community, enjoy a stop at Missouri Baking Companyto purchase authentic baked goods.
The tour then heads to Ted Drewes Frozen Custardfor a specialty “concrete”shake that is so thick you can turn it upside down. Other included stops are Gus’ Pretzelsto enjoy an oven-baked pretzel and a taste ofSt. Louis’ gooey butter cake.
Black History Tour –This tour explores St. Louis’African-American history covering 257 years. It includes a guided private tour of the Griot Museum of Black History, which links the past, present and future of African-American history through life-size figures, historical documents, artifacts and special exhibits.
The final stop for the day is the Old Courthouse to learn the history of the Dred Scott Freedom Trial and participate in a reenactment of the trial. The courthouse is the setting for cases involving slavery, the fur trade and equal rights.
Construction Zone: Hard Hat Not Required –The driving part of this tour includes an overview of St. Louis City, passing by Busch Stadium and Citygarden,a unique urban art oasis. There also will be a guided walking tour of the Old Courthouseand Gateway Archgrounds, featuring the latest exhibits and programming offered at both facilities as well as the construction that has taken place.
Participants will also stroll down the grand staircase to the Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruisesto board an authentic paddle wheeler for a one-hour sightseeing cruise along the Mississippi River with stunning views of the St. Louis skyline.
Shop Till You Drop –Experience two of the areas newest outlet malls, TaubmanPrestige OutletandSt. Louis Premium Outlet, and enjoy special discounts given to groups. There also will be a scavenger hunt in the St. Louis Premium Outlet Mall.
The tour includes drive time to and from the malls, which is approximately 30 minutes one way.
Get Your Kicks on Route 66 –Enjoy a docent-led tour at the Missouri History Museumthrough Route 66: Main Street Through St. Louis. Known as the “Mother Road”and the “Main Street of America,” Route 66 plays an important role in American history, but the famous road also has a story to tell about the St. Louis area and how it has changed.
Participants will seea number of artifacts ranging from gas pumps to roadside signs and will even get a chance to drive the road themselves. The final stop is the Museum of Transportation, which features 50 years of transportation history, including historical one-of-a-kind locomotives, cars and cabooses.
Car buffs will appreciate a visit to the Earl C. Lindburg building, which houses a rotating automobile exhibit.
