Tours and Trips

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We care about your comfort during our Tours and Trips! So it's important you are aware that these outings may require navigation of stairs or uneven surfaces. By nature, walking tours may offer limited access to seating. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in any program or activity, please contact the Continuing Education Access Office at 314-984-7704 for assistance. For trips and tours, accommodations advance notice of up to one month is needed.

Jefferson Barracks

This military post opened in 1826 and has played an important role in American history. Both Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee were stationed at Jefferson Barracks. You will see many points of interest in the 330-acre park and you will get a glimpse of 300-acre cemetery where 188,000 people are buried. The park is home to five museums: we will visit the Telephone Museum, where former ATT personnel will give us a guided tour to enjoy nostalgia from the early years of the telephone. You will also see historic buildings, recreational opportunities, the VA hospital and Fisher House, various monuments, Mississippi River vistas, and peek inside the county's spiffy 42,000 sq. ft. recreation center. Large amounts of walking required for this outing. This is a bus tour that meets at the parking lot of the Thomas Dunn Learning Center at 3113 Gasconade Street, St. Louis. Tour includes transportation and admission to museum. Withdrawal deadline for refunds: 8/10.
TRIP:701 | $59 | Age 60+: $55
F01 | Th 8:30 a.m.-noon | Douglas Schneider | Aug. 30 | Thomas Dunn Learning Ctr

Near North Riverfront

Doug Schneider will lead a bus tour of St. Louis' most isolated neighborhood: the Near North Riverfront, which is squeezed between the Mississippi River and Interstate 70. There is much to see on this jam-packed trip, you will partake in the sights of: the first Underground Railroad historic site in Missouri, an area that may one day rival the Promenade Plantee in Paris, where the uranium was refined for the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Bob Cassilly's two-headed serpent fighting for its life, the company that created "Bad Outlet", the Pacific Gas and Electric mascot, the former location of the largest Native American mound in St. Louis, a retro chili parlor, an 1890's spa rehabbed into the city's first LEED building, where you can buy custom show motorcycles with chrome galore, a flounder house, a structure built by Walt Whitman's brother, two prime drag racing streets, where Kier Dullea (2001: A Space Odyssey) got his start in movies, the site of a 1943 gangland murder, the former home of spaghetti wrestling, the unmarked building where your Fresh Express salads are made, a street of corn, a steam table company that offers free yoga classes for its employees, and the location where classical guitar makers get their wood. We will have lunch in a Near North Riverfront workingman's bar-a favorite place of the people who produce Mr. Clean. There will be walking on this tour. The tour begins at the Forest Park campus. Meet in the parking lot of the G Tower. Fee includes transportation, lunch and all gratuities. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Withdrawal deadline for refund: 8/15.
TRIP:701 | $59 | Age 60+: $55
F02 | W 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Douglas Schneider | Sept. 5 | FP - Off Campus

Lunch with Mary at The Blue Owl: A Kimmswick Experience

You may have seen Mary on the show "Road Tasted" or perhaps in Oprah Magazine's November 2012 issue when her Mile High Levee Apple Pie made one of Oprah's Favorite Things. One thing for sure is she knows how to cook. In 1983, Mary Hostetter came out with a cookbook, From the Kitchen of Mary, with recipes for an assortment of pastries, cookies, cakes, cheesecakes, pies and candies. She sold these decadent desserts at craft shows, festivals and fairs. As demand continued to grow, Mary set out to find a location to combine her successful baking business with a country tearoom. In 1985, Mary set eyes on the The Blue Owl Restaurant in the historic river town of Kimmswick, MO. She dreamed that someday folks would have to wait in line for a table at The Blue Owl, and that dream quickly became a reality. Today, you will enjoy lunch with Mary. She will demo a favorite recipe and you will get to sample as she cooks and answers questions for you. And, as a take home, each person will receive a cookbook with recipes from The Blue Owl. Afterward, enjoy the lunch from the group menu-be sure to try one of her decadent desserts that made her famous! Tour includes: Professional tour guide, motorcoach transportation, all listed attractions, speakers, experiences, inclusive lunch, and all gratuities to driver and guide. Meet tour bus at top of circular driveway between Administration and Social Sciences Buildings. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Withdrawal deadline for refund: 8/15.
TRIP:702 | $109 | Age 60+: $109
F01 | Th 8:15 a.m.-4 p.m. | Dea Hoover | Sept. 6 | FV - Off Campus
Meet tour bus: Top of circular drive between Administration and Social Sciences buildings at the Flo Valley campus
F11 | Th 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Dea Hoover | Sept. 6 | MC - Off Campus
Meet tour bus: Lot E, NW side of Meramec campus

Exploring St. Louis

Discover places you probably haven't seen before in the St. Louis area. Some are historical and some are so new you may be the first of your friends to visit. We carpool and there is always space in a car for a non-driver. Admission fees are extra and bring a lunch the first day. Come explore with us, every week is a fun adventure! Walking involved. First class meets on campus, followed by a tour. Class meets off-campus after first session. Withdrawal deadline for refund: 8/31.
TRIP:701 | $99 | Age 60+: $63
F03 | Th 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Joan Huisinga | Sept. 13 | MC - CE Classroom
         | F 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Joan Huisinga | Sept. 21-Oct 5 | MC - CE Classroom
NOTE: First class will meet on Thursday 9/13 (previously 9/14) for a new, special event that is only available 9/13. All other class sessions will still meet on Fridays.

Valley Park: City of Many Faces

In the 19th century, Ulysses S. Grant took wife-to-be Julia Dent to Valley Park because it was the perfect place to woo her. In the 21st century, filmmakers set up their cameras in Valley Park because it was the perfect place to shoot a movie about uranium-crazed zombies. Join us to view the many faces of this city on the Meramec River. On this tour, you will: find out why rustlers who come to Valley Park were arrested, find out how Carol House got started, find out where the oar fights took place, see a bar that called itself a House of Fun, find out how the Valley Park train station disappeared, see where Charles Lindbergh danced with the local ladies, find out how the largest company of its kind in the United States disappeared in one day, hear about the man who escaped the Lemp family curse, find out about the great Hershey Bar disaster, enter a building that has served as both an AA meeting hall and a tavern, see a business built from a do-it-yourself kit, and see why Valley Park is the most important company town in Missouri. There is something for everyone on this tour! Meet tour bus on Lot E on NW side of Meramec campus. Fee includes lunch in a Valley Park restaurant, transportation and all gratuities. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Withdrawal deadline for refund: 9/4.
TRIP:701 | $59 | Age 60+: $55
F04 | Tu 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Douglas Schneider | Sept. 25 | MC - Off Campus

Scenic Fall Adventure

Travel up old Highway 79 to visit the Village of Blue Rose for a unique feel good story, lunch, tour of the bed and breakfast and leisurely stroll along the beautiful river trail with its cliff side views (or to just sit and watch the view). The Village of Blue Rose is a progressive non-profit bed and breakfast on a 60-acre community where special needs adults can live and work in a family-type environment. Before and after lunch, tour historic Clarksville including an historic river view mansion, and shops. Fee covers transportation, lunch, admissions, donations and gratuities. Meet tour bus on Lot E on NW side of Meramec campus. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Withdrawal deadline for refund: 9/6.
TRIP:702 | $109 | Age 60+: $99
F03 | Th 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Joan Huisinga | Sept. 27 | MC - Off Campus

Barn Quilt Trail with Ferry Ride

Arrive via Golden Eagle Ferry in Calhoun County, IL and wander along the Barn Quilt Trail. With over 80 painted barn quilts, you will see and hear the stories of many of the quilts and their families from a local tour guide. Lunch will be enjoyed at the local favorite, Mel's Illinois Riverdock Restaurant. We also stop at a local roadside market. Tour includes: Professional tour guide, motor coach transportation, local Calhoun County guide, lunch at Mel's Riverdock Restaurant, ferry ride on Golden Eagle Ferry (as permitted by weather barring flooding), and all gratuities and arrangements. Meet tour bus on Lot E on NW side of Meramec campus. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Withdrawal deadline for refund: 9/13.
TRIP:702 | $89 | Age 60+: $89
F02 | Th 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Dea Hoover | Sept. 27 | MC - Off Campus

Spirit of Peoria Lunch Cruise and Melvin Price Locks and Dam

Join us for a tour of Melvin Price Locks and Dam. Every year, millions of tons of commodities pass through the Melvin Price Locks and Dam. The Melvin Price Locks and Dam help to control the flow of the Mississippi and is the means by which barges are able to navigate the river. You will also visit the National Great Rivers Museum. Afterward, you will board the Spirit of Peoria for a full lunch cruise while traveling along the Mississippi River. Tour includes: Professional tour guide, motor coach transportation, tour of Melvin Price Locks and Dam, visit to National Great Rivers Museum, full lunch cruise on the Spirit of Peoria, and all gratuities and arrangements. Withdrawal deadline for refund: 9/25.
TRIP:702 | $109 | Age 60+: $109
F05 | W 7:15 a.m.-4 p.m. | Dea Hoover | Oct. 10 | MC - Off Campus
Meet tour bus: Lot E, NW side of Meramec campus
F04 | W 8 a.m.-3:15 p.m. | Dea Hoover | Oct. 10 | FV - Off Campus
Meet tour bus: Top of circular drive between Administration and Social Sciences buildings at the Flo Valley campus

Historic Route 66: Cuba, MO to Waynesville, MO

This is a narrated tour (with stops) along a portion of Route 66 (the Mother Road) in Missouri. Highlights will include lunch at the iconic Elbow Inn, ruins of days-gone-by, and a dead-end (almost ghost!) town, a resort that hosted Mae West, the Trail of Tears, the finest pie in Missouri, a scenic camera-ready overlook, some of the oldest (still operating) businesses on the route, a huge red rocking chair, and Uranus, Missouri. Besides having lunch, you will get a slice of pie to take home. Meet tour bus in Lot E on NW side of the Meramec campus. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Withdrawal deadline for refund: 9/20.
TRIP:702 | $109 | Age 60+: $99
F06 | Th 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Douglas Schneider | Oct. 11 | MC - Off Campus

Re-Live the 1904 World's Fair

Join us for an illustrated, narrated tour of the actual fair grounds of the 1904 World's Fair in and around Forest Park. Travel back in time through a special 3-D stereoscopic presentation, and then travel to the sites of the marvels you've just seen. Fee includes a light lunch of foods made famous at the fair and print materials (including maps). Special 3-D glasses are supplied. Some walking required. Provide own transportation for the tour.
TRIP:701 | $59 | Age 60+: $40.50
F05 | Sa 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Charles Koehler, Doug Schneider | Oct. 13 | FP - G, 115

Haunted Alton with Cruise

Join us for a morning haunted history tour of Alton that includes visiting the McPike Mansion, "Smallpox Island" where they quarantined Civil War prisoners, and a cemetery where Civil War soldiers were buried. For lunch, you will dine at Castelli's Moonlight, a family-style restaurant with their famous Talk-n-Chic chicken. Next, you will travel to the marina in Grafton, IL and board the Hakuna Matata for an hour of spooky sights and ghostly gulls on a haunted cruise along the Mississippi. Tour includes all listed above and gratuities to escort and driver. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Withdrawal deadline for refund: 9/29.
TRIP:702 | $119 | Age 60+: $119
F08 | F 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. | Dea Hoover | Oct. 19 | MC - Off Campus
Meet tour bus: Lot E, NW side of Meramec campus
F07 | F 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | Dea Hoover | Oct. 19 | FV - Off Campus
Meet tour bus: Top of circular drive between Administration and Social Sciences buildings at the Flo Valley campus

Missouri Illinois Microcosm

Join us to explore a small collection of unusual places and buildings you probably haven't visited. This mystery tour will not disappoint! There are some bumpy roads and a small amount of uneven walking to level sites. It may be a mystery now but well worth seeing. The tour includes bus, lunch, admissions, guide and gratuities. Meet tour bus on Lot E on NW side of Meramec campus. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Withdrawal deadline for refund: 10/4.
TRIP:702 | $109 | Age 60+: $99
F09 | Th 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | Joan Huisinga | Oct. 25 | MC - Off Campus

What's New in The Lou?

Join us for a fun tour of a few of the new things happening in our fair city! After a long renovation, the St. Louis Arch Grounds and Museum have been completely reimagined. The old parking structure has been removed, expanding the amazing park land that surrounds the nation's tallest national monument. Be one of the first to explore the new space and take a Ride to the Top. Before a guided tour of the recently opened National Blues Museum, enjoy a lunch of scrumptious BBQ at Sugarfire, located next door. Trace the history of this iconic musical tradition, from classic artists like Robert Johnson to modern artists like B.B. King and Eric Clapton. With hands-on exhibits, artifacts, and audio-visuals, the National Blues Museum is a feast for the eyes (and ears!). Tour includes: Professional Tour Guide Dea Hoover, motorcoach transportation, tram and entrance at Gateway Arch, lunch at Sugarfire, tour of the National Blues Museum, and all gratuities and arrangements. Withdrawal deadline for refund: 10/14.
TRIP:701 | $109 | Age 60+: $109
F06 | Th 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Dea Hoover | Nov. 1 | FV - Off Campus
Meet tour bus: Top of circular drive between Administration and Social Sciences buildings at the Flo Valley campus
F07 | Th 8:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m. | Dea Hoover | Nov. 1 | MC - Off Campus
Meet tour bus: Lot E, NW side of Meramec campus

Holiday Lights

Over the river and through the woods to holiday lights we go! Join us as we get in the spirit of the season viewing displays in the St. Louis area. Eat a big late lunch as there is no time to stop for dinner as venue lines are long. We will provide simple snacks and cookies on the bus and one venue has a small cafe for a last minute snack but bring your own libations. Drinks will not be provided. Caroling along the way is encouraged, but not led by your tour guide Joan who is tone deaf. Fee covers bus, snacks, admissions and gratuities. Meet tour bus on Lot E on NW side of Meramec campus. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Withdrawal deadline for refund: 11/13.
TRIP:701 | $69 | Age 60+: $62.50
F08 | Tu 4:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. | Joan Huisinga | Dec. 4 | MC - Off Campus

Christmas in Hermann with Amtrak Ride Home

Jingle all the way to the German settlement town of Hermann where you will delight in the Jingle all the way to the German settlement town of Hermann where you will delight in the Kristkindl Market at the Festhalle and enjoy a bit of shopping time on First Street. Christmas Tablescapes in the historic Rotunda Building, elaborate holiday table displays, warm cider, and holiday carols create a fun and festive atmosphere. Next, you will enjoy Christmas traditions at Hermann Farm with a guided tour of the building and house, as well as a visit to the newly restored log homestead complete with a tram ride around the 200-acre farm! For dinner, you will dine at Harvest Table. After dinner, we ride the rails back to Kirkwood and a motorcoach will return us to campus. Tour includes: Professional Tour Guide-Dea Hoover, Motorcoach Transportation, Amtrak ticket from Hermann to Kirkwood, dinner at Harvest Table, Kristkindl Market at Festhalle, Christmas Traditions tour at Hermann Farm, Tablescapes, and all gratuities to driver and guide. Meet tour bus on Lot E on NW side of Meramec campus. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Withdrawal deadline for refund: 11/15.
TRIP:702 | $119 | Age 60+: $119
F10 | Sa 12 p.m.-9:30 p.m. | Dea Hoover | Dec. 8 | MC - Off Campus

Victorian Holiday

Travel back to the late 1800's with our traditional Victorian Holiday tour with a few tweaks this year. Of course, we will start with coffee and scones at Campbell House, one of the best examples of Victorian style in the U.S., decorated lavishly for the holidays with its special gift shop. Our second stop will be the Old Court House for a holiday concert. With the opening of the Arch the Court House should be decorated again this year. High tea will be at the Missouri Athletic Club and their ever changing Gingerbread Village. The last stop will be the historic Samuel Cupples house, a magnificent Renaissance building where we will have a bite of chocolate to top off our day. Both houses have second floors that contain steep steps. Fee covers transportation, food, admissions and gratuities. Meet tour bus on Lot E on NW side of Meramec campus. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Withdrawal deadline for refund: 11/19.
TRIP:701 | $99 | Age 60+: $90
F09 | W 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Joan Huisinga | Dec. 12 | MC - Off Campus

Great Tips for Traveling Abroad

Planning an international trip this year? Many mistakes can be avoided by tapping the brains and experiences of those who've been there. Our instructor has traveled through Italy, Turkey, Austria, England, France, Greece, China and Egypt and has lots of helpful tips for what to bring (and more important: what not to bring!), the best ways to pack, things to do before you leave (home safety) plus lots and lots of tips on traveling internationally. Little things can make a big difference in your experience. If you're planning to go abroad, make this class your first stop!
TRIP:703 | $25 | Age 60+: $21
F01 | Tu 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. | Fred Miller | Sept. 18 | Clayton HS, 123