Day 1 You'll See:
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
St. Louis Chapel Pixabay Public Domain
- Gateway Arch
- Gateway Arch Riverfront Sightseeing Cruise
Day 2 You'll See:
- Busch Stadium Tour
- St. Louis Zoo
Day 3 You'll See:
- City Museum
- Grants Farm
You’re itching to get your students out of the classroom for a few days; everyone could use a breather. Why not round up your dedicated young scholars and head to the Gateway City for a fabulous three-day adventure that gets you around to historic St. Louis highlights and a few fascinating and fun favorites! You’ll explore the Cathedral Basilica, take a ride to the top of the Arch, enjoy an educational riverboat cruise, stop by Grant’s Farm – home of the world-renowned Clydesdales – tour Busch Stadium, spend an afternoon at the St. Louis Zoo, and more! Perfect.
1
Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
A visit to this magnificent superstructure is an ideal way to kick off your St. Louis Experience! This stunning Roman Catholic Church, a work of architectural art defying simple description, was completed in 1914 as the “replacement” for the beloved “Old Cathedral” located on the historic riverfront. Guests journey from around the world to view its breathtaking mosaic installation (which is one of the largest in the Western Hemisphere and was created from 41.5 million glass pieces in 7000 colors!) burial crypts, museum and 14 foot Angel of Harmony sculpture on the side lawn of the church.
Gateway Arch
Get ready to check out a true St. Louis exclusive with a trip to the top of this fabulous historic landmark, the Nation’s tallest monument, iconic designer “tribute in steel” to the Westward Expansion of the United States, and most-recognizable Midwestern attraction! The magnificent Arch springs powerfully from the riverfront Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in downtown St. Louis – near the starting point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition - to a towering 630 feet, (63 stories!) cutting an imposing silhouette against the city skyline. A quick tram ride the summit tenders an incredible bird’s eye view – you can see 30 miles in any direction on a clear day! Be sure to check out the Museum of Westward Expansion located in the visitor center just inside the Arch.
Gateway Arch Riverfront- 1 Hour Sightseeing Cruise
Once you’ve explored the awesome Gateway to the West, you and your students will embark on a delightful, one-hour educational sightseeing cruise! You’ll hear all about the Mississippi River, the Gateway Arch, and other historic landmarks and haul up a boatload of fascinating details about the architecture and history of St. Louis. Your capable captain is joined by a Park Ranger who assists in narrating your journey back in time aboard the Tom Sawyer or Becky Thatcher – the only riverboats still operating on the St. Louis waterfront! How about a little post-excursion meal at the Arch View Café?
2
Busch Stadium Tour
The St. Louis Cardinals opened their brand-new stadium with a 6-4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, going on to become the first team in almost 100 years to win a World Series Championship in the inaugural season of a ballpark. Fans of this MLB mega-stars will enjoy exploring the new “retro” Busch Stadium – excellent tours are offered year-round and treat visitors to a unique look at the home of their favorite team. Admire the World Series trophies in the Champions Club, drop by the locker rooms, thrill to the view from the Radio Broadcast Booth and imagine yourself a big leaguer in the Cardinals Dugout! These tours are an incredible experience for Cards lovers of all ages and even include a sweet discount at the Official Team Store – grab yourself a “licensed souvenir” you’re certain to cherish almost as much as the memory of your Busch Stadium adventure!
St. Louis Zoo
This fabulous Show Me State attraction nestled in 1371 acre Forest Park credits the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair for its humble beginnings, with the acquisition of a large walk-through bird cage constructed as a Fair Exhibit that was slated for dismantling and return to Washington, D.C. Today, the 90-acre St. Louis Zoo is the happy home to more than 19,000 animals across 655 species and features six fabulous “zones” housing special habitats, each presenting the animals at their very best. You’ll find big cats and herds of hooved creatures in Red Rock Country, fun and educational exhibits including the Butterfly House at the Children’s Zoo in Discovery Corner, bears, penguins and puffins in The Wild and the original 1904 Flight Cage and an entire world of feathered, leathered, fingered-and-funny faced residents on Historic Hill. The immersive River’s Edge experience introduces you to bee-eaters, sun bears, giant anteaters and more, while Lakeside Crossing, open in the warmer months, lets you hang out at Sea Lion Sound and cavort at Caribbean Cove, and actually touch the sharks, rays and horseshoe crabs cruisin’ and chillin’ in their “native” waters! Shopping and dining opportunities abound, ensuring you and your safari partners stay well-fueled on your adventure; hop aboard the Zooline for their popular narrated 1 ½ mile railroad tour, then catch a cheetah or pick a polar bear and go for a wonderful whirl on the 64-animal Conservation Carousel! Remember: “Animals, Always!”
3
City Museum
Day Three of your amazing St. Louis experience begins with a visit to an unbelievably cool place where imaginations run wild and fondest childhood dreams come true! Housed in a recycled 600,000 square foot shoe company, this ever-evolving “museum” is a wonderful, eclectic fusion of post-apocalyptic playground, midway funhouse, surrealistic treehouse pavilion, and more than four stories of absolute architectural marvel created from ordinary, unique and amazing found objects. The brainchild of internationally acclaimed artist Bob Cassilly, the City Museum opened in 1997 to the vigorous roar of approval of young and old, alike. “Grown” from the very stuff of the city, this beyond-awesome St. Louis institution springs from urban roots deeper than all others’. Scavenging resources solely within municipal borders for its reclaimed materials and turning them into fantastic playthings and whimsical objets d’art, City Museum boasts fun features like cool salvaged bridges, archaic construction cranes, “actual miles” of tile, and two abandoned planes! The Museum affords visitors of all ages an opportunity to explore repurposed worlds of unbelievable interactive adventure!
Grants Farm
In 1848, 18th President Ulysses S. Grant and his new bride, Julia Dent, received 80 acres of Dent family land as a wedding gift; in 1855, Grant took to sawing and notching the logs necessary to build a four-room, two-story cabin on the property, which was completed with the help of friends in just three days. The Grants established their farm and appropriately named it “Hardscrabble.” Years later the cabin - which had been moved for display at the 1904 World’s Fair - was purchased by August Busch Sr. and returned to Hardscrabble, just a mile from its original location, where it was restored to its present condition. Narrated tram rides treat guests to stunning views of the Farm’s historic highlights and an incredible menagerie of nearly 1000 animals representative of more than 100 species around the world. Grant’s Farm promises a good time for everyone: rent a swan-shaped paddle boat and hit the lake, feed baby goats, and twittering parakeets and tour Grant’s Cabin and the Bauernhof- the first building constructed on the Busch family estate. See the world-renowned carriage collection and stop by the Clydesdale Stable to be photographed with the Farm’s most famous residents. Take a turn on the colorful carousel and find your seat on a waiting camel; an array of delightful dining options tender a carnival of delicious favorites, including hot dogs and brats, pretzels and pizza, funnel cakes, frosty refreshments, and frozen delights. Gift shops are conveniently scattered about the Farm, so you’ll find plenty of opportunities to harvest a perfect souvenir of your visit!