Day 1 You'll See:
- Gateway Arch - 9 am
- Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruise - 11:30 am
- Ted Drewes/Jilly’s - 2:30 pm
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis - 4 pm
- City Museum -6 pm
Learning in St. Louis is definitely not all work and no play, this sparkling city serving as the 'Gateway to the West', an area absolutely steeped in history, tradition, and unique culture. Spend a day in St. Loui exploring the Arch, the Mississippi River, local delicacies, and historic buildings, learning things all along the way!
1
Gateway Arch - A trip to St. Louis, the Gateway City, would be remiss without an exploration excursion of the iconic Gateway Arch, the nation's tallest national monument. The Gateway Arch rises 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, cutting an imposing silhouette against the city skyline. A quick tram ride the top affords guests an incredible bird’s eye view of up to 30 miles in any direction on a clear day. Be sure your group's visit to the “Gateway to the West” includes a stop at the wonderful Museum of Westward Expansion located in the visitor center just inside the Arch. Also be sure to explore the history of the Old Courthouse, the site of the Dred Scott supreme court decision in 1847 and 1850, located just a block away from the Arch.
Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruise - One of the most unknown yet rewarding and educational experiences your student group can do in St. Louis is the Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruise, a St. Louis Riverfront hidden gem. With this opportunity your group will travel back to ‘a time where steamboats ruled the Mississippi, the most popular cruise being the 1-hour sightseeing cruise. These cruises happen in-season (March - November) based on river conditions and provide groups with education and entertainment all in one. Your group can conveniently choose a Gateway Arch and Riverboat Cruise combo pack, as well as boxed lunch and dinner options aboard the boat with the 1-hour tour.
Ted Drewes/Jilly’s - For a bit of a break and a delicious one at that take your group to either Ted Drewes or Jilly’s both local dessert staples that we guarantee your students will love. Ted Drewes is a popular local Frozen Custard eatery with tons of history, the story behind it all almost as decadent as the ice cream itself! To order your custards and concretes here walk up to the window and choose your poison, with monthly specials, seasonal staples, and over 40 toppings and add ons to boot. Try a Cinna-Crunch Concrete with bananas, or perhaps a S' more with Mocha.
For cupcakes and cafe foods you can’t resist (and will certainly want to make a trip back for) head to Jilly’s Cafe and Cupcake Bar, a true STL treat. Here you will find creative cupcakes, sandwiches, salads, and handmade ice cream, all made with the ‘freshest and best ingredients together with incredible bakers and pastry chefs’. This spot is fun and delicious, voted the ‘Best Cupcake in Missouri’ by Daily Meals. Flavors range from Key Lime to S'mores Cheesecake as far as specials go (ever-changing), though the classics are what keep the locals coming back for more. Try the 24 Karat Carrot Cake, Twisted Pink Velvet, or M&M and Brownie Kaboom.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis - The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is a marvelous historic Roman Catholic church, located in St. Louis’ Central West End. This iconic St. Louis site stands at 226’ with beautiful Romanesque Revival and Byzantine Revival architectural styles. Here you will find the epicenter of the STL Archdiocese, the spot providing daily Mass, tours, gift shopping, and regular church services. The interior is truly breath-taking, with ornate mosaics and furnishings on the inside, the iconic green-tiled dome and bell towers on the outside. Visit the Mosaic Museum on the church's lower level before you go!
City Museum - “Welcome to City Museum, where the imagination runs wild!” Housed in a recycled 600,000 square foot shoe company, this constantly evolving “museum” is a wonderful, eclectic fusion of post-apocalyptic playground, midway funhouse, surrealistic treehouse pavilion, and more than four stories of architectural marvel created from ordinary, unique and amazing found objects. The Museum affords visitors of all ages an opportunity to play, learn, discover, and imagine...to giggle in delight, gasp with amazement and explore a repurposed world full of unbelievable interactive adventure!