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Optional Tours |
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Destination: St. Louis One of the great things about National Convention and Symposium is the opportunity to explore the host city with professional guides. Join fellow Exchangites and guests on the optional tours set up just for you! The tours include round-trip transportation, an escort or certified tour guide, and all applicable admissions, including taxes. Listed times below indicate when tours depart and return to the hotel. Meals are included in tour price only when noted. Tours may be cancelled if the minimum number of tour guests is not reached. Sign up for tours on the Convention Events Package Form. Reservations are due by May 30, 2008.
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Gateway to St. Louis - Monday,
July 7, 1 – 5 p.m. or Wednesday, July 9, 1 – 5 p.m. - Trace the
history of St. Louis on this bus tour, beginning with the city’s
original settlement, Laclede’s Landing. The tour will stop at the
famous Gateway Arch, the Nation’s tallest monument, commemorating
the gateway to the west for thousands of 19th century
pioneers. You will have the opportunity to take a tram ride to the
top for a unique bird’s eye view of the city. Just east of the Arch,
the bus will then pass the excursion riverboats and floating casinos
that call the Mississippi River home. Enjoy a view of the Old
Cathedral, the oldest cathedral west of the Mississippi. Across the
street is the Old Courthouse, the setting for cases involving
slavery, most notably, the Dred Scott Freedom Trial. The tour will
take you by the new Busch Stadium, the International Bowling Hall of
Fame, and the St. Louis Union Station. The tour will then stop at
the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, which houses one of the largest
collections of mosaics in the world—84,000 square feet in 8,000
shades of color. Explore the historic Central West End neighborhood,
the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Complex, and the mansions bordering
Forest Park, site of the 1904 World’s Fair.
Cost per person: $37 (includes admission to Gateway Arch and a
donation to Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis)
A visit to Grant’s Farm -
Wednesday, July 9,
9 a.m. - Noon - Enjoy a visit to Grant’s Farm, the 281-acre
estate of the late August A. Busch, Jr. The estate is owned and
operated by Anheuser-Busch Companies. Start your adventure at
Grant Station, where you will board a tram for a tour of the
grounds, including the Tier Garten amphitheater, which holds
educational elephant and bird shows. You will then visit the
historic Bauernhof, the first building constructed on the Busch
family estate in 1913. The Bauernhof is typical of a 19th
century Bavarian farm and you will have a chance to enjoy
refreshments as you view the elegant stables and one of the
largest carriage collections. The tram will wind through Deer
Park, a game preserve where antelope, buffalo, and other animals
roam in a natural 160-acre habitat. You will pass Grant’s Cabin,
the log home built by Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th
president of the United States. Your tour will end with a visit
to the Clydesdale stallion barn.
Cost per person: $35
The Anheuser-Busch Brewery -
Wednesday, July 9, 1 – 4:30 p.m. - Learn about the rich history of
the colorful Busch family en route to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery.
Situated in a 100-acre complex, the brewery’s 70-plus red brick
structures are known for their unique architecture and several are
National Historic Landmarks. During the tour you will see the
world-famous Clydesdales, the Fermentation Building, the Packaging
and Bottling Plant, and the Brew House. You will also view a film
about the brewing process. No visit would be complete without a stop
in the hospitality room to sample the family of Anheuser-Busch
products.
Cost per person: $25