Compare Roaming Western Trails by Tours of Distinction vs To Missouri & Beyond: Space & Robots With Your Grandchild by Road Scholar
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 8 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 3,789 | $ 1,199 |
| Price Per Day | $ 474 | $ 171 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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N/A |
| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | No |
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| Description |
Blaze an unforgettable trail experiencing the legends and lore of America’s Wild West. This trip includes a medley of manmade and natural attractions – of gargantuan proportions - from Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons, to Mount Rushmore, and the Crazy Horse Memorial. Channel your inner pioneer spirit as you meet a colorful cast of characters in Cody, and the rough and tumble town of Deadwood. Unwind in the splendor of Jackson Hole’s profoundly beautiful landscape brimming with wildlife. Watch herds of buffalo graze against majestic mountain ranges as you float on Snake River, marvel at the timely precision of Old Faithful in Yellowstone, and have a close encounter with the nation’s first National Monument, Devil’s Tower in this small group guided tour. |
Set out on an adventure of discovery in St. Louis, where you’ll build a robot, simulate a space mission, learn about constellations and inspire your grandchild to shoot for the stars! |
Day 1 - Arrive Salt Lake City, Utah
If you’ve ever wanted to know what it was like to be an early Frontiersman, now is your chance! Transfer to the airport for your flight to Salt Lake City. Upon arrival, we will be greeted by our local guide and our awaiting motor-coach. Enjoy a city tour of Salt Lake City, where we will see downtown, the Capitol, Temple Square and more. We will check into our hotel before our ‘welcome’ dinner.
Day 2 - Salt Lake City - Jackson, WY
This morning, we will head over to Temple Square after breakfast. Here we will have a chance to see the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s weekly broadcast performance. After, we say goodbye to Salt Lake City as we travel north along the shores of the Great Salt Lake. We will travel through Logan Canyon to beautiful Bear Lake for an included lunch. We will arrive into the fun town of Jackson, WY. Once we check into our hotel, the evening is free to explore the many shops, art galleries and restaurants on your own.
Day 3 - Jackson - Yellowstone National Park
This morning after breakfast, we are in for a wonderful experience as we are introduced to Grand Teton National Park on a half day scenic float trip on the Snake River! Enjoy amazing views of the Teton Mountains and wildlife viewing opportunities as your guide explains the geology and history of the area. After the float trip, we continue sightseeing of Grand Teton which will include: Jenny Lake, Colter Bay and Jackson Lake. Next, we enter into Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first National Park, for sightseeing including the heart of the park, Old Faithful. There will be time to witness an eruption and explore Old Faithful Village and the many thermal features in the area. Later this afternoon, we travel to West Yellowstone and check into our hotel. This evening is free to explore and have dinner on your own.
Day 4 - Yellowstone National Park - Cody, WY
After breakfast, we head back into Yellowstone National Park for another day of sightseeing. We will visit the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and pass through Hayden Valley and along the shores of Yellowstone Lake. As we exit the park, we enter into the historic town of Cody, where we will tour the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which is five museums under one roof. Tonight, we enjoy food and entertainment at the Cody Cattle Company with a chuckwagon style dinner, traditional cowboy music and some laughs. Then, there is exciting cowboy action at the Cody Nite Rodeo!
Day 5 - Cody - Rapid City, SD
We will depart Cody after breakfast and continue East crossing the Bighorn Mountain. Our first stop is at Devil’s Tower National Monument for sightseeing of the country’s first National Monument. Later this afternoon, we will arrive at the historic town of Deadwood for sightseeing. This is a rough and tumble western town famous for outlaws, gunslingers and lawmen alike. There will be time to explore the town and have dinner, on your own, before continuing on to Rapid City, SD for a two night stay.
Day 6 - Rapid City
After breakfast, we take a short drive to Badlands National Park for sightseeing. This famous park consists of nearly 243,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest, protected mixed grass prairie in the United States. After lunch, we travel to Custer State Park and the historic State Game Lodge to get up close and personal with the residents of this park as you head out on a Wildlife Jeep Safari to view the buffalo herds and much more. Next, we make our way to the Crazy Horse Monument for sightseeing of the unfinished mountain carving and insight into the Lakota culture. Then, join the group for an included dinner followed by a wonderfully patriotic and inspiring event as we attend the Mt. Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony!
Day 7 - Rapid City - Cheyenne, WY
We start our day after breakfast with a beautiful drive to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, where we will have morning views of this magnificent monument. Depart the Black Hills and take your journey south returning to the plains of Wyoming. We make a stop at Fort Laramie National Historic Site for sightseeing and a picnic lunch. This afternoon, we continue to the capitol city of Cheyenne and check into our hotel. After, we have time to freshen up, we will enjoy a ‘farewell’ dinner, at the hotel.
Day 8 - Depart Cheyenne
After breakfast, we take a Trolley Tour of Cheyenne. After, a nice introduction to the city, we arrive at the Cheyenne Frontier Days grounds to experience a ‘Behind the Chutes Tour.’ The Cheyenne Frontier Days Arena is the home of the world’s largest outdoor rodeo each July. Get a first-hand look at what goes on during the rodeo from behind the scenes. This exiting tour follows the path of the bulls and broncs as the animals are rounded up and threaded through the maze of gates on their way to the chutes and out into the arena with cowboy in tow. A special experience awaits as we step into the chutes and finish the tour by walking across the arena. This afternoon, we will enjoy a western lunch before departing Cheyenne for the Denver International Airport for your departing flight.
Day 1 Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner, Mad Science St. Charles
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Program Registration: 4:30 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the meeting room (adjacent to the breakfast room) to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
We’ll be joined by the “Mad Science” team who will lead us through an exciting interactive experiment. Then continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night's rest for the day ahead.
In the hotel breakfast room at 5:45 p.m.
Day 2 St. Louis Science Center, Planetarium, Swim, Experiment St. Charles
Getting on/off a bus. Walking at St. Louis Science Center, seating available.
We will board our bus for a field trip to the St. Louis Science Center, one of the top four science centers in the nation. In a classroom setting, our goal will be to fill an entire area with a functioning Rube Goldberg machine. We’ll work together as a group to create a machine using dominoes, ramps, buckets, and levers in order to flip on a switch. After our hands-on experiment is finished, we’ll have time to explore the Science Center on our own.
Next, we’ll stop by a true St. Louis icon on historic Route 66 for a special treat. We’ll then take a short ride to the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, one of the nation’s leading space education facilities. We’ll explore the planetarium’s space exhibits and see the Gateway to the Solar System Show in its unique, dome-shaped auditorium. Simply by looking up, we’ll learn about past, present, and future planetary phenomena while exploring the solar system, discovering planets, moons, and more in the St. Louis sky. When done, we’ll board the bus and go to dinner.
Returning to the hotel, we’ll gather in the breakfast area at 7:00 p.m. for an engineering challenge. The remainder of the evening is at leisure for a swim in the pool (with grandparents present), spending time with new Road Scholar friends, or just relaxing.
In the hotel breakfast room.
At a local eatery.
At a local restaurant.
Day 3 Boeing Prologue Room, Lego Robotics, PJ Party & Movie St. Charles
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 15 miles each way, approximately 1/2 hour. Standing in Boeing Prologue Room.
We will ride to the Boeing Prologue Room, then watch a short introductory film about the history of flight. We’ll then have an expert-led exploration of the interactive museum that teaches the history of aviation through exhibits, artifacts, and media presentations. After our field trip, we’ll ride to Bricks 4 Kidz.
STEM refers to science, technology, engineering, and math. At Bricks 4 Kidz, an expert STEM instructor will lead us in learning how to build robots using EV3 Lego-robotics kits. We will learn about sensor inputs and robotic brain outputs as we program the robots to perform assigned tasks.
Returning to the hotel, we’ll wear our PJs and meet in the breakfast room for a movie night with popcorn and refreshments.
In the hotel breakfast room.
At Bricks 4 Kidz, we’ll have boxed lunches.
At a local restaurant.
Day 4 Challenger Space Center, Free Time to Explore Main Street St. Charles
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 13 miles each way, approximately 1/2 hour. Walking and standing at field trip site.
We will set out on a field trip to the Challenger Learning Center and participate in a simulated space mission. We’ll have an opportunity to become an “astronaut” on board the Space Center and/or take a turn at working for Mission Control.
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. Take this opportunity to explore the historic St. Charles area on your own. To mix a bit of history into our science experiences, you might like to walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark in the river town where their expedition began. Or, visit the boat house, quaint shops, or restaurants.
In the hotel breakfast room.
At the Challenger Learning Center, we’ll have boxed lunches before returning to the hotel.
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. There are many choices on Main Street in St. Charles.
Day 5 Drones & Other Electronic Gizmos St. Charles
Getting on/off a bus. Walking 2-3 miles and standing.
After a short bus ride to St. Charles Community College, we will spend the day with drones and other gizmos. We’ll test different kinds of drones and learn to fly a drone to take home. While the drones take a break to recharge, we’ll join in challenges with other electronic gadgets and gizmos.
We will continue our drone flying on an obstacle course and then have a Drone Blimp Battle Royale. The drones will have helium balloons attached, and each competitor will try to pop all of the other balloons until only one drone remains!
We’ll gather to watch the movie “Monument to the Dream” about the engineering feat that made the Gateway Arch possible.
In the hotel breakfast room.
At St. Charles Community College, we will have pre-selected boxed lunches.
In the hotel breakfast room.
Day 6 Design & Launch Rockets, St. Charles Community College St. Charles
Getting on/off a bus. Walking and standing at college campus.
We will ride to St. Charles Community College where we’ll be joined by a true science aficionado and participate in a hands-on activity focusing on the physics of flight. We’ll spend our morning learning about the history of rockets, from the early development of Chinese fireworks through the use in weapons during WWII all the way to the U.S. space program to the moon. Then we’ll build our own rockets!
We’ll continue learning about the mechanics of thrust and stability by launching the rockets we built this morning. After the rocket launch — if needed — we will do repairs so that we can take our rockets home for future blastoffs.
Upon returning to the hotel the remainder of the evening is at leisure for a swim in the pool (with grandparents present), spending time with new Road Scholar friends, or just relaxing. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
In the hotel breakfast room.
On campus.
At St. Charles Community College, we’ll have a barbecue dinner. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Day 7 Program Concludes St. Charles
Hotel check out 12:00 Noon.
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
In the hotel breakfast room. This concludes our program.
