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Day Tours
in Lifelong Learning
Route 66 Around St Louis
with Charlotte Loss
Hit the open road and discover the charm of historic Route 66! Begin your adventure at Forest Park Visitor Center before heading to the National Museum of Transportation, home to one of the world’s largest collections of vehicles and a preserved piece of the legendary Coral Court Motel. Enjoy a docent-led tour and a fun ride on the miniature train.
Next, savor an included lunch at Twisted Tree, a modern eatery along Route 66, then take a nostalgic drive down Watson Road to see iconic stops like the Wayside Motel and Crestwood Bowl.
No Route 66 trip is complete without dessert at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard! Choose from a mini chip concrete or a classic hot fudge sundae and snap a photo under the famous Route 66 sign.
Wrap up your day at the glowing St. Louis Neon Museum, where vintage signs and luminous artwork capture the retro spirit of America’s most famous highway.
Tour fees, lunch, gratuities, and transportation are included.
Buses will depart and return from the following places and times:
Rend Lake Main Campus at 7:00am; return by 5:30pm
Mt. Vernon MarketPlace at 7:30am; return by 5:00pm
Roots and Rye in Collinsville
with Charlotte Loss
Step back in time and savor the flavors of Collinsville! Begin your day at Willoughby Heritage Farm, where the charm of 1940s farm life comes alive with vintage barns, tractors, and friendly farm animals. Learn how this small Midwestern town became the Horseradish Capital of the U.S., thanks to its rich soil and German roots.
Enjoy a delicious lunch at The Press House, once home to the Collinsville Herald newspaper. Now a vibrant restaurant and distillery, it celebrates the area’s brewing heritage with flavorful meals—and even a touch of horseradish! Afterward, enjoy a private tour of Old Herald Distillery with the owner.
Cap off your day with a visit to Kruta Bakery, a local favorite since 1919. Discover the family’s sweet legacy and sample their signature “fudgie,” a melt-in-your-mouth chocolate delight. Don’t forget to grab a few extra treats to take home!
Tour fees, lunch, gratuities, and transportation are included.
Buses will depart and return from the following places and times:
Rend Lake Main Campus at 8:00am; return by 5:30pm
Mt. Vernon MarketPlace at 8:30am; return by 5:00pm