Show Me Missouri featuring St. Louis, Kansas City and Branson

Depart via motorcoach from the Detroit area going to the Show Me! State, Missouri. Missouri has a storehouse of things to offer. End the day at The Drury Inn where heavy snacks and a cocktail reception await. (Snacks, Cocktail Hour)

Today pick up a local guide to see the sights of St. Louis. See Union Station, home of the 1904 World's Fair, and many other sights. In the afternoon, take time to visit the Gateway Arch National Park. You may go up into the arch ($18 pp) or stay on the terra firma to learn about the expansion westward through many exhibits. Also visit the city garden, an oasis in the middle of the busy city. Everyone will take a ride on the Becky Thatcher Riverboat on the Mississippi River. Enjoy evening snacks and a cocktail hour at The Drury Inn. (B, Snacks, Cocktail Hour)

After breakfast at the hotel, travel westward to Winston Churchill's Museum of America. This exhibition focuses on Winston Churchill's mastery of language and how the words in his "Sinews of Peace" speech changed the course of history. Widely

known as the "Iron Curtain" speech, Churchill's address on March 5, 1946 at Westminster College in Fulton, MO warned the world of the looming threat of the Soviet Union in Europe. A self-proclaimed pastime painter, see some of his work. Continue to Kansas City, known for its BBQ, for a lunch like none you have eaten before. Visit the Steamboat Arabia, which sank near Kansas City on September 5, 1856, and carried 200 tons of mystery cargo. Lost for 132 years, its recovery in 1988 was like finding the King Tut's Tomb of the Missouri River. The discovery was truly a modern day treasure-hunting story at its best. The treasures of the Steamboat Arabia connect to American history in a new and exciting way. This is an exhibit like no other. Visit the Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden to view lovely plants, sculptures, etc. Overnight in a Kansas City suburb at The Hyatt Place. (B,L)

After an included breakfast, discover how a teenager from Nebraska tucked two shoeboxes of postcards under his arms and set out to create an iconic company in Kansas City. More than 100 years later, the Hallmark billion-dollar brand contains a diverse portfolio of businesses. Combined with one of the world's largest creative communities, Hallmark helps to foster a more emotionally connected world. The Hallmark Visitor's Center is located in the Crown Center complex, in downtown Kansas City, MO. Enjoy a boxed lunch this afternoon. Continue to the Precious Moments complex. The Precious Moments Chapel has often been described as "America's Sistine Chapel" as an artful representation of Michelangelo's own Sistine Chapel in Rome. The Chapel welcomes thousands of visitors annually. Of course there is a gift shop. We are going to take a slight turn for a short visit to Bentonville, Arkansas. Bentonville is the city Sam Walton built. Dinner will be at Table at Hickory Inn. Arrive Comfort Suites for the evening. (B,L,D)

The town square of Bentonville is a must see. See the first local Walmart Five and Dime Store, quite a few boutiques, a Native American History Center that is quaint and has a good character to it. There is a book store, coffee shop and more. Meet at the coffee shop to visit Mrs. Walton's life project, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. It is a renowned collection ranging from Rockwell to Warhol in a striking structure set on 120 lush acres. Crystal Bridges boasts collections of painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, and installation art. Enjoy lunch on your own at Eleven, the restaurant at Crystal Bridges. Hop on the coach and head for a two night stay in Branson. Arrive in time for dinner at the SS Dockside Cafe and the Hughes Brothers Music Show. Retire for the evening at The Center Pointe Inn for two nights. (B,D)

This morning enjoy an included breakfast at the Uptown Cafe. See the heartwarming film about the history of the Ozarks, and one of the first families to the area, "Ozarks, Legacy and Legends" at the Imax Theatre. Make a stop at the Branson Mall and shop the more than 200 vendors plus enjoy lunch on your own. Take time to rest your feet or check out what's near the hotel before Dolly Parton's Stampede with a fabulous feast and 32 magnificent horses with an amazing cast of top notch riders. (B,D)

Breakfast is at the hotel before check out. See the multi-talented 7 time Branson Vocalist of the year, Doug Gabriel, along with his talented family and a comedian. Board the coach and relax on the return to St. Louis. Heavy snacks and cocktails are offered at The Drury Inn this evening. (B, Snacks, Cocktail Hour)

Breakfast is included today. Travel home with wonderful memories of your Show Me Missouri tour. (B)