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Turn Your Group
Into a Modern Day "Corps of Discovery"
By Exploring Lewis & Clark Sites
in St. Louis

Group leaders searching for an adventurous new itinerary should follow in the footsteps of Lewis & Clark and explore St. Louis. Many of the significant points along the eastern edge of Lewis & Clark's famous route are located in the St. Louis area along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and can be enjoyed by groups year-round.

The itinerary, which brings the Lewis & Clark expedition to life, appeals to adventure-seekers and history lovers alike. Using St. Louis as a base, modern day explorers can board their motorcoaches to find a multitude of Lewis & Clark-related activities plus enjoy the fine restaurants, outstanding hotels and many attractions of St. Louis - the largest city along the Lewis & Clark trail.

Group leader Meriwether Lewis spent years planning for his historic trip. By following this itinerary, all you need to remember is to pack enough pens and paper to keep a personal journal of your group's St. Louis adventure.


Day One

Start your trip at the site where America's monumental journey of exploration began: the Gateway Arch (www.gatewayarch.com) (1.5-2.5 hrs.). Beneath the Arch, at the Museum of Westward Expansion (www.gatewayarch.com) (15-45 minutes), "meet" the animatronic figure of explorer William Clark, view murals of scenes along Lewis & Clark's journey and read excerpts from Captain Lewis' journal. The tram ride to the top of the Arch ends with a spectacular view from 630 feet high above the Mississippi River launch site of Lewis & Clark's keelboats. Throughout 2006, the Arch's Odyssey Theatre presents the National Geographic large format film "Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West" which takes movie-goers back 200 years to experience a monumental quest - the journey of Lewis, Clark and their Corps of Discovery through the adventure, danger and beauty of the unmapped West.

Your group can stroll along the riverbank and through the cobblestone streets of Laclede's Landing (www.lacledeslanding.org) (1-2 hrs.). The historic buildings that once served as warehouses for the fur trade and steamboat lines now house lively clubs, shops and restaurants. While roaming the riverbank it will be hard to miss the magnificent sculpture depicting the famous explorers' proud arrival in St. Louis at the completion of their expedition. Titled "The Captains' Return," the 23-foot-high sculpture by world-renowned artist Harry Weber, looms large on the banks of the Mississippi just south of the historic Eads Bridge and downhill from the Gateway Arch. The bronze depiction of Lewis, Clark and Lewis' dog Seaman weighs more than three-and-a-half tons.

See William Clark's journal, his clothing and other artifacts of the expedition from an extensive Lewis & Clark collection at the Missouri History Museum (www.mohistory.org) (1-2 hrs.). Located in Forest Park (http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/parks), site of the famous 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, the museum also features items from Clark's St. Louis office or "council room" where he performed his duties as a federal Indian agent. On view is the original Louisiana Purchase Transfer Document that formalized the transfer of the Upper Louisiana Territory from Spain to France to the United States on March 9 and 10, 1804. Among the signers of that document: Meriwether Lewis. Etched into the stone walkway at the museum's north entrance is a map of the Louisiana Purchase territory that traces the Corps of Discovery route.

Pay homage to William Clark with a visit to his gravesite in Bellefontaine Cemetery (15-30 min.). An elaborate granite obelisk and bust of the explorer mark his final resting place which faces the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. The cemetery is open daily; maps to the gravesite are available from the cemetery office. At Calvary Cemetery, adjacent to Clark's resting place at Bellefontaine, see the gravesite and monument to four Native Americans who met and aided Lewis, Clark and the Corps of Discovery during the expedition. Known as the "St. Louis Warriors" - Black Eagle, Man-of-the-Morning/Speaking Eagle, No-Horns-on-His-Head and Rabbit-Skin-Leggings - were members of the Nez Perce tribe.

Before their triumphant return to St. Louis, captains Lewis, Clark and the corps members spent the final night of their return voyage at Fort Belle Fontaine, the first U.S. military fort west of the Mississippi. Interpretive markers, set high on a bluff that provides spectacular views of the Missouri River at Fort Belle Fontaine County Park (www.stlouisco.com/parks/ftbellefontaine.html) (30 min.), describe the events of Lewis & Clark's stay there. The extremely wooded riverbank looks much as it would have when Lewis & Clark were there.

Dining Suggestion: You can see William Clark's star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame (www.stlouiswalkoffame.org) and explore the flavors of the world in The Loop, a lively St. Louis neighborhood that is home to a virtual united nation's of multicultural restaurants. Clark's star and biographic plaque, located at 6619 Delmar, are among 100 such tributes to famous St. Louisans that glitter on the sidewalks along Delmar Boulevard.


Day Two

The Lewis & Clark State Historic Site (www.campriverdubois.com) (1-2 hrs.) in nearby Hartford, Illinois, is the site of Lewis & Clark's Camp Dubois winter campground. A film introduces visitors to the camp and describes the preparations for the trip made there by the members of the Corps of Discovery. A highlight is a full-sized replica of the 55-foot-long keelboat Lewis & Clark used to explore the Missouri River and the log cabin encampment. Behind the Historic Site, along the banks of the Mississippi River, groups can literally see the confluence of the nation's two great rivers - the Mississippi and Missouri - that provided Lewis & Clark their watery highway to the West. A monument comprised of eleven stone pillars, one for each state the explorers passed through on their trek to the Pacific, marks the site. While on the Illinois side of the Mississippi, visit the Cahokia Courthouse (www.illinoishistory.gov/hs/cahokia_courthouse.htm) (30-45 min.) Constructed in 1740, it is the oldest standing building that was part of the United States government during the period when Lewis & Clark were in the region and an excellent example of Colonial French log construction known as poteaux-sur-solle. The Courthouse was where Clark received and sent correspondence from Thomas Jefferson and where he and Lewis met with territorial leaders. An exhibit within the building relates to Lewis & Clark's experiences in the area.

In his journals, William Clark referenced the many Indian burial mounds that filled the landscape in and around St. Louis. Today, groups can take a trip 1300 years back in time via a visit to Cahokia Mounds Historic Site (www.cahokiamounds.com) (1-3 hrs.). This United Nations World Heritage archeological site, once home to more than 20,000 persons, contains the remains of the largest pre-Columbian city north of Mexico. A fascinating film, interactive exhibits and archeological artifacts highlight the way of life of these ancient "St. Louisans."


Day Three

At Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center (mdc.mo.gov/areas/cnc/powder), (1 hr.) located only 20-minutes from downtown St. Louis off fabled Route 66, an exhibit titled, "St. Louis: Founded With Wildlife," demonstrates the role of wildlife trade in the development of St. Louis and credits the Lewis & Clark expedition with the expansion of that enterprise. Visitors also can explore Powder Valley's 112-forested acres via three trails of different lengths and difficulty including a level one-third mile paved path that is baby stroller and wheelchair accessible. Paths are shared with wild turkeys, chipmunks, raccoons and the whitetail deer that call the forest home. Powder Valley is operated free of charge by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Your group can see the merging of the nation's two great rivers on which Lewis & Clark traveled - the Mississippi and Missouri from two conservation sites: the Edward "Ted" and Pat Jones Confluence Point State Park (www.mostateparks.com/confluence.htm) and the viewing station at the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area (www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/areas/bottom).(1-2 hrs.) Well-designed interpretive signage about the Lewis & Clark expedition greet guests at the entrance to the Columbia Bottom Nature Center.

St. Louis' neighboring community of St. Charles, Missouri served as the expedition's first campsite along the Missouri River during May, 1804. The Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center (www.lewisandclark.net) (1 hr.) is home to three replicas of the boats used by the Corps of Discovery and exhibits about the Missouri River and the Corps' time in St. Charles. Each May, St. Charles holds the Lewis and Clark Rendezvous, a re-enactment of the encampment, replete with historically accurate costumed participants, black powder rifle shoots and other frontier craft demonstrations. The town's Historic Main Street is filled with charming craft, antique and specialty shops and several dining options.

Active groups can hike or bike along 165-miles of the Lewis & Clark Trail via the Katy Trail (www.mostateparks.com/katytrail.htm) (1-8 hrs.), a former railroad right-of-way turned bike path that winds its way from St. Charles through the scenic Missouri Wine Country. The explorers' journals mention that they passed by famed frontiersman Daniel Boone's homestead. Your group can visit the Daniel Boone Home and Boonesfield Village (www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/7109) (1-2 hrs.), a settlement of early-1800s buildings located near the Wine Country town of Augusta, which is open for viewing from March through November.

Dining Suggestion: The Cheese Shop at scenic Mount Pleasant Winery (www.mountpleasant.com) in Augusta, Missouri, offers a variety of cheeses, meats, crackers, fruit and homemade breads.

For additional information about St. Louis group travel itineraries or to receive a copy of a Group Tour Manual, contact the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission at 1-800-916-0037 or visit www.ExploreStLouis.com/grouptours/index.asp on the World Wide Web.  		 
 

MEDIA NOTE: For more information or photography of St. Louis, send an e-mail to pr@explorestlouis.com or call Becky Sharp at 1-314-992-0652. For up-to-date information about St. Louis, your readers should call the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission at 1-800-916-0040 or check out our website at www.explorestlouis.com. This news release is also available in electronic form. To obtain an electronic version, e-mail your request to pr@explorestlouis.com or go to St. Louis’ online media center at www.explorestlouis.com/media.