Day 1 – Home to Quincy, IL
Our adventure south to experience the breathtaking beauty in St. Louis and fragrance of the dogwood & azalea blossoms begins today! We will travel to Quincy, Illinois and check into our hotel, where we’ll enjoy a delightful dinner as we get to know one another.
Hotel: Town & Country Inn
Included Meals: Dinner
Day 2 – Quincy to St. Louis, MO
After an included breakfast we will make our way to St. Louis for a delightful riverboat cruise on the Mighty Mississippi. As we travel back in time on a replica 19th century paddlewheel, we’ll enjoy a boxed lunch & gain a water’s perspective of the Arch. Then we’ll get to experience the majestic Gateway Arch, which standing at 630 ft., is the nation’s tallest man-made monument. We’ll start by learning the fascinating “stories below” in The Museum & by watching the Monument to the Dream documentary movie. Next we’ll take in the magnificent “sights above” as we take the tram ride to the top! Checking into the Drury Inn, we’ll partake in the Drury’s Kickback Reception, which is a complete, light meal.
Hotel: Drury Inn
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Drury Kickback
Day 3 – St. Louis to Sikeston, MO
We’ll have breakfast before a local step-on guide takes us on a Discover St. Louis City Tour. Here’s our architecture! We’ll explore downtown St. Louis & the riverfront, the historic neighborhoods of Soulard & Lafayette Square, have a driving tour of Forest Park, plus a tour of the incredible Cathedral Basilica – the interior is adorned with one of the largest collections of mosaic tile in the world! Then after a delicious St. Louis BBQ lunch at Pappy’s Smokehouse, we’ll visit the oldest settlement in Missouri, St. Genevieve. This community is filled with tons of historic charm! At their Centre for French Colonial Life, we’ll delve deeper into the French & Spanish colonial periods through the museum and tour a couple historic homes. Departing, we make our way to Sikeston for a two night stay. Enjoy the Drury’s Kickback this evening. What a wonderful day of architecture!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Drury Kickback
Hotel: Drury Inn (2 Nights)
Day 4 – Sikeston/Charleston
We enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning, then we drive the short distance to Charleston, home to the annual Dogwood- Azalea Festival. This lovely town is also known for its beautiful Victorian homes as well as the lovely gardens surrounding them. Plus, Charleston was rated one of the ten best small towns in America by Travel Holiday Magazine! A step-on guide will join us this morning to give us a city tour of this charming town. Next we’ll take in the 57th Annual Parade! Afterwards, a hearty lunch is served at a local church before we enjoy tours of the beautiful homes. The remainder of the afternoon and early evening are at your leisure to enjoy the Festival’s activities: book sale, quilt show, arts & crafts show, shopping, and food trucks. In the middle of enjoying the festivities, we will gather back together for a delicious fish fry! We’ll end our evening with an enchanting drive-thru candlelight tour. As daylight gives way to darkness, volunteers begin to line the streets with 6,000 white luminaries that encompass the entire Dogwood- Azalea Trail. Plus residents turn spotlights on banks of azaleas and candles lining the sidewalks. We’ll return to our hotel later in the evening after this truly special candlelight experience!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Sikeston to Davenport, IA
Depart this morning after breakfast at the hotel for Davenport, with comfort stops and lunch on your own along the way. We will check into the majestic Hotel Blackhawk, located in the heart of downtown Davenport. This AAA Four-Diamond Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel, originally opened in 1915, has hosted Presidents, entertainers, and legendary athletes! Who is ready for some delicious food and big laughs? Next we will head to the Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse for a fantastic dinner followed by the bio-musical, Heartbreak Hotel, a brilliant homage to the life of Elvis Presley. This production takes a closer look at the rock star & incomparable icon whose impact shaped the history of music and culture. Featuring hits & iconic songs like “That’s All Right,” “All Shook Up,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “ Burning Love,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Love Me Tender,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” and many more!
Hotel: Hotel Blackhawk
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 – Davenport to Home
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we start for home. A stop is planned in Clear Lake, IA for lunch followed by a guided tour of the Surf Ballroom. “There are few buildings in existence today that represent a complete shift in our musical history. As the last concert venue for Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, the Surf is the bedrock of where the sound and attitude of rock and roll changed forever.” Then we return home enriched, having discovered a memorable R&J Tours experience!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Motorcoach Per Person Pricing Information
Motorcoach Travel Protection Per Person
Travel Bucks
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
12 Meals & 2 Kickbacks, Hotels & Activities as stated in brochure, Luxury Motorcoach
04/09/2025 04/14/2025
Tour Map
Tour Highlights
* Attend the 57th Annual Dogwood-Azalea Festival & Activities in Charleston, MO including Private Home Tours, a Candlelight Tour, the Parade, and more!
* St. Louis Riverboat Cruise
* Gateway Arch
* St. Louis Discovery Tour
* St. Genevieve - Oldest Settlement in Missouri
* City Tour of Charleston, MO
* Hotel Blackhawk in Davenport, IA
* Elvis Presley Bio-Musical “Heartbreak Hotel” at Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse
* Surf Ballroom Guided Tour
