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America's Heartland

Oklahoma City, Kansas City & St. Louis

Trip Full and Closed
October 10 - October 17, 2019


Arising from the westward expansion movement in the early 1800s, the major cities of America’s heartland exhibit pride in their transformations from dusty frontier towns to glistening international cities while still honoring their rural heritage. Join us on a quintessential road trip through the heart of America where we discover the multi-layered flavors of the heartland through food, music, and traditions. From cruising along Historic Route 66 to a riverboat excursion on the mighty Mississippi, we’ll encounter the wide-open spaces, prominent landmarks, and history-rich attractions that are the defining images of this region.

America's Heartland

October 10 - October 17, 2019

Highlights

  • Road trip through the heartland
  • Visit moving museums and memorials
  • Try some KC BBQ
  • Gaze westward from the the St. Louis Arch
  • Ride a steamboat on the Mighty Mississippi
  • Time to explore personal interests
  • Suggestions for additional things to see
  • Small group no larger than 14
  • And More... See itinerary for details

Itinerary

Thursday, 10 October 2019: Arrive Oklahoma City; Welcome Dinner (D)

Welcome to OKC - capital of the Sooner State. Schedule your arrival no later than 4:30pm and take local transportation to the hotel. The tour begins at 6:00 pm in the lobby of the hotel. We will make introductions at our Welcome Meeting and get better acquainted at our Welcome Dinner. Overnight Oklahoma City – 2 nights


Friday, 11 October 2019: Oklahoma City National Memorial; National Cowboy Museum (B)

We begin our journey in Oklahoma City – a modern city with deep frontier roots. While stockyards and cowboy hats may be characteristic of this city, it was the tragic April 1995 bombing of a federal building that propelled the city into international headlines. Our day begins with a visit to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, which offers a moving tribute and living memorial that honors the victims, survivors, and first responders. This afternoon, we'll get a taste of the Old West at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, which preserves the histories and cultures of the American West. We return to our hotel late in the afternoon with time to walk around Bricktown, an area where once abandoned warehouses have been reimagined as the crossroads for dining, shopping, and nightlife in OKC.


Saturday, 12 October 2019: Historic Route 66 Road Trip; Classic Lunch (B,L)

We are “road-tripping” today, meandering along a stretch of Historic Route 66 that has become an icon of American culture and history. Born in 1926 as one of our country’s first numbered highways, the legendary old road begins in Chicago and passes through the heart of the United States until it reaches Los Angeles. While much of the old highway has been replaced by modern interstates, many of the towns and cities along the original route have protected their Route 66 heritage. We make our way east through Oklahoma and Kansas into Missouri, stepping back in time to when the journey was part of the fun. We’ll take in some of the country’s most classic roadside scenes – kitschy neon signs, landmark buildings, restored gas stations, vintage motor courts, and make stops for sights and photos as the mood strikes us. Our final destination tonight is Springfield, MO, the birthplace of Route 66. Overnight Joplin, MO – 1 night


Sunday, 13 October 2019: Truman National Historic Site; Arrive Kansas City (B)

Today we head to Independence, MO, the hometown and final resting place of our 33rd President, Harry S. Truman. Truman was a man of humble beginnings who rose to become the most powerful person in the world. We'll get a "taste of Truman" this afternoon with a stop at the Truman National Historic Site before continuing on into Kansas City. Overnight Kansas City, MO – 2 nights


Monday, 14 October 2019: Traditional KC Barbecue; Free Time in Kansas City (B,L)

Kansas City has more barbecue restaurants per capita than anywhere else in the country. We’ll be introduced to KC BBQ today. The afternoon is yours to enjoy and explore what interests you most. Several museums may be of particular interest: the National World War I Museum, which is the only official WWI museum; the Arabia Steamboat Museum, which tells the story of a cargo-carrying side-wheeler that sank in the Missouri River in 1856 and was discovered and recovered with its full payload in 1988; and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, which preserves the legacy of the Negro National League that was founded here in 1920. For those who are interested in a taste of Kansas City jazz, you may want to visit the American Jazz Museum, dedicated to preserving and promoting jazz music.


Tuesday, 15 October 2019: Drive to St. Louis; Warm Springs Ranch; Free Time (B,L)

We say goodbye to KC early this morning for a leisurely drive to St. Louis. Along the way, we will stop at Warm Springs Ranch, a breeding farm for the Budweiser Clydesdales. The farm is home to more than 70 horses ranging from foals to stallions. Our guided tour will take us behind the scenes to learn what it takes to breed a legend and offer a chance to get up close and personal with a Clydesdale! We then continue on to St. Louis. After checking into our hotel, we have the afternoon and evening free to browse the Delmar Loop. “The Loop,” named for the streetcar route that once looped around the area, is often ranked as one of the Top Ten streets in the US. Walkable, and a bit bohemian, the area is packed with boutiques, galleries, coffee shops and restaurants, as well as the Hollywood-inspired St. Louis Walk of Fame. Overnight St. Louis – 2 nights


Wednesday, 16 October 2019: Gateway Arch; Riverboat Cruise; Free Time; Farewell Dinner (B,D)

St. Louis is known as the Gateway to the West - and appropriately so - as it was the last “big city” stop before pioneers ventured into the untamed wilderness. The monument to our country’s westward expansion is the Gateway Arch, an engineering marvel that soars 630 feet. We begin our day in the Gateway Arch National Park with an early morning tram to the top of the arch to take in sweeping views of the Mississippi River. Back at the base, the Museum of Westward Expansion details the history of the West. Later, we enjoy some of the best views of the Arch and St. Louis’ working riverfront on a riverboat cruise up the Mississippi. The remainder of the day is set aside for you to explore St. Louis at your own pace. You may want to remain in the park to visit the Old St. Louis Courthouse and enjoy more than 5 miles of walking paths. Nearby are two notable sites: The Old Cathedral, St. Louis’ earliest church and one of the most historic buildings in St. Louis; and the National Blues Museum, dedicated to preserving and honoring the history and legacy of Blues music. The choice is yours; your Tour Leader will also have suggestions for you. This evening we will enjoy our Farewell Dinner together and share our favorite moments from our time in America’s Heartland.


Thursday, 17 October 2019: Return home from St. Louis (B)

Sadly, our time together has come to an end. Make your return flight at your convenience. Based on the departure time you provide WTT, your Tour Leader can assist with organizing travelers into small groups so you can ride-share to the airport if you wish.



America's Heartland

October 10 - October 17, 2019

Pricing

  • Room Share

    $1,982.00

  • Single Room

    $2,669.00

  • Non-Members

    ADD $50.00

  • Status of this Tour

    Trip Full and Closed
Tour Prices are in US Dollars
Full Payment Due at time of Reservation

Tour Pricing Includes

  • Meals and activities expressly listed in the itinerary, PLUS...
  • All tipping of local guides
  • WTT Tour Leader to enhance the individual & group experience
  • Arranged room sharing with another solo traveler
  • Travel Dollar credits (a benefit of WTT membership) toward future travel with WTT

Not Included In The Price

  • Airfare or other transportation to and from the tour
  • Airport transfers
  • Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
  • Beverages other than coffee, tea & still water unless otherwise noted
  • Any personal expenses or expenditures
  • Any pre- or post- tour arrangements
  • Any gratuities for the WTT tour leader
  • Travel Insurance

Payment Dates -and- Cancellation Terms for This Tour

At Space Reservation: Initial Deposit is due.
Saturday, 13 Apr 2019: Initial deposit cannot be parked and is forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
Friday, 12 Jul 2019: Payment in full. 50% cancellation penalty after this date.
Monday, 26 Aug 2019: 100% forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.

Please review our travel and cancellation policies before making your reservation. You will be asked to confirm you have read and understood WTT's travel polices before we will accept your reservation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect you in the event you need to cancel your tour. WTT will mail you information from 2 reliable travel insurance providers at the time we confirm your reservation.

You can review the insurance information from TravelGuard to get an idea of rates.


America's Heartland

October 10 - October 17, 2019

Flights, Transfers & Lodging

Arrival & Departure Information

Travelers will make their own air arrangements as follows:
When searching for flights for this trip, be sure to search "Multi-city" (on Kayak) or "Multiple Destinations" (on Expedia).   For comparison, you may also want to search for one-way fares.

Arrival Airport: OKC - Oklahoma City, OK (Will Rogers World Airport)
Arrival Date: Thursday, October 10th.  Arrive no later than 4:30pm.
Arrival Transfer: Use local taxi or shuttle service. Details provided in Final Travel Instructions.

Departure Airport: STL - St. Louis, MO (St. Louis Lambert International Airport)
Departure Date: Thursday, October 17th.  Depart at your convenience.
Departure Transfer: Use local taxi or shuttle service.


Lodging / Hotels

Oklahoma City: Hampton Inn & Suites Oklahoma City - Bricktown
Springfield, MO: Hampton Inn Springfield-South
Kansas City, MO: Hampton Inn - Downtown Financial District
St. Louis: Hampton Inn St. Louis - Downtown

In the unlikely event WTT is unable to provide the hotel accommodation(s) listed, for whatever reason, WTT will substitute similar quality accommodation(s) at no additional cost to the traveler.


Want to Arrive a Day Early?

Worried about possible flight delays? Consider arriving one day before the official tour start date. Many of our travelers choose this optional service. Your pre-tour package includes:

  • The room (standard check-in times apply)
  • Breakfast the following morning
  • Optional activity suggestions prior to tour
    $78.00 Roomshare   $152.00 Single
The pre-tour package is an optional service.  Rates are established at time of tour posting. Early check-in is solely at the discretion of the hotel and cannot be arranged in advance.

Additional Reminders About This Tour


America's Heartland

October 10 - October 17, 2019

Destination Information

“This tour was a hidden gem. It showed me places that I probably would have never visited. One evening 4 of us attended a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game! It was a 10 minute walk from our hotel. As soon as you meet your fellow WTT travelers, you will no longer be solo.”
Rita D. - New York, NY
“You will find acceptance, appreciation, and sisterhood.”
Sandy G. - White Plains, NY
“You can do it! It's easy to make friends and make your way around cities!”
Weishin S. - El Cajon, CA
Traveling Solo?  Most of the women on your tour are traveling solo!
  • If you wish to share with another solo traveler, select this option on the Reservation Form and your tour price will automatically be based on the room share price.
  • Or, you may select a single room, when available, on the Reservation Form and your tour price will be automatically based on the single room price. 
  • These choices are clearly stated on the Reservation Form.
A few facts about sharing a room:
  • All shared rooms have 2 beds
  • All shared rooms are non-smoking
  • No special requests about your roommate can be accommodated
  • Most solo travelers elect to share a room
  • See "Frequently Asked Questions" TAB for more details
As a solo traveler you are responsible for yourself, your possessions, your physical fitness, and all other aspects related to participation in the WTT tour you have chosen.

Because of this requirement, WTT tours are not suitable for anyone who is physically challenged, walking impaired, or is a slow walker that cannot keep up with the pace of the group.

The activities on this tour are rated as follows:
  • 75% Easy
  • 25% Moderate (walking & distance driving)
Activity levels are subjective and based on the reader's interpretation. Almost everyone overestimates their abilities. Therefore, it is your responsibility to read the itinerary and understand what you are doing throughout the tour.

If you are in doubt as to your ability to meet the physical activity requirements, you should not sign up for this trip.

Read more about Activity Levels
  • Breakfast daily
  • 3 Lunches
  • 2 Dinners

Selections for the included lunches and dinners will highlight the local cuisine. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary requests can be accommodated on this tour with limited selections.

In general, depending on the location, the average temperature during the day will likely range from the upper 60s to mid-70s with nighttime lows in the 40s to 50s.

For This Trip You Will Need—

  • An adventurous spirit!

You May Also Want—

  • Smart-casual wear if you'd like to dress up a bit for dinners.
  • Lightweight but warm jacket/sweater for the cool mornings and evenings or the unusually brisk day.
  • Inexpensive rain poncho, just in case
  • Bring what you need to get a good night's sleep, such as ear plugs, white noise generator, sleeping pills, etc. Unfamiliar noises of all types can disrupt your rest.

Good Packing Habits—

  • Pack a limited amount of comfortable, casual clothing that layer and coordinate. Your fellow travelers will not mind or even notice – seeing you in the same clothing.
  • Bring only two pairs of everyday shoes: one pair of well-broken-in walking shoes, and a second pair that could do double-duty as a walking shoe or a slightly dressy shoe.
  • Pare down your beauty regimen to the bare minimum and always pack travel-sized toiletries.
  • Pack medication in your carry-on and pack only as much as needed for the duration of your tour plus a few extra days as a precaution.

On every WTT tour, our policies regarding luggage restrictions are driven by the physical space limitations of the vehicles we use and the requirement that all travelers be able to manage their own belongings without assistance.

  • It is best to travel as lightly as possible. Most travelers regret when they have packed too much.
  • You may bring one suitcase plus small shoulder bag/day pack/purse.
  • Maximum suitcase size: 25-inches in height as measured from the FLOOR to the top of the retracted handle. The small case in a 3-piece luggage set easily meets this requirement and should be plenty roomy for this length of trip.
  • Suitcases larger than 25" in height will not fit in the WTT coach; don't bring them.
  • The maximum weight of your suitcase should not exceed 30 pounds, as you will need to lift it into the coach luggage compartment.
  • You are responsible for managing your own belongings. We expect you to take your belongings from the coach to your room and to bring it back to the coach and load it on days we change hotels. We do not provide luggage pulls; they are not safe and are inconvenient. The possibility of steps exist at most hotel entrances.

Only you can determine the optimum amount of cash to take on tour. When budgeting for out-of-pocket expenses, there are several aspects to consider:  the number of meals you are responsible for, the amount of money you like to have on-hand for snacks and drinks, and your individual shopping interests and habits.

  • Notify your credit card issuer that you will be traveling and provide dates of travel.

All tips to local guides during your tour have already been paid on your behalf.  

  • You are responsible for tipping wait-staff, porters, or other individuals who provide a service to you at the hotel, or other public locations.
  • You may want to tip your WTT Tour Leader for an outstanding job. The amount is entirely a personal preference. If you'd like a guideline, consider $8-$10 per day.
Your deposit can be converted to Parked Credits for use on a new tour if done BEFORE 13 April 2019
To get off this tour and register for another tour, you must follow these steps - in the order shown:
1) Submit a Cancellation Form for this tour.
2) WAIT before submitting your new reservation! You must receive the Cancellation Confirmation email before submitting your new reservation. This can take up to 2 business days. The Cancellation Confirmation email will list the amount of parked credits from this tour that are now available to use on a new reservation.
3) COMPLETE the new Reservation Form and USE the parked credits towards your deposit on the new tour.

Note: If you used Parked Credits to pay the deposit on this tour, these credits cannot be used a second time and are not eligible to be transferred.
Complete the Cancellation Form as soon as you know you need to cancel. This is important because cancellation penalties - listed under "Payment Dates -and- Cancellation Terms for this Tour" - are based on the date WTT receives your Cancellation Form.
Women Traveling Together

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You’ll find your people and make memories that last a lifetime.

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