Compare Signature City Kansas City by Road Scholar vs California Panorama by Omega Tours

Day 1
Check-In, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location: Kansas City, MO Meal: D Hotel: Holiday Inn Country Club Plaza Hotel
Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration: 3:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, other important information, and to confirm when and where the Orientation session will take place. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.

Dinner: At the hotel, we’ll have a buffet dinner with choices of entrée plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: Orientation: The Group Leader, a knowledgeable museum educator, will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will have breakfast each day in the hotel, lunches and dinners in the hotel and restaurants around the city. We will pre-select some meals. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Day 2
Kansas City History, Jazz Scene History, Truman Presentation
Location: Kansas City, MO Meal: B,L,D Hotel: Holiday Inn Country Club Plaza Hotel

Activity note: Walking approximately 1 mile; transportation back to hotel available if needed.

Breakfast: At the hotel, choose what you like from the breakfast buffet that includes choices such as eggs, pancakes or French toast, fruit, milk, juice, coffee, tea, water.

Morning: We’ll be joined by a local educator who will give us an overview presentation on Kansas City and Missouri, providing the foundation for our program activities.

Lunch: We’ll walk to a nearby restaurant in Country Club Plaza and order from a select menu.

Afternoon: We’ll set out on a walking field trip with a local historian to explore and learn about the history, public art, and Spanish-inspired architecture of the Country Club Plaza area, a 15-block retail, dining, and entertainment district. We’ll also learn about J. C. Nichols, the visionary developer who in 1922 transformed a swampy section of Brush Creek Valley into America’s first suburban shopping district. Returning to the hotel, we’ll have a presentation/reenactment of a famous historical figure from Kansas City's past. Participants always love the respect for the past, compassion, and attention to detail shown in this presentation of a memorable character.

Dinner: At the hotel, we’ll have a buffet dinner with choices of entrée plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: We’ll be joined by a musician who is part of the Kansas City Jazz scene who will tell us about what’s happening and perform for us.

Day 3
Union Station, KC BBQ, Jazz Museum, Negro League Baseball
Location: Kansas City, MO Meal: B,L Hotel: Holiday Inn Country Club Plaza Hotel

Activity note: Walking up to 1 mile; some stairs.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: This morning we’ll travel to historic Union Station for an expert led exploration of this fabulous building. Part of the reason Kansas City became known as Paris of the Plains was its free and easy nightlife in the early 20th century. But it was also thanks to significant cultural institutions and majestic architecture such as Union Station, opened in 1914. The architect, Jarvis Hunt, was a prominent member of the “City Beautiful” movement focused on urban beautification. The station is a wonderful example of the Beaux-Arts style and was the second-largest train station in the country when it opened. At its peak in World War II, Union Station served more than a million passengers but deteriorated over the decades as train travel declined. A restoration movement began in the 1980s and reached fruition with the 1999 re-opening of a rejuvenated, multi-purpose community facility. Today it is not only a monument to travel, but also a home for culture, education, and entertainment. We will meet a local historian who will lead a Black History field trip. We’ll learn about topics from slavery in the heart of America to the Underground Railroad, war time sacrifices of African Americans, the beginning of the Civil Rights movement, and the renowned 18th and Vine Historic District that was a business and cultural hub for local people as well as visiting notables such as Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, Langston Hughes, Joe Louis, Jesse Owens, Satchel Paige, Charlie Parker, Jackie Robinson, Mary Lou Williams, Lester Young, and many more.

Lunch: At a local BBQ restaurant, we’ll meet the Pit Master, get a behind the scenes look at the world of Kansas City BBQ, and enjoy a tasty lunch featuring restaurant specialties.

Afternoon: Next, we’ll visit the historic 18th and Vine District, a cradle of jazz, and two of the city’s most praised museums side by side in one facility: the American Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. The American Jazz Museum is the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to preserving and promoting jazz music while also celebrating jazz greats such as Charlie Parker — born and raised in Kansas City — and providing performance opportunities for up and coming performers. In addition to music, the 18th and Vine District was the thriving home of other aspects of black life and culture. The Negro National League was founded here in 1920. Jackie Robinson played for the Kansas City Monarchs before going to the big leagues. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum preserves the legacy of that era, its players, and the rich history of African-American baseball. We'll end our afternoon with a visit to the Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden. A 2 acre botanical garden filled with over 7,000 plants, pools, limestone walls and brick walkways. The garden features over 5 different designs and is maintained by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and Powell Gardens.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 4
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, World War I Museum, Jazz Club
Location: Kansas City, MO Meal: B,L,D Hotel: Holiday Inn Country Club Plaza Hotel

Activity note: Walking and standing at field trip sites.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We’ll take a field trip with our Group Leader to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art that resulted from the legacies of two public spirited citizens who believed in the necessity of cultural resources for the city and the power of art to stimulate the human spirit. The original building, a neo-Classical masterpiece, was called a “temple of art” when it opened in 1933. Much of the permanent collection was purchased for bargain prices during the Great Depression. Highlights include European paintings, Asian art and antique Chinese furniture, American painting, Native American art, and an outdoor sculpture park. The modern addition opened in 2007. While the design was controversial, the finished structures were highly praised. The New York Times architecture critic wrote: “For the art world, the addition, known as the Bloch Building, should reaffirm that art and architecture can happily coexist. The rest of us can draw comfort from the fact that public works of our own day and age can equal or surpass the grand achievements of past generations.”

Lunch: At the museum café, we’ll have what we pre-selected.

Afternoon: This afternoon's field trip includes an expert-led exploration at the National World War I Museum and Memorial. The memorial that opened in 1926 is a 217-foot tall tower framed by stone sphinxes representing Memory and the Future. At its dedication, President Calvin Coolidge said, “It has not been raised to commemorate war and victory, but rather the results of war and victory which are embodied in peace and liberty…” The museum opened in 2007. Visitors enter over a field of 9,000 simulated poppies, each representing 1,000 dead soldiers. Exhibits trace the development of European conflicts that resulted in the war and the role of the U.S. in helping bring the war to an end.

Dinner: At a popular Kansas City restaurant with choices of entrée plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 5
Thomas Hart Benton, Arabia Steamboat, Truman Library
Location: Kansas City, MO Meal: B,L,D Hotel: Holiday Inn Country Club Plaza Hotel

Activity note: Walking and standing at field trip sites; some uneven ground.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We’ll travel to the home and studio of Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975), one of America’s most popular artists for several decades before World War II. At the age of 18, he enrolled in the Art Institute of Chicago, then went to Paris where he met and admired the great Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. He returned to America and served at the Norfolk Naval Base during World War I, where he was influenced by the Navy’s requirement for artistic realism. His family’s roots in Missouri gave him an intense appreciation of life and culture in the Midwest. Benton’s great murals made him a champion of the artistic movement known as Regionalism. He was also an outspoken opponent of fascism, foreign and domestic. He is remembered foremost for his images of ordinary people and daily life. We’ll have an insider’s look at his home and studio, untouched since his death, and learn about his life, work, and influence on other American artists. Moving on to Independence, Missouri, we’ll reach the Harry S Truman National Historic Site, where a staff member will portray Truman — the last of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four Vice Presidents, sworn in as President when FDR died on April 12, 1945. He was reelected in 1948 when pollsters expected him to lose. As President, he made the decision to drop the atomic bomb, oversaw the end of World War II , implemented the Marshall Plan and NATO, expanded Social Security, proposed national health insurance, supported civil rights, and recognized the State of Israel. He also waged an undeclared war in Korea. After retiring to private life, he was known as Mr. Citizen for his active life of writing, lecturing, and founding his library.

Lunch: At a restaurant in Independence, we’ll have a pre-selected lunch with soft drinks and water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: We’ll visit the spectacular Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts for a field trip led by a member of the staff. We’ll explore the city’s dramatic, eye-catching arts center designed by Moshe Safdie that opened in 2011. The Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Symphony, and Lyric Opera of Kansas City are resident companies that perform in the 1,800-seat Muriel Kauffman Theatre and 1,600-seat Helzberg Hall. We’ll marvel at the beauty of the building and learn how the performance halls were designed to enhance the acoustic and visual experience.

Dinner: At a popular Kansas City restaurant and jazz club with live music, we’ll have our farewell dinner and enjoy the performance on stage. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure following our final session in the morning.

Day 6
KC Jazz, Program Concludes

Location: Kansas City, MO Meal: B

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 12:00 PM

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We’ll be joined by a Jazz historian to learn more about what has been called America’s indigenous art form, how it developed in Kansas City, and enjoy some music. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

DAY 1: LOS ANGELES ARRIVAL

Arrive at Los Angeles International Airport and transfer independently to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport, Los Angeles, or similar

DAY 2: LOS ANGELES > MOJAVE DESERT > LAS VEGAS

Meet your Tour Director and depart for Las Vegas, the glittering “Entertainment Capital of the World,” for non-stop fun, gambling, and world-class entertainment. Your tour stops at the iconic Las Vegas Welcome Sign where you may wish to capture your photo memory of Las Vegas.

Accommodation at the Luxor Las Vegas, Las Vegas, or similar

DAY 3: LAS VEGAS > DEATH VALLEY > MAMMOTH LAKES/FRESNO

Having enjoyed glamorous Las Vegas, it will be a sharp contrast this afternoon to enter the quiet and extreme environment of Death Valley. Stop at Zabriskie Point and Furnace Creek Ranch/Visitors Center before continuing across the valley and ascending the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the alpine resort town of Mammoth Lakes. The area gained prominence as a gold mining town in the 19th century and today is renowned for its superior skiing terrain and staggeringly beautiful mountain vistas.

Important note: Winter Routing The Tioga Pass may be closed due to weather or road conditions, in which case you will overnight in Fresno or Visalia and a visit to Mammoth Lakes will not be possible (winter routing applies to all departures between October and May under normal snow conditions).

Accommodation at the Mammoth Mountain Inn, Mammoth Lakes, or Piccadilly Inn, Fresno

DAY 4: MAMMOTH/FRESNO > YOSEMITE > MODESTO

Your journey today brings you to the Tioga Pass (please see important note on day 3) into the scenic wonderland of Yosemite National Park. Here, you will experience the valley floor and its splendors including the glacial-shaped granite formations of El Capitan, Half Dome, the magnificent Bridal Falls, and Yosemite Falls. Overnight in Modesto.

Accommodation at the Doubletree by Hilton Modesto, Modesto, or similar

DAY 5: MODESTO > SAN FRANCISCO

Depart early this morning to arrive in San Francisco, one of the most beloved cities in America. Enjoy a comprehensive sightseeing tour before arriving at your hotel. This evening take a memorable City by Night Tour (optional).

Accommodation at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, San Francisco, or similar

DAY 6: SAN FRANCISCO (NAPA VALLEY OPTIONAL)

Day at leisure! Your Tour Director is on hand to assist with making your plans for the day: perhaps a cable car ride to Fisherman’s Wharf where one may enjoy a “Taste of San Francisco”: local seafood, famous sourdough bread, or decadent Ghiradelli’s Chocolate. Or take a stroll by Sea Lions’ Marina to watch them frolic.

Be sure to gaze across the bay to Alcatraz Island where “America’s Most Wanted” such as Al Capone and ”Machine Gun” Kelly were incarcerated. Or visit Union Square for a shopping stop at Macy’s Department Store. You also may choose to embark on a wine-tasting tour to Napa Valley, world-renowned for its fine wineries and beautiful scenery (optional).

Accommodation at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, San Francisco, or similar

DAY 7: SAN FRANCISCO > MONTEREY/ CARMEL > CENTRAL COAST

Depart San Francisco this morning for the drive to the Monterey Peninsula, known for its magnificent homes and lovely beaches. In Monterey, visit Fisherman’s Wharf and famous Cannery Row Then tour charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, noted for its quaint houses, upscale art galleries, and unique stores. In the afternoon your tour continues through Paso Robles, home of fine wineries. Overnight in a quaint Central California Coast town.

Accommodation at the Radisson Santa Maria, Central Coast, or similar

DAY 8: CENTRAL COAST > SANTA BARBARA > SANTA MONICA > LOS ANGELES DEPARTURE

Journey south through the Santa Ynez Valley into Santa Barbara where palm-lined walkways border white sandy beaches. Upon arrival in Los Angeles, an orientation tour commences to include Hollywood, portions of Beverly Hills, and Century City before arriving in Santa Monica, home to the finish line of Historic Route 66, where you may enjoy an optional lunch on the pier before departure or arriving at your hotel.