PLACESFORSUMMER2022

Places for Summer 2022

FortMadison

CourtesyofJordanReynolds

City of Fort Madison

Fort Madison is arguably one of the most historic communities in Iowa. Its namesake, Fort Madison, the first U.S. military establishment in the upper Mississippi River Valley, means that it is the location of Iowa’s only military battlefield, as well as making its historic downtown the location of the oldest military cemetery in the state of Iowa. Twenty-two soldiers died there and are buried in the vicinity of the ruins of the original fort.

U.S. soldiers followed the Mississippi River to this location in 1808, honoring the 1804 Treaty of Saint Louis. These soldiers would construct a Factory Outpost along the Mississippi that would stand at this location until the fall of 1813, when the U.S. troops would burn the location as they retreated downstream. The War of 1812 had taken hold. Not receiving rations from Saint Louis and not being able to forage outside of the fort walls, the decision was made to abandon the fort, burning it in their wake as they escaped under the cloak of darkness, earning the area the nickname of “Potowonok” a Native American term for ring of fire.

Becoming a territorial city in 1838, Fort Madison would become home to The Iowa Territorial Prison. This frontier prison would remain operational until 2015, when the state would close the oldest continually used penitentiary in the United States. This old prison, along with Old Fort Madison, The Santa Fe Depot and 18 different districts and structures are on The National Park Service’s list of Historic Places.

Fort Madison offers unique shops and dining venues, as well as small eclectic museums and art galleries. Its location on the Great River Road also acts as a gateway to Iowa’s Historic Hills Scenic-by-Way that passes through The Villages of Van Buren and surrounding communities. With local flair such as rodeos, music festivals, county fairs, strawberry, watermelon and sweet corn festivals, you should come and experience Fort Madison and all that the State of Iowa has to offer.

Jackson, Michigan

Jackson’s perfect central location at the crossroads of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula makes it a motorcoach-friendly destination ready for visitors at any time of the year. Jackson has been described as a smaller town with a big city feel. Its colorful attractions are perfect for your next group excursion.

Learn Jackson's pivotal role in the Underground Railroad as your tour downtown Jackson and visit the historical locations signifi-

cant in the journey to freedom. This tour is available as a self-guided walking tour or a guided tour with a step-on.

Is history your thing? Discover the prison mecca that blazed the way for the correctional system we have today. Explore Jackson’s storied prison history with a tour of Jackson’s “Old Prison” by Original Jackson Historic Prison Tours. What about arts & culture? Be inspired as you walk or drive through Jackson’s Bright Walls murals and experience the creative beauty for yourself. Take the self-guided tour when you download the Experience Jackson Tours app.

You can marvel at St. Demetrius Orthodox Church’s floor-to-ceiling frescoes or the prized artifacts and galleries inside the Ella Sharp Museum.

More of an outdoorsy group? Get a breath of fresh air while on horseback, on a birdwatching tour or paddling one of Jackson’s waterways. Whether you are in town for a quick stop or a multi-day excursion, groups of any size can be accommodated.

Morse Farm

Montpelier, Vermont

“Let me explain something about farm people – we share a deep physical connection to the earth. We all work hard and are proud as can be about what we do, ” says Burr Morse, the current owner of Morse Farm. This family-owned maple sugarworks began in 1814, when James Morse first settled in Vermont. Today, the maple syrup is made by Burr and his family, whose ancestors were taught to tap maple trees by Native Americans.

Morse Farm is open year-round, and each season offers a memorable outing for bus tours passengers. Visitors can enjoy a live presentation or video about maple sugaring and the Morse family in the woodshed theater; examine the equipment used for maple sugaring in the Sugar House; trek the Maple Tree Trail and witness

how the sap is collected. Visitors can also sample a variety of maple syrups and maple-flavored treats, visit and outdoor museum that includes an antique replica of the Vermont State House and shop for authentic maple syrup and other specialty foods, as well as a full array of gift items. Selections can be mailed from the store or carried out.

The two most popular seasons for tours are spring and fall. Tree-tapping (or sugarin’) takes place in the spring, has a short three- to five-week run, and begins anywhere from late February to mid-March and goes through early April, depending on weather conditions. During this harvesting, tour passengers can witness the maple sap being boiled down into syrup in the Sugar House and get a taste of “Sugar on Snow” - hot maple sugar that turns to taffy when it is drizzled over shaved ice (served with a fresh donut).

C Of course, fall is the prime tourist season in Vermont. At Morse Farm, tour passengers can enjoy a maple creemee (soft serve ice cream flavored with authentic Vermont maple) and stroll the nature trail to take in the brilliant colors of the sugar maple leaves. No on-site dining is available, but maple creemees, Sugar on Snow and other treats, such as milkshakes and floats, are offered for sale (drivers and escorts get a free sample).

Morse Farm welcomes bus tours anytime of year, with 20-minute guided tours available for a small fee (self-guided tours are free.). Because of the volume of visitors during autumn, reservations are required from mid-September to mid-October.

Buses can drop off and pick up passengers at the main entrance and park in the adjacent lot. Tour planners should allot at least one hour for the stop. For more details and reservations, e-mail Glee@MorseFarm.com. q

Visit our website at:

visitfortmadison.com

MorseFarm