Featuring North America!s Leading Travel Destinations
The Top 50 Group Tour Destinations Virginia Beach, Live the Life Adventures
Taste & Explor
The Yellow Barn
American Celebration
on Parade doah Caverns The Grottos at Shenan
Thrilling visitors from around the world, Shenandoah Caverns is the only cavern in Virginia with elevator service! Explorers of every age and ability will discover an underground world of wonder. With level walkways and no stairs to climb, only the sights are breathtaking. The Family of Attractions includes amazing parade floats and presidential inaugural props at American Celebration on Parade. Delightful antique animated department store window displays on Main Street of Yesteryear. Experience the live indoor beehive and model trains in motion at the Yellow Barn. Four attractions at one low price! Open every day except Dec. 25th. www.shenandoahcaverns.com 2 • Byways
re Shenandoah e wineries Visit the finvdoah County of the Sheninae Trail. W
Shenandoah County is the second largest agricultural producing county in Virginia. Here cattle graze beneath the beautiful Appalachian mountains.
Wine Tasting, Caverns, Attractions, Skiing, Snowboarding and Civil War Battlefields in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia 90 minutes from the Washington, DC Beltway. Shenandoah County Tourism 888-367-3965 • www.shenandoahtravel.org Byways • 3
PREVIEW By Steve Kirchner, Editor & Publisher
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elcome to the annual Top 50 trails at Wildcat Hills, and following the roads that wind Group Tour Destinations through the sandhills. In What’s Happening, in the little town of Mesilla, New issue of Byways. Each year we survey Group Tour and Motorcoach Mexico near Las Cruces, Preciliana Sandoval has built a Tour operators from throughout North business of Walking Tours in a community of 2,800, and America to ask where they think their groups will be traveling during the coming year. And each year for the past 27 years, we have published the results in Byways. We hope you will find the results of interest. Some of you will be pleased with the survey results, others maybe not as much. However, please remember this is just a survey, it’s not a random survey. We have tabulated the results of the returned forms, and they do not represent formal survey research. As it has for so many years, however, the Byways Top 50 survey gives a good idea of where groups will be traveling, what cities and states will be visited, what hotels and restaurants they will be enjoying, and what natural Niagara Falls and man-made attractions they will be viewing. Virginia Beach, Live the Live Adventures is the theme of the cover feature in this issue. Very few communities in shares with visitors the unspoken stories hidden within North America make a greater effort to cater to, and the town’s rustic walls. The world’s largest military aviation museum, in attract groups tours, than does Virginia Beach. It has hosted major industry events, such as the American Bus Dayton, Ohio, has launched an interactive virtual tour Association Marketplace, held numerous fam tours for to “provide users with an all-hours access pass to tour operators and travel writers, and put out some of the explore” this impressive facility. A “living” history book opened this year in the Ozark most impressive marketing materials in support of the Mountains, a unique medieval fortress, where book industry we’ve ever seen. When I thought of Virginia Beach, I thought of that knowledge meets the colorful reality of the Middle Ages. We hope you enjoy this issue of Byways. typical small beach community that swells to hundreds of thousands of visitors in the summer, and then shrinks in size when the tourists go home for the winter. Was I wrong! Recently I had the pleasure of joining tour operators and travel writers for a visit to Virginia Beach, and was able to see and enjoy a community that many travelers may not see unless they are part of a group tour. Would it surprise you to learn that Virginia Beach is the largest city in Virginia? That’s just the start of the surprises we found. A “Roadtrip to Remember” features the State of Nebraska. The wonders of the landscape come to life here while exploring The amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) passes the Toadstool Geologic Park, canoeing the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse on her way to the Atlantic Ocean. Niobrara National Scenic River, hiking the 4 • Byways
Volume 27, Issue No. 5, 2010 On the Cover. Visitors at the the King Neptune Statue. King Neptune overlooks Virginia Beach's 31st St. oceanfront park. Designed by P. DiPasquale, it is the largest cast bronze figure erected in the U.S. since the U.S. Marine Corps (Iwo Jima) Memorial in Washington, DC. See the special Virginia Beach coverage beginning on page 12.
Features The Top 50 Group Tour Destinations of 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 The Top 30 Group Tour States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 The Top 10 Group Friendly Hotels and Restaurants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 The Top 5 Natural and Top 15 Man-Made Attractions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Virginia Beach, Live the Life Adventures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 The Sounds of Freedom, NAS Oceana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Military Aviation Museum Honors Past Heroes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 The World-Famous Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 A Roadtrip to Remember in Nebraska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
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Byways Preview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Free Byways Subscription . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
What!s Happening New Mexican Walking Tours Offer Groups Glimpse of the Past . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 The Unique Ozark Medieval Fortress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 World!s Largest Aviation Museum Offers Virtual Tours. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Coming in future issues of Byways‌ Upcoming coverage includes North American Rail Tours & Packages, Rt. 66 and the Old West, Nebraska and the Plains States, Non-Traditional Cruise Port options, Mid-American Sights, Rocky Mountain Highs, and Great American Roads. Cruise Ship docks in Norfolk, Virginia
The Strasburg Railroad in Pennsylvania Byways • 5
motorcoach.com Ozarks’ Kirkwood Tour & Travel Sweet Magnolia Tours Trieloff Tours
The National Reservation Center Charter a motorcoach anywhere in North America 888-733-5287 • nmn@motorcoach.com 6 • Byways
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The Top 50 Group Tour Destinations of 2011
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The Top 30 Group Tour States, The Top 10 Group Friendly Hotels, Top 10 Group Friendly Restaurants, Top 5 Natural Attractions, and the Top 15 Man-Made Attractions.
t seems almost impossible to dislodge the nation’s capital, Washington, DC, from the top spot of the annual Top 50 Group Tour Destinations, and it’s true again for 2011. However, each year competing destinations give a mighty try, and in 2011 Washington is tied with New York City as the projected most popular group tour destination of the new year. Last year Washington held the undisputed crown, but in recent years has shared the top spot with Branson in 2008 and Pigeon Forge in 2009. New York jumped past Branson from last year’s survey to finish in a dead heat with Washington. Also moving up this year was Nashville, a move from 5th a year ago into the 3rd spot in 2011. Branson dropped to 4th on the list. Gettysburg, PA jumped 5 spots this year, finishing in the Top 5 for the first time, moving from 10th to 5th. Rounding out the Top 10 Group Tour destinations are Niagara Falls, NY, Pigeon Forge, TN, Williamsburg, VA, Atlantic City, NJ and Mackinaw Island, MI.
The Top 30 States t was a good year for New York, with the state claiming the top spot as the most popular group travel state. New York edged out Pennsylvania in the survey. Rounding out the top 10 are Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Florida, Missouri, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Michigan.
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The Top 10 Group Friendly Hotels ampton Inns held on to the number one position it has held for the past several years. Making a strong push forward, however, were the two Holiday Inn brands, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express, which finished 2nd and 3rd in the survey. They were followed by Best Western International and Comfort Inns.
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The Top 10 Group Friendly Restaurants nce again, Cracker Barrel was the undisputed favorite of group tour operators. Cracker Barrel has dominated the survey for the past 10 years. And once again it is Golden Corral, right behind in its popularity with groups. Golden Corral was followed by another perennial favorite, Bob Evans Restaurants.
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Moving into the top 5 for the first time were Hard Rock Cafe and Bubba Gump restaurants. Top 5 Natural Attractions iagara Falls, New York and Ontario, again captured the title as most popular Natural Attraction for group tours. It was followed in order by Cape Cod in Massachusetts, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Yosemite National Park in California, and the Black Hills of South Dakota.
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Top 15 Man-Made Attractions here’s no contest when it comes to Man-Made Attractions. Washington, DC’s Monuments are without a doubt the most popular in North America. And why not, when there are so many beautiful and historic monuments to see, it could take days to visit them all, you can’t beat the entrance fee and with groups being transported on motorcoaches, parking and parking fees are not a concern. The Statue of Liberty in New York came in second in the survey. Making a strong surge upward from a year ago was Six Flags Theme Parks, to finish in 3rd. New York’s Broadway moved up to 4th, and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville filled out the Top 5. The full lising of survey results are listed on the next three pages. We’re sure many of your favorite destinations are on the list, and it’s always fun to see how they rank with so many outstanding North America travel options.
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Top 50 Group Tour Destinations of 2011 1. Tie: Washington, DC New York City, NY 3. Nashville, TN 4. Branson, MO 5. Gettysburg, PA 6. Niagara Falls, NY 7. Pigeon Forge, TN 8. Williamsburg, VA 9. Atlantic City, NJ 10. Mackinaw Island, MI 11. Hershey, PA 12. Boston, MA 13. Chicago, IL 14. Philadelphia, PA 15. Cape Cod, MA 16. Lancaster, PA 17 Baltimore, MD 18. Myrtle Beach, SC 19. Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX 20. San Francisco, CA 21. Las Vegas, NV 22. Charleston, SC 23. Orlando, FL 24. Asheville, NC 25. San Antonio, TX 26. St. Louis, MO 27. Virginia Beach, VA 28. New Orleans, LA 29. Albuquerque, NM 30. Atlanta, GA 31. Memphis, TN 32. Louisville, KY 33. Cleveland, OH 32. Ocean City, MD 33. Los Angeles, CA 34. San Diego, CA 35. Colorado Springs, CO 36. Richmond, VA 37. Denver, CO 38. Salt Lake City, UT 39. Mississippi Beach, MS
40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50.
Tucson, AZ Annapolis, MD Indianapolis, IN Montreal, QC Phoenix, AZ Oklahoma City, OK Omaha, NE Pittsburgh, PA Detroit, MI Seattle, WA Wheeling, WV
Honorable Mention Alexandria, VA Anchorage, AK Austin, TX Boise, ID Houston, TX Kansas City, MO Knoxville, TN Las Cruces, NM Mobile, AL Quebec City, QC Reno-Tahoe, NV Tampa, FL Toronto, ON Valley Forge, PA
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Top 10 Group Friendly Hotels 1. Hampton Inns 2. Holiday Inns 3. Holiday Inn Express 4. Best Western 5. Comfort Inns 6. Drury Inns 7. Clarion 8. Marriott 9. Choice Hotels 10. Tie: Days Inn Doubletree Hilton
The Philadelphia Skyline in Pennsylvania
The Top 30 Group Tour States 1. New York 2. Pennsylvania 3. Virginia 4. Maryland 5. Tennessee 6. Florida 7. Missouri 8. New Jersey 9. Massachusetts 10. Michigan 11. South Carolina 12. Georgia 13. North Carolina 14. Texas 15. California 16. Ohio 17. Illinois 18. Kentucky 19. West Virginia 20. Arizona 21. Vermont 22. Mississippi 23. Nevada 24. Wyoming 25. Louisiana 26. New Mexico 27. Arkansas 28. South Dakota 29. Nebraska 30. Tie: Connecticut Oregon New Hampshire 10 • Byways
Top 10 Group Friendly Restaurants 1. Cracker Barrel 2. Golden Corral 3. Bob Evans 4. Hard Rock Cafe 5. Bubba Gump 6. Ryan’s 7. Buca di Beppo 8. Applebee’s 9. Olive Garden 10. Landry's Seafood Restaurants
Yosemite National Park in California
Top 5 Natural Attractions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Niagara Falls, New York and Ontario Cape Cod, Massachusetts Grand Canyon, Arizona Yosemite National Park, California Black Hills, South Dakota
Top 15 Man-Made Attractions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Washington, DC Monuments Statue of Liberty Six Flags Theme Parks New York’s Broadway Grand Ole Opry Pennsylvania Dutch Country 7. Universal Studios 8. Elvis Presley’s Graceland 9. Disney World 10. Radio City Music Hall 11. Dollywood 12. Silver Dollar City 13. Mount Vernon 14. Hershey Park 15. Mount Rushmore
Southern Kitchen Home Cooking Since 1955 Close to Bryce Resort, Shenandoah Caverns & New Market Battlefield New Market, Virginia I-81 Exit
Steaks • Seafood • Chicken • Breakfast 540-740-3514 9576 S. Congress Street Open 7 Days a Week 7 am - 9 pm Come by and meet your hosts, Randy & Rebecca Newland
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A motorcoach group stops for dinner at the Chesapeake Grill, while watching anglers fishing year-round from the Sea Gull Pier, which extends from the southernmost of the four man-made islands at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.
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Virginia Beach Introduces Group Travel
Live the Life Adventures
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The Old Cape Henry Lighthouse silently guards the entry way into the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia Beach. Standing near the spot where the first permanent English settlers landed in 1607 before heading to Jamestown, it is open to the public.
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Sunset off the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Specialty-interest itineraries & tours allow group planners to create experiential travel programs that uniquely showcase Virginia Beach.
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hen we think of beachfront communities, we often think of small towns with small populations that explode with visitors during the summer months, then return to their small town character when the visitors have gone home for the winter. And that is how many in the tourism industry think of Virginia Beach, the famous beachfront community in Virginia. They would be wrong. In fact, Virginia Beach is the largest city in Virginia. And that does not take into account the growth during the summer season. Today, Virginia Beach is a year-round destination as well as a year-round home to a growing population. And perhaps more than any other beachfront community in America, Virginia Beach is committed to the group tour industry. Recently, Virginia Beach unveiled Live the Life Adventures -- a series of experiential group travel programs that uniquely showcase the very best of what Virginia Beach has to offer. Presented in six different themes -- Body/Mind/Spirit, Arts & Culture, Outdoor, Military, History and Culinary/Agriculture -- this new array of group programs, itineraries and tours have been created to help group planners and travel agents develop customized travel adventures to meet their groups’ specific needs.
The Contemporary Arts Center of Virginia
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Virginia Beach!s signature oceanfront Boardwalk is a three-mile thoroughfare that hugs the resort!s wide, sandy resort beach.
These Live the Life Adventures not only entice travelers to explore the diverse range of sights, sounds and tastes throughout Virginia Beach in a whole new way, but they also provide agents and group planners an easy way to boost their income with exciting programs created just for groups. The Live the Life Adventures offer specially tailored experiences throughout Virginia Beach that will appeal 16 • Byways
to all kinds of groups, from family reunions, student groups or senior organizations, to smaller groups of friends planning a vacation based around their shared interests such as local cuisine or spa and yoga retreats. The six different themes -- each boasting a vast assortment of individual tour options -- feature hands-on, interactive activities and encounters that promote group involvement and can be combined to tailor-make the
ideal trip customized to a group’s preferences. Virginia Beach’s dedicated group department has created an assortment of suggested itineraries showcasing Live the Life Adventures themes: • Mind + Body + Spirit Experience – 3 Days/2 Nights: Travelers seeking balance and relaxation will find their zen while enjoying some of Virginia Beach’s most breathtaking sights and restful spa experiences.
Highlights include morning Yoga on the beach, a halfday Spa Escape, an “unlocking the mystery of your dreams” experience, visits to the 3-mile Boardwalk and Town Center as well as peaceful strolls along the beach and healthy, flavorful cuisine. • Arts & Culture Experience – 4 Days/3 Nights: This program was designed to showcase the vibrant arts scene and lively stages throughout Virginia Beach and to spark Byways • 17
Virginia Beach is an ideal family destination, beckoning to sunbathers and sandcastle-builders.
creativity with a “Backstage Broadway” behind-thescenes reception with the cast of the Sandler Center for Performance Arts, a tour of the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia and a memorable evening at The Mystery Dinner Playhouse. • Culinary & Agriculture Experience – 4 Days/3 Nights: Highlights of this trip include a day at the Farmers Market where groups will experience a “Farm to Table” adventure, wine tastings at the Moon Rise Bay Winery, a night of entertainment at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, a lesson on “Holistic Health & Healing” as well as kayaking through the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Museum. • Military History Experience – 4 Days/3 Nights: Visitors travel back in time as they explore historic attractions including the Old Coast Guard Station, a day in Norfolk including a tour of the USS Wisconsin battleship, and visits to the MacArthur Memorial, Naval Aviation Monument Park, the Military Aviation Museum, the Francis Landhouse (an early 19th century Plantation Home) and the National Historic Landmark of the Adam Thoroughgood House. • Outdoor & Eco-Adventure Experience – 4 Days/3 Nights: This program invites travelers to explore the natural beauty and wildlife throughout Virginia Beach with exciting outdoor adventures including a night owl hunt at the First Landing State Park, a kayak adventure in the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, a biking tour of the Boardwalk and state park trails, a behind-the18 • Byways
The Mid-Atlantic!s largest population of bottlenose dolphin spend their summers along the Virginia Beach shoreline. Several outdoor outfitters offer dolphin-watching boat trips and kayaking with dolphin excursions.
scenes tour of the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center as well as surf lessons and stand-up paddle boarding. • Beach Life – 5 Days/4 Nights: Hit the Boardwalk to stretch your legs. Take a surrey ride to explore oceanfront monuments and museums, then head off to dinner and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. One of the greatest pleasures about being in Virginia Beach is just that, being at the beach! Enjoy fun in the sun, settling into the relaxed pace of life. Bike the Boardwalk, hike through First Landing State Park, climb the Cape Henry Lighthouses. It’s all part of the Virginia Beach Life! While these suggested itineraries showcase a variety of options available to group planners, there are virtually endless combinations of trip elements that can be mixed and matched to create a completely customized group experiences based on specialty interests. The Live the Life Adventures feature special rates for group planners and include an expansive range of experiences and excursions for a minimum of five and up to 100 participants based on the program. In addition to these discounted tours, group planners and travel agents are also offered net rates or commissions at local area hotels. Much more than traditional tours, the Live the Life Adventures are an invitation for group planners and trav-
el agents to promote group travel to Virginia Beach in a way that will result in return customers and increased revenue. For more information, visit www.vbgrouptours.com or call 1-800-700-7702. Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
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The Sounds of Freedom Naval Air Station Oceana
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An F-14 Tomcat, featured in the move Top Gun, greets visitors to Aviation Park at Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach. It is one of many former front-line Navy planes which are on display at the base. The Park features 13 types of aircraft that have operated out of Oceana since it was commissioned in 1943. The park is open to the public 8am to dusk, and is free of charge.
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Aviation Park is one of the highlights of a visit to NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach.
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hese days, getting through an airport can be a challenge. If you think that’s difficult, try getting onto a U.S. military airbase without proper credentials. But if you have a tour group visiting NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, you may be surprised to learn that not only are they welcome on base, they will be treated as VIPs. You’ll still need to have a full security check of your motorcoach by military police upon entering the base, and each passenger will still need to provide photo identification or a passport. But once you’ve cleared those formalities, your tour customers will be in for a VIP treat of a lifetime. Home to some 300 F/A-18 Hornets and Superhornets, and a variety of other military support command, NAS Oceana is the Navy’s only East Coast Master Jet Base. The largest employer in Virginia Beach, the air station covers approximately 6,000 acres, has four parallel runways and is situated in the heart of Virginia Beach. A tour of the base includes recreation facilities, entertainment venues, living quarters, and a visit to Aviation Park and lunch at the Officers Club. Yes, you heard that right. Lunch at the Officers Club for your groups, and they’ll be enjoying lunch right alongside many of those F/A-18 pilots 22 • Byways
you’ll see landing and taking off during your tour. Each September you’re invited to join the U.S. Navy in celebrating the nation’s freedom and 100 years of powered flight with the award-winning air show at Naval Air Station Oceana, one of the American Bus Association’s Top 100 Events. Enjoy thrilling aerobatics from the word’s finest civilian performers, as well as the heavy metal of the U.S. military including Top Gun’s F14 Tomcat and F/A-18 Hornet, and breathtaking performances by the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels. Arrangements for your group tour will require advance planning and clearance. Contact Public Affairs Office, 1750 Tomcat Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23460. https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Oceana/index.htm 757-433-3131.
Military Aviation Museum Honors Past Heroes
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ne of the unique aspects of a trip to Virginia the preservation of historical aircraft before they are lost Beach is the opportunity to not only meet our forever. Swing into the skies to visit one of the largest colleclatest heroes and the most impressive, modern fleet of aircraft in the world, you can also travel back in tions of flying WWII Military Aircraft in the world. That’s correct. Every plane in the Museum is in flying time and relive the past history of military aviation. The Military Aviation Museum offers the opportunity condition, and it certainly represents one of the most to return to the days when military aircraft were spectacular, and the heroes who flew them never let their country down. The Military Aviation Museum, located at the Virginia Beach Airport, is home to one of the largest private collections of World War II and Korean War era fighters, bombers, trainers and seaplanes. Many aircraft have been fully restored to their World War II condition and are available for flight demonstration, static display or movie production or commercials. The Fighter Factory is the aircraft recovery and restoration component of Rosie the Riveter greets visitors. the museum dedicated to Byways • 23
Former military pilots serve as tour guides at the museum.
Mustang Fighter Pilot. Make your day complete for your group by adding a World War II themed lunch or dinner with high flying songs. For information, please call 757-721-7767 or: events@aviationmuseum.us http://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org
impressive restoration of military aircraft you will find anywhere. What’s even better is you can get up close and personal as your tour guide takes you through the hangers. Meet and interact with Rosie the Riveter or a 24 • Byways
is 8.4 km) and 17.6 miles (2 s re . su ex ea pl m m nnel nel co The Bridge-Tu est bridge-tun rg la !s ld or w e considered th
The World-Famous Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel The 625-foot, wheelchair accessible fishing pier at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel extends into the Chesapeake Bay and allows fishermen to experience deep-sea fishing, 3.5 miles from the Virginia Beach shoreline.
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hether you are driving north or south, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel showcases the mighty surge of the Atlantic Ocean, the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay, and the soaring grace of an engineering marvel. Both a tourist attraction and a travel convenience, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel connects Virginia’s Eastern Shore with the Virginia mainland at Virginia Beach near Norfolk. For 47 years, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel has captured worldwide attention as a modern engineering wonder and an important East Coast travel convenience. Crossing over and under open waters where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, the BridgeTunnel provides a direct link between Southeastern Virginia and the Delmarva Peninsula, and cuts 95 miles from the journey between Virginia Beach and points north of Wilmington, Delaware. A one-way toll of $12 per car financially supports the Bridge-Tunnel. Following its opening on April 15, 1964, the BridgeTunnel was selected “One of the Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World”. To date, over 100 million commercial and passenger vehicles have crossed the Bridge-Tunnel. In order to meet future traffic demands and provide for a safer crossing, construction of a parallel crossing project began in summer 1995, and opened to four-lane traffic on April 19, 1999. 26 • Byways
From shore to shore, the Bridge-Tunnel measures 17.6 miles (28.4 km) and is considered the world’s largest bridge-tunnel complex. The One Island on the Bay is located on the southernmost of the Bridge-Tunnel’s four man-made islands, 3.5 miles from Virginia Beach. This island provides the traveling public an opportunity to stop, stretch their legs, grab a bite to eat, cast a line, birdwatch, or just take in the natural beauty and sounds of the Chesapeake Bay. An interpretive display of the construction of the Bridge-Tunnel is located near the Restaurant/Gift Shop, where the Visitor Information Center is located, staffed and operated by the City of Virginia Beach, offering tourist information to travelers heading to the Hampton Roads area. Chesapeake Grill, a casual yet full-service restaurant, offers a complete menu including breakfast, lunch and dinner. Choose from sandwiches to fresh-made soups to delicious seafood dishes using locally-grown and harvested ingredients as much as possible. Outdoor dining is also available for travelers. Anglers may leave the boat at home and enjoy fishing year-round from the Sea Gull Pier, which extends from the southernmost of the four man-made islands at the Chesappeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. The 625-foot, wheelchair accessible fishing pier
The newly-renovated Chesapeake Grill is a casual yet full-service restaurant that features a complete menu including breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a focus on local seafood entrees. The Virginia Originals store offers a retail shopping experience that is sure to please customers, and features all the best of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
extends into the Bay and allows fishermen to experience coin-operated viewing machines. deep-sea fishing, 3.5 miles from the Virginia Beach If you are looking for that perfect vantage point to shoreline. Cleaning stations, as well as a certified weigh- photograph the Bridge-Tunnel, stop at the Scenic ing station are available. There is no additional fee for Overlook. Located at the southern tip of Virginia’s unlimited use of the fishing pier, and a fishing license is Eastern Shore, a parking area accommodates cars, recrenot required. ational vehicles and motorcoaches. The Bridge-Tunnel offers travelers and birding The aircraft carrier USS"George Washington cruises past enthusiasts the opportunithe Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. ty to observe birds and waterfowl from its four man-made islands. The Bridge-Tunnel’s habitat of concrete, steel, asphalt and rocks located in open water, makes an inviting rest stop for birds during spring and fall migrations. Two major shipping channels are crossed by the Bridge-Tunnel. Observe Navy and commercial ocean-going ships glide gracefully through some of the world’s busiest shipping channels through Byways • 27
r e b m e m e r o t p i r t d a o r A
Floating leisurely downstream in a stock tank, known as tanking, has become a popular pastime in Nebraska.
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s you make your way across Nebraska, your surroundings constantly transform -- wooded riverbanks, rich prairie, rolling sandhills, pine-studded buttes. The wonders of the landscape come to life while exploring Toadstool Geologic Park, canoeing the Niobrara National Scenic River, hiking the trails at Wildcat Hills, and following the roads that wind through the sandhills.
Historically speaking Nebraska truly is pioneer country. This is your chance to see firsthand the geological formations that guided waves of emigrants across the prairie. In addition to natural landmarks, Nebraska boasts a large number of historically rich attractions. Some great examples include the Great Platte River Road Archway, Homestead National Monument of America, Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, the Durham Museum, and Fort Robinson State Park. Charm meets chic Nowhere is the juxtaposition of city and country so compelling as in Nebraska. To find a slower pace, meander along a two-lane road leading away from the hustle and bustle. You’ll discover quaint attractions and genuine hospitality.
Great Platte River Road Archway
If you prefer an urban-style outing, head to Omaha or Lincoln where you can enjoy revamped historic districts and popular restaurants. You’ll find world-class exhibits at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo as well as a number of theatres and museums.
One of many exhibits at Omaha!s Henry Doorly Zoo.
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Fruit of the vine Across the state, more than 200 vineyards take advantage of fertile soil and ideal growing conditions to produce some very tasty varieties. Spend a pleasant afternoon touring a vineyard, sampling award-winning wines, and purchasing a bottle or two of your favorites. One-of-a-kind wonders For those looking for more unique experiences, Nebraska is filled with rare opportunities. Take in the spring sandhill crane migration along the Platte River Valley. Enjoy an eight-story view of the world’s largest railroad classification yard from the Golden Spike Tower. Pose in front of Carhenge. Float along a river in a stock tank. And tour a significant collection of military aircraft at the Strategic Air & Space Museum.
More than 200 vineyards take advantage of Nebraska!s fertile soil and ideal growing conditions.
Travel Planner at VisitNebraska.gov or contact Paula So what are you waiting for? Bohaty, Group Travel Manager, at 800-228-4307 or To plan your next getaway, check out the Group paula.bohaty@nebraska.gov. Nebraska!s Toadstool Geologic Park
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REDISCOVER THE
ROAD TRIP.
IN NEBRASKA, YOU CAN RECAPTURE the magic of road trips past. And with so much history to experience—from ancient fossil beds to the stories of the pioneers to frontier living—it’s easy to let loose and relive the good times. So what are you waiting for?
VisitNebraska.gov
888-444-1867, Dept. 1BYA
Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Travel and Tourism Division
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Guided Walking Tours of New Mexico Town Give#Groups an Intimate Look into Colorful Past
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very building in Mesilla, near Las Cruces, New Mexico, may have a story to tell, but they mean nothing if there is nobody to tell it, which is where longtime resident and tour host Preciliana Sandoval comes in. Sandoval moved from Las Cruces to Mesilla (which means “Little Tableland” in Spanish) 15 years ago in order to sell her art and murals around the plaza, but as she learned more about the history of the town from other res-
such as the “Mariachi Sundays on the Plaza,” where visitors can enjoy free mariachi performances every Sunday during the summer and fall months. The Plaza also provides a venue for important ceremonies, including the Veterans Day Ceremony and the Dia de Los Muertos procession. Sandoval, who is mentioned in both Frommer’s and Fodor’s national travel guides, takes her guests on an hour-long journey through the heart of Mesilla while explaining its architecture and buildings as well as its colorful and sometimes gruesome past.
g n i n e p p a H s ’ t Wha
idents, she began offering walking tours to visitors who yearned to hear the unspoken stories hidden within the town’s rustic adobe walls. “Everyone knows everyone,” Sandoval said, as she sat on a park bench in the plaza as the sun set. “We still have that neighbor mentality.” With a population of only about 2,800 people, Mesilla is a town that seems frozen in the past. The town square still looks much like it did back in 1848, when it wasn’t much more than a dusty stop along the trail from Texas to California. But like a desert flower, today’s Mesilla has blossomed into a vibrant shopping and entertainment venue for locals and visitors alike, while still managing to preserve its rich cultural past, partly through the efforts of locals like Sandoval. The town is host to 80 different and exciting businesses that sell everything from fine art, jewelry, furniture, books and wine to honey, chile and antiques, Sandoval said. There are five different bars and more than 10 restaurants that serve authentic Mexican food, not including Lorenzo’s, the lone Italian restaurant that makes its food with a southwestern twist, and just a hint of chile. The plaza also features various concerts and musical performances, 32 • Byways
Preciliana Sandoval with the Basilica in the background.
The Plaza itself was the site where no less than 90 people were hung for various crimes back when the West was still very wild. “Mesilla was very rowdy... Every building has a ghost story,” Sandoval said. “It was lawless...We could barely keep our marshals alive, so there was a lot of death.” During the tour, Sandoval speaks about the history and mentions facts about New Mexico, as well as stories about the various “ghosts” that inhabit the plaza, which become all the more appealing during the fall season when Halloween comes around. She has hosted tours for a variety of different people throughout the past 10 years, from individuals and couples to large groups. Everyone is always welcome, Sandoval said. Although the tour is fairly short, the knowledge Sandoval presents on Mesilla is unique. She learned about the town by spending time with the ever-present locals, or “Mesilleros,” who are Basilica of San Albino, on the Mesilla plaza descended from the original Mesilla settlers. “I hang out with the Mesilleros,” Mesilleros or the various government employees and Sandoval said. expats from other parts of the nation who live there, all “They heard I was giving tours, and they’ve embraced the residents have a unique perspective and presence me.” Although visitors are able to visit landmarks such within the town. “There are several people from Hawaii as the Basilica of San Albino and the gazebo in the town that live here now, and I ask them, ‘Why did you leave center, not many people know that this church replaced all the beautiful, lush land?’ and they say the people are the previous one after the adobe roof collapsed from really friendly down here,” Sandoval said. And that rain, or that the gazebo is over 150 years old and was diversity doesn’t end at the bar room door. “Mesilla is relocated by college students after they found it wasn’t the only place where you can be at a bar and sit next to directly in the center of the plaza, which is just some of a farmer and a rocket scientist at the same time,” the history Sandoval gives to visitors on her Sandoval said. “You can never tell what the conversatour. Sandoval herself is a fifth-generation New tion is going to be about.” Mexican and is also an accomplished muralist whose Nestled in the Mesilla Valley between the Rio Grande paintings are featured in more than seven businesses in River and Organ Mountains, Las Cruces, New Mexico is Mesilla, from the visitor favorite La Posta de Mesilla quickly becoming a popular southwestern destination. restaurant to the local watering hole, El Patio bar. “My Visitors can experience 72 holes of spectacular yearfamily actually started in Las Cruces,” Sandoval said. round golf and world-class Mexican food. Las Cruces “My grandsons are here now, and they are seventh-gen- blends a unique variety of special events, attractions, eration.” culture and historical sites, as well as superb weather, The allure of Mesilla doesn’t just come from its histo- with 350 days of sunshine per year. For more informary, businesses or sunny weather; it also comes from the tion, contact the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors people that live there, Sandoval said. Whether it’s the Bureau at 575-541-2150 or cvb@lascrucescvb.org. Byways • 33
The Unique Ozark Medieval Fortress
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ave you ever dreamed of medieval castles? Real strongholds of the past, built with quarried stones, felled oaks, forged tools, and bare hands. Do you wonder how it felt to raise these fortresses from the ground up, to perform such an amazing feat? In the heart of the United States, between Springfield, Missouri, and Little Rock, Arkansas, a dazzling historic vision is rising in the middle of the Ozark Mountains. The creation is the brainchild of Michel Guyot who launched a similar and very successful project in Burgundy, France, ten years ago. A team of architectural experts, working together with historians of the Middle Ages and dedicated artisans, is raising a genuine, full-sized, fortified castle, with 24-foot high towers, a drawbridge, and 6-foot wide stone walls surrounding an expansive inner courtyard, using the materials, techniques, and rules of the 13th century. Ground was broken in June, 2009 and the Ozark Medieval Fortress opened to the public in May, 2010. 34 • Byways
A view of the Medieval Fortress as it will look in 2030.
Why in Arkansas? Michel Guyot, the owner and restorer of one of the largest castles in France, Saint-
Old World masonry techniques are used.
Fargeau Castle, brought his castleexpertise to Arkansas thanks to Solange and Jean-Marc Mirat, a French couple who moved to the United States twenty years ago. In September 2008, fascinated by the concept, they contacted him and offered a portion of their land for sale, a suitable place to build a castle in the middle of a forest, on a natural site that provides all the necessary building materials: water, stone, earth, sand, and wood. An Exciting, Dazzling Trip Into The Far Past Thirty masons, carpenters and stone carvers authentically dressed, will work all year round for twenty years, the time required to build a fortress in the Middle Ages. Imagine a place where you leave behind our technically advanced society to hear the clang of hammers on chisels as stones are being carved, and to hear snorting cart-horses pulling heavy stones on creaking wooden wagons. The blacksmith, the rope maker, the woodcutter will work right in front of you as they practise medieval techniques of construction. The Ozark Medieval Fortress is remarkable because it puts into practice 13th century work methods, techniques and tools. You will witness craftsmen at work transforming nature’s resources into an edifice rising
Old World tools and carpentry
from the earth, an experience which will deepen your understanding of human culture. The project’s charter focuses on authenticity. Techniques and materials will mirror those of our 13th century predecessors to create a living wonder made of stone, iron, and wood in a forest in Arkansas. One of the goals of the Ozark Medieval Fortress is to reproduce with utmost authenticity the technology used in the 13th century, with the exception of adhering to modern safety standards. To guarantee the authenticity and credibility of this project, a Franco-American team of architectural
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Visitors are invited to view the construction process.
experts along with historians and scientists are providing the plan based on a European model. They will validate each stage of the building process. Interaction Between Workers and Visitors The workers are building a human structure that is more than a pile of beautifully arranged rocks, with the craftsmen transmitting their know-how to visitors. The fortress is a place where knowledge is transmitted orally every day. For part of each day the workers and craftsmen respond to questions from the time-travellers who are watching the Middle Ages in action. The Ozark Medieval Fortress is a living and permanently developing tableau of history where tourists, students of all ages, researchers, and the staff of the fortress will come together. Educational Have you ever wanted to take your kids to a construction site where the “beep beep beep” of machines backing up is replaced by the ting ting ting of hammer to anvil and chisel to stone? Show them something that is not moving at warp speed. This unique experience that the fortress offers brings alive the intersection where book knowledge meets the fascinating and colorful reality of the Middle Ages. Ozark Medieval Fortress offers to educators of all levels and subjects, a fascinating, visual, open air classroom focused on the Middle 36 • Byways
Ages. Interpretative programs and guided tours adapted to all age groups are available. The Ozark Medieval Fortress will be an educational, scientific, and emotional experience, a soaring flight into ages past, an outdoor laboratory, a living history book. The Fortress is located about halfway between Little Rock, AR and Springfield, MO and close to Branson, MO. For more information, please call 870-436-7625. Advance reservations are highly recommended for groups. http://www.ozarkmedievalfortress.com/en-us/
Byways is published bi-monthly by Byways, Inc. and distributed electronically throughout North America. Byways is emailed to more 9000 tour operators, 21,000 travel agencies and 100,000 frequent travelers through the internet. Subscriptions are complimentary. Byways’ distribution also includes 4000+ motorcoach companies, tour operators, travel agents, bank travel managers, school band and athletic planners, and meeting planners. For advertising rates, editorial deadlines, or to place advertising insertions, contact: Byways Magazine, P.O. 1088, Mount Jackson, VA 22842. Telephone 540-4773202. Fax 540-477-3858. ©Copyright 2010 by Byways, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be duplicated in any form without express written permission of the publisher. Editor and Publisher Stephen M. Kirchner
Advertising Director 1.800.469.0062 540.477.3202 Fax 540.477.3858 Internet: www.motorcoach.com/byways Blog: http://bywaysmagazine.wordpress.com Email: byways@motorcoach.com
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World!s Largest Military Aviation Museum Launches Interactive Virtual Tour
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magine sitting in your living room when suddenly you find yourself in the Presidential Gallery of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, standing on the steps of the Sacred Cow, the aircraft on which President Harry Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947 creating the U.S. Air Force. Glancing around you also see John F. Kennedy’s Air Force One, the same aircraft used to bring his body back to Washington D.C. in 1963. Sound impossible? Now that the museum has launched its interactive 360degree virtual tour, users can explore the museum at their leisure, help plan future visits and share their experiences with friends and family. “This tour provides users with an all-hours access pass to explore the museum,” said Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Charles D. Metcalf, museum director. “It continues to expand our reach and share the Air Force story with our international audience.” When completed, the virtual tour will include 92 high-definition panoramic “nodes”. Each node consists of 307 photographs stitched together to create an experience like no other. In each node, aircraft and artifacts are hyperlinked to factsheets, supplemental information and educational tools. “Museum exhibition design is a medium that has historically benefited from advances in technology,” said John Luchin, a museum exhibit designer. “This virtual tour is the perfect way to maintain a connection with 38 • Byways
visitors long after they have left the museum galleries.” You can take the tour right now! Just follow the link: http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/virtualtour/index.asp. It will be rolled out in phases over the coming months. The first phase is complete and includes interactive capabilities for the Air Park and Memorial Park, along
Air Power Gallery
with views of the Presidential and Research & Development Galleries. By the end of November, the Early Years Gallery will be available for users to visit. It is estimated that each gallery will take around two months to complete. Included on the tour’s main page, users have access to the lecture series and audio tour podcasts, downloadable maps of the museum and individual panoramas of the nodes. The museum offers users various ways to obtain this information, with the podcasts available via iTunes and the panoramas built not only for computers, but also for Smartphones and iPads.
A Pew Research Center study conducted in February 2010 showed that 74 percent of individuals between the ages of 30-49 and 63 percent of those ages 50-64 use the Internet. Research conducted on behalf of the Ohio Tourism Division showed that 85 percent of Internet users access information using a mobile device when traveling to tourist attractions, and the museum ranks as one of the top tourist destinations in Ohio according to TripAdvisor.com. Surveys conducted online by the museum indicate that most people visit the museum’s website to either plan their next visit or for enjoyment. In addition, many
Northrop B-2 Spirit in the Cold War Gallery
people may not have the opportunity to visit the museum or visit as often as they would like. The National Museum of the United States Air Force is located on Springfield Street, six miles northeast of downtown Dayton. It is open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day). Admission and parking are free. For more information, please contact the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at 937-255-1376.
Boeing VC-137C SAM 2600 - Air Force One
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