Bus Tours Jan/Feb 2011

Volume XXXII, Number 3 • Janury/February 2011

Bus Tours Magazine Serving bus and group tour planners since 1979 Visit us at www.bustoursmagazine.com

River Cities

• Gaming • Colorado • Fall Foliage

Volume XXXII, Number 2

January/February, 2011

Bus Tours Magazine Serving bus and group tour planners since 1979 STAFF Editor & Publisher . . . . . . . . Larry Plachno Business Manager . . . Nancy Ann Plachno Bookkeeping . . . . . . . . . . . Dianne Billquist Typesetting/Page Layout . . Sherry Mekeel Editorial Assistant . . . . Laura Wagenknecht Office Assistant . . . . . . . Jennifer Driessens

Bus Tours Magazine 9698 W. Judson Road Polo, Illinois 61064-9015 (815) 946-2341 Fax: (815) 946-2347 Web site: www.bustoursmagazine.com Advertising Central/International bustours@busmag.com – (815) 946-2341 West west@busmag.com – (815) 946-2341 Midwest midwest@busmag.com – (815) 946-2341 Northeast tourgroups@busmag.com – (815) 946-2341 Southeast southeast@busmag.com – (815) 946-2341

Guides Great Gaming The excitement of gaming is always a hit with group tours and there are many excellent properties ready to welcome your guests. . . . . . . .22 Autumn’s Majesty Enjoy the colors of the autumn season with a fall trip to truly breathtaking destinations in West Virginia and Colorado. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Features From Cars and Culture to Music and Sports – Detroit Will Move You Detroit has everything you need for a memorable tour. Fun, fascinating and affordable, this city is a planner’s dream. . . . . . . . . .6 Explore New York and Ontario’s 1000 Islands Region New York and Ontario’s 1000 Islands region features friendly communities full of history and charm. The tour possibilities are endless. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

COVER PHOTO The scenic 1000 Islands beckons visitors to explore the region’s seafaring culture and history. This two nation destination offers some unforgettable sights and photo- Bus Tours News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 graphic opportunities. GEORGE FISCHER

Departments

PHOTOGRAPHY .

Colorado Rocky Mountains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Down the Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

BUS TOURS MAGAZINE (ISSN 0199-6096) is published six times annually by National Bus Trader, Inc., 9698 W. Judson Road, Polo, Illinois 61064. Subscriptions, $15 (in US funds) annually, Canadian & International $20 (in US funds). Printed in U.S.A. Periodical postage paid at Polo, Illinois 61064 and at additional mailing offices.

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Founded in 1979, BUS TOURS MAGAZINE is the oldest independent magazine in the bus and group tour market. Circulation includes bus and group tour planners in the United States and Canada regardless of affiliation or whether commercial, private or corporate or group leader.

The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without the written consent of the publisher. The name Bus Tours Magazine and the logo incorporating the passengers, bus and destinations are trade marks of National Bus Trader, Inc.

Biloxi Shrimping Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Tour Spotlight – Cooperstown, New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 20 Tips (by Dr. Charleen Jaeb) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Historic Wallace, Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Bus and Group Tours Wanted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Bus Tours Planner’s Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Advertiser’s Index appears on page 37 Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011 • 3

Bus Tours News DC Invites Travelers to Go Under Cover with Spy-themed Events, Attractions and Espionage Sights The seductive world of espionage nabbed headlines around the world in 2010, from the alluring tales of Anna Chapman and her ring of Russian spies to Angelina Jolie and her starring role in SALT. If you are looking for a way to add an element of intrigue to your next getaway, make it your mission to explore America's spy capital, Washington, D.C. Want to try your own hand at spy games?

Plan a visit to the International Spy Museum, where you will explore the ins and outs of espionage as you adopt a "cover," crack codes and learn about intelligence successes, failures and ongoing issues. Elevate your spy game when you test out the museum's special programs, like Spy in the City, a GPS-based tour of D.C. peppered with clues, codes and more; or Operation Spy, a one-hour interactive espionage adventure based on a case pulled from CIA files.

More hands-on adventures await at the National Museum of Crime and Punishment, home to the filming studios of America's Most Wanted. The museum also boasts its own CSI experience, where would-be crime fighters use fingerprinting, ballistics and DNA to crack a case.

If spies are in the news, you will also find them in the Newseum, D.C.'s interactive news museum. The Newseum explores the FBI's role in crime fighting and pop culture in a special exhibition, G-Men and Journalists: Top News Stories of the FBI's First Century. Artifacts featured in the exhibition include the Unabomber's cabin, Patty Hearst's coat and gun and the electric chair that killed the Lindbergh baby kidnapper.

You can also pay tribute to famous spies and intelligence officials like former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, whose likeness is on display at Madame Tussauds or Julia Child, who spiced up the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) before becoming a celebrated chef.

Child's kitchen is on display at the National Museum of American History. Step into the National Archives' Public Vaults permanent exhibition to listen in on Watergate tapes, tap into war and immigration records and more.

If you want to keep a close watch on Capitol Hill, make the Hotel George your base of operations. Named after first president and American spymaster, George Washington, the hotel offers an "Undercover Washington" 4 • Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011

The mystery and intrigue of espionage has enthralled people for centuries and some of America’s best spy-themed attractions can be found in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. The International Spy Museum, shown here, features a variety of exhibits and hands-on adventures sure to thrill your guests.

package that includes admission to the International Spy Museum and a "Spy Kit" complete with a guide to D.C. locations where famous spies once lived and worked and a "Spymaster Skills Exam" (score well on the exam and you will also score a bottle of Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2003.)

Rates start at $199 per night.

Stay in a hotel with a twist of espionage history such as the Washington Marriott Wardman Park. Prior to the United States' entry into World War II, British spy "Cynthia" holed up in the hotel as she and her group spied on the French Vichy Embassy. After procuring documents from the embassy, Cynthia and her associates would photograph the files in a lab set up in a guest room.

Spy stories abound at the Mayflower Renaissance Washington, D.C .Hotel, where J. Edgar Hoover dined nearly every day for 20 years. It was also a refuge for German spy George Dasch, who traveled to the U.S. with seven associates in 1942 as part of a plot to destroy factories and power plants. Dasch fled to Washington, D.C. and checked into the Mayflower, where he contacted the FBI and revealed the saboteurs' plot.

For a modern spy experience, check in to the Mandarin Oriental Washington

D.C. Movie fans will recognize it as a backdrop featured in Angelina Jolie's hit film, SALT. For more information, visit www.

Washington.org.

Vancouver Aquarium’s Amazon Gallery Welcomes New Residents Two new, vibrant green birds are taking over the Vancouver Aquarium’s Amazon gallery, swooping from tree to tree and even from perch to perch. The pair of crimsonrumped toucanets, the first toucanets ever to join the Aquarium family, is making their presence seen and heard.

Hatched and raised in the Emerald Forest Bird Garden, an award-winning natural breeding facility in California, the toucanets now live alongside a blue-fronted Amazon parrot, hyacinth macaws and other charming tropical birds that call the Aquarium’s Amazon rainforest home.

“Toucanets are active and inquisitive birds,” said Lee Newman, Tropical Waters curator. “They are talkative and have a natural sense of curiosity that makes them well-suited to join our Amazon bird family.”

Bus Tours News

Vancouver British Columbia’s Vancouver Aquarium recently welcomes two new exotic feathered residents to its Amazon gallery. The pair of crimson-rumped toucanets are very active and inquisitive birds and are known to greet visitors with their noisy chatter.

With a new tree perch to call their own, the birds are settling in well to their new environment and fearlessly discovering their new home and guests. Much to the surprise of Gino and Cosmo, the Aquarium’s two Amazon parrots, the toucanets even settle on the parrots’ own perches cozying up right next to Gino and Cosmo.

Despite their vibrant green feathers, the toucanets camouflage well and seem to disappear into the trees of the Amazon.

However, their inability to carry a tune (as toucanets grunt more than sing) may just give them away. Their “ggruks,” guttural “gaaks” and nasally “cua, cuas” are intended to help the toucanets defend their territory, send a warning or court a mate.

Once they spot them, visitors can watch these naturally active, crow-sized birds flit from tree to tree throughout the Aquarium’s Amazon rainforest exhibit.

The Vancouver Aquarium is a global leader in connecting people to our natural world, and a self-supporting, non-profit association dedicated to effecting the conservation of aquatic life through display and interpretation, conservation practices, education, research and direct action.

The aquarium is located in Vancouver, British Columbia. Learn more at www.vanaqua.org. ❑ Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011 • 5

From Cars and Culture to Music and Sports

Detroit Will Move You Article and photos courtesy of Detroit Metro CVB Cars, culture, gaming, music, sports and so much more are highlights of unforgettable Detroit, Michigan. This affordable and fun region is highly group-friendly and ready to roll out the red carpet for your tour. The colorful lights of the breaking dawn, shown here, signal the start of another glorious day in the Motor City.

D

etroit has the winning recipe for a dynamic bus tour. Fill your itinerary with ingredients like cars, culture, gaming, music and sports. Mix in a vibrant riverfront and an international border. Finally, sprinkle in affordability and helpful, experienced hospitality professionals for a destination that is sure to satisfy any bus tour’s appetite for fun.

Take Me to the River Detroit is located in southeastern Michigan and shares an international border with Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Detroit’s rich history dates back to its founding in 1701 when French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac landed on the banks of the Detroit River. The river has remained a focal point ever since. In the decades before the Civil War, the river served as a passage from Detroit, the last stop on the Underground Railroad, to the freedom that awaited escaped slaves in Canada. During Prohibition, as much as 75 percent of the country’s illegal alcohol was smuggled across the river from Windsor into Detroit. Some of Detroit’s oldest bars and pubs were former speakeasies. Prohibition-themed tours are available.

Today, the Detroit International Riverfront is the perfect showcase for the destination’s greatest natural resource. The Riverfront includes a continuous RiverWalk connecting public parks and green space. Three miles are currently open; the complete project will be 51⁄2 miles long.

6 • Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011

Take to the water for a gorgeous view of the Detroit and Canada skylines with a guided tour from the deck of the Diamond Jack River Boat (www.diamondjack.com).

Enjoy themed dinner cruises through October on the Detroit Princess Riverboat (www.detroitprincess.com). Stay on land and explore the Riverfront via bike by visiting Wheelhouse Detroit (www.wheelhousedetroit.com). The bicycle shop offers rentals of cruisers, hybrids, road, tandem and kid’s bikes as well as guided tours. Several tour companies also offer themed walking tours of the area.

The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority anticipates that the new Port of Detroit (www.portdetroit.com) will be open by early 2011. The port will be a public dock and terminal able to accommodate cruise ships and other vessels of interest. Detroit looks forward to being a future port of call for Great Lakes cruising.

World Class Attractions Many people know Detroit as the Motor City. Detroit’s automotive legacy began when Henry Ford, its most famous son, forever changed the world by inventing the moving assembly line, making automobiles affordable to the masses. A number of attractions celebrate the region’s automotive heritage.

The Henry Ford, Detroit’s number one visitor attraction, is actually three separate attractions that draw people from around the globe. Henry Ford Museum is 12 acres of innovation under one roof featuring an eclectic collection of Americana, from a presidential limousine display to the bus that Rosa Parks rode when she took a stand against segregation. Greenfield Village immerses visitors in an American history lesson brought to life.

Close to 100 historic buildings, from Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park laboratory to the Wright Brothers Cycle Shop, are reassembled on the village grounds and put into context by costumed presenters. Touring the village in a Model T, steam locomotive or horse-drawn carriage offers a great overview of the property. At the Ford Rouge Factory Tour, visitors watch as new Ford F-150s are assembled in a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant.

The Henry Ford offers tour operators the lowest rates available. The best value is the All American package with admission to Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village and the Ford Rouge Factory Tour, unlimited rides on the Model T, steam locomotive, horse-drawn carriage and 1913 carousel, and $10 restaurant fun money. Admission for motorcoach drivers and escorts is complimentary at all attractions as are ride passes with any group ride pass purchase. For group rates, phone a minimum of 24 hours ahead. Tickets paid in advance will be waiting at group check-in.

Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011 • 7

A reservation confirmation is sent in advance with a driver’s map listing drop-off and pick-up locations at each attraction. Stepon greeters await your arrival. Free, convenient, on-site motorcoach parking is provided.

Your motorcoach can now drive directly to the Rouge Visitor Center, which is the entrance to the Ford Rouge Factory Tour.

Suggested tour duration is three to four hours for Henry Ford Museum, four to six hours for Greenfield Village (check hours which vary seasonally) and two hours for the Ford Rouge Factory Tour. Visit online at www.thehenryford.org or phone (313) 982-6001 for more information.

Tours of the historic auto baron homes, including the magnificent Edsel and Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores and Meadowbrook Hall, the estate of auto pioneer John Dodge’s widow in Rochester Hills, offer a glimpse inside these American castles.

Experience the opulent auto baron lifestyle of a bygone era at Edsel and Eleanor Ford House. Guests enjoy a welcome video and guided tour of the house, gardens (weather permitting), playhouse and garage with antique cars and special exhibits. Allowing two hours is recommended (three hours if you include a meal). Tour length can be shortened to accommodate your schedule.

Motorcoaches use the north entrance and drive to the Activities Center where guests are dropped off and picked up at the lobby door.

Complimentary on-site parking for the coach is in the back of the Activities Center lot. Staff will direct the driver. Guests travel through the grounds on the Ford House shuttle bus.

Group rates are $8 adults, $7 seniors and $5 children. Escort and driver are complimentary. Meals for the escort and driver are complimentary with a 20-guest minimum.

Reservations are required, preferably two weeks in advance. Deposits are required by cash, check, Visa or MasterCard. Refunds are available with a one-week cancellation notice.

For more information go to www. fordhouse.org or phone (313) 884-4222.

Detroit’s Cultural Center houses a wealth of attractions. Detroit’s history is chronicled at the Detroit Historical Museum (www.detroithistorical.org). Nearby, African American history is celebrated and preserved at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History (www.maah-detroit.org), the largest museum of its kind in the world. The museum is one of several African American heritage attractions in the region. The Detroit Institute of Arts (www.dia.org) recently completed a major renovation and expansion. Its collection of masterpieces is well recognized. Do not miss the famed Diego Rivera mural Detroit Industry, one of the artist’s best preserved works.

(Bus) Stop in the name of love at the Motown Historical Museum (www.motown8 • Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011

One of Detroit’s biggest claims to fame is its automotive heritage and a must-see Detroit attraction is The Henry Ford Museum. Groups could easily spend a couple of days exploring the Henry Ford Museum as well as Greenfield Village and the Ford Rouge Factory Tour.

museum.com), also known as Hitsville USA. The Motown sound was born in Detroit in 1960 when Berry Gordy, Jr. founded the label with an $800 loan from his entrepreneurial family. Soon the whole world was singing along.

Artists like Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson all got their start at Motown’s humble first studio on West Grand Boulevard.

Take a look behind the magic of America’s Thanksgiving Parade at The Parade Company (www.theparade.org), a giant warehouse that houses all of the floats and costumes required to produce the annual event, an important holiday tradition in Detroit.

Free group tours can also be found in Detroit. At Morley Candy Factory (www.morleycandy.com), visitors can view gourmet chocolates being made and satisfy their sweet tooth with samples from the gift shop. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago-Detroit Branch (www.chicagofed.org) offers groups of 15 or more the chance to learn about our nation’s banking system by tracing the life cycle of a dollar bill. Watch new currency being printed and even leave with a bag of shredded money as a souvenir.

lian Grill (www.gomongo.com) for createyour-own stir fry, Big Fish in Dearborn (www.muer.com) for delicious seafood or Italian family-style Buca Di Beppo (www.bucadibeppo.com).

For a truly unique dining experience, consider Culinary Escapes LLC (www.culinaryescapes.com). The company provides guided restaurant tours of downtown Detroit or suburbs Birmingham and Royal Oak. Guests stroll from eatery to eatery, interact with the people behind the food and sample delicious local cuisine.

Every group needs a little free time on the itinerary. Detroit has plenty of choices to keep your guests entertained. Three worldclass casinos, MotorCity (www. motorcitycasino.com), MGM Grand (www. mgmgranddetroit.com) and Greektown (www.greektowncasino.com), add some excitement for visitors who are feeling lucky.

Each of these Las Vegas-style casinos also offers upscale restaurants and full-service hotels with many amenities.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

MotorCity Casino turns your tour into a dream with luxurious accommodations, a world-class spa and fine dining. You may have trouble getting your group back on the bus.

After a full day of touring, your group will be ready to refuel. Enjoy a great meal at one of Detroit’s diverse restaurant offerings.

Great choices for groups include: Buddy’s Pizza (www.buddyspizza.com), named one of the country’s best pizza places by the Food Network, Hockeytown Cafe (www.hockeytowncafe.com), a spacious restaurant filled with Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers memorabilia, PizzaPapalis (www.pizzapapalis.com), a deep-dish pizza parlor in the popular Greektown district, BD’s Mongo-

At MotorCity Casino, every bus is greeted on arrival. Day bus group visits (five hours) receive at least $20 in reward play per guest.

Overnight groups receive one complimentary room with every 20 rooms actualized, reward play credits of at least $20 per person as well as food credits. Both day and overnight groups include a group leader bonus—an extra $50 in reward play. Custom group packages are available with room rates starting at $119 based on arrival date. Reward Play incentives, food packages, gift shop

Indian Trails Motorcoach 28685 Smith Road Romulus, MI 48174-2244 (800) 292-3831 www.indiantrails.com Indian Trails offers lavatory dump services and bus washing; open seven days including evening hours.

coupons and spa discounts are offered. Reservations are required. Rooms and tax are paid prior to arrival by credit card, cash, check or money order.

A private motorcoach entrance is steps away from the gaming floor for day bus groups.

Overnight groups use the valet entrance. Complimentary on-site parking is available for buses on the street in front of the casino or in a private lot near the casino’s convention center.

Greeters will direct you on arrival. The lot is a very short walk for bus drivers. Shuttles are available in bad weather or on request. Go to www.motorcitycasino.com or phone (866) 740-4321 for more information.

Shopaholics can stroll the Tony Somerset Collection (www.thesomersetcollection.com) in Troy or hunt for great bargains at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets (www. greatlakescrossingoutlets.com), a retail and entertainment destination with many stores and restaurants that cannot be found anywhere else in Michigan. Twelve Oaks Mall (www.shoptwelveoaks.com) in Novi and The Village of Rochester Hills (www. villageofrochesterhills.com) are other fun shopping destinations for groups.

There is no shortage of bowling alleys in metro Detroit, most likely because there are more registered bowlers here than anywhere else in the country. Who knew? Bowling is a great group activity, fun for all ages and fitness levels. Check out Garden Bowl, America’s oldest active bowling center and Detroit’s original Rock-n-Bowl, located in The Majestic entertainment center (www.majesticdetroit.com).

The choices of live theater in Detroit are amazing – from touring Broadway musicals to local improvisational comedy troupes. With venues like the grand Fox Theatre (www.olympiaentertainment.com) and the historic Gem and Century Theatres (www.gemtheatre.com), seeing a show in Detroit makes for a memorable evening.

Total Bus Care, Inc. 3601 Bellevue Street Detroit, Michigan 48207 Phone: (313) 923-0204 Total Bus Care provides lavatory dump services, bus washing and minor repairs including heat, air conditioning and electrical. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The musical icons of Motown Records are the stars of Detroit’s Motown Historical Museum. Detroit native Barry Gordy founded the record company from humble beginnings and became one of the most important music producers in history.

at jpetrous@visitdetroit.com or phone (800) CALL-DTW (255-5389).

Motorcoach Service and Repair During your visit to Detroit, the following companies can assist with the cleaning and maintenance of your commercial motorcoach.

NU Line Motorcoach and Tours 21719 Harper Avenue, Ste. B St. Clair Shores, MI 48080 Phone: (586) 774-7810 NU Line can handle complete lavatory dump services for your motorcoach.

Vehicle Clinic of Detroit, LLC 5255 Tillman Street, West Building Detroit, MI 48208 Phone: (313) 895-7600 www.vehicleclinic.com The Vehicle Clinic offers mechanical services for motorcoaches. (No lavatory dump service is available.) ❑

BUS TOURS MAGAZINE

Friendly Neighbors Fun Fact: Detroit is the only major U.S. city where Canada can be viewed by looking to the south. Windsor is easily accessible via the Ambassador Bridge or Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, the world’s first auto traffic tunnel between two nations. Visitors who wish to cross must clear customs. Two pieces of identification are required including proof of citizenship. Windsor has a casino of its own, Caesars Windsor (www.caesarswindsor.com).

The Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau (www.visitdetroit.com) offers a number of free services for tour planners.

Contact them for lure brochures, mailing shells, digital images, tour planning manuals, videos highlighting metro Detroit, visitors’ guides, itinerary planning, familiarization tours and site inspections. Contact Jennifer Petrous

The Magazine of Bus Tours and Long Distance Charters Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011 • 9

T

he St. Lawrence River carries water from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic, flowing graciously between picturesque islands, more than 1,800 of them. For centuries this river has been used as a highway, hunting grounds and a playground. The first European to discover the St. Lawrence was Jacques Cartier in 1535 but it was settled by the Iroquois decades before. The western end of the river was called the “Garden of the Great Spirit” by the Iroquois due to its abundance of beauty and food supply. It was later dubbed “Les Milles iles” or translated to English “the 1000 Islands” by explorer Jean Desbayes in the late 1600s.

As the resources of the St. Lawrence became better known, the shoreline saw villages and cities emerging and its people learned to make their living from it. Fisherman and boat builders alike settled here followed by hoteliers, shop keepers and support services. Distinguished visitors flocked to the 1000 Islands in the late 19th century, and the area became widely known as a summer resort. The rich and famous of the day built lush homes on the islands and steamboats provided extensive tours of the river.

Today, century old traditions are still practiced and groups are invited to enjoy some time in the “Garden of the Great Spirit.” The 1000 Islands in the St. Lawrence River boasts nearly 200 miles of shorelines, each mile offering more beauty than the last. This two-nation destination welcomes you and you are sure to find something to please everyone in your group in the riverfront communities. Area residents have shared this waterway for centuries and look forward to sharing it with you soon.

The city of Kingston, Ontario is the largest city in the 1000 Islands Region. Also known as the “Limestone City,” Kingston is at the entrance of the St. Lawrence River from Lake Ontario. Originally a fur-trading post and strategic military stronghold, Kingston was the first capital of Upper Canada.

With one of the most vibrant and historic downtowns in Canada, it is best appreciated on foot or perhaps climb aboard the Confederation Tour Trolley for a 50-minute tour available in several languages. The tour winds through the waterfront community offering views of Kingston’s limestone heritage, Olympic Harbour, and historic sites. Groups of up to 32 people can be accommodated; advance reservations are required. Step-on guides can also be arranged for your motorcoach. Phone (888) 855-4555. Year-round, Kingston is alive with cultural celebrations and offers more than two dozen museums, historic sites and art galleries.

A stop at Fort Henry National Historic Site is a must. This extraordinary garrison on the lakeshore was built to ward off potential enemy forces after the War of 1812. Daily performances by the Fort Henry Guard feature rifle and cannon drills and marches of soldiers sta10 • Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011

Explore New York and Ontario’s 1000 Islands Region Article and photos submitted by Tillie Youngs, 1000 Islands International Tourism Council A two-nation destination is waiting to delight your group in Ontario and New York’s 1000 Islands region. Filled with friendly communities, fascinating history and some of the most stunning scenery in North America, planning a trip to the 1000 Islands offers a plethora of opportunities for planners.

tioned here in the 1800s. On Wednesday nights in July and August, enjoy Fort Henry’s Sunset Ceremonies, a spectacular celebration of the fife and drum, cannon fire and fireworks. Groups of 15 or more receive a discounted rate; drivers and escorts are comped. There are restaurant facilities on-site that can provide group meals.

Phone (800) 437-2233 or visit www.forthenry.com for more information.

Other sites include Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises (www.1000islandcruises.on.ca), offering several sightseeing cruises and unique dining opportunities on board. Group rates are offered to groups of 20 or more; phone Aline Lemere at (613) 549-5544, Ext. 202 for more information on group options. The Penitentiary Museum features a fascinating collection of federal penitentiaries artifacts. Admission is

a donation. Groups should reserve a visit in advance and there is designated bus parking on-site. Phone (613) 530-3122 or visit www.penitentiarymuseum.ca for more information. On Haunted Walks of Kingston, your group can explore the darker side of Kingston’s path as they traverse the streets by lantern light.

Tours are guided by knowledgeable costumed storytellers. Group tours are available and can be enjoyed by all ages and fitness levels. Groups must make advance reservations and private tours can be arranged. Phone (613) 549-6366 for more information or visit www.hauntedwalk.com to learn more.

A “must-see” in Cape Vincent, New York is the Tibbetts Point Lighthouse and Visitors Center which was built in 1827 as a beacon for ships entering the St. Lawrence. On the point,

Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011 • 11

on a series of islands and crosses the international border between American Wellesley Island and Canadian Hill Island where several island communities and parks are located.

Phone the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority at (315) 482-2501 to learn more.

this lighthouse marks where Lake Ontario meets the river. Phone (315) 654-2700 for more information. The former lightkeeper’s quarters are now the home of Hostelling International and during the spring, summer and fall plays host to groups of people from all over the world.

This dorm-style accommodation is most suited for youth organizations. Phone (315) 654-3450 for more information.

Hill Island, between two spans of the 1000 Islands International Bridge, is home to the Thousand Islands Skydeck. The high speed elevator carries visitors 450 feet in the air for a bird’s eye view of the 1000 Islands from one of the three enclosed observation decks – great for the photographers in your group.

The group rate for the skydeck is $8.75. For more information phone (613) 659-2335 or visit www.1000islandsskydeck.com for more information.

A glimpse at underwater life of the 1000 Islands can be seen in a restored stone gristmill. New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation’s Fisheries Research Station provides an impressive aquarium and research staff. To learn more about the public facilities available at the station go to www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27069.html or phone (315) 654-2147.

Downriver from Cape Vincent sits the former boat-building community of Clayton, New York. In the late 1800s the railroad would deliver “summer people” and vacationing businessmen from the large cities to enjoy some time on the St. Lawrence. The rail station was located at the docks and visitors were greeted by boats that would transport them to their island retreats.

Today the railroad is gone, but the culture of the community it built remains. The Antique Boat Museum is a great place to learn of the people and the boats of the region. From dugout canoes to antique runabouts to a magnificent turn-of-the-century houseboat, there is something for everyone on the coach. The rate for groups of 10 or more members is $10 per person; drivers and escorts are comped. Groups should make reservations at least a week in advance. To learn more visit www.abm.org or phone (315) 686-4104.

Clayton Island Tours (315) 686-4820 offers a variety of specialty cruises including ecology, history, lighthouse, Boldt Castle and wine-tasting cruises. Arrangements can be made for groups to enjoy an old-fashioned island picnic as a unique dining opportunity. Group itineraries and private charters are available. Phone (315) 686-4820 for information and group pricing. You can visit their Web site at www.claytonislandtours.com. Other favorites include the Thousand Islands Arts Center (www.tiartscenter.org) which has an outstanding collection of fiber arts, weaving and traditional arts.

Clayton Opera House (www.claytonoperahouse.com) is a premier historical venue for live performances from bluegrass to classical. This restored architectural gem is available for group tours even when performances are not taking place. The Thousand Islands Museum is home to special exhibits of world-class muskies and hunting decoys providing a glimpse into the life of a St. Lawrence River outdoorsman. Admission is free. Visit www.timuseum.org to learn more.

Alexandria Bay, New York was also settled as a boat-building community. The section of 12 • Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011

Boldt Castle was built as a summer home by millionaire George Boldt for his beloved wife, Louisa. This magnificent estate is open to tours from May through October and welcomes thousands of visitors each year.

the St. Lawrence just off shore from “The Bay” is known as Millionaire’s Row. This cluster of lush, green islands were large enough to house magnificent summer homes for the rich and close enough to the services provided in town.

The most notable summer home is Boldt Castle on Heart Island. Construction began on this 120-room stately summer home in 1900 as a gift for Louise Boldt, wife of George from Waldorf-Astoria fame. Construction was halted four years later when Louise unexpectedly passed away. Mr. Boldt never completed the project and it stands today as one of the most romantic monuments of a man’s love for his wife. Open from mid-May through mid-October, Boldt Castle welcomes thousands of visitors each year. Visit www.boldtcastle.com for more information.

Uncle Sam Boat Tours provides several opportunities to view Boldt Castle as each of their cruises stops at the castle on route back to the mainland. For decades groups have enjoyed the tales told as they cruise among the beautiful islands, getting almost close enough to touch them. Uncle Sam Boat Tours offers group rates for parties of 20 or more on a variety of cruises and tours. To learn about their tour operator rates phone (800) 253-9229. You can visit their Web site at www.usboattours.com.

Opened in 1938 by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the Thousand Islands International Bridge stands as a shining symbol of the goodwill and alliance between the U.S. and Canada. It provides easy passage between the two countries linking Interstate 81 in New York and Highway 401 in Ontario. The unique multi-span bridge includes a soaring 4,500-foot suspension bridge over the American Channel. It continues and touches down

Gananoque, Ontario known as “The Gateway of the 1000 Islands” offers a variety of boat tour opportunities from one to five hours in duration that meander through the magnificent 1000 Islands. If live theater is your passion, visit the 1000 Islands Playhouse on the waterfront or the Firehouse Theatre downtown. Phone (866) 382-7020 for both theaters. Feeling lucky? The 1000 Islands Charity Casino offers slots and table games and special programs for motorcoach groups.

Phone (866) 266-8422 for more information.

Gananoque’s waterfront boasts the Arthur Child Heritage Museum of the 1000 Islands which offers a blend of regional history, social life, culture and natural history. Bus groups should book a visit in advance and admission is by donation. Phone (877) 217-7391 or visit www.1000islandsheritagemuseum.com for more information.

Downriver in Brockville, Ontario, 1000 Islands and Seaway Cruises depart several times daily from Blockhouse Island taking you on an excursion of the eastern end of the 1000 Islands.

Groups can enjoy a variety of cruise options that can include meals. Tour operators can register at www.1000islandscruises.com to learn about special offers and discounts for their groups. Phone (800) 353-3157 to learn more.

Incredible professional theater productions are performed by Brockville’s renowned summer theater company. Comedies, drama and musicals thrill audiences each year in this magnificent restored theater. The elegant setting of the luxurious Brockville Arts Centre provides the perfect backdrop for these memory-making performances that enchant groups both young and old alike. Phone (877) 3427122 for more details.

An outstanding scenic alternative to Highway 401 is the 1000 Islands Parkway connecting the communities of Ivy Lea, Lansdowne, Rockport and Mallorytown, Ontario.

The scenery is simply spectacular with panoramic views of the St. Lawrence along most of the Parkway.

In nearby Prescott, Ontario The Battle of Windmill National Historic Site commemorates

The Lost Villages Museum features restored buildings that were once located in several Ontario communities that were submerged by the creation of the St. Lawrence Seasy in 1958.

the 1838 Rebellion Battle and features an 1830s stone windmill. Fort Wellington, a National Historic Park reflects the year 1846 in both its building and staff dressed in period costume.

Cornwall, Ontario is the hub of the Seaway Valley. Come to the Historic Quarter and experience the Historic Cornwall Jail. Built in 1834; the jail operated until 2002. The cellblocks, common areas, exercise yard and visitation area have been maintained as they were when inmates populated them. Stories of prison life, escapes and even a ghost story or two are part of the tour. Guided tours are available for groups of 10 or more and should be booked in advance. Visit www.cornwalljail.com or phone (800) 937-4748 for more information.

The Seaway Valley celebrates a rich pioneer influence, which is featured in the region’s museums. Upper Canada Village demonstrates what life was like on a late 1800s working farm. Learn about the great many activities that transpired each day by the residents.

Groups can enjoy either guided or self-guided tours. Groups should make advance reservations. Go to www.uppercanadavillage.com or phone (800) 437-2233 for more details.

If more recent history is your passion, the Lost Villages Museum is a vivid reminder of the power of the mighty St. Lawrence River, housing artifacts and many photos from six villages lost to flooding as a result of the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway in the mid to late 1950s. Admission to the museum is free. With advance notice guided tours for groups of 30-40 are available. Go to www.lostvillages.ca or phone (613) 534-2197 to learn more.

For more infor mation on these and the many other exciting tour possibilities in the 1000 Islands go to www.visit1000islands.com. ❑ Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011 • 13

14 • Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011

Colorado Springs

by Colorado Springs CVB Centrally located in the United States, Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region is easily reached from anywhere in the nation.

Colorado Springs is the state’s second-largest city located 70 miles south of Denver. The area serves as the perfect “home base,” offering more than 50 attractions and activities locally or within a short driving distance. Those traveling by car or coach can reach the area

by Interstate 25 or U.S. Highway 24. Groups can experience interests ranging from historic trains, authentic regional cuisine, historical places, adventure, natural beauty, the Old West and access to vast, open spaces.

C o l o r a d o R o c k y M o u nt a i n s

The first inhabitants of Colorado Springs were Native American people from the Ute, Cheyenne, Arapaho and Kiowa tribes. These early visitors to the Pikes Peak region lived, hunted and gathered at the base of Pikes Peak near its abundant mineral springs that were considered sacred. The Ute name for Pikes Peak, Ta-Wa-Ah-Gath, translates to "Sun Mountain Sitting Big,” for the way its slopes reflect the sun's rays. They also made pilgrimages to the nearby Garden of the Gods, now a city park that was dedicated to the citizens of Colorado Springs in 1909. These beautiful red sandstone rock formations are world famous and attract millions of visitors each year.

Pikes Peak, also known as America’s Mountain, is visited by thousands who ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, drive the 19-mile Pikes Peak Highway or hike 12.6-mile Barr Trail to the summit. The area is also home to the United States Olympic Committee and Olympic Training Center, the United States Air Force Academy, historic trains, Seven Falls, Cave of the Winds, Manitou Cliff Dwellings and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.

Colorado Springs is perfect for a hub-andspoke itinerary. After enjoying local attractions, visitors can travel west to the towns of Cripple Creek and Victor for a taste of what the “Pikes Peak or Bust” gold rush was like.

There are casinos to place a bet or two, or groups can travel south to Cañon City to visit the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, Museum of Colorado Prisons and be treated to a wine tasting at the Winery at Holy Cross Abby.

The town of Manitou Springs sits right at the foothills of Pikes Peak, the gateway to Ute Pass, a road once used in the 1860s by hard rock miners heading west up to the gold and silver mines. Manitou Springs offers visitors historic architecture, shopping and dining.

Enjoy scenic wonders like Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods (shown here) and take in some Old West adventure when you visit Colorado Springs, Colorado. Another great Colorado Rocky Mountain experience awaits your group in Colorado’s iconic Mile High City, Denver. COLORADO SPRINGS CVB.

Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau is a great resource for itineraries as well as suggestions for step-on guides. Log on to www.VisitCOS.com for more information or phone Betty Jo Cardona at (800) 888-4748, ext. 129.

Dump Stations Gray Line of Colorado Springs (719) 633-1181; (800) 345-8197 Ramblin Express (719) 590-8687; (800) 772-6254 Denver – The Mile High City

by Denver Metro CVB

All area attractions have designated bus parking and there is always someone to direct drivers.

After greeting each bus, the staff at Garden of the Gods Visitor Center will even wash the bus windshield and dispose of trash. All attractions have group rates, and it is recommended to phone ahead to arrange tours and activities. The 16 • Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011

Located on high plains at the base of the snowcapped Rocky Mountains, Denver was founded in 1858 when some prospectors found gold at the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River. The discovery set off the great “Pikes Peak or Bust” gold rush, one of the great-

est migrations in American history. Within two years, 100,000 men and women had passed through Denver on their way to look for gold.

The railroads came west after the Civil War, and today the Colorado Railroad Museum has the state’s largest collection of locomotives and rail cars, including a working roundtable. Located at the base of towering high buttes, the museum also has two huge model railroads, and offers Saturday rides on the Galloping Goose, the forerunner of modern diesel engines that once ran over Lizard Head Pass. The museum has free parking and buses can drop-off at the front of the museum at the Depot General Store.

Regular admission is $7/senior and $8/adult and a 15 percent discount is offered for groups of 20 or more. Phone (303) 279-4591 to schedule your tour; visit www.coloradorailroadmuseum.org to learn more.

More trains, including a rare “Big Boy” locomotive, can be seen at the Forney Transporta-

tion Museum, which also has a 60,000-square foot collection of old railroad cars and automobiles. Group discounts are provided for 10 or more with a one-week notice. Guided tours are offered for $8 for adults and $6 for seniors.

There is free coach parking available on-site with drop-off available in front of the museum. Phone (303) 297-1113 or www.forneymuseum.org.

High above Golden, on top of Lookout Mountain, visitors can learn more about the “Old West” at the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave. There is a convenient drop-off point and designated free coach parking. The museum has exhibits from Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and from the scout’s exciting life that included a stint as a Pony Express rider.

Discount admission prices for groups of 10 or more are $4 with complimentary admission for driver and tour guide. Phone (303) 526-0744 ahead of time for group discounts or visit www.buffalobill.org.

Another stop in the area is Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Park. Two huge red sandstone rocks, each 300 feet high, flank a 9,000-seat arena that has played home to everyone from the Beatles to top symphony orchestras. There are beautiful views of Denver from the top, as well as a free museum that explains the area geology and the rock ‘n roll history of the many performers that have played here. Guided group tours are provided for $6 per person. A minimum of 10 days notice is required by phoning Pat Lee at (303) 693-0550. For the tours, coaches can drop passengers near the visitor center in the Upper North Lot; visit www.redrocksonline.com for more information.

Denver brews more beer than any other city and Colorado brews more beer than any other state. Just 10 minutes from Red Rocks, motorcoach tours can visit the world’s largest single brewing site at Coors Brewery. The massive complex offers free 30-minute tours that show how Rocky Mountain spring water is transformed into Coors Light. At the tour’s end, guests (21 and older) can enjoy a sampling of products. Groups of 15 or larger make reservations by phoning (303) 277-2552. Bus drop-off is located at 12th and Ford in Golden, Colorado, and free parking is available at 13th and Ford. Go to www.coors.com for more details.

Hammond's Candies has been making candy with the same careful craftsmanship since 1920. On free tours it is possible to watch as toffee is dipped in rich chocolate and handrolled in crunchy almonds or as hard candy is hand-pulled to give it extra-shine. Hammond’s makes hundreds of different kinds of candies.

Drop off your passengers in front of the Visitors Center and park your coach in on-site lot.

Phone (303) 333-5588, Ext. 110 to set up a tour for groups of more than 10 people or for anyone with special needs. Tours can accommodate up to 75 people, but they prefer to do them in groups of 30. Visit www.hammondscandies.com to learn more.

Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011 • 17

The amazing 23 acres of the Denver Botanic Gardens, a colorful oasis in the heart of the city, is packed with 50 specialty gardens that display more than 33,000 plants.

Groups of 10 or more qualify for a discounted rate with tour leaders and coach drivers receiving free admission. Phone (720) 865-3585 or visit www.botanicgardens.org to arrange.

Although Denver is 1,000 miles from an ocean, the Downtown Aquarium has one of the West’s best underwater exhibits with more than a million gallons of fresh and salt water featuring fascinating habitats from around the world, complete with 500 species of animals including exotic fish, sharks, river otters, Sumatran tigers and an interactive Sting Ray touch program. Motorcoach tours can get an $11.95 group rate ticket with free admission for driver and escort for tours of 45 or more. The massive facility also has a Landry’s restaurant serving lunch and dinner with group pricing and set menus available. For group information, phone Allison Harper at (303) 561-4450 or visit www.downtownaquarium.com.

Wash and lavatory dump service • Arrow Stage Lines - Denver, (303) 373-9119 • Coach America, (303) 421-2780 • Colorado Charter Lines Inc., (303) 287-0239 • Gray Line, (303) 289-2841 • Ramblin Express, Inc., (303) 572-8687❑

Down The Road Coming events of interest to readers of BUS TOURS MAGAZINE. Submissions for the department should be directed to the editor. Unless otherwise indicated, events are not open to the general public.

February 22, 2011. Pennsylvania Bus Association Marketplace. Expo Hall, PA Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. For more information check the Web at www.pabus.org.

February 22-24, 2011. Travel South Showcase. Atlanta, Georgia. For information visit www.travelsouthusa.org.

March 30-31, 2011. ABA/OMCA Tour Operator “Summit.” Turning Stone Resort, Verona, New York.

June 4, 2011. MoBT Spring Fling.

Museum. For more information visit www. busmuseum.org.

June 14-27, 2011. Pennsylvania Bus Association 2011 Annual Meeting.

Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel. Niagara Falls, New York. For more information visit www.pabus.com.

18 • Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011

The Old West is a theme you can find in abundance in and around Denver. A favorite local groupfriendly Old West attraction is the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave which highlights the life of the colorful showman, buffalo hunter and army scout. DENVER CVB.

Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011 • 19

W

ith the summer over the people and businesses involved in the tourism industry are breathing a sigh of relief.

If you have not heard, residents of the Mississippi Gulf Coast have had their fair share of cuts and bruises. In 2005 Hurricane Katrina almost wiped them off the face of the map, and as they were rising from the ashes, the Gulf Oil Disaster hit below the belt. They were not beat, but they were definitely a little disappointed. Gulf residents depend on families and motorcoaches to come to the beautiful coast and enjoy all that they have to offer. However when all was said and done, the coast does what they do best – they rise to the occasion. The Gulf Oil Disaster has been long cleaned up and they are well on their way to the best season of tourism ever.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast is bigger and better than she has ever been. Tourism is in full swing. All of the attractions have banded together to create an experience like no other.

This year the Biloxi Shrimping Trip has created two new tours in addition to its already popular Shrimping Expedition. Over the past 55 years the Biloxi Shrimping Trip has been delighting visitors from around the world. The pride and heritage of Biloxi comes alive aboard this unique and interesting cruise. The Biloxi Shrimping Trip exposes guests to the spectacular world of sea life – caught on a real shrimping expedition. Upon leaving the harbor, the shrimping net is set out with full details of how and what makes the net spread and operate correctly. The net will catch any and all sea creatures in its path along with the shrimp. The varieties range from blue crabs, flounder, stingray, oyster fish, squid, puffer fish and numerous other species of local marine life. The entire catch will be identified and presented for your inspection by the captain. This 70-minute Living Marine Adventure Cruise is navigated in the calm, protected waters between Deer Island and the Biloxi shoreline for your comfort. Looking for a little more of that Southern hospitality? How about an Ole Biloxi Shrimp Boil? You have seen how they catch shrimp, so now see how they cook them “Southern style.” They can arrange for your group to have a shrimp boil dockside, just like they do it down South. They will have their crew of “boilers” set up all the equipment and boil the shrimp right in front of your eyes. Included in the boil are big “Gulf Caught” shrimp, corn, potatoes and sausage, sausage/chicken jambalaya, rolls and drinks, all served buffet-style. After you fill your plate with all the South has to offer, you will enjoy your dinner aboard the Sailfish. It does not get any more Southern that this.

Biloxi Sunset Cruise is a new addition to the Biloxi Shrimping Trip schedule. April through October they offer a spectacular view of the sunset like no other. This two-hour cruise will amaze you. A sunset is never “just a sunset” here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

They will take you around to the Back Bay to see their new beautiful Bay Bridge. As you are cruising back in, have your cameras ready, 20 • Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011

Southern Hospitality The Biloxi Shrimping Trip

by Captain Brandy L. Moore Enjoy sailing on the Gulf aboard the Sailfish with an outing with The Biloxi Shrimping Trip.

Offering eco-adventures and cruises for the past 55 years, Biloxi Shrimping Trip is going strong and has not been affected by last year’s Gulf oil disaster. They are ready to treat your group to a boating experience like no other. BILOXI SHRIMPING TRIP.

because you are going to get as close as you will ever get to God’s wonderful creation. As if it could get any better, they also provide live entrainment aboard for your listening pleasure. John Folsom will delight you with his one-of-a-kind, modern-day story telling tunes.

Biloxi Fishing Trip was created for the non-novice fisherman. If you just want to wet your line, they are your boat. For just $35 per person you can fish for three hours.

They provide everything you will need to fish. You are fishing for such species as flounder, white trout and ground mullet. In addition to providing bait, tackle, poles and licenses, they also clean the fish for you. If you have never fished the Mississippi Gulf Coast, there is no time like the present.

The Biloxi Shrimping Trip can accommodate 49 passengers. If your group is larger they offer split tours. With the split tour they offer a step-on guide service for just pennies per passenger. The experienced guide will step aboard your motorcoach and take half the group on a 70-minute City Tour. Your group will see the ancient oaks of Biloxi, Hurricane Katrina and Camille Memorials and many other historical sites. Both the Shrimping Tour and City Tour are coordinated so that each arrives back at the harbor at the same time so the group can make an easy transition from one tour to another.

Biloxi Shrimping Trip also offers special rates for groups of 20 or more. They offer $2 off per adult ticket. They also comp the bus driver and one tour guide. Reservations are required. They do not require a deposit, but do require payment in full at time of departure. They accept checks and cash – no credit cards. There is ample free bus parking within steps of the boat itself.

Now that you know what Biloxi Shrimping Trip has to offer, you may wonder what else is there to do on the coast. Well, no need to wonder any longer. They have 11 amazing casinos. Each one has its own unique look and feel. Each one also has a hotel attached and many different restaurants to choose from right inside. Speaking of eating, that is what they do best in “Cajun Country.” There are hundreds of family-owned restaurants serving Gulf Caught seafood. If museums are your desire, the coast has those too including two Smithsonian museums. Walter Anderson Museum of Art (WAMA) and Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art are both fascinating in their own rights. Each museum transports you back to the “good ole days” and shows you the Mississippi Gulf Coast as you have never seen it before.

To learn more about the Biloxi Shrimping Trip and their other tours visit them at www.biloxishrimpingtrip.com. ❑

Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011 • 21

T

reat your guests to a fun-filled day (or several fun filled-days) at an exciting casino resort. These full-service properties have all the entertainment and amenities your guests could want all under roof including shopping, dining, live shows and of course thrilling casino action. Another exciting option is a fun day of horseracing and gaming at a spectacular casino.

Great Gaming Tropicana Casino and Hotel Atlantic City, New Jersey Let Tropicana Casino and Resort add a whole new energy to your getaway. Located on the beach and Boardwalk, Tropicana is your destination for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Tropicana has everything you need to make your stay memorable. With more than 2,800 slot machines, 135 table games, 20 restaurants, more than 25 shops, 15 nightlife venues and regular entertainment in the Tropicana Showroom, IMAX Theater and The Comedy Stop, guests will revel in the nonstop action on and off the casino floor.

One of the premier destination resorts in Atlantic City, Tropicana is home of The Quarter, a Havana-themed dining, shopping and entertainment complex that is sure to have something for everyone in the group. Cuisine from Cuba, Ireland, Russia, Asia and Italy unites with great shopping and a diverse entertainment scene to keep the energy flowing throughout your trip.

Tropicana offers discounted driver rates, a complimentary suite upgrade for the group leader and with 15 booked rooms, the 16th room is free. Additionally, revue show tickets are available based upon availability in the Tropicana Showroom.

For more information on Tropicana Casino and Resort visit www.tropicana.net or phone (888) 275-1212 Option #2.

Where to eat: Fin, Il Verdi, Golden Dynasty, Fiesta Buffet, Seaside Café, The Palm, Carmine’s Legendary NYC Family Style Restaurant, P.F. Chang’s, Red Square, Ri-Ra Irish Pub, Zeytinia – New York’s Gourmet Choice, A Dam Good Sports Bar, A Dam Good Deli, Mrs. Fields Cookies, Godiva Chocolatier, Hooters, Corky’s Ribs and BBQ, Create A Cone, Boardwalk Favorites, Starbucks and The Comedy Stop Café and Cabaret Where to shop: A Time For Wine, Accents, bluemercury makeup, skincare, spa, Brooks Brothers, Brookstone, Cache, Chico’s, Erwin 22 • Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011

Your group will have a great time at a casino resort or gaming facility. Atlantic City’s Tropicana Casino and Hotel offers a stylish option for groups looking for casino action, entertainment, shopping, dining and lodging. TROPICANA.

Pearl, Hat Emporium, Havana Sundries, Jake’s Dog House, James’ Saltwater Taffy, Klassic Kollectables, Old Farmer’s Almanac General Store, RockAway Baby, Swarovski, Tahari, Trick Zone, Trop Gear, Tropicana Casino Market, Tropicana Lobby Market, White House Black Market, Zephyr Gallery, Zeytinia – New York’s Gourmet Choice

Where to party: Rumba Lounge, Tango’s Lounge, The Bar at FIN, 32 Degrees Luxe Lounge, A Dam Good Sports Bar, Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar, Firewaters, Hooters, Missile Bar, Planet Rose Karaoke Bar, Providence Nightclub, Red Square, Ri-Ra Irish Pub, Rooftop Lounge, The Comedy Stop Café and Cabaret.

Where to relax: bluemercury makeup, skincare, spa, The Salon at Tropicana, Rooftop Lounge featuring free Wi-Fi, Tropicana Health Club, indoor pool and outdoor pool (open seasonally), Blue Parrot Beach and Pool bar (open seasonally)

Seneca Casinos Western New York State

Where to be entertained: The Tropicana Showroom (features headliners and revue shows throughout the year), IMAX Theater with multiple shows daily, The Comedy Stop with daily shows

Just steps away from natural wonders are the extravagant Seneca Casinos, where energy, action and excitement await. The Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel is located just steps from the magnificent Niagara Falls and the U.S./Canada border. The Seneca Allegany Casino and Hotel is nestled at the foot of the majestic Allegany Mountains along

Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011 • 23

which will be adjacent to Casino Del Sol and carry the same themes and architecture styles as the casino.

the New York/Pennsylvania border off Interstate 86 near U.S. Route 219.

The Seneca Casinos combine all the elements for the per fect night out or a relaxing getaway: more than 6,000 of the latest slot machines, fast-paced action at more than 130 table games, complimentary beverages, quality dining for reasonable prices, headline entertainment and a vibrant atmosphere.

Besides the unmatched gaming experience, the Seneca Casinos offer dining options for any appetite. A favorite among groups is the Thunder Falls Buffet and the Thunder Mountain Buffet, which feature up to 100 all-you-can-eat items from eight different regions. Depending on the day and location, guests can enjoy steak, shrimp, crab legs (Niagara only) and prime rib. Both casinos also offer the Western Door Steakhouse, the only restaurant in western New York to offer specially-selected USDA Chairman’s Reserve Prime and Choice cuts, with generous portions that are aged for a minimum of 28 days for added flavor and tenderness. Numerous other restaurants feature Italian, Pan-Asian and traditional favorites.

The hotels represent two of the only three AAA Four-Diamond Award-winning hotels in western New York, with exceptional service and luxurious amenities. Rooms offer pillow-top beds, oversized showers, flatscreen TVs and Internet access. The 357foot, 604-room Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel is the tallest hotel in New York State outside of Manhattan and offers breathtaking views of western New York and the magnificent Horseshoe and American Falls. The Seneca Allegany Casino and Hotel boasts 212 rooms, each with stunning mountain views.

Groups are treated like royalty upon arrival. Step inside for a personal greeting and receive incentives with your day or overnight package. Group packages provide double-occupancy rooms and complimentary baggage handling. Buses and motorcoaches must carry proper insurance, and visitors must have valid government-issued identification to receive incentives.

For every 15 rooms booked, the Seneca Casinos offers a complimentary room for the group escort and a special rate for the driver.

Blackout dates may apply, but the casinos are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. Complimentary parking for buses and motorcoaches are available on-site, as well as a convenient passenger drop-off/pickup location near each of the casinos’ main entrances.

For more information about group tours and rates – including their regular FAM tours, phone the Seneca Casinos’ National Marketing Department at (877) 449-0287 (Nia24 • Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011

There are 1,300 slots, and a great selection of table games, including 24-hour blackjack and poker. There is also a 600-seat bingo room.

Visitors will be able to play and stay at southern Arizona’s jewel in the desert beginning 11/11/11, the scheduled completion of the 161,000-square foot project.

The hotel will feature 215 rooms, including 10 suites and 15 junior suites; a conference center capable of holding more than 2,000 people; a fine-dining steakhouse; an international buffet area, complete with live action cooking stations from around the world; a fully-equipped spa and exercise facility and an arcade room.

Visitors to the Niagara Falls area or the New York Alleghenies can experience top notch service and extraordinary fun at a Seneca Casino. Seneca Casinos offer red carpet treatment to groups with a variety of great perks and services. SENECA CASINOS.

gara) or (877) 433-8287 (Allegany), or visit online at www.thesenecacasinos.com.

Sol Casinos Tucson, Arizona It is a vision like no other in southern Arizona – stylish, unique and eclectic. There is something for everyone, whether it be gaming, entertainment, food or fun.

Welcome to Sol Casinos – southern Arizona’s place to play, for live entertainment and everything you can imagine under the Sun. Heaven on earth? Pretty close and soon you will be able stay awhile at the Casino Del Sol Resort, Spa and Conference Center,

Stylish, unique and eclectic – these are just a few wor ds that describe Tucson, Arizona’s Sol Casinos. A spectacular full-service hotel and conference center will be the property’s newest addition and is scheduled open on 11/11/11. SOL CASINOS.

It will also be host to An Del Sol, a Japanese and Chinese fusion restaurant, featuring the ubiquitous Mr. An, one of the most recognized faces in southern Arizona.

Southern Arizona’s oasis in the desert will soon become the ideal spot to “play and stay’’ after a big night at a high-profile concert, a big night at the casino or just a getaway to the resort.

For additional entertainment, do not forget the Pascua Yaqui Tribe’s original Casino of the Sun, just one mile East of Casino Del Sol. Casino of the Sun features state-of-theart slots and two dining options.

Additionally, there is the popular Club Sol, the player’s point-saving, money-saving way to earn free food and merchandise while playing any game at either site.

The Pascua Yaqui Tribe is a federally recognized tribe with more than 17,000 enrolled members. The reservation is located in south-

Continued on page 36

Autumn’s Majesty

The fall colors painted on the landscape of West Virginia are a breathtaking and inspiring sight. West Virginia’s many top quality state parks are excellent destinations for autumn tours and offer a variety of great activities and amenities. WEST VIRGINIA STATE PARKS.

W

hile New England and the Midwestern destinations are stunningly surreal and immensely popular with leaf peepers, your group can also view majestic fall foliage in other parts of the United States.

Take a look at these lesser-known but purely spectacular scenic autumn wonderlands.

garet are open to the public and available to groups. Groups may charter The Island Belle sternwheeler for private trips on the Ohio River at Parkersburg, West Virginia.

What is there to do? Photography workshops, dance weekends, historical reenactments and amphitheater shows are starting points.

Cass Scenic Railroad, home to the world’s foremost roster of operating Shay locomotives, offers three trips: Whittaker Station, The Town of Spruce (Fridays only), and daily excursions to Bald Knob, West Virginia’s third highest elevation. Open Memorial Day weekend through October, Cass Scenic Railroad is more than a simple train ride. The Company Store and the Cass Showcase are open, featuring a lively history lesson about Cass as it was in the 1900s. The Last Run Restaurant prepares meals and box lunches. Cass Scenic Railroad evening trains include Blue Grass Buffet Evening Trains and the new, “The End of the Line for Brakeman Tom Hansen” – A Sheriff Lincoln Cochran Murder Mystery.

Build an itinerary around Cass Scenic Railroad when touring West Virginia. You can even charter the train.

Mansion by Candlelight at Blennerhassett Island is scheduled two nights every October.

In addition to daily island operations throughout the summer, evening cruises, island tours, packaged day trips, and Brunch with Mar-

Secure, clean and comfortable accommodations are hallmarks of state parks. Affordable and located in scenic areas of West Virginia, you will find Pipestem, Chief Logan, Hawks Nest and Cacapon state parks with

West Virginia State Parks Seasonally wonderful, West Virginia is incredibly breathtaking. The scenery and hospitality found at West Virginia’s state parks and forests recall visitors to the Mountain State time and time again. There are more than 50 state parks in West Virginia, with 10 offering lodge/hotel accommodations, full-service restaurants, meeting space, activity rooms and outdoor space.

26 • Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011

lodges and restaurants on-site. County roads lead groups to North Bend and Twin Falls’ resourceful parks that provide evening activities and regional food preparation. Blackwater Falls and Canaan Valley are four-season settings, catering to ski and winter seekers as well as leaf peeping in autumn or spring nature tours. Stonewall Resort pampers the body with spa treatments, dining and far-fromordinary accommodations.

When history calls, Pricketts Fort State Park re-creates a lifestyle of the mid-1700s through artisan demonstrations and workshops. Near Fairmont, Pricketts Fort is a seasonal must stop in West Virginia.

To learn about accommodations, dining, and more than 300 special events during the year, contact West Virginia State Parks through the Web site www.wvstateparks.com/motorcoach/index.htm. It is time to add a West Virginia state park stop for a group outing, weekend retreat or overnight stop.

Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado The mountain ranges surrounding the Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley will remind

you of an artist’s autumn palette, with brushstrokes of gold, orange and crimson evident at every turn in September and early October.

In addition, Gunnison, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte have teamed up to present “September Splendor in the Rockies,” a month-long celebration featuring a full calendar of events. For a sampling of happenings, visit www.septembersplendor.com.

Terrific Routes From Glenwood Springs and Interstate 70, travel Highway 82 to Carbondale, where the West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway

begins on Highway 133. Consider stops in Redstone, Marble, Paonia and Hotchkiss before connecting with Highway 92 east to the Blue Mesa Dam at Curecanti National Recreation Area. Go east on Highway 50, past Colorado’s largest body of water, Blue Mesa Lake, to Gunnison, county seat and home to Western State College. Finish by going north on Highway 135, passing through Almont and ending in Crested Butte, just recognized as the most charming ski town in America by Sunset magazine. (Note: the only part of the loop not included is Kebler Pass, which is a county gravel road not suitable for buses.)

The 205-mile loop (including Kebler Pass) touches three designated wilderness areas and passes through thousands of acres of national forest. The road skirts canyon rims, follows white-water rivers, and traverses desert and sagebrush plains.

Head west out of Gunnison on Highway 50 for approximately nine miles, and then go south on Highway 149 to experience the newest extension of the 117-mile Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway.

From the beginning, this byway feels wonderfully isolated as it leaves behind Blue Mesa and winds through vast tracts of public lands. It eventually enters the San Juan Mountains and the historic town of Lake City. Follow the byway over Spring Creek Pass and on to Creede along the Rio Grande River to the byway’s conclusion in South Fork.

If the byway trips are too long, just take them in pieces. For example the road from

Gunnison to Crested Butte is only 28 miles.

Continue on to Mt. Crested Butte, the ski/resort village, only another three miles.

Hotels include Old Town Inn in Crested Butte; Grand Lodge, Elevation Hotel and Spa and Lodge at Mountaineer Square in Mt. Crested Butte; and the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites, Water Wheel Inn, Super 8, Days Inn and Rodeway Inn in Gunnison. All have more than 25 rooms and ample bus parking.

Group-friendly restaurants include Ol’ Miner Steakhouse and Garlic Mike’s in Gunnison; Tequila’s and Ryce in Crested Butte; various options in Mt. Crested Butte through Crested Butte Mountain Resort Suggested attractions and activities include a visit to the Pioneer Museum in Gunnison, open May 27 - Sept, 30, 2011, and/or the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in Crested Butte, open nearly year-round (will open during off-season times for groups). Shop in the historic downtown districts of Crested Butte and Gunnison that are filled with locally-owned galleries, specialty shops, outfitters, restaurants and more. Enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities for all levels: hiking, biking (can rent cruiser bikes to ride around town or mountain bikes to hit the trails), horseback riding, etc.

For more information contact Jane Chaney, executive director, Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association at (970) 349-7744, e-mail jchaney@gunnisoncounty.org or visit www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com. ❑

The fall season is an especially beautiful time in Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado. The region offers a number of scenic driving routes as well as fun activities and group-friendly lodging, dining and attractions. GUNNISON-CRESTED BUTTE CVB.

28 • Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011

Tour Spotlight Cooperstown A place that is pure Americana It is a one-stoplight town nestled between the Adirondacks and the Catskills in central New York, with its name drawn from the family of James Fenimore Cooper, whose works of literature have become American standards.

It is fitting that Cooperstown has become synonymous with another American standard – baseball.

Located on Main Street, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is one of the country’s major tourist destinations and surely the best-known sports shrine in the world. It is every fan’s “field of dreams” with stories, legends and magic to be passed on from generation to generation.

The Hall of Fame’s collections contain more than 38,000 three-dimensional artifacts – such as bats, balls, gloves and uniforms – donated by players and fans who want to see history preserved. The museum’s curators use the artifacts – whose numbers grow by a few hundred each year – to tell the story of the national pastime through exhibits.

Cooperstown, New York offers a unique slice of Americana and is home to some unforgettable attractions including the iconic Baseball Hall of Fame.

Visitor favorites include: • The Babe Ruth Exhibit, which chronicles the career of baseball’s first bigger-thanlife superstar; • Diamond Dreams, which details the contributions of women to the game of baseball; • Viva Baseball!, which celebrates the contributions of Latin Americans to America’s game; • Pride and Passion, which honors the passion and skill of African-American players and executives; • And inductee exhibits, which honor the most recent class of electees.

The Hall of Fame is pleased to offer groups the following amenities: free bus parking; convenient drop-off and pick-up location; full handicapped accessibility; free

admission for escort and driver; no deposit requirement; a Hall of Fame staff member to greet your group upon arrival; re-entry of the museum to take advantage of restaurants and shopping available within walking distance of the Hall of Fame; restroom facilities located in the main lobby as well as the second and third floors; photographic and video recording is encouraged during your visit; a wide selection of souvenirs, Hall of Fame apparel and baseball collectibles available at the Museum Store.

More information is available online at www.baseballhall.org. For group rates or other information, please phone June Dolhun at (607) 547-0312 or (888) 425-5633, Ext. 4. ❑

Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011 • 29

30 • Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011

Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011 • 31

20 Tips for Bus Tour Planners

by Dr. Charleen Jaeb 20 Tips on Maximizing Benefits from Travel Shows I am betting whether you are a bus tour planner, bus traveler, bus or tour company, convention and visitor’s bureau, or a destination hoping to attract bus travelers, you have attended, hosted or participated in a travel show. I have. The size ranges from a multi-day trade show with hundreds of vendors and thousands of visitors, to shows held by bus companies and travel agencies for their several hundred group leaders and/or customers with a dozen or so vendors. I once attended a small travel agency show that included only a few vendors and if you wanted to attend the dinner you paid $10. The purpose of this article is to give you 20 tips to help you maximize the benefits you receive from all sizes of travel shows based on my experience, conversations and research.

I have been a “busaholic” for more than 20 years, setting up and taking trips. This year I was asked to be the Annual Road Show coordinator for Lakefront Lines and represented them at a recent Cleveland GLAMER (Group Leaders of America) travel show.

Due to the fact trade shows generally take place at a single location, have short runs (usually one to three days) and bring together many exhibitors and potential customers, they are a powerful marketing medium. An individual who conducts Amish tours told me she gets more than half of her business from our annual Road Show for group leaders. Trade shows are designed to let entrepreneurs meet potential customers face-to-face in a brief period of time inexpensively. They level the playing field for smaller firms because they can usually afford attractive displays and with creative marketing can appear as substantial as much larger companies.

Tips for people who attend trade shows as group leaders, travelers or customers: This group reaps great benefits with a small investment of time and money.

1. Sign up immediately. Put it on your calendar. Attend. This is especially true if you are invited to a nearby travel show with a company you have done business with or would like to. If it is a huge, advertised-tothe-public trade show with a variety of offerings all of which you might be interested in, plan to go and take advantage of advertised discounts or trade association savings.

32 • Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011

Trade shows are a great way to promote your company and attract more business. Chris Goebel and Charleen Jaeb are shown here representing Lakefront Lines at a recent GLAMER show in Cleveland. SUBMITTED BY CHARLEEN JAEB.

2. Arrive early and carry plenty of business cards. Mingle with vendors, guests and sit at a table with people you do not know at the meal offered. Pick up literature. Feel free to make suggestions to the vendors or host company. If you are a retired or a person without business cards, it is a good idea to carry those little address labels you receive in the mail to stick on door prize cards that vendors usually offer to get names of prospects.

3. Maximize the benefits. Benefits often include free admission, a nice meal, entertainment, the chance to meet and get ideas from other group leaders or passengers, a chance to compare the rates and services of different vendors, pick up literature and new catalogs, receive a special price for booking a trip at that time, learn about new trips, time to personally talk to and gather business cards from tour vendors and bus company personnel. You should welcome helpful suggestions and constructive criticism.

Tips for organizations hosting the shows. The main reason organizations host trade shows is to thank customers for business, to increase business in the coming year, to distribute their new catalogs, to promote

and introduce new trips, and to hear from customers in person who will tell you what they like and what they do not.

4. Start planning the show 12 months in advance. Reserve the place, date and decide who you will invite – vendors, guests and employees. Many trade shows by bus companies take place in November and December. They can combine a customer appreciation meal with the chance to distribute new catalogs and offer new trips for the new year.

Hotels located in big cities near interstates are good locations. Out-of-town vendors can stay there, have their equipment shipped to them and perhaps do some sightseeing.

5. Send out invitations to vendors early (six months or more) and to attendees late (two months or less). However, let them know in advance the date and qualification for invitations. Options for qualifications for tour companies could include inviting group leaders who have booked a trip in the past year or customers who have individually booked tours within a year. Some have found that eliminating their annual shows in favor of giving customers a price break in their 2011 catalogs for booking early is more profitable and popular.

20 Tips for Bus Tour Planners 6. Consider the needs of guests and vendors. Vendors like time to talk individually with prospects at their booth and at the dinner table, so do not play loud music while dining or interviewing prospects. Group leaders like getting ideas from other group leaders, vendors and the host’s employees at the table and in the exhibit hall. Stick to the schedule of when the program starts and ends.

7. Have an emcee move the program along. Give him or her the schedule of events with times. Speaking tasks could include saying grace before the meal, welcoming guests and vendors for attending, introducing members of the sponsoring company, keeping the meeting positive and fast paced. When multiple vendors have time at the microphone to promote their product, keep them to their allotted time.

8. Have employees and vendors get to the show early. Have tables with nametags, vendor booths and dining tables set up and hosts present before guests arrive.

Consider providing corsages and boutonnières for employees. Make sure you have bags available for guests to carry their literature home.

9. All company representatives should dress professionally. Do not embarrass your vendors, customers or your company.

10. Train your employees on what to say, smile, give positive answers and display a working knowledge of your company. They should know where restrooms, phones and coat racks are located in the hotel. If they do not know the answer to a question, tell them how to find it. Encourage them to circulate.

11. Create as much space as possible between the vendors tables including the wall where the speaker’s platforms is so that the people can move more freely among them. Furnish chairs and skirted tables for vendors. Check out electric outlets.

12. Make sure the PA system is adequate. Work with the vendors and the hotel to make sure audio-video equipment is in place. Limit the time vendors will present their products on the microphone.

Let them know in advance. Vendors usually give out a door prize to a lucky guest. This can be done at the end of their presentation or at the end of the show.

13. Consider soliciting door prizes from organizations who are not exhibiting if their gifts could benefit group leaders and perhaps persuade them to try their product. This works best if you have a small number of exhibitors; the door prizes are on display and acknowledged but do not

take more than about 10 minutes out of the program. Examples: case of 30 Santa bars, admissions to museums, hockey tickets, theater tickets, gift certificates, sweatshirts, etc.

14. Have readable nametags on the staff and provide them to invited guests. I used a double set of nametags for guests at our road show, one to wear and one to put on the door prize box. It is easier to read off names than numbers. Also we pulled the names of door prize winners early in the show quickly but did not read them.

During the show we affixed them to the door prizes out of view. After the final act we read off the names of the winners (it only took a few minutes). Winners approached the door prize table on the way out and picked up their gifts.

15. Appreciate, evaluate and followup. Thank guests, vendors and door prize donors at the show. Evaluate. Did you get expected results? What could be done better next time? What were comments from vendors and attendees? Was it profitable? Follow up. Contact guests and vendors within two weeks after the show.

Tips for exhibitors at trade shows: Generating sales leads is the most common reason exhibitors participate in trade shows.

Other perks can include a guaranteed space in the bus or tour company’s catalog, the opportunity to have a FAM trip to their destination, enhancing their image and visibility, promoting new trips and talking personally with prospects and current customers.

Reaching this point in my article, I realize I could have devoted all 20 tips on tips for exhibitors.

16. Collect names and e-mail addresses of prospects. A simple way is offering a drawing for a door prize or offer something they want that can be mailed or emailed later.

minute to gain the attention and interest of individuals, memorize a brief no-pressure to convey.

19. Choose trade shows wisely. Measure your return on investment. Choose trade shows based on your budget, goals, past experience, relationship with the sponsor and number of qualified prospects attending. Did the sponsor keep his word? Was the time you took and the money you spent worth returning to that particular trade show?

20. Seek detailed information on designing, purchasing or renting displays, cost effective promotional items, successful marketing techniques, etc. Check with your trade associations, colleagues and Web sites.

Googling “Trade Show Benefits” brought up thousands with the first page being comprehensive. I felt a good one-stop trade show knowledge base was www.trade-show-advisor.com. Major trade shows are advertised in newspapers, trade publications and B US TOURS MAGAZINE. Let me know your experiences attending, exhibiting or hosting trade shows in the bus tour business. I welcome suggestions on this column and topics for future columns. My email address is cdjaeb@wowway.com. Happy New Year. ❑

With degrees from four universities, Dr. Charleen Jaeb has been a business professor at Cuyahoga Community College.

After her retirement in 2000, she became a trip planner for the CCC retirees and Middleburg Heights Women’s Club, filling as many as 15 buses each year. Jaeb and her husband now escort trips for Lakefront Lines in Cleveland, Ohio. She says, “It is wonderful and somewhat unbelievable in retirement to be able to do what you love to do and get paid for doing it.”

17. Follow up immediately on customer contacts. Ideally within a week.

At a breakfast trade show put on by a large tour company specializing in international trips for senior citizens, Dan and I chatted with a friendly representative of the company.

We filled out a form with our name and phone number, indicating a trip we were interested in and the time later in the day we could be reached at home. We were offered a special price for booking that day and were told a company representative would call at that time. He did and we signed up for a river cruise from Normandy to Paris that day.

18. Discover who are lookers or buyers. E.g., Ask qualifying questions such as, “Has your group considered a trip to Branson?” Since you often have only a Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011 • 33

F

ew places are as emboldened with history, recreation and natural beauty as the path Interstate 90 cuts across the panhandle of North Idaho. The Silver Valley of North Idaho offers much at an enjoyable pace and values rarely found in today’s travels.

Historic Wallace, Idaho

The hub of the region is the last town entirely listed on the National Register of Historic Places – Wallace, Idaho. Historic Wallace has a history that affected local, statewide, regional, national and international affairs since its incorporation by Colonel William R. Wallace in 1884. Historic Wallace is the Silver Capital of the World due to the documented silver production from the hard rock mines of the Coeur d’Alene Mining District of more than 1.2 billion ounces.

Go underground in the Sierra Silver Mine Tour. Guests are whisked from its downtown office to the mine portal aboard a San Francisco-styled streetcar. During the 55minute tour, one experiences the mining equipment used then and still today with an actual miner-guide. After departing the mine, the trolley embarks on a narrated guided tour through the residential and business districts of Historic Wallace. This attraction features street side, coach parking and the cost is $10 per person. Phone (208) 752-5151 or visit www.silverminetour.org for more information.

Five miles down I-90 at Exit 54, the Crystal Gold Mine Tour reveals the life of three gold miners who found an ore body circa 1882, worked it and then disappeared into the annals of time. The tour departs right from the mine parking lot that has coach parking.

Guests walk the mine workings, hear the tales of this arduous lifestyle and view unique carbonate crystal and stalactite formations, gold veins and silver wire. Everyone is invited to try their hand at gold panning. The cost is $10 per person. To learn more phone (208) 783-4653 or visit www.gold-idaho.com.

Peering deeper into Historic Wallace’s past is aided with visits to the Northern Pacific Depot Railroad and the Wallace District Mining Museums. The NPDRR Museum is a classic brick and stucco Chateau-styled building that was used by the railroad for more than 100 years. This grand building has informative exhibits and photographs that tell how the railroad built the West almost before roads were in existence. The self-guided tour has a curator available for questions and conversation. Bus parking is done street side near the museum and the bus tour price is $35 per coach. Phone (208) 752-0111 or e-mail northernpacificdepot@cebridge.net for information.

The Wallace District Mining Museum houses a multitude of exhibits showing life as it was in the Wallace mining camp, a new 1910 Fire Exhibit, underground mine displays and a 20-minute video on the history of the Silver Valley. Locally-mined silver products 34 • Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011

by Rick Shaffer The charming town of Wallace, Idaho is a place full of amazing attractions your group will enjoy exploring. The town’s historic mining past makes it a treasure trove of Old West heritage and culture. IDAHO TOURISM.

including rounds, bars and coins may be purchased in the gift shop. The price of a tour is $35 per coach and bus parking is available street side by the museum. To learn more go to www.wallaceminingmuseum.org or phone (208) 556-1592.

The 6th Street Melodrama theater company has performed for more than 20 years.

The shows offers local talent portraying entertaining stories of Historic Wallace’s past with heroes, heroines, villains and bad girls. Audience participation including popcorn throwing is mandatory. The performance is followed by Kelly’s Alley Revue which features song, dance and bad jokes. The cost is $10 per person and buses can park on the street near the theater. Phone (208) 752-8892 or visit www.sixthstreetmelodrama.com for more details.

Idaho’s oldest standing structure is the Old Mission at Cataldo. The mission is the creation of Catholic Jesuit priests known as "Black Robes" who were invited in by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe in the mid-1800s. This handmade structure was built using only naturally available construction materials. The history demonstration reveals the lives of the Coeur d’Alene Indians and the Catholic priests with a self-guided audio walking tour.

The Sacred Encounter Visitor Center offers an 18-minute video. The mission is off of I90 on the west at Exit 39. The group cost is $30 per bus and there is on-site parking for buses. Phone (208) 682-3814 or visit parksandrecreation.id.gov.

Every travel destination requires quality accommodations and Wallace offers the newly-renovated Wallace Inn. This AAA, 3Diamond property features beautifully-

landscaped lawns, a two-story atrium lobby, brick exterior and tile roofing. Quiet, welladorned, king and queen bedded rooms complete with coffee makers, refrigerators and free wi-fi welcome guests. The inn offers a free in-town, step-on guide service. Molly’s at the Inn has group menus to please all palates. Overnight groups are welcomed with a complimentary wine and cheese social. For rates and parking information phone (800) 643-2386. You can also learn more by visit www.thewallaceinn.com Historic Wallace has an invaluable, free tool for all tour operators – its own Prime Minister of Hospitality and Good Will. The Prime Minister can arrange half-day and fullday, guided loop tours, evening museum visits, multi-day adventure packages including garnet and sapphire digging, visits to national parks and wildlife preserves, hot springs, white water rafting, lake cruising, wine tasting and more. These are custom created, experiences formulated by the Prime Minister with satisfaction guaranteed. The Prime Minister is also able to offer a one-pay system where you pay one time for all expenses and he handles payment to the contractors making it simple, clean and easy for tour operators. To contact Prime Minister Rick Shaffer phone (208) 691-9169.

Dump Stations Exxon Service Station Valley Road Kingston, Idaho The city of Kellogg has a dump station located off Exit 49; open spring through fall.

Phone (208) 786-9131 for more information. ❑

Bus and Group Tours Wanted PLAN YOUR NEXT TRIP WITH US Dine • Stay • Visit The locations listed here invite your bus and group tours to stop in for a visit and enjoy what they have to offer. Please contact them for additional information.

If you would like to place advertising in this section, please contact a B U S TOURS MAGAZINE Account Executive at 815.946.2341.

Gaming continued from page 24 west metropolitan Tucson. The Tribe owns and operates two casinos: Casino of the Sun and Casino Del Sol. Non-gaming enterprises include the Anselmo Valencia Amphitheater, a 5,000-seat open-air concert venue, and the Del Sol Marketplace, which includes a gas station and car wash, convenience store and smoke shop. It is also the future home to Casino Del Sol Hotel, Spa and Conference Center, a 215-room, 161,000-square-foot facility that includes a meeting and convention center. For more information, visit www.solcasinos.com.

Remington Park Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Book a tour that will send your heart racing. Remington Park, Oklahoma City’s premier horseracing track and casino with easy access at the junction of interstates 35 and 44, is an exciting surprise stop on your next tour and extremely convenient.

Recent remodeling added tranquil water features, brick-paved elegance and beautiful new landscaping to the property. Motorcoach groups are welcome year round in the state-of-the-art casino boasting 750 of your favorite games. Intimate by most standards, this space is a perfect fit for bus groups who enjoy each other’s company and do not want to be lost in a crowd. You can also provide

Remington Park is Oklahoma City’s crown jewel of horse racing. The recently remodeled facility features elegant new ambiance and landscaping and makes an attractive surrounding for your guests as they enjoy the thrilling races. REMINGTON PARK.

your guests the thrills and excitement of America’s most prestigious sport during the world-class Quarter Horse Season (March through May) and Thoroughbred Season (mid-August through mid-December). Complimentary stable tours, adding a behind the

scenes look at these amazing athletes, are available. October showcases The Oklahoma Derby Festival week of events.

Dining packages are available for $10 and $15 inclusive in the casino and for $29.49 inclusive in Silks restaurant overlooking the track during live racing. Driver and escort are always complimentary. Of course, dining is optional and not required.

Every motorcoach group receives free play and complimentary souvenirs just for playing. The motorcoach welcome center is provided for a sitting room and departure staging.

With advance reservations, your bus is greeted and welcomed by a Remington Park team member who gives pointers and distributes free play vouchers. Once guests depart the bus, souvenirs will be placed in each seat to create a fun surprise upon boarding for departure. Remington Park has plenty of free motorcoach parking in lots that consume more than two million square feet. They are happy to mail you complimentary DVDs with information about the property, local sights, how to bet the horses, how to navigate the casino and more in advance.

Whether you are looking for a unique rest stop, a fun lunch option, or an addedvalue destination on any tour that takes you down I-35 or I-44, Remington Park is your best bet.

Visit a virtual tour at www.remingtonpark.com/groupsandcatering/ and see special motorcoach rates at www.remingtonpark.com/motorcoachBus/ or contact Christy.mccormack@remingtonpark.com .❑

36 • Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011

Bus Tours’ Planner’s Guide NEW YORK – New York City 10025

Step-on Guide Service for Manhattan – Uptown, Downtown & Everything in between: Times Square, Central Park, Wall Street, Rockefeller Center, Ground Zero, Fifth Avenue, SoHo, Chinatown…

ABOUT NEW YORK Contact: Eugene McMichael (212) 666-9595

MARYLAND – Crisfield 21817 Wonders of the Chesapeake. For a quick bite or the full course, discover one of the East Coast’s best kept secrets. www.oldecrisfield.com Old Crisfield Crabhouse 204 S 10th St. (410) 968-2722F

TENNESSEE – Kingsport 37660 Conveniently located in northeast Tennessee.

Enjoy a wedding, a murder and a meeting with wolves. Come experience true Southern hospitality in Kingsport.

Kingsport Convention and Visitors Bureau visitkingsport.com (800) 743-5282

NEW YORK CITY – The Big Apple 10128 Harlem Specialists, The Bronx, Brooklyn. Experienced Tour Planners/Operators. Receptive Services including Licensed Step-On Guides. *Groups booking 3 or more services get a Free Central Park or Ground “0” Walking Tour.

NEW YORK: CITY OF SPLENDOR TOURS www. equator3.com- - - - - - - - - - (212) 348-5449

FLORIDA– Orlando 32819

MISSISSIPPI – Natchez 39120

Formerly Quality Inn Plaza, newly renovated and upgraded to AAA 3 Diamond features many group-friendly amenities: fridge, micro, free Wi-Fi, buffet with group discount, bar, 24 deli/mkt., coffee bar & playground. Free parking. 1/20 comp. www.roseninn9000.com.

Largest collection of most extravagant antebellum mansions & gardens in America on 200 ft. bluffs overlooking Mississippi River; breathtaking views. Beautiful historic downtown & garden district; exquisite churches. Southern charm, great food, fall & spring home tours; custom tours year-round

MARYLAND – Historic Annapolis 21401 Established in 1750, the tavern is full of historic charm. View our group menus for your next historic tour. Plenty of shopping and sightseeing. Contact Banquet Dept. – Chris. www.middletontavern.com Middleton Tavern 2 Marketspace – On the City Dock (410) 263-3323 (410) 263-9771

FLORIDA – Kissimmee 34744 Experience a real flea market! 900 booths under 1 roof. Free entertainment•parking•admission! Specializing in antiques, collectibles, new & used merchandise, FL and Disney souvenirs. Bus tour deals available. FRI.-SUN., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. www.osceolafleaandfarmersmarket.com.

Osceola Flea and Farmers Market 2801 E. Irlo Bronson Hwy. (407) 846-2811

Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando 9000 Int’l Drive (866) 847-8585, Ext. 1026 wgines@roseninns.com Contact: Waheeda Gines

Advertiser’s Index 1000 Islands Int’l Tourism . . . . . .11 Algoma Central Railways . . . . . .14 Atlantic City CVA . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Berkeley Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Biloxi Shrimping Trip LLC . . . . .21 Blennerhassett Hotel, The . . . . . .5 Boot Hill Casino & Resort . . . . .23 Cherokee Cultural/Heritage . . . .13 Colonial Williamsburg . . . . . . . . .19 Cooperstown County Tourism . .29 Croswell Opera House . . . . . . . .30 Dublin Dr. Pepper . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Durango & Silverton Railroad . . .30 East Troy Railroad Museum . . . .31 Elk City, OK CVB . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Georgia Dept. of Economic Dev .39 Grand Biloxi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Heartland Travel Showcase . . . . .38 Lafayette Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . .21 LaQuinta Lexington . . . . . . . . . .35 Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs . . . . . . . . . . .11 Mt. Washington Cog Railway . . .19 Newseum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 North Dakota State Tourism . . . . .7

Northern Lights Casino . . . . . . .19 Olympia Entertainment . . . . . . .14 Olympic Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Peace Bridge Duty Free . . . . . . .40 Pima Air & Space Museum . . . . .28 Pinnacle Peak Restaurant . . . . . .36 Pulaski County Tourism Bureau .21 Ramona Bowl Amphitheatre . . .30 Rio Cibolo Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . .21 River Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Seneca Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Southern Idaho Tourism . . . . . . .35 St. Lawrence Cruise Lines . . . . .30 Starved Rock Lodge & Conf Ctr .35 Statesboro CVB . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 TR Medora Foundation . . . . . . . .15 Tropicana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Visit Norfolk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 WV State Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Wallace Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Winchester Steakhouse . . . . . . . . .9 WinnaVegas Casino . . . . . . . . . . .7 Wreath Factory at Otter Creek, The . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Natchez Pilgrimage Tours www.natchezpilgrimage.com (800) 647-6742 ILLINOIS – Staved Rock/Utica 61373 “Tribute to the Stars” musical matinees, great shopping, located at the crossroads of I-80 & I-39.

Free coach parking. Group discounts. Trolley tours, historic landmark, senior overnight rates. Book now for 2011.

Starved Rock Lodge www.starvedrocklodge.com (815) 220-7386 MISSOURI – Branson 65615 Branson Vacation Company/Edgewood Receptive Service has over 25 years of experience in Branson hospitality and leads the way in negotiated wholesale FIT and group packages.

Branson Vacation Company and Edgewood Receptive Service P.O. Box 2290, 2315 Green Mountain Dr. (800) 627-4596 Contact: Marilyn Mahoney or Reta White

Advertise in Bus Tours’ Planner’s Guide The listing of prime bus tour stops

BUS TOURS MAGAZINE (815) 946-2341

(815) 946-2347 (fax)

Bus Tours Magazine / January, 2011 • 37

Luxury Made Affordable

Peace Bridge Duty Free When travelling to the United States, be sure to include Peace Bridge Duty Free on your itinerary. Located on the Canadian side of the Peace Bridge crossing into Buffalo, NY. The fastest, most convenient border crossing in Niagara with direct routing to Interstate 90 East and West.

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Bus Tours Magazine 9698 W. Judson Road, Polo, Illinois 61064 January, 2011

Georgia Department of Economic Dev. See our ad on page 39

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Bus Tours Magazine 2011 Reader Profile and Questionnaire Please respond by February 20, 2011

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Check out the tours available on the reverse side and check the boxes below if you are interested in winning one of these fam tours. ❐ Lewis & Clark FAM ❐ Mercer County, West Virginia

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Use your Reader Service card to obtain more information on the products and services advertised in this issue.

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5. If you are interested in participating in a tour planner fam tour, check out the available trips on the reverse and check the appropriate box at the upper left.

❑ 1000 Islands Int’l Tourism . . .11

❑ Heartland Travel Showcase . .38

❑ Rio Cibolo Ranch . . . . . . . .21

❑ Algoma Central Railways . . .14

❑ Lafayette Tourism . . . . . . . .21

❑ River Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . .18

❑ Atlantic City CVA . . . . . . . . .2

❑ LaQuinta Lexington . . . . . . .35

❑ Senaca Casino . . . . . . . . . . .25

❑ Berkeley Chamber

❑ Mohegan Sun

❑ Southern Idaho Tourism . . . .35

of Commerce . . . . . . . . . . .31

at Pocono Downs . . . . . . . . .11

❑ Biloxi Shrimping Trip LLC . .21

❑ Mt. Washington

❑ St. Lawrence Cruise Lines . . .30 ❑ Starved Rock Lodge

❑ Blennerhassett Hotel, The . . . .5

Cog Railway . . . . . . . . . . . .19

& Conf Ctr . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

❑ Boot Hill Casino & Resort . . .23

❑ Newseum . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

❑ Statesboro CVB . . . . . . . . . .35

❑ Cherokee Cultural/Heritage .13

❑ North Dakota State Tourism . .7

❑ TR Medora Foundation . . . . .15

❑ Colonial Williamsburg . . . . . .19

❑ Northern Lights Casino . . . . .19

❑ Tropicana

❑ Cooperstown County Tourism 29

❑ Olympia Entertainment . . . . .14

❑ Visit Norfolk . . . . . . . . . . . .35

❑ Croswell Opera House . . . . .30

❑ Olympic Park . . . . . . . . . . .14

❑ WV State Parks . . . . . . . . . .35

❑ Dublin Dr. Pepper . . . . . . . .31

❑ Peace Bridge Duty Free . . . .40

❑ Wallace Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

❑ Durango & Silverton Railroad 30

❑ Pima Air & Space Museum . .28

❑ Winchester Steakhouse . . . . . .9

❑ East Troy Railroad Museum . .31

❑ Pinnacle Peak Restaurant . . .36

❑ WinnaVegas Casino . . . . . . . .7

❑ Elk City, OK CVB . . . . . . . .27

❑ Pulaski County

❑ Wreath Factory at Otter

❑

Georgia

Dept.

❑ Grand Biloxi . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Economic Development . . . .39

of

Tourism Bureau . . . . . . . . . .21 ❑ Ramona Bowl Amphitheatre . . . . . . . . . . .30

. . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Creek, The . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Fill out and return the Reader Service Card on the reverse and check the appropriate box to be eligible to win one of the complimentary fam (tour planner familiarization) tours listed below.

Tour planner is responsible for providing their own transportation to and from the departure/arrival point.

Lewis & Clark’s Fast and WIN Furious FAM North Dakota Day One, June 8, 2011 Arrive at Bismarck Municipal Airport. For those arriving early in the day, enjoy a visit to Bismarck’s Buckstop Junction and Former Governor’s Mansion. Evening entertainment will include dinner and a leisurely cruise on the Lewis and Clark Riverboat. Overnight in Bismarck Day Two, June 9, 2011 After a delicious breakfast, we start our journey with a visit to the North Dakota Heritage Center where we will discover dinosaurs, tractors and tipis in our state’s largest museum. Next stop is Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park where we will discover the life of the Mandan Indians who once lived in this 400-year-old village, referred to as On-A-Slant Village.

Step back in time to 1876 as we are invited guests into the reconstructed home of General George and Libby Custer. We will enjoy lunch before heading to Washburn to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Fort Mandan, the winter home of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery. Artifacts, exhibits and artwork are housed at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Fort Mandan. Nearby Knife River Indian Villages was a thriving village and home to Sakakawea. Overnight in Bismarck Day Three, June 10, 2011 Depart for Minot where we will visit the Scandinavian Heritage Park with its handcrafted Stave Church. Next, we are off to New Town for a visit to the Three Affiliated Tribes Museum to hear stories of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara people. We will continue on to Fort Buford State Historic Site, where Sitting Bull surrendered his rifle, and to Fort Union Trading Post less than three miles away. John Jacob Astor’s American Fur Trading Company was established in 1828. Overnight Williston Day Four, June 11, 2011 Depart Williston for a coffee stop in Watford City and then we are off to discover the north unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Get your camera ready for this breathtaking drive through the park. We have a surprise stop in Golden Valley, where motorheads and motorcycle enthusiasts will not believe this hidden museum dedicated to Harley Davidson’s Indian cycles and classic cars. We are heading home to Bismarck for our final evening and wrap up dinner. Overnight Bismarck Day Five, June 12, 2011 Depart for home.

For details on this fam, contact Deanne Felchle, North Dakota Tourism Group Travel at 701-328-2502 or e-mail:dfelchle@nd.gov.

Mercer County, West Virginia

WIN

Day One – Start your day at the Princeton Railroad Museum.

The museum displays more than 100 railroad lanterns, house exhibits of railroad artifacts, plus artwork, books, photograph and corporate railroad material.

Next it is on to the historic McNutt House, a Civil War-era home. Listen as the costumed guide shares stories of where the town of Princeton was burned by 300 Rebel defenders.

Visit the Mercer County War Museum – “Dedicated to Those Who Served.” The museum contains artifacts from the Civil War to the Iraq War. Discover Historic Downtown Bluefield, a sleepy cattle farm prior to the arrival of the Norfolk and Western Railroad (now Norfolk Southern Corporation). Lunch in historic Downtown Bluefield.

Return to Pipestem Resort State Park for a relaxing afternoon of hiking, gift shops, swimming, nature center and more.

Day Two – Begin your journey in the miner’s town of Pocahontas, complete with a saloon, beautiful churches and the Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine.

Visit the coal baron’s town of Historic Bramwell. “Step back in time” and recapture the Gilded Age. Hear the history of Bramwell, visit the homes and be greeted by a costumed guide.

A beautiful sandstone formation towering above the rugged mountains in the southern part of the state, Pinnacle Rock reaches 3,100 feet above sea level. A steep hike on the Overlook Trail takes you to the top of the rock for a scenic view of the valley.

Bluefield • Princeton Your three-night, two-day tour includes accommodations at Pipestem Resort State Park; dining at Pipestem Resort State Park ($11 restaurant voucher); admission to the Princeton Railroad Museum, the McNutt House, Mercer County War Museum, Pocahontas Exhibition Mine, Historic Bramwell, Pinnacle Rock State Park and Buddy’s Country Store; lunch in Historic Bramwell.

For additional information contact: Marie E. Blackwell, Mercer County CVB, (304) 325-8438; e-mail marie@visitmercercounty.com or Sissie Summers, WV State Parks, (304) 558-2764, Ext. 51829; e-mail SissieA.Summers@wv.gov.

If you would like to offer your own fam tour to tour planner readers of Bus Tours Magazine, contact your Bus Tours Magazine advertising account executive for details and availability.