Going On Faith Spring 2023

FAITHFUL PENNSYLVANIA

GATHERING

Faithful Pennsylvania Growing Interest Ohio’s Amish Country

The Keystone State is awash in religious heritage.

These agritourism experiences are in a class of their own. Discover the simple pleasures of these communities. Explore

DEPARTMENTS

#MeetInChandler #MeetInChandler

#MeetInChandler #MeetInChandler

#MeetInChandler #MeetInChandler

11 2 2 3 3

11 2 2 3 3

Lo c a t e d m i n u t e s f r o m Ph o e n i x Sk y

Lo a t e d m i n u t e s f r o m Ph o e n i x Sk y

Lo c a t e d m i n u t e s f r o m Ph o e n i x Sk y

Ha r b o r In t e r n a t i o n a l Ai r p o r t

Ha r b o r In t e r n a t i o n a l Ai r p o r t

Ha r b o r In t e r n a t i o n a l Ai r p o r t

Aw a r d -w i n n i n g h o t e l s a t a v a r i e t y o f

Aw a r d -w i n n i n g h o t e l s a t a a r i e t y o f

Aw a r d -w i n n i n g h o t e l s a t a v a r i e t y o f

b u d g e t 2 2 3 3

c o s t s a n d p r i c e p o i n t s t o f i t y o u r

c s t s a n d p r i c p o i n t s t o f i t y o u r

c o s t s a n d p r i c e p o i n t s t o f i t y o u r

b u d g e t

b u d g e t

Ne a r -p e r f e c t w e a t h e r w i t h 3 0 0 + s u n n y

Ne a r -p e r f e c t w e a t h e r w i t h 3 0 0 + s u n n y

Ne a r -p e r f e c t w e a t h e r w i t h 3 0 0 + s u n n y

d a y s f o r o u t d o o r a c t i v i t i e s a n d

d a y s f o r o u t d o o r t i v i t i e s a n d

d a y s f o r o u t d o o r a c t i v i t i e s a n d

e x p l o r a t i o n

x p l o r a t i o n

e x p l o r a t i o n

Ki m b e r l y J a n e s

Ki m b e r l y J a n e s

Ki m b e r l y J a n e s

k i m b e r l y . j a n e s @ c h a n d l e r a z . g o v

k i m b e r l y . j a n e s @ c h a n d l e r a z . g o v

k i m b e r l y . j a n e s @ c h a n d l e r a z . g o v

(4 8 0 ) 7 8 2 -3 0 3 7

(4 8 0 ) 7 8 2 -3 0 3 7

(4 8 0 ) 7 8 2 -3 0 3 7

c h a n d l e r m e e t i n g s . c o m

c h a n d l e r m e e t i n g . c o m

c h a n d l e r m e e t i n g s . c o m

SCAN

SCAN ME TO TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR

SCAN ME TO TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR

EDITOR’S BRIAN JEWELL

THE FAITH TRAVEL DIFFERENCE

NOTES

What makes a faith-based tour different than any other group trip?

That’s a question I get all the time, particularly when I’m talking with people who aren’t very familiar with the faith travel market. The answer isn’t always as simple as people expect. But understanding it can help you maximize the success and impact of your church’s travel program.

When many people think of faith-based travel, they imagine trips to the Holy Land, the Vatican or other pilgrimage destinations. And church groups do travel to those places (as do many secular groups). But those aren’t the only places churches go. Faith-based groups like yours travel all over the United States and around the world. Like any other travel lovers, faith-based travelers want to explore all kinds of destinations, and they aren’t restricted by the fact they’re on a church-sponsored trip.

There are also no restrictions about what faith groups will do in a destination once they get there. Like other travelers, your church members probably enjoy visiting historic sites, museums and mainstream attractions on the road. They might include a historic church tour or something similar along the way. But they’re also going to hit the other highlights in a city. And they enjoy shopping and dining just like any other group.

Granted, some churches avoid certain kinds of travel activities, particularly those that include gambling, alcohol or, these days, marijuana. But the faith-based travel commu-

nity is large and diverse. And there are plenty of church travel planners who include wineries or casinos on their itineraries.

What makes church travel unique isn’t what people are doing on trips. It’s why they’re doing it.

Church groups travel with a distinctive purpose. Church groups travel together in service of the Great Commission. Their leaders, people like you, do the hard work of planning trips because they see the impact these trips can make in their churches and their communities.

There are probably other organizations in your area that offer group travel. Some of them may be for-profit tour companies that take people on trips to make money. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, but it’s not as impactful as what you do.

Others may be affinity groups that use travel as a way of increasing member loyalty. That’s a good thing. But a strong affinity organization will never have the eternal significance of a strong and growing community church.

As a church travel planner, you have the awesome opportunity to play an active role in people’s spiritual journeys. You can introduce people to new places, but you also have the chance to welcome outsiders into your fellowship. You help people have fun, but you also help them grow in their faith. And as your program succeeds, so does your church.

What makes your trips different than those that everyone else is taking? It’s probably not where you’re going or what you do when you get there. Instead, it’s the relationships you’re building and the lives you’re changing.

Explore – Experience – Enjoy

From the endearing charm of Wisconsin supper clubs to hands-on experiences, we invite you to explore Fond du Lac and the Lake Winnebago Region in Wisconsin. Nestled between Milwaukee and Green Bay, the Lake Winnebago Region has become the mecca for agricultural tourism and a paradise for “foodies” with many family-owned businesses that share a rich history. There’s no shortage of things to see and do!

Ag-Venture – Farm to Fork – Wineries – Distilleries – Amish – Classic Wisconsin Supper Clubs –Rich History – Art Galleries – Mystery – Exclusive Tastings – Shopping – Festivals

• Perfect hub and spoke

• Group friendly restaurants

• Entertainment referral

• Convenient access to interstate

• Hotel accommodation proposals

• Partner referrals & planning

• Step on meet and greet

WELCOME TO TITLETOWN FOOTBALL IS JUST THE BEGINNING ON A TRIP TO GREEN BAY

BY RACHEL CRICK

With its eclectic downtown and waterfront views, Green Bay is an unexpected gift for groups.

Settled by the French in the 17th century, the Wisconsin city where the Fox River flows into the green-hued waters of the bay was an important trading post and one of the earliest European settlements in the area. Today, the city is home to just over 100,000 residents. Despite its small size, Green Bay offers a surprising mix of cultural attractions, out-

door activities and diverse culinary experiences.

Green Bay will host the 2023 Going on Faith Conference from August 22-24 at the Hyatt Regency Green Bay, located in the heart of the thriving city.

“We have this reputation of being a small town,” said Nick Meisner, vice president of digital communications at Discover Green Bay. “Yes, we are the smallest city to have an NFL team. We have all the unique things about a small town and the hospitality of a small town, but we have big city amenities.”

SIGNATURE ATTRACTIONS

One of the things Green Bay is best known for is being the home of the Green Bay Packers, the beloved green-and-gold NFL team whose colors can be found throughout the city. The city’s signature landmark is Lambeau Field, where the Packers play. Football fans can tour the stadium to learn about its history and see everything from visiting team locker

All photos courtesy Discover Green Bay Groups can tour Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers, for a taste of the city’s team spirit.

rooms to the tunnels where the team emerges. They can also opt to visit the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, where some of the team’s most iconic players are celebrated.

As prominent as the Packers are in the city, a long list of attractions unrelated to football also await groups. “The city and the region itself are known on a national level for the Green Bay Packers, but Green Bay is definitely a lot more than that,” Meisner said.

Green Bay has an impressive performing arts

— NICK MEISNER

scene, with multiple venues equipped to accommodate plays, comedy shows and concerts of all sizes. One of its key venues is the Meyer Theatre, which originally opened in 1930. Located in the heart of downtown in close proximity to many hotels and restaurants, this historic theater was restored to its original architectural grandeur and beauty in 2002. It’s the perfect place for a group to enjoy an entertaining local production after a day exploring the town.

For some fun in the sun, groups can head to Bay Beach, where they’ll find Bay Beach Amusement Park. People of all ages will enjoy the amusement park rides and activities, and of course, some classic carnival food. Across the street from Bay Beach Amusement Park is the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, which cares for and rehabilitates injured and orphaned animals. At the sanctuary, groups will get to walk through the serene 700-acre park to see animals like gray wolves, owls, otters and more. They can hike the park’s trails and participate in educational talks about the park’s wildlife.

OUTDOOR DELIGHTS

Green Bay was settled because of its waterways. Those same waterways are still an important part of the city’s charm and character. Restaurants and businesses line the banks of the Fox River, giving the city’s visitors plenty of opportunities to enjoy its most beautiful views.

“The bay and the river are one of the largest freshwater estuaries in the world and provide a plethora of outdoor activities all year long,” Meisner said.

Those who enjoy outdoor recreation can participate in activities such as kayaking, boating and fishing along Green Bay’s waterways. Green Bay’s parks are beautiful places to take in natural scenery and stunning waterfalls, such as the 30-foot waterfall at Fonferek’s Glen Conservancy Area. For another outdoor activity, groups can head to the Green Bay Botanical Garden, a 47-acre horticultural destination featuring over 65,000 plants from around the world.

Green Bay scenes, clockwise from top left: A waterfront along the Fox River; the Automobile Gallery; the Foxy Paddler; Visiting the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame

“THE CITY AND THE REGION ITSELF ARE KNOWN ON A NATIONAL LEVEL FOR THE GREEN BAY PACKERS, BUT GREEN BAY IS DEFINITELY A LOT MORE THAN THAT.”

Groups looking to relax and take in the scenery of the city will enjoy a tour of the Fox River aboard the Foxy Paddler, a 35-foot pontoon boat. Passengers on the Foxy Paddler will get a guided tour of downtown Green Bay from the river; they have the choice to either help power the boat’s paddle-wheel or sit back and enjoy the ride. They can also bring their own beverages onboard and/or opt to stop at a riverside restaurants and bars.

The Northeast Wisconsin Zoo and Adventure Park is another exciting outdoor attraction just outside of Green Bay. The zoo offers plenty of opportunities for visitors to view and interact with over 200 species, from feeding giraffes to taking canopy tours over the animal habitats. Groups can arrange to participate in behind-the scenes tours, close-up animal encounters and educational programs.

HISTORIC SITES

As the oldest European settlement along the Green Bay, the city is home to many museums and attractions that explore its rich history.

At Heritage Hill State Historical Park, groups can experience an immersive journey into historic northeastern Wisconsin. This 56-acre park is located on the banks of the Fox River and is designed to foster a sense of appreciation for the region across time. Historic guides in period clothing take visitors through a variety of original buildings from different eras, from cabins built during the French fur trade era to the first courthouse in Wisconsin, circa 1934. Many of these buildings were relocated from their original sites, and some of them are replicas of the state’s historic structures. Both walking and tram tours of the property are available, and groups are free to stop for refreshments at La Baye Coffee House and Gifts.

One of Green Bay’s most notable museums is the National Railroad Museum, which teaches visitors about the rail industry and the history of trains and railroads in the U.S. It features some impressive locomotives, including the world’s largest steam locomotive, which weighs over 1 million pounds, and the locomotive General Dwight. D. Eisenhower used to travel around the U.S. during World War II. Groups can tour the museum to learn about these locomotives and get inside some of the train cars. Auto enthusiasts will also enjoy the Automobile Gallery, an automobile museum converted from an old Cadillac dealership, which now features a collection of 75 distinct classic and modern cars for visitors to see.

The Neville Public Museum is a history and natural sciences museum dedicated to exploring Wisconsin. Exhibits highlight everything from the history of civilization in Wisconsin to modern art in the Green Bay area.

For a well-rounded cultural experience, a visit to the Oneida Nation Museum allows groups to explore the history and culture of the region’s Native

Americans, which long precedes the European settlements of the 17th century. The museum includes Iroquois and Oneida artifacts and exhibits detailing the ways of life and histories of the tribes. Groups can also purchase contemporary Native American arts and crafts.

GOURMET GREEN BAY

Wisconsin is known for its love of dairy and party foods. Cheese curds and Kringles, a Danish pastry shaped like a pretzel, are some of its most notable local foods. While Green Bay is as good a place as any in the Badger State to find its classic fare, the city’s vibrant dining scene is exceedingly groupfriendly and varied, providing both laid back and sophisticated dining options.

“Wherever you are in the city there are local restaurants, from fine dining to pub-style and breweries,” Meisner said.

One of the options for fine dining downtown is the Republic Chophouse, a steakhouse with surf and turf options, from scallops to tenderloin filets. Chives, located in a historic schoolhouse building, is a unique restaurant for groups. Chefs there serve up a customized and creative menu for groups to enjoy.

At the Depot, a historic train depot converted into a restaurant, guests will find a mix of upscale entrees and pub food, including classics like fish and chips and a New York strip, as well as sandwiches, burgers and craft beer. The Depot also has a brunch menu featuring hearty dishes like chicken and waffles, a Monte Cristo sandwich and loaded French toast.

Recreation and dining collide at the Turn Restaurant Lounge, an entertainment venue and restaurant that features a Topgolf Swing Suite for groups to enjoy virtual golf and other simulated games. It offers craft cocktails and pub food like flatbreads, burgers and loaded nachos for groups to fill up on

in between rounds of virtual golf or zombie dodgeball.

Green Bay has plenty of breweries that are ideal for large groups, such as Hinterland Brewery and Restaurant, an elegant, modern indoor and outdoor dining space. Hinterland’s menu changes frequently based on the fresh local and seasonal ingredients available and aims to surprise and delight its visitors with intriguing pairings and memorable flavors.

Groups will find coveted Wisconsin staples throughout the city. The best Kringle in North America is rumored to be found at Uncle Mike’s Bake Shoppe, a locally owned bakery that serves this signature Wisconsin pastry and plenty of other sweet treats. As for cheese curds, Titletown Brewing Company is said to offer some of the best in the city, though groups will find them at many restaurants and shops throughout Green Bay. greenbay.com

Exploring Heritage Hill State Historical Park

From herbs and flowers, to veggies and farm fresh ingredients plus music, food and more. Experience Green Bay’s outdoor markets and shopping.

FAITH FACES TRAVEL

of

‘A True Savannah Native’

ANJULI KING

VISIT SAVANNAH AND VISIT TYBEE ISLAND

BY REBECCA TREON

You could say that faith and Savannah are in Anjuli King’s DNA: Her maternal grandfather was a pastor in Savannah, Georgia; her great uncle was a minister at one of the oldest Black congregations in the country, First Bryan Baptist Church; and her father is a deacon. Her mother plays piano at church, and Anjuli herself is a member at Branded Hearts Church, where she is active in the Women’s Ministry Group and Bible Study.

“I’m a P.K. [pastor’s kid] grandkid,” King said. “I’m at church every Sunday and on Thursday; I’m there for Bible study. I’ve had my fair share of trials and tribulations, but I give all the glory to God. Honestly — I tell people all the time that if it wasn’t for His grace and mercy, I have no idea where I’d be.”

COMPANY: Visit Savannah and Visit Tybee Island.

FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE:

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

— Galatians 6:9

HOMETOWN: Savannah, Georgia

HOBBIES:

On Sundays, King can be found at Branded Hearts Ministries, where she is active in the women’s ministry group. She enjoys spending her spare time with her family, watching sports (especially football), traveling to new destinations or catching up on her favorite TV shows while enjoying a plate of ribs from Randy’s BBQ.

Coming from a long line of Savannahians, King says that landing in her role as director of domestic group tour and entertainment sales at Visit Savannah really came from her love of her hometown and deep familiarity with every nook and cranny of the city. Aptly, Savannah’s nickname is “Hostess City of the South,” and King is the perfect person to welcome visitors to her destination.

TRAVEL TIPS

TIP 1

Book the trip, don’t wait — tomorrow is not promised!

TIP 2

Invest in a travel backpack! Backpacks have the charger ports, a hidden back pouch for a wallet, and pockets for refillable water bottles. They can fit under the seat instead of the overhead cabin, but pack your purse in your checked luggage so you can be cute when you’ve reached your destination!

TIP 3

Stop for five minutes, take a deep breath and thank God that you can see His creation!

“What makes my job so cool is that I’m a true Savannah native — it really is home,” she said. “Sometimes it doesn’t even feel like work, because I’m selling my hometown, I’m selling my city. I can tell you exactly what to see and to do and that’s what makes it fun — so that’s what I absolutely love about my job. You don’t realize when you’re growing up what’s so special about where you are, but now that I’m older I love all this history around me, and I’m so grateful that I get to live in it every day. We really do have something that’s totally unique here.”

King started down the hospitality path while she was in college, where she balanced a full load of courses with full-time hours in hotels. She started as a front desk agent in a Hilton, while working her way up to guest service supervisor, then sales and catering manager, then regional catering sales, working on one property in Savannah and another in Atlanta. Moving into the group sales market, King moved into working with the SMERF (social, military, educational, religious, and fraternal organizations) and with motorcoach groups as well. Coordinating these groups developed a relationship with the local convention and visitors bureau, Visit Savannah, which eventually approached her and encouraged her to come to work with them.

“Mindy [Shea], my colleague here who is the director of international sales, reached out to me and said, ‘Hey, have you ever thought about working with the CVB?’ and I didn’t know much about what that entailed,” said King. “She told me that, in a nutshell, I’d be selling the whole house instead of just the kitchen sink — it’s what I was already doing, only selling the whole city instead of one property, and it made sense to show the full package of Savannah instead of just one piece of it.”

The intersection of faith and hospitality comes up frequently in King’s work. While many of the groups visiting Savannah will want to see some of the most popular attractions, she also makes a point of including those landmarks with a spiritual significance when planning an itinerary. She gives groups a welcome that aligns with her faith.

“I definitely do a gospel dinner cruise, which is something so unique to Savannah,” she said. “You have the first African Baptist church in the United States here, the historic First Bryan Baptist Church, which is the oldest Black congregation in the United States; we have Beth Israel, one of the oldest Gothic-style synagogues in the United States. I incorporate God in all that I do, whether it’s a prayer that someone has safe travels or greeting them with a hug, but you don’t have to be wearing a sticker that says, ‘I’m a Christian.’ Most of the time, people can just sense that — they know it’s there because you are being Christlike.”

Anjuli King (far left) and her family are longtime members of Savannah’s faith community.

The Group Travel Leader is taking a trip to Savannah, Georgia, and we want you to come with us!

Our friends at Visit Savannah are arranging a familiarization tour of the scenic and historic waterfront city, and they’re inviting our travel planner readers to attend. The tour will take place July 30 through August 2 and will include the city’s famous garden squares, legendary Southern cuisine, historic sites, natural attractions, museums and more.

You’ll join our advertising account manager Bryce Wilson and a professional travel writer as they explore the area with our Savannah hosts.

Highlights of the four-day tour will include the following:

• City Trolley Tour — Get to know the beautiful squares and historic buildings of Savannah on an open-air trolley.

• Savannah Riverboat — Enjoy dinner, live gospel music and unparalleled views of the city on a riverboat cruise.

• Paula Deen’s Creek House — Dine at one of the restaurants established by the celebrity chef who got her start in Savannah.

• Captain Derek’s Dolphin Tour — Venture into the Atlantic to see dolphins and other sea creatures that make their home in the area.

• Savannah Theater — Catch a live show at one of the city’s most popular group tour destinations.

Your hotel accommodations, meals, admissions and other expenses will be hosted by Visit Savannah. Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from the region.

You can apply to attend this FAM tour at grouptravelleader.com/savannah-fam. Space is limited, and applications close May 1.

Don’t miss this opportunity to join us July 30–August 2 in Savannah!

Join Us for a Trip to Savannah

Travel planners can enjoy the beautiful scenery and fascinating history of Savannah during an upcoming familiarization tour with Select Traveler’s Bryce Wilson (bottom left).

JULY 30–AUGUST 2

REGISTRATION CLOSES MAY 1

You can apply to attend this FAM tour at GROUPTRAVELLEADER.COM/SAVANNAH-FAM

If you have any questions, call Bryce at 859-253-0455. WITH THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER

PHOTOS COURTESY VISIT SAVANNAH

BY JILL GLEESON

Stretching some 309 miles long and 174 miles wide, Pennsylvania could rightly lay claim to the title “God’s country.” After all, more than half of its 29 million acres are wood and wetland, park and pasture, all of it suffused with a gentle beauty quite unlike anywhere else in the U.S. It’s a peaceful state, and this tranquillity is found not only in natural spaces but also in its spiritual places. In 1682, Quaker William Penn founded the colony as a refuge against religious persecution, and today worship remains an integral part of life for many Pennsylvanians. The entire Keystone State thus offers an inspiring diversity of devotional sites, both historic and modern, for groups to experience. This itinerary begins in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s largest city and the most easily accessed, thanks to a world-class airport and road system. It then continues to the suburb of Elkins Park, before stopping in Nazareth, in the Lehigh Valley, and then heading farther west, to Lancaster County’s small community of Ephrata. The tour ends on the other side of the state from Philadelphia, in Franklin. From Franklin, groups can depart via Pittsburgh International Airport, just 90 minutes away. Leaders should consider planning on four nights for this tour, adding on another night or so if taking in additional sights along the way.

PHILADELPHIA

HIGHLIGHT | PENNSYLVANIA’S MOST HISTORIC CHURCH

Tucked away next to a quiet park and alongside a brick path shaded by trees in Philadelphia’s Old City sits the magnificent Christ Church, where nation-builders including George Washington, Betsy Ross and Benjamin Franklin all once worshipped. Founded in 1695 as the Church of England’s first Pennsylvania parish, it made history again after the Revolution when it became the inaugural home of the American Episcopal Church. The current structure, considered one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the country, dates to 1744. When the steeple was completed in 1754, it became the colony’s tallest building, a position it held for more than half a century.

Inside, groups will want to keep their eyes peeled for the circa-1300s baptismal font, donated by the London church where William Penn was baptized, as well as the pew George Washington sat in while worshipping. Be sure to leave time to visit the two-acre burial grounds, where Benjamin Franklin and four other signers of the Declaration of Independence have been laid to rest. Still an active house of worship, Christ Church welcomes groups with special tours and pricing.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Old City, home to Christ Church, offers more than its fair share of other stellar group attractions, including the African American Museum in Philadelphia. Established in 1976, it’s the nation’s first major institution to commemorate and celebrate Black history and culture. Look for the permanent exhibit “Audacious Freedom,” which explores how African Americans contributed to this country’s founding.

ELKINS PARK

By Anthony Sinagoga, courtesy PHLCVB

Christ Church interior in Philadelphia

2 ELKINS PARK

HIGHLIGHT | FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT MASTERPIECE

It only takes about 30 minutes of motoring north from the Old City to reach Elkins Park, but the quiet suburb seems a world away from Philly’s hustle and bustle. Here, legendary American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, working in concert with Rabbi Mortimer J. Cohen, would design his only synagogue. Dedicated in 1959, just a few months after Wright’s death, it was an immediate success and soon named by the American Institute of Architects as one of his 17 most important projects. (In 2007, the building was selected as a National Historic Landmark.) But all superlatives pale in comparison to the soaring majesty of the structure, which resembles a Mayan temple and Wright himself described as a “luminous Mount Sinai.”

Beth Sholom, which means “House of Peace,” rises some 110 feet upward from the ground in a pyramid shape that’s crafted on the outside from corrugated wire glass. Inside, translucent walls of fiberglass allow the sun to shine during the day and brilliant light to escape into the heavens by night. Jewish symbols are present throughout, right down to the sand-colored carpeting, a reference to the desert journey of the Israelites. Specially priced tours of the synagogue are available to groups and include a short film about Beth Sholom.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: In Montgomery County, American Treasure Tour Museum serves up thousands of Americana-themed items in a pristine, 100,000-square-foot facility that groups can visit via tram cars. With everything from vintage autos to self-playing orchestras, movie posters to stuffed animals, this is the perfect place to indulge in some sweet nostalgia for bygone days. MORE

NAZARETH HIGHLIGHT | THE OLDEST PROTESTANT DENOMINATION

From Elkins Park, it’s a 75-minute drive due north to Nazareth, home to the Moravian Historical Society. Founded in 1857, the organization is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the culture of the ancient Protestant denomination, which traces its roots all the way back to the mid-1400s, in what would later become the Czech Republic. By 1740, a group of Moravians had settled on 500 acres in Pennsylvania, and today, many artifacts from their lives can be found at the Moravian Historical Society’s Whitfield House Museum. They include early American paintings, pottery, firearms, musical instruments, textiles, tools and much more.

Some of the most impressive of the 20,000 objects in the museum’s collection are 23 oil paintings by John Valentine Haidt, the first artist in America to illustrate primarily religious topics, as well as a pipe organ crafted in 1776 by David Tannenberg, the most important organ-maker of the era. Groups should also be sure to take time to appreciate the handsome stone Whitefield House, some 285 years old, that contains the museum.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: If your group is clamouring for a longer look at Moravian history, head to nearby Bethlehem. Like Nazareth, it was founded by the denomination and is currently shortlisted for World Heritage designation. Guided tours, led by docents in period dress, are available.

MORE INFO | discoverlehighvalley.com

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Beth Shalom Synagogue

Costumed interpreters at the Whitfield House Museum

Courtesy Valley Forge TCB Courtesy DiscoverLehighValley.com

EPHRATA

HIGHLIGHT | HISTORIC MONASTIC SETTLEMENT

With its history of religious tolerance, it’s not surprising that Pennsylvania attracted smaller religious groups holding what might be called unusual beliefs. Groups can explore the former commune of one such sect in Ephrata, a small community located about 90 minutes southwest of Nazareth. The Ephrata Cloister was founded in 1732 by Conrad Beissel, who believed life should be spent simply, in preparation for the second coming. Church members ate and slept in limited amounts, wearing white robes as they went about their work, which included farming, milling and papermaking. Following Beissel’s death in 1768, the largely celibate group went into a slow decline, though the Germanic structures they lived and worked in remain.

Now a National Historic Landmark, the Ephrata Cloister offers tours that begin with a 15-minute video and continue with guided stops at two of the site’s most significant buildings, the Meetinghouse and the Sisters’ House. Afterward, groups can indulge in self-guided visits to seven more historic structures, as well as to the visitor center and the museum store.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Amish country is packed with plenty for groups to do and that includes taking in dinner and a show at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, where the good times include a buffet meal and a performance of a Broadway classic or a new favorite. A special package, which includes a question-and-answer after the show and autographed programs, is available to groups.

MORE INFO | discoverlancaster.com

FRANKLIN

HIGHLIGHT | TIFFANY WINDOWS

It’s a bit of a hike from Ephrata to Franklin, but the four-hour drive northwest is more than worth it. The little city in the corner of the state offers one of Pennsylvania’s most singular pleasures for groups: 30 exquisite Tiffany stainedglass windows. They can be found inside St. John’s Episcopal Church, one of only a handful of houses of worship in the world that can claim a full set of such windows. Installed from 1901 to 1917, they were the happy result of a Franklin oil boom, which allowed newly wealthy benefactors to donate the money needed for them.

Appraised at $16 million in the 1980s, the Tiffany windows are undoubtedly worth far more today. Among the most stunning is the monumental Rose Window, located across from the altar and said to be constructed of nearly four thousand separate pieces of glass. Leaders can schedule illuminating, docentled tours of the church by contacting the parish office.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: While Franklin’s charming Victorian buildings make a stroll through the town a must, so is a stop at DeBence Antique Music World. Groups will not only discover 200 mechanical musical instruments dating from the mid-19th to the mid-20th centuries, they will also find other types of antique treasures, including 40 Tiffanystyle hanging lamps.

The peaceful grounds at Ephrata Cloister

Stained glass at St. John’s Episcopal Church

Courtesy DiscoverLancaster.com By Stephen West, courtesy St. John’s Church

SNAP TRAVEL SHOT

OHIO AMISH COUNTRY

BY LINDSEY HYDE

Simplicity and relaxation reign in Ohio’s Amish Country. Far from busy interstates, crowded cities, and the hustle and bustle of daily life, this Midwest destination offers visitors the chance to explore and immerse themselves in Amish culture.

“We’re almost a perfect relationship between the English, which is the non-Amish, and the Amish,” said Tiffany Gerber, executive director of the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau. “We live together. The Amish community actually embraces visitors. They like to share who they are and how they live. We’re welcoming; we’re open; we’re friendly.”

Six counties — Wayne, Stark, Coshocton, Tuscarawas, Ashland and Holmes, which is the hub — house the main concentration of Amish in the state and within this region. Visitors can spend multiple days learning about different trades, shopping locally made items, eating homestyle meals and exploring beautiful backroads.

While activities abound here, Gerber encourages everyone to make the Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center in Berlin their first stop, as it provides plenty of useful background information.

“You are not only learning all about the culture of the area you are about to explore, but you can also ask those crazy questions that you just never knew who to ask about why Amish do what they do,” Gerber said. “Their staff is amazingly open.”

From the Heritage Center, groups can customize their trip to match their interests. For example, the area is home to several unique farms, including The Farm at Walnut Creek, Yoder’s Amish Home, and Hershberger’s Farm and Bakery. Plus, many communities, like Berlin, offer concentrated shopping areas. Several Amish families also sell goods out of their homes, hanging signs at the end of their driveways to point out-of-towners to furniture, brooms, quilts, fresh eggs, baked treats and more. When it comes to food, groups can find multiple restaurants that serve up homestyle dishes, though many families also invite people into their homes for a sit-down meal.

“Just picture a Sunday family dinner or a Thanksgiving,” Gerber said.

While Amish Country itself offers days’ worth of fun, the surrounding area is home to several other attractions that groups won’t want to miss. Here are four stops you and your group should add to your trip itinerary.

Photos courtesy Holmes Co. COC & TB except where noted

Top: Historic Roscoe Village in Coshocton preserves the area’s 1800s charm.

Bottom: Amish children on an Ohio farm

DAVID WARTHER CARVINGS

Located in Sugarcreek, David Warther Carvings is a museum that showcases more than 90 creations made by fifth-generation carver David Warther, who is known for work that portrays the history of the ship. The museum features five rooms where guests can find replicas of ships tracing back to first dynasty Egypt. Each creation includes intricate scrimshaw engravings and is carved from elephant tusks that have been donated to museum. While visiting, groups can often find Warther in his on-site workshop, where they can ask him questions and view his carving techniques.

ERNEST WARTHER MUSEUM AND GARDENS

In Dover, groups can feast their eyes on the hand-sculpted works of Ernest (Mooney) Warther, who began whittling at the age of 5 and became known as the “world’s master carver.” Though he passed away in 1973, Warther’s family owns and operates the Ernest Warther Museum and Gardens, which is made up of his former home and workshop as well as his works of art. As a lover of steam engines, Warther created more than 60 pieces that focused on steam engines throughout his life. While perusing the museum, visitors can also find works created by Warther’s wife, Frieda.

PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

Canton — also known as the birthplace of the NFL — is home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While highly focused on football, there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy here. For example, groups can explore the Hall of Fame Gallery, which includes 354 bronzed busts of each Hall of Fame member, and a holographic theater called “A Game for Life” shows fans how football teaches life lessons. Inside the Hall of Fame’s Lamar Hunt Super Bowl Gallery, groups can learn about the history of football by watching game footage, using interactive kiosks and exploring artifacts.

HISTORIC ROSCOE VILLAGE

Historic Roscoe Village in Coshocton is a quaint Ohio and Erie Canal town that’s been restored to honor its former canal era. While here, groups can catch a glimpse of what life used to look like in Roscoe, as costumed interpreters provide living history tours. In addition to tours, groups can explore the town’s eateries and multiple specialty shops found at The Famous Shops of Roscoe Village. Plus, a visit isn’t complete without a horse-drawn canal boat ride. During the excursion, the captain lets visitors in on a few old canal tales.

Oneida Nation Museum

Ernest Warther Museum

David Warther Carvings

Courtesy Historic Roscoe Village

Pro Football Hall of Fame

Historic Roscoe Village

BY RACHEL CRICK

CROPPING UP EVERYWHERE

AGRITOURISM EXPERIENCES SHOWCASE THE DIVERSITY OF FARM LIFE

The term agriculture conjures images of neat rows of corn, sprawling fields of grain and grazing animals dotting green pastures. But agriculture encompasses a lot more than the farms one sees driving on a rural Midwestern road. Agriculture can provide everything from the honey drizzled in one’s tea to the clothes one wears.

In a world where a trip to the supermarket can deliver it all, agritourism allows people to reconnect to nature and discover the origins of their food and other goods they enjoy daily. These atypical agritourism encounters allow faith-based groups to gain firsthand knowledge of some of the most interesting niches in agriculture.

Courtesy Carlsbad Aquafarm

By Grace Davidson, courtesy Black Barn Alpacas

Courtesy Kona Joe Coffee

Carlsbad Aquafarm uses distinctive methods to farm oysters in deep water for a high-quality, delicious oyster.

Two alpacas at Black Barn Alpacas

Kona Joe Coffee scenes, from left: Coffee beans grown using a trellis method; Kona Joe farm in Hawaii; roasting coffee beans

KONA JOE COFFEE BIG ISLAND, HAWAII

The rich, bold flavors of coffee are enjoyed by millions every single morning not as a mere treat but as a necessary start to the day. Coffee beans are typically grown in the warm, tropical climates of Central America, South America, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, so exploring the origins of this flavorful bean can be tricky without traveling internationally. However, at Kona Joe Coffee, on the Big Island of Hawaii, groups can witness the magic without technically leaving the U.S.

Started in 1995 by husband-and-wife team Joe and Deepa Alban, Kona Joe is a coffee farm that takes advantage of Hawaii’s naturally warm climate. There are other coffee farms in Hawaii, but Kona Joe is the only coffee farm that uses trellises to grow the beans.

“It’s the first coffee farm in the world to do the trellis method, and they have a patent on the process,” said Collier Maxwell, director of business development at Kona Joe. “We grow it; we process it; we roast it; we package it; we sell it.”

Group tours of the farm kick off with an overview of its history and the benefits to growing coffee in the Hawaiian climate. They’ll learn about the different types of coffee trees, the acclaimed trellis method and the harvesting and processing of the beans. Groups can even learn how to roast their own beans at the end of the tour with the farm’s 10 miniature coffee roasters. At Kona Joe’s visitor center, groups can stop at a coffee bar to try a coffee beverage and some chocolate or check out the gift shop to buy some Kona Joe coffee and memorabilia of their own.

konajoe.com

LIVELY RUN GOAT DAIRY FARM AND CREAMERY INTERLAKEN, NEW YORK

Situated in the small village of Interlaken, northwest of Ithaca, New York, Lively Run Goat Dairy Farm and Creamery is a more unique take on the typical dairy farm. The farm got its start in 1982, making it one of the first and oldest commercial goat dairies in the country. Its current owners, Steve and Susanne Messmer, took over in 1995 and expanded the retail side of the farm and tourist operations.

Lively Run makes a variety of goat cheeses from the goats it raises, but it also partners with some local farms to supply milk for cow cheese too. The farm’s extensive retail and tourist opportunities are what set it apart from other dairy farms and make it a must-visit when in the Finger Lakes region.

“We’re not like some commercial petting zoo,” said Steve Messmer. “When you get to the property, it’s definitely a farm experience.”

There are plenty of activities for faith-based groups to enjoy when they make the trip to Lively Run, which is open to the public during the warmer seasons. Groups can enjoy a guided tasting of many varieties of cheeses made on the farm, watch a short video that explains the cheese-making process and shop in the farm’s store. But perhaps the biggest draw is the goats themselves. The farm hosts a variety of events that allow visitors to interact with the goats, such as goat yoga on weekend mornings. Tour groups can head to the barn after their guided tastings to meet the goats. If they come in late spring or early summer, there’s even a chance they could get to participate in bottle feeding the farm’s baby goats.

livelyrun.com

HUNTER’S HONEY FARM MARTINSVILLE, INDIANA

Bees are responsible for the pollination of many of the world’s flowers and crops, making them one of the most important species in the world. One of the sweetest fruits of their labor is enjoyed by many as a natural sweetener, but beekeeping can yield many other products besides honey. Hunter’s Honey Farm in Martinsville, Indiana, is a fourth-generation beekeeping operation that specializes in not only honey but also products like honey ice cream and beeswax candles. The farm produces over 50 types of honey, some of which are derived from pollen from different floral sources, and some that are infused with other flavors, like habaneros or sassafras.

The farm is exceedingly group-friendly, offering a range of tours that allow visitors to examine the making of their products at nearly every stage. Groups can tour the farm’s property and visit the beehives to learn more about the biology of the bee and how they make honey. Visitors can also see how the honey is extracted and bottled and even participate in that bottling process, leaving with a honey bear with their own name on it. They can watch the dipping of the beeswax candles and roll their own. And, of course, they can sample from the largest selection of honey in the Midwest and purchase honey products in the farm’s gift shop.

“We’re about the only honey farm in the Midwest that offers tours of the hive and the honey house and allows you to participate in the bottling of the honey and the making of the candles,” said Tracy Hunter, owner of Hunter’s Honey Farm. huntershoneyfarm.com

CARLSBAD AQUAFARM CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA

Oysters are often considered a delicacy in the culinary world, especially when visiting a coastal destination, and farming oysters and mussels is a billion-dollar aquaculture industry. Operational since 1952, Carlsbad Aquafarm in Carlsbad, California, uses a distinct method to produce oysters and mussels and emphasizes both sustainable shellfish production and high-quality oysters.

Many oysters are farmed in shallow mudflaps, but this aquafarm uses floating rafts with attached containers to farm them in deep water, for a cleaner, crisper flavored oyster. They also use a purification system onshore that purifies the oyster to further improve quality. The farm’s location in Carlsbad, a thriving coastal city between Los Angeles and San Diego, makes it the southernmost oyster farm in California and an unusual find in a busy city.

“It’s pretty uncommon to see an urban oyster farm,” said Matt Steinke, operations manager at Carlsbad Aquafarm. “Most of them are out in the middle of nowhere, but it’s easy to stop here during your vacation.”

Carlsbad Aquafarm opened to the public only two years ago and offers public tours four times a day, seven days a week. During these tours, groups can walk through the farm and learn about its farming methods and equipment. They can see and touch oysters and mussels at different stages of growth. Then, they are given an oyster shucking demonstration and tasting of fresh oysters, with complimentary lemon juice and hot sauce included.

carlsbadaquafarm.com

Courtesy Lively Run Goat Dairy

Bottle-feeding a baby goat

BLACK BARN ALPACAS FLORESVILLE, TEXAS

One of the rarest livestock animals in America is the alpaca. These gentle animals are raised for their antimicrobial, moisture-wicking fleece. Because of their gentle temperaments, minimal land use and relatively low cost, they’re increasingly being used in agritourism. Black Barn Alpacas, an alpaca farm in Southeastern Texas, is a fast-growing farm that began less than three years ago.

In 2020, the farm’s owners, Travis and Yusra McManus, were looking for a way to use their 17 acres when they began researching alpacas. After learning how to care for the animals, the pair bought five. Now they have over 100 animals. In addition to making products from their fleece, the farm breeds and sells them. They also allow visitors to tour the farm and interact with the alpacas, with experiences ranging from selfie opportunities to picnics.

“It’s all about hanging out with them,” Travis McManus said. “They’re a therapeutic animal.”

Tours of the farm are guided by McManus from pasture to pasture so groups can meet all the animals. They learn about the alpacas, their care and their fleece, and have the chance to pet, take pictures with and feed them. They can also purchase goods such as socks, sweaters, yarn and more made from alpaca fleece, some of which comes directly from the farm. Following the tour, groups are free to picnic on the grounds or simply relax with the alpacas.

Dive in

to planning your next trip on the shores of Lake Michigan! We can craft itineraries filled with must-see museums, farm fresh restaurants and ice cream, local craft brews and more. Learn what your group can experience and discover when you visit Manitowoc by contacting us today!

Agritourism experiences, clockwise from top left: Posing with an alpaca; a selec tion of honey sticks; oyster tasting; a handful of oysters

By Grace Davidson, courtesy Black Barn Alpacas Courtesy Hunter’s Honey Farm

A SOUTHERN

MUSIC DEFINES MOMENTS IN AMERICA’S SOUTH

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

The sounds of America started in the South. The Southern states are home to some of the most popular music destinations in the country, birthing some of America’s greatest musical genres, including Cajun, blues, rock ’n’ roll, zydeco and soul. Groups wanting to experience this musical history and the legends who started it all should look no further than these five destinations.

The Stax Museum of American Soul Music preserves the home of one of Memphis’ influential recording studios.

By Andrea Zucker, courtesy Memphis Tourism

Elvis Presley’s Graceland

SYMPHONY

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

More than 650,000 visitors make the pilgrimage to Memphis every year with one purpose in mind: to get up close and personal with rock icon Elvis Presley. Hordes of fans crowd Graceland and Elvis Presley’s Memphis, a vast museum complex that includes everything from his famous spangled jumpsuits to his cars and airplanes. Right now, visitors are curious about the making of the latest Elvis movie, which they can learn more about at Graceland.

Beyond Graceland, group travelers can take a 45-minute guided tour of Sun Studio, where Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and other famous artists recorded. Sun is still an active recording studio, so groups never know whom they might run into there.

STAX Museum of American Soul Music is another top musical destination. STAX recorded many of the top soul singers in the 1960s, including Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes and Carla Thomas. And while STAX is no longer an active recording studio, groups can take tours and learn more about the artists who got their start there.

Beale Street is a top destination for groups that want to listen to live blues, soul, R&B and rock ’n’ roll any night of the week. Most bars that line Beale Street feature live music. B.B. King’s Blues Club has a house band that plays 30-minute sets every hour. Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum is also on Beale Street. It tells the story of the musicians who overcame many barriers to change the face of music in America. memphistravel.com

MACON, GEORGIA

Like Memphis, Macon’s history is paved with many different genres of music. It is recognized as the birthplace of Southern rock in the 1970s and had an extensive impact on both soul and R&B music nationally. Little Richard got his start in Macon, and James Brown recorded his first demo there. Group travelers to Macon can download the Macon Music Trail mobile app, which shows major points of interest in the area and gives a brief history of each location, including attractions like The Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House, which is where its members lived from 1970 to 1973.

Fans of the Allman Brothers can see the largest collection of their memorabilia

anywhere in the world at the museum and then stop in at H&H Soul Food, a restaurant the band frequented for years. Macon’s historic Rose Hill Cemetery is also worth a visit as Allman Brothers Band members are buried there.

Capricorn Sound Studios, where the Allman Brothers recorded, offers tours every Friday through Sunday. The museum preserves recordings and artifacts from the heyday of Capricorn Sound Studios. The Otis Redding Museum, located in the heart of downtown Macon, features many treasures and artifacts from his career as the King of Soul. The Little Richard House, which was the famous rocker’s childhood home, is another stop on the Macon Music Trail. Rock Candy Tours hosts weekly walking tours full of Macon music history.

maconga.org

ARKANSAS DELTA

Arkansas is home to many musical destinations, including the boyhood homes of Johnny Cash and Levon Helms and the famed Rock ‘n’ Roll Highway 67, which musical greats such as Elvis, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis traveled to perform at various clubs and juke joints in the 1950s and ’60s. All the clubs are gone now, but groups interested in learning more about them can visit the Rock N Roll Highway 67 Museum in Newport, which digs deep into the local musical roots that led to the creation of rock ’n’ roll. The Beatles once flew through Walnut Ridge on their way to and from Missouri for a vacation after their famous appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1964. Word got out that they would be flying back through Walnut Ridge and thousands came out to greet them, putting the small Arkansas town on the map. Every September, Walnut Ridge hosts Beatles at the Ridge festival, and there is a life-size sculpture of the Beatles as they appear on the Abbey Road album cover. The Guitar Walk, a 115-foot-

By Dan Ball, courtesy Memphis Tourism

Courtesy Visit Macon Courtesy Visit Macon

By Alex Shansky, courtesy Memphis Tourism

Macon’s Capricorn Records and Studio Museum

A concert in Macon A vintage car outside Sun Studio in Memphis

long-by-40-foot-wide guitar, based on an Epiphone Casino played by John Lennon, honors the musicians that played along the Rock ’n’ Roll Highway.

Fans of Johnny Cash can learn more about him at the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home in the Dyess Colony. In Marvell, Levon Helm’s boyhood home was restored and turned into a museum, and Helena is home to King Biscuit Time, the longest running daily Blues show in the U.S.

arkansas.com

MISSISSIPPI DELTA

Mississippi bills itself as the Birthplace of America’s Music: the blues. Several museums in the state feature blues history, including Gateway to the Blues Museum in Tunica, which sits on Highway 61, the north/south version of Route 66. The road features prominently in blues’ lore. It was the main route for Mississippi blues musicians traveling north to Chicago. Gateway to the Blues has interactive exhibits and a collection of blues memorabilia, including W.C. Handy’s trumpet and the pistol Memphis Minnie carried in her guitar case.

Clarksdale is the epicenter of the current blues scene. Visitors wanting to take in blues music can

find it seven days a week at any number of clubs in the city, including Ground Zero Blues Club, which is owned by actor Morgan Freeman, and Shack Up Inn, which turned tenant shacks from a nearby farm into a funky inn. Musicians come from all over to sit on the porch and play guitar, and live music is offered on weekends. The Delta Blues Museum is housed in the historic Clarksdale freight depot. The museum tells the stories of some of the greatest musicians to play the Delta blues: Muddy Waters, W.C. Handy and Howlin’ Wolf to name a few. About 45 minutes from Clarksdale is Cleveland, home to a second Grammy Museum, which touches on the blues and other musical genres with interactive displays and opportunities to play instruments.

Just west of Cleveland is Dockery Plantation, where the blues began.

msbluestrail.org

LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA

Lafayette is best known for its Cajun and zydeco music. Lovers of these types of music can find it wherever they go in town. Catch a Fais-do-do — or Cajun dance party — at Vermilionville Living History Museum and Folklife Park, a historic village that represents life in Acadiana from 1765 to 1890. Groups can take self-guided tours of the buildings,

Photos courtesy Arkansas DPRT

King Biscuit Blues Festival headquarters

A hymnal at the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home

Levon Helm Boyhood Home

Johnny Cash Boyhood Home

enjoy live Cajun and creole music, take boat tours, and enjoy craft demonstrations, such as cooking, spinning cotton, weaving and woodworking.

Vermilionville is the name first assigned to Lafayette, and the historic village preserves some of the history behind the Acadians, Creoles and Native Americans who settled the area. Groups also will enjoy taking a tour of Martin Accordions, one of the most popular attractions in the city. The Martin family makes instruments for Cajun music, swamp pop, gospel and zydeco. Tours take guests through the factory, where they can see how these instruments are made and then enjoy an hour of Cajun music.

Sola Violins makes and sells classical violins and fiddles. Groups are welcome to tour the facility and learn how these instruments are made.

Crawfish Haven offers crawfish boat excursions, Cajun cooking classes and Cajun dinner specials. The company provides the hand nets and bait and teaches visitors how to catch this staple of Cajun cuisine. Visitors can stay afterward for a crawfish boil with live music.

lafayettetravel.com

Courtesy Mississippi Blues Trail

Courtesy Mississippi Blues Trail

Courtesy Lafayette Travel

Courtesy Mississippi Blues Trail

A Lafayette cajun feast

Grammy Museum Mississippi

Mississippi’s Delta Blues Museum

A musician at Vermilionville in Lafayette

Whether it’s learning about the natural world in Decatur and Gulf Shores, the past and future of space exploration in Huntsville, visiting sights where Rock ‘n Roll hits were made, or the history of the Civil Rights Movement, we can supply you with itineraries for several group tours. Trouble is...deciding which tour to take first. We’ll keep adding to the list, you just keep coming for new adventures. www.alabama.travel

To learn how your group can experience Alabama, contact

Shawna Faniel at shawna.faniel@tourism.alabama.gov or 334-353-1907

Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, Montgomery Cook Museum of Natural Science, Decatur

CAN’T MISS

THESE ATTRACTIONS ARE ANCHORS OF SOUTHERN ITINERARIES

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

There are some museums you just can’t miss. Whether they’re nationally known headline grabbers or undiscovered treasures flying below the radar, the South has an abundance of cultural institutions that are crucial stops on group tours through the region. From Kentucky’s famous Creation Museum to a space center, a unique history museum and two institutions specializing in art and architecture, here are five Southern museums your group won’t want to miss.

Travelers can marvel at the wonders of the universe during a planetarium show at the Creation Museum.

Courtesy WV Mine Wars Museum

West Virginia Mine Wars Museum

MUSEUMS

CREATION MUSEUM PETERSBURG, KENTUCKY

The Creation Museum in northern Kentucky takes visitors on a walk through biblical history, starting from the first verse of scripture, with interactive exhibits, botanical gardens, a planetarium, zoo and zip line adventure course. In 2019, the museum revamped the first seven areas of the facility to install a new introduction that includes three new exhibits, “World View,” “Biblical Authority” and “Relevance of Genesis.” The idea was to upgrade the exhibits to make them more current and also to widen the spaces to allow for increased foot traffic due to the popularity of the nearby Ark Encounter.

Visitors to the museum can explore the seven C’s of history: Creation, which is a walk through the Garden of Eden; Corruption, the fall of man; Catastrophe, the flood of Noah; Confusion, the Tower of Babel; as well as Christ, Cross and Consummation. It is a full-day experience. In addition to the biblical exhibits, the museum also has “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made,” an exhibit about unborn children, as well as a dinosaur den with animatronic models of dinosaurs and “Dr. Crawley’s Insectorium,” which holds a massive collection of insects from all over the world. An exhibit called “Borderland” looks at Jerusalem in the time of Christ. There is a planetarium where the primary show is “The Creative Cosmos” and a 4D theater.

creationmuseum.org

WEST VIRGINIA MINE WARS MUSEUM MATEWAN, WEST VIRGINIA

The West Virginia Mine Wars Museum in Matewan details a series of battles that took place across the coal fields of Appalachia, specifically in West Virginia, as mine workers fought for their right to unionize in the early 1900s. During that time, mine workers had terrible working conditions. They endured abuse from the mine guard system and the coal industry in general. Several battles and strikes took place in the southern part of West Virginia, leading to the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest armed uprising in American history since the Civil War.

Miners and union supporters who rallied at the state capital in Charleston in

1921 decided to march to Mingo County in protest. When they crossed over into Logan County on Blair Mountain, the government was unhappy. It led to a battle during which many miners were killed, and a few government officials were also injured or killed. In the end, the miners lost the battle, but it proved to be a turning point in American labor history and changed the way people viewed the working class.

Group visitors can take a self-guided tour of the museum and its exhibits, including displays and oral histories of life in the coal camps. The museum has the largest exhibition of Mine Wars history anywhere in the country, with over 800 digitalized artifacts on its website and more in the museum.

wvminewars.org

U.S. SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA

In Huntsville, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center showcases Alabama’s contributions to the U.S. space program, including the Saturn V rocket that took American astronauts to the moon. It is the official visitor center for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. Group visitors can see the Apollo 16 capsule that went to the moon, as well as a moon rock and exhibits that talk about the Apollo missions. They also can see onetenth scale models of ULA’s Vulcan rocket, Boeing’s Starliner Pressure Capsule test vessel, NASA’s SLS rocket and Blue Origin’s Mannequin Skywalker.

Another exhibit helps visitors understand what happens on the International Space Station. “Space Craze: A Space-Age Journey through Pop Culture” explores the public’s fascination with all things space.

Groups can schedule tours of the facility with knowledgeable docents, many of whom worked in the space industry and love to tell their personal stories. The Space Flight Center is developing the Space Launch System, the most powerful rocket ever designed to carry human explorers deeper into

Courtesy Answers in Genesis

Courtesy WV Mine Wars Museum Courtesy WV Mine Wars Museum Courtesy Answers in Genesis

Memorabilia at the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum

West Virginia miners’ buckets

A dinosaur exhibit at the Creation Museum

space. It also manages the Michoud Assembly Facility, where the core stage of SLS is under construction.

The center also offers several simulators, including an Apollo 11 Virtual Reality Experience, Flight Simulator Experience, HyperShip and Multi-Axis Trainer. Groups can also take a bus tour of the Marshall Space Flight Center. At the Davidson Center for Space Exploration, visitors can take in a 3D film in the National Geographic Theater. rocketcenter.com

CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART BENTONVILLE, ARKANSAS

Nestled in a natural ravine, Bentonville, Arkansas’ Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art incorporates the natural world into its exhibits. A series of pavilions surround two spring-fed ponds and house the museum’s galleries, restaurant, museum store and a library that features more than 50,000 volumes of art reference material.

Exhibits at the museum span five centuries of American art, including works by Asher B. Durand,

THE GOOD WORD ON A GREAT GETAWAY

If you’re looking for the perfect destination for your next faith gathering, this is it. We’re proud to be nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains and built on wholesome fun for all. With facilities suited for groups from 20 to 12,000, we’re well-versed in making every event a joyful one. Enjoy more than 100 experiences including attractions, museums, shows, shopping, dining, Dollywood and more.

Courtesy USSRC

A Saturn rocket at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center

Exploring a capsule at the U.S Space and Rocket Center

Gilbert Stuart and Georgia O’Keeffe and contemporary artists Kerry James Marshall, Maya Lin, Fritz Scholder and Jaune Quick-To-See-Smith. The museum offers year-round programming, including lectures, performances and classes.

In addition to checking out the design of the museum, architecture lovers flock to see a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Usonian house, which was preserved, acquired and moved to the grounds in 2015.

The museum has a rare Buckminster Fuller Fly’s Eye Dome that was installed in 2017, as well as sculpture and walking trails that link the museum’s 120-acre park to downtown Bentonville. Group tours are available for up to 60 people, including architecture tours, tours of permanent and temporary exhibits, and trail experiences. Groups can arrange to have a box lunch or a seated lunch in Eleven, the museum’s restaurant.

The Momentary is a satellite campus to Crystal Bridges in downtown Bentonville. It is a visual and performing arts space in a decommissioned cheese factory. It includes indoor art galleries, outdoor artworks and live performances.

crystalbridges.org

Courtesy Crystal Bridges

Courtesy Crystal Bridges

Courtesy USSRC

An outdoor art installation at Crystal Bridges

A sculpture at the Crystal Bridges entrance

An Outer Space Exploration

Discover More in The Rocket City

Home to the world’s largest space museum, “Rocket City” has much for visitors to explore. Featuring breathtaking outdoor vistas, fun-filled attractions, and vibrant art & entertainment districts, Huntsville, Alabama, has something for everyone.

1-800-Space-4-U | huntsville.org

TAUBMAN MUSEUM OF ART ROANOKE, VIRGINIA

The architecture of the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, Virginia, mimics naturalistic elements of the region. The large silver structure, which opened in 2008, has a 77-foot glass peak in its atrium that resembles the point of the Roanoke Star, a 100-foot-high illuminated steel and concrete structure on top of Mill Mountain, as well as an undulating roofline that reflects the Blue Ridge Mountains. The third-floor balcony emulates a natural bridge and offers unobstructed views of downtown Roanoke and the nearby rolling hills. Designed by architect Randall Stout, who studied under Frank Gehry, the art museum’s architecture is reminiscent of one of Gehry’s famous designs.

The museum, which was incorporated in 1951, will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2026. It has been in its new building since 2008.

When visitors walk into the atrium, they will see a beautiful installation by E.V. Day called “Divas Ascending.” These sculptures repurpose costumes from the New York City Opera to transform icons of women’s empowerment and entrapment into artistic expression. The second floor focuses on 19th and 20th century American art, including works by Thomas Eakins, Norman Rockwell, John Singer Sargent and a Judith Leiber handbag collection. There are rotating exhibitions throughout the year and admission is always free.

Groups can book a tour of the museum even on days when the museum is closed. The tours last one hour, taking groups through all the galleries, pointing out the highlights and sharing stories about the works.

taubmanmuseum.org

Courtesy Taubman Museum of Art

An aerial view of Crystal Bridges in Bentonville

Courtesy Crystal Bridges

Taubman Museum of Art

BLOOMS AND

THESE SOUTHERN GARDENS SHOWCASE THE REGION’S HORTICULTURE

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

There’s always something blooming in America’s South.

The climate in the southern United States is so temperate that the Southern states are home to some world-class gardens. From gardens that focus on regional trees and plants to others designed to resemble famous gardens in Europe and some that offer a taste of local cuisine, culture and history, here are five gardens your groups will want to see on your next tour through the region.

The Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden in Coral Gables highlights the plant life of South Florida.

Courtesy Middleton Place

Middleton Place

BEYOND

HOUMAS HOUSE AND GARDENS DARROW, LOUISIANA

Located between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Houmas House and Gardens gives visitors a chance to see what life was like on a sugarcane plantation in the 1800s. The 18,000-square-foot mansion, which was built in 1828, was bought by a New Orleans businessman 20 years ago. He wanted a summer home at the time. But once he started restoring the property, he knew he had to share it with the community.

The home and ornamental gardens on property were not well maintained after 1940, and owner Kevin Kelly has spent the past two decades restoring both to their original glory. Now the gardens are considered some of the best in Louisiana, featuring ponds, fountains and statuary.

There are historic gardens, new gardens, cactus and oriental gardens and traditional plantation gardens with azaleas and crepe myrtle trees spread over 38 acres. It took about four years to redo the historic gardens, and after that, Kelly kept adding on. He bought 34 acres next door and has plans to build the Gardens of Giverny in an homage to Monet and his famous paintings of water lilies. The area will have lily ponds and weeping willows.

Groups can take guided tours of the house and grounds. There are three greenhouses to bring the tropical plants indoors when the weather turns sour, as well as three restaurants. Group travelers can organize lunches there as part of their tour and even stay at the 21-room inn on property.

houmashouse.com

Michaux, who planted the first camellias there in 1786. The camellias begin to bloom in February, when not much else is in season. Groups can take tours of the gardens with guides trained to bring them to the main sections in the garden’s history, including the Middleton Tomb, where Arthur Middleton is buried. Middleton was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

“I think what is so unique about some of our interpretation is we strive to tell the whole story and the whole narrative,” said Brandon Stone, engagement manager for Middleton Place Foundation. “We combed through our archives and records to find the names of the Africans who were the first gardeners, caretakers of that land.”

The organization offers tours of the only part of the original home that survived a fire in 1865. Middleton Place emphasizes how the plantation would have worked. The stable yards exhibit is about the craftsmanship that was displayed on plantations, including blacksmith and cooper shops, both jobs that would have been done by enslaved people. Groups can also enjoy a meal at the restaurant on property, which offers a taste of low country cuisine and the history behind it.

middletonplace.org

THE ELIZABETHAN GARDENS MANTEO, NORTH CAROLINA

MIDDLETON PLACE CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

An 18th century rice plantation and National Historic Landmark, Middleton Place in Charleston, South Carolina, has America’s oldest landscaped gardens. Its sculpted terraces, parterres and reflection pools are laid out according to the principles of Andre Le Notre, a French botanist who was responsible for the gardens at Versailles.

Middleton Place’s signature gardens come from French botanist Andre

The Elizabethan Gardens opened on North Carolina’s Roanoke Island in August 1960, but had been in the works since 1950, when a group of ladies visiting Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and “The Lost Colony” outdoor drama came up with the idea to build a two-acre garden on a 10-acre tract adjoining the park. They thought that such a cultural attraction would enhance the value of the area as a permanent memorial to Sir Walter Raleigh’s lost colonists.

Courtesy Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden

Courtesy Houmas House Courtesy Houmas House By Wes Snyder, courtesy the Elizabethan Gardens

A blooming fountain at Houmas House

Houmas House and Gardens

A winter event at the Elizabethan Gardens in North Carolina

The Garden Club of North Carolina loved the idea and voted to build the garden. At first, plans were modest, but after receiving a gift of valuable garden statuary, including an ancient Italian fountain and pool with balustrade, a carved Porphyry marble wellhead, sundial, birdbaths, stone steps and benches, the plans for the garden changed. Now when visitors enter the gardens through the Gate House, they see a beautiful Carrara marble fountain and smell the many herbs that would have been grown in a Shakespearean-era garden.

From the courtyard of the Gate House, guests can take three different paths through the gardens. The Sunken Garden consists of 32 identical parterres outlined in clipped dwarf yaupon, with the central focal point being the Italian fountain and pool with carved balustrade. An authentic 16th century gazebo was constructed overlooking Roanoke and Currituck Sounds. Guides can tailor tours based on what groups are interested in learning about, whether it be the plants or the many statues and fountains scattered throughout.

elizabethangardens.org

FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA

Opened in 1938, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden sits on 83 acres in Coral Gables, Florida. The garden has more than 6,000 rare and exotic plants, from palms and flowers to shrubs, vines and fruit trees. The Water Gardens at Fairchild features 11 lakes and seven pools, including a sunken garden and waterfall, as well as the Tropical Plant Conservatory and Rare Plant House Pools.

The Wings of the Tropics exhibit is where visitors can spy hundreds of exotic butterflies fluttering among a stunning display of tropical plants yearround. Visitors also get to watch butterflies emerge from chrysalises at the Vollmer Metamorphosis Lab. After leaving the butterfly exhibit, visitors can wander through the Tropical Plant Conservatory and Rare Plant House and the Whitman Tropical Fruit Pavilion. The Tropical Flowering Tree Arboretum is a 12-acre display of 740 species of tropical flowering trees, shrubs and vines.

There are several group tour options at the gardens, including a tram tour, which is narrated by an expert guide and gives a nice introduction to the garden’s history, after which groups can explore on their own. Guided walks are led by trained volunteers who guide visitors along the way to many different plants, flowers, birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The content varies depending on the depar-

LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDENS RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

fairchildgarden.org

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond, Virginia, features more than 50 acres of themed gardens, including a conservatory, rose garden and an Asian Valley. The gardens are designed in a way that encourages exploration, with winding pathways with scenic surprises at every turn.

Some gardens have long expanses or vistas or more parklike settings. Other areas are more intimate. The Asian Valley features rocks and boulders incorporated into the design. Waterfalls cascade over the rocks, feeding numerous plants that are native to Asia.

The gardens were founded in 1984, but the property has a unique history. In 1895 the original structure on the property was a bicycle club called Lakeside Wheel Club. It was founded by a philanthropist and businessman named Lewis Ginter. After he passed away, his niece used the property as a children’s hospital and later as a residence. In her will, she left an endowment to create a botanical garden named after her uncle.

Groups can book guided tours of the gardens or take self-guided tours. One option, From Bicycle Club to Botanical Garden, takes visitors through the history of the property. The Central Garden Walk is very accessible and includes a beautiful display garden with thousands of tulips in the spring and wonderful fountains. The conservatory is close by. The Garden Highlights Tour brings groups to the parts of the gardens that are currently in bloom.

lewisginter.org

ture location and interest of the visitors. Groups can book a lunch in advance at the Glasshouse Café by Le Basque.

Courtesy Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden

Courtesy Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden

Overlook Oak at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden

Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden

By Tom Hennessey, courtesy LGBG By Tom Hennessey, courtesy LGBG

A sunken tulip garden at Richmond’s Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

Exploring the conservatory at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

Berlin Wall display at the Billy Graham Library

Billy Graham ministering to people on the streets of Berlin in 1990.

LAKE WILLIAMSON CHRISTIAN CENTER

BY REBECCA TREON

The biggest problem church groups have during retreats at Lake Williamson Christian Center is figuring out how to fit in all the fun. Encompassing over 400 acres tucked in Carlinville, Illinois, Lake Williamson is known for its wide breadth of indoor and outdoor activity options and is the largest of Christian Retreat Network’s seven retreat centers in the East and Midwest.

“The Lake Williamson property has more amenities and recreation options than any of the properties — it’s a lot bigger,” said Ashley Haschemeyer, marketing manager at Christian Retreats Network. “It’s less humble than the other properties. It was established in 1960 by the Illinois District Assembly of God, which still owns and operates it today, but we welcome groups from all Christian denominations and even nonprofit organizations and schools.”

Roughly an hour north of St. Louis, Missouri, Lake Williamson is a popular retreat destination not only because of its ample size and remote location but also because it has vast recreational facilities, from escape rooms to mini-golf, swimming and ropes courses.

LOCATION

Carlinville, Illinois

SIZE:

Over 400 acres with motel and dorm-style lodging

CAPACITY:

1,400 overnight guests

CONTACT INFO: 800-500-5922

lakewilliamson.org

All photos courtesy Lake Williamson Christian Center

Retreat attendees can take part in many fun activities, such as ax throwing and water polo, as well as worship services at Lake Williamson Christian Center.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Lake Williamson offers a variety of accommodation options. Apart from some premium recreation offers (like groups reserving the beach area or doing a ropes course team-building experience), the lodging, meals and activities are all included in a per person price. Planners appreciate there are no surprises. And because the rate is bundled, they know what to charge their attendees.

“We have two styles of lodging,” said Haschemeyer. “We have 127 motel rooms with two full-size beds and a bunk bed with a private restroom. The dorm-style rooms have bunk beds with two shared bathrooms. But that’s not really why people come to Lake Williamson — they come for the great meeting spaces and for the recreation.”

Packages include three meals a day, and menus are chosen by the group planners and Lake Williamson’s service manager beforehand. Meals are buffet-style but tailored to the group’s tastes and include two entrees, a variety of sides, a salad bar and dessert.

MEETING FACILITIES

Each of Lake Williamson’s meeting rooms comes with audiovisual equipment, and there are snack and beverage options available. Both large groups and smaller groups will find options that suit their needs, since spaces can be customized. There are numerous configurations for worship services or musical or theatrical performances.

“Our auditorium can house 1,350 to 1,400 people, and we do actually hit that number several times during the summer,” said Haschemeyer. “But we can also accommodate three or four groups of about 300 to 400 people on our campus at the same time. We can customize the spaces and put up walls and take it from a big meeting room to four separate classrooms — our motto here is flexibility.”

Built in 2019, the Brotherhood Center is the newest facility, with a capacity of 600 plus two breakout rooms and state of the art A/V equipment. The Lincoln and Grant rooms each can hold 100, and seven other rooms can be standalone or reconfigured to accommodate more people. A room above the activities center has a seating capacity of 320; Lakeside Center has a capacity of 150; and Cottonwood Cabin was built for meetings of about 60 guests.

ACTIVITIES

The recreation at Lake Williamson is a big draw for groups. Outdoor activities are plentiful: sand volleyball, basketball, softball, football, soccer, archery, ninesquare, Gaga ball, an obstacle course, mini-golf, disc golf, bocce ball, hiking, horseshoes, playgrounds, hayrides, bonfire sites and open fields for other games.

“We have pickleball, two escape rooms, an indoor pool and the lake, with pedal boats and canoes, a huge waterslide, a giant inflatable called the blob, an inflatable trampoline and the swimming area with the beachfront,” said Haschemeyer. “We have the Eagle Crest Adventures program, with high and low ropes courses, zip lines, axe throwing and a rock-climbing center that our guests love for team building.”

Inside, there is basketball, volleyball, wallyball, dodgeball, nine square, billiards, table tennis, board games, an adult-only fitness center, and blacklight sports including bowling and mini-golf.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

Carlinville is a small town with only about 5,000 residents but is the home base for the Christian Retreat Network. The area is rural, and the 400 acres of the retreat center are surrounded by farms.

“Sometimes if we get groups from St. Louis or Chicago, they wonder if they’re in the right spot the first time they drive here,” said Haschemeyer. “They’ll be amazed when they see deer and corn fields. One advantage to being out here is that we’re a very safe and secure facility — there isn’t a bunch of traffic coming in and out, and people can roam around the property safely.”

Though people typically stay on-site for the duration of their retreat, Carlinville has a quaint downtown area with restaurants and shopping, plus a Walmart for any necessities. Nearby Springfield is a popular stop with visitors — it’s the capital of Illinois and features sports stadiums, museums like the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and other attractions.

Connecting with friends in a meeting space at Lake Williamson Christian Center