The Group Travel Leader April 2022

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Native American ART REFLECTS HOPE AND HARDSHIP

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ArkEncounter.com Williamstown, KY (south of Cincinnati) an attraction of Answers in Genesis

CONTENTS

GROUP TH E

TRAVEL LEADER

CHARTING THE EVOLUTION OF GROUP TR AVEL

ON TH E COV E R

COLU M NS

N EWS

6 Editor’s Marks

8 Family Matters 10 Louisiana OnSite FAM Opportunity

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California Spotlight

VOL 31 | ISSUE 4

Student Travel Destinations

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South Carolina Favorites

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MAC T. LACY CHARLES A. PRESLEY BRIAN JEWELL HERBERT SPARROW DONIA SIMMONS

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LON E STAR ROOTS

NATIV E BEAU T Y

Texas is full of fascinating history and Mexican influence.

These destinations are great places to find Native American art.

K E LLY T Y N E R 888.253.0455

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An indigenous elder smiles during a demonstration at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. Photo courtesy Alaska Native Heritage Center.

Founder and Publisher Partner VP & Executive Editor Senior Writer Creative Director

KELLY TYNER KYLE ANDERSON ASHLEY RICKS SARAH SECHRIST CHRISTINE CLOUGH

kelly@grouptravelleader.com

VP, Sales & Marketing Director of Advertising Sales Graphic Design & Circulation Controller Copy Editor

The GROUP TRAVEL LEADER is published ten times a year by THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER, Inc., 301 East High St., Lexington, Kentucky 40507, and is distributed free of charge to qualified group leaders who plan travel for groups of all ages and sizes. THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER serves as the official magazine of GROUP TRAVEL FAMILY, the organization for traveling groups. All other travel suppliers, including tour operators, destinations, attractions, transportation companies, hotels, restaurants and other travel-related companies may subscribe to THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER by sending a check for $59 for one year to: THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER, Circulation Department, 301 East High St., Lexington, KY 40507. Phone (859) 2530455 or (859) 253-0503. Copyright THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of editorial or graphic content in any manner without the written consent of the publisher is prohibited.

GROUPS GET CLOSER .

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60 MILES OF BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER Bring your group to where they belong. In Myrtle Beach, you’ll find top-tier hospitality and endless activities for everyone – plus 60 miles of sun-soaked beaches along the Grand Strand.

VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM/GROUPS

EDITOR’S MARKS

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BY BRIAN JEWELL

ow can you make travel easier in a world where everything has become harder?

One of the interesting things about the group tourism industry is that its value proposition is multifaceted. What attracts one customer to a group trip can be quite different from what attracts another customer, even if they both end up traveling on the same motorcoach.

For many years, tours were marketed with two main selling points: First, they made traveling accessible and approachable for people who didn’t have much travel experience; and second, they offered the opportunity for semi-inclusive or all-inclusive travel at low prices. Those value propositions never completely went away, but they did fade in importance over time. Giant leaps forward in transportation infrastructure made travel accessible to many individuals and families. And the explosion in e-commerce and online travel booking has enabled intrepid consumers to shop for low-cost travel on their own. A determined online shopper can now match or perhaps even beat the pricing of a typical group tour.

As those societal factors changed, a new model for tourism promotion emerged in the 1990s and has flourished over the past 30 years. Instead of highlighting the ease and affordability of group tours, savvy marketers began selling the social aspect of tourism. Group tours weren’t just an opportunity to take a trip; they were opportunities to make memories with old friends and build new friendships with like-minded travelers. Group travel builds community in a way that individual travel can’t.

In addition to community, group travel sellers also found success in exclusivity. Tour companies began working with destinations and suppliers to offer benefits, activities and experiences that aren’t

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available to the general public. In the years before the pandemic, we and other thought leaders in the industry frequently encouraged travel planners to lean into this trend.

Now, as the world emerges from the most disruptive period since World War II, the tourism industry finds itself needing to shift its messaging again. With inflation near record levels, we can’t promise anyone we can save them money. With workforce problems and supply chain issues, we can’t even promise customers we’ll be able to deliver the high levels of service to which they’re accustomed.

Here’s what you can do, though: You can help people find ways to travel in the midst of challenging circumstances.

Although the pandemic seems to be receding, its impact on tourism is still making waves. Prices are unpredictable. Demand is soaring.

And for individual travelers, it can still be difficult to navigate business closures, public policies and all the uncertainty swirling in the air.

That’s where you can offer real value in 2022, 2023 and beyond.

You can work in advance to build itineraries, secure hotel rooms, reserve restaurant space and lock down all the other details that are difficult to manage. You can figure out testing protocols and vaccine requirements. You can’t predict the future, but you can do things to take the guesswork out of your customers’ trips.

Traveling presents more than its share of challenges now, and those may continue for some time. But if you’re willing to take those challenges head on, you can remove barriers for your travelers and run successful trips again.

In a world where everything has become hard, you can find ways to make travel easier.

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Boasting with history at every turn, Jefferson City has groupfriendly attractions yearning to be discovered. Explore what Missouri’s beautiful capital city has to offer your groups.

FAMILY M AT T E R S

COLLETTE SHARES ITS PHILOSOPHY O N G T F ZO O M I N T E RV I E W SALEM, Ohio — The group travel indusbelongs to the traveler,” Leibl-Cote said. That try is making a solid return to pre-COVID-19 action by Collette has paid off with return travtimes as the pent-up demand of people wantelers as the company opens its domestic and ing to travel with friends escalates. A few posinternational travel programs.

Leibl-Cote went on to say that Collette has suritive-minded organizations have accelerated this movement, the leader of which has been vived World War II, the 9/11 attack and COVID-19 Collette, a well-known name in travel. in its 104 years of selling travel. Collette refunded The Group Travel Family of Brands recently $32 million as a result of 9/11. The company interviewed Christian Leibl-Cote, Collette’s remains family owned, which may be a major factor senior vice president of global business; he was in its exemplary treatment of customers.

The Collette interview went on to focus on asked to explain his company’s effort and to the importance of group travel in human life. share its philosophy with the travel industry.

Charlie Presley conducted the Zoom interview, CHRISTIAN LEIBL-COTE “People travel as much for human interaction as for the destination,” Leibl-Cote said. “Travel recorded it and made it available to the Group Travel Family’s 25,000 leaders of group travel programs. demand from loyalty programs is a strong indicator of the well-be“I was impressed with the openness of Collette in telling their ing of the travel industry.”

Although people want to travel with like-minded friends, it story and the willingness to help others in group travel get back on track,” said Presley. always takes a leader to organize Leibl-Cote began by explainthe trip and to give people a coning the Collette theory of treating venient and affordable avenue to travel. the customer right. He used the example of Collette’s refunding The Collette interview can be a whopping $150 million in cusseen on the Group Travel Family tomer deposits when COVID-19 of Brands’ YouTube channel, hit. “It is our belief that until a youtube.com/grouptravelfamtrip operates and Collette delivily, or on any of the Group Travel ers the service, that the money Family social media outlets.

Collette’s Christian Leibl-Cote (left) speaks with Charlie Presley (right) in a Zoom interview now available on The Group Travel Family’s YouTube channel.

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Sen. John McCain poses with a group of Ohio locals and the Yellowstone Bus during a stop on his 2008 presidential campaign.

THE PRESLEYS’ NATIONAL PARK BUS HAS A NEW HOME SALEM, Ohio — A historic tourism relic is returning to its home in Montana, as a 1935 Yellowstone Park bus makes its way back west.

Charlie and Kathleen Presley, founders of The Group Travel Family of Brands, purchased and refurbished the Yellowstone Park bus 21 years ago. It has resided in Ohio for the past two decades and been a staple of parades, Little League ballgames and even a few weddings.

Now, the bus will return to providing sightseeing pleasure to guests at a Montana resort.

The public will again enjoy the open-air view provided by the 20-foot roll-back canvas roof.

The Presleys fell in love with the “Yellow Beast” on their first trip to a national park out west and spent seven years tracking one down.

“It was such a tourism statement that we knew it belonged in the Presley family,” said Charlie Presley. At 32 feet long, the 16-passenger convertible vehicle presented a few challenges. And approaching 90 years old, it proved cranky at times.

It is estimated that in its park service days, the bus provided sightseeing tours and train depot transportation to almost 1 million tourists. The bus was used by Yellowstone National Park between 1935 and 1970, when it was retired. An estimated 40 Yellowstone buses are still accounted for, with most in private hands.

The bus will now enter its third phase of life. First, it was a national park bus; second, it was a local Ohio celebrity; and now, it is returning west as a sightseeing attraction.

“We are so pleased that it will again see action in the sightseeing field and that the public can experience a part of tourism history,” Presley said.

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Join Us for a Trip to Greater New Orleans in October

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he Group Travel Leader is taking a trip to the New Orleans area, and we want you to come with us!

Our friends at Louisiana Office of Tourism are arranging a familiarization tour of New Orleans and the surrounding communities, and they’re inviting our travel planner readers to attend. The tour will take place October 1-5 and will include New Orleans, Thibodaux, Houma, Ponchatoula, Covington and Mandeville.

You’ll join Brian Jewell, our VP and executive editor, and Kelly Tyner, our VP of sales and marketing, as they explore the area with our Louisiana hosts.

Highlights of the five-day tour will include: • Sazerac House — Discover the history of the Sazerac company and the cocktail of the same name at this New Orleans museum, complete with interactive exhibits and cocktail tastings.

Group travel planners will enjoy a Cajun Encounters swamp tour (top) and a visit to the Sazerac House (bottom) among many other activities on a familiarization tour in Greater New Orleans.

BY KEVIN GARRET, COURTESY LOUISIANA NORTHSHORE

• Cajun Encounters — Join New Orleans area locals for in-depth explorations of the swamps and bayous the region is famous for.

• Global Wildlife Center — Drive through a massive wildlife sanctuary in open-air vehicles to come face-to-face with giraffes, zebras, buffalo and a host of other animals from around the world.

• Greenwood Gator Farms — Get up close with some of Louisiana’s most famous reptilian residents at this attraction near Houma.

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

You can apply to attend this FAM tour at grouptravelleader.com/la-fam. Space is limited, and applications close July 15.

Don’t miss this opportunity to join us October 1-5 in Greater New Orleans!

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Kelly Tyner

Brian Jewell COURTESY SAZERAC HOUSE

OCTOBER 1-5, 2022 REGISTRATION CLOSES JULY 15 You can apply to attend this FAM tour at

GROUPTRAVELLEADER.COM/LA-FAM If you have any questions, call Kelly at 888-253-0455.

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Oklahoma City National Memorial

Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills

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Outdoor adventure in Phoenix

Louisville’s Roots 101 Museum

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BY CRYSTAL LUDWICK, COURTESY LOUISVILLE TOURISM

Mobile’s USS Alabama

Student groups visiting Tacoma can learn about the area’s role in the studio glass movement at attractions such as the Museum of Glass and the Chihuly Bridge of Glass.

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COURTESY VISIT MOBILE

The reflecting pool at the Oklahoma City National Memorial

STUDENT COURTESY OKC CVB

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BY BRIAN JEWELL

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ou don’t have to take students far to give them an epic adventure.

There are a handful of cities around the country that get lots of love from student groups. But they’re not the only destinations worth exploring.

If you’re looking for exciting student experiences a bit closer to home, here are cities in each region of the country that should be on your radar.

Great Lakes: C LE V E L A N D

On the banks of Lake Erie in northeast Ohio, Cleveland is a vibrant city with an illustrious past and a variety of world-class attractions to keep student groups entertained and engaged for several days.

Signature Draw: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is perhaps the most popular music museum in the country. Housed in a large glass pyramid on the lakeshore, the museum has three floors of interactive exhibits featuring instruments, costumes and other memorabilia from musicians past and present. After perusing the exhibits, young rockers will enjoy a visit to the Garage, where they can join others in playing popular songs with real instruments.

Learning Opportunities: The Great Lakes Science Center sits right next to the rock hall on the lakefront. Other high-profile museums nearby include the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cleveland Museum of History.

Just for Fun: Departing from the Flats district, the Nautica Queen offers fun and entertaining dinner cruises on the scenic Cuyahoga River.

More Info: thisiscleveland.com

Heartland:

LO U I SV I LLE , K E NTU C K Y

Kentucky’s largest city, Louisville is a charming destination with a strong regional draw. Though it’s known as a bourbon destination, its wide variety of attractions offer plenty of opportunities for students as well.

Signature Draw: A stretch of historic Main Street has become the cultural hub of Louisville and

is now referred to locally as Museum Row. Among the most iconic sites is the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum, with its 120-foot-tall model baseball bat.

Right across the street, the Frazier History Museum offers a wonderful introduction to all things Kentucky L e ar n i n g O pp or t u n it ie s: The city’s Unfiltered Truth Collection offers tour groups moving first-person accounts of Black history-makers throughout Louisville’s past.

Just for Fun: At Louisville Mega Caverns, a former limestone mine beneath a portion of the city, students can go zip lining in the dark and enjoy numerous other underground activities.

More Info: gotolouisville.com

Northeast:

RHODE ISLAND

As the smallest state in the country, Rhode Island has a number of famous destinations, including Providence and Newport, that can easily be combined into a multiday student trip packed with quintessential New England experiences.

Signature Draw: On a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, 11 Gilded Age homes are collectively known as the Newport Mansions. Built between the mid-1800s and early 1900s, these opulent homes served as “summer cottages” for some of the wealthiest industrialists from the Northeast. Now managed by the Preservation Society of Newport County, the mansions are open for tours, allowing students to learn about the history, architecture, art and horticulture that make the mansions special.

Learning Opportunities: In Providence, the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is one of the country’s most prestigious art and design colleges.

The on-campus RISD Museum offers an expansive collection of artwork from around the world.

Just for Fun: In Providence’s Federal Hill, a historic Italian neighborhood, groups can take guided culinary tours to sample delicious cookies, cured meats and fresh pasta.

More Info: visitrhodeisland.com

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Phoenix’s Heard Museum COURTESY VISIT PHOENIX

Mountain West: SO UTH DA KOTA’ S B L AC K H I LLS There’s gorgeous scenery around every turn in the Black Hills, a region that surrounds Rapid City in western South Dakota. But beyond the beautiful views, the area offers abundant historic and cultural attractions for students to explore.

Sig nature Draw: At over 60 feet high, the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln are immortalized in the granite of Mount Rushmore. Since it was completed in 1941, the mountain carving has been one of the most iconic images of the American West.

Visiting students can learn about the four presidents, the carving process and the Black Hills ecology.

Learning Opportunities: About 18 miles from Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial is an even larger mountain carving, and the on-site visitors center and museum make a great introduction to Lakota Sioux culture.

Just for Fun: The Fort Hayes Chuckwagon Dinner and Show near Rapid City features traditional Western fare and entertainment.

More Info: blackhillsbadlands.com

Gulf Coast:

M O B I LE , A L A BA MA

Like other, more crowded Gulf Coast destinations, Mobile, Alabama, is a historic city with a rich blend of English, French, Spanish and African cultures. Students will enjoy its moderate weather, historic charm and distinctive attractions.

Signature Draw: The USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park gives young travelers the opportunity to step aboard a historic naval vessel and imagine what it was like to live and work aboard during World War II. A crew of 2,500 sailors took the vessel to the South Pacific during the war, and visitors can see the areas where they ate, slept and manned their battle stations.

There’s also a second historic ship at the park, as well as an aircraft pavilion.

Learning Opportunities: The Bellingrath Gardens and Home is a large attraction with beautiful horticultural displays and a historic home to explore. Students should also make some time for a guided tour of Mobile’s historic district.

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Just for Fun: Plan your visit around Fat Tuesday to enjoy Mobile’s family-friendly Mardi Gras, or catch a bit of its flavor year-round at the Mobile Carnival Museum.

More Info: mobile.org

South Central:

O K L A H O MA C IT Y

A metropolitan destination surrounded by the heritage of the old West, Oklahoma City blends elements of city and country with first-class attractions and abundant options for fun.

Signature Draw: The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum will introduce travelers to the art, history and heritage of the American West.

The museum features more than 28,000 Western and American Indian artifacts and artworks. Young visitors will especially enjoy Prosperity Junction, a 14,000-square-foot re-creation of a Western prairie town at the turn of the 20th century, complete with historic facades. A variety of events, programs and performances and the museum complement the experience.

Learning Opportunities: The Oklahoma City National Memorial pays homage to the lives lost during the 1995 bombing of a federal building downtown, as well as the first responders and community members who rallied in the aftermath of the attack.

Just for Fun: Turn your travelers loose in Bricktown, a downtown district featuring lots of shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and canal boat rides.

More Info: visitokc.com

Southwest:

Playing mini-golf in Oklahoma City’s Bricktown COURTESY OKC CVB

Tacoma’s Mt. Rainier Gondola

BY JASON ANGLIN, COURTESY TRAVEL TACOMA

PH O E N I X

Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix is a growing metropolis and cultural melting pot.

Visiting student groups can immerse themselves in Hispanic and Native American heritage and explore some of the country’s most impressive natural areas.

Signature Draw: With nearly constant sunshine and stunning desert landscapes, the outdoors is Phoenix’s greatest asset. Camelback Mountain is a popular urban hiking destination, offering views of the city and surrounding mountains from 1,200 feet above. Many groups also enjoy visits to the red

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Pacif ic Northwest: TACO M A , WA S H I N GTO N

Cleveland Museum of Art COURTESY CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART

rock buttes of Papago Park, home to the Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Zoo. L ear n i ng Oppor t u n it ie s: The Heard Museum introduces visitors to the art, culture and traditions of 22 Native American tribes around the country. Outside the city, Taliesin West showcases the work of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Just for Fun: Phoenix has a host of amusement attractions, including Legoland Discovery Center, the Crayola Experience and iFly Indoor Skydiving.

More Info: visitphoenix.com

Tacoma’s aesthetic is defined by two major geographical features: the Puget Sound and nearby Mount Rainier. The city sits just south of Seattle but has enough of its own appeal to make a memorable student group trip.

Signature Draw: Epic outdoor experiences are the cornerstone of most group itineraries in Tacoma. Mount Rainier National Park preserves the area around Mount Rainier, a 14,410-foot peak that is the highest point in Washington. There are year-round activities for students in the park, including winter skiing, summer flowers and a variety of guided hikes.

Learning Opportunities: Tacoma was at the center of the studio glass-art movement that began in the 20th century, and the Museum of Glass introduces visitors to the art form through exhibits and a working hot shop. It is connected to downtown Tacoma by the 500-foot Chihuly Bridge of Glass.

Just for Fun: Tinkertopia is an innovative arts studio that focuses on reusing found materials to help young visitors bring their creative visions to life.

More Info: traveltacoma.com

“This year’s group picture will look a lot better from here.”

- Vacation From family reunions to group trips, any outing is better with a dash of a Branson vacation. Plan your next group trip at ExploreBranson.com.

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S TAT E S P O T L I G H T

CALIFORNIA

By Kevin Osbourn

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n Visit California’s ad that aired during the Super Bowl, actress Austin Boyce falls from a skyscraper and flies across a beach above the iconic Hollywood sign. A sportscar spins into view, landing with her on the Pacific Coast Highway. She turns and sees a grinning Mario Lopez at the wheel.

She rides a roller coaster on Santa Cruz Beach, drives in a redwood forest, flies above the Palm Springs Golf Course and soars over the Golden Gate Bridge into the Gulliver-sized glove of San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford. In the final scene, she wakes and asks, “Am I dreaming?”

“No,” says actor Anthony Anderson, “you’re in California.”

With 12 diverse regions, national parks, cities, beaches, forests, mountains, sports, wine country and Disneyland, a fantastic adventure is not just a dream in California. Anyone can experience its wide array of attractions, and that’s why a Golden State trip might be perfect for an unforgettable group journey.

PHOTOS COURTESY VISIT CALIFORNIA EXCEPT WHERE NOTED

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic landmark in northern California.

BY MAX WHITTAKER

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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

National WWII MuseumHenry Cowell Redwoods State Park

BY MYLES MCGUINNESS

UP AND COMING NEW IN WINE COUNTRY

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Napa and Sonoma both attract guests with their quaint towns and award-winning wines. In downtown Napa, there are new tasting rooms at the Michael Pozzan Winery, Grape Culture, the New Frontier Wine Company and other wineries.

In Sonoma County, visitors can also sample worldclass wines, see 55 miles of Pacific Coast beauty and experience new dining options, including Wit and Wisdom and Blue Ridge Kitchen. After a two-year hiatus, the Sonoma Hot Air Balloon Classic takes place June 4-5.

BY CHRISTIAN HEEB

SANTA CRUZ FINDS

South Lake Tahoe

SCENIC SOUTH LAKE TAHOE

BY RACHID DEHNOUN

A Napa Valley vineyard

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Santa Cruz is not just a surfer’s paradise; it’s near some of the tallest trees in the world at the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, where visitors can enjoy a train ride through the ancient forest all the way to the coast. Santa Cruz has art tours on the first Fridays of every month through November and Wednesday-night sailboat races each week through October. For late-year travel, winter is prime time for watching whales and other wildlife.

The city of South Lake Tahoe has added fun indoor experiences within walking distance of downtown, including Flatstick Pub, which features local beers, an indoor mini-golf course and a restaurant with beautiful lake views. The restaurant has grilled cheese sandwiches, pizza and soups.

Flatstick has locations in Sacramento, Oakhurst, Mammoth and Big Bear called Yosemite Axe Throwing that re-create a lumberjack adventure complete with training in axe tossing.

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O V E R N I G H T S E N S AT I O N S Outdoor dining at RH Yountville

POST RANCH INN

Big Sur’s Post Ranch Inn, which includes a hotel, a spa and a restaurant, is known for its beautiful cliffside overlook of the Pacific. The rooms and private houses come with a spa tub and a private deck, and the inn’s Sierra Mar restaurant, winner of Wine Spectator’s prestigious Grand Award, boasts an award-winning wine cellar, a menu with ingredients from its own Chef’s Garden and a new ventilation system to protect guests.

MEMORABLE MEALS SAN DIEGO’S COASTERRA

Located on Harbor Island, Coasterra Modern Mexican provides a postcard-perfect panoramic view of the city’s waterfront with creative twists on Mexican classics such as ceviche with bay shrimp, and blue crab or fresh-shucked oysters with fireroasted cocktail sauce. The ahi tuna tostada is one of many menu highlights. Every table gives guests a stunning view of San Diego Bay, especially at sunset.

JOSHUA TREE AUTOCAMP

AutoCamp in Joshua Tree provides a unique outdoor experience among the famed Joshua Trees and rock formations. Adjacent to Joshua Tree National Park, the property offers lodging in sleek Airstream suites and luxurious tents. Joshua Tree is a great place for stargazing, and the AutoCamp has an outdoor bar, a hot tub and pool, and a modern, Quonset-hut-shaped clubhouse.

RH YOUNTVILLE

ALBION RIVER INN RESTAURANT

The Albion River Inn Restaurant in beautiful Mendocino County, several hours from San Francisco, delivers an epic coastal vista, well-appointed guest rooms and cottages, and delicious seafood. It is a wonderful setting for a romantic and relaxing vacation. The menu celebrates California’s north coast bounty of fresh seafood and locally grown produce with service aimed at one goal: customer delight.

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CORMORANT BOUTIQUE

The Cormorant Boutique Hotel has undergone a major renovation that brings a midcentury aesthetic to the former La Jolla Inn. It is named after the seaside town’s famous cormorant birds, with nautical-inspired rooms overlooking the Pacific Ocean. There is a new rooftop terrace bar called Birdseye and an upscale marketplace that features local goods and beach essentials.

A meal at Post Ranch Inn The clubhouse at Joshua Tree Autocamp

BY MATT KISIDAY

Named one of the state’s best patio restaurants

by Visit California, Napa Valley’s RH Yountville embraces high-style ambiance with knotted olive trees, chandeliers, manicured bushes, a roaring outdoor fireplace and delicious food. The menu includes dishes like crispy local artichokes and imported burrata with charred sourdough, and there is an extensive local wine list. The restaurant integrates food, wine, art, light and design to near perfection with galleries that showcase home furnishings and curated antiques.

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Disney California Adventure

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Disneyland is called the happiest place on earth for good reason: Where else can parents and kids sail with pirates, explore jungles and rocket through space together? For nearly 67 years, the park has delighted groups of all sizes, and the magic is still there as Disneyland continues to rank among California’s top attractions. In nearby Los Angeles, there are tours of Hollywood and fun at Universal Studios, along with Lakers basketball and Dodgers baseball.

BREATHTAKING YOSEMITE

Besides the famous Half Dome and El Capitan landmarks, there are waterfalls, meadows, giant sequoias and breathtaking sights all over Yosemite National park.

From May 20 to September 30, a reservation will be required to drive into the park to manage crowd sizes and complete needed infrastructure repairs. There are many great things to do to the east in San Francisco, while the charm of the Sonoma and Napa Valley wine regions is also within driving distance.

Yosemite National Park

BY MYLES MCGUINNESS

VISITCALIFORNIA.COM

THE REAGAN LIBRARY PRESENTS OVER A HUNDRED RARE AND UNIQUE STORIES AND HUNDREDS OF ARTIFACTS ON DISPLAY! From the battles along our California coast to the battlefields of Europe and Asia, delve into the wild, strange, and shocking stories that seem like fiction, while learning about the unsung heroes who altered the course of the war.

REAGANLIBRARY.COM/WWII Tickets include admission to the Reagan Library, where you can touch an actual piece of the Berlin Wall, view an exact replica of the Oval Office, and climb aboard Air Force One! 19 GROUP G R O U P T R AV E L L E A D E R . C O M THE

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40 Presidential Dr., Simi Valley, CA 93065 • 800.410.8354

D E S T I N AT I O N

RIO GRANDEUR MEXICAN INFLUENCE SPREADS ACROSS TEXAS

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ou don’t have to look far to find evidence of Mexican influence in Texas.

Before it was the Lone Star State, Texas was part of Mexico.

And the story of how Texas broke away, became a republic and eventually joined the Union is full of dramatic moments and fascinating characters.

Today, groups traveling around Texas can immerse themselves in the state’s colorful past at historic sites. Here are some places your group should visit to appreciate the people and places that made Texas what it is today.

SA N AG US T I N PL A Z A A N D SA N AG US T I N C AT H E DR A L L AREDO

Laredo’s historical downtown square, San Agustin Plaza, dates back to the city’s founding in 1755. It was used for public meetings and military exercises and was bordered by government buildings, San Agustin Cathedral and the homes of prominent residents. The plaza was considered the center of the Spanish Colonial town. Today, the plaza, which is the only 18th-century plaza in south Texas, is still the center of life in the city, hosting church festivals and patriotic events.

San Agustin Cathedral is the city’s oldest landmark, dating to 1756. The current church was built in 1872 on the site of two previous churches.

The Webb County Heritage Foundation offers a group tour that covers San Agustin Cathedral and its architecture that educates visitors on the history of Laredo, including the battles that took place when the city was part of the Mexican Republic. The foundation also offers self-guided tours through its website and will give tours of the nearby Republic of the Rio Grande Museum.

The museum is in a beautifully restored house that was built in 1830 and was the home of Bartolome Garcia, a prominent rancher and mayor of Laredo.

The building is a Texas Historical Landmark.

COURTESY SAN JACINTO BATTLEGROUND STATE HISTORIC SITE

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The San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site commemorates the final battle of the Texas Revolution.

The Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum is housed in a two-story brick building constructed in the early 20th century and was the home of two Laredo merchant families. The block it is on is full of historic properties and is immediately east of the cathedral.

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H IS TOR IC M IS SION T R A I L EL PASO

A visit to El Paso wouldn’t be complete without a tour of the Ysleta and Socorro missions and the San Elizario Presidio Chapel. The Ysleta Mission is the oldest continually active parish in the state of Texas, representing more than 300 years of Texas history. Built in 1682 by the Tigua Indian community, the historic landmark resides in the oldest community in Texas.

The Socorro Mission, a Franciscan mission founded in 1691, also has the distinction of being among the oldest continuously operated missions in the state. The current building was dedicated in 1843 and has 6-foot-thick adobe walls and massive vigas, exposed beams that project outside of the adobe walls and are characteristic of Pueblo and Spanish Colonial architecture. In 1789, STUDENT

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An Apollo lunar module at Space Center Houston

Students touring Space Center

Explore Space Center Houston For fans of space exploration, any visit to Houston must include a stop at Space Center Houston, the official visitor center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The facility gives visitors a firsthand look at what’s happening now in space exploration, from ongoing research on the International Space Station to new missions made possible through commercial partnerships.

The museum houses space artifacts, flown spacecraft and several rockets, including a Space X Falcon 9 rocket that flew twice to the International Space Station (ISS). The visitor center is also the gateway for tours of the Johnson Space Center. Tram tours take visitors to Rocket Park, which has numerous rockets to explore, including a Saturn 5 rocket that is similar to the one that took astronauts to the moon.

The tour also takes visitors to Apollo Mission Control, the command center that monitored the Apollo missions. The control center has been restored so that groups sit in the viewing room where families and dignitaries observed the moon landing. As they peer through the glass into mission control, they see the consoles come to life and get to watch footage from just before and during the historic moon landing. The 45-minute experience is narrated by Gene Kranz, the former chief flight director for the Gemini and Apollo missions.

The astronaut training facility, where astronauts can train on multiple replicas of the ISS, is another fun stop on the tour.

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PHOTOS COURTESY SPACE CENTER HOUSTON

BY CODY YORK, COURTESY THISISCLEVELAND.COM G R O U P T R AV E L L E A D E R . C O M

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the Spanish crown built the original San Elizario Presidio Chapel, choosing the site as a strategic military stronghold on New Spain’s western frontier to defend area residents from the Apache.

Visitors intrigued by El Paso’s deep cultural heritage come from all across the country to visit these beautiful missions.

Groups interested in taking a tour can coordinate with Visit El Paso to see all three missions and the surrounding area, which is turning into a desirable arts community. Other highlights include the Tigua Indian Cultural Center of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo — which includes a museum, the Cacique Café and Indian social dance performances every weekend — and one of the most exciting restaurants in Texas, El Charlatan, which offers a fusion twist on ramen and Mexican food.

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SA N JAC I N TO BAT T L EGROU N D S TAT E H IS TOR IC SI T E L A PORTE

On April 21, 1836, Gen. Sam Houston’s army of settlers, Tejanos and foreign volunteers managed to defeat Mexican

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General Santa Anna’s much larger army in an 18-minute battle. The following day, Santa Anna was captured and surrendered, ending the Texas Revolution. The San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site commemorates that battle, preserving 1,300 acres with several different ecosystems, including tallgrass prairie, marshes and bottomland forest.

Run by the Texas Historical Commission, the site is worth a visit for anyone interested in Texas history.

Group visitors can take a self-guided driving tour of the battlefield, hike the marsh trail or spend time exploring the 567-foot-tall San Jacinto Monument, which houses the San Jacinto Museum of History, a film about the Texas Revolution called Texas Forever and an elevator that takes guests up to an observation tower nearly 500 feet above the battlefield.

The museum has permanent and temporary exhibits about Texas history, including one on the building of the monument.

Today the site has 150 acres of parkland, with mown grass and picnic tables. The rest of the acreage is being Columbus restored to howZoo it would have looked in the 1830s.

Tours for groups of up to 50 people take them past all of the significant points of the battle and relay real stories from the people who took part in the battle.

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T H E A L A MO SAN ANTONIO

Located in downtown San Antonio, the Alamo was founded as a mission in 1718 and served as a way station between east Texas and Mexico. The Alamo earned its place in history decades after it closed its doors. In 1836, 200 Texans — including William B. Travis, James Bowie and David Crockett — held off Mexican Gen. Antonio López Santa Anna and 2,500 Mexican troops for 13 days during the state’s fight for independence from Mexico. The defenders eventually perished, but “Remember the Alamo” became a rallying cry for the Texas Revolution.

Today, visitors to the site can take interactive tours, view exhibits detailing the mission’s place in Texas history and visit a living history encampment where they can experience what frontier life was like in early Texas.

Groups can organize a guided walking tour that explores the heroes and events that made the site famous. The tour takes them through the area that was the original footprint of the Spanish mission complex, today called Alamo Plaza.

The Victory or Death Audio Tour brings the story of the Alamo to life with sound effects, music and interviews with curators and historians.

The Alamo in San Antonio COURTESY THE ALAMO

San Agustin Cathedral

San Elizario Mission on El Paso’s Mission Trail

T H E A L A M O.O R G COURTESY SAN AUGUSTIN CATHEDRAL

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Booking a meeting in Laredo, Texas means plenty of options for accommodations, incredible facilities of all sizes, and personalized service, all at affordable prices. And when it’s time to unwind, the nightlife on Iturbide St. and all throughout downtown welcomes anyone ready for a good time. Book your meeting today and see if your group qualifies for incentives.

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visitlaredo.com 1.800.361.3360 Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau

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KC FOR KIDS STUDENT GROUPS ARE DISCOVERING BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER

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ansas City, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri: These distinct Midwestern cities bearing the same name combine to form not only the Kansas City metropolitan area but also a dynamic destination for student groups When it comes to student travel, this area in America’s heartland may seem like a surprising choice. However, its ease of access and abundant museums, recreation and cultural heritage make it an excellent place for students to visit. These destinations on either side of the Missouri River offer student groups plenty of opportunities for learning and fun.

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Young visitors learn about the unsung Black heroes of baseball at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City.

BY JASON DAILEY, COURTESY NEGRO LEAGUES BASEBALL MUSEUM

ZIP KC

COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA

For a thrilling student travel experience, groups should head to Zip KC, which is in the woods just outside the city on the Kansas side of the border. At this park, students can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery of the bluffs surrounding the Kansas River while staying active and experiencing the thrill of zip lining. They can choose from the park’s nine zip lines, which can reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour, and enjoy a scenic zip-line tour of the area.

The park also offers other adventures for students, including guided hikes through the woods and a ninja training obstacle course. This popular course teaches students to trust one another as they work their way through obstacles such as balance beams, climbing walls and teeter-totters.

“They like the team building aspect of it,” said Kerry Green, services manager at Visit Kansas City, Kansas.

Modeled after Kansas City’s sister city — Seville, Spain — Country Club Plaza is a 15-block shopping center in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. This opulent destination is part of the Country Club District and was designed in 1922 to mimic shopping districts in Europe.

Its romantic Spanish-style architecture, sculptures and murals, and dazzling fountains are all part of what makes this gorgeous area a must-see for any group traveling to Kansas City. It’s also a hub for entertainment and local activities such as concerts and festivals.

Student groups can peruse the high-end retail shops or hunt for local souvenirs. In addition to shopping, Country Club Plaza contains more than 30 restaurants ranging from cafes to fine dining, including many options suitable for group dining, making it a lovely place for groups to grab a bite. Whether they spend an afternoon or an entire day in the plaza, student groups are in for a treat and an enchanting local experience.

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MUSEUMS AT 18TH AND VINE

CHILDREN’S MERCY PARK

On the Missouri side of the city, the museums at 18th and Vine include both the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum, which are next door to each other. Both museums use interactive exhibits to educate students about important facets of Kansas City culture and American history.

“It’s a great one-stop shop for multiple experiences under one roof,” said Klaus.

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum gives insight into a lesser-known period of our country’s history when Jim Crow laws and racism led to the creation of a separate professional baseball league for Black Americans.

This museum chronicles the league, its players and the legacy it left on America’s favorite pastime.

Just across the courtyard, the American Jazz Museum uses interactive exhibits to educate visitors about another integral part of Kansas City culture: jazz. The history of the musical genre in Kansas City is demonstrated with educational films, artwork and artifacts from famous musicians.

The museum also includes the Blue Room, a working jazz club accessible to student groups.

Kansas City is known as a hub for many different sports, but on the Kansas side, it’s becoming famous for its bourgeoning soccer scene. Children’s Mercy Park is home to Sporting KC, Kansas City’s professional soccer club, and more recently, it has served as a temporary home to Kansas City’s women’s soccer team. This makes it an excellent place for student groups to experience more of the city’s culture. This soccer-specific, open-air stadium seats over 18,000 and has covered seats so fans can enjoy matches in all weather.

Students can tour the park, including the owner’s suite, the locker rooms, the press box and the pitch to learn about the history of the stadium, famous athletes and the importance of the sport to the region. The stadium offers several different tour packages, some of which include features like guest speakers. Student groups can also have their lunch in the Budweiser Brew House as part of their tour.

“Soccer is a big deal in Kansas City,” Green said regarding Sporting KC and its importance in Kansas City culture. “When they built their new stadium, they built it state-of-the-art.”

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S P O R T I N G KC .C O M /S TA D I U M

NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL For a powerful and educational experience on the Missouri side, student groups should check out the National World War I Museum and Memorial. The Liberty Memorial was completed shortly after World War I, and the modern museum, opened in 2006, sits beneath it. Both are dedicated to honoring the memory of those who fought in the Great War. The museum’s re-creations of No Man’s Land, a walk-through crater and life-size trenches make history come alive for student groups. The museum also houses one of the most expansive collections of authentic artifacts from the war.

“It’s very hands-on, and it provides a really fantastic point of view for an area of history that many people don’t have a personal connection to,” said Derek Klaus, a spokesperson for Visit KC. T H E WO R L DWA R .O R G

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HOPE AND RESILIENCE

NAT I V E A M ER IC A N A RT M A S T ER S I T S M E S SAGE

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Groups can learn about native horticultural practices at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage (left) and admire handmade jewelry at Perry Null Trading Co. in Gallup (right).

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BY LINDSEY HYDE

ative American groups all over the U.S. continue to practice and share with others the crafts of their ancestors, like handweaving baskets and sculpting figurines out of wood. Here are five regions your group can explore to watch Native artists at work, learn more about their tribes’ histories and shop their exquisite creations.

COURTESY PERRY NULL TRADING CO.

GALLUP NEW MEXICO Gallup, New Mexico, is an excellent place to find, enjoy and purchase beautiful, handcrafted pieces of Native art.

One must-visit business is Tanner’s Indian Arts on Coal Avenue.

By appointment only, the Southwest Indian art company serves as an art gallery and museum as well as a shop. It offers all-natural, gem-quality turquoise and Native American jewelry, rugs and pottery. Joe Tanner runs the shop, along with his wife, Cynthia, and daughter, Emerald.

“Emerald is a great resource,” said Teri Fraizer director of the Gallup Cultural Center. “She was raised in our community. When you walk in Joe Tanner’s store, everything is antique.”

Another good place to find carefully crafted works of art is the Perry Null Trading Post. Here, guests are wowed by the colorful handmade jewelry and artwork made by multiple Native American tribes. Each piece is carefully crafted and said to have its own story, be it of the artist or the history of the work itself.

“We’re an authentic trading post,” said Perry Null, owner of the trading company. “We deal directly with the Native Americans — the Navajos, the Zunis, the Hopis, Acomas, Laguna. They bring their arts and crafts to us, and we buy them and represent them in this area. All our things are authentic and handmade items.”

V I S I TG A L LU P.C O M ARTWORK BY DONIA SIMMONS

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A dance demonstration at Alaska Native Heritage Center

Chickasaw Cultural Center

COURTESY CHICKASAW NATION

C H I C K A SAW CO U NTRY OKLAHOMA A variety of artwork representing the Chickasaw people, a tribe originally based in northeastern Mississippi and known for being excellent warriors and hunters, can be found at the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur, Oklahoma. Within its 184-acre campus is the Aaittafama’ Room, a space that provides rotating art collections, and the Aapisa’ Art Gallery, which showcases changing exhibits by different Chickasaw artists. The center usually works with one or two artists every three or four months. For guests who want to soak in even more information, artists often give live demonstrations in the gallery.

“Each artist will hold a live demo, and patrons can come listen and watch or ask questions,” said Joanna John, senior collections manager for the Chickasaw Cultural Center. “We have had mostly hands-on demos, so that’s been really interesting, and we sell the art in the exhibit or out of the exhibit.”

Other creative pieces, including sculptures, can be seen all over the campus. One must-view statue is The Arrival, which shows a Chickasaw group that recently arrived to its new territory in Oklahoma after being removed from its land. It’s a piece that is meant to show hope and resilience.

“We want people to be immersed in the culture, so you walk on the campus, and these symbols are all around you in the architecture, in the water features, in the sculptures,” John said. “You don’t really notice it until you start learning about them, and then you see that it’s really all around you.”

ARTesian Gallery and Studios in Sulphur is another fantastic place to explore the Chickasaw culture. Visitors are encouraged to check out its retail shop, where they can find jewelry, books and other items created by Chickasaw and First American artists.

Plus, the Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center in Davis houses a gallery that features a different Native artist’s work each quarter. These visual works often tell stories of the artists, as well as celebrate their heritage.

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ANCHOR AGE ALASKA Beautiful, distinct Alaskan art can be found and discussed in many pockets of Anchorage.

Guests can explore 10,000 years of Alaska’s past at the Alaska Native Heritage Center by listening to stories, walking through authentic Native dwellings and watching films. Its Hall of Cultures is designed to represent all the Alaska Native cultural groups; exhibits shine a light on each group’s history and feature traditional art and regalia.

The center is a wonderful place to visit throughout the year, but the summer brings the chance to interact with artists representing different Native groups in booths they set up throughout the facility.

“We’re a living cultural center,” said Nikki Graham, the center’s director of operations. “We have dance groups, we have Native game demonstrations and different cultural classes, and we have artists — it’s almost like a marketplace during the summer. You hear drumming and music, and it’s just alive.”

Guests also have the chance to browse the center’s Ch’k’iqadi Gallery, a unique gift shop that focuses solely on selling Alaska Native art.

“It’s not a standard gift shop, so it doesn’t have a lot of the tourist fare,” said Cika Sparck, the gallery’s manager. “We make sure that everything [from jewelry and kitchenware to high-end art] is tied to Indigenous arts.”

The Anchorage Museum, located downtown, is another great place to visit. Home to a slew of permanent and traveling exhibits, it also houses several collections that focus on Alaska and the Circumpolar North. Its art collection, in particular, is made up of visual works by Alaskan artists and contemporary Alaska Native art. Various animal figurines and a walrus ivory cribbage board are examples of pieces guests might see. The museum’s store also houses Alaska Native art that’s available for purchase.

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Bring your group and enjoy an enriching, shared

A sculpture at North Carolina’s Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual

experience exploring centuries of Chickasaw history and traditions. The vibrant, vivid, living expression of Chickasaw culture unfolds through a 1700s tribal village, dance demonstrations, traditional gardens and engaging exhibits. please call for

reservations

Visit our website for important COVID-19 information OPEN TUE–SAT 10 AM to 5 P M

L IVE STOM P DANCE DEMONSTRATIONS 11 AM and 2 P M

S u l p h u r , O k l a h o m a | 5 8 0 - 6 2 2- 7 1 3 0 | C h i c k a s a w C u l t u r a l C e n t e r . c o m

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COURTESY QUALLA ARTS AND CRAFTS MUTUAL

CHEROKEE NORTH CAROLINA The lifestyle, history and culture of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians can be seen and felt in Cherokee, North Carolina. This tribe is notorious for creating art out of nature, such as intricate baskets carefully woven out of rivercane and sculptures and ladles carved out of wood.

These items and more can be found at Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, which was established in 1946 by Cherokee craftspeople and leaders who were trying to strengthen tribal values by preserving and promoting their crafts.

Guests are sure to find pieces they love from the vast selection of handcrafted items made by Qualla’s more than 300 artist members.

“When you walk into our store, it kind of takes your breath with the beauty of the baskets and the way the store is set up,” said Vicki Cruz, director of Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual. “We’ve got a timeline in our permanent collection gallery where it tells how we were established and what we are doing nowadays.”

History and art combine for an unforgettable experience at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, where guests can explore 12,000 years’ worth of this group’s past. Life-size figures, art, artifacts and more are used to paint a picture of this tribe’s storied history. Although there is not a set schedule, most days, guests are able to interact with cultural specialists throughout the museum who are wearing traditional Cherokee dress and practicing crafts, such as finger weaving.

“They’re all so incredibly knowledgeable about history, about the craft — they’re all practicing artisans — so really getting that one-on-one, getting to see these pieces made in action and really hear the stories behind that is a really unique opportunity,” said Anna Chandler, manager of external affairs and communications for the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.

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First Americans Museum National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

THE MODERN FRONTIER

Experience a combination of history, innovation, culture and energy during your next group visit to Oklahoma City.

RAPID CITY SOUTH DAKOTA Traditional beadwork, painted drums and contemporary pieces by Native American artists are just a few of the creative works of art found in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Located downtown, the Prairie Edge Trading Company and Galleries takes guests on an experience, the ability to delve into Native culture. A variety of items, such as blankets and quilts, made by both Native and non-Native artists are available for purchase; Native American-made art, which can be found in the Prairie’s Fine Art Gallery, is also for sale. It is said that sounds of a Native music, like the Lakota flute, can be heard in the building.

“It’s a very immersive experience,” said Shelby Solano, destination manager for Visit Rapid City. “As soon as you walk in, they have different pieces by artisans all over the nation, as well as local to our region here. They try to support local artists, specifically from the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations.”

Guests can watch the “artistic magic” happen at Dakota Drum, where Lakota artist Sonja Holy Eagle can be seen creating and painting buffalo-hide drums. Her exquisite designs, along with items made by artists from the Cheyenne River, Pine Ridge, Standing Rock and Rosebud reservations, are available for purchase. “[Sonja] is able to tell her story,” Solano said. “She’s able to tell the history behind the drums, the history behind her

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A sculpture in front of Prairie Edge Trading Company in Rapid City.

COURTESY VISIT RAPID CITY

artwork, and she’s there to answer any questions of any patrons who come through the door and give them that experience.”

Art created by Lakota tribal members can also be found at the Tusweca Gallery in downtown Rapid City. Many of the pieces offer striking, colorful visuals of Native scenes and culture.

“They really home in on designs that inspire and nurture the spirit of the Oglala tradition and their local history,” Solano said.

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THREE REASONS GRO UPS LOVE G ALLUP

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NATIVE ARTS With more than 1,000 Native American Artists, 70% or more of the world’s authentic Native American art comes from the Gallup area.

Jennifer Lazarz Tourism & Marketing Manager City of Gallup Tourism Department

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GREAT STAYS 30 hotels offer 2,000 rooms throughout Gallup including Hilton, Marriott, Wyndham, Holiday Inn, Choice Hotels, Best Western, and the historic El Rancho Hotel.

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CULTURAL IMMERSION Groups can get hands on in classes with Native American Arts Instructors, can witness the beauty of Indigenous Dance Performances, and more.

LET’S START PLANNING YOUR GROUP TOUR TODAY.

visitgallup.com jlazarz@gallupnm.gov 505-863-1227

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HERE ARE FIVE ACTIVITIES THAT DEFINE SOUTH CAROLINA B Y PA U L A AV E N G L A D Y C H

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Low country cuisine

rom beaches to mountains, beautiful mansions and wildlife encounters, South Carolina knows how to thrill group travelers.

South Carolina’s history dates back to before the American Revolution, and several of its cities played major roles in the Civil War. But history isn’t the only thing for which the state is known. It also has lush vegetation, beautiful waterways, white sand beaches and abundant wildlife.

Here are some of the state’s most popular attractions for group travelers.

Brook g reen Ga rden s My r t le Bea ch

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A wildlife sighting on a cruise in Beaufort

BY SHAWN HILL, COURTESY VISIT BEAUFORT

Spread out over more than 9,000 acres in South Carolina’s low country, Brookgreen Gardens has a little something for everyone, from beautiful natural and cultivated gardens to a low-country zoo and more than 2,000 sculptures displayed in a garden setting. There are also three galleries and a storage and research facility.

Group visitors can take a private guided tour of the facility to learn about the many plants native to the area, the history of Brookgreen Gardens and details about Anna Hyatt Huntington, the sculptor whose works are featured throughout the gardens. Groups of up to 48 people can board a pontoon boat for a creek excursion that takes them past historic rice fields where they learn about the tidal creeks, surrounding land and the role enslaved Africans played in the cultivation of rice in the area. On their trip they might spot alligators, ospreys and many types of waterfowl.

Groups also can arrange special programs and tours based upon their personal interests, such as horticulture, sculpture or history.

The Lowcountry Center and Trail offers programs, exhibits and gardens that teach visitors about the distinctive nature and culture within South Carolina’s low country.

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Brookgreen Gardens in Myrtle Beach

Ch a rlest on H i st or ic Di st r ict

Founded in 1670, Charleston is steeped in more than 300 years of history, dating back to before the American Revolution. The city’s extensive historic district remained largely untouched until the modern era, with its beautiful antebellum homes, secret gardens and cobblestone streets still largely intact.

There are 3,800 Charleston buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, and groups can tour a number of house museums there that are open to the public, including Calhoun Mansion and the Nathaniel Russell House. The French Quarter is home to Charleston City Market, which was established in 1804 and houses scores of artists and craftspeople selling authentic handicrafts such as paintings and sweetgrass baskets.

The historic district is still a center of commerce, with restaurants, unique shops and civic buildings. Groups that want to learn more about Charleston’s history can take guided horse-drawn carriage or

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Homes on the Charleston Battery

Historic Charleston COURTESY EXPLORE CHARLESTON

COURTESY EXPLORE CHARLESTON

walking tours of the city. The city is also known for its Southern cooking, a blend inspired by the Native Americans, Europeans and enslaved Africans that lived in the state.

Several harbor tours delve into Charleston’s rich Colonial and Civil War past, as well as trips out to visit Fort Sumter, which guards Charleston Harbor and was the site of the first shots fired of the Civil War. C H A R L E S TO N C V B .C O M

Dolph in and Histor y Boat Cru ise Beau for t

Groups can enjoy the scenic waterfront and take a variety of sightseeing cruises in the town of Beaufort.

Fort Sumter can be reached only by boat, but several tour companies pair their historic district tours with trips there.

Coastal Expeditions offers Dolphin and History Boat Cruises and Hunting Island Dolphin Cruises out of Beaufort. Groups can learn about the history of Beaufort, from its Native American past and Spanish exploration to French settlement and English colonization. The boat takes groups along the waterfront, departing from the downtown Beaufort marina at Waterfront Park. Private charters are available year-round and can be tailored to each group. The cruise is also a great way to see the bottlenose dolphins, nesting bald eagles and ospreys that call the area home.

The Hunting Island Dolphin Cruise takes groups to explore the salt marsh estuary and to look for native bottlenose dolphins by Hunting Island State Park. An onboard naturalist will share interesting facts about Beaufort’s history and how it relates to the natural history of the water. The cruise company guarantees its guests will see dolphins, but those aren’t the only wildlife guests should be on the lookout for. Birds of prey and brown pelicans ply the water for fish, and roseate spoonbills, wood storks, herons, egrets and other shorebirds are fascinating to watch.

Back on shore, Penn Center, the site of the former Penn School, is a must-see attraction. It is one of the country’s first schools for formerly enslaved people, and it is part of the Reconstruction Era National Monument. Groups also can tour the Kazoobie Kazoo factory to learn how these small musical instruments are made. The attached museum has one of the largest collections of kazoos in the country.

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Tex ti le I ndu str y Tou r Greenv i l le

Once known as the Textile Capital of the World, Greenville owes its very existence to the textile trade. At one time, one out of every three people in the city was employed by a textile mill.

Groups that want to learn more about this robust history can take the Textile Mills and Villages Tour, a driving tour that brings them to eight mills built between 1874 and 1902 and then on to see the second wave of textile mills built from 1910 to 1930. Groups can learn about the workers, the buildings, what the mills produced, why they closed down, what is happening there now and what village life was like during the heyday of textile production. The tour also takes groups to see the E.W. Montgomery Cotton Warehouses and Parker High School.

Groups can take a guided tour of the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden, which boasts 70 acres of themed gardens that showcase more than 4,200 species of native and exotic plants.

If history isn’t your group’s passion, Greenville has become a top craft-beer town in the South. The Brewery Experience takes groups to some of the city’s most unusual breweries, including the Swamp Rabbit Brewery, Birds Fly South, Eighth State Brewing and the Quest Brewing Company.

The area is also known for its outdoor recreation opportunities.

Falls Park on the Reedy is the crown jewel of downtown Greenville, with a beautiful waterfall and the 345-foot sculptured concrete Liberty Bridge that was built to emphasize the falls and has lovely views of the park. The park is also home to the Warehouse Theatre’s Upstate Shakespeare Festival and the Moonlight Movie series.

Falls Park on the Reedy in Greenville

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R iverba n k s Zoo a nd Ga rden Colu m bia

BY CHRIS LEYLAND, COURTESY VISITGREENVILLE SC

A Greenville brewery

Columbia’s Riverbanks Zoo and Garden COURTESY CAPITAL CITY/LAKE MURRAY CO. RTB

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Columbia’s Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is so much more than just animals and plants. The facility encompasses the remains of a covered bridge that was burned by Confederate troops in 1865 to stop Gen. William T. Sherman’s army from entering the city of Columbia.

Visitors to the zoo can see the remains of the bridge just east of the Saluda River footbridge that connects the zoo and garden properties.

A wooded trail takes visitors from the footbridge to the ruins of the old Saluda River Factory, one of the oldest textile mills in the state, dating back to the 1800s. The Saluda Factory Interpretive Center was built adjacent to the mill site and houses artifacts and graphics that reveal the site’s connection to the Civil War. Riverbanks Back Stage offers groups a chance to meet some of their favorite animals housed at the zoo, including penguins, grizzly bears, koalas and giraffes. They learn about the zoo’s efforts to protect endangered species, such as the Matschie’s tree kangaroo, which is native to Papua New Guinea. The zoo houses many of the usual animals you expect to find at a zoo, but also has a birdhouse and the Riverbanks Conservation Outpost, which features unusual small mammals such as the black-footed cat, the golden-lion tamarin and two types of lemur. An aquarium and reptile conservation center is scheduled to open this year and will feature the Galapagos tortoise and the elusive Komodo dragon.

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NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE STRETCHE S S K Y- HIGH IN OKL AHOMA With culture this rich, a weeklong itinerary barely scratches the surface — but here’s a sneak peek! On Day 3, explore the stories of 39 tribes at Oklahoma City’s First Americans Museum. Then, dig into modern indigenous dishes at Thirty Nine Restaurant on site. Day 4 brings moving performances and exhibits at Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur — followed by 40 tribes’ worth of artifacts at Bartlesville’s Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve on Day 6.

Conclude your trip at Ponca City’s Standing Bear Museum & Education Center, a tribute to the heroic chief.

Find the full 7-day itinerary and more ideas for adventurous outings at TravelOK.com/Group.