The Group Travel Leader April 2024

TOUR BIGGER

AT ARK ENCOUNTER

Enhance your travel itinerary with a visit to an unforgettable destination!

Immerse yourself in a thrilling adventure of biblical history at the #1 voted Christian attraction in the US (by Readers’ Choice Awards), the Ark Encounter in Kentucky. Step aboard the life-size Noah’s Ark and journey back in time to experience the inspiring account of Noah and the great flood. From the intricate details of the Ark’s construction to the immersive exhibits inside, the Ark Encounter promises an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages. Scan the QR code or visit the website to learn more!

OklahomaHistoryCenter

NationalCowboy&WesternHeritageMuseum

OklahomaCityNationalMemorial&Museum

In Oklahoma City, you’ll be met with history, charm and wonder. Discover new perspectives and stirring experiences in the Modern Frontier.

FirstAmericansMuseum

The Military Aviation Museum is home to one of the world’s largest collections of flying vintage military aircraft.

IGNITE CURIOSITY AND A SENSE OF Adventure!

From exploring the skies to delving into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, discover a destination that combines adventure and knowledge in an unforgettable way. Our immersive experiences provide a perfect blend of education and excitement for students and educators alike.

BY BRIAN JEWELL

Ihave a feeling 2024 could get messy. Several unique and positive things take place on the same four-year cycle. In February, we celebrated Leap Year, always a fun diversion in the doldrums of winter. And in late July and early August, the world’s eyes will be fixed on the Summer Olympics in Paris, a tradition that brings a lot of joy and camaraderie to athletes and fans around the world.

But after the closing ceremonies, America’s attention will turn to something much more divisive: the 2024 presidential election.

Elections are an essential to democracy, but in recent cycles our presidential elections have become rather dysfunctional. They have evolved from important decisions that most people treated seriously to zero-sum, scorched-earth battles that leave a lot of damaged relationships and broken institutions in their wake. And unfortunately, there’s no indication the situation will improve in 2024. In fact, there’s reason to believe it may get worse.

This concerns me for all sorts of reasons. One is that political fights and culture wars seem to be reaching further and further into areas of life once considered neutral territory — including travel.

I’m old enough to remember when it was considered impolite to discuss politics in public. But the red-hot nature of our political rhetoric over the last few years has caused a lot of people to forget their manners. If you have groups out on the road this summer and fall, there’s a good chance people in those groups may discuss the presidential election. And if they support different candidates, those discussions could get heated.

Squabbling among passengers isn’t the only

EDITOR’S MARKS

way in which political discord threatens travel though. As America continues to sort itself more starkly between red and blue states, with people relocating to surround themselves with others who share their political views, ideological divisions threaten to impact the way people choose travel destinations. I have already heard about people from red states who refuse to travel to blue states and vice versa. And if this year’s presidential election turns out to be as ugly as the last one, self-segregation of travelers could become worse.

But it doesn’t have to be.

Instead of allowing travel to suffer at the hands of political polarization, we can use travel to tear down barriers and build bridges. Travel has the ability to bring people together — Democrats, Republicans and independents alike. Traveling with people who are not like us and visiting destinations that are different than the places where we live expands our perspectives and helps us build empathy.

As a conscientious travel planner, you can design and lead your trips in a way that leverages the unifying power of travel. You can take your customers to places they wouldn’t go on their own and introduce them to people who see the world in diverse ways. You can give them opportunities to discover the humanity they share with people who vote differently than they do. And you can remind them we have much more to celebrate together than we have to argue about.

This year’s election may get messy, but I’m not going to let that mess ruin my travel adventures. I hope you won’t either.

Insights from our best podcast episodes 1

LEVELING UP YOUR TOUR COMPANY WITH MITCH BACH

Is running a tour company a way to make a good living or just a way to have a good time?

Mitch Bach believes it can be both. A former tour guide and founder of two tour companies, Bach now spends his time coaching tour operators on how they can grow their businesses, overcome common problems and design their work to fit their lifestyles. He joined the podcast to share insights on the tour business and how to navigate its ever-changing landscape.

Mitch explained how the economics of tour companies work in today’s environment and shared how travel tourism entrepreneurs should prepare for the coming digital revolution.

2 3

On the importance of constant improvement:

“You’re never arriving at the best tour, the best business, the best brand right off the bat. If you don’t have that spirit of ideation and experimentation, you’re going to create something that essentially frustrates and aggravates you to no end, because you’re going to keep trying to fit it into shapes it doesn’t belong in. You have to find the shape based on who the customer is, where you’re operating and who you are. It takes time, and there’s no shortcut to it.”

On single-day vs. multi-day tours:

“In multi-day tours, it’s about the lifetime value of the customer. You need to find your tribe and find your community…. There are do-or-die Collette tour takers or Globus tour takers. They take those tours over and over and over again. You can be a fantastic multi-day tour operator with very few customers – you just have to keep offering new things to book with you over time.”

“If you find people who love to travel with you, they’ll put up with a lot of annoying systems you’ve created…. That’s because you can just focus on delighting them and creating those indelible memories on trips that leave them just hungering for more.”

On legacy vs. digital business models:

“What the digitally savvy entrepreneur does know is that we’re at a transition period in terms of who our customers are and how they’re booking what they want. That’s really changing the landscape of how we sell travel. Already, the largest group of people buying packaged travel are millennials — they’re not going to be boomers.“

To sponsor an episode of Gather and Go contact: To listen to the full episode, go to:

BRYCE WILSON bryce@grouptravelleader.com

AATC SPEAKER TO HIGHLIGHT ‘THE GREEN BOOK EXPERIENCE’

SALEM, Ohio — It’s always exciting to discover new ventures that help group planners refine their process for selecting destinations. One such venture is the Green Book Experience, founded by travel industry veteran Karin Aaron.

Aaron brings a wealth of industry knowledge to this endeavor, including stints with convention and visitors bureaus and Hilton Hotels.

“Karin has a pedigree in tourism that makes her uniquely qualified to take on this project and deliver a tourism guide that can be utilized by all traveling groups,” said Charlie Presley of the Group Travel Family of Brands.

KARIN AARON

Inspired by the historic “Negro Motorist Green Book,” the new Green Book Experience is a comprehensive online destination travel guide and booking service. It provides important travel information and connections to historical and cultural sites, venues and experiences of the African American and other multicultural communities that are part of a destination.

“We believe that the power of travel brings people together, and access to arts, history and cultural experiences is the gateway to understanding the African American story,” said Aaron. “The new Green Book Experience embodies the best of travel experiences to connect you to adventures that will intentionally transform our lives.”

The Green Book Experience has also partnered with GroupCollect to develop an online app to allow easy access to and booking of hotels, attractions and points of interest related to the book’s content.

Aaron will also be keynote speaker at The African American Travel Conference this month in Chesapeake, Virginia. She will share the stage with Bud Geissler, GroupCollect president.

Travel planners can find the Green Book Experience online at greenbookexperience.com. Karin Aaron can be contacted at karin@greenbookexp.com and Bud Geissler at bud@groupcollect.com.

“Karin has a pedigree in tourism that makes her uniquely qualified to take on this project and deliver a tourism guide that can be utilized by all traveling groups.”

— CHARLIE PRESLEY

Atlantic City soars in the summertime

BY VICKIE MITCHELL

What’s better than a sandy beach in the summertime? How about a sandy beach surrounded by a fivemile-long boardwalk that’s lined with frosty casino resorts, lively bars and restaurants, souvenir shops, Boardwalk fare food and thrilling rides?

That describes summer in Atlantic City, where every year, the must-do list gets longer.

This year is no different with new enticements that include an “adults only” pool with a swim up bar, cabanas and poolside facials and massages at the Showboat Resort’s $100 million Island Waterpark; a new outdoor concert venue near the beach, also opened by the Showboat; and a Dave & Buster’s.

New Attractions and Timeless Favorites

The new attractions join favorites like the North to Shore Festival (June 17–23, 2024) and Atlantic City Restaurant Week (October 6–11, 2024).

North to Shore celebrates music, technology, comedy and film with special shows and

events in Atlantic City, Newark and Asbury Park. Atlantic City’s weekend will include Frankie Valli, the B52s, the Australian Pink Floyd Show and others in concert and other entertainment all over town. During Restaurant Week, participating restaurants serve special three-course lunches for around $20 and dinners for around $40.

And, as Heather Colache with Visit Atlantic City reminds, after all that food and fun, there’s always Atlantic City’s spacious and free beach.

Of course, Atlantic City’s nine casinos will always be its biggest attraction, but the Showboat’s Lucky Snake Arcade has added a new twist to gaming with its 300 arcade games — making it the largest arcade on the East Coast — plus a go-kart track.

For those seeking some quiet time away from the lively strip, Gardner’s Basin, five minutes northwest, is a good option. On the waterfront, it’s the place to hop aboard boats for cruises, dolphin watch expeditions or fishing charters. It’s also home to the Atlantic City Aquarium, recently reopened after an extensive renovation, and to local favorite Gilchrist Restaurant.

There, those who’d rather have someone else land their catch can settle in on a covered waterfront deck for a lunch of fish and chips or flounder. Early birds can enjoy breakfast as early as 6:30 a.m. and sample the restaurant’s crepelike pancakes — so thin and crispy that it’s no challenge to polish off a short stack.

Of course, it’s also possible to wind down on the busy strip with something simple, like enjoying a cigar at a new cigar bar on Tennessee Avenue, watching the sunset 227 feet in the air in one of the Wheel’s gondolas on the Steel Pier or playing lawn games beneath the retractable glass roof at The Yard at Bally’s.

With any visit to Atlantic City though, three things are guaranteed. Bus parking will be plentiful, with no permits required. Diners can get their fill of local seafood, including clams harvested by the East Coast’s largest fleet. And, most of all, visitors will find a beachside casino destination that’s a far cry from what many remember. “I tell people all the time, ‘This is not your grandmom’s Atlantic City anymore!’” says Colache.

“This FAM provided an opportunity to understand the origins of the Creole and Cajun cultures in Louisiana and to experience the food, architecture, music and dancing of the areas.”

— JENN STEFONI, COUNTRY HERITAGE

LOUISIANA FAM

TOURS

ONSITE IN LOUISIANA

TRAVEL PLANNERS DISCOVERED AUTHENTIC CAJUN CULTURE AROUND LAFAYETTE

FORGED FROM

A TIME OF EXILE AND PAIN

for the Acadians, a distinct culture and a sense of resilience emerged in southern Louisiana.

That culture is what 10 travel planner readers of The Group Travel Leader explored during a five-day familiarization tour of the Lafayette area hosted by Explore Louisiana and Lafayette Travel. The group listened to the distinct tones of accordions, tasted bold and spicy foods, and heard a language laced with influences of French and other tongues. The dazzling cultural mosaic they experienced defines Acadiana, or French Louisiana. It’s often called Cajun country, and the city of Lafayette is at its core.

For ideas on how to craft lively tours of this spirited region, check out the FAM tour’s itinerary.

FAM highlights, clockwise from left: a group photo-op at C.S. Steen Syrup Mill; a peacock at Rip Van Winkle Gardens; a crawfish boil; a young alligator at Gator Chateau; exhibit at the Tabasco Brand Factory; a Vermilionville tour guide

• ARRIVE IN LAFAYETTE

• ACADIAN CULTURAL CENTER

• VERMILIONVILLE

• DAIQUIRIS SUPREME

• DINNER AT ANTONI’S ITALIAN CAFÉ

After they arrived in Lafayette and checked into the Comfort Suites Oil Center, group travel planners headed to the Acadian Cultural Center to watch a short documentary about the area’s cultural history and tour its museum. During a guided tour at the nearby Vermilionville Living History Museum and Folklife Park, they saw authentic, centuries-old Cajun dwellings, watched demonstrations of quilting, listened to Cajun music, and learned about everyday life in the village along the bayou. There was also time for a stop in the gift shop, stocked with goods made by local artisans and items tied to Cajun culture. During a refreshment break at Daiquiris Supreme, they chose among a variety of flavored daiquiris. The day ended with hearty Italian meals and specialty cocktails at Antoni’s Italian Café.

1 Day 2 Day

• TABASCO TOUR AND COUNTRY STORE

• SHADOWS-ON-THE-TECHE IN NEW IBERIA

• LUNCH AT CANE RIVER PECAN COMPANY

• RIP VAN WINKLE GARDENS

• PHOTO OP AT STEEN’S SYRUP

• DINNER AT CRAWFISH HAVEN

• DRINKS AT WHISKEY AND VINE

After breakfast at the Comfort Suites Oil Center, which provided overnight accommodations for the FAM tour, the group headed to Avery Island to see where Tabasco sauce is made. They explored the factory and sampled sauces in the country store, then headed to New Iberia to tour Shadows-on-the-Teche, a 19th-century sugar plantation that is now a historic house museum. For lunch, it was off to Cane River Pecan Company for gumbo, sandwiches and decadent slices of pie followed by a walk through the stunning Rip Van Winkle Gardens. There was time for a quick photo-op in front of the massive yellow Steen’s Syrup silos before heading to Vermilionville for a tour and a crawfish boil at Crawfish Haven, a crawfish farm that lets visitors help with the catch. Drinks and desserts back in Lafayette at Whiskey and Vine ended the day.

Dinner at Antoni’s Italian Café

Touring Vermilionville

The group at Vermilionville

Walking through the Acadian Cultural Center

Cajun education at Vermilionville

TABASCO BRAND FACTORY TOUR AND COUNTRY STORE

All Tabasco Brand hot sauce comes from Avery Island, home to the Tabasco Brand factory, museum, country store and restaurant. The McIlhenny family has been producing Tabasco Brand Pepper Sauce since 1868. Today, the company makes nine sauces. The peppers are grown on the island, and the sauce is barrel-aged and bottled there too. Visitors to the island can watch production, tour a museum dedicated to the business’s history and visit the country store, which offers tastings.

SHADOWS-ON-THE-TECHE

Shadows-on-the-Teche is a historic property in New Iberia on the banks of the Bayou Teche. Its Greek revival mansion was built for sugar plantation owners David and Mary Weeks in 1834 and was home to several generations of the Weeks family, as well as enslaved and formerly enslaved people. Tour guides tell the stories of those who lived on the property and describe how Louisiana society changed during 19th and 20th centuries.

RIP VAN WINKLE GARDENS

Rip Van Winkle Gardens’ 15 acres of lush gardens, historic home and visitors center are on Jefferson Island. The gardens are home to avian life including colorful peacocks, exotic plants and centuries-old oak trees covered with Spanish moss. The land was purchased by actor Joseph Jefferson in 1870 and has changed hands several times. Walks around the gardens, a film about the land and its history and a stop at the gift shop are options.

CRAWFISH HAVEN

Whether you call them crawfish, crawdads, crayfish or mudbugs, one thing is for sure — Acadiana’s culinary scene would be incomplete without them. At the family-owned Crawfish Haven, small groups can go out in a a boat and watch or help pull in the crawfish traps. It’s a firsthand lesson in crawfish farming and best practices. Visitors can also learn how to eat crawfish like an Acadian during a crawfish boil.

Approaching Shadows-on-the-Teche

“The tours, lectures and food made for a very immersive, tasty experience.”

— TYLER GRIGGS, HOLIDAY VACATIONS

The grounds of Rip Van Winkle Garden

The Joseph Jefferson Home

Enjoying the catch at Crawfish Haven

A feathery photo-op

Catching crawfish

3 Day

• LAFAYETTE FARMERS AND ARTISANS MARKET AT MONCUS PARK

• TOUR DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE

• LUNCH AT ACADIAN SUPERETTE

• ATCHAFALAYA BASIN LANDING SWAMP TOURS

• SHOPPING IN DOWNTOWN BREAUX BRIDGE

• LONGFELLOW-EVANGELINE STATE HISTORIC SITE IN ST. MARTINVILLE

• CAJUN DANCE LESSONS

• DINNER AT RANDOL’S

The third day of the FAM began at the Lafayette Farmers and Artisans Market in Moncus Park, where local artisans sell food, jewelry, art, clothing and home goods. The market was followed by a tour of downtown Lafayette including a photo-op at the Lafayette sign. House-smoked meats were the specialty at the lunch stop, Acadian Superette, a retro-style diner.. Lunch was followed by an airboat tour of the Atchafalaya Basin Landing Swamp and a lesson in local wildlife. The afternoon included shopping in downtown Breaux Bridge and a tour of the Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site in St. Martinville. As a prelude to dinner at Randol’s Supper Club, the group had Cajun and Creole dance lessons.

LAFAYETTE FARMERS AND ARTISANS MARKET

Every Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon, dozens of vendors set up in Moncus Park for the Lafayette Farmers and Artisans Market. The park was a horse farm that was set to be demolished before Lafayette citizens saved it and came up with a way for the land to serve the community. Market visitors shop for jewelry, art, clothes, canned and jarred foodstuffs, fresh produce, home goods, and food and beverages. Live music and other local events are also held at the park.

ATCHAFALAYA BASIN LANDING SWAMP TOURS

Atchafalaya Basin Landing Swamp Tours has been taking visitors on bayou explorations since 1999, and it’s now the largest airboat tour operator in the region. Each airboat can take 10-12 passengers through the swamp on a thrilling ride where they’ll see cypress trees draped with Spanish moss, many species of birds and alligators. When the boat reaches the middle of the swamp, the tour guide talks about the swamp’s ecosystem and answers questions.

Downtown Lafayette

An airboat swamp tour

Acadian Superette

Lafayette Farmers and Artisans Market

Acadian Superette Reuben sandwich

Hercules the alligator

LONGFELLOW-EVANGELINE STATE HISTORIC SITE

The Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site became the Louisiana’s first state park in 1934, but the land on which it sits has been occupied for many centuries. Once used by indigenous peoples as a hunting ground, it was later a cattle ranch and then established by the Acadians. The historic site includes Maison Olivier, a raised Creole cottage built in the early 1800s, as well as a reproduction of an Acadian farmstead with a pasture, barn, outdoor kitchen and slave quarters. Guided tours delve into life on the plantation for all who lived there, as well as Creole and Acadian culture.

CAJUN AND ZYDECO DANCE LESSONS

Dancing is a big part of Cajun and Creole culture. To learn traditional Cajun dances, groups can schedule private dancing lessons with Moriah Hargrave, a Lafayette native, professional dancer and founder of local dance business LA Danser. She keeps groups on their toes, teaching them the Cajun Two-Step, Creole Two-Step, waltzes and many other kinds of dances.

— TAMMY BEENE, KNOW BETTER TRAVEL

The group practicing their Cajun dancing

A tour at Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site

“This tour through Lafayette left my heart filled with Cajun hospitality and an appetite for the flavor of food and fun.”

The Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site

Dance lessons from LA Danser

A raised Creole cottage

Fried catfish at Randol’s

4 Day

• GATOR CHATEAU

• CROWLEY CITY HALL AND GRAND OPERA HOUSE OF THE SOUTH

• LUNCH AND TOUR AT KELLY’S LANDING

• MARDI GRAS MASK MAKING AT VACAJUN

• ZYDECO MUSIC DEMONSTRATION AT ST. LANDRY PARISH VISITOR CENTER

• DINNER AND BOWLING AT ROCK ‘N’ BOWL

• BORDEN’S ICE CREAM

The fourth day of the FAM began at Gator Chateau, where the group met, held and took photos with alligators before heading to Crowley for a guided tour of Crowley City Hall and its city museum, and the Grand Opera House of the South next door. After a home-cooked lunch and tour at Kelly’s Landing, a family-owned crawfish farm, it was time to make Acadian Mardi Gras masks at VaCajun. before a stop at St. Landry Parish Visitor Center to hear Zydeco music and enjoy light eats. The evening ended with a visit to Lafayette’s Rock ‘n’ Bowl and a treat at the only brickand-mortar location of Borden’s Ice Cream.

GATOR CHATEAU

Gator Chateau’s free programs support its mission to teach the public about the American alligator’s habitats, eating habits and physiology. Groups can meet baby gators and pet, hold and even take pictures with them. They can also see older alligators that are soon to be released from captivity, as well as a large alligator snapping turtle.

MARDI GRAS MASK MAKING

VaCajun, a brand operated by the Acadia Parish sewing company, Sew What!, helps visitors reconnect with their sense of adventure and creativity. They provide Mardi Gras costumes and

A museum exhibit at Crowley City Hall

A Model T at Crowley City Hall

Gators relaxing at Gator Chateau

Kelly’s Landing

Posing with an alligator

masks, which may look a bit different in Acadiana than they do in New Orleans. Groups can tour the shop, then break out the craft supplies and hot glue to make their own Mardi Gras masks. These masks, with bold colors and designs and oversized and exaggerated facial features, are fun to make and even more fun to wear.

ZYDECO MUSIC DEMONSTRATION

Opelousas, in St. Landry Parish, is the official Zydeco Music Capital of the World, home to an annual festival that celebrates the musical genre. Zydeco is frequently played in dance halls, bars and jam sessions in the area. At the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center, groups can learn more about Zydeco’s rich history, most common instruments and most lauded performers. Zydeco music demos featuring locally known musicians can be arranged so groups can enjoy and clap along.

5 Day

• ACADIAN VILLAGE AND MUSIC EXPERIENCE

• LUNCH AT ADOPTED DOG BREWING

• DEPART LAFAYETTE

On the tour’s last day, planners ate breakfast at the hotel, then headed to Acadian Village, one of the premier Cajun cultural sites in Lafayette, for a demonstration of Zydeco music and dancing. After a lunch of burgers, flatbreads, wings and craft beverages at Adopted Dog Brewing, they headed for home to begin planning their future group tours to Acadiana.

The group with their Mardi Gras masks

Acadian Village

The St. Landry Parish Visitor Center

Students enjoy a spontaneous dance break at the Hangout in Myrtle Beach.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia Sunset over Austin

CHRISTOPHER SHERMAN,

PLACES TO

Play

STUDENT TRAVEL ISSUE

STUDENT GROUPS LOVE PERFORMING IN THESE DESTINATIONS

BY RACHEL CRICK

All the world’s a stage — so why not travel it?

For student marching bands, choral groups and dance troupes, performance travel can be an exciting incentive and a rewarding experience. Students can put on a show, embrace local culture and see new things. To celebrate students’ talent, sharpen their skills and broaden their worldview, consider planning a student performance trip to one of these musical cities.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Sixty miles of beaches, over 1,800 restaurants and some 90,000 sleeping rooms make Myrtle Beach one of the most popular beach destinations on the East Coast. Its beaches and mile-long list of amenities come with an affordable price tag, a big plus for students.

Groups that want to perform have many options. They can sing, dance or play at the Hangout at Broadway at the Beach, the House of Blues at Barefoot Landing or other indoor and outdoor performance venues. Tanger Outlets, a popular shopping mall, has indoor and outdoor performance venues. Many theaters give student groups the chance to perform before their regular productions, including the Alabama Theatre, GTS Theatre, Wonders Theatre and The Carolina Opry Theater. Many also offer educational programming, like backstage tours or vocal and dance workshops.

Beyond performance venues, there are plenty of attractions for young people like Broadway at the Beach, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and Pirate’s Voyage and other dinner theaters. Brookgreen Gardens and Ripley’s Aquarium give students a chance to enjoy the natural world.

VISITMYRTLEBEACH.COM

The Myrtle Beach coastline

Indianapolis

In Indianapolis, nationally renowned festivals and events such as the Bands of America Grand National Championships, held each November, and the Music for All National Festival, each year in March, are excellent possibilities for student performances. There’s also the 500 Festival, which celebrates the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Indianapolis 500. The parade and festival are deeply ingrained community traditions that welcome all to participate, including student groups. Other possible venues for student groups include the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts, Frank and Katrina Basile Theater at the Indiana Historical Society, and facilities at several local universities and performing arts theaters.

When they’re not performing, younger student groups can visit the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, the world’s largest children’s museum; the city’s cultural corridor; the Indianapolis Zoo; the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum; and the Indianapolis Museum of Art. With a growing and diverse culinary scene, lots of public art and plenty of greenspace, Indianapolis is a well-rounded destination for students of all ages.

VISITINDY.COM

Anaheim, California

Not only is Anaheim home to Disneyland, but this Orange County, California, city is also near Hollywood, Universal Studios and other theme parks, and the beach. That makes it a star-studded choice for a student performance trip.

Disneyland has numerous venues and ways for students to take the stage, as well as workshops where groups can learn skills such as acting, dancing and singing. The massive Tournament of Roses Parade in nearby Pasadena enlists a large number of bands and dance groups. Nearby, in Yorba Linda, the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum has performance space students. The Citadel Outlets, a highend shopping center, rents its center court for student performances.

After their show, students can have a blast at a theme park, the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live or the Hollywood Museum.

For sightseeing, there’s whale watching in Newport Beach; sampling as much as possible at the Anaheim Packing District,a food hall with over 30 dining options; and catching a baseball or hockey game.

VISITANAHEIM.ORG

Indianapolis Children’s Museum

Indianapolis’ Murat Theatre

Orlando, Florida

Exploring Disney World and Universal Studios Florida in Orlando can entertain students for days. And, these theme parks often work with student groups to create opportunities for every kind of performance. The Disney Performing Arts Onstage for vocal, dance and instrumental categories, for example, allows groups to participate in workshops to perfect their craft. There’s also a student performance program at Universal Orlando Resort, the STARS Performance Program. Other performance opportunities include the Cheez-it Bowl, a well-known college football game; the Heart of America Showcase Orlando, a competitive choir performance event; and many other sporting events, festivals and parades.

Spending a day at the city’s theme parks is undoubtedly the most popular way for students to enjoy in their downtime, but there’s also plenty of shopping, museums and science centers to entertain them as well.

COURTESY VISIT INDY

COURTESY VISIT ANAHEIM

Dolphins at Newport Beach in Anaheim

Austin, Texas

Known for its diverse live music scene — Austin is called the Live Music Capital of the World — this destination lets students participate in authentic local culture with their own performance. Bands of America hosts a regional championship in Austin each year, and local events such as Fusebox Festival, hosted by a local arts organization, may also have opportunities for student bands, choirs and dance groups. Groups might also be able to perform at another prominent local staple, Austin City Limits. This long-running television and radio program, hosted by Austin PBS, also has an annual music festival in Zilker Park over two weekends in autumn. In a city full of live music venues, it should come as no surprise that many double as venues for student performance groups and offer workshops or educational programming for students.

There are plenty of educational sites and activities for students, such as tours of the Texas Capitol, the LBJ Presidential Library or the Mexic-Arte Museum. More leisurely activities include catching live music, cruising on Lady Bird Lake and ziplining in the Hill Country surrounding the city.

AUSTINTEXAS.ORG

Public art in Austin

BY MAGGIE WITT, COURTESY VISIT AUSTIN

BY ANTHONY SINAGOGA, COURTESY PHLCVB

A Benjamin Franklin memorial at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s Museum of the American Revolution

Philadelphia

As one of the oldest cities in the U.S. and arguably the most integral to our nation’s history, Philadelphia overflows with educational opportunities for student groups. They can see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the Museum of the American Revolution, among other historic sites. Cultural institutions, such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Barnes Foundation, house iconic American art. Students can shop in the Reading Terminal Market or explore the city’s zoo.

Many historic sites double as venues for a one-of-akind performance. Students can sing, dance or play at Eastern State Penitentiary, then round out their performance with a custom tour of the prison-turned-museum. At Independence Hall, the People’s Plaza is an ideal venue for a performance. Groups can also perform at the Franklin Institute, one of the city’s most popular museums, which honors founding father Benjamin Franklin and is partially modeled after the Pantheon in Rome.

Student groups often participate in the city’s many parades including those for Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and the St. Patrick’s Day. Additional museums, historic sites and churches can also serve as venues for student performances.

MARYLAND

By Jill Gleeson

From verdant mountains rising gently along its western reaches to sunny stretches of seashore and bayfront gracing its eastern half, Maryland offers natural beauty to explore and enjoy. But the 10,460-square-mile “Old Line State” — as George Washington dubbed Maryland for its fierce Revolutionary War fighting forces — offers cultural attractions as well. Military and maritime history; a new, state-of-the art entertainment venue; and some of the Mid-Atlantic’s finest food and lodging options are a few of the delights that await group travelers. These ideas will help you plan the perfect Maryland getaway for your group.

The U.S. Naval Academy and the Chesapeake Bay are highlights of Annapolis. ARTWORK

POPULAR DEMAND

NATIONAL AQUARIUM

Situated on Baltimore’s bustling, beautiful Inner Harbor, the National Aquarium is a wonderland of aquatic flora and fauna. Themed habitats inspired by environments as diverse as the Amazon River forest and an Atlantic coral reef are home to puffins, sloths, stingrays, clownfish and other exotic creatures. Customized group tours are a must, made even better with animal encounters, feedings, guest speakers and other add-ons. Behind-the-scenes offerings, based on availability, visit sites like the catwalk above Shark Alley and the exhibits like Australia: Wild Extremes.

UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY

Established in 1850, the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis offers a variety of themed tours like the Anchors Aweigh Music Tour, which concludes with a performance by the Navy Band, and the USNA Tour and Tea, topped by afternoon tea at the Naval Academy Club. Sights on the waterside campus include the magnificent Naval Academy Chapel, the crypt of legendary naval hero John Paul Jones and the showstopping brigade formation outside Bancroft Hall each weekday at noon in the spring and fall.

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND

There is a wealth of ways to experience Assateague, the beautiful barrier island famed for its wild ponies. Leaders can schedule a guided kayak, bicycle or paddleboard tour through Assateague Outfitters or book an 80-minute Assateague Adventure boat cruise from Ocean City, located eight miles away. Another option? Pick up a step-on guide in Ocean City, drop by the Assateague Island Visitor Center’s interpretive exhibits and then head off to see the ponies, which typically stroll along the island’s beaches and roadways.

National Aquarium on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor

A clownfish at the National Aquarium

COURTESY VISIT ANNAPOLIS & ANNE ARUNDEL CO.

COURTESY MD OFFICE OF TOURISM

COURTESY MD OFFICE OF TOURISM

A wild pony on Assateague Island

BY TOM ADKINSON

COURTESY US NAVAL ACADEMY

A U.S. Naval Academy graduation

A Naval Academy landmark

Baltimore’s completely revamped, 14,000-seat CFG Bank Arena reopened last April, with a concert by Bruce Springsteen, no less. The $250 million remodel boasts next-generation acoustics, comfy seating, beautifully designed suites and upscale food and beverage. More than 120 events are on the schedule each year, so it is likely something will be happening when your group is visiting.

CHESAPEAKE BAY MARITIME MUSEUM WELCOME CENTER

One of the Eastern Shore’s crown jewels, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is upgrading its 18-acre campus in St. Michaels. In December, its $10 million, 12,000-square-foot welcome center celebrated its grand opening. Groups can tour three exhibition spaces, shop in the and catch the longterm exhibit, Water Lines: Chesapeake Watercraft Traditions, with its nearly 30 boats from the museum’s small-craft collection.

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

COURTESY VISIT BALTIMORE

A show at CFG Bank Arena

COURTESY CHESAPEAKE BAY MARITIME MUSEUM

ANTIETAM NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD VISITOR CENTER

Site of the deadliest one-day battle in American history, Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg is a must-see made even more appealing after a nearly $7 million, 940-day renovation of its visitor’s center. Reopened in September, highlights are new interactive exhibits and an expansive, window-lined orientation room with views of the battlefield. Outside, markers that provide a timeline of Civil War battles lead from the parking lot to the vistors center and an interpretive sculpture that depicts Antietam soldiers.

BY SCOTT CANTER, COURTESY VISIT HAGERSTOWN

OVERNIGHT SENSATIONS

HISTORIC INNS OF ANNAPOLIS

BY KARLO GESNER,

Three landmark buildings make up the swooningly elegant Historic Inns of Annapolis: the Maryland Inn, the Governor Calvert House and the Robert Johnson House. Together, they offer 124 rooms, in 18th-century structures that are appointed with modern amenities and period-style furnishings. Statesmen who were visiting Annapolis, the nation’s first peacetime capital, often stayed at the historic inns, which are located downtown within walking distance of the city’s attractions.

WISP RESORT

Nestled in the mountains of Western Maryland on the fringes of Deep Creek Lake, Wisp Resort serves up four seasons of fun for groups. From its humble beginnings as an improvised ski area in a cow pasture nearly 70 years ago, Wisp has become a resort with a 169-room lodge and newly renovated guest rooms, six restaurants, golf, chairlift rides in the summer, whitewater rafting and unexpected group activities like behind-the-scenes snowmaking tours.

Antietam National Battlefield

Wisp Resort

COURTESY WISP RESORT COURTESY HISTORIC INNS OF ANNAPOLIS

MEMORABLE MEALS

HARRISON’S HARBOR WATCH RESTAURANT AND RAW BAR

When visiting Maryland, groups simply must sample the state’s justifiably celebrated seafood. For four decades, family-owned Harrison’s Harbor Watch, which sits pretty at the southern end of the Ocean City boardwalk, has dished out the ocean’s bounty, caught locally and served fresh. Signature delicacies include cream of crab soup, oysters Rockefeller and rockfish. The view of the Inlet and Assateague Island is almost as scrumptious as the food.

THE CARRIAGE HOUSE INN

If the charming Carriage House Inn in Emmitsburg doesn’t have it all, it sure comes close. The New American-style cuisine is reliably great and the location — in a circa-1857 building tucked in the Catoctin Mountains foothills — is delightful. Live piano music enlivens weekends. During lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch, groups can fill up on favorites like fried oysters, crab-crusted haddock and prime rib in one of the restaurant’s private dining rooms.

VISITMARYLAND.ORG

COURTESY HARRISON’S HARBOR WATCH

Surf and turf at Harrisons

Harrison’s Harbor Watch in Ocean City

Crab-crusted haddock at the Carriage House Inn

The Carriage House Inn

Where rivers, rails, and even the National Road, America’s first federallyfunded highway, converged as the crossroads for America. With access to the outdoors, magical main streets, scenic byways and enduring historical experiences, Allegany County, the Mountain Side of Maryland, may have pioneered America’s first road trip, but the experiences for group travel and exploring just keep growing. THE TRAIL STARTS HERE.

Travel planners can arrange to have their groups met by “ghost players” at the “Field of Dreams” Movie Site near Dubque.

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DESTINATION

A HEARTLAND TAPESTRY

IOWA IS A PICTURESQUE BLEND OF NATURE, HISTORY AND CULTURE

BY RACHEL CRICK

When people think of Iowa, few expect to find a tapestry of culture, history and lively waterfront cities. But that describes eastern Iowa.

Bordered by the Mississippi River, the region encompasses far more than farmland — think museums, cultural sites, centuries-old buildings and impressive cuisine, although agritourism endeavors worthy of group tours are also part of the mix. Hollywood film locations, beautiful bluff country and worldly attractions are sure to pleasantly surprise any group.

DECORAH

Decorah is best known for its bluffs and its Norwegian American heritage.

The town is in the Driftless Area, the Midwestern region left untouched by glaciers.

“We have an outdoor playground all around us,” said Alyssa Ritter, marketing and community engagement specialist at Visit Decorah. “There’s lots of outdoor opportunities to enjoy and spend your time doing.”

One of Decorah’s most beautiful natural attractions, Dunning’s Spring Park, is home to one of three waterfalls near the city. A short, paved walkway leads to the 200-foot waterfall. There’s also a scenic overlook and trails suitable for active groups.

“We also have a lot of arts, cultural events, entertainment and a fantastic downtown district with numerous restaurants and small businesses,” Ritter said.

In that downtown district, the Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum is one of Decorah’s most popular attractions, with more than 33,000 artifacts related to the area’s Norwegian immigrants and their descendants. The museum includes historic buildings, a heritage park, a museum store and a folk-art school where groups can take workshops and make art. The downtown district also has restaurants and shops for groups to explore.

Group friendly restaurants include Mabe’s Pizza, a family-owned pizzeria, and Rubaiyat, a downtown bistro. Just outside the city, groups can sample what’s on tap at Toppling Goliath Brewery.

Another popular group attraction is Seed Savers Exchange, a seed bank that saves and shares heirloom seeds with farmers and educates the public about farming practices. Groups can buy seeds, attend events and learn what drives the operation’s success.

VISITDECORAH.COM

CEDAR RAPIDS

Cedar Rapids, bisected by the Cedar River, is a hub of culture in Eastern Iowa. Home to the National Czech and Slovak Library and Museum and The District: Czech Village and New Bohemia, its history has been shaped by Czech and other immigrants. Groups can tour the library and museum, then shop in the district’s specialty stores, boutiques and restaurants.

“We have amazing museums and a culture that has shaped our community,” said Emily Thole, sales and event manager at Cedar Rapids Tourism. “Lots of people who come here have found it’s such a welcoming community. ‘Welcome’ is our language.”

In addition to celebrating its Czech heritage, Cedar Rapids is home to the African American Museum of Iowa, which explores the history and legacy of African Americans in the state.

The community has also been shaped by art. Grant Wood, who painted the iconic portrait “American Gothic,” had a studio in Cedar Rapids, which groups can visit. They can also tour the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art to see the work of many other contemporary artists. Public art is also on display throughout Cedar Rapids.

Architecture and history buffs will want to visit the Paramount Theatre, nearly a century old, lovingly restored to honor its original design and still staging performances; and Brucemore, a 140-year-old opulent mansion on 26 acres that’s open for tours.

Groups can reconnect with nature at Indian Creek Nature Center, surrounded by serene trails. Or, they can head to Cedar Ridge Distillery, which produces Iowa’s number one bourbon. Other dining options for group meals include Pickle Palace, Lacayo Restaurant and Black Sheep Social Club. TOURISMCEDARRAPIDS.COM

IOWA CITY

Once the state capital, Iowa City is now best-known for the University of Iowa. The university’s esteemed writing program has made Iowa City the first in the U.S. to be designated a UNESCO City of Literature, and its art scene pays homage to its literary heritage. Among the tour options is a literary walking tour of downtown.

“Iowa City has the number one highest walkability score in Iowa,” said Stacey Houseman, vice president of sales and event experience at Think Iowa City. “We try to make things very accessible.”

Downtown Iowa City encompasses the University of Iowa’s campus, with plenty of restaurants, public art and nightlife to reflect the lively university’s presence. In the warmer months, the Northside downtown district closes off an entire city block to traffic and brings in extra seating so patrons can eat al fresco. Restaurants that welcome groups for a casual meal include George’s Buffet, a dive bar known for its cheeseburgers, and Bluebird Diner, which serves traditional diner fare.

Neighboring Coralville is also a playground for groups, with high-end shops and local businesses that are accessible and walkable.

Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah

BY SHAWN LINEHAN, COURTESY VISIT DECORAH

Major area attractions include the University of Iowa Stanley Museum, with works of notable artists such as Jackson Pollock; the Old Capitol Museum, for an interesting look into the state’s past; and live theater performances that get audiences involved through improv.

While renowned for its arts, literature and athletics, Iowa City also has great agritourism opportunities. At Wilson’s Orchard and Farm, groups can spend time outside, pick their own produce, shop in the farm’s market, and visit the bakery and cider house.

THINKIOWACITY.COM

DUBUQUE

Established in 1833 by Julien Dubuque, Dubuque is Iowa’s oldest city and predates Iowa statehood. It’s located right on the Mississippi River, which played an integral role in its milling and mining industries. Dubuque is home to many historic buildings, which groups can visit during Historic Progressive Dinners.

During one of these dining events, a step-on guide from Travel Dubuque will accompany a group to several buildings of historic significance. At each location, a different course is served. Among the buildings seen on the dining tour are Steeple Square, formerly St. Mary’s Church; the up and coming Historic Millwork District; and the Fannie Stout House, a restored Victorian home with stunning architecture. The excursion lasts three to four hours.

The “Field of Dreams” Movie Site is another popular Dubuque-area attraction. The location of the 1989 film starring Kevin Costner includes the house, baseball diamond and the farm seen in the movie. Tours, a catered lunch or an appearance of “Ghost Players” from the movie can be arranged. At another iconic Dubuque site, the Fenelon Place Elevator Company, groups can take in views of the tri-state area.

At mealtimes, groups can turn to the Morocco Supper Club and Timmerman’s Supper Club, or try out a local brewery.

“Groups should come to Dubuque because it really allows people to see the not-so-ordinary Iowa,” said Becky Carkeek of Travel Dubuque. “We are right along the Mississippi River, so we have the natural limestone bluffs and the steep hills. And Dubuque as a community did so well preserving our history while also trying to gain more in the arts and culture.”

TRAVELDUBUQUE.COM

COURTESY IOWA CITY/CORALVILLE AREA CVB

COURTESY VISIT DECORAH

Dunning’s Spring in Decorah

Lacayo Restaurant in Cedar Rapids

COURTESY CEDAR RAPIDS TOURISM OFFICE COURTESY CEDAR RAPIDS TOURISM OFFICE

Cedar Rapids’ Paramount Theatre

Outdoor

QUAD CITIES

Comprising four cities, two in Iowa and two in Illinois, the Quad Cities are a bustling region with plenty for groups to do and see.

“We like to call the Quad Cities a must-see regional destination positioned on the Mississippi River,” said Nicki Brus, business growth and service manager at Visit Quad Cities. “It’s a few communities, the largest being Davenport, Iowa.”

Davenport and nearby Bettendorf have a lot of history and culture, evident in museums like the Figge Art Museum, the German American Heritage Center and Museum and the Putnam Museum and Science Center.

The Mississippi River is another major draw, with several riverboat cruise companies to choose from. Among the most popular are the Riverboat Twilight and Celebration River Cruises. On Celebration River Cruises’ Celebration Belle, groups can enjoy a lunch, dinner or sightseeing cruise. Themed cruises are also offered. The Riverboat Twilight offers days-long excursions along the Mississippi.

For an experience paired with a delicious meal, groups can catch a Broadway caliber performance, complete with elaborate sets, costumes, talented actors and a tasty, multicourse meal, at the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse.

At Cinnamon Ridge Farms, which has been family owned for three generations, groups can learn about technological innovations like robotic milking. Farm-to-table meals or charcuterie boards with a wine or beer pairing are also options.

Other popular group friendly restaurants include the Machine Shed and Maid-Rite in Davenport.

Cheese aging at Cinnamon Ridge Farms in the Quad Cities

IT HAPPENED HERE

HISTORY LOVERS HAVE THEIR FILL IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

WBY JILL GLEESON

ashington, D.C., tells the stories of America like no other place can.

Since its founding in 1790 as the nation’s capital, this vibrant, vital city has been on the frontlines of American history. From Ford’s Theatre, the site of the Lincoln assassination, to Mount Vernon, where George Washington grew his wealth and ended his days, the D.C. area offers a bonanza of landmarks to visit.

And as befits its status as the seat of the federal government, D.C. is also home to institutions that chronicle our country’s heritage, including the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Together, the following four attractions offer an unparalleled look into our national past in a city that shapes the future every day.

FORD’S THEATRE

There are a number of ways for groups to experience Ford’s Theatre’s lovely auditorium and heart-breaking history. They can see plays and musicals throughout the year, including an annual production of the beloved classic “A Christmas Carol.” Groups may also walk through the theater where, on April 14, 1865, Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln as he watched a performance of “Our American Cousin.” An on-site museum has artifacts such as the Derringer pistol Booth used that fateful night. Across the street, the Petersen House and “Aftermath” exhibits detail the days following

BY MAXWELL MACKENZIE, COURTESY FORD’S

the assassination. Lincoln died at the former boarding house the morning after he was shot.

According to Theresa Belpulsi, senior vice president of tourism, sports and visitor experience at Destination D.C., the Investigation: Detective McDevitt tour, which can be booked through Ford’s Theatre, is a must.

“McDevitt was the investigator for the assassination, so they do a walking tour through downtown that is led through his eyes, which I think is absolutely fabulous,” she said. “It dives a little deeper than the museum. Groups can book it as a private tour.”

THEATER

Ford’s Theater, where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, is both a historic site and an active theater in Washington, D.C.

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE

The National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened in 2016 to widespread acclaim, perches on the National Mall next to the National Museum of American History. It’s also free, but groups are asked to split into clusters of 10 or fewer and reserve timed-entry passes. Tours are self-guided, and, according to Belpulsi, leaders should block out at least two hours for a visit.

“It’s packed full of things for everyone,” she said. “It walks you through the beginning of slavery, around the world and here, and then through African American history all the way up through pop culture today — everything from sports to music to film.”

The only national institution dedicated exclusively to detailing the Black experience, this superb Smithsonian museum houses some 40,000 artifacts. They include soul-stirring items such as abolitionist Harriet Tubman’s shawl, given to her by Queen Victoria; an invitation to President Obama’s 2009 inauguration; and Jesse Owens’ track shoes, which he wore when he won four gold medals during the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The 665,000-square-foot building is itself is a work of art, its exterior wrapped in bronze-hued lattice, a tribute to the ironwork crafted by enslaved African Americans in the South.

GEORGE WASHINGTON’S MOUNT VERNON

For more than four decades, George Washington, “the Father of His Country,” lived an 8,000-acre Virginia plantation graced by a 21-room mansion. Today, the property, on the bucolic banks of the Potomac about 15 miles south of Washington, is a must-visit for groups.

“Obviously, people who are coming here for history can’t forget about George Washington’s home,” Belpulsi said. “And what’s really great is, groups can grab a water taxi in D.C. and take it to Mount Vernon, and then the bus can pick them up to come back.”

Groups can make a whole afternoon out of a trip to Mount Vernon, taking tours led by first-person character interpreters or evening walks by candlelight through the house and grounds or visiting the working reconstructions of Washington’s gristmill and distillery. Other options include a wreath-laying ceremony at Washington’s tomb and a flag-raising event at the front gate. A museum and an education center, where a 4D film about the Revolutionary War is screened, share more stories and history. For a special treat, leaders might want to plan a group lunch at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant with an interpreter who will portray a character from the president’s life.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY

For an exhaustive but energizing look at our nation’s past, the National Museum of American History may have no rivals. Part of the Smithsonian Institution, the museum covers 300,000 square feet of exhibition, programming and public space. Its 1.7 million objects are a wide mix, everything from Dorothy’s ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” and the original Star-Spangled Banner, which inspired our national anthem to the Alexander Graham Bell telephone and a robe and gloves worn by boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

Groups will want to linger over thought-provoking, poignant exhibitions such as The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, an 18,000-square-foot look at U.S. military history, and The American Presidency, which surveys the triumphs and tribulations of the men who have led our country since its inception. Admission is free, but the museum is not currently offering private group tours.

“Leaders should give their groups no less than two hours to explore so they can spend a little more time in the different parts of the museum that interest them most,” Belpulsi said. “They also have an on-site restaurant, so you can schedule lunch for there, too.”

COURTESY GEORGE WASHINGTON’S MOUNT VERNON COURTESY WASHINGTON.ORG

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Gardens at Mount Vernon

National Museum of American History

STUDENT TRAVEL ISSUE

COURTESY WASHINGTON.ORG

NATIVE FLAVORS

CULINARY EXPERIENCES SHOWCASE AMERICA’S INDIGENOUS CULTURES

Travelers can sample traditional Native dishes such as bison chili at Tocabe Restaurant and Indian Marketplace in Denver.

BY DIANA BOCCO

Across the United States, a remarkable culinary movement is under way.

Indigenous foods have historically been hard to find, but a growing number of chefs and cultural advocates are working to change this. They have a deep dedication to authentic Indigenous culinary artistry, a commitment to sustainability and local sourcing, and a passion for sharing the rich heritage of Native American communities.

Through them, visitors can step into a world where traditional Indigenous foods are not only accessible but celebrated, each dish telling the story of its people, history and land.

These extraordinary venues, from renowned restaurants to dynamic cooking classes and festive gatherings, wait to be explored by group travelers.

INDIAN PUEBLO KITCHEN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO

Tucked inside Albuquerque’s Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, the renowned Indian Pueblo Kitchen invites patrons on an authentic Indigenous culinary journey, highlighted by inventive Native American cuisine and the legendary warmth of Pueblo hospitality.

“Indian Pueblo Kitchen has operated in one form or another since the early 1980s and is well known for its Pueblo oven bread, Indian taco, variety of stews and remarkable hospitality,” said Monique Fragua, chief operating officer at Indian Pueblo Kitchen.

Indian Pueblo Kitchen is owned by New Mexico’s 19 Pueblos and features the flavors of their Native communities.

“The Indian Pueblo Kitchen is much more than a restaurant; it is a cultural experience with foods that remind us of home,” said Fragua. “Our culinary team brings the flavors of our Pueblo communities to our delicious madefrom-scratch recipes.

“Our menu features selected items grown at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center’s award-winning Resilience Garden. From peaches in our pies to amaranth grown for our recipes, we’re thankful to have a wonderful partner to help us secure produce. The restaurant’s dishes also feature staples of New Mexico cuisine, including white hominy, beans, corn, and red and green chile.”

For groups that want to immerse themselves in this rich dining experience, the restaurant offers both cozy indoor seating and a vibrant outdoor patio. After a hearty meal, they can explore the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center’s rotating museum exhibitions, lectures, hands-on activities and workshops.

INDIANPUEBLOKITCHEN.ORG

OWAMNI RESTAURANT MINNEAPOLIS

Chef Sean Sherman founded award-winning Owamni in Minneapolis to celebrate Native American ingredients and foodways. Born and raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Sherman has always been passionate about reconnecting with his heritage through food.

“At Owamni, we look at the world through a decolonized lens,” said Owamni’s public relations manager, Jennifer Weismann. “We serve only wild game and ingredients that are indigenous to the Americas — bison, elk, venison, duck, geese, plus locally foraged mushrooms and crab apples.”

Special tasting menus that change with the seasons explore the diversity of flavors that indigenous ingredients offer. Owamni’s executive Chef Lee Garman creates the recipes by researching Indigenous ways of cooking. “We then modernize them for the modern kitchen,” said Weismann. “All of the ingredients we use were in the Americas pre1491, before the Columbus ‘exchange.’”

Owamni prioritizes purchasing from local and national Indigenous food producers and has removed colonial ingredients such as beef, pork, chicken, wheat flour, cane sugar and dairy from its dishes. The restaurant’s extensive wine list is predominantly BIPOC winemakers, with a focus on Indigenous producers.

“Owamni emphasizes job creation by featuring a majority Native staff, offering Indigenous products developed by Native food producers and showcasing true North American Indigenous foods and culture,” Weismann said.

OWAMNI.COM

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Enchiladas at Indian Pueblo Kitchen

Owamni Restaurant in Minneapolis

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FOUR DIRECTIONS COOKING CLASSES

DENVER

Adopted from Venezuela and raised in rural Ohio, Denver chef Andrea Murdoch carries her Indigenous Andean roots into every dish she makes. “My culture and life experiences influence the dishes I create,” Murdoch said.

Today, she works as a private chef and offers catering services, but one of her favorite things to do is run group classes that capture the essence of Indigenous cooking while they shy away from mass-produced factory-farm food in favor of locally grown and Native-produced ingredients.

“We predominantly use pre-colonial ingredients with a few exceptions like all-purpose flour in our original blue cornmeal sugar cookie recipe,” said Murdoch. “All of our animal proteins are pre-colonial too, so we use buffalo, rabbit, quail, turkey and duck and abstain from ingredients like beef, pork and chicken.”

Just like her menus, Murdoch makes sure the group cooking classes follow the rhythm of the seasons. She often rolls out four to six different classes centered on four main themes (seafood, meat, plant-based and baking) throughout the year.

“Our current baking class is for a Ute corn swirl cake, where we make two different recipes and then have a critical discussion about the differences based on the ingredient substitutions we made,” she said.

Murdoch also runs The Rooted Andina Community Nights, an exchange experience that allows visitors to explore Native Indigenous culture through Indigenous science and food. During these events, which can be booked for private groups, visitors tour the Pachamama5453 project, where indigenous ingredients are grown and then used in recipes, before being led to an outdoor gathering for a fourcourse Indigenous chef’s table. As each course is brought out to diners, Murdoch will discuss the crop etymology and use of ingredients.

FOURDIRECTIONSCUISINE.COM

SCHEMITZUN FESTIVAL MASHANTUCKET, CONNECTICUT

At the Mashantucket Pequot Cultural Grounds, the Schemitzun Festival is a vibrant celebration of Indigenous culture held every August. Schemitzun — meaning ‘Feast of Green Corn and Dance’ — is an homage to the agricultural cycle of Native American tribes, particularly their reverence for the corn harvest.

Visitors can taste an array of Indigenous cuisine at the festival — from fire-roasted corn on the cob to savory bison stew, chowders and wild game prepared in the old ways. Modern favorites like Indian tacos, bison burgers and freshly made fry bread are also on the menu. All food is prepared by celebrated New England Native chefs who honor traditional recipes and select natural, locally sourced ingredients.

But there’s more to Schemitzun than great food. In addition to a traditional corn blessing, the festival also features vibrant tribal dances, drumming, live music and artists selling their crafts. At the festival’s 17th-century Eastern Woodland Village exhibit, Pequot cultural traditions come to life during demonstrations of fire-pit cooking, basketry and beadwork. SCHEMITZUN.COM

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A Native American soup prepared at a Four Directions cooking class

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A meal at Connecticut’s Schemitzun Festival

TOCABE RESTAURANT AND INDIGENOUS MARKETPLACE DENVER

As the only restaurant in Denver that offers a full menu of Native American food, Tocabe’s mission has always been to remove the barriers and challenges that make Native foods inaccessible.

“On our menu, you can find Indian tacos with housemade fry bread, grain bowls including wild rice, wheatberries, green chili stew and bison chili — all made with traditional and Native ingredients,” said Ben Jacobs, co-founder of Tocabe and member of the Osage Nation.

“We live and operate by the philosophy ‘Native first, local second’ so we do our best to source all of our ingredients from Native producers and suppliers first,” said Jacobs, who added that one of their most popular dishes is Iko’s Green Chili Stew. “Another fan favorite is our bison ribs, cured for 24 hours, then slowly braised in a rich bison stock before being glazed and grilled with berry barbecue sauce.”

After a hearty meal at the restaurant, visitors can stock up on traditional ingredients at the restaurant’s online Indigenous Marketplace or order one of Tocabe’s Harvest Meals.

“The meals can be ordered online to ship nationwide and are fully cooked, allowing recipients to simply heat and enjoy,” said Jacobs. “Our Harvest Meals are the very same meals as our direct-to-tribe ready meal program, which provides nutritious meals that we deliver monthly to Spirit Lake Nation.”

TOCABE.COM

BY RACHEL GREIMAN, COURTESY TOCABE RESTAURANT

MIIJIM

LA POINTE, WISCONSIN

Nestled on La Point, Wisconsin’s serene Madeline Island — known to the Ojibwe people as Mooningwanekaaning — Miijim marries local Native American flavors with elegant French flair.

Chef Bryce Stevenson, a member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, lends his culinary expertise to Miijim’s kitchen. Drawing from his rich experiences leading the Indigenous Food Lab and his tenure at the esteemed Hotel Fauchère, Stevenson infuses every plate served at Miijim with his culinary finesse.

The menu at Miijim features dishes that spotlight non-colonial meats like deer, elk and rabbit, all paired with the island’s wild edibles, from mushrooms and ramps to chaga and bergamot.

At Miijim, each dish not only pleases the palate but also tells a story of the land and its first people. Whether it’s through a specially curated wine pairing or a seasonal menu that celebrates the bounty of Madeline Island, Miijim perfectly blends culture with innovation, sustainability and culinary excellence.

Groups can also enjoy an array of local beers and a selection of fine French wines while they admire the artwork by local Indigenous artists that adorns the walls. MIIJIM.COM

COURTESY MIIJIM

Tocabe’s bison ribs

A stuffed squash dish at Miijim

Carolina Firsts

HISTORY IS A HIGHLIGHT OF THESE TWIN SOUTHERN STATES

BY CYNTHIA BARNES

It’s hard to overstate the role the Carolinas have played in America’s history.

Both North and South Carolina have a plethora of historical firsts. The first European colony, San Miguel de Gualdape, was established by Spain in 1526, and was also the site of the first slave revolt. The first English colony was established on Roanoke Island in what is now North Carolina in 1585. In 1587, the first English child born on American soil was born there. Her name was Virginia Dare. The battle at Fort Sumter, South Carolina, in April 1861 marked the start of the Civil War.

The Wright Brothers achieved the first successful powered flight near Kitty Hawk in 1903, and in 1914, Babe Ruth hit his first home run in Fayetteville.

From the beaches of North Carolina’s Outer Banks to the glories of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, from the charm of Charleston to the dramatic Blue Ridge Escarpment, traveling the Carolinas is a trip worth taking. Here are a few historic sites that should be on your next itinerary.

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie

National Historical Park

Charleston Harbor, South Carolina

Ranger Walt Young often leads groups of middle-schoolers on tours around Fort Sumter, pointing out fingerprints on bricks and having the kids put their hands in the grooves. “They’re about the same size as yours?” he asks them. “That’s because children about your age were making them.”

Fingerprints

It’s a gentle but eye-opening way to bring home the realities of slavery, at the site where on April 12, 1861, Confederate troops fired on the fort in Charleston Harbor — the culmination of a succession crisis which began six months earlier with the election of Abraham Lincoln.

“Fort Sumter is the place the American Civil War began, and it’s a place that shaped our country’s history like few others,” said Young. “It’s the place where the first death of the Civil War happened, a place that was destroyed by the war, and a place where people who’d just been freed from slavery came to celebrate the flag.” At the celebration on April 14, 1865, Major Robert Anderson raised the stars and stripes over the ruins of Fort Sumter, four years from the day Confederate troops had made him haul down the same flag.

Tours begin with a relaxing 30-minute boat ride operated by Fort Sumter Tours. Boats can accommodate up to 385 people, and groups should make reservations in advance. Those on the first and

Groups

“Fort Sumter is the place the American Civil War began and it’s a place that shaped our country’s history like few others”

— WALT YOUNG, FORT SUMTER

JOHNSON, COURTESY SC PARKS

last boat departures of the day will see the raising or lowering of the American flag, a memorable experience.

Located on Sullivan’s Island, the first iteration of Fort Moultrie was still under construction when British forces attacked it one week before the colonies declared their independence on July 4, 1776. The fort has been restored to show the major periods of its history from 1809 through 1947. NPS.GOV/FOSU

Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site Union, South Carolina

Rose Hill Plantation was established along the Tyger River in 1811 by Francis Fincher Gist. His illegitimate son, William Henry Gist, was a strong supporter of slavery who became governor of South Carolina in 1858 and led the charge for succession. At the beginning of the Civil War, the plantation enslaved 178 men, women and children who labored on 5,000 acres to produce corn and cotton and to care for the mansion and its elaborate gardens. Pardoned by President Andrew Johnson, Gist returned to Rose Hill and died in 1874.

The historic plantation and 44 acres were purchased by the State of South Carolina in 1960. Part of the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, the site now interprets the experiences of formerly enslaved people who stayed on as tenant farmers after emancipation. While the grounds are open to the public, two original structures — the three-story mansion and the kitchen house — are available for tours by appointment only. The grounds contain ruins of tenant farmer houses, gardens, a nature trail down to the river, mature magnolia trees, a picnic area and two cemeteries. The meticulously restored home has period furnishings and clothing, as well as copies of the signed succession documents that sparked the Civil War.

A Rose Hill garden

An original brick from Rose Hill Plantation

Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor COURTESY EXPLORECHARLESTON.COM

can explore the Biltmore rooftop and other seldom visited areas during tours of the Asheville mansion.

Oconee Station State Historic Site

Walhalla, South Carolina

In 1792, Oconee Station, an Appalachian outpost 300 miles northwest of Charleston, was in the Wild West, where state militia responded to tensions between settlers and the Creek and Cherokee tribes that had called the region home for centuries. (Oconee County takes its name from the Cherokee word ‘Ae-quo-nee’ meaning ‘land beside the water.’) The militia built a blockhouse with 20-inch stone walls that became a frontier trading post when the station was decommissioned in 1799.

"We have a 230-year-old building that has never been moved, has never had major alterations, and the William Richards House, which served as a private residence for 150 years.”

— STEFANI OSBORNE, OCONEE STATION STATE HISTORIC SITE

The stone walls of the frontier post still stand at Oconee, along with a home built by settler William Richards in 1805.

“We have a 230-year-old building that has never been moved, has never had major alterations,” said park interpreter Stefani Osborne, “and the William Richards House, which served as a private residence for 150 years.”

The landscape also tells a story, Osborne said.

“A lot of the details that are left around the property really show how people lived here and cared about this place for more than 200 years. We have some interesting landscaping plants and some fruit trees. All of that is from the many families that came through and decided they wanted to put in a fig tree, they wanted to grow lemons. Those still paint the landscape here.”

The cove’s protected microclimate ensures that wildflowers bloom throughout the year, and a 1.5-mile nature trail connects hikers to Station Cove Falls. Group tours can be customized.

“I can spend an hour talking about the late 1800s or what folks were doing in the 1930s,” said Osborne. “So it can be incredibly personalized in a way that maybe you wouldn’t get at some of the more frequented and busy sites.” SOUTHCAROLINAPARKS.COM/

PHOTOS COURTESY SC PARKS

Historic

Bring your group to see a powerful story of hope unfold at the Billy Graham Library. Together, you can explore engaging multimedia presentations, displays, photos, and memorabilia. Come discover how God used a dairy farmer’s son to tell the world about His love—and see for yourself how this never-changing message changes everything.

The Biltmore

Asheville, North Carolina

No Gilded Age family was more gilded than the Vanderbilts, whose fortune was founded by steamboat operator-turned-shipping magnate Cornelius. His grandson, George, built a “summer home” in the Blue Ridge Mountains that remains the nation’s largest residence. The 175,000- square-foot French Renaissance château opened after six years of construction on Christmas Eve 1895. The grand “cottage” was opened to the public in 1930; priceless works of art were stored there for safekeeping during World War II.

The estate is glorious in any season. Especially popular with groups are specialized tours including a rooftop tour with close views of the mansion’s famed gargoyles and a “backstairs” tour that examines the lives of servants at the legendary residence.

BILTMORE.COM

1898 Monument and Memorial Park

Wilmington, North Carolina

The charming riverside city of Wilmington abounds in history, but perhaps none more painful than massacre in 1898. Members of the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) fought valiantly in Wilmington, a pivotal battle that helped ensure a Union victory. Many of the soldiers settled in the city, building a thriving and prosperous Black community. On November 10, 1898, white supremacists murdered many Black residents, burned Black-owned businesses and deposed

the city’s multi-racial Reconstruction government — the only successful coup d’état in American history.

Cedric Harrison, whose family has been in Wilmington for generations, operates WilmingtoNColor, a shuttle tour that takes visitors on a 70-minute tour that covers more than 200 years of the city’s rich Black heritage.

“We try to connect the dots of the past with the present,” said Harrison, “with hopes of building a better future.”

WILMINGTONANDBEACHES.COM

Historic Bath State Historic Site Bath, North Carolina

Wilmington’s 1898 Monument

French Protestants from Virginia found a home on the banks of the Pamlico River in the 1690s, and in 1705, Bath became North Carolina’s first incorporated town. Three years later, Bath was home to 50 people and 12 houses, its inhabitants trading in furs and tobacco, making it the first port of entry. It was also a favored location of one Edward Teach, a pirate better known as Blackbeard. Today, Bath has about 250 residents and a beautifully preserved district that’s a must for history lovers.

Site manager Laura Rogers recommends that groups begin their visit by checking out the site’s new exhibition.

“We’ve had it open for about a year and it’s a great overview of Bath’s history, both pre-contact with Native Americans all the way through the early 20th century,” she said. “It provides an excellent base for people to learn before they explore the town. Groups can book guided tours of the historic houses, and we have a beautiful picnic area, as well.” HISTORICSITES.NC.GOV

PHOTOS COURTESY WILMINGTON AND BEACHES CVB

The Biltmore estate from above

Staff Sound-off

WHAT’S THE BEST THING YOU HAVE READ, WATCHED OR LISTENED TO SO FAR THIS YEAR?

JEWELL

WILSON

Somehow I made it to my early 40s without ever reading “The Lord of the Rings.” But I loved the movies, so I decided to tackle the book series this year. I had no idea how long it would be — each book of the trilogy runs around 500 pages — but so far it has been absolutely riveting, even though I already know what’s going to happen.

IIt was really last year, but I read “Shoe Dog” about Nike and how Phil Knight created the company.

IWRITER & PROJECT COORDINATOR

RACHEL CRICK ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER

EDITOR’S NOTE

’ve been reading my devotional every week, and it has been great reading material for me.

Ilove a good health-and-wellness or true-crime podcast. The best thing on TV is the “Traitors” reality show.

t’s a tie between two novels — “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt and “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver. These books were the ones that got me out of my reading slump.

’ve been re-reading the Laura Ingles Wilder books the past few years and find them warm, delightful, funny and memorable. I am also currently reading Victor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” and Henry Cloud’s “Boundaries.” Revisiting the movie “Little Women” has been a favorite moment between my daughter and me over Christmas, and I have absolutely enjoyed binging “Young Sheldon” on Netflix. It’s hilarious and heart-warming. “Diary of a CEO” has also been something I have enjoyed listening to over the past year.

“Wonka”

Welcome to Staff Sound-Off, the column where our staff members answer questions about their travel habits and their lives. We hope you enjoy these tips. If you have a question you’d like to see us answer, send it to me and it may appear in a future issue.

GROUP TOUR?

BRING IT TO

In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, your group has no shortage of activities to help them reconnect and bond. There are 60 miles of beaches, engaging group tour itineraries, more than 2,000 restaurants, botanical gardens, plus live theater and music every night of the week, just to scratch the surface. There's no better place to get together

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