The Group Travel Leader February 2024

MAG N I FIC E NT M IC H IGAN

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BOISE BRINGS IT

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L O U I S I A N A R I V E R R E G I O N H O L I D AY S

Milwaukee

OPENS A WINDOW TO

WISCONSIN MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

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FEBRUARY 2024

EXPERIENCE PRESCOTT

One of Arizona’s Most Beautiful & Historic Destinations.

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ArkEncounter.com/groups An attraction of Answers in Genesis

CONTENTS

CHARTING THE EVOLUTION OF GROUP TR AVEL

COLU M NS

ON TH E COVE R

The Milwaukee Art Museum’s Quadracci Pavilion is an achievement in stunning architectural design. Photo by AWL Images.

6 Editor’s Marks

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Michigan Spotlight

Music Origins

All About Boise

VOL 33 | ISSUE 2

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

ISSUE

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ONSITE IN LOUISIANA’S RIVER REGION These parishes deliver holiday fun.

K Y LE AN D E R SO N

859.253.0455

Founder and Publisher

MAC T. LACY

CHARLES A. PRESLEY Partner

VP & Executive Editor Senior Writer Creative Director Graphic Design & Circulation

BRIAN JEWELL HERBERT SPARROW DONIA SIMMONS ASHLEY RICKS

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KYLE ANDERSON BRYCE WILSON RACHEL CRICK SARAH SECHRIST RENA BAER

kyle@grouptravelleader.com

Director of Sales & Marketing Advertising Account Manager Writer & Project Coordinator Controller Copy Editor

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BEST O F WIS CO NSI N

Explore this gem of the Upper Midwest.

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) 253-0455 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.

EDITOR’S MARKS

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BY BRIAN JEWELL

o you know too much about group travel?

If you suspect this may be a trick question, trust your intuition. It’s impossible to know too much, of course, especially about an area with which you’re deeply involved. The more passionate you are about a topic, the more likely you will study it in detail. And as you acquire more knowledge, you become more insightful and, hopefully, more effective.

That’s not the full story, though. Because learning brings risks as well as rewards. And one of those risks is knowing too much can hold you back from innovation.

Social scientists call this phenomenon the burden of knowledge. Learning about a topic from others who have come before you can load you down with knowledge, making it difficult to discover new things. Facts, war stories and best practices can all be helpful on their own. But as they accumulate over time, they form a body of conventional wisdom that discourages risk-taking and creativity.

That’s why many people who make waves and blaze trails — in travel and in other industries — come from outside the establishment. They don’t have the burden of knowledge holding them back, so they’re free to try things insiders would never think of.

I was reminded of this recently during a fascinating and inspiring conversation with Fred Carlson.

Fred is the founder of SerVacations, a tour company that arranges volunteering-focused trips for multigenerational groups. When Fred plans a trip, he spends a lot of time thinking about things like charity partners, family-friendly activities, childcare and other things that would make many traditional tour operators’ heads spin.

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But Fred is no ordinary tour operator. He’s a civil engineer by training.

And before he launched SerVacations, he founded and subsequently sold a number of other businesses in unrelated fields. He came into tourism because his family was looking for a way to volunteer on vacation. And when he couldn’t find an organization that specialized in that type of trip, he decided to start one.

SerVacations is doing things most other tour companies don’t, in part because Fred didn’t have the burden of conventional wisdom saying his ideas wouldn’t work. And a few years in, his company is thriving, with clients requesting trips around the country and even abroad.

(You can hear my full conversation with Fred on a recent episode of our podcast Gather and Go, available wherever you listen to podcasts or at grouptravelleader.com/podcast.)

What does this mean for you? Well, it depends on how much you already know.

If you’re relatively new to the tourism industry, take heart. Others know more than you, but that’s OK. Your naivete might just be the key to a breakthrough your more knowledgeable colleagues would never think of.

If you’re a tourism veteran, on the other hand, understanding the burden of knowledge can help you become aware of your blind spots.

And it should cause you to consider ideas from your younger and newer colleagues. You may be tempted to say “that could never work” and dismiss their suggestions. But in doing so, you might be ignoring a creative spark that could revolutionize your entire business.

Learning from the past was the key to getting where you are now. But unlearning some of those lessons may be the key to unlocking your future.

CUSTOM CONTENT

Virginia Beach is a natural for tours with environmental twists

BY VICKIE MITCHELL

I

t’s natural for tours of Virginia Beach to focus on its three-mile boardwalk and generous beaches.

But adding stops that blend the seaside and ecology could make for an even better trip.

A Seaside Start

A logical place to start is First Landing State Park, which preserves the spot where English colonists first landed in 1607. With a mile and a half of sandy beach along the Chesapeake Bay and 20 miles of trails through swamps and hardwood forests, it’s no wonder First Landing is Virginia’s most popular state park. On guided hikes, groups can learn about the native people, pirates and Civil War soldiers who once trod there, or hear about its native plants and varied wildlife and the swamp’s role in balancing the environment. Active groups can take a kayak tour arranged through a local outfitter.

Get Aquatic

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is a deep dive into aquatic life. In its aquariums, sharks, crocodiles, and saltwater and freshwater fishes glide

through 800,000 gallons of water. Thousands of animals represent 300 species, including the crowd favorites, harbor seals and river otters. “They like to show off,” says Jim Coggin, Tourism Sales Manager with Visit Virginia Beach.

Early this year, the aquarium’s South Building reopened after an expansion and renovation with more hands-on exhibits, including one where visitors can safely touch moon jellyfish.

The aquarium is also home base for dolphin and whale watching tours. Spring through fall, boats follow friendly schools of bottlenose dolphins. “We have the largest population of bottlenose dolphins on the East Coast,” said Coggin. In the winter, the search is on for whales. They aren’t quite as plentiful as dolphins, but when whales are spotted, it is a breathtaking moment, and often, the adults have their young alongside.

New and Nautical

The area’s newest environmental attraction, the Brock Environmental Center, was built about a decade ago on a peninsula next to the Lynnhaven River at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. Striking in its design, the center demonstrates the value of alternative energy, water conservation, recycling and reuse. Built from pieces and parts of buildings being torn down in the area, it grabs more energy than it needs from the wind and sun and collects thousands of gallons of rainwater for its needs.

The center is also hard at work to rebuild the oyster population using mobile oyster restoration barges. Along its Oyster Path, visitors learn about the steps that are being taken to reestablish the oysters, which not only provide food but also help clean rivers and the bay and provide critical habitat for other creatures. Both Native Americans and African Americans have been involved in oystering, and themed talks about those topics and others can be arranged through center staff.

The center’s ambitious goal to add 10 billion oysters is inspiring; it might also whet some appetites, sending tours off to end their day at a seaside restaurant that specializes in oyster dinners.

visitvirginiabeach.com/group-tour FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: JIM COGGIN TOURISM SALES MANAGER 757-385-6642 JCOGGIN@VISITVIRGINIABEACH.COM

LOUISIANA FAM

Louisiana River Region FAM highlights, clockwise from left: A group shot in Gretna; bubble tents in historic Gretna; touring Mandeville; the group and their Lewis Coaches motorcoach COURTE SY JCVB

“For me, the best parts of this trip were the experiences I’ve never done before, like being in a parade, participating in a bonfire and fireworks, and eating in a bubble.”

— BETH WHI TE,

DI RECTI ONS TOURS

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ONSITE IN LOUISIANA’S RIVER REGION

WITH THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER

WITH THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER

COU RTESY J CV B

T R AV E L P L A N N E R S E N J OY E D A S O U T H E R N -S T Y L E H O L I DAY CE L E B R AT I O N O N T H E M I S S I S S I P P I

YOU DON’T NEED SNOW TO FIND YOUR CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.

PH OTOS BY R AC H EL C R IC K EXC EPT WH ER E NOTED

That’s what seven readers of The Group Travel Leader learned on a five-day holiday-themed familiarization tour hosted by the parishes of Louisiana’s River Region. The group hopped from parish to parish to experience the holiday attractions in each and enjoy Louisiana’s famous hospitality. They saw the region’s already colorful landscape transformed into a winter wonderland, not with weather but with strings of lights, soul food and Christmas cheer. And they got to participate in some of the area’s most integral Christmas traditions, from small-town parades spreading joy through the community to the bonfires said to guide Papa Noel on his Christmas Eve journey.

Follow along with their itinerary for some ideas on crafting your next holiday tour in Louisiana’s River Region.

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Da y 1 • ARRIVE IN KENNER • DINNER AT GENDUSA’S ITALIAN EATERY • HOLIDAY LASER SHOW AT KENNER PLANETARIUM • HISTORIC RIVERTOWN’S CHRISTMAS VILLAGE • OVERNIGHT IN KENNER

Spaghetti and meatballs at Gendusa’s

Rivertown Science Center

BY K Y L E ANDERS ON

The group at Gendusa’s Italian Eatery

After arriving in Kenner and checking in at the Holiday Inn New Orleans Airport North, group travel planners headed to Kenner’s Historic Rivertown for a delicious dinner at Gendusa’s Italian Eatery, famous for its massive portions. After their meal, guests explored Historic Rivertown, where they got to see a Christmas-themed laser show at the Rivertown Science Center and Kenner Planetarium.

They finished the evening by walking around Historic Rivertown’s Christmas Village, which is Kenner’s Heritage Park transformed by countless strings of twinkling lights and holiday décor.

VISIT KENNER

CAROLYN BARRETT CAROLYN@VISITKENNER.US

VISITKENNER.US

Da y 2 Historic Rivertown’s Christmas Village

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• VISIT JEAN BAPTISTE LANG CREOLE HOUSE MUSEUM IN MANDEVILLE • SHOP AT MANDEVILLE’S CHRISTMAS PAST FESTIVAL • TOUR INSTA-GATOR RANCH AND HATCHERY IN COVINGTON • DINE AT ABITA ROASTING COMPANY IN MADISONVILLE • PARTICIPATE IN PONCHATOULA’S CHRISTMAS PARADE • CHRISTMAS AT RISE IN TICKFAW • DINE AT TOPE LA RESTAURANT IN HAMMOND • OVERNIGHT IN HAMMOND

Day two of the Holiday FAM began with a hearty breakfast of shrimp and grits and beignets at the Holiday Inn New Orleans Airport North. The group was joined by Santa and Mrs. Claus for breakfast and a photo-op before heading off to the Northshore.

They stopped at the Jean Baptiste Lang Creole House Museum and then shopped at the Mandeville Christmas Past Festival. From there, they traveled to Covington to meet some of Louisiana’s most notorious scaly creatures at Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery. After dining at Abita Roasting Company in Madisonville, the travel planners headed to Tangipahoa Parish to sip on some strawberry daiquiris and hop on board a float at the Ponchatoula Christmas Parade, from which they tossed beads and toys to parade spectators.

The evening finished with everyone enjoying a dinner of hearty pasta and seafood dishes at Tope La Restaurant before checking into the Hampton Inn Hammond for a good night’s sleep.

Beignets and shrimp and grits breakfast

A gator encounter

MANDEVILLE’S CHRISTMAS PAST FESTIVAL Mandeville’s Christmas Past Festival, an annual event held in Mandeville one Saturday in December, has been spreading Christmas cheer for more than 19 years. It’s no wonder. The event is a huge hit with the community, featuring booths lining several blocks selling artisan-made goods and local food and beverages.

Shoppers will find everything from locally roasted coffee beans to handmade home décor to jewelry. Das Schulerhaus Christmas Boutique, a year-round Christmas boutique selling ornaments and other Christmas décor, is also on the festival route.

A gator waiting for treats

The group in Mandeville

INSTA-GATOR RANCH AND HATCHERY There’s no better place to learn about Louisiana’s alligator population than at Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery. Founded in 1989, it began as part of a highly successful effort to replenish the American alligator population. Today it offers interactive tours that let visitors meet and interact with the gators. During their visit to the ranch, groups can see gator enclosures, feed them marshmallows and even hold them. If they visit in August, they may get to participate in one of the most coveted experiences at Insta-Gator Ranch: letting an alligator egg hatch in your hand.

PONCHATOULA’S CHRISTMAS PARADE Ponchatoula is known as Louisiana’s Strawberry Capital, thanks to its abundant and delicious strawberry crop. That’s why it’s no surprise that the annual Ponchatoula Christmas Parade features a strawberry-themed float, headed by the Strawberry king and queen, along with many other floats from which riders toss beads, toys and candy to spectators. Groups can watch the parade from the sidelines with a strawberry daiquiri in hand or even arrange to ride on a parade float to partake in the fun.

“Everyone is very friendly and very creative.

Each parish made us feel welcome.”

— J E N N I F E R A R R I G O, N OTC H A B OVE TOURS

Jean Baptiste Lang Creole House Museum

A float in the Ponchatoula Christmas Parade

Chicken and waffles from Abita Roasting Company

BY K Y LE AN D ERSON

G R O U P T R AV E L L E A D E R . C O M

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The group’s float in the Ponchatoula Christmas Parade

CHRISTMAS AT RISE A festive light show, plentiful photo-ops and a holiday performance are all part of Christmas at Rise. This magical campus in Tickfaw is enchanting for groups of all ages. Visitors can walk through tunnels of Christmas lights and get photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Elsa and Olaf from Disney’s’ “Frozen” and even the Grinch. There’s also an arena for snowball fights and a show on a hayride, where actors jump on and off the wagon as they regale guests with an interactive Christmas story.

VISIT THE NORTHSHORE TANYA LEADER

BY LO R ET TA WILLIA MS, COU RTESY TA NGIPA H OA PA R IS H TOURI ST COMMI SSI ON

Breakfast at Son of a Biscuit

TANYA@VISITTHENORTHSHORE.COM

VISITTHENORTHSHORE.COM

TANGIPAHOA PARISH CVB

EMILY MCKNEELY MATISE EMILY@TANGITOURISM.COM

TANGITOURISM.COM

A Grinch photo-op CO URT E SY TA N G IPA HOA PA RIS H TOU R IST COMMIS S ION

Christmas at Rise

Oak trees at Oak Alley Plantation

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Da y 3 • BREAKFAST AT SON OF A BISCUIT IN HAMMOND • CAJUN VILLAGE AND COFFEE HOUSE IN SORRENTO • HOUMAS HOUSE ESTATE AND GARDENS IN DARROW • OAK ALLEY PLANTATION IN VACHERIE • BONFIRE AT FELICITY PLANTATION IN VACHERIE • NIGHTCAP AT LEGENDS SPORTS BAR AND GRILL IN VACHERIE • OVERNIGHT IN LAPLACE The third day of the holiday FAM kicked off with breakfast at Son of a Biscuit in Hammond, where groups enjoyed scrumptious meals like chicken and red velvet waffles. Then the group headed to Ascension Parish’s Cajun Village and Coffee House to shop for souvenirs and treats at this collection of shops. Up next was a visit to Houmas House Estate and Gardens, home to Great River Road Museum, where the travel planners enjoyed a buffet lunch at the plantation’s Dixie Café before going on a guided tour of the home and perusing the museum. The group traveled to a couple other

plantations that evening, including Oak Alley Plantation in St. James Parish, where they enjoyed a mint julep and a tour, and nearby Felicity Plantation, where they had dinner and watched a bonfire and fireworks show. The evening ended with a nightcap at Legends Sports Bar and Grill and an overnight at Hampton Inn LaPlace.

CAJUN VILLAGE AND COFFEE HOUSE This collection of restored Acadian buildings houses a café and several shops, which sell everything from sports memorabilia to home goods to Cajun spices and food. The café offers classics like beignets and café au lait for groups to enjoy while they shop for souvenirs and gifts. Visitors can also wander over to the village’s pond to catch a glimpse of their two live alligators.

A bonfire and fireworks at Felicity Plantation

HOUMAS HOUSE ESTATE AND GARDENS Houmas House Estate and Gardens is known for its sprawling, beautifully manicured gardens and its opulent plantation mansion.

It’s also home to three restaurants, lodging and the recently opened Great River Road Museum, which chronicles the history of life along the lower Mississippi. Groups can choose from several tours of this massive estate and eat at one of its three restaurants.

Sipping mint juleps at Oak Alley Plantation

OAK ALLEY PLANTATION Famous for 28 massive oak trees that form a picturesque arch leading up the 1839 Greek revival mansion, Oak Alley Plantation is a historic sugarcane plantation in Vacherie. Today the plantation is dedicated to educating visitors about its 200-plus-year history, offering tours of the grounds, slave quarters and the plantation mansion, complete with exhibits and period furnishings. Travelers can perk up their tours with mint juleps.

“It was amazing learning about the culture and history. Enjoyed the friendliness of the people, and the food is amazing.”

Houmas House tour

BY K Y LE AN D ERSON

Enjoying a bonfire

— M I C HA E L M I SHKO, C R E AT I V E TO U RS FLORI DA

Houmas House mansion

An alligator in Cajun Village

Felicity Plantation

Group shot in Cajun Village COURTE SY ASCE NSI ON PARI SH TOURI SM COMMI SSI ON

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FELICITY PLANTATION Still owned by the family that purchased it in the late 19th century, this historic sugar plantation was built as a wedding gift for a daughter in a prominent Southern family. The plantation house has been restored, and the property still features original slave quarters. It was used as a set for the movies “The Skeleton Key” and “12 Years a Slave.” Groups can tour the property, eat a catered meal in the main hall of the house and end the evening with a bonfire and fireworks show.

ASCENSION PARISH TOURISM COMMISSION TRACY BROWNING

TRACY@APTCLA.COM

Touring Oak Alley Plantation

APTCLA.COM

RIVER PARISHES TOURIST COMMISSION WILLMA HARVEY

WILLMA@LARIVERPARISHES.COM

LARIVERPARISHES.COM

Great River Road Museum

Group shot at Chung’s Heavenly Sweets

The group with Blood, Sweat and Bonfires

COU RTESY R IV ER PA R IS H ES TOURI ST COMMI SSI ON

Alligator gar bonfire

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Da y 4 • BREAKFAST AT CHUNG’S HEAVENLY SWEETS IN LAPLACE • BONFIRES ON THE LEVEE IN GARYVILLE • LUNCH AT VENUE AT THE BANK • DINNER IN A SNOW GLOBE IN GRETNA • HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT LAFRENIERE PARK IN METAIRIE • OVERNIGHT IN KENNER The fourth day of the FAM began with a breakfast of beignets and pastries at Chung’s Heavenly Sweets, a local café in LaPlace.

After a quick holiday photo-op, the group headed to Garyville to meet with Blood, Sweat and Bonfires, the group that makes some of the most iconic bonfires in the area. They got to see this year’s project, a 40-foot-long wooden alligator gar, and learn about the process of making the bonfires a reality. Then, the group had a catered lunch at the Venue at the Bank, a venue consisting of the repurposed Garyville Bank that has also been used as a film set for “The Highwaymen.” Following lunch, the group traveled to Jefferson Parish. They enjoyed a catered dinner under Christmas lights in bubble tents and headed to Lafreniere Park to see holiday lights and drink a cup of hot chocolate before turning in at the DoubleTree by Hilton New Orleans Airport North.

A holiday-themed photo-op

BONFIRES ON THE LEVEE One of Louisiana’s most famous holiday traditions is the lighting of bonfires on Christmas Eve to light the way for Papa Noel, the Cajun Santa Claus. In the River Parishes, nearly 200 bonfires are lit each year. Groups can see some interesting bonfires being constructed on the levee in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Blood, Sweat and Bonfires is a group of friends responsible for crafting some of the area’s most impressive and uniquely structured bonfires in recent years, including a massive bullfrog, a replica of the Garyville Bank and a crab. Groups can meet with Blood, Sweat and Bonfires, see their work in progress and learn about the construction of this regional tradition.

Talking with Blood, Sweat and Bonfires

DINNER IN A SNOW GLOBE The “snow globes” are actually clear bubble tents set up in Gretna and illuminated with Christmas lights in the trees overhead.

Still, the effect is just as magical. These bubble tents are available for rent; groups can arrange for a local restaurant to cater a meal of traditional Cajun favorites to be enjoyed amongst this magical holiday backdrop. For added ambience, groups can arrange for live music and an alligator photo-op.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT LAFRENIERE PARK Lafreniere Park is already known as a magical space year-round, but during the Christmas season, 10 million LED lights transform the park into a holiday haven. Groups can participate in walking or driving tours of the park to see its dozens of light displays, take pictures and sip hot cocoa. They should also keep an eye out for festive Christmas characters take photos with.

Décor in Gretna

Holding a baby gator COURT ESY JCVB

COURTE SY JCVB

A buffet in a bubble tent

Da y 5 • FAREWELL BREAKFAST • DEPART FOR HOME On the final day of the FAM, the group gathered for breakfast at the DoubleTree with all their hosts from each of the parishes they visited. After a meal spent swapping pictures, stories and laughter, attendees departed for home.

Posing with a snowman in Lafreniere Park COURTE SY JCVB

COURT ESY JCVB

The group in Lafreniere Park

JEFFERSON CVB

ANGELA MATHERNE ANGELA@VISITJEFFERSONPARISH.COM

Musicians in Gretna

VISITJEFFERSONPARISH.COM COURTE SY JCVB

COURTESY JCVB

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Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry

c i s u M

Bristol’s Birthplace of Country Music Museum

WELLSPRINGS

New Orleans’ Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro

BY TOM AD KI NSON

Clarksdale’s Ground Zero Blues Club

COU RTESY NEW OR LEA NS & CO.

COURTESY CL ARKSDALE TOURI SM

COURTESY B I RTHP L ACE OF COUN T RY M USIC

Live jazz in New Orleans

COURTESY NEW ORLEAN S & CO.

The Crocodile in Seattle

A Preservation Hall performance COURTESY NE W ORLE ANS & CO.

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COURTE SY VI SI T SEAT T LE

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

ISSUE SOME TOWNS LIVE TO BE HEARD

BY TOM ADKINSON

M

usic is part of almost every tour experience, but music itself can be the theme of tours to several cities that are synonymous with the origins of specific styles. For instance, can you imagine visiting New Orleans and not enjoying some jazz or Nashville and not hearing some country music?

If you have music lovers in your group, here are a handful of destinations where they can immerse themselves in the stories behind the sounds — and hear some great tunes as they go.

A Tennessee Two-fer

Use Bristol and Nashville to explore country music’s birth and development. Bristol, split by the TennesseeVirginia state line, is in Tennessee’s far northeast corner and is where country music’s “Big Bang” occurred.

That was 10 days in 1927 when New York producer Ralph Peer recorded seminal talents such as the Carter Family (the “First Family of Country Music” and Jimmie Rodgers (the “Father of Country Music”).

These were the Bristol Sessions, which the Library of Congress deemed among the 50 most significant sound recording events in history. The whole story plays out at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.

Commercial country music began in Bristol, and commercial broadcasting of that music blossomed in Nashville, where the Grand Ole Opry radio show grew into a national powerhouse. When radio station WSM went on the air in 1925, its schedule included an old-timey music program called the WSM Barn Dance. An announcer’s ad-lib in 1927 transformed it into the Grand Ole Opry, and through the decades,

Nashville became Music City. A century later, the Opry is going strong, with shows in the 4,400-seat Grand Ole Opry House and the smaller Ryman Auditorium.

Tours easily incorporate the Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, songwriter showcases, the Musicians Hall of Fame, and of course, the city’s honky-tonk scene.

D I S C OV E R B R I S TO L .O R G V I S I T M U S I C C I T Y.C O M

Jazzing it Up in New Orleans

Every history of jazz says New Orleans, with its vibrant mix of cultures, is the birthplace of jazz. Some even point to a specific location, Congo Square, where enslaved Africans were able to gather as early as the 1740s for community, dance and music.

The National Park Service helps tell the jazz story at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. Yes, there are ranger talks, but there also are jazz performances featuring rangers — they take their Arrowhead Jazz Band name from the NPS logo — and local musicians. Saturdays feature a participatory drum circle.

The park’s visitor center is in the French Quarter, just two blocks from Jackson Square.

Just as Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry is mecca for country music fans, Preservation Hall is the New Orleans destination for fans of traditional jazz. Ensembles from a collective of more than 50 musicians perform multiple 45-minute sets almost every night. After that immersion, consider letting your group explore a couple of blocks of Frenchmen Street to enjoy clubs such as d.b.a., Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro, the Spotted Cat Music Club and the Royal Frenchman Hotel.

N E WO R L E A N S .C O M

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The Motown Museum in Detroit

COURTESY VI SI T SE AT TLE

A performance at the Crocodile, a Seattle grunge hotspot

Motoring into Motown

Finding the very spot in Detroit were the Motown Sound originated is easy. It’s a white house with blue trim you might not notice if “Hitsville U.S.A.” wasn’t spelled out over the front porch.

Tours lead you in the footsteps of Diana Ross and the Supremes, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Lionel Richie and other legends who recorded there.

The 1960s live here. See where Martha Reeves worked as a receptionist, look into the kitchen that

became a control room, imagine the talent that performed in the studio. At tour’s end, your guide may entice you to sing “My Girl” and then wink as she sings the Miracles’ “Shop Around” before you enter the gift shop. (A major museum expansion is in the works, so watch for progress.)

Other ties to Motown music are throughout Detroit.

The stunning Fox Theatre (opened in 1928 as a movie palace and later the site of Motown concerts) offers tours; the city’s 6,000-seat riverfront amphitheater is named for Aretha Franklin; and tribute murals to various artists are downtown and along the Detroit River. Seeing the Motown Room — and enjoying a soul food meal — at Bert’s Marketplace near the Eastern Market offers another connection.

Aretha Franklin Amphitheater in Detroit

COURT ESY TH E R IGH T PROD UC T ION S

V I S I T D E T R O I T.C O M

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COURT ESY VISIT SEAT T LE

BY TOM AD K INSON

Seattle’s Moore Theater

Seattle’s Grunge Memories

Music writers note the bands that became famous for performing “grunge” music abhorred the term. However, the name stuck and is tied to Seattle just as the Space Needle, Starbucks, Pike Place Market and rain are. Whether Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden (sometimes called the “big four” of grunge) liked the term, they developed a sound identified in one Seattle music history as “high levels of distortion, feedback, fuzz effects, and a fusion of punk and metal influences.”

Sampling grunge history is possible in several locations, even if you don’t encounter grunge music. Catching any performance at the 1,800-seat Moore Theatre has ties to the music because Soundgarden recorded its “Fopp” EP there, and the Alice in Chains “Live Facelift” and Pearl Jam’s “Even Flow” video footage came from the historic theater. Clubs to seek out include the Showbox and the Crocodile. Also, you’ll always find a grunge connection at MoPOP, the expansive Museum of Pop Culture, where “Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses” is a core exhibit.

For a grunge-related but completely non-grunge sound experience, stroll through the NOAA Art Walk, where there’s a melodious, wind-driven sculpture called “A Sound Garden” that is the namesake of the Soundgarden rockers.

V I S I T S E AT T L E .O R G

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Reveling in Ok lahoma’s Red Dirt

A Red Dirt performance at the Mercury Lounge in Tulsa

Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa

- family-style dining - unique shopping at the Village Shops - peaceful carriage rides - generously-sized guest rooms - deluxe hot breakfast - baggage handling

Red Dirt band the Texas Troubadours

Meet the Makers offering hand crafted baskets, noodles, buggies, pottery, soap and more. Food lovers feast on gourmet burgers, Victorian Teas, family-style meals and dine at a “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” hotspot. Add a local step-on guide for themed backroads tours and customized activity planning.

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See FREE, one-of-a-kind super-sized Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail annually May 30 - September 15.

BY AB B E Y PAUCKE, COURTESY TULSA REG I ONAL TOURI SM

Step into the heart of Amish Country and experience true Hoosier Hospitality at Das Dutchman Essenhaus.

V I S I T S T I L LWAT E R .O R G

COURTESY TEX AS TROUB AD OURS

VISIT INDIANA’S TOP GROUP DESTINATION

A live blues performance in Clarksdale

“Red dirt music” may be a challenge to define, but it’s not difficult to find in Oklahoma (where it originated) and down into north Texas. It’s country but not Nashville country or Austin country. It has all manner of influences — bluegrass, western swing, folk, rock and maybe more.

Two certainties about red dirt music are that it began in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where the dirt really is red, and that Stillwater singer-songwriter Bob Childers gets credit for being its originator in the 1980s. Childers, who died in 2008, has been compared to Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie.

Red dirt music is a mainstay of bars and dancehalls, as well as festivals such as Stillwater’s Calf Fry Festival, and letting loose in venues large and small is how to get baptized. Among the many targets are the famous Cain’s Ballroom, the Mercury Lounge and the Shrine in Tulsa; Willies, the Salty Bronc and the Tumbleweed Dancehall in Stillwater; the Blue Door in Oklahoma City; and the Deli in Norman. Start your sampler playlist with artists such as Childers, Jimmy LaFave, Robert Earl Keen, Kaitlin Butts, the Texas Troubadours and Cross Canadian Ragweed.

COURTE SY CL ARKSDALE TOURISM

You could start a blues tour in Florence, Alabama, at the birthplace of W.C. Handy, “the Father of the Blues,” but your real target is the Mississippi Delta, the flatlands of cottonfields and sharecroppers where the roots of the blues are deep. This region south of Memphis, Tennessee, features numerous small towns and several destination attractions.

Cleveland, where the 95-room Cotton House is a good base for exploration, offers the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi, which illuminates Mississippi’s impact on many types of music, including the blues.

Monitor deepdeltaroots.com for blue artists’ performances, including summertime performances at Cleveland’s farmers’ market.

COURT ESY C L ARKSDALE TOURISM

Get Down with the Blues

Clarksdale’s Delta Blues Museum

Up the Blues Highway (U.S. 61) is Clarksdale, a town known as “Ground Zero” for the blues. Spend time at the Delta Blues Museum, Mississippi’s oldest music museum and then head for the Ground Zero Blues Club for moody blues and cold beer. Festivals to investigate include the Birthplace of American Music Festival in June and the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival in August.

Don’t overlook the B.B. King Museum in Indianola.

A 2021 expansion focuses on King’s last decade (he died in 2015). Get your picture taken with the bronze statue of King and his beloved Gibson guitar, Lucille.

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MICHIGAN

By Carrie McLaren

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est known for its place in the automobile industry, the great lakes and the magical Mackinac Island, Michigan also prides itself on its outdoor winter adventures and its rich, cultural heritage. From the state capitol of Lansing to Detroit and smaller towns like Holland and Frankenmuth, there is no shortage of unique places to experience a memorable visit to Michigan.

Here’s a look at what awaits group travelers in the Wolverine State.

A Detroit-style pizza at Buddy’s COURT ESY B UD DY ’S P IZZA

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National WWII Museum A Model T ride at the Henry Ford COU RT ESY T HE HEN RY F ORD

POPULAR DEMAND THE HENRY FORD

The Henry Ford’s Manufacturing Innovation Theater

BY J ORDAN GARL AND, COURTESY DE TROI T P RI NCESS RI VE RB OAT

CO U RTE SY THE HE N RY F OR D

A Detroit Princess riverboat cruise

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Dancing on board the Detroit Princess

The Henry Ford is a museum complex comprising 250 acres and three unique attractions: Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village and the Ford Rouge Factory Tour.

At the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, guests get a look at American ideas and inventions that have powered the country. Highlights include artifacts from the first 40 years of flight, the bus Rosa Parks rode during her stand for Civil Rights and a world-class automotive collection with a variety of presidential limousines. USA Today named the attraction “One of the 10 Best History Museums.”

Greenfield Village allows visitors to explore the ingenuity and resourcefulness of America with 83 authentic historic structures, four living history farms and the opportunity for guests to ride in authentic Model Ts. On-site artists inspire guests with their 19th and 20th century artwork on display.

In a partnership with the Ford Motor County, the Ford Rouge Factory Tour shows guests the future of manufacturing as they make their way through the assembly line of Ford’s F-150 trucks. The site was the birthplace of the Model A, the V-8, the Mustang and more, and visitors leave inspired by auto industry history.

DETROIT PRINCESS RIVERBOAT

Gather your group for an outing on the Detroit Princess Riverboat, cruising along the Detroit River with views of the Detroit and Windsor skylines. With daily departures, the cruise offers group events that can incorporate entertainment options, including Motown shows, a murder mystery dinner theater, live bands and more. Private space onboard the ship is available for groups ranging from 50 to 500, with plated and buffet dining options available.

Add-ons for groups include entertainment, flowers and décor onboard the riverboat, an on-site event coordinator, and special pricing for dining and bar packages. Equipped with air conditioning and heat, the Detroit Princess is available to host groups during any season.

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POPULAR DEMAND MACKINAC ISLAND

Visitors flock every summer to Mackinac Island, located between Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas on Lake Huron. Only accessible via ferry, the island prides itself on having no cars and relying on horse-drawn carriages, bikes and walking paths. Favorite spots for groups include the Green Turtle Brewery and Distillery, the island’s first craft brewery; Mackinac Island State Park, which makes up 80% of the island; and Fort Mackinac, home to live demonstrations, such as cannon and rifle firings.

In addition to providing transportation between Mackinac Island and the mainland, Shepler’s Ferry frequently works with groups on packages featuring Mackinac Island Carriage Tours, free overnight Tasting fudge on motorcoach parking, and the opporMackinac Island tunity for private cruises with cocktail receptions, meals and sightseeing.

Mackinac Island from above

P HOTOS COURTESY M AC K IN AC ISL AN D TOURISM B UREAU

UP AND COMING WINDMILL ISLAND GARDENS

Windmill Island Gardens in Holland

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Open from mid-April to mid-October, the Windmill Island Gardens in Holland is widely known for its thousands of blooming tulips each May, but don’t pass up the opportunity to also visit the park’s 251-year-old windmill throughout the year. Named De Zwaan, this windmill is the only authentic working Dutch windmill in the United States. The park’s 36 acres of manicured gardens feature annuals in addition to tulips and is home to costumed guides, an Amsterdam street organ and a unique hand-painted Dutch carousel.

The park’s gift shop features Dutch treats and Dutch exhibits depicting historic events and time periods.

New in 2024, the garden’s theme is the color palette, with annual flower beds celebrating the sun, moon and stars. Also new to the gardens this season, the Tulip Grove features tulips year-round with the addition of larger-than-life wood carved tulips standing at more than eight feet. The carvings are made from oak trees that were lost due to flooding over the years.

UP AND COMING SAGINAW VALLEY NAVAL SHIP MUSEUM

For military and history buffs, the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum offers groups tours of the USS Edson stationed along the banks of the Saginaw River in Bay City. Commissioned in 1958, this ship served for 30 years, including 10 deployments in Vietnam, and was on display at New York’s Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum before making its way to Michigan in 2012.

This ship recently completed renovations, allowing for better lighting surrounding onboard exhibits, and a former washroom was converted into a theater for presentations and video storytelling. The adjacent gift shop is now expanded, along with the addition of a pedestrian ramp making it more accessible to guests.

A new memorial garden is in the works, with memorial bricks available for purchase to honor loved ones.

Available for guided tours, the ship serves as a historical landmark and educational attraction showing visitors onboard areas such as the weapons systems, berthing areas, command and control centers, hurricane bow and museum exhibitions.

A fountain sculpture at Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids COU RTESY F R EDER IK MEIJ ER GA R DENS & S C ULP TURE PARK

Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum

COURTE SY SAG I NAW VALLE Y NAVAL SHI P MUSE UM

FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS AND SCULPTURE PARK

Art enthusiasts, gardeners and outdoor lovers can enjoy the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, boasting more than 200 sculptures throughout the gardens on its 185-acre campus.

Specialized plants from around the world and plants appropriate for the Midwest life are featured alongside internationally acclaimed artists’ works.

Groups can enjoy narrated outdoor tram tours around the gardens. Featured tour highlights include the park’s eight-acre Japanese garden, a replica 1930s-era farm garden along with the rotating sculpture exhibits featured in indoor galleries.

March 2024 marks butterfly season and the return of the Fred and Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibit inside the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory.

Special events taking place during the spring butterfly season running through April include Coffee with the Curator: Butterflies for a behind-the-scenes tour of what it takes to put the exhibit together, including what happens when the butterflies arrive. Other specialized classes and events during this seasonal butterfly exhibit include photography classes to learn tips for creating works of art and butterfly embroidery classes.

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COURTE SY FR ANKE NMUTH CVB

Historic Frankenmuth

O V E R N I G H T S E N S AT I O N S BAVARIAN INN LODGE

Known as “Little Bavarian,” Frankenmuth’s Bavarian Inn Lodge is a seven-acre resort with on-site shopping and dining just steps away from accommodations.

The resort’s 360 German-themed guest rooms provide guests with a unique overnight stay. With rooms overlooking the Cass River, the Bavarian Inn Lodge also features nightly German entertainment and an adults-only, European-style courtyard with indoor pool and whirlpool.

With nearly 2,000 motorcoaches visiting the resort each year, the property offers competitive group rates and itinerary assistance for groups, group cooking classes, and wine and beer tastings.

Sunset at the Grand Hotel COURTE SY MACKI NAC I SL AND TOURI SM B URE AU

GRAND HOTEL

MEMORABLE MEALS

Groups will have a grand experience at Mackinac Island’s premiere accommodations, the Grand Hotel.

Located on the unique island, this all-inclusive property is only accessible via ferry. The property features 388 rooms, each with different décor.

Guests can enjoy the 18-hole golf course and dine at one of the resort’s 14 restaurants and bars. Afternoon tea is served daily in the Grand Hotel Parlor. The Grand is known as the world’s largest summer hotel and welcomes guests May through October. This year marks its 138th season. At 660 feet long, the property’s porch can be seen as visitors approach the island from Lake Huron. Group programming and rates are available.

BUDDY’S PIZZA

Interested in trying the Detroit-style pizza that made the city famous? Look no further than Buddy’s Pizza, which dates back to 1946. With locations throughout Metro Detroit and Michigan, Buddy’s Pizza created the original style pizzas by baking them on steel pans borrowed from local automotive centers.

With a crispy crust, Detroit-style pizza is rectangular and has the toppings layered directly onto the dough, followed by a cheese topping and finally three stripes of sauce across the square. Buddy’s Pizza locations welcome groups to indulge in this unique pizza with catering and delivery options available.

ZEHNDER’S OF FRANKENMUTH

COURT ESY B UD DY ’S PIZ ZAS

Buddy’s Pizzas

Zehnder’s Restaurant COU RTESY Z EH NDER’S RESTAUR ANT

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Serving diners since 1856 and known for its family-style fried chicken dinners, Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth boasts a seating capacity of 1,500 in its signature Heritage Room. With a nod to its Bavarian roots, the dinner menus include fried chicken, mashed potatoes, egg noodles, vegetables and more. Other additions include Grandma Zehnder’s dressing, the signature Vidalia onion soup au gratin and sauteed chicken livers.

Zehnder’s offers group meal pricing, private dining rooms and tour-planning assistance, along with complimentary on-site motorcoach parking.

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The decorative wings of the Milwaukee Art Museum are a signature element of the city’s lakefront.

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EXCITEMENT’S BREWING GROUPS GET UP FOR A TRIP TO WISCONSIN

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BY CLAIRE HANNUM

trip through Wisconsin is the perfect blend of action-packed cities and pristine beauty. This laidback gem rolls friendly people, fantastic food, countless lakes, and of course, some of the best cheese in the country into one state, offering the best of the upper Midwest.

With a wide range of attractions and sites, Wisconsin has plenty for groups to love.

M I LWAU K E E There’s never a dull moment in Milwaukee. Situated on Lake Michigan, the city is packed with attractions.

“Milwaukee is Wisconsin’s largest city, and yet it remains compact and easy to navigate,” said Megan Husband, national account and tourism sales executive for Visit Milwaukee. “This makes Milwaukee ideal for groups that are looking for day trips, multiple nights, or a hub and spoke destination.”

Groups with an artsy side shouldn’t miss the Milwaukee Art Museum, which is in itself a work of epic creativity. The museum’s three buildings were designed by some of the world’s top architects: Eero Saarinen, David Kahler and Santiago Calatrava. Between exploring the museum’s collections, take a pause outside to take in the building’s beautiful “wings,” which expand across vistas of Lake Michigan.

The Milwaukee Public Museum is a great option for museum-goers who have an eye for natural history. With more than 4 million objects ranging from miniature models of ancient civilizations to life-size elephants, there’s plenty to explore.

Travelers can find great eats at Milwaukee Public Market, which features vendors offering up artisanal ingredients, fresh food and local souvenirs. With ample seating and a wide variety of cuisines for different tastes, it’s a great place for larger groups to grab lunch. To wash down the meal with a drink, groups can tour Great Lakes Distillery and Tasting Room, a local staple of

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Milwaukee’s North Point Lighthouse nearly 20 years. A great way to wrap up a trip is with a tour of North Point Lighthouse, a gem on Milwaukee’s east side that was first built in 1855 and has been carefully restored to its historic beauty.

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M A DISON Wisconsin’s capital is a lively city with booming culture, delicious dining and easy access to the state’s great outdoors. As home to University of Wisconsin-Madison, it also offers the vibrant energy of a student hub, combined with the sights and scenes of a much larger city.

“What people love most about visiting Madison is we are a small city but with big city amenities,” said Rob Gard, director of communications and public affairs at Destination Madison. “It’s so well connected, accessible and walkable. We’re built on an isthmus, and we have two lakes that frame the land mass in downtown. It takes maybe 15 minutes to walk from lake to lake.” That makes for an easy stroll between museums, tours, and attractions.

State Street, the city’s main artery, is packed with shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Madison has the most restaurants per capita of any city in the U.S., so groups will have a wide array of options to choose from. Between tucking into shops, pubs and eateries on State Street, travelers will enjoy visits to some of the city’s finest art museums: the Chazen Museum of Art and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. The Chazen, which is located smackdab in the middle of the charming UW campus, houses the second-largest art collection in Wisconsin. The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art features a robust schedule of programming and events alongside its collection.

Admission to both museums is free.

For a relaxing foray into nature, groups will enjoy a visit to Olbrich Botanical Gardens. With 16 acres of lush greenspace, the property features a bright conservatory and several themed gardens, including the Royal Thai Pavilion and Garden, which features the only Thai Pavilion in the continental U.S. V I S I T M A D I S O N .C O M

L A K E GE N E VA Peaceful Lake Geneva has been a resort destination for over 100 years — and the community has continued to perfect the art of hospitality ever since.

“In the past, Lake Geneva has been coined the Hamptons of Chicago,” said Deanna Goodwin, vice president of marketing, communications and development at Visit Lake Geneva. “Lake Geneva the city, which is on Geneva Lake, became a bit of a respite for Chicagoans who after the Great

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Chicago Fire were looking to escape the city as they rebuilt.”

Today, the lake is dotted with beautiful historic vacation homes, many of which display breathtaking Gilded Age designs.

The lake itself spans 5,000 acres, and its 21-mile public shore path winds around its entirety. Early settlers of the area designated the land close to the shoreline as public domain, and to this day, homeowners on the lake are responsible for ensuring the shore path is publicly accessible if it crosses through their property. This makes for a fascinating blend of natural trail and unique personal design touches along the path.

Groups that want to get up close and personal with the lake will love Lake Geneva Cruise Line, which offers engaging historical boat tours and a wide range of options for groups. For a dip in the lake, travelers can stop by Williams Bay Beach.

History lovers will enjoy touring two top-notch historic sites: Yerkes Observatory and Black Point Estate. When the Yerkes Observatory opened in 1892, it was seen as a cutting-edge approach to astronomy and was operated by academics for over a century. In 2022, the observatory reopened for public tours. Black Point Estate was built in 1888 and was once the summer home of Chicago beer baron Conrad Seipp. Today, it’s an immersive historic experience with peaceful gardens.

Despite its status as a summer retreat, Lake Geneva isn’t just a warm-weather escape. Each winter, the city hosts Winterfest, which features snow sculpting contests, cozy beach bonfires, live performances and other outdoor fun.

V I S I T L A K E G E N E VA .C O M

Yerkes Observatory in Lake Geneva

BY WA LT C H A DWIC K, CO URTE SY V IS IT L A KE G E N E VA

Downtown Madison

DOOR COU N T Y

BY F OCA L F L AME P HOTOG R AP HY, COU RTESY DESTI NATI ON MAD I SON

Touring Lake Geneva’s Black Point Estate

Madison’s Olbricht Botanical Gardens

Situated on a Lake Michigan peninsula, Doore County is famous for charming small towns and gorgeous waterfront scenery.

“Door County feels small until you get here, and then you realize how everything is so spread out and unique,” said Elizabeth Charney, marketing and sales assistant at Destination Door County. “Each town kind of has its own kind of theme and history that is so specific to that one site.

No matter what you do, you’re never going to see everything in one day, which makes it really nice to be able to take and come back each time and learn.”

Door County boasts 300 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. It’s home to five state parks and 19 county parks, and among the most popular is beautiful Cave Point County Park. The park is famous for its limestone rock formations, which tower over turquoise waters dotted with underwater caves. It’s a perfect place for a group to head out on kayaks to experience the water. Another hotspot is Washington Island, which features lush forest, beach access, historic museums, and — thanks to its rich history as a Scandinavian immigrant community — a medieval Norwegian Stavkirke church.

After basking in the great outdoors, groups will enjoy a visit to Stone’s Throw Winery, which offers tastings, garden strolls, on-site dining and bocce ball. Entertainment-loving groups can catch a performance at the Peninsula Players Theatre, the oldest resident summer theater in the U.S. With top-of-the-line performances and a beer garden to enjoy a pre-show sunset, it’s a great place to spend a summer or autumn evening.

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BY K RISTIN LO RR A IN N E , CO URTE SY V IS IT L A KE G E N E VA

BY F OCA L F L AME P HOTOG R AP HY, COU RTESY DESTI NATI ON MAD I SON

GR E E N BAY

Cave Point Park in Door County

BY DA N EGGERT, COU RTESY DESTINAT I ON D OOR COUNT Y

Green Bay is home to a can-do community and one of the most lauded football teams in NFL history. The city has seen significant growth over the past decade, and it’s easy to see why.

“I think the growth that we’ve seen over the past 10 to 15 years has resulted in a unique destination where you can really have whatever experience you want to have,” said Nick Meisner, vice president of digital marketing and communications at Discover Green Bay. “If you’re looking for museums, art, culture, education, history — all of it, we have that. If you’re looking for outdoor recreation, you can’t find a better place than Green Bay.” Of course, the city is also home to the legendary Green Bay Packers football team. A tour of Lambeau Field, where the Packers play, is a must. The engaging behind-the-scenes

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Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame at Lambeau Field

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experience is fascinating, even for travelers who aren’t hardcore football fans.

“We’re known as the smallest home to a major professional sports franchise in all of professional sports,” said Meisner. “It’s more than a football team. It’s a story of how a community can come together and support something that they’re passionate about.”

Just outside of Lambeau Field is Titletown, a 42-acre mixed-use space with a sledding hill, skating rink and football field. Titletown also features dining, living entertainment and group programming like outdoor fitness classes.

For a unique local history experience, groups can visit Heritage Hill State Historical Park, an outdoor living history museum. The museum has 24 structures from the state’s history, spanning from 1762 to 1905, and offers reenactments, exhibits and workshops. Travelers will also enjoy a leisurely stroll through Green Bay Botanical Garden, which houses more than 85,000 plants and flowers across 47 acres.

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Green Bay Botanical Garden

Heritage Hill State Historical Park

BY JOH N TO USCANY, CO U RTE SY D IS COV E R GR EEN BAY

COU RTESY H ER ITAGE H ILL STATE HI STORI CAL PARK

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E B Alaska RUARY 2 0 2 Heritage 4 Pictured: VisitFthe Native Center to explore the preservation of the traditions, languages, and art of Alaska’s Native People through statewide collaboration and education.

D E S T I N AT I O N

OUTDOOR ASCENT BOISE KEEPS CLIMBING IN T H E PA C I F I C N O R T H W E S T

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BY RACHEL CRICK

oise is called Treasure Valley for a reason.

Cradled by a majestic mountain range and hewn with rivers and hiking trails, the area is an often-overlooked gem in the Pacific Northwest. Thanks to its variety of natural terrain and a pleasant, high desert climate, opportunities for sports and recreation abound, and outdoor enthusiasts thrive in the city.

Boise also features abundant ways to enjoy its cultural diversity and rich history, from the westward expansion to its Basque heritage.

With a population of just 237,000, Boise still retains a laidback, community-oriented feel, despite being Idaho’s largest city and state capital. Its walkable downtown is packed with local businesses, from hip cafes to trendy boutiques that give the city just as much Pacific Northwest personality as towns in Oregon and Washington. Boise’s citizens have a reputation for friendliness and welcoming spirit; combine that with an affordable price tag and it’s easy to see why Boise is gaining traction with groups.

Whitewater rafting is a popular group activity in and around Boise.

COURTESY CASCAD E R AFT AND K AYAK

BASQUE CULTURE One of Boise’s most delightful surprises is its abundance of Basque culture. In the 1800s, a large number of Basques — a southwestern European group inhabiting a region in Spain and France — came to the Boise area to herd sheep.

Today, the city honors its Basque heritage with Basque Block downtown. It’s home to the Basque Cultural Center and Museum, which examines the history of the group in the state and the American West in general. Exhibits explore everything from sheepherding, the livelihood of many Basque immigrants, to Ernest Hemingway, whose interest in the culture can be noted in some of his works.

Groups can take a walking tour of Basque Block, which

is home to many notable cultural landmarks, including historic boarding houses that once primarily served Basque immigrants; the Basque Market, which sells Basque goods and food; and several pieces of Basque-themed public art, including a mural and sculptures.

Basque restaurants, such as Leku Ona, serve traditional Basque fare, which includes plenty of seafood and steak dishes. Notable menu items are braised lamb shank, seafood stew, Trout a la Navarra and beef tongue. Bar Gernika, a nearby pub, serves craft beers and light fare such as croquetas and Solomo, pork loin served on a French baguette.

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Boise’s Anne Frank Memorial great spot to begin. The outfitter was founded in 1985 and is owned and operated by the Long family. They can work with groups to design the ideal rafting or kayaking experience, complete with a catered meal after a day on the water.

“We love sharing the Idaho outdoors with everybody,” said Debbi Long, co-owner of Cascade Raft and Kayak.

Groups divide into smaller groups of around six, and raft on Class I, Class II and Class III rapids found on the Payette River. Trips with Class IV and Class V rapids are also available for experienced rafters. Knowledgeable guides lead groups down the river to make sure each group has a blast and stays safe. As travelers float along the river, they will see breathtaking Idaho scenery and wildlife.

PUBLIC ART

PH OTOS BY R AC H EL C R ICK, UNLESS NOTE D

From abstract, obscure murals to meaningful and thought-provoking sculptures, Boise’s public art scene brings both life and color to the city. Groups can take guided or self-guided tours of the city’s public art.

Freak Alley Gallery, an alley between Eighth and Ninth streets in downtown Boise covered in murals and artwork, is one place to snag a photo-op. Groups can tour the Boise Art Museum, also downtown, which features galleries and a sculpture garden.

One of the most meaningful pieces of public art can be found at the Anne Frank Memorial, a local park and memorial to the 15-year-old Holocaust victim whose diary became a symbol of hope. The memorial was built in 1995 and features quotes from Frank’s diary etched onto walls as well as a statue of Frank.

“A group of concerned citizens decided they wanted to create something to show Idaho was not a place of hate but a place of tolerance,” said Alyssa Bell, community programs specialist at the city’s Wassmuth Center for Human Rights. “This memorial is a memorial built by the community for the community.”

LOCAL FLAVORS Boise brims with pride in its large selection of local restaurants, coffee shops and cafes.

The Warehouse Food Hall is a large food hall in downtown Boise with an impressive lineup of vendors. It draws about 70,000 visitors each month. It’s an excellent stop for a group meal, since its cuisine ranges from fresh seafood to pizza to Asian fusion.

Boise’s love for all things local also extends to its breweries and wineries. One popular brewery is Boise Brewing, which serves craft brews like IPAs, lagers and ciders in its downtown taproom.

Many of the area wineries can be found along the Boise Greenbelt, a recreational trail that follows the Boise River.

Along the Greenbelt in nearby Garden City, Telaya Wine Co. can give group tours of the winery and host tastings and catered group meals. This local winery was named for a combination of the words “Tetons” and “La playa” because of its owners’ love for the Teton Range of mountains and the beach.

“They wanted to combine science and hospitality, and wine was the perfect avenue for that,” said Emily Balluff, private event coordinator at the winery.

ON THE WATER With the Boise River running through the city, it should come as no surprise that water activities are popular in Boise, particularly in the warmer seasons. Thanks to the Boise Whitewater Park, right on the river, visitors can easily enjoy aquatic activities like kayaking and surfing.

A popular and adventurous activity for groups to participate in is whitewater rafting. Though it may seem daunting at first, rafting is easy to learn and can become the highlight of a trip for newbies and seasoned rafters alike. Cascade Raft and Kayak, an hour north of downtown Boise, is a

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VISITBOISE.COM Navigating a rapid

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The Payette River

The Boise Train Depot

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MyrtleBeach.com/groups Scan to plan your event.