The Group Travel Leader May 2024

For music lovers, there’s no better place to explore the history and future of popular music than Mississippi, “The Birthplace of America’s Music.” Here, African and European musical traditions collided and were crafted into a new form of music, the blues, and its rock, gospel, and country offshoots. View a sample itinerary of music museums, attractions, and stages at VisitMississippi.org/MusicTour

#WanderMS

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Kentucky horse experiences are far more than views from a racetrack railing. Give your group the “meet and greet” they will talk about for years.

BY BRIAN JEWELL

Would you rather make a long trip in three hours or 30?

How about three weeks?

It’s about 2,000 miles from downtown Chicago to the Santa Monica pier in California. The drive takes about 30 hours on interstate highways. But if you’re in a rush, you could book a direct flight from Chicago to Los Angeles. That would last about three hours from takeoff to touchdown.

Or, you could take the scenic route — literally — and make the trip along the backroads and byways that formed historic Route 66.

Traveling Route 66 would be slower, of course. Experts say it takes about three weeks to drive the Mother Road from end to end, especially if you intend to see the sights along the way. But I have a feeling the Route 66 trip would be far more enriching and enjoyable than interstates and airplanes. (You can learn more in our Route 66 special section, starting on page 34.)

If I’m honest, I have done most of my travel in a hurry. That’s due in part to the nature of publishing, because in our business there’s always a deadline to meet. On top of that, a part of my personality will always look to maximize efficiency, so I often end up extracting as much travel as I can from a limited amount of time and money.

But I think some my travel habits also come from the greater culture we live in. Americans like things fast — fast food, fast cars and fast trips. And compared with much of the world, our vacation time is scarce, so we move quickly to make our trips worthwhile.

It hasn’t always been this way, though. In the first half of the 20th century, before the development of

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the interstate highway system and affordable commercial aviation, traveling around America meant going slowly. People took road trips along Route 66 and similar highways. And the speed limit maxed out at 55.

Now, in an ironic twist, that leisurely pace is making a comeback. Thought leaders throughout the tourism industry have begun to advocate for “slow travel” — an intentionally unhurried approach that emphasizes deep and authentic local experiences.

Slow travel is better for destinations and for the environment, they say. Could it be better for travelers too?

In March, I decided to see for myself. My wife and I went on a three-night getaway, leaving our kids at home with grandparents in Lexington, Kentucky, and escaping to a mountain resort in the scenic town of Blowing Rock, North Carolina. We took our time getting there. We drove slowly for miles along the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway. We went on meandering hikes, indulged in the resort amenities and lingered over meals.

The result? It was one of our best trips ever.

In tourism, there are no perfect formulas or one-size-fits-all recipes for success. Slow travel may not be right for every trip or every traveler. But in an age where hurry and stress are contributing to record-high anxiety levels — especially among young people — slowing down a bit may be just the ticket for more satisfying travel experiences.

How do you do that with a tour group? I can only guess. But if you’re up for trying, Route 66 seems like a pretty good place to start.

Anderson promoted to vice president of sales and marketing

Kyle Anderson has been named vice president of sales and marketing for The Group Travel Leader Inc and Small Market Meetings, effective May 1.

Anderson began his tenure with the two companies as a part-time employee in January 2018 while finishing up his degree in hospitality management and tourism from the University of Kentucky. In January, Anderson enrolled in UK’s Gatton School of Business to earn his MBA.

“Kyle has proven himself at every level of our companies as an elite sales professional,” said publisher Mac Lacy. “His instincts for marketing are equally good, and he will make an outstanding vice president for our growing companies.”

As vice president, Anderson assumes

responsibility for guiding the sales success of four national magazines — The Group Travel Leader, Small Market Meetings, Select Traveler and Going on Faith — and the brands they represent. Each has a national following in its niche of the travel or meetings industries, has a digital presence online that extends that reach exponentially, and offers familiarization trips and custom content opportunities for domestic and international destinations.

“As we enter our 34th year of print and digital operations, we’re excited to have Kyle bring his insights and creativity to our sales and marketing efforts,” said Lacy.

Kyle and his wife, Caitlin, are the proud owners of two golden retrievers, Millie and Finn, and are enthusiastic fans of the University of Kentucky’s athletic teams. Kyle is also an avid golfer.

Readers can reach him at 859-253-0455 or kyle@grouptravelleader.com

KYLE ANDERSON

GTF

CONFERENCES ADDRESS KEY NICHE MARKETS

SALEM, Ohio The mission of The Group Travel Family of Brands is to connect group travel planners with the travel industry members interested in serving their group needs. The organization accomplishes this through a series of annual conferences, three-day events featuring education, networking, sightseeing and destination discovery.

Those five travel conferences include Select Traveler Conference, Going On Faith Conference, Small Market Meetings Conference, African American Travel Conference and GroupTravelCon.

These events have become the industry’s leading source of group travel influencers in large part because of their insight and effort in identifying new and upcoming people who organize travel and meetings. Those travel groups may include social clubs, associations, faith-based groups, diversity groups and even friends-and-family travel events.

As groups of like-minded people grow the desire to travel together, the spectrum of travel planners expands, and the need for networking opportunities expands with it.

“We grow as new people discover the fun and satisfaction of helping others enrich their lives with group travel,” said Jennifer

Ferguson of The Group Travel Family of Brands. “The ranks of incoming leisure group travel planners are expanding to include meeting planners, as well as travel agents who are finding our travel conferences valuable.”

An example of a new group travel organizer is Stacey Cabell, who recently attended her first Select Traveler Conference. Stacy and her husband, Mike, founded Starstuff Travel, which has grown to include over 30 planners, in 2023.

“I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all your hard work to make the conference a success,” she wrote following the Select Traveler Conference. “With it being our first time attending this specific conference, we were unsure what to expect, but we really enjoyed it and made tons of connections! We are already working with some of the suppliers there as of today!”

“Mike and Stacey wanted to experience firsthand what one of our conferences could provide in growing their group travel business and now plan on registering their travel planners to our conferences,” said Ferguson. “It’s another success story in helping grow group travel, one contact at a time.”

Contact Cassandra Blankenship at 800-628-0993 or cblankenship@grouptravelfamily.com .

TAMIKA CARTER LEADS GROUP TRAVEL ACADEMY

SALEM, Ohio The arena of group travel planning has always been an island unto itself, with most travel planners learning through trial and error. The Group Travel Family of Brands has offered assistance to travel planners for over 20 years and has helped thousands succeed in planning better trips.

One such discovery is Tamika Carter, who founded The Group Travel Academy, helping people interested in leading groups on travel adventures.

Carter founded On The Go, LLC, in 2003 as a group travel agency that specialized in group travel to the Caribbean, music festivals and sporting events. Her newest venture, Caribbean Mastermind Retreats, is a travel agency that specializes in group travel planning for business coaches, life coaches and their clients.

The Group Travel Academy was founded to help others learn to plan group travel, and Carter recently attended Select Traveler Conference to keep connected to the travel industry and meet established travel planners from across the nation. Her attendance at Select Traveler Conference, hosted by Visit Buffalo Niagara, opened a relationship with The Group Travel Family of Brands.

“We were excited to meet Tamika and discover her outreach in group travel,” said Charlie Presley of The Group Travel Family. “The Group Travel Family is always open to anyone building a better future for group travel, and Tamika is exactly in that wheelhouse.”

The Group Travel Family of Brands looks forward to working with Carter and wishes The Group Travel Academy success. You may reach Carter at info@grouptravelacademy.com

TAMIKA CARTER

DOLENCE HAS BUILT A FAITHFUL FOLLOWING

SALEM, Ohio — It’s always nice to have someone on your side, and in the group travel industry no one fills that bill better than Gini Dolence. Many readers of this publication know Dolence as the welcoming face and friendly voice at conferences operated by The Group Travel Family of Brands.

Gini brings 25 years of group travel experience, beginning as a travel agent operating charters to Hawaii and beyond. As her knowledge in group travel expanded, so did her outreach to those people organizing groups.

“Gini listens to people and understands their needs,” said Kathleen Presley of The Group Travel Family. Her understanding of group travel and the planners who organize it has led her to have a reach of over 10,000 travel groups in 20 years.

“I started out when it was a trade show named Group Leaders of America [GLAMER] and saw it expand to seven national conferences focused on group travel,” said Dolence.

Dolence’s career is not limited to group travel; she has also maintained a cattle ranch in Ohio.

“We love Gini, and there is aways a surprise in the relationship, like the time she called to say she would be a little late to the office because she had to pull a cow out of the mud,” said Presley with a laugh.

Pulling cows out of mud or welcoming delegates to travel conferences, Gini Dolence can be counted on as the best friend any travel planner could wish for.

You can reach Dolence at 330-259-6681.

BUFFALO HOSTS ENERGETIC SELECT TRAVELER CONFERENCE

BY MAC LACY

BUFFALO, New York — Nearly 200 travel industry delegates, hosts, speakers and guests converged in Buffalo, New York, for the 2024 Select Traveler Conference. Held March 17–19, the conference was a spirited gathering that kicked off on St. Patrick’s Day and celebrated a growth year ahead for domestic and international travel destinations.

Two busy marketplace sessions provided several hours of group travel meetings, as buyers and sellers met to discuss itineraries for the remainder of 2024 and future years.

“We have about 20% new buyers this year, and our travel industry delegates have full books of appointments,” said Select Traveler Conference general manager Jennifer Ferguson. “Buffalo is a very easy city to enjoy, and Patrick Kaler and Michael Even have led an enthusiastic Visit Buffalo/Niagara team as our hosts for this superb event.”

“Buffalo’s greatest asset is its people,” said

Kaler. “We are truly a city of good neighbors. Over the past 12-15 years there has been a renaissance here on our waterfront, canal side and inner harbor. Arts and culture in Buffalo have been revitalized, and our culinary assets have grown immensely. From our famous beef on weck and Buffalo wings, to fine dining in notable restaurants, Buffalo has grown foodie fans throughout the world.”

The signature event of the conference was Buffalo’s reception, plated dinner and entertainment by youthful Irish dancers from Buffalo on St. Patrick’s Day evening at its Admiral Room at the Marin. The resplendent Buffalo venue hosts dozens of weddings, corporate outings and gala events each year.

Major meal and event sponsors included Collette, James B. Beam Distilling Company, U.S. Tours, Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino and Explore Branson. A dozen additional sponsors promoted their companies or destinations

at gatherings in the conference theater or on branded conference items like apps, phone chargers or name badges.

Nearly 40 travel planners for banks, chambers of commerce, alumni groups and other upscale organizations attended a two-hour breakout session designed to identify trends and marketing ideas for buyers. The session was managed by Donna Olson of Partners Bank in Spencer, Wisconsin, and Pam Cox Previte of Tumbleweed Tours in Spring, Texas.

Olson summed up the travel activity represented at the conference well.

“Next month, we’re headed to Savannah, Charleston and Asheville with 25 travelers; we are looking at a trip this summer to Branson and Eureka Springs; and we’ll take 30-35 this September to Nashville for the 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry. I’m also making plans to take a group on a Switzerland rail trip very soon.” SELECTTRAVELERCONF.COM

PHOTOS BY MAC LACY

A Collette hello

Sponsor auction action

St. Patrick’s Day dancers

Group Collect comments

Sharing a meal

STS DOMESTIC SHOWCASE LIGHTS UP LITTLE ROCK

BY RACHEL CRICK

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas — Travel and tourism professionals came to Little Rock, Arkansas, March 20–23, for the 2024 Southeast Tourism Society (STS) Domestic Showcase. Downtown Little Rock’s Statehouse Convention Center hosted the event, which was attended by 346 delegates, including travel journalists, public relations professionals, DMO sales and marketing staff, and tour operators.

“One of the things we were excited by was this was the first time we’ve ever had Domestic Showcase with STS and the host region and state of our chair,” said Monica Smith, president of STS. “We were really excited about the fact that not only did we have the support of Little Rock and Arkansas Tourism, but we also had the support of their team.”

Domestic Showcase’s opening reception was held at the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum, where delegates enjoyed comfort food and a lively band, then perused the museum’s exhibits related to the Clinton presidency and Clinton’s life and legacy.

At marketplace sessions, which occurred on March 21 and 22, industry buyers and suppliers met to network and plan trips. There was also a concurrent media marketplace, where journalists and travel writers met with PR professionals representing destinations to network and exchange ideas.

Buyers and suppliers got to explore Little Rock on several familiarization tours, with stops at its museums and other attractions. Stops included the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center; Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site; the city’s breweries and distilleries; and the newly re-opened Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, which recently underwent a $150-plus million, four-year renovation.

Educational breakfasts were held on both days before marketplace sessions began. The Group Travel Leader’s vice president and executive editor, Brian Jewell, spoke at the first educational breakfast about transformational travel. Stephanie Stuckey, CEO and owner

of Stuckey’s Corporation and granddaughter of the founder of the Stuckey’s roadside stop, spoke at the educational breakfast the following day about rebuilding her family’s iconic brand.

“I was really excited too to hear Stephanie and Brian,” Smith said. “We had rave reviews. What we try to accomplish is for people to walk away from the breakfast educational sessions to think about what they can do differently and look at how they’re connecting with travelers, journalists and group tours.”

Following marketplace on March 21, The Group Travel Leader hosted an evening event in conjunction with co-sponsors Heaven Hill Distillery, Jim Beam Country and the Kentucky Department of Tourism. The event, Dueling Keys at Willy D’s, held at Willy D’s Rock and Roll Piano Bar, was attended by over 100 delegates who enjoyed music, cocktails and light bites.

“We were pleased with the success of The Group Travel Leader’s event and how many people went,” Smith said. “It looked like it was a great time had by many folks.”

The closing reception was held at the recently renovated Robinson Center, just blocks from the convention center.

SOUTHEASTTOURISM.ORG

STS president Monica Smith

Dueling Keys at Willy D’s event, sponsored by The Group Travel Leader, Jim Beam Country, Heaven Hill Distillery and Kentucky Department of Tourism

COURTESY STS

STS marketplace

STS Domestic Showcase signage

BY KYLE ANDERSON

COURTESY STS

COURTESY STS

LandmarkSTOPS

Up close with the Liberty Bell

New York is among the most iconic historic sites in all the United States.

The Statue of Liberty in

BY M.FISCHETTI, COURTESY VISIT PHILADELPHIA

COURTESY ELVIS PRESLEY’S GRACELAND

BY J. STERLING-RUTH, COURTESY VISIT PHILADELPHIA

COURTESY VISIT WINSTON SALEM

COURTESY NPS

Graylyn Estate

Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell Center

Elvis Presley’s Graceland

HISTORY & HERITAGE

ISSUE

THESE SITES HAVE MOVED FROM HISTORIC TO ICONIC

BY CYNTHIA BARNES

America is undeniably blessed with natural beauty, from majestic mountains to the grandest of canyons. But the country is also filled with iconic manmade sites. Some are marvels of engineering, and others simply synonymous with a place. But all are worth including on your group’s next itinerary.

Here are icons of American history that make great destinations for tour groups.

Graceland MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

Elvis Presley’s Memphis home has lured fans from around the world since the King of Rock ’n’ Roll paid $102,500 for the Colonial-style mansion in 1957. Now the second-most visited home in the country (the White House is No. 1), Graceland welcomes guests to enter the guitar-adorned wrought iron gates and immerse themselves in all things Elvis.

In addition to the mansion and the singer’s grave, groups can admire bejeweled jumpsuits, gape at gold records, walk through Elvis’ custom jets (including the Lisa Marie) and take in the exhibits at Elvis Presley’s Memphis Entertainment Complex. Group tours are available. True fans will want to choose the Ultimate VIP Tour, which includes an expert guide, an exclusive

exhibit, a private lounge, VIP-only merchandise and meal vouchers.

Groups that need more than one day with the king can spend the night at the 450-room Guest House at Graceland.

GRACELAND.COM

Liberty Bell PHILADELPHIA

Let freedom ring! American democracy was born in Philadelphia, and the bronze bell inscribed with “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof,” first rang in the Pennsylvania State House in 1751. No one is sure exactly when it cracked, but the bell last rang in 1846. It became an icon of freedom following the Civil War, when it was displayed around the country in an effort to renew post-war patriotism and unity.

The nation’s most famous bell is now housed in the Liberty Bell Center, part of the Independence National Historical Park. Admission is free, and the center offers a self-guided tour explaining the history and significance of the bell. Knowledgeable rangers are on hand to answer any questions.

For group visits to Independence Hall, where the Founding Fathers debated and adopted the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, tickets must be reserved in advance.

NPS.GOV/INDE

COURTESY ELVIS PRESLEY’S GRACELAND

Elvis memorabilia in a Graceland museum

Gateway Arch

ST. LOUIS

Towering over the west bank of the Mississippi River at the site of the city’s 1764 founding, the 623-foot stainless steel centenary arch is now synonymous with St. Louis. Cementing its status as “gateway to the West,” the Eero Saarinen-designed memorial — the world’s tallest arch — was conceived in the 1930s but didn’t open to the public until 1967. Commemorating Thomas Jefferson’s vision and St. Louis’ role in the westward expansion of the United States, the structure is the nation’s tallest memorial. Groups can watch “Monument to the Dream,” an 18-minute film that details the construction of the arch, and rangers are available for private guided tours with advance reservations.

Groups should take the four-minute tram ride to the observation deck at the top of the arch, which provides stunning views of the river and of downtown St. Louis. One-hour narrated riverboat cruises, which travel in front of the arch, also make an exciting excursions.

GATEWAYARCH.COM

The Statue of Liberty

NEW YORK CITY

A gift from the people of France, the iconic copper-clad statue of the Roman goddess of Liberty holds a torch above her head and carries a tablet inscribed JULY IV MDCCLXXVI (July 4, 1776, in Roman numerals). A broken chain and shackle at her feet commemorate the abolition of slavery after the Civil War. After its dedication in 1867, Lady Liberty became an icon of freedom and of the United States, as well as a symbol of welcome to immigrants arriving by sea.

Visitors who wish to enter the pedestal and ascend to the crown must book reservations through Statue City Cruises, the only authorized ticket seller for the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island. Groups that want to see the statue without actually visiting the island can hop the free Staten Island Ferry, which guarantees a great view of both Lady Liberty and Lower Manhattan.

NPS.GOV/STLI

The Gateway Arch in St. Louis

The Alamo

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

Remember? The small San Antonio mission known as the Alamo has entered American lore, the story told and retold in countless films and movies. The reality is a little more nuanced, but the 1836 battle (following a 13-day siege) between rebellious American immigrants (who were largely in the country illegally) and the government of Mexico is now a touchstone of Texas history. Bronze statues of the battle’s heroes (including Davy Crockett) rest in the 300-year-old mission’s stone-paved courtyard, and the dimly lit thick walls echo with history. A new visitor center and museum, which will include a 4-D theater and hundreds of artifacts from a collection donated by singer Phil Collins, is set to open in 2027. Groups can schedule private or after-hours tours to experience the historic site with their own guide, and private events can also be arranged.

THEALAMO.ORG

The Alamo in San Antonio

The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor

Golden Gate Bridge

SAN FRANCISCO

Since its grand opening in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge has been synonymous with San Francisco. The burnt-orange suspension bridge spanning the strait between the Marin peninsula and the Presidio is an engineering marvel and a must-see on any tour of northern California.

Groups should begin their tours at the welcome center, which tells the story of the bridge’s history and has a rotation of informational exhibits (along with an outstanding gift shop). San Francisco City Guides, a nonprofit organization associated with the San Francisco Public Library, offers free walking tours of the bridge on Thursdays and Sundays. Groups can also drive, stroll, or bike across the grand expanse.

Weather and wind on the bridge can change quickly, so group travel planners should make sure their guests wear layers and are prepared for sudden shifts.

GOLDENGATE.ORG

The National Mall and Memorial Parks WASHINGTON, D.C.

The nation’s most symbolically powerful open space, the National Mall has gone through many changes. The central axis of the capital, the mall was originally designed as a grand open space by French architect and engineer Pierre L’Enfant in 1791. His vision remained largely unrealized for more than 100 years, but today the National Mall is a vibrant space that honors the past while looking forward to the future. Groups could spend weeks exploring the mall’s statues, fountains,

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge

The reflecting pool on the National Mall in Washington

gardens, murals, museums and memorials — not to mention the many events and performances that are held on “America’s front yard.”

Park rangers offer an array of free guided tours and talks throughout the year, and the majority of the mall requires no ticketing. The 555-foot Egyptian obelisk that memorializes George Washington (the tallest structure in the world when it was completed) is an exception: Advance tickets are required to enter the interior. But other grand and iconic sites such as the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials can be visited 24 hours a day.

NPS.GOV/NAMA

Nighttime at the Jefferson Memorial

A view of the Lincoln Memorial from across the National Mall PHOTOS

Hollywood Sign

LOS ANGELES

What began as a temporary billboard for a real estate development has now stood over the city of Los Angeles for more than 100 years as the largest and most visible symbol of Hollywood’s legendary film industry. Erected in 1923 to promote “Hollywoodland” and nearly lost to decay and disrepair, the first nine letters — “land” was removed in 1949 — have been rebuilt and buffed up, a symbol of pride for the city and the industry it’s famous for.

Visitors may hike to the gates that protect the legendary letters, and the Griffith Observatory provides excellent views of both the sign and the city below. For a real treat, Sunset Ranch can take groups on a one- or two-hour horseback tour, where they’ll enjoy 360-degree views of Los Angeles, the Hollywood Sign, the ocean and the valleys.

HOLLYWOODSIGN.ORG

BY R.D. WILLIS, COURTESY

The Hollywood sign outside Los Angeles

A view of Los Angeles from behind the Hollywood Sign

The original “Hollywoodland” sign

BY CAROL HIGHSMITH, COURTESY

COURTESY HOLLYWOOD SIGN TRUST

OHIO

By Rachel Crick

Ohio is a place of many offerings. Bordered by Lake Erie on one side and the Appalachian Mountains on another, the unassuming Buckeye State contains a hidden and diverse wealth of attractions suitable to many types of travelers. Thrill seekers will love its amusement parks and vast network of state parks, while those looking for leisure will be charmed by its many museums and rolling hills. Its cultural offerings range from ancient Indigenous gathering sites to Amish communities and monuments immortalizing the idols of rock music. Groups have the choice to sleep in the trees or in the epitome of luxury in one of Ohio’s metropolises, and they can enjoy a brewpub’s casual fare or the finest wining and dining. Travelers can take their pick or have it all on their next trip through the state.

Groups will love posing in front of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame sign in Cleveland.

POPULAR DEMAND

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME

On the shores of Lake Erie in Cleveland, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, also known as the Rock Hall, has been celebrating one of the most legendary music genres since the 1980s. From early rockers like Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley to more recent acts like the Foo Fighters and Depeche Mode, groups can see exhibits focused on hall of fame inductees. Famous instruments and memorabilia are also on display. An on-site café and gift shop make great stops to round out a day of exploring the museum. Groups can also get their picture taken in front of the iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame sign.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE

In Dayton, one of the state’s most popular museums delights visitors interested in military history and aviation alike. The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is the world’s largest aviation museum and contains several galleries with aircraft of great significance. These include World War II planes like Bockscar, the Boeing B-29 that dropped one of the atomic bombs, and the Memphis Belle, another plane that completed missions all over Europe. Aircraft from other notable wars can be found throughout the museum. Exhibits also detail aviation history with interactive exhibits and documentaries.

AMISH COUNTRY

Ohio’s Amish Country is a staple for groups. Located in the central portion of the state halfway between Columbus and Cleveland, the rolling hills and quiet way of life found in Ohio’s Amish Country consistently charm visitors by offering a glimpse into their simple way of living. Familyowned shops and markets selling Amish wares, such as handmade furniture and made-from-scratch foodstuffs, decorate the countryside. Theaters, tours and museums offer wholesome entertainment for groups, while restaurants and home-cooked meal experiences ensure groups leave stuffed to the gills with Amish favorites like fried chicken and handmade pies.

A plane in the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

BY TOM ADKINSON

Ohio’s Amish Country

Feeding goats in Amish Country

A flight suit exhibit

UP AND COMING

NEW RIDE AT CEDAR POINT

Ohio is home to several well-known amusement parks. In the northern part of the state, Cedar Point is exceedingly popular and known for its variety of amusement rides and events. The park is currently constructing a new roller coaster, Top Thrill 2. It will be the world’s tallest and fastest triple launch “strata coaster,” according to the park’s website. It will be 420 feet tall, reach speeds of 120 miles per hour and rides will last two minutes. The coaster is expected to be completed this summer.

OHIO STATE PARKS

2024 was declared the “Year of Ohio State Parks” by Ohio’s governor because it’s the 75th anniversary of Ohio Department of Natural Resources and because of the upcoming opening of Ohio’s newest state park, Great Council State Park. Some of the state’s most famous parks such as Hocking Hills, Tar Hollow and Mohican State Park already bring countless visitors into the state each year. The newest park, which will be near Xenia, will include a cultural interpretive center and honor the legacy of several Indigenous tribes. The park is being created in conjunction with three federally recognized tribes and is expected to be completed later this year.

HOPEWELL CEREMONIAL EARTHWORKS

“Hopewell” refers to a network of trade works shared by multiple ancient Native American cultures from around 200 B.C. to 500 A.D. What is present-day southern Ohio is at the center of Hopewell culture and is home to the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks. These earthen enclosure complexes built along the Ohio River are massive and correspond to complex cycles of the sun and moon. These extraordinary examples of landscape architecture were recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, joining other world wonders such as Egypt’s pyramids, the Great Wall of China and Stonehenge.

Skiing in Big Sky

A waterfall at Hocking Hills State Park

Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks

Cedar Point

OVERNIGHT SENSATIONS

THE LYTLE PARK HOTEL

The Lytle Park Hotel, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, combines historic charm with modern amenities. The 1909 building, in Cincinnati’s Lytle Park Historic District, was once two buildings but was combined and renovated to open in 2020. The hotel has many gorgeous architectural features, such as a neo-Tudor exterior, a grand atrium in the lobby and a rooftop terrace. Many of its 106 guest rooms have excellent views of the nearby park or the river, and each is equipped with luxurious features like marble bathrooms with rain showers. Luxurious finishes, such as towering greenery and gold accents in the lobby, can be found throughout.

Timeless Charm with a Vibrant Spirit

Medina County, located in Northeast Ohio, is packed with activities where everyone in the family feels like they are home. Each picturesque community is filled with one-of-a-kind attractions, timeless shopping experiences, and adventures for both the indoor and outdoor enthusiast. Top this off with a melting pot of flavors, from a variety of tantalizing dining options, sweets to transport you to childhood and an array of spirits, you will find yourself satisfied with every bite!

Where your group can experience those childhood memories.

The Lytle Park Hotel

Scan now to plan your visit to Medina County!

OVERNIGHT SENSATIONS

MOHICANS TREEHOUSE RESORT

Ohio’s abundant nature gives way to some very distinct lodging. Groups can sleep among the trees, literally, by staying at the Mohicans Treehouse Resort. Located on 77 acres in Mohican Valley, in the state’s northeast region, the property offers nine treehouses and four cabins to guests. These treehouses are more upscale than the backyard tree houses of your youth, including ame nities such as bathrooms, kitchens and climate control, but they still let guests enjoy the magic and adventure of sleeping above the forest floor. One of the best parts of the lodging is its disconnected nature — without Wi-Fi or satellite TV, guests can

MEMORABLE MEALS

TWIN OAST BREWING

An oast, also known as a hop kiln or oast house, is a building for drying hops. Twin Oast Brewing picked these interesting structures to model their brewery after. This German-inspired brewery on a 60-acre farm in Port Clinton serves craft beers (often with a Bavarian twist) and elevated pub fare to go with it. Groups can try dishes like the brewery’s signature smash burger; the “Brewben,” their take on a Reuben; or buffalo chicken dip. Pizzas, salads and pub plates are also available. Dishes pair well with what’s on tap, from year-round staples such as Ship Burner, a brown porter, or Oasteweizen, a hefeweizen, to other seasonally offered brews.

GERVASI VINEYARD

Located on 55 acres in Canton on a former tree farm, Gervasi Vineyard is a Tuscan-inspired vineyard that aims to give guests a slice of Italian countryside in the Midwest. With breathtaking view of a lake, the vineyards, surrounding forests and Tuscan-inspired architecture, the estate houses a winery, a distillery, a coffeehouse and three restaurants. The Bistro serves upscale Italian fare, such as brick-fired pizzas, house-made ravioli and braised beef short ribs. The Crush House, a wine bar and eatery, serves slightly more relaxed fare, such as sandwiches, salads and pastas. The Piazza is an outdoor restaurant open during the warm season. At each venue, meals are paired with delicious wines from the vineyard and craft cocktails.

OHIO.ORG

Mohicans Treehouse Resort

A bottle of wine at Gervasi Vineyards

Twin Oast Brewing

Group

Getaway?

IT’S A SHORE THING

Immerse yourself in culture through a variety of diverse community events. Indulge in local cuisine, from upscale to casual, even dine lakeside. Take a ferry ride to a Lake Erie island, explore miles of natural beaches and trails, enjoy quaint downtowns and museums, and experience the beauty of the changing seasons in Shores & Islands Ohio

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CELEBRATE TEX-MEX CULTURE IN SUNNY EL PASO

VBY RACHEL CRICK

isitors to El Paso will come to understand that the city’s duality is responsible for its inimitable personality.

Once known for its lawlessness and called the “Six Shooter Capital,” El Paso is now called “Sun City,” reflecting its vibrant and energetic personality (and its gorgeous weather). Still, it has maintained the wistful spirit of the Wild West while also embracing its rich culture, an infusion of American and Mexican traditions and styles. Spanish and English are widely spoken throughout the city, and groups will find no better place for both authentic Mexican food and famed Tex-Mex cuisine.

“El Paso is very interesting in itself because we’re right on the border,” said Trinity Smith, tourism development manager at Visit El Paso. “The Mexican-American culture is very intertwined.”

On the other side of the border is Juarez, Mexico. But a mountain also runs through this buzzing border town, combining rugged topography with a lively urban landscape. Groups can experience this city’s contrasting offerings for a well-rounded and satisfying travel experience.

SPANISH MISSIONS

Given its storied history and cultural medley, El Paso is known for attractions such as historic sites and museums. One of its most culturally integral attractions is its collection of Spanish mission churches.

“One of our biggest draws is the Mission Trail,” Smith said.

These include the 1682 Ysleta Mission, built by the Tigua Indian community and home to the oldest continually operating parish in the state. The Socorro Mission, an 1843 structure, and the San Elizario Presidio Chapel, built in 1877 just outside of El Paso, are also on the trail. These Spanish missions feature architecture consistent

Groups can enjoy light hiking at Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site in El Paso.

with other mission churches, including adobe walls and round archways. These centuries-old buildings are integral to El Paso’s history.

Groups can see each of these historic churches by following the El Paso Mission Trail. They can begin their trip at the Mission Valley Visitors Center, across from the Ysleta Mission. The 9-mile trail connecting the missions can be completed with a guided or self-guided tour, though groups should be mindful that all three missions on the trail are active churches and have specific hours for visitors. At the missions, groups can hear more about their extensive history and take photos of these beautiful churches.

Trail

A Spanish mission church on El Paso’s Mission

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

“As far as outdoors goes, we have two state parks within our city limits,” Smith said. “What’s cool is we’re the only Texas city with a mountain running through it.”

Franklin Mountains State Park, easily visible from anywhere in El Paso, includes 37 square miles of mountainous and desert landscape. It’s a popular spot for biking, hiking and camping. Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site, once home to several Indigenous tribes, consists of three low mountains. It’s known for bouldering, but history buffs will enjoy the history and archaeology at the park.

“We’re also central to four national parks,” Smith said. These parks include Big Bend National Park, named for the bend in the Rio Grande River and known for its desert ecosystem, fossils and great night sky viewing; Carlsbad Caverns, the New Mexico park featuring plenty of caves, scenic desert drives and Rattlesnake Springs; White Sands

Bold flavors, breathtaking views. Find your perfect pour in El Paso and Southern New Mexico's wine country.

Active groups can enjoy day trips to these breathtaking parks for hiking, horseback riding or off-roading tours. They can also see historic sites and archaeological wonders left behind by the region’s inhabitants from thousands of years ago.

TEX-MEX CUISINE

“We do tell people we’re the Tex-Mex Food Capital of the World and the Mexican Food Capital of America,” Smith said.

And if you’ve ever enjoyed a margarita, thank El Paso. Another of the city’s claims to culinary fame is the invention of the margarita. Though groups can enjoy a margarita just about anywhere, following the Margarita Trail in El Paso is one of the most authentic ways to enjoy these refreshing beverages. Luckily, groups will also find plenty of delicious food to eat as they do.

L&J Café, known for being the “Old Place by the Graveyard,” is one of the city’s most famous Tex-Mex restaurants. It’s on the Margarita Trail, but it’s also famous for its enchiladas, red salsa and fajitas.

The margaritas at Los Bandidos de Carlos and Mickey’s are so large that guests are limited to just one — and that’s plenty. The restaurant features plenty of eclectic, Mexicanthemed décor, and guests may be treated to mariachi music while on the premises. Its food, a mix of Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican flavors, offers customer favorites such as fajitas, carnitas and sopapillas.

FESTIVALS

AND EVENTS

El Paso’s great weather is conducive to year-round festivals and events. Groups can see this lively city in action with festivals and events that combine cultural staples with local fun.

Each November, the Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival celebrates the Mexican tradition of remembering the dead in early November with art and music. There’s also Winterfest, which celebrates the beginning of El Paso’s mild winter with food and fun.

The city also features plenty of food- and beverage-related festivals. In April, the Sun City Craft Beer Fest brings together breweries on a national and local scale to highlight the best of craft beer. Live music, food trucks and, of course, plenty of beer are available for visitors. In the hottest months of the summer, El Paso Ice Cream Fest brings sweet treats from all over the country to El Paso for festivalgoers to sample.

Other notable El Paso events include the Plaza Classic Film Festival, which lets film buffs enjoy on-screen classics; the Billy the Kid Festival; and Chalk the Block, a free art festival themed around sidewalk chalk and chalk art.

Franklin Mountains State Park

Cocktails at a Tex-Mex restaurant

Cowboy boots at a retail outlet in El Paso

BIRDING TAKES FLIGHT

A FAVORITE OUTDOOR PURSUIT IS MORE POPULAR THAN EVER

Interest in our fine feathered friends is huge — whether it’s petite hummingbirds weighing less than an ounce or giant California condors with 9.5-foot wingspans.

A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey showed that 96 million people in the U.S. watched, fed or photographed birds, visited public lands to see them or maintained landscapes to benefit them in 2022.

BY TOM ADKINSON

“[With a boost from COVID], birding is more popular than ever,” said Rob Ripma, whose Sabrewings Nature Tours leads outings for serious birders in a dozen states and 15 countries.

That popularity means birding activities integrate well with almost any itinerary. Walks in the woods, visits to observation platforms or strolls on the beach — all with the prospect of discovery — can be highly anticipated events. Birding opportunities are everywhere. Here are five, from east to west.

COURTESY BEAUMONT CVB

Beaumont’s Cattail Marsh is home to more than 350 bird species.

NORTHERN ALABAMA

Joe Watts is a passionate birder (he’s on the boards of the National Audubon Society and its Alabama unit) who is quick to highlight Alabama Birding Trails, a series of eight trails across the state that lead people to 280 publicly accessible sites with good birding opportunities.

“Anywhere in the state, you’re within 30 minutes of a birding site,” he said before focusing on locations across Alabama’s northern counties, a region of gentle mountains and massive TVA lakes.

The federal government created Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge at Decatur in 1938 partly to see whether migratory waterfowl could be attracted to an artificial impoundment of the Tennessee River (Wheeler Reservoir). The experiment succeeded on a grand scale.

The 35,000-acre refuge attracts 30 waterfowl species, 295 other bird species and — to everyone’s delight — towering sandhill cranes and even whooping cranes.

“From December through February, there’s no better spot than Wheeler,” Watt said. “It attracts 30,000 sandhill cranes [up to five feet tall] and perhaps 10 to 20 whooping cranes, whose total population in 1941 was only 15 birds. Whooping cranes are a great example of how humanity can correct one of its mistakes.” The current population remains small, perhaps 75 in all.

The Wheeler refuge has a two-story viewing building with one-way glass so visitors can watch cranes and other birds without disturbing them. Microphones in the wetlands pick up the birds’ chatter that is beamed into the viewing building.

Rangers lead walks to look for other species such as greater white-fronted geese, teal, mallards, American coots, American kestrels and bald eagles. Elsewhere in north Alabama, Watt speaks highly of Monte Sano that rises near Huntsville as a place to see migrating songbirds and Guntersville State Park, which is known for bald eagles. That park is along another TVA lake.

FWS.GOV/REFUGE/WHEELER

OHIO’S LAKE ERIE COAST

Despite having a population of almost 12 million people, Ohio has abundant bird-friendly habitat and some true birding hotspots. One is in northwest Ohio just east of Toledo, where birders speak both reverently and excitedly about places such as Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Maumee State Park and McGee Marsh State Wildlife Area.

“Three migration routes converge in northwest Ohio,” explained Jasmine Cupp, outreach director for the Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO), an organization that shorthands its mission to “connecting people with the joy of birds.” BSBO, putting modesty aside, organizes a 10-day event every spring that it calls “the Biggest Week in American Birding.” It coincides with songbirds’ peak migration, and 90,000 humans come to see the spectacle and learn more about birding.

Birders have identified more than 300 species during spring and autumn migrations, including 150 species of songbirds. Bald eagles, owls, ospreys and several types of hawks join the mix, too.

The lodge-style visitor center at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge can be a focal point for tour groups. In addition to its static displays, its boardwalk makes a onethird mile loop over a wetland, through shrub terrain and into a woodland, all of which is reminiscent of the Great Black Swamp.

Refuge manager Jason Lewis explains that the Great Black Swamp once covered almost a million acres from today’s Toledo to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Only 30,000 acres remain, which make the refuge and surrounding parcels of public land magnets for birds and important for humans’ recreation and restoration.

Lewis also points to another boardwalk at the 2,202-acre McGee Marsh State Wildlife Area. It leads to a forested beach ridge that the area’s managers say has “some of the best bird-watching opportunities in the Midwest.”

VISITTOLEDO.ORG

PHOTOS BY JOE WATTS

A scarlet tanager sighted on the Alabama Birding Trail

A barred owl in Alabama

COASTAL MARYLAND

“Being on Maryland’s Eastern Shore is like watching ‘Wild Kingdom’ almost every day,” said Cassandra Vanhooser, as she described watching an osprey slap a tidal river in Talbot County to claim its dinner and then have a bald eagle swoop in and steal the osprey’s fish.

Vanhooser is director of economic development and tourism for Talbot County (Easton is the county seat), and she brags about the quantity and variety of birds that pass through or live in her county and the rest of the Eastern Shore.

“Considering we have Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, tidal rivers, marshes and other wetlands, the Eastern Shore is heaven for many bird species, especially waterfowl,” she said, recalling her excitement of once watching thousands of Canada geese assemble overhead to begin an en masse migration.

The Chesapeake Country All-American Road, which garnered that designation in 2021, offers a framework for an Eastern Shore itinerary, taking you to numerous natural and historic locations, including avian destinations such as Bohemia River State Park to the north, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge near Cambridge and Pickering Creek Audubon Center near Easton. The Pickering Creek site has six miles of trails, 90 acres of freshwater wetlands and volunteers who enjoy meeting tour groups.

Salisbury is one place you don’t need binoculars for an avian activity because the attraction here is the Ward Museum of Waterfowl Art. It showcases the world’s largest public collection of decorative and antique waterfowl decoys and is the site of the largest bird-carving competition in the world, the Ward World Championship.

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An osprey landing on Maryland’s Eastern Shore

COURTESY TALBOT CO., MARYLAND

VISIT INDIANA’S TOP GROUP DESTINATION

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

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COASTAL TEXAS AND LOUISIANA

Because birds don’t care about political boundaries, it’s no surprise that birding abounds along the upper Gulf of Mexico coast.

Only about 150 miles separate Galveston, Texas, and Lake Charles, Louisiana, and millions upon millions of migratory birds cross through this two-state region. Yearround species are numerous, too. This is the last place for resting and refueling before crossing the Gulf of Mexico southbound and the first place to stop headed north. Various habitats make many species feel comfortable.

Bird tour operator Rob Ripma calls the upper Gulf Coast “one of the hot migration locations in the U.S. [and] a great place to see a huge number of species.”

One popular spot is Cattail Marsh in Beaumont. The Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau reports that 358 bird species — that’s almost half of all bird species in Texas — have visited the lush and wild-looking marsh, but it’s not totally natural. The 900-acre site is a project of Beaumont’s water reclamation department, which added platforms, boardwalks and levee walkways for birdwatching.

The Beaumont CVB’s extensive birding resources include a publication identifying 28 birding trails within a 40-mile radius, all accredited by Texas Parks and Wildlife. They highlight places such as High Island, Big Thicket National Preserve, Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge and Shangri La Botanical Gardens.

Farther east is the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, a 180-mile driving route into the “Louisiana Outback.” Regardless of how much of the route you cover, you’ll find unexpected variety — freshwater marshes, saltwater marshes, cypress swamps, coastal prairies and even beaches.

Among the birds to look for are pink-billed roseate spoonbills, herons, sandhill cranes, kingfishers and more, plus wildlife such as alligators, turtles, otters, muskrats and deer. Nature-oriented outfits such as Grosse Savanne Eco Tours have naturalist guides to help.

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PHOTOS COURTESY BEAUMONT CVB

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

Visitor activities in San Francisco include riding cable cars, admiring the Golden Gate Bridge, shopping at Fisherman’s Wharf and birdwatching at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Although the wildlife refuge with the long name is about 35 miles from the cable cars, it’s proof that excellent birding opportunities exist even in the middle of significant human development. The site covers 30,000 acres and was the first urban national wildlife refuge when established in 1972.

Don Edwards Refuge, which is part of a larger complex of six more nearby refuges, has its headquarters and visitor center at Freemont. The visitor center offers some of the refuge’s 38 miles of trail. A notable one is the LaRiviere Marsh Trail (0.8 miles) that goes through a restored tidal salt marsh and probably is the best place on the refuge to view the endangered Ridgway’s rail. The chicken-sized Ridgway’s rail has a long, narrow beak and comes out at low tide to feed in muddy slough channels.

A second focal point is the refuge’s Environmental Education Center in Alviso, which has more trails and a butterfly garden.

Refuge interpretative specialist Sirena Lao notes that the protected lands encompass 15 habitat categories, meaning that visitors can see many types of birds. Millions of

migratory birds pass through here in spring and fall, and the refuge’s list of species totals 280.

Serious birders want to sight endangered species such as the Ridgway’s rail, western snowy plovers and California least terns (among the smallest terns). More casual visitors delight at learning to distinguish shorebirds such as willets, sandpipers and greater yellowlegs.

FWS.GOV/REFUGE/ DON-EDWARDS-SAN-FRANCISCO-BAY

Waterfowl at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

PHOTOS BY AMBARISH GOSWAMI

Centennial Road Trips Await

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

Groups can get their kicks on Route 66 in 2026 as part of the highway’s centennial celebration. Many cities and towns along the road are already hosting festivals, car shows and other fun events to build up excitement for the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and have invested millions of dollars renovating the iconic buildings and neon signs that fire up visitors’ imaginations and take them back to a simpler time.

Here are some destinations where groups can celebrate the centennial in 2026.

. Albuquerque, New Mexico

The city of Albuquerque will officially launch its Route 66 celebration in May 2025 with one of the largest festivals on Route 66, the Route 66 SummerFest, featuring live music, food and craft vendors. As part of its centennial preparations, Albuquerque businesses have been busy refurbishing and renovating some of the city’s historic properties, refreshing neon signs, and planning new roadside attractions to entice travelers to stop and enjoy the city.

The El Vado Motel, built in 1937, was one of New Mexico’s first motels. It was recently renovated, adding modern comforts and amenities while maintaining the motor lodge’s historic character. El Vado is across from the ABQ BioPark, which features a botanic garden and aquarium.

The same property group that restored the El Vado also renovated Monterey Motel.

Imperial Inn is the first of 16 Albuquerque businesses to have its neon sign restored through the city’s sign improvement grant program. On the east side of downtown, Hotel ZAZZ turned the

BY KRISTY GRAYBILL, COURTESY VISIT ALBUQUERQUE

COURTESY NM TOURISM DEPT.

El Vado Motel, a Route 66 landmark in Albuquerque

former University Lodge into a funky, boutique property with a speakeasy called the Z Lounge.

The city plans to have art stops and cool collaborations all along the 18 miles of Route 66 that flow through town. Several speakeasies have opened along the route and a new Speakeasy Trolley Tour offers groups an opportunity to visit several of them. Albuquerque has a Route 66 Visitors Center with a museum and event venues.

VISITALBUQUERQUE.ORG

The city of Albuquerque will officially launch its Route 66 celebration in May 2025 with one of the largest festivals on Route 66.

Z Lounge on Route 66 in Albuquerque

Memorabilia inside Albuquerque’s Route 66 Diner

Kingman, Arizona

Over the past five years, Kingman, Arizona, has worked on several projects in preparation of the Route 66 centennial celebration. The Kingman Visitor Center Arizona Route 66 monument sign was dedicated in May 2020, and the much-Instagrammed Route 66 Drive Thru Shield was installed in 2021.

Kingman has been hosting Route 66 Fest every year since 2021, with live music, a beer garden, food and craft vendors, a motorcycle show, a classic car show, a vintage trailer show, a pin-up contest, Route 66 displays, fun activity zones, a zipline and a photo booth. Each year the event gets bigger.

In 2026, Kingman will host the Route 66 Fun Run, a car show and rally hosted entirely on Route 66, while the Kingman Route 66 Street Drags take place in May 2026. That event, which attracted 13,000 spectators in 2023, is considered the largest legal street drags event in the country.

Kingman Route 66 Fest and Two ‘N Show Camp-out will take place in October 2026. The 2023 event attracted 9,000 attendees. As part of the city’s preparations, it added the Guardian Angel of Route 66 Exhibit in collaboration with the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, which opened in July 2023. Beale Street Streetscape, a five-block renovation, is expected to be completed early this summer. The world’s only Electric Vehicle Museum and the historic Beale Street Theater are expected to open by 2026.

EXPLOREKINGMAN.COM

A Studebaker at the Arizona Route 66 Museum

COURTESY KINGMAN DEPT. OF TOURISM COURTESY KINGMAN DEPT. OF TOURISM

Route 66 neon in Kingman

A drive-through photo stop in Kingman

COURTESY NM TOURISM DEPT.

Amarillo, Texas

Route 66 travels through historic downtown Amarillo, Texas, and features antique shops, restaurants and breweries. The GoldenLight Café and Cantina is one of the oldest continually operated cantinas along Route 66, offering burgers and beer plus plenty of live music by local and traveling bands. The café was founded in 1946.

Amarillo is home to two major icons of Route 66, The Big Texan restaurant, which is known for its 72-ounce steak challenge, and Cadillac Ranch, an art installation that includes 10 vintage Cadillacs buried in the ground with their tail fins in the air. Visitors can spray paint their marks on the cars, making the installation a constantly changing art project.

In 2023, Amarillo hosted its inaugural Texas Route 66 Festival, a successful 10-day event that highlights the Texas route. The 2024 event will take place June 6-15. Amarillo planned the event last year to “get ahead of the curve and set the tone,” said Hope Stokes, director of marketing for Visit Amarillo. “It is important for communities along the route to celebrate in their own city but also put arms around their partners and highlight the entire route.”

The city is already planning how to make the 2026 festival even bigger and better than last year’s event. As part of its Route 66 celebration, Visit Amarillo developed the Texas 66 Coin Cruise Album that encourages centennial visitors to travel east and west on Route 66 to collect nine uniquely crafted commemorative coins at attractions along the way. The coins can be stored in the album cover, and the whole package includes a map of the route, QR codes to scan and a Spotify playlist.

VISITAMARILLO.COM

Amarillo’s Cadillac Ranch

A parade at the Texas Route 66 Festival in Amarillo

A Texas Route 66 Festival entertainer

An Elvis tribute performance at the Texas Route 66 Festival in Amarillo

BY ELEVEN FOUR PHOTOGRAPHY, COURTESY AMARILLO CVB

BY ANGELA GUTHRIE, COURTESY VISIT AMARILLO

BY BROOKE MADELEY, COURTESY AMARILLO CVB

HISTORIC

CONNECTS THE PRESENT TO

Bright neon. Delicious bites. World-famous attractions. Experience a storied piece of Americana in Missouri — U.S. Route 66. Join us in 2026 for the 100 year anniversary of this iconic road. Discover the possibilities at VisitMo.com For more information, contact Megan Sheets with Visit Missouri at megan.sheets@ded.mo.gov

BEST WESTERN ROUTE 66 RAIL HAVEN, SPRINGFIELD

MERAMEC CAVERNS, STANTON

GARYʼS GAY PARITA, ASH GROVE

MISSOURI HICK BAR-B-QUE, CUBA

TED DREWES FROZEN CUSTARD, ST. LOUIS

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa, which bills itself as the Capital of Route 66, hosts one of the largest Route 66 festivals in the country, the AAA Route 66 Road Fest. A highlight of the event is a 150,000-square-foot exhibit called Journey, which details the history of Route 66 from the 1920s to the present. The festival also features a classic car show, a family fun area and hundreds of vendors. The city has plans to build a new Route 66 roadside attraction on Cry Baby Hill, which hosts Tulsa Tough cycling event and is a popular destination for tourists. The Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Bridge is nearby, named after the man who convinced the federal highway department to allow the road to travel through Oklahoma. Built in 1917, the bridge was the first to use reinforced concrete to cross a river.

A nostalgic diner on Route 66 in Tulsa

Tulsa is also seeking proposals for a new development that will integrate with the Cry Baby Hill attraction, have programmable outdoor space that enhances the tourist experience, and provide retail and a new hotel or motel.

The Tulsa Route 66 Commission started a neon sign grant program seven years ago that helps businesses along Route 66 restore their neon signs or install new ones. The commission has installed 54 neon signs in the past five years. Groups visiting Tulsa will want to stop and see Flick Adams, a 22-foot Muffler Man dressed as a space cowboy, at Cosmic Curios. The Mother Road Market is a nonprofit food hall along Route 66 that offers several dining options, from tacos and sushi to ice cream and Cajun food.

Sunset over Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios, a Tulsa Route 66 shop

FirstAmericansMuseum

NationalCowboy&WesternHeritageMuseum

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

OklahomaCityNationalMemorial&Museum

AmericanBanjoMuseum

An American Portrait

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

Known for its kitschy curio shops, crazy photo ops and neon signs, Route 66 has a wealth of public art. From Chicago to Santa Monica, the best of post-World War II Americana is on display. Plan to include some of these noteworthy public art installations the next time your group is traveling to these Route 66 destinations.

Tucumcari, New Mexico

Tucumcari, New Mexico, is one of the most famous stops along Route 66 because of its neon signs, including the Blue Swallow Motel, a Route 66 motor court, and TeePee Curios, a shop that sells pottery, jewelry and Route 66 gifts. The New Mexico Route 66 Association provided grant funds to restore much of the neon in Tucumcari that was damaged by a hailstorm. Lacita Mexican restaurant sports a large sombrero on the top of its building, as well as a neon sign. The restaurant is the first business to benefit from the neon sign grants and now has a fully working neon sign that spins.

The city is also known for its murals. Mural artist Doug Quarles moved to the area a few years ago and is responsible for painting many of the 40-plus murals around town. One of his most photographed murals is of Route 66 on the side of a grocery store. Another mural, on the side of a gas station, shows a side cutout of Conchas Lake with the dam and spillway, as well as the marine life beneath the water. Another shows the area’s prairies.

Quarles recently returned to Tucumcari to restore the murals that grace the walls of the Tucumcari Chamber of Commerce offices; one shows a map of the town and the other shows the name of the town in postcard format, with pictures highlighting the area and its history in each letter. Another local artist, Matty Mo, is developing Art City, a home for public art and artists to display their artwork, just outside of town.

A Route 66 mural in Joplin

Joplin, Missouri

Joplin, Missouri, has always been a major stop along Route 66, and several of its art installations date back to the road’s beginnings.

Groups with an interest in public art can visit the Route 66 Mural Park, which features two large mosaics created from tiles. The upper mosaic, “Cruisin’ into Joplin,” consists of 540 tiles, and the second mosaic, “The American Ribbon,” was made from 180 tiles. One half of a red 1964 Corvette was embedded in the second mural.

Joplin City Hall features photos and art that relay 150 years of the city’s history as a regional hub. The centerpiece is “Joplin at the Turn of the Century: 1896–1906” by Thomas Hart Benton, an acclaimed Regionalist master.

The “Route 66, Joplin, Missouri” mural, painted by Benton’s grandson Anthony Benton Gude, was created to reflect the experiences of the 1950s and 1960s along Route 66 and Main Street Joplin. Downtown

Southwest artwork adorning a Tucumcari business

Joplin features wonderful examples of 20th century architecture in the Frisco Building, the former Christman building, the Ramsay and Newman’s department store, which houses Joplin City Hall, and the Joplin Route 66 Visitors Center. The former Fox Theatre, which opened in 1930, is another example of Route 66-era architecture.

While in Joplin, groups should stop at the former garage apartment that served as a hideout for notorious criminals Bonnie and Clyde in 1933; visit Grand Falls, the largest continuously flowing natural waterfall in Missouri; and stand in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma at the MO-KS-OK Tri-State Marker. VISITJOPLINMO.COM

Joplin’s Route 66 Memorial Park

Tucumcari, New Mexico, is one of the most famous stops along Route 66 because of its neon signs.

BY ROBERT HOCKADAY, COURTESY TUCUMCARI-QUAY CO

Tucumcari neon

A Doug Quarles mural in Tuccumcari

BY KAY OLSEN, COURTESY TUCUMCARI-QUAY COC

BY KAY OLSEN, COURTESY TUCUMCARI-QUAY COC

A mural depicting Joplin’s Route 66 history

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma has more than 400 drivable miles of Route 66, so visitors traveling the road through Oklahoma City have many opportunities to view public art, as well as explore some of the most iconic attractions along the road.

The city is nationally recognized as one of the top destinations in the country for street art. Visiting groups can take a selfie on Sky Dance Bridge or visit various districts to view colorful murals and sculptures. At night, the city is a beacon of light, with LED light shows, neon signs and interactive art installations.

Oklahoma City’s best known art installation, “Plaza Walls,” is a curated, rotating mural project in the Plaza District. The latest round of 40-plus murals by local and regional artists will be unveiled this September at the Plaza Walls Mural Expo, which features live music, dancing and a gallery art show featuring works from the muralists.

The Oklahoma City Public Art Gallery offers a map of various art installations around town, including sculptures and murals. Groups can take a bicycle tour through the city to learn about its history, art and architecture, or cruise through the city’s entertainment district on the Bricktown Water Taxi, which offers a guided tour of the many attractions, historical monuments, murals and local landmarks along a downtown canal.

Route 66 stops are also considered public works of art. Highlights include the historic Tower Theatre, which opened in 1937; the Gold Dome, a geodesic dome built in 1958; the POPS 66 Soda Ranch, which features a 66-foot-tall neon soda bottle; and the State Capitol complex, which features hundreds of artworks.

VISITOKC.COM

Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center

TRAM RIDE TO THE TOP

MUSEUM TOURS

RIVERBOAT CRUISES

Springfield’s Route 66

Legends Neon Park

Springfield, Illinois

The section of Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, features retro motor lodges that served the city during the highway’s heyday. Visitors can also enjoy movie nostalgia at the Route 66 Drive-In Theater, take photos of the 25-foot-tall Route 66 muffler man called the Lauterbach Giant and drive a short stretch of Historic Route 66 Brick Road. Groups visiting Springfield can walk the entire Illinois Route 66 Corridor at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience, where they can visit Legends Neon Sign Park or learn more about the Negro Motorist Green Book at the Route History Museum, which shows what it was like to be a Black visitor traveling along Route 66.

The city is also known for its public art. Art Alley is a pop-up art event where visitors can watch artists compete to complete murals in one day. Each year, the murals change. Along Springfield’s Third Street corridor, groups will find both lighthearted and serious murals, including one featuring Homer Simpson, Springfield’s erstwhile cartoon resident, and one dedicated to anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko. “PrairieSumac” is a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired mural that pays tribute to a stained-glass piece he designed, and “Young Abe” is a 2,250-square-foot mural of young Abraham Lincoln as a surveyor that was painted with small dots to form a larger image.

Completed in 2018 for the Illinois bicentennial, “Illinois History” is a 20-panel mural designed to represent the state. A mural at the Route History Museum pulls together landmarks in African American history that are often overlooked.

VISITSPRINGFIELDILLINOIS.COM

Taking a photo at a

St. Robert and Pulaski County, Missouri

Pulaski County, Missouri, is home to a 33-mile section of Route 66 that features public art. In Waynesville, there are several murals downtown, two of which were created by famous artist Ray Harvey. There is also an interactive mural representing the Roubidoux Bridge, which was built in 1923 and crosses Roubidoux Creek at the location where the Cherokee encamped during their travels along the Trail of Tears. The mural features a canoe that tourists can pose with.

On the square in Waynesville, near the spot where legislation recognizing Route 66 as a scenic byway was signed, is an eight-foot, two-ton Route 66 Shield sculpture.

W.H. Croaker is a huge boulder that looks similar to a frog. In 1996, local tattoo artist Phil Nelson spent several months painting Croaker, which overlooks the town and Route 66 from the hillside.

In St. Robert, just north of 66, is St. Robert Military Tribute and Freedom Rock Display, which features boulders painted by Bubba Sorenson as part of the 50 State Freedom Rock Tour, as well as rocks painted to represent military units at Fort Leonard Wood. Just east of St. Robert, along Route 66 is Uranus, Missouri, which features a Route 66-themed neon wall and Rustic Treasures, which has several murals, including “Sasquatch on Route 66” and “The Minion.”

The city of St. Robert is developing a Route 66 Neon Park, which will open later in 2024. It is an open-air museum in George M. Reed Roadside Park that will feature more than 10 vintage neon signs with storyboards that originated along Missouri’s 66 from St. Louis to Carthage.

There is also an interactive mural representing the Roubidoux Bridge, which was built in 1923 and crosses Roubidoux Creek at the location where the Cherokee encamped during their travels along the Trail of Tears.

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Freedom Rocks in Pulaski County

Pulaski County mural

The “W.H. Croaker” rock in Waynesville

Celebrating American Landmarks

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

Route 66 passes close by some of the country’s most stunning natural wonders, from the stark deserts to vast, colorful canyons, otherworldly landscapes transformed by volcanic activity millennia ago and deep underground caverns formed over time by the movement of water.

Groups traveling along Route 66 should make a point to stop at these five extraordinary natural areas.

Grand Canyon National Park

FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA

No other location along Route 66 has impressed road trippers more than the colorful and majestic Grand Canyon National Park. The awe-inspiring canyon, which is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and 6,093 feet deep, embodies the American spirit of exploration and adventure like nothing else in the United States.

The colorful walls of the canyon record nearly untold millennia of the Earth’s geological history that were slowly revealed as the Colorado River cut its way through the landscape. Several trails branch out from the visitor’s centers along the rim, allowing groups to take in some of the canyon’s most gorgeous vistas.

Group travelers following Route 66 through the area can stay in Flagstaff, Arizona, just 80 miles from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, which is popular for the visitors center and historic lodge. The highway runs right through downtown Flagstaff, where groups can learn more about the area at a historic train depot that now serves as the city’s visitors center. A self-guided audio tour takes listeners along the Route 66 corridor and some of its most iconic locations. Flagstaff is also a convenient location for group travelers to visit

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Wupatki National Monument near Flagstaff

Wupatki National Monument, with its 800-year-old pueblos; Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument; Walnut Canyon National Monument, with its cliff dwellings; and Arizona Meteor Crater, all within a two-hour drive of the city.

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The Kelso Dunes, which are among the largest sand dunes in the country, are must-sees for visiting groups.

The Grand Canyon, a short drive from

Mojave National Preserve BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA

Mojave National Preserve covers 1.6 million acres north of old Route 66, between interstates 40 and 15, featuring a harsh desert landscape of volcanic cinder cones, sand dunes and Joshua trees. Visitors can learn more about the preserve by visiting the Kelso Depot Visitor Center, which opened as a train station in 1924. The former baggage room, ticket office and two dormitory rooms in the building are furnished as they would have been during the station’s heyday, and visitors can watch a 20-minute film in the theater.

Several sights in the preserve, including the Kelso Dunes, which are among the largest sand dunes in the country, are must-sees for visiting groups. It’s about a three-mile round trip hike up to the top of the dunes, which were formed by wind and sand over thousands of years. Groups can also explore a lava tube that was created about 27,000 years ago. The Rings Loop Trail is a 1.5-mile hike that takes visitors past ancient petroglyphs. Hikers can learn how Hole-in-the Wall got its name as they ascend Banshee Canyon with the help of metal rings mounted in the rock.

A visit to Mojave National Preserve wouldn’t be complete without a walk through the Joshua trees. The largest concentration of these trees lies along Cima Road. About one-third of the park’s Joshua trees were burned during an August 2020 fire, but many still remain in this location. The Boulders Viewpoint Parking Area gives visitors a fantastic view of the Granite Mountains.

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Flagstaff

A cactus at Mojave National Preserve

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A Route 66 sign in downtown Flagstaff

Mojave National Preserve in Barstow

BY RYAN MCGINLEY, COURTESY NPS

BY SARAH GILDEN, COURTESY NPS

A Mojave National Preserve dune field

Carvings at New Mexico’s Petroglyph National Monument

Petroglyph National Monument

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO

About seven miles northwest of downtown Albuquerque and Route 66, Petroglyph National Monument is a 7,239-acre park known for more than 25,000 rock images carved by Native Americans and Spanish settlers.

The carvings feature images of animals, people, crosses and other more mysterious objects. They are carved and chiseled into volcanic rock left over from eruptions in the Albuquerque Volcanic Field. Group can learn more about the area and its geology at the visitors center before heading to several spots within the park to see the petroglyphs up close.

Boca Negra Canyon provides quick and easy access to three self-guided trails where groups can view 100 petroglyphs. It only takes about one hour to walk all three trails. Cliff Base and Macaw trails offer moderate intensity, while Mesa Point is more strenuous. Rinconada Canyon offers insight into the geologic, cultural and natural resources of the region. From the parking lot, visitors can follow a sandy path that crosses dunes and takes them past prehistoric and historic petroglyphs, rock wall alignments and shelters.

Piedras Marcadas Canyon offers a petroglyph trail, where visitors can see up to 400 carvings, and an unpaved North Rim Trail, which is great for taking in the surrounding scenery.

The Volcanoes Trail takes visitors on a three-and-a-half-mile hike to see the JA Volcano and Vulcan Volcano.

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Meramec Caverns

STANTON, MISSOURI

The largest commercial cave complex in Missouri, Meramec Caverns lies beneath the rolling hills of the Meramec Valley. Discovered in 1720 by an expedition party led by French Explorer Philipp Renault, the cave was first used as a saltpeter, or potassium nitrate, mine. Saltpeter was used to make gunpowder at the time, and mining was very successful for 144 years until the Civil War put an end to it.

It wasn’t until the 1890s that residents of nearby Stanton began to use the cave again, this time as a place to host parties and escape the summer heat. When it was first discovered, the cave was 50 feet wide and 20 feet high. But beyond the main entrance was a room that was large enough to host big crowds, as well as a 50-by-50foot dance floor. It was nicknamed the Ballroom. In 1933, Lester Benton Dill bought the cave and began offering guided cave tours to the public. During that time, he discovered new sections of the caverns that were even more beautiful, including the Stage Curtain, a 70-foot-tall wall of what looks like hanging drapes.

Maramec Caverns in Missouri

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In 1941, another set of rooms containing artifacts linked to infamous outlaw Jesse James were discovered. Today, groups can take a guided walking tour through the cave along well-lighted walkways. The tour takes about an hour and 25 minutes and includes a light show in the Theatre Room, which holds the Stage Curtain formation. The show features colored lights and images highlighting the beauty of America, accompanied by the song “God Bless America.” AMERICASCAVE.COM

Miami, Oklahoma

But beyond the main entrance of Meramac Caverns was a room large enough to host big crowds, as well as a dance floor. It was nicknamed the Ballroom. In 1941, another set of rooms containing artifacts linked to infamous outlaw Jesse James were discovered.

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Petroglyph National Monument

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Rock formations at Maramec Caverns

Wildlife in New Mexico

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

CANYON, TEXAS

The second-largest canyon in the United States, Palo Duro Canyon, is about a 30-minute drive from Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle, not far off Route 66. What makes the canyon so special is that most people don’t even know it exists until they drive into it because of its location on the plains of Texas. Although the area is covered in prairie, it is still at 3,600 feet of elevation.

“It is so unexpected,” said Hope Stokes, director of marketing for Visit Amarillo. “When people see it, they can’t believe it is here and so close to the city.”

The canyon is the largest drivable canyon in the U.S., allowing visitors to drive from the rim down 800 feet to the canyon floor. Ninety percent of the canyon is privately owned, and the rest is a state park. The park and many of the canyon’s private properties offer fun things for groups to do, including camping, hiking, horseback riding and off-road Humvee tours.

Southwest artist Georgia O’Keeffe was inspired by the landscape in the canyon during her time as a student at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, with many of her paintings featuring Spanish skirts and sediment layers in the canyon.

A scenic drive through Palo Duro Canyon

Originally, there was a creek that ran through the canyon, as well as forests of large trees — the “hard wood” for which the canyon was named. The canyon also served as a safe place for the Comanche Indians, who would escape there in the winter to shelter from the cold.

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A rock formation in Palo Duro Canyon State Park near Amarillo

Famous

BY LAWRENCE PEREIRA, COURTESY VISIT AMARILLO

Tradition of serenity.

EXPERIENCE SANTA FE COUNTY

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