The Group Travel Leader November/December 2023

Baton Rouge isn’t just another Louisiana city, we’re Louisiana’s Capital City. It’s where soul and spirit collide, resulting in a music scene that’s so much more than music – it’s an authentic look at life in Louisiana.

Catch a show at VisitBatonRouge.com

BY BRIAN JEWELL

What can today’s bachelorette parties tell us about the prospects for tomorrow’s group travel industry?

A recent article in The Hustle, an online business and technology publication from sales software company HubSpot, details the business of bachelorette party buses. It says that in Nashville, a longtime tourism town that has recently become one of the the country’s leading bachelorette destinations, party bus operators charge $400-$600 per hour to take groups of up to 25 on two-hour tours of the city.

According to the article, these coaches have been modified to create open-air upper decks with music and disco lights for dancing. They are driven by professional coach operators and governed by the normal regulations of the party bus industry. The onboard celebrations are BYOB, but professional bartenders on board each bus make sure drinks are served responsibly.

“We saw a trend where these girls were going out; they wanted to dance; they wanted to see Nashville; they wanted to be with their friends, but they didn’t want to be stuck inside a bar,” one bachelorette bus company owner told The Hustle. That company operates 12 buses in Nashville and can gross as much as $150,000 per weekend. Similar companies are operating in Austin, Texas, another up-and-coming bachelorette destination. And more are coming soon in other cities, too.

Of course, a bachelorette party on wheels is different from a traditional group tour in many ways. And the demographic patronizing the party bus is likely very different than the kinds of people who frequently come on your trips. But I believe the emergence of the bachelorette party bus is a

EDITOR’S MARKS

very good sign for the future of group travel.

On a basic level, bachelorette party organizers have the same goals as group travel leaders. They want to enjoy a good time with their friends. They want to explore an exciting destination. And they want a safe, hassle-free way to do so.

That’s good news for our industry, because it proves the fundamental value proposition of group travel isn’t restricted to the traditional tour bus clientele. People of any age can and do enjoy traveling together. And they’re happy to pay someone else to organize the trips for them.

I’ve been spending a lot of time this fall talking to people outside the legacy tour industry who are discovering the benefits of group travel. Those conversations have been incredibly refreshing, and they make me incredibly optimistic about the future of tourism. From social media influencers to university groups, bourbon enthusiasts, sports fans and, yes, bachelorettes, there’s a wide world of people out there who are eager to travel together.

Today’s bachelorette groups can be tomorrow’s tour groups. They already understand the appeal of group travel, and they have already demonstrated a willingness to pay for facilitated travel experiences. This makes them ideal targets for tour companies that can figure out how to craft products — and marketing messages — that will appeal to them across different seasons of life.

This and other segments of the nontraditional tour industry are worth learning about. Because even if you don’t plan to be on a bachelorette bus anytime soon, your future customers just might board one this weekend.

SENIOR MARKET IS TRENDING AGAIN SAYS WALL STREET JOURNAL

SALEM, Ohio — A recent article in the Wall Street Journal titled “The U.S. Economy’s Secret Weapon: Seniors With Money to Spend” is confirmation of what we in the group travel industry have known for years: The most overlooked and underappreciated sector of American society just happens to be the 50-and-over population.

The Madison Avenue agencies, run by 35-year-olds with MBAs, have missed out on the strength of this sector’s economic drivers for years, probably because they never learned about it in business school or pop culture. But here are the facts about older Americans: Their money is green; their health is excellent; their willingness to spend is unbridled; and they have a ton of disposable income.

50-plus planners control millions of travel dollars.

Let’s address the senior market as we in the group travel industry know it. Seniors have money. Recently, people 65 and up accounted for 22% of all spending in America, and that is up from 15% in 2010.

So how are they spending all this money? Travel ranks No. 1 on their list. That’s great news for readers of this publication.

It’s important for the travel industry to recognize these encouraging signs. Since 1982, spending by older households has been up 34.5%. The spending of younger households, in contrast, has risen only 16.5% over the same period.

This spending growth is being accelerated by the number of baby boomers, the youngest of which are 59 and retiring in record numbers. Americans 70 and older hold 26% of household wealth in America, according to the Federal Reserve. That’s the highest percentage since they began keeping records.

Beyond having money, boomers enjoy the best health on record, enabling a lifestyle of leisure travel. The above numbers indicate growth for the future of the travel industry in general. But they miss the one overlooked factor that drives group travel: the desire to be with friends, family and people of similar interests.

That’s why it’s a great time to be a group travel planner or a tourism industry professional. More seniors have the health, wealth and desire to travel in the comfort and safety of a group than ever before.

AATC HEADS TO CHESAPEAKE, VIRGINIA, IN APRIL

SALEM, Ohio — Meet in Chesapeake, Virginia, for the African American Travel Conference!

The Chesapeake Convention and Visitors Bureau is hosting the African American Travel Conference (AATC), April 16–18, 2024 and is inviting the travel industry to come network with, get to know and meet one-on-one with the diversity travel groups. These groups are looking to expand their travel programs and can’t wait to see what’s new at conference this year.

“I have witnessed since COVID that diversity travel groups

are energized and traveling more than ever,” said Cassandra Blankenship of AATC. “The travel industry partners are rejuvenated and eager to showcase to these groups. It’s exciting times for African American Travel Conference.”

The event’s location in Chesapeake is an amazing opportunity for group travel planners. The Chesapeake CVB is offering local sightseeing, outstanding evening events and entertainment, and much more.

If you have any questions, contact Cassandra Blankenship at 800-628-0993 or cblankenship@grouptravelfamily.com.

The Group Travel Leader is taking a trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and we want you to come with us!

Our friends at Visit Myrtle Beach are arranging a familiarization tour of the natural wonders and exciting attractions along the area’s coastline, and they’re inviting our travel planner readers to attend. The tour will take place April 7–11 and will include time in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Murrell’s Inlet and other communities on the Grand Strand.

You’ll join Brian Jewell, our VP and executive editor, and Kyle Anderson, our director of sales and marketing, as they explore the area with our Myrtle Beach hosts.

The five-day tour includes these highlights:

• Exciting Stage Shows — Enjoy revue shows at several of Myrtle Beach’s most beloved music theaters.

• Brookgreen Gardens — See beautiful horticulture and stunning artwork at the largest sculpture garden in the United States.

• Wetlands Eco-Tour — Explore the area’s distinctive and scenic coastal wetlands on a naturalist-led ecological expedition.

• Hotel Tours — See some of Myrtle Beach’s many group-friendly hotel properties firsthand to select the accommodations that are just right for your group.

• Coastal Southern Cuisine — Dig into some of the best and freshest seafood and classic Southern fare at Myrtle Beach’s signature restaurants.

Visit Myrtle Beach will host your hotel accommodations, meals, admissions and other expenses. Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from the region.

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

Don’t miss this opportunity to join us April 7-11 in Myrtle Beach!

Join Us for a Trip to Myrtle Beach

Travel planners can explore distinctive historic sites and beautiful wetlands in Myrtle Beach on an upcoming familiarization tour.

REGISTRATION CLOSES: FEBRUARY 15

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

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

PHOTOS

Kyle Anderson

Brian Jewell

GROUP TOUR?

BRING IT TO

NOMADNESS FEST DRAWS

BLACK INFLUENCERS TO LOUISVILLE

BY BRIAN JEWELL

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — More than 330 travel enthusiasts and influencers gathered in Louisville, September 28–October 1, for Nomadness Fest, a four-day event celebrating culture and travel. The festival is the signature annual event of Nomadness Travel Tribe, an online community of more than 34,000 Black and minority travel influencers and innovators.

Nomadness Travel Tribe and Nomadness Fest were founded by longtime travel enthusiast Evita Robinson.

“I was a three-time expat right after college,” Robinson said. “I had come back to the U.S. after living primarily in Asia. Nobody in my family could relate to me, so I wanted to find my tribe and build a community. It started with 100 people. Within six months we were in Ebony magazine. It was very organically grown, and it came from my personal travels.”

As Robinson’s work caught on, she became a sought-after speaker and won accolades from business and travel magazines, including being named one of National Geographic’s “21 Most Visionary Women Throughout Travel History.” The Nomadness community grew as well, and

Robinson began hosting group trips.

“We do trips all over the world, three or four times a year,” she said. “We’ve done over 40 trips. Our largest group before COVID was 45 people. Now we try to keep them smaller — around a dozen. We just finished a Nile river cruise.”

Based on the success of the group trips, Robinson launched Nomadness Fest in 2018, inviting travel enthusiasts, influencers, innovators and travel industry professionals to gather for a long weekend of fun, collaboration and professional development.

The makeup of the festival attendance closely mirrors the composition of the overall Nomadness community.

“We’re about 80% Black women in the millennial- or Generation X-age demographic,” Robinson said. “We are avid travelers and primarily leisure travelers. What I also find interesting about Nomadness is that our demographic is split into five almost equal pieces, from students all the way up to self-made millionaires.”

Many of the travel influencers in attendance — who have built followings creating travel

content for Instagram, TikTok, blogs and other online platforms — expressed interest in learning about organizing group travel as a way to monetize their online followings. A well-attended panel discussion titled “Travel Is My Business” introduced four travel influencers who now lead group trips around the world.

Other sessions included “Domestic Travel’s Come-Up,” “Travel Effects of Overtourism and Social Media” and “Wellness Travel for Communities of Color.”

In addition to the educational sessions, the festival also featured numerous social events, industry networking sessions and a day of travel experiences at attractions around Louisville.

“We’ve had a relationship with Louisville Tourism for about two years now, and they’ve been very intentional about putting Louisville on our radar,” Robinson said. “They have done activations with us in feeder cities. Their sales team in particular were so clear on painting the picture for us that it opened us up to giving it a try. They invested. And we started to build relationships locally with the Black community.” nomadnessfest.com

Nomadness Fest scenes, left to right: A networking event; an Instagram moment; a destination booth CONFERENCE

PHOTOS BY REESE BLAND, COURTESY NOMADNESS FEST

TOURISM FOUNDATIONS JOIN FORCES FOR POWER OF PARTNERSHIP SUMMIT

RICHMOND, Virginia — Two hundred tourism professionals and community development leaders gathered in Richmond, Virginia, October 16–18, for the inaugural Power of Partnership Stewardship Summit. The summit was a cooperative initiative of four tourism industry nonprofits: the Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance, Tourism Cares, the Travel Foundation and the U.S. Cultural and Heritage Marketing Council.

The purpose of the summit was to gather industry experts to discuss issues surrounding community, culture and climate in tourism.

“Cultural heritage, community tourism and climate action go hand in hand,” said Stephanie Jones, founder of the Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance and the driving force behind the coalition of organizations hosting the event. “We’re all talking about the same things, but we’ve been doing it in silos. So we wanted to invite the industry to come together to have some bold conversations. We want to come together and learn from each other.”

The event featured more than 50 speakers, many sitting on discussion panels or giving masterclasses across three days of intensive learning sessions. Topics ranged from discussions on regenerative tourism — a concept that involves travelers making pro-social investments in the communities they visit — to climate concerns and ways to amplify cultural heritage of underrepresented groups during travel experiences.

As part of the focus on cultural heritage, the conference featured a marketplace of 24 city tour operators and other suppliers from diverse backgrounds.

“It was important for us to use this opportunity to integrate smaller suppliers from diverse communities into the tourism ecosystem,” Jones said. “We want you to become more knowledgeable about small suppliers that offer diverse tourism experiences across the U.S.”

In addition to the keynotes, breakout sessions and masterclasses, the summit featured

BY BRIAN JEWELL

several networking hours in which tour operators, travel agents and other professionals held appointments with the suppliers in attendance. These networking breaks also featured artistic moments from cultural heritage organizations in Richmond, including African dance and music by members of the Elegba Folklore Society and a performance by the Latin Ballet of Virginia. An evening networking reception featured a live painting demonstration by celebrated Richmond mural artist Hamilton Glass.

On the final afternoon of the conference, attendees wrapped up the classroom sessions and broke into small groups for volunteering and cultural tours at sites throughout Richmond. Glass led a walking tour through the Jackson Ward neighborhood to showcase

Mending Walls, a mural program he and other artists undertook in 2020. Other groups toured significant Black history sites around the city and participated in service projects at Sankofa Community Orchard.

The excursions helped attendees connect with parts of the community that many tourists miss, creating the sorts of opportunities for meaningful travel experiences that have become a key area of focus for Tourism Cares.

“We like to say that all tourism is community tourism,” said Tourism Cares CEO Greg Takehara. “This summit allows people to go beyond the traditional definition of community tourism to realize what community is all about.”

powerofpartnershipsummit.com

Power of Partnership Summit marketplace exhibitors

A cultural performance by Elegba Folklore Society

Conference organizer Stephanie Jones (left) speaking with an attendee

PHOTOS BY SAMIA MINNICKS PHOTOGRAPHY

A painting by Richmond artist Hamilton Glass

HOPKINSVILLEArisingstar

Hopkinsville’s annual Trail of Tears Pow Wow is held the weekend after Labor Day and honors the city’s indigenous history.

This Kentucky city has crafted a winning recipe with groups

WBY RACHEL CRICK

here there’s smoke, there’s fire — unless you’re in Hopkinsville, where white smoke routinely rises from barns when they’re curing dark fired tobacco, a local agricultural staple. This sight, along with the vivid green of soybean fields and the golden expanse of corn and wheat at harvest time, paints a pretty picture of this western Kentucky town of 30,000 residents.

With a renewed devotion to its rich and diverse history and the addition of an energetic assortment of eateries, shops, breweries and distilleries, Hopkinsville is experiencing a renaissance. But beyond the bucolic scenery and historic downtown, the heart of “Hoptown,” as locals call it, is undoubtedly its people, who have collaborated to create a storybook small town that welcomes visitors with open arms.

Because of that collaboration, Hopkinsville offers a flexibility to groups that ensures their experience will be perfectly curated to suit them.

DOWNTOWN HOPTOWN

Downtown Hopkinsville is replete with boutique shops, public art and historic buildings doubling as distinct attractions.

The Pennyroyal Area Museum is housed in the 1914 former post office building on Ninth Street, just a block away from the city’s historic clocktower. With its stately columns and the historic mailboxes from its post office days, it’s a piece of Hopkinsville history.

“The building itself is our biggest artifact,” said Alissa Keller, executive director of the Pennyroyal Area Museum.

PHOTOS BY RACHEL CRICK

Inside, the museum is crammed full of exhibits about Hopkinsville and Christian County. A wide range of subjects are covered, from artifacts by feminist icon and Hopkinsville native Bell Hooks to an exhibit about the Civil War in Hopkinsville.

The museum also has some strange and delightful stories to tell with its exhibits featuring intriguing topics. These include Edgar Cayce, an alleged psychic known as “the sleeping prophet” who was a Hopkinsville native; the Kelly Green Men Case, also known as the KellyHopkinsville Encounter, a notorious altercation with extraterrestrials said to have partially inspired the hit movie “E.T.”; and an invasion of blackbirds large enough to rival a Hitchcock film.

Groups can enjoy a guided or self-guided tour of the museum to learn about the surprising amount of connections between this small Kentucky town and the rest of history.

“Our local historian calls it the ‘Hoptown connection,’” Keller said. “We can connect everything to Hopkinsville. Anything in American history, we can draw back to it, even if it’s just a tangential connection.”

Also on Ninth street, several shops cater to groups. At Stella’s Soap, they can peruse soaps and bath products, watch products being made at the soap bar, make their own bath bombs or take a soap-making class on the shop’s upper level. At Milkweed Health and Harmony Emporium, they can shop for teas, crystals and locally made jewelry. Just a short walk away, shops on Sixth Street include charming boutiques and an antique store.

A walk around town is great for spotting public art installations, from colorful murals to statues honoring

Hopkinsville as the Batter Capital of the World, such as a larger-than-life bushel of wheat.

To end a day of exploring downtown, groups can visit the Alhambra Theatre, a 650-seat proscenium theater first built in 1928 and renovated in 2018. The theater’s second floor is now the Hall of Alhambra, a lounge that can seat groups for receptions or meals prior to a show. Groups can catch a performance at the Alhambra, from concerts to comedy shows to classic movies, for an unforgettable evening.

A bakery in downtown Hopkinsville

The Pennyroyal Area Museum

The Kelly Green Men Case exhibit at The Pennyroyal Area Museum

The Edgar Cayce exhibit at The Pennyroyal Area Museum

FROM BATTER TO BOURBON

Hopkinsville is known for its agricultural contributions of wheat, corn, soybeans and tobacco. But it’s the Batter Capital of the World for good reason — Kentucky produces over 3.5 million bushels of wheat annually, and anyone who enjoys a McDonald’s biscuit east of the Mississippi is enjoying a product made from the wheat in the county surrounding Hopkinsville.

Groups can take a Farm to Fork Tour organized by Visit Hopkinsville. First, they’ll head out along scenic rural roads to a local farm. They can hear about operations firsthand from a farmer, see the equipment and

enjoy the fresh air while they learn where their food comes from.

The next stop on the tour is the Krusteaz Factory, which produces Krusteaz pancake and waffle mix, Ghirardelli brownie mixes and Cracker Barrel biscuit mix, among other products. After donning their hardhats, groups can head to the factory floor, where knowledgeable guides will take them through production, from the processing wheat coming into the factory to testing the final products.

They can finish the tour at the city’s visitors center, where they can make pancake batter art and shop for local souvenirs.

But batter isn’t the only thing coming from the crops in Christian County. The serene countryside just outside Hopkinsville is home to two stops on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour: MB Roland Distillery and Casey Jones Distillery

MB Roland, named for co-owner Merry Beth Tomaszewski, uses local grains to make its bourbons and moonshines. Tomaszewski and her husband Paul, bought the former Amish dairy farm and converted it into a distillery in 2009. Groups can enjoy a tour and tasting at the distillery and learn what makes this craft distillery’s tightknit operation so distinct.

“There’s only about 20 of us getting the product from grain to glass,” said Loralee Childers, marketing and hospitality manager at MB Roland.

Casey Jones Distillery was built on the legacy of notorious moonshiner and still-maker Alfred Jones, known by his alias, Casey. Jones’ grandson, AJ, and his wife, Peggy Hayes, used the last still made by Casey to make early batches of moonshine. This blossomed into the distillery. With a brand new rickhouse on the property and plenty of event space, the distillery is now a prominent fixture in Hopkinsville’s entertainment scene. Groups can tour the premises and partake in a tasting while hearing the tale of Casey Jones. They can catch live music on certain days or even host a group meal at the distillery.

MB Roland Distillery

A bourbon-making display at MB Roland Distillery

The Soap Bar at Stella’s Soap

A public art installation in downtown Hopkinsville

A resident cat at MB Roland Distillery

The grounds of Casey Jones Distillery

A still at Casey Jones Distillery

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

Downtown Hopkinsville is a haven for foodies, with an excellent range accommodating everything from café food to fine dining.

A local fixture since 1929, Ferrell’s Snappy Service is an eight-stool eatery serving an all-American menu of burgers and chili. The mouthwatering taste of griddle-seared burgers has beckoned late-night diners, hungry travelers and Hoptown natives for nearly a century, making the humble eatery a must stop.

Across the street, the Corner Coffeehouse offers light café fare like avocado toast, summer salads and comforting soups, as well as coffee and fresh pastries. It also features a community collection of used books for sale.

With an anticipated reopening in early 2024, the Mixer is a trendy local favorite undergoing renovations following storm damage. Located in a historic building on Sixth Street, the restaurant/bar has two separate spaces for groups, including a mezzanine and second floor; its hand-crafted cocktails and eclectic menu make it a great option for brunch, lunch or dinner. Next door, Baked serves coffee and fresh pastries to go.

“Both of these businesses are about helping people make good memories and experiences,” said Heather Dawson, owner of the Mixer and Baked.

Another favorite for dinner is the Local, an Irish pub and kitchen offering elevated pub fare for lunch and

dinner. Groups can grab an Irish meal, like fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, or bangers and mash, or stick to American classics such as burgers, sliders and steaks.

Just a short walk from historic buildings like the Alhambra, Hopkinsville Brewing Company is a craft brewery in a former auto shop, meticulously restored and transformed into a homey and hip space for gatherings and hangouts. Co-owned by veterans Kate Russell (who recently graduated with a master’s degree in brewing science from Auburn University) and Joey Medeiros, the craft brewery opened in 2016. It’s been a hub for community events ever since, including food truck festivals, bingo, stein-holding contests and beard competitions. Groups can tour the facility and learn about the brewing operations from Russell and Medeiros, do a tasting of the beers and ciders made on the premises, and enjoy a pint among locals.

Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel in neighboring community Oak Grove is home to Garrison Oak Steakhouse, a fine-dining establishment serving delicacies like prime and choice cuts of steak, seafood and pasta dishes. Groups can follow dinner here with a trip through the gaming floor. DaVinci at NovaDell, in what was once the clubhouse of a golf course, offers fine Italian fare and locally inspired cocktails.

A group tour at Brame’s Farms

Latte at Corner Coffehouse

A meal at Garrison Oak Steakhouse

Cider at Hopkinsville Brewing Company

Tacos at Vansauwa’s Tacos and Vegan Eats

NATIVE ROOTS

The Trail of Tears refers to the forced displacement of Native American tribes to Oklahoma following the passage of the Indian Removal Act. The Five Civilized Tribes were forced by the government to make the long and treacherous march from their homelands to unfamiliar territory, and many perished along the way.

In 1838 and 1839, the northern route of the Trail of Tears led the Cherokee through Hopkinsville during their removal, where they stopped and camped for the winter and stocked up on rations. Today, that stop is marked with the Trail of Tears Commemorative Park The park includes a flag memorial, walking paths, a statue garden and a small cabin with indigenous artifacts, including belongings of some of the Native people who made the journey.

“The stuff you read in books only scratches the surface,” said Kristina Scott, historian and cabin docent.

The park is also significant because it’s the burial ground for two Cherokee leaders who died while camped in Hopkinsville, Chief Whitepath and Fly Smith. Their likenesses were sculpted by local artist Steve Shields, and their headstones are a short walk from the heritage cabin.

“There is only one other marked [Native American] gravesite in the state of Kentucky,” Scott said.

Groups can tour the cabin and talk with a historian to learn more about the people who came through Hopkinsville on the Trail of Tears. But there’s an even more interactive way for them to appreciate Native American history in Hopkinsville. Every year, the weekend after Labor Day, Hopkinsville is home to the Trail of Tears Pow Wow. This intertribal event is a spectacular sight full of symbolism, beauty and the appreciation of Native American cultures.

The ceremony opens with a grand entry, where participants of all ages and tribes enter the arena and dance to Native American music. Then comes the competitions, arranged by gender and age, from toddlers to golden age participants. Thanks to the bright colors and elaborate regalia, these symbolic dances are a vibrant display of authentic Native American culture that is a rare treat for groups to witness.

Outside the arena, dozens of Native American vendors sell their art, jewelry, pottery and food. The star of the show culinary-wise is the fry bread, which can be enjoyed as a taco with tons of Tex-Mex toppings or as a dessert, with honey, fruit or powdered sugar.

A dancer at the Trail of Tears Pow Wow

A statue honoring a Cherokee chief

A fry bread taco

A Pow Wow competitor

DestinationsDOCK

Groups can enjoy a number of activities such as paddleboarding, on the water in Fort Lauderdale.

The French Quarter

Beignets and chicory coffee at Café du Monde

CRUISE PASSENGERS FLOCK TO THESE CITIES

BY RACHEL CRICK COURTESY VISIT LAUDERDALE

Come for the cruise, stay for the city. Cruises are immensely popular activities for group travelers because of their built-in vacation-like atmosphere, relatively low cost and high potential for sightseeing. But between steep airline ticket prices and the logistical chaos of getting a group onboard before the ship departs, cruising can also be stressful.

Group travel planners can extend their trips and the fun by staying in cruise port cities, from an extra day or so to several days before or after the cruise. This can also save them (and their travelers) money on airfare and minimize the stress of arriving and departing the city on the day the ship docks.

Check out these domestic cruise port cities where what’s on land is just as interesting as what awaits at sea.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Thanks to its year-round warm temperatures and the 3,000-plus hours of sunshine it enjoys annually, Fort Lauderdale is a vacation destination unto itself. It’s also home to a major cruise port, Port Everglades. Most major cruise lines offering itineraries departing from Fort Lauderdale, including those sailing on some of the largest ships in the world. But the city is equally worthy of exploring before or after a cruise for some fun in the sun.

In addition to exploring Fort Lauderdale’s 24 miles of beaches, there are several ways to get to know the city better, including a comedic Segway tour complete with fun facts and photo ops. To appreciate the area’s surrounding nature, groups can take an airboat tour through the Everglades or visit the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, which has 35 acres of gardens. For a diverse shopping and dining experience, groups can head to Las Olas Boulevard, a high-end shopping district, or Sawgrass Mills, which has more than 350 shops.

Fishing is a popular sport in Fort Lauderdale, and this is reflected in the city’s culinary scene. Waterfront

dining is a staple of the city, and groups can enjoy freshcaught seafood right on the water at restaurants like Shooter Waterfront, 15th Street Fisheries, and GG’s Waterfront Bar and Grill. Groups can also explore Fort Lauderdale’s rooftop bars, cafés, and for a sweet treat, Jaxon’s Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant.

VISITLAUDERDALE.COM

New Orleans

With major cruise lines such as Disney, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian and several river-cruising companies docking in the Port of New Orleans, it’s no surprise plenty of cruising travelers will find themselves spending time in the Big Easy. New Orleans and Company, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, offers pre- and post-cruise itinerary packages that feature deals and discounts for groups.

One popular activity for groups to get an overview of the city is through New Orleans City Bus Tours. They can also swing by the French Market District, which has been one of the city’s biggest culture centers for over 200 years. Groups can spend an entire afternoon in this hub for shopping and dining. They can also stop at the newly renovated Audubon Aquarium and the National World War II Museum. For hands-on fun, they can take a group cooking class.

New Orleans has a wealth of cafés and restaurants ideal for a group visit. For lighter fare, a trip to Café du Monde for a chicory coffee and beignet is a must. But for a scrumptious dinner at an establishment with fresh seafood and Creole influence peppering the menu, groups can head to the French Quarter to Tujague’s or Antoine’s. Another popular choice is Bourbon House, found on the famous Bourbon Street.

NEWORLEANS.COM

Portland, Maine

Portland’s Maine State Pier and Ocean Gateway Terminal are home to ships from large cruise operators like Carnival and Royal Caribbean, as well as smaller

Wildlife in Fort Lauderdale

Wheel. A food tour with Eat Seattle is a great way to get acquainted with Seattle’s diverse culinary scene.

Notable attractions for art lovers include the Seattle Art Museum, Olympic Sculpture Park, and the Chihuly Garden and Glass. The Museum of Pop Culture, the Museum of Flight, and the Museum of History and Industry make great stops for history buffs.

and luxury lines like Viking, Oceania Cruises and Windstar. In addition to cruising the Great Lakes or the Atlantic, spending a few days exploring historic coastal Maine is a must.

Several tours give groups the lay of the land, including the Maine Brews Cruise, which gives guests a behind-the-scenes look at the breweries, wineries and distilleries in the area. Maine Day Ventures offers culinary and historic walking tours, while Portland Discovery Land and Sea Tours offers sightseeing tours by trolley or chartered boat. Other noteworthy attractions include the Victoria Mansion, Maine Historical Society and one of Maine’s many coastal lighthouses.

Maine is known for its fresh seafood, and Portland gives groups plenty of chances to enjoy views of Portland Harbor with fresh lobster. They can head to restaurants such as Boone’s Fish House and Oyster Room, Portland Lobster Company, The Porthole and Dimillo’s on the Water. They can also get a taste of small-batch ales and pub food at Gritty’s Portland Brew Pub.

VISITPORTLAND.COM

Seattle

Cruises to Alaska or along the West Coast frequently depart from Seattle, with over 1 million passengers setting sail from this port city annually. There’s plenty to do in the city whether groups only have half a day or want to extend their stay by a couple days.

Multiple tour companies offer a range of ways to explore the city’s most iconic sights. Bus tours, historic walking tours and self-guided tours let groups see the city’s subterranean streets, waterways and landmarks, such as the Space Needle and the Seattle Great

Coffee culture is big in Seattle, and groups can head to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room to see where the massive coffee chain started. Seattle’s cuisine is nothing if not diverse, with a blend of soul food, seafood and Asian cuisine restaurants for groups to try, as well as brewpubs and wineries.

VISITSEATTLE.ORG

Galveston, Texas

Thanks to major cruise lines like Disney, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian departing from the Port of Galveston, this historic island city 50 miles south of Houston is highly frequented by travelers.

Galveston’s 32 miles of beaches are a major draw, and groups will love a leisurely afternoon on the beach or a trip to the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, which features rides, games and carnival food. Groups can also head to Moody Gardens, a 242-acre entertainment complex with an aquarium, replica rainforest biome with animals and the Discovery Museum. Moody Gardens also has theaters, a golf course and a lazy river. The city’s historic Strand and Post Office District offer opportunities to see Victorian architecture while shopping and dining.

Galveston has a variety of group-friendly restaurants that impress. At the Moody Gardens Hotel, groups will find Shearn’s Seafood and Prime Steaks, which is known for dishes such as shrimp de Jonghe and lobster bisque. Hearsay on the Strand is known for craft cocktails and its chic décor, while Fisherman’s Wharf offers harbor views and some of the freshest seafood in Galveston. For German fare that can be enjoyed on a rooftop terrace or indoor beer garden, groups can try Stuttgarden Tavern.

VISITGALVESTON.COM

A coastal lighthouse in Portland

Starbucks Reserve Roastery

COURTESY VISIT PORTLAND MAINE

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A cocktail at Cloak and Petal

Moody Gardens at night

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San Diego

Cruise lines like Disney, Holland America, Princess, Norwegian and Celebrity dock at the Port of San Diego for voyages to incredible destinations in the South Pacific, Central America and South America. This port city offers visitors plenty of attractions and activities to enjoy in Southern California.

When in San Diego, groups can spot the beautiful wildlife of the Pacific with San Diego Whale Watch, a whale watching excursion off the coast that may also include sightings of seals, sea lions, birds and dolphins. December through April is Gray Whale season, while Blue Whale season is June through October.

So Diego Tours offers themed tours of the city, ranging from the Tequila, Tacos and Tombstones Tour in Old Town to the Brothels, Bites and Booze Tour in the Gaslamp. For a narrated tour of the city, groups can check out Old Town Trolley Tours. Other group-friendly attractions include the San Diego Zoo, home to more than 650 species of animals, and the Birch Aquarium.

For fresh sushi and delightful cocktails under a cherry blossom or in a speakeasy setting, groups can head to Cloak and Petal, a chic restaurant in Little Italy. For a 180-degree view of downtown with their meal, Mister A’s is a newly renovated fine-dining restaurant. For an eclectic meal of tacos, margaritas and Mexicanstyle beers, Puesto is a trendy choice with indoor and outdoor seating.

Start planning your trip and request a Visitor Guide today to discover the perfect breakthrough experiences for your group.

WEST VIRGINIA

By Jill Gleeson

Wild and wonderful West Virginia is most widely known for the diversity of its outdoor offerings, but group travelers will find more to love within its spectacular confines than natural splendors. Along with the achingly lovely landscapes of places like New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the state offers oodles of elevated cultural experiences at destinations ranging from the Capitol Theatre to Tamarack Marketplace. History awaits discovery here, too, at Harpers Ferry, where John Brown made a stand against slavery, and Capitol Market, which continues to make upgrades in its quest to be one of the country’s best. With lodging and dining options as revelatory as its attractions, West Virginia promises groups a trip as beautifully well rounded as it is thrilling.

The Greenbrier is West Virginia’s signature luxury resort.

BY TOM ADKINSON

POPULAR DEMAND

NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE

The 70,000-acre New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers a wide array of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, rafting and climbing. Groups can even traverse the catwalk of the 876-foot-tall New River Gorge Bridge, the longest single-span arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere. Or leaders may want to plan a stop at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, located outside Fayetteville. Informative exhibits and a short film about the area will captivate travelers; ranger talks and a guided walk to overlooks are dependent on staffing.

HARPERS FERRY NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

Perched on the state’s eastern panhandle, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park tells stories as gripping as they are varied. Within the park’s borders, groups can relive change-making events such as the legendary raid by abolitionist John Brown on the U.S. armory; visits by history makers such as Meriwether Lewis; and the founding of Storer College, one of the country’s first higher learning institutions to educate Black people. Tours run about two and a half hours and are available to group visitors through the Harpers Ferry Park Association.

TAMARACK MARKETPLACE

Tamarack Marketplace in Beckley is a true shopper’s paradise, offering more than 20,000 objects crafted by juried artisans hailing from all of the state’s 55 counties. But there’s more in store for groups here, including artist-guided classes in disciplines like glassblowing, painting and pottery. Tamarack also boasts a fine on-site eatery, providing Appalachian-inspired fare such as rainbow trout and fried green tomatoes. Or leaders can schedule a customized catered meal served alongside a murder mystery theatrical event or a musical performance from a local band.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

A Harpers Ferry interpreter

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New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

Tamarack Marketplace

UP AND COMING

CAPITOL MARKET

Housed in a former train depot built before the turn of the 20th century by Kanawha and Michigan Railroad, Capitol Market honors its storied past while wholeheartedly embracing its future. With help from $600,000 in grants, the market has undertaken a wealth of new improvements groups will appreciate, including renovated restrooms and upgrades to the lighting and exterior. Still to come in 2024 is the installation of solar power, which will provide backup electricity in case of an outage.

ALMOST HEAVEN SWINGS

Groups are going to really love getting their ‘Gram on in West Virginia thanks to last year’s debut of the Almost Heaven Swings. Crafted by the state’s tech students, the super-sized wooden wonders have been strategically placed in 18 supremely scenic spots. Group visitors can look for them at several state parks including Cacapon Resort, Babcock and Bluestone. Swings have also been positioned overlooking the State Capitol near the University of Charleston boathouse, and at the lovely Philippi covered bridge, just off U.S. 119.

THE CAPITOL THEATRE

Built in 1928, Wheeling’s Capitol Theatre will get an overhaul in July 2024 that will help keep groups filling the seats for years to come. In recent years, the Capitol has been unable to book some big theatrical events due to its antiquated rigging equipment, which is original to the building. After a two-month closure and a $500,000 update, the theater will debut an automated system of weights, counterweights and pulleys able to bear the weight of the heaviest modern sets, ushering in a new era at this historic gem.

PHOTOS

The Capitol Theatre in Wheeling

Almost Heaven Swings

Capitol Market COURTESY WHEELING

Hotel Morgan

OVERNIGHT SENSATIONS

THE GREENBRIER

Renowned as one of the world’s finest historic resorts, the Greenbrier welcomes groups with special rates, packages and the opportunity to indulge in more than 55 activities spread over the magnificent property’s 11,000 acres. That includes everything from a tour of the on-site Cold War fallout shelter built for members of Congress to a falconry demonstration. With roots dating back to 1778, The Greenbrier, dubbed “America’s Resort,” is a must-visit destination for groups touring West Virginia’s southeastern region.

HOTEL MORGAN

There’s nothing quite as wonderful as a grand old hotel lovingly restored to its former glory, and that’s exactly what travelers will find at Morgantown’s Hotel Morgan. Opened in 1925, the property was meticulously renovated in 2021 and once again offers the kind of sophistication that greeted guests like Eleanor Roosevelt and President Harry Truman. The 83 rooms and suites feature plenty of thoughtful, modern touches, like plush bedding and blissfully luxurious bathrooms, but historic charm reigns supreme at the Morgan.

BY MOLLY CARR, COURTESY THE GREENBRIER

MEMORABLE MEALS

THE WONDER BAR STEAKHOUSE

A historic Clarksburg favorite that started off as a small dancehall morphed into the Wonder Bar Steakhouse way back in 1946. Private rooms are available for groups, which can choose from dishes including hand-cut steaks flavored with signature seasonings, like the 10-ounce, center-cut filet mignon; jumbo lump crab cakes, which are made daily; and South African rock lobster tails. Or, group travelers may dine outside on the expansive patio, which affords an especially stunning view of the city at sunset.

STILLWATERS

Tucked away within the Adirondack-style Stonewall Resort, which is surrounded by the lush landscape of Roanoke’s 1,900-acre Stonewall Resort State Park, Stillwaters restaurant specializes in offering locally sourced meat, fish and produce. Menu highlights include summertime burrata, served with poached aromatic peaches, pickled fennel, and local infused oil and balsamic reduction; and the molasses bourbon glaze New York strip, crafted with beef from an area farm. Group guests are sure to enjoy the sweeping vistas of the park, which are visible while dining inside or out.

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Wonder Bar Steakhouse

Stillwaters at Stonewall Resort

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The Greenbrier

The beaches of Corpus Christi make a wonderful ending point for a north-tosouth tour through Texas.

DESTINATION

FAR FLUNG FUN

YOUR GROUP WILL NEVER TIRE OF TEXAS

BY DIANA BOCCO

Texas is as diverse as it is vast.

From the cosmopolitan allure of Dallas to the historic charm of San Antonio and the sun-kissed coastlines of the south, there’s plenty to explore in this iconic state. Travelers love the attractions, the live music echoing in the streets, the tantalizing scents of local dishes and the vibrant stories of each unique destination.

Embark on a north-to-south journey through the Lone Star State, where groups can weave tales of adventure, discovery and memories to last a lifetime.

DALLAS METROPLEX

Anchoring the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the city of Dallas pulsates with energy. Music lovers will be drawn to its rich live music scene, while foodies will love the culinary scene and the tantalizing flavors of Tex-Mex.

“If you’re coming to Dallas, the official home of the frozen margarita, between Cinco de Mayo and Día de los Muertos, you don’t want to miss out on the Margarita Mile,” said Zane Harrington, director of communications at Visit Dallas. Visitors (including groups) receive a free, curated pass directly to their smartphone via text/email and can start exploring immediately, enjoying craft margaritas and earning cool swag along the way.

Groups interested in art have plenty to explore here as well.

“Dallas is home to the largest urban arts district in the country, with an impressive lineup of world-renowned museums, such as the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Crow Museum of Asian Art,” said Harrington.

No visit to Dallas is complete without experiencing the Texas State Fair in October and a visit to the iconic Geo-Deck at Reunion Tower with its 360-degree views over the city. “Add a small champagne toast from the bar, and a group is all set for a perfect experience,” Harrington said.

Nearby, day trips to Arlington and Fort Worth offer extended adventures, from marveling at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, home of the Dallas Cowboys and the world’s largest domed structure, to exploring the historic Stockyards and cowboy culture in Fort Worth.

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WACO

Walking through Waco is a stroll down memory lane, a place where visitors can enjoy a charming blend of oldworld architecture with modern-day vibrancy.

A group tour to Texas isn’t complete without a stop at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco.

“Our tourism counselors recommend a guided tour for groups to get the most out of their visit,” said Susan Morton, tourism manager at the Waco Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Exhibits include the history of the Texas Rangers, artifacts and artwork related to the Rangers, both real and in pop culture.” Contact museum staff to get the group rate and schedule your guided tour.

While in town, Morton also recommends a visit to the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

“This museum is home to over 6,000 pieces of sports memorabilia and is the first hall of fame in the nation with memorabilia from each inductee,” said Morton.

The city is also the birthplace of Dr. Pepper and has a museum dedicated to the nation’s oldest major soft drink.

“We recommend a self-guided tour with a Dr. Pepper float in the old-time soda fountain,” Morton said, adding that group rates can be arranged through the advance booking form online.

The Waco Mammoth National Monument is home to the world’s largest nursery herd of Columbian mammoths, and groups can choose between a guided or a self-guided tour through this amazing paleontological dig site.

If you’re a fan of HGTV’s Fixer Upper, Morton recommends arranging a Historic/Fixer Upper Driving Tour, which takes your group on a scenic and historic driving tour.

“You’ll get a little Waco history and a chance to go by some of the houses featured on the Magnolia Network,” Morton said. The famous Magnolia Silos, also featured on the Magnolia Network, is another great group destination consisting of enclosed grounds featuring a bakery, food trucks, Katy Ballpark, Shops at the Silos, coffee shops and gardens.

Visitors can also tour the Armstrong Browning Library and Museum to discover thousands of items related to the Victorian poets Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning and the building’s stunning 62 stained-glass windows depicting the works of the poets. For some more local history, there’s also the Black Gospel Archive and Listening Center and the historical Earle-Napier-Kinnard House.

Groups looking for outdoor activities will enjoy hiking and biking at The Lake Waco Wetlands and Cameron Park.

“Fans of water sports will want to include rowing, paddle boarding or kayaking on the Brazos River and surfing at Waco Surf,” said Morton.

WACOHEARTOFTEXAS.COM

AUSTIN

Austin, bathed in almost endless sunshine, is a blend of natural beauty and cultural vibrancy.

“Folks love to come to Austin for the food scene, but the live music scene and community are also thriving here,” said Wesley Lucas, director of communications at Visit Austin.

“We’re the live music capital of the world and have more than 240 live music venues across the city offering anything from country music to techno to rock and more.”

Nature lovers should explore the extensive Greenbelt, the 205 parks, and 14 nature preserves spread around the city and its surroundings. Adventure seekers can experience the rush of the Lake Davis zipline, paddle through the peaceful Barton Creek or visit Hamilton Pool, with its 45-foot waterfall concealed within a grotto.

“Austin’s a unique city where you have the hustle and bustle of downtown, but then steps away you’re in a beautiful oasis on a trail,” said Lucas, who recommends paddleboarding on Ladybird Lake or hiking up Mount Bonne for some great views of the Texas Hill Country.

At dusk, groups should head to Congress Avenue Bridge to see over 2 million Mexican free-tailed bats fly out and take over the sky.

“We call it the best free live show in Austin,” said Lucas.

For those with a penchant for history and science, the Neil Cochran House Museum and the Houston Museum of

A moment of rest on the Greenbelt in Austin

BY ANDREW CHIN, COURTESY VISIT AUSTIN

BY

Natural Science are worth visiting. Both the Blanton Museum of Art and the Bullock State History Museum offer group tour opportunities, and groups can also tour the capitol.

“There are also walking tours of downtown,” said Lucas. “All of the Austin murals around town are worth checking out, and several tour operators offer tours for those. There’s also a breakfast taco tour, there’s a barbecue tour, a history biking tour — many options for groups looking to explore.”

AUSTINTEXAS.ORG

Our team goes the extra mile to take your group travelers to new heights. With 300+ days of sunshine, 400 years of history on El Paso’s historic Mission Trail, the largest urban park in the nation, Franklin Mountains State Park, and easy access to four jaw-dropping national parks, El Paso is the perfect destination for an unforgettable adventure.

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A Japanese drumming demonstration in Dallas

Waco Mammoth National Monument

Public art in Dallas

CHRISTINA CHILDRESS, COURTESY VISIT DALLAS

SAN ANTONIO

San Antonio is a bustling city with quaint small-town vibes. Famous for historical sites like the Alamo and the Missions National Historical Park, San Antonio has a lot more to offer.

“San Antonio has many significant cultural attractions, including the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum, San Antonio Zoo, Japanese Tea Gardens, McNay Art Museum and San Antonio Botanical Garden,” said Dorah Benavidez, director of tourism development at Visit San Antonio. “Groups can also explore San Antonio’s eclectic neighborhoods, whether it’s a glassblowing workshop at Garcia Art Glass in Southtown or taking a bike tour of the colorful murals on the Westside.”

Benavidez pointed out that visitors shouldn’t miss a visit to Pearl.

“A former 1800s brewery just north of downtown, Pearl has been reimagined into a bustling neighborhood along the San Antonio River Walk, the largest urban ecosystem in the nation,” said Benavidez. For a deeper look into the area, Benavidez adds that the Downtown Reach offers al fresco dining, a classic San Antonio boat tour or dinner on the city’s fleet of electric river barges, plus lively shops and nightlife experiences.

There’s also the Natural Bridge Caverns, one of the largest show caves in the United States offering opportunities to explore underground chambers.

“Groups can follow a friendly guided tour along paved, lighted walkways in the amazing Discovery Tour or explore the newly opened Hidden Wonders Tour, complete with a sound and light show,” said Benavidez.

San Antonio is also widely recognized as a leading culinary destination. It has been designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, one of only two in the U.S. Foodie groups will love the hands-on classes taught by the chef-instructors at the Culinary Institute of America San Antonio.

“For a truly Texan culinary experience, groups can shuttle from San Antonio to one of several ranches or rodeo venues that serve up Western-style home cooking, such as Knibbe Ranch, Tejas Rodeo and Rio Cibolo Ranch, for culinary experiences ranging from campfire dinners and traditional Texas barbecue to superior steakhouses,” Benavidez said.

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CORPUS CHRISTI

Nestled against the Gulf of Mexico, Corpus Christi offers a symphony of coastal experiences. Its sandy beaches — with Mustang Island State Park, McGee Beach and Whitecap Beach taking the top spots — stretch out invitingly to the sound of waves hitting the shore. Known as “America’s Birdiest City,” Corpus Christi also draws bird-watching enthusiasts keen to spot over 200 species during the spring migration.

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Exploring the San Antonio River Walk on a barge COURTESY VISIT CORPUS CHRISTI

Corpus Christi Seafood

The Alamo

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IMMIGRANT FESTIVALS ROCK

THESE INTERNATIONAL EVENTS MAKE GREAT TRIPS

A

merica is a nation of immigrants.

BY CYNTHIA BARNES

In the United States, as elsewhere, immigrant communities hold dear to traditions brought with them from their old homes, kaleidoscopes of beauty that enrich the new places where they settled. You’ll often find this diverse (and delicious!) heritage celebrated at annual festivals that showcase traditions and contributions through music, dance, arts and crafts, and of course, delectable foods.

With ornate costumes, jubilant performances and colorful parades, international festivals are a great way to embrace the unique history, culture and heritage of a city. Here are some festivals and events that offer a distinctive ethnic experience for your group travelers.

The Odunde Festival celebrates African heritage in Philadelphia.

BY ANDY HART, COURTESY HARTFORD BID

PUERTO RICAN PARADE AND FESTIVAL DEL COQUÍ HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT

It may get cold in the winter, but Connecticut’s capital city has a strong connection to the Caribbean, particularly to Puerto Rico. About 100,000 people in Connecticut have Caribbean roots, with Puerto Ricans making up the largest portion of that population. Although the first immigrants arrived in the 1880s, internal migration from the island increased significantly following World War II.

That warm West Indian heritage and hospitality are on display every year at the Puerto Rican Parade and Festival del Coquí, which brings together thousands of residents and tourists for a massive daylong celebration of island culture.

The festivities kick off with the Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade, featuring police vehicles, fire trucks, floats, drum lines, dancers and horses. The red, white and blue flags of both the U.S. and Puerto Rico (a U.S. territory) line the parade route.

“The Puerto Rican Day Parade and Festival is one of the most energetic and vibrant events that takes place in Hartford,” said Connecticut State Representative Julio Concepcion. “Given the city’s large Puerto Rican population, the parade and festival are an amazing opportunity to highlight the rich culture and heritage of our people. The day is filled with great music, food and a genuine great time celebrating ‘La Isla del Encanto.’”

Following the parade, the Festival del Coquí fills historic Bushnell Park, where attendees feast on yellow rice, roast pork, kabobs, fritters and turnovers; shop for handicrafts; and enjoy world-class performers who travel specifically from the island to be part of the event.

Other iconic Hartford activities include a visit to the Mark Twain House and Museum. Known as “America’s Downton Abbey,” the gracious mansion is where the author wrote some of his best-known works, including “Tom Sawyer” and “Huckleberry Finn.” Groups can stroll the pedestrians-only Pratt Street Historic District (where salsa dancers converge on summer evenings) and check out the city’s oldest site with a tour of the Ancient Burying Grounds, which were established in 1640. HARTFORD.COM

BY NANCY PARISI, COURTESY VISIT BUFFALO NIAGARA

DYNGUS DAY BUFFALO, NEW YORK

Buffalo, New York, celebrates its proud Polish heritage throughout the year, but never harder than on the Monday following Easter Sunday, when the city shakes off winter, commemorates the end of Lent and declares itself the Dyngus Day Capital of the World. The origins of the Eastern European holiday are murky. It might be in honor of Polish Prince Mieszko I being baptized in 966, or it could be a nod to a pagan festival for the god of water, which included fertility rituals such as throwing water and swatting single women with pussy willows. Origins aside, Dyngus Day is always a grand and goofy good time in Buffalo, which has one of the largest Polish-American populations in the country.

Family-owned taverns in the city’s Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood — known as Polonia — fill up early on Monday morning, with revelers indulging in breakfasts consisting of beer, hard-boiled eggs, and delicious meat- or potato-stuffed dumplings known as pierogies. There’s also a kielbasa-eating contest, a parade filled with red-andwhite-bedecked floats, dancers in traditional dress and butter molded into the shape of lambs. The Corpus Christi Church has all-day bowling in its basement bowling alley, along with a traditional Polish mass; and food trucks, polka bands and festivities are found throughout the entire city.

“Dyngus Day is one of the greatest party days of the year in Buffalo,” said Brian Hayden, communications director of the Buffalo History Museum. “It’s a chance for anyone who’s Polish [or Polish at heart] to revel in the city’s culture and history and drink cold beer. Those who find their way to our city will not be disappointed.”

After the fun of Dyngus Day, groups will want to marvel at the magnificence of Niagara Falls, admire the landscapes of Frederick Law Olmsted’s parks and tour some of the seven structures in the area designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The Buffalo AKG Art Museum has recently reopened after a three-year expansion and renovation, and the lively waterfront is definitely worth exploration.

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Hartford’s Puerto Rican Parade

Dyngus Day in Buffalo

IRISH FESTIVAL DUBLIN, OHIO

Dubbed “the other Dublin,” this small town in central Ohio goes all-out for the Emerald Isle each summer, hosting one of the largest three-day Irish festivals in the world. Now in its third decade, the Dublin Irish Festival is a nonstop celebration of all things Celtic and is attended by more than 100,000 people.

“The festival has everything that you can think of –live music and food and, of course, Guinness,” said Sara Blatnik, marketing director for Visit Dublin Ohio. “But there are also so many cultural activities. You can track your genealogy and learn how to play a tin whistle. In the sports area, you can watch everything from a spear toss to sheep herding. The shopping is especially great — more than a hundred vendors with handmade apparel, crafts and musical instruments.”

Groups that visit will also want to check out the Irish Fairy Door Trail in the historic downtown, following the map to find all 11 and collect a free T-shirt. The city also has a 70-plus piece collection of public art, including a popular “corn field” with six-feet-tall cement cobs.

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PHOTOS COURTESY VISIT DUBLIN OHIO

Traditional arts and outfits at Ohio’s Dublin Irish Festival

ODUNDE FESTIVAL PHILADELPHIA

On the second Sunday in June, up to half a million people converge on South Street in one of Philadelphia’s oldest historically African-American neighborhoods for the Odunde Festival. The largest Black and African cultural festival in the country, Odunde means “Happy New Year” in Yoruba, and the inspiration for the event stems from celebrations in Nigeria.

“Odunde was created by my mother Lois Hernandez in 1975,” said festival CEO Oshunbumi “Bumi” FernandezWest. “I was strapped on her back, a year old.”

The event Fernandez-West began with her friend Ruth Arthur and a $100 grant on a single city block now covers 15 and has a $28 million economic impact on the city of Philadelphia in one 10-hour period. Odunde features two stages of live entertainment and more than 100 arts and crafts and food vendors, all of them celebrating African-Americans and the people of the African diaspora.

“Our mission is to educate the public about the importance of African and African American culture,” Fernandez-West said. “My mother always said that she never thought it would go to this magnitude, never in her wildest dreams. Odunde is for those who love the beautiful continent of Africa. We bring Africa to you.”

While in the City of Brotherly Love, groups will want to experience Philadelphia’s world-renowned art museums, including the Barnes, and the rich Revolutionary War history like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall on display in the heart of the old city. To further step back in time, stroll the cobblestone streets and admire flower boxes and quaint Colonial-era architecture at Elfreth’s Alley. Philadelphia also boasts an admirable culinary scene, from Michelin-starred restaurants to all the delicacies on offer at the Reading Terminal Market.

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BASQUE FESTIVAL ELKO, NEVADA

The glitz of Las Vegas often grabs the spotlight in Nevada, but the state has culture that extends far beyond casinos. Emigrating in the 19th century from a region on the northern border between Spain and France, the Basque people first came for gold mining but stayed and put their sheepherding skills to use in the north’s rugged mountains, leaving a distinct stamp on the region’s culture. Every Fourth of July weekend, the town of Elko holds the National Basque Festival, an immersive extravaganza of traditional dancing, music, handmade crafts, rural sports competitions (like woodchopping, weightlifting and tug-ofwar) and more. Revelers enjoy succulent Basque specialties like pickled beef tongue and grilled lamb, accompanied by refreshing Picon punch, a cocktail of brandy, grenadine and Amer Picon bitters.

“Elko has a great Western heritage,” said Tracie Barnthouse, chief communications officer for Travel Nevada. “The festival is a great time for the community to come together and celebrate their culture.”

Members of Nevada Basque community still own and operate a number of historic boarding houses, such as Elko’s Star Hotel, which opened in 1910 to house sheepherders during the harsh winter months. Groups will want to visit the Western Folklife Center as well as the California Trail Historic Interpretive Center for a glimpse back into the Old West.

TRAVELNEVADA.COM

PHOTOS COURTESY TRAVEL NEVADA

Elko murals

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A street performance at Odunde Festival

A woodchopping competition at Basque Fest

AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE GUIDE

METRO MAGIC

MAJOR CITIES SHOWCASE BLACK CULTURE STOPS FOR GROUPS

Travelers can discover Black cultural landmarks, such as the legendary Apollo Theater, on tours through Harlem.

Black art in Detroit

BY CLAIRE HANNUM

TRAVELERS DON’T HAVE TO LOOK FAR TO FIND BLACK CULTURE.

In big cities from coast to coast, Black history, music, food and heritage are integral parts of the local landscape. Groups that visit these destinations can discover places where African Americans have made their mark on local and national culture.

Check out the following cities to learn how your travelers can discover rich Black experiences in each one.

NEW YORK CITY

In the early 20th century, thousands of Black Americans relocated from the South to the North in the Great Migration. As many as 175,000 of them landed in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood. By the end of World War I, the Harlem Renaissance was underway, launching a rush of creative expression, writing, poetry, performance, painting, philosophy and more. Much of the work was defined by thoughtful examination of the Black American experience that still resonates today.

Legendary writers, thinkers, artists and performers like W.E.B. Du Bois, Walter Frances White, Marcus Garvey, Paul Robeson, Josephine Baker, Zora Neale Hurston and more flocked to Harlem as a source of inspiration. Musicians such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday brought their work to life in the neighborhood.

Today, Harlem is still proudly centered on Black heritage.

“Although Harlem is going through a gentrification transition today, the Black culture remains dominant,” said Yuien Chin, executive director of Harlem One Stop. “There is nothing like Black joy, especially during the summer when the streets come alive with street festivals, music concerts, block parties and parades not easily found elsewhere.”

Chin suggests visitors retrace the steps of the creative geniuses of Harlem’s past.

“The neighborhood is like a living museum with literary and social references,” she said. “My favorite and best way to explore Harlem is through a neighborhood walking tour that will provide the social and cultural history and context for present Harlem.”

Explore the legendary Apollo Theater; the home of poet Langston Hughes; the Schomburg Center for Research in Black

Culture; and streets like Strivers Row, where composers including Eubie Blake, Bill “Bojangle” Robinson and W.C. Handy lived. Harlem One Stop offers custom group activities, including trips to enriching locations like the Jazz Museum of Harlem, ultra-local neighborhood walking tours and even gospel tours. exploreharlemnyc.com

DETROIT

In the days of the Underground Railroad, Detroit was considered one of the last stops on the road to freedom. Detroit’s First Congregational Church played an especially important role, hiding formerly enslaved people who’d escaped until they could safely cross the Detroit River to Canada. Groups can learn more about the story on an Underground Railroad Walking Tour, which serves as a guide through some of Detroit’s important stops on the road to freedom.

In the decades that followed, Detroit grew into a thriving hub of Black culture and heritage. It served as the birthplace of Motown, with Barry Gordy producing hits from the likes of Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell, Aretha Franklin and more from Hitsville USA in the heart of the city. Today, that studio is now the Motown Museum, which welcomes visitors.

Groups visiting Detroit should also consider a trip to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. The museum offers a journey through history, including a stop at a replica slave ship and a series of stories of African American success and creativity.

In the nearby city of Dearborn, groups will enjoy a visit to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, which houses the bus on which Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat for a white passenger and sparked a new chapter in the Civil Rights Movement. visitdetroit.com

ATLANTA

“Atlanta is the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement,” said Logan Doctson, public relations specialist for Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau. King, former U.S. Representative John Lewis and other key Civil Rights leaders grew the movement nationwide with Georgia as their inspiration and backdrop.

Unexpected Atlanta’s King Historic District Tour takes travelers on an in-depth exploration through the places that inspired King and his peers. Another tour operator, Civil Rights Tours Atlanta, which was created by a former aide to King, offers bus tours of famous locations in the Civil Rights Movement.

Groups should also consider a visit to the city’s National Center for Civil and Human Rights, which follows the American Civil Rights Movement from its beginnings to the present day.

“The center has three main exhibits: Civil Rights, human rights and the Martin Luther King Jr. Collection from Morehouse College,” said Doctson.

Today, neighborhoods like Southwest Atlanta, Atlanta’s Eastside, Cascade Heights and Sweet Auburn are home to thriving Black-owned businesses, restaurants and shops that are powering the city forward. discoveratlanta.com

BALTIMORE

Baltimore is the birthplace of timeless Black creative masterpieces, including jazz hits, memorable poems and unforgettable pieces of art. It also served as home to Black leaders like Frederick Douglas, Thurgood Marshall and Elijah Cummings.

Baltimore’s music scene has been integral to the fabric of modern jazz, R&B and hip-hop, as well as an early incubator of house music.

“Each year, Baltimore hosts the AFRAM Festival,” said Al Hutchinson, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore. “It’s one of the largest African American festivals on the East Coast.” The event boasts more than 100,000 attendees annually and features entertainment, eats and shopping.

For groups that want to delve deeper into the city’s history, the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park Museum offers an interactive journey through the history of Douglass and Isaac Myers, the founder of the first Black-owned shipyard. Other great sites to visit include the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, the Maryland Center for History and Culture, and the Lillie Carroll Jackson Civil Rights Museum. The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum features wax representations of legendary Black figures. Visitors can dive deeper with the city’s recently created Black-Owned Business Directory, which covers local restaurants, shops and attractions that play a role in Baltimore’s Black culture. baltimore.org

ST. LOUIS

St. Louis served as the backdrop for the famous trial in which Dred and Harriet Scott, who were enslaved, sued for their freedom in 1847. It was also the site of many determined escapes from slavery, including one led by the legendary Mary Meachum, a free Black St. Louisan.

The city also played host to the beginnings of an electrifying blues scene, with musicians from across the U.S. gathering to play their tunes. During the Great Migration, many top-notch blues musicians flocked to St. Louis and crafted a distinct St. Louis sound that’s unlike anywhere else in the country. Music-loving groups will enjoy the National Blues Museum, which dives into the history of blues and its impact on all other forms of American music. The Scott Joplin House State Historic Site is another great avenue for music fans. The house explores Joplin’s finest hits and the history of his work.

Catherine Neville, vice president of communications for Explore St. Louis, pointed to the many historic sites and museums that dot the St. Louis landscape. Many connect St. Louis’ past with its vibrant present, with Black-owned restaurants, museums and shops shaping the city’s current culture.

One important site to visit includes the Field House Museum, which explores the court case of Dred and Harriet Scott, and the Old Courthouse, where the case was first heard before heading to the Supreme Court.

Another site, Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing, honors Meachum’s journey with nine enslaved people on an attempted escape. Four escaped and five were caught; the story remains Missouri’s most well-documented escape. The site of the crossing is host to a reenactment every year.

The Griot Museum of Black History, in St. Louis’ historic Old North, highlights the depth and significance of Black history and culture throughout the country. The museum aims to share and interpret Black stories. The museum’s artifacts and wax figures examine of Black influence, and exhibits include a special focus on important leaders in St. Louis history.

Wrap up your trip with a visit to the St. Louis Walk of Fame on the city’s famed Delmar Loop, which honors St. Louis legends like Tina Turner, Josephine Baker, Chuck Berry and more. explorestlouis.com

NEW ORLEANS

Black heritage is interwoven into the fabric of New Orleans’ music scene, food and cultural traditions. Many New Orleanians who arrived in the city while enslaved continued to speak their native languages from Africa, and many

Detroit’s Motown Museum

A family reunion in Baltimore

A bust of Frederick Douglass

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta

The experience is unforgettable . Because the lessons should never be forgotten .

There’s no better place to learn about the struggle for black equality while walking in the footsteps of the Movement’s heroes. It’s all here, from the world-class Mississippi Civil Rights Museum to the Fannie Lou Hamer Memorial Garden and Emmett Till Interpretive Center. Plan your journey today at VisitMississippi.org/CivilRights

who were born in Louisiana spoke French Creole. Others still spoke English, creating a melting pot of different languages and cultural rituals that remain today.

Many African traditions stayed in place through the years and are still practiced today. Congo Square is a great example of this — this space where Treme meets the French Quarter is one of the most important sites in the history of jazz music. In centuries past, enslaved people and laborers alike gathered to play music, trade and dance. It led to the beginnings of many crucial aspects of American music as we know it today. Jazz, funk, hip-hop, gospel, brass, rock ’n’ roll and more all owe much to the early gathering and jam sessions that happened in New Orleans. Groups can stop by Congo Square to see music history up close.

Travelers who want to get to know more of New Orleans’ past can also visit the New Orleans African American Museum (NOAAM). Located in Treme, the oldest-surviving Black neighborhood in the U.S., the museum celebrates the contributions of Black residents to local and national culture. This year also saw the opening of the brand new Louisiana Civil Rights Museum. Another important site to visit is St. Augustine Church, believed to be the oldest Black Catholic parish in the country. The church was established in 1841 and long included pews for enslaved parishioners. It is one of the first spots noted on Louisiana’s African American Heritage Trail. neworleans.com

“There’s nothing like this in this country.”

The Legacy Museum, located on a site in Montgomery, Alabama, where Black people were forced to labor in bondage, uses interactive media, sculpture, videography, and exhibits to draw dynamic connections across generations of Americans impacted by slavery, lynching, segregation, and mass incarceration.

The National Memorial for Peace and Justice is a sacred space for truth-telling and reflection about racial terror in America and its legacy. Set on a six-acre site a short walk from the Legacy Museum, the memorial uses sculpture, art, and design to contextualize racial terror lynchings and the legacy of racial injustice.

The National Blues Museum in St. Louis

New Orleans African American Museum

— The New York Times

At the heart of America’s inland waterways, you’ll find a sophisticated rivertown that inspires. Paducah, Kentucky, is a confluence of cultural heritage and creativity where art is a way of life.

A designated UNESCO Creative City, Paducah is gaining acclaim as a destination for those who crave rich, authentic cultural experiences!

Immerse yourself in history, art and culture through unique experiences, self-guided tours and historical trails.

Plan your experience at Paducah.travel

PIONEERING SPIRITS

THESE BLACK ICONS LEFT HOMES WORTH VISITING

The Paul Lawrence Dunbar House in Dayton preserves the home of a luminary Black intellectual.

A historic photo at the Louis Armstrong House Museum

BY KATI HYER

THE BEST WAY TO GET TO KNOW A HISTORICAL FIGURE IS TO STEP INSIDE THEIR WORLD.

A person’s home is their most intimate space. From the furnishings to the fixtures, homes are curated by their inhabitants. And around the country, travelers can get to know some of America’s most extraordinary Black citizens by exploring their homes, schoolhouses and other significant settings during their formative years.

Consider visiting some of these notable sites for revealing looks at the lives of famous Black figures.

LOUIS ARMSTRONG HOUSE MUSEUM Queens, New York

The timeless melody carried by trumpet in “La Vie en Rose” can transport even the most musically disinclined to a brighter world. Such is a good starting point for unpacking the legacy of musician, vocalist and barrier breaker Louis Armstrong.

“His home is important because of the influence he had across the world,” said Regina Bain, executive director for the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Queens, New York. “Not just on music, but on culture. He was America’s first pop music icon and had hit songs in five decades. He was the first Black American to have featured billing in a major Hollywood film — the list goes on and on.”

During his life, as Satchmo’s popularity increased, opportunities for other artists of color also increased. As the first Black artist to secure the contracted right to stay in the venues he played at in the South, he paved the way for better compensation and respect for other Black artists.

Exploring the home introduces visitors to the larger story of Black artists in the 20th century. The house was purchased by Louis’ wife, Lucille, in the 1940s, a time when Queens was one of the few places Black families could live — the exception, not the rule.

“Around the corner, Dizzy Gillespie, James Brown, all these Black leaders lived in Queens,” Bain said. “That’s where they could afford and were allowed to be. So many of the homes of our icons have disappeared. No one has lived in this house since the Armstrongs and it is still here. That is significant.”

While every inch of the home is interesting, Bain has a special fondness for Satchmo’s den.

“The den is the place he called his own and where he cre-

ated his reel-to-reel tapes,” Bain said of the prodigious recordings Armstrong made. The museum currently houses 60,000 hours of his archives.

All tours are ticketed, guided and limited to groups of 10. Across the street from the Historic Home, the museum has erected the state-of-the-art Armstrong Center, a modest yet thought-provoking jewel in the middle of this historic residential neighborhood. Larger groups can split up, and while 10 or fewer tour the home, the rest can experience the exhibits, concerts and artifacts in the Armstrong Center. louisarmstronghouse.org

TINA TURNER MUSEUM Brownsville, Tennessee

The Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll had a larger-than-life career, but understanding that she came from a rural town with a tiny, one-room schoolhouse makes her achievements all the more impressive. Tina Turner, born Anna Mae Bullock, attended Flagg Grove Elementary School in the 1940s. When the school was at risk of being demolished for an irrigation project decades later, proud local Brownsville residents and passionate Tina Turner fans all over the world banded together to save it.

Today the Flagg Grove School houses the Tina Turner Museum and makes up one-third of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center.

“You see the glitz and the glamor from her career; you see costumes, records, awards, photographs and memorabilia,” said Sonia Clark, director for the center and museum. “But you turn the corner and you see the old desk, the chalkboard, the cubbies on the wall and the teacher’s desk.”

The Tina Turner Museum puts the importance of education on display in its effort to preserve the legacy of African American oneroom schoolhouses. “And because it was part of Tina Turner’s legacy, we’re showcasing her career and the phenomenal impact she had on the music industry,” Clark added. “We’re showing her humble background and telling people whatever their dream is, it is achievable.”

The schoolhouse, built in the aftermath of the Civil War, illustrates the critical component of education in Tina Turner’s story and in the broader African American story.

“Even though slavery had been abolished, things had not gotten much better,” Clark said. “Tina, in an interview, talks about the importance of education. An African American took the initiative to plot their own course in a time when it wasn’t the popular thing to do, and it was definitely dangerous to do, and that was important.” westtnheritage.com

FREDERICK DOUGLASS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

Washington, D.C.

A key part of telling America’s stories is having the right places to share them. One of the most climactic parts of the plot in that story is the abolition of slavery, and no one more embodies the fight for abolition than public figure, orator and prolific writer Frederick Douglass. The right place to tell his story? His home, Cedar Hill, now a National Park Service Historic Site in Washington, D.C.

Anacostia neighborhood with his wife, Helen Pitts Douglass.

After his death, a fascinating story unfolded: His wife led the funding of the Frederick Douglass Memorial and Historic Association to preserve the home, but she passed away soon after, and the association was unable to complete its goal. A vast network of visionary Black leaders including Ida B. Wells and the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs led by Mary B. Talbert rallied together to fundraise for the home, purchasing it, paying off its mortgage and making needed updates. The two organizations owned the home until 1962, when the federal government took over Cedar Hill to protect and restore it through the National Park Service.

Today, groups can access the home through guided tours that take place Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Specific times are set for groups larger than 10. Guests begin their tours at the visitor center then walk to the top of a large hill, where the home overlooks the street. Tour participants will explore the first and second floors of the home, which Douglass expanded significantly in his time there, as well as artifacts and furnishings owned by Douglass and the family. nps.gov/frdo

PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR HOME Dayton, Ohio

“I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” is the inimitable memoir by Maya Angelou. What some may not know is the writer drew her title from a line in one of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s writings. That’s just a tiny piece of evidence of the impression Dunbar left on American society. In Dayton, Ohio, the Paul Laurence Dunbar Home is one of America’s oldest state memorials dedicated to an African American and makes an excellent opportunity for groups to explore his story.

“The Paul Laurence Dunbar Home is a place we can continue to tell the story of what life was like for the first generation of Black people born free from slavery,” said Ryan Qualls, site manager for the Dunbar House. “He lived for a short period, and in that time he wrote a ton. He was hailed during his time and after for his ability to capture the experience and to share what life was like.”

The home is a living exhibit, focusing on the day-to-day lives of the Dunbars. Nearby, the visitors center expands on that experience.

“Dunbar was in a culture that was trying to find meaning and understanding and trying to develop equal rights,” Qualls said. “He championed home ownership and the ability of Black Americans to get loans. He wrote in the New York Times challenging the nation to rethink about July 4th and think about liberty in the face of the lynchings in the South at that time.”

Qualls recommends planning for about two hours to roam the property and watch a short film about Dunbar’s life. nps.gov/places/dunbar-house.htm

GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER NATIONAL MONUMENT Joplin, Missouri

“When you think about when he was born and when he died and everything in between, George Washington Carver lived in one of the worst times in our country,” said Diane Eilenstein, a ranger at the George Washington Carver National Monument in Joplin, Missouri.

The monument comprises Carver’s 1864 birth site and childhood home, as well as a visitor center and other sites with exhibits and activities.

“We do both self-guided and ranger-led tours,” Eilenstein said. “We take them on guided tours of the trail, which is right at a mile. As they go, they learn specifically about his birth and those circumstances and the first 10 to 12 years of his life, and why things were like they were. He was set free when the war ended, and we talk about his life’s accomplishments. As we go along the trail we expand the story.”

Not long after Carver’s birth, outlaw gangs abducted him and his mother. Baby George was ransomed for a horse and returned to the white family who had purchased his mother. They ended up raising him and sending him to school.

“Everybody takes away what they need and can handle from the home,” Eilenstein said. “We have an amazing film called ‘Struggle and Triumph,’ and we find our adult groups really enjoy and get meaning from it. Our museum has a lot of artifacts: his paintings, his writings and interactive exhibits that are more kid friendly. To me, to go stand in the place where it physically happened makes it real.”

Rangers try to zoom in on specific aspects of Carver’s life to deliver what groups are interested in. nps.gov/gwca

Visitors learn about Tulsa’s Black Wall Street in immersive experiences at the Greenwood Rising History Center.

A statue in Chicago’s Bronzeville Arts District

BY CLAIRE HANNUM

IMMERSIVE TOURS AND EVENTS OFFER AN ENRICHING UNDERSTANDING OF BLACK CULTURE, BOTH HISTORICAL AND MODERN.

These immersive experiences across the U.S. provide a firsthand look into the vibrance and diversity of Black communities and culture today. Here are a few experiences groups will love — and ideas about how to make the most of each one.

GULLAH TOURS

Charleston, South Carolina

Members of South Carolina’s Gullah community are descendants of West Africans who were enslaved on relatively isolated plantations along the state’s coast. Because of this isolation, the culture retained many African traditions that other enslaved communities did not and developed its own unique language, music, food and art. The Gullah language was spoken by the first Black residents of South Carolina low country and is still spoken today.

Gullah Tours offers a window into the important landmarks and cultural touchpoints of the Gullah Community in Charleston. Alphonso Brown, author and owner of Gullah Tours, is a Gullah speaker who introduces groups from around the world to the culture.

“The most common question is, ‘where are the Gullah people?’” Brown said. “And I say, ‘all around you.’ If we go to the marketplace, we may hear Gullah people talking, but as soon as they detect your presence there, they speak English. Lots of people don’t understand that Gullah is not bad English; it’s a different language.”

Rather than “bad English,” Gullah is its own distinct and widely studied language. “[The culture] will never be forgotten because so many people are writing about it now and inquiring about it,” Brown said. That includes researchers, documentarians, and of course, travelers. Groups can take two-hour tours with step-on guides on their own motorcoaches or aboard the 25-seat Gullah Tours bus. Guests will see important Gullah historic sites around the Charleston area, including locations that inspired the musical “Porgy and Bess.” gullahtours.com

BILL PICKETT INVITATIONAL RODEO Multiple Locations

The historic American West was far more diverse than it is depicted in the movies. In reality, Black cowboys were a central part of the West’s formation and history. The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo was created in 1984 to honor that fact and to encourage future Black cowboys to carry on the tradition. The idea for the rodeo was born when founder Lu Vason took an interest in the Denver rodeo scene in the late 1970s and didn’t see a single Black cowboy in the ring. He set out to change that with the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, named after the iconic early 1900s Black cowboy who invented a key rodeo technique called “bulldogging.”

The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo has been making magic ever since. Many participants have been with the rodeo for generations, introducing their children and grandchildren to the community and the craft. After Lu Vason’s passing, his wife, Valeria Howard Cunningham, took up the helm to run the rodeo. She is the only Black female owner and promoter of an African American touring rodeo association circuit in the U.S.

“The rodeo showcases the contributions of Black cowboys and cowgirls to the history of the American West,” Cunningham said, noting that the rodeo helps counter the common misbelief that all cowboys were white.

Groups can watch rodeo pros strut their stuff in several cities across the country. The rodeo has many events featuring some of the highest skill levels in the world, but Cunningham particularly recommends the Peewee Barrel Racing Event, which “steals the hearts of crowds.” The event features kids as young as 3 years old riding horses and showing the world what they can do. Guests may learn a new thing or two about history. And at the same time, they’ll get to see some of the top cowgirls and cowboys in the country show off the very best of their craft. billpickettrodeo.com

BLACK WALL STREET TOUR Tulsa, Oklahoma

In the years after World War I, the city of Tulsa became nationally known for its Greenwood District, a wildly successful Black-owned business district that was dubbed Black Wall Street. But in 1921, most of the area was decimated in the Tulsa Race Massacre. Local white rioters burned the district down, destroying 35 city blocks and injuring more than 800 people. Initially, 36 people were believed to have died in the massacre — today, historians believe it could be as many as 300.

Many families lost everything, and Tulsa’s thriving Black business community lost its beating heart. Survivors have continued to fight in court for justice to this day. Hughes Van Ellis, one of three remaining survivors, was still expressing his hope for justice when he passed away in October.

The Real Black Wall Street tour takes groups on a journey through the streets of the Greenwood district and through notable locations of the 1921 massacre. The tour begins and ends at the Greenwood Cultural Center, which features enriching exhibits on the history of Greenwood. Groups of 25 or more also have the option to choose a custom tour itinerary.

Crucially, the Real Black Wall Street Tour is owned and operated by a descendant of the massacre. In 2003, owner Chief Egunwale Fagbenro Amusan saw his own grandfather fight for justice in the court system. He was denied due to a statute of limitations.

Between the time Amusan spends educating and leading tours, he continues to advocate for the justice and respect that the Greenwood District deserves. Despite his tireless work, Amusan isn’t lacking in energy.

“Hope is not a subject for me,” Amusan said of his work. “Hope leaves too much space for doubt. I am determined. The only thing that I consider draining is the energy it takes praying that the [Tulsa Race Massacre] survivors do not pass without justice. When a survivor passes, we feel the weakening of the shoulders we stand on.”

Travelers come away from this tour with a whole new understanding of Tulsa history — and U.S. racial history at large — as well as a view of the resilience of Greenwood today.

History is more than a timeline—it is a thread woven through all of our lives. Pick up that thread at the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, MS. Explore and experience the moments, movements, and milestones that continue to shape our world. Plan your visit today at twomississippimuseums.com.

Deelightful Roux School of Cooking

JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI

DEELIGHTFUL ROUX SCHOOL OF COOKING New Orleans

Louisiana Cajun cuisine, which historically combined West African, Spanish and French flavors, dates back to the 17th century. Louisiana creole cuisine, another treasured Louisiana food tradition, combines influences of Caribbean, French, Spanish, African and American tastes. Both are important hallmarks in Black Louisiana culture. And of course, both are delicious!

At the Delightful Roux School of Cooking in New Orleans, students can learn the art of both these two cuisines directly from an accomplished chef. This popular cooking school is the first African American-owned cooking school in New Orleans in more than eight decades.

“Teaching has always been a passion for me,” said owner and instructor chef Dee Lavigne.

With easy insider tips, students learn quickly and gain confidence in a flash. Lavigne treasures teaching students about the culinary traditions she was raised on and often works with private groups. By teaching these traditional recipes, “sharing stories, and the historical context behind certain dishes,” Lavigne said she and her colleagues enable students to appreciate the profound influence Black culture has had on the culinary scene for hundreds of years. chefdeelavigne.com

BRONZEVILLE ART DISTRICT TOUR Chicago

Bronzeville is a Black neighborhood and creative hub in Chicago that’s often called the “Black Metropolis.” Its influence on Black creativity and civil rights dates back to the early 20th century, when musical, artistic and intellectual visionaries called it home.

Today, the Bronzeville Art District is home to several galleries of innovative art and affordable live/work spaces for Chicago creatives. Groups can take step-on driving tours or walking tours of the area. Important stops include the Blanc Gallery, Faie Afrikan Art Gallery, Gallery Guichard, the Bronzeville Artist Lofts, the South Side Community Art Center and the Harold Washington Cultural Center.

Don’t forget to fuel up after exploring at a local restaurant.

“Across the intersection from the cultural center is a great local café called Peach’s Restaurant,” said Lynn Osmond, president and CEO of Choose Chicago. bronzevilleartdistrict.com

Get a Taste of Bourbon City’s Black Heritage.