The Group Travel Leader October 2024

FEEL LIKE ENDLESS

EXPERIENCE

Monumental

BEAR COUNTRY U.S.A

A drive-thru wildlife park featuring black bears, mountain lions, wolves, elk, buffalo, reindeer, and other North American wildlife in their natural environment. Also, take a stroll to view the antics of our smaller animals, dine at the Cub Grub Snack Shack, and shop in the Bear’s Den gift shop.

605.343.2290 • BearCountryUSA.com

KEVIN COSTNER’S

TATANKA STORY OF THE BISON

60 million bison once roamed the Great Plains.  By 1890, less than 1,000 survived. This is their Story!  Learn how the eradication of one animal destroyed the way of life for the Northern Plains people.

The spectacular, larger than life bronze sculpture includes 17 pieces creating a “Buffalo Jump.”

605.584.5678 • StoryofTheBison.com

THE MAMMOTH SITE

We Dig Big! Discover this indoor active paleontological dig site as you tour the edges of a sinkhole where mammoths and other species became trapped more than 140,000 years ago. Perfect for groups and buses.

605.745.6017 • MammothSite.org

PIZZA RANCH

Two convenient Rapid City locations ready to host groups big or small! Our Legendary Buffet has a fresh salad bar, endless variety of pizza, The Country’s Best Chicken® with all the fixins and our delicious dessert pizza with ice cream! We will help you refuel after a day of travel! rcpizzaranch@gmail.com • PizzaRanch.com

KEVIN COSTNER’S ORIGINAL DEADWOOD TOUR

Climb aboard for a Deadwood adventure and be captivated by this historic town's colorful past. Our 1-hour, live-narrated tour travels down cobblestone streets and up to Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Come hear the history that made the Old West fun! Call for group rates. Additional savings when booking with Tatanka. 605.584.5678 • DeadwoodTour.com

WALL-BADLANDS AREA CHAMBER

Set among the picturesque backdrop of expansive plains and breathtaking views of Badlands National Park, the Wall-Badlands area offers all the expected and plenty of the unexpected. Enjoy Western history, outdoor recreation, wildlife, amazing landscapes and more!

888.852.9255 • Wall-Badlands.com

RAPID CITY

DEADWOOD

WALL

Badlands National Park

In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, your group has no shortage of activities to help them reconnect and bond. Sixty miles of beaches, 80+ golf courses, 2,000 restaurants, botanical gardens, plus live theater and music every night of the week is just scratching the surface. There’s no better place to get together than The Beach.

BY BRIAN JEWELL

Who doesn’t want to make more money?

People get into group travel for all sorts of reasons. Some people simply enjoy seeing the world with friends. Some do it as community service. And some entrepreneurs start full-fledged, for-profit travel businesses. But no matter what got you into group travel, you won’t succeed in your objectives if your trips don’t bring in enough cash.

Travel is inherently expensive, and the uncertainty of guessing how many people will sign up for any particular departure adds a level of financial risk to group tours. You probably try to price your trips appropriately to account for these expenses and risks. But if you’re like many group travel planners, you would love to have some extra funds to work with.

Raising trip prices might be one way to do that, but it’s risky in its own way. A better alternative might be to increase your bottom line in other ways. Fortunately, you can open up a number of revenue streams by offering ancillary products and services your existing customers might be happy to pay for.

If you’re on the hunt for revenue beyond standard trip sales and commissions from your tour operator partners, consider trying one of these five ideas. Not everything on this list will work for every organization, but something here could be a good fit for you.

1. TRIP EXTENSIONS

Some people who come on your trips might want to extend their experience to spend more time in the destination before or after the group portion of the tour. If you’re traveling to popular places, consider building some pre- or post-tour extensions you can sell to your customers. These can range from an extra night or two in a hotel to an entire cruise at the tail end of a land tour.

EDITOR’S MARKS

2. TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel insurance is perhaps the most important ancillary service you can offer your customers. You can’t legally require them to buy it, but you can strongly encourage it. If you don’t already offer insurance, reach out to a few companies that specialize in insurance for group trips and ask what kinds of commissions they offer.

3. ADD-ONS AND OPTIONS

Your group doesn’t have to do every single activity together — people enjoy having free time and choices on group trips. You can take advantage of this by offering one or two optional add-on activities for people who are willing to spend more money. This can be a spa visit, a flightseeing excursion, a wine tasting — anything memorable and valuable.

4. UPGRADES

Most travel planners book standard hotel rooms for their tour groups, but that doesn’t mean that everyone in the group actually wants to stay in the same type of room. If you can negotiate with your hotel reps to add a couple of upgraded rooms into your package at the regular rate, you can then make some extra revenue by offering those upgrades to your customers at a premium.

5. MERCH

If your travel organization has a strong brand identity, you might be able to increase your revenues by selling T-shirts, bags or other merch with your name or logo on them. This can benefit you in two ways — not only do you make cash on the sale of the actual items, but you also increase your brand awareness as people use the products in their communities.

BRANSON SHINES AS GOING ON FAITH CONFERENCE HOST

BY MAC LACY

BRANSON, Missouri — More than 200 delegates, sponsors, hosts and speakers gathered August 6–8 in Branson, Missouri, for the 2024 Going On Faith Conference operated by the Group Travel Family. The meeting of faith-based travel planners and destinations has been held annually since 2006 and returned to Branson, where it held its inaugural event 18 years ago.

Among the highlights of this year’s conference were an evening at Sight and Sound Theatres for its current production, “Queen Esther;” a fascinating account of the Green Book Experience with speaker David Jackson; and two days of marketplace appointments between travel planners, tour operators and destinations. Conference host Explore Branson arranged an opening ice cream social, and sightseeing tours of notable landmarks like Aquarium at the Boardwalk, Lake Taneycomo with Branson Duck Tours, the Titanic Museum and the area’s heralded outdoors with Branson’s Pink Jeep Tours.

“Queen Esther” tells the Old Testament story of Esther, a Jewish woman drawn into

the Persian Empire. Her faith never wavers as she rises to become the king’s wife despite their cultural differences. The opulent production takes place in the massive Sight and Sound Theatres complex built high above the Branson skyline.

“Explore Branson’s team was amazing,” said Jennifer Ferguson, general manager of the Going On Faith Conference. “Yvonne Long has been instrumental in managing our delegates’ experience here, and we cannot thank her enough. I want to recognize Mike Pitman as well for his gracious hospitality to host all our delegates at ‘Queen Esther.’ Sight and Sound Theatres was a remarkable visitor experience for all of us.”

“The fact that Branson started with ‘The Shepherd of the Hills’ many years ago set the tone for our destination as family-oriented,

faithful to our Midwestern values,” said Yvonne Long of Explore Branson. “It’s our basis, our foundation. Now that we have attractions like Sight and Sound Theatres and are devoting an entire month to honoring our veterans, we’ve established ourselves as a faith-based destination. The addition of the new Truth Traveler attraction next year gives us a great new faithbased reason for people to come.”

Delegates were housed at the Hilton Branson Convention Center in downtown Branson, and on-site events and meals took place at the adjacent Branson Convention Center. Major meal or event sponsors for the event included The Ark Encounter and Creation Museum, Cincy Region, Chateau on the Lake Branson, Explore Branson, Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks, Great Passion Play, and Sight and Sound Theatres.

At the closing luncheon, Nancy Willhoite of BB Riverboats appeared on behalf of the Cincy Region to invite all delegates to attend next year’s Going On Faith Conference in that area, August 6–8, 2025.

To register, visit gofconference.com.

Sight and Sound’s “Queen Esther”

COURTESY SIGHT AND SOUND THEATRES

BY MAC LACY

Fun and fellowship in Branson

UnscriptedLIFE

Wild horses in Shackleford Banks

A pod of orcas in the San Juan Islands

Boating in the Crystal Coast

Wild horses on Shackleford Banks near the Crystal Coast, North Carolina

Monarchs clustered in Pacific Grove

A sea turtle hatchling at Juno Beach

A monarch butterfly

TVIEWING ANIMALS IN THE WILD IS A HEART-POUNDING PRIVILEGE

BY RACHEL CRICK

o glimpse wild animals in their element is to see the world unfiltered and at its most beautiful.

Humans seek out wildlife in search of a natural and restorative break from the noisy, modern world. From the serenity of watching monarchs resting their wings in winter to the thrill of spotting North America’s most dangerous predators, here are some wildlife encounters across the country that will let groups experience the best of the natural world.

Wild Horse Tours

CRYSTAL COAST, NORTH CAROLINA

The origins of the wild horses found on some barrier island chains on the East Coast are a bit of a mystery. These Iberian horses descended from herds that may have migrated or been abandoned as early as the 1500s, but their exact journey through history is debated. The present-day herd of wild horses found near Crystal Coast, North Carolina, numbers about 110. They can be found on Shackleford Banks, part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, and a separate strain of feral horses can be found on the Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Many tour operators in the Crystal Coast area offer boat or kayak excursions to observe the horses as they graze on the island’s vegetation and frolic near the water. Cruises are narrated and can include time on Shackleford Banks for spotting horses and collecting seashells. Groups can also spot dolphins and marine birds along the way. Kayaking at the Rachel Carson Nature Reserve may allow for an even closer view of the horses and other wildlife. There are also plenty of beaches and hiking trails at the reserve.

CRYSTALCOASTNC.ORG

Orca Watching Cruises

FRIDAY HARBOR, WASHINGTON

Orcas, also known as killer whales, aren’t whales at all. They’re really the largest species of dolphin and are noted for their intelligence, distinctive coloring and social behavior. Seeing these apex predators in their natural habitat — cold ocean waters — is a breathtaking experience.

The San Juan Islands, the island chain between Seattle and Victoria, Canada, is one of the best places to see orcas in the Pacific Northwest, and even has an island named for them, Orca Island. San Juan Safaris, based in the charming little town Friday Harbor, takes groups straight to the orcas. They offer several whale watching tours by boat for groups of up to 100. Groups can either attend public tours or charter a vessel for a private tour. Tours last between three and four hours and are offered daily from April to September.

Marine naturalists onboard will help groups spot the orcas as they come up to the surface of the water to breathe. There’s a good chance they’ll see other wildlife, including seals, bald eagles and sea lions, in addition to the beautiful views of the islands. Participants should dress in warm layers and bring binoculars or cameras to help them spot the whales.

SANJUANSAFARIS.COM

Sea Turtle Hatching Walks

JUNO BEACH, FLORIDA

Every species of sea turtle is considered endangered or threatened; that’s at least in part because of the tough odds they face from birth. Thanks to a long list of predators and a changing environment, it’s estimated only one out of every 1,000 hatchlings will survive to adulthood. That’s

why sea turtle conservancy is such a dear cause to many coastal communities. Sea turtle rehabilitation facilities are one way to see these marine animals, but observing them in their natural habitat requires some expert knowledge.

The Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, Florida, provides this expertise and the opportunities for viewing sea turtles. In addition to tours of its sea turtle hospital, the center leads eco experiences that let groups observe turtles in a way that’s safe for the turtles. One option is the hatchling release, where the center’s staff releases sea turtle hatchlings from nests they excavated earlier in the day. The two-hour tour begins with a lesson on sea turtles and concludes with a walk to Juno Beach to watch the staff release the hatchlings.

Another option is an evening turtle walk, where groups will attempt to observe a sea turtle nesting. Tours are scheduled from 9 p.m. to midnight. Though turtle sightings aren’t guaranteed, Juno Beach is one of the top places for loggerhead turtles to nest.

MARINELIFE.ORG

Kayaking the Crystal Coast

BUFFALO ARTWORK BY DONIA SIMMONS

Buffalo Roundup

CUSTER, SOUTH DAKOTA

To get an idea of what early westward pioneers may have seen as they ventured across the Great Plains, one only needs to see a vast herd of bison. Custer State Park in South Dakota offers visitors that chance with the Buffalo Roundup, where one of the world’s largest bison herds is gathered by cowboys and cowgirls on horseback. This roundup of the herd (estimated to contain over 1,300 bison) is necessary for the health of the herd and the park’s ecosystem. The bison are corralled, tested and treated for illnesses, branded and vaccinated. Some are sold to maintain a manageable herd size.

The event is quite the spectacle to the 14,000-plus visitors that travel to witness it. It’s typically held each September, with parking lots opening to the public about 6 a.m. on the day of the event, and the roundup itself beginning around 9:30 a.m. Groups can see the herd from designated viewing areas. Breakfasts are served in the viewing areas and lunch is served at the corrals for a fee. Groups can also bring their own snacks. The event is free, and the weekend it occurs is marked with festivals and additional activities.

GFP.SD.GOV/BUFFALO-ROUNDUP

Derby Dinner Playhouse

Falls of the Ohio State Park

Kodiak Bear Tours

KODIAK ISLAND, ALASKA

North America’s most fearsome predator is the grizzly bear. The Kodiak bear, a subspecies of grizzly bears, is found exclusively in Alaska’s Kodiak Archipelago. Kodiak bears can grow significantly larger than other grizzlies, growing up to 10 feet tall on their hind legs and weighing up to 1,500 pounds. Seeing these impressive predators in their pristine landscape is at the top of the list for many wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.

Kingfisher Aviation is a tour operator that has been taking visitors to see bears in the Alaskan wilderness for more than 25 years. These small tours can be booked May–September and are good for small groups of up to 10. Tours last approximately four hours and kick off in Kodiak, where groups will board a floatplane and enjoy a scenic flight to a bear viewing spot, such as the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. There, they’ll view bears and other wildlife on the ground for about two hours. Guides are highly trained when it comes to safely viewing the bears.

Travelers should dress in layers and bring zoom lenses for their cameras if they plan to take photos. Since weather in Alaska can change quickly, it’s a good idea to plan multiple days in Kodiak so tours can be rescheduled around weather events.

KINGFISHERAVIATION.COM

Kodiak bears in Alaska

Monarch Butterflies Wintering

PACIFIC GROVE, CALIFORNIA

Pacific Grove is sometimes called Butterfly Town, U.S.A. because of the large population of monarch butterflies that arrive each autumn as part of their annual migration. As many as 15,000 butterflies can be observed each year. Monarchs typically start arriving in Pacific Grove in October, and their population in the city peaks in early November through January. In early February, they migrate elsewhere. Visitors can witness these beautiful butterflies overwintering at the Monarch Grove Sanctuary, the city’s sanctuary for these gorgeous insects and one of the most populous monarch gathering spots in the state.

The monarchs cluster on tree branches in what’s called a chandelier, which can contain thousands of butterflies. They do this to conserve energy. On warm, sunny days at the sanctuary groups may see them flying around, while on cooler days, they’ll likely be clustered together.

Admission to the park is free. Volunteer docents from the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History are usually present and can give groups more information about monarchs and help them spot the majestic creatures around the sanctuary. Sanctuary visitors should be mindful not to bother, chase or touch the monarchs and instead simply enjoy them at a distance.

PGMUSEUM.ORG/MONARCHS

Monarchs resting in winter

CRISPER AIR CLOSER CONNECTIONS

Experience the charm of Brookings, a city in eastern South Dakota where history, culture, and nature’s beauty blend effortlessly. Stroll through the stunning 25 acres of McCrory Gardens, admire original Harvey Dunn and Oscar Howe paintings at the South Dakota Art Museum, and discover our state’s rural history at the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum.

605-692-7444 | VisitBrookingsSD.com

Dakota Hall of Fame

The South Dakota Hall of Fame champions excellence by honoring, inspiring, preserving, and educating about South Dakota’s rich history. Explore interactive displays, engaging stories, and artifacts that bring history to life. We honor remarkable individuals who have made lasting contributions to our state. Visit our gift shop for unique South Dakota mementos and take a piece of our heritage back home.

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Cedar Shore Resort

TEXAS

By Carrie McLaren

Group travel experiences are bigger in Texas. From the big city lights of Houston and Austin to the quiet outdoors, groups can enjoy cowboy adventures, historic sites and space exploration exhibits during their time in the Lonestar State. Texas’ large size and geographic diversity give it a wide array of options for travelers of all types. Plan to visit some of these attractions, hotels and restaurants on your next group trip to Texas.

Daily cattle drives memorialize the history of the Fort Worth Stockyards, which is now a popular entertainment district.

POPULAR DEMAND

FORT WORTH STOCKYARDS HISTORIC DISTRICT

Named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1876, the Fort Worth Stockyards encompasses 98 acres featuring Western history as drivers herded more than 4 million head of cattle through the area between 1866 and 1890. Today, the district is home to shopping, dining, hotels and entertainment venues along with the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive. The Historic Exchange Building serves as home to the North Fort Worth Historical Society Museum, detailing stories and artifacts of the Stockyards Historic District.

Groups visiting the Fort Worth Stockyards can take part in a variety of tours. Standard guided walking tours showcase historic locations throughout the area, while the Western Experience also includes access to the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze and a prime viewing spot for the 11:30 a.m. cattle drive. Step-on tours are available. Restaurants and hotels within the area also offer group and private dining options along with accommodations.

SPACE CENTER HOUSTON

As the official visitor center for the NASA Johnson Space Center, the Space Center Houston takes visitors on a journey of exploring the past, present and future of space exploration. The center is home to both the training base for NASA astronauts and the site of Mission Control. Along with hands-on activities and historic artifacts, like the Spacesuit Collection, Space Center Houston is home to virtual reality experiences simulating the experience of space travel and a spacewalk.

While the center’s tram tour is included in the admission price, private group tram tours can be arranged for an additional fee. Historic Mission Center tours are only available to groups and must be purchased and booked in advance.

Space Center Houston’s RocketPark

COURTESY SPACE CENTER HOUSTON

Space Center Houston

Fort Worth Longhorns

BY LANCE CHILDERS, COURTESY HOUSTON FIRST CORP.

OUTDOOR ISSUE

UP AND COMING

LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER

Since 1982, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has served as the state botanical garden and arboretum of Texas. Located in Austin as part of the University of Texas, the property is home to 284 acres with more than 900 species of native Texas plants. The property often hosts art exhibitions.

Groups of 12 or more can receive discounted admission with self-guided tours and the ability to take part in a free audio tour of the grounds. Docentled private tours discussing the center’s architecture and gardens are also available for an additional fee. Designated picnic areas are available, along with dining at the on-site Wildflower Café.

PEROT MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE

POPULAR DEMAND

SAN ANTONIO RIVERWALK

Located in Dallas’ Victory Park, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science offers exhibits such as the Being Human Hall, which explores anatomy, to the Discovering Life Hall, examining ecosystems and living things. Other exhibits include the T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now Hall where guests can watch paleontologists at work and admire dinosaur bones on display.

The museum’s café can accommodate boxed lunches for groups of 10 or more. For groups looking for a more unique perspective, architecture tours of the museum are available. Led by volunteers, this walking tour takes approximately 90 minutes.

DR PEPPER MUSEUM

In Waco, pop culture and history fans can enjoy the Dr Pepper Museum, located in the original 1906 Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company Building that bottled the very first Dr Pepper drink. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the museum tells the history of the soft drink industry and features a large collection of memorabilia.

A variety of tour options are available for groups including the popular Make-a-Soda field trip, during which visitors can create their own flavored soda using Dr Pepper, Diet Dr Pepper or Big Red. Onehour guided, group tours of the historic buildings are available for a fee and include one glass bottle of Dr Pepper for every participant.

In San Antonio, the meticulously landscaped Riverwalk welcomes millions of visitors each year. The 2.5-mile-long public park is adorned with restaurants, bars, hotels, the city’s convention center, shops and hotels. As one of the state’s top tourist attractions, GO RIO River Cruises provides rides down the river, while its drivers provide narration of landmarks and historical places along the route.

Neighboring hotels and restaurants work in partnership with the GO RIO sightseeing barges by arranging group dinners for up to 20 guests per boat. Chartered tours for groups are available, along with shuttle service for guest pick-up and drop-offs to hotels and other locations along the river route.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Cruising the San Antonio Riverwalk

COURTESY LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER

Perot Museum of Nature and Science

COURTESY VISIT SAN ANTONIO

COURTESY PEROT MUSEUM

COURTESY DR PEPPER MUSEUM

Dr Pepper Museum

OVERNIGHT SENSATIONS

GAYLORD TEXAN RESORT AND CONVENTION CENTER

Set along the shores of Lake Grapevine and a short drive outside of Dallas, the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center is a traveler’s playground, with a 10-acre waterpark and 27-foot-tall waterslide, four restaurants and a 4.5-acre glass atrium always set to 72 degrees. And when the sun goes down, the fun comes alive at the resort’s nighttime venue, the Glass Cactus.

Groups staying at the Gaylord Texan can enjoy private dining experiences and unique, seasonal events like the “Cirque Variety Show: Wild West with a Twist.” And during the holidays, groups can take advantage of discounted rates to “ICE!” — a holiday spectacle.

CIBOLO CREEK RANCH

At the Cibolo Creek Ranch in the Chinati Mountains of West Texas, guests can choose to experience life on a traditional working commercial cattle ranch or sit back and enjoy the finer things in life. Accommodations feature rustic yet modern décor and amenities like rooms with wood-burning fireplaces, luxurious bed sheets and ranch-style dining featuring regional and international flavors.

Some of the group activities at the ranch include exploring the 30,000 acre ranch on a motorized tour of the property with a ranch activity guide, traveling the land via horseback, and testing their skills at the state-of-the-art range for clay shooting. Private dining options for groups include dinner in a historic fort with a private chef preparing authentic Texas cuisine.

HYATT REGENCY LOST PINES RESORT AND SPA

At the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa in Cross Creek, guests can relax in comfort at the on-site spa, enjoy an 18-hole golf course and rest in luxurious accommodations. Situated along the Colorado River, the property has 450 acres ready for adventures and is adjacent to McKinney Roughs, a 1,000-acre nature preserve offering quiet views and natural beauty.

Groups visiting the property can experience guided kayaking tours down the Colorado River, horseback riding tours, or axe- and tomahawk-throwing classes. Other activities include zip lining, golf lessons and tournaments.

MEMORABLE MEALS

CROSSBUCK BBQ

Barbecue fans can unite for a meal at the Dallas area Crossbuck BBQ. Using the low and slow method of central Texas barbecue, pitmasters smoke Texas-style brisket for up to 18 hours and serve it paired with unique sides like smoked and roasted potatoes with yellow curry and desert line hominy topped with cotija cheese.

Crossbuck BBQ can accommodate large groups with indoor and outdoor seating for 200 guests. Planned in advance, groups have options of eating from a customized barbecue buffet, a prix fixe meal or just ordering directly off of the menu. Off-site catering is also available.

COURTESY CIBOLO CREEK RANCH

Kayaking at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort

Cibolo Creek Ranch

Gaylord Texan

Crossbuck BBQ

MEMORABLE MEALS

GAIDO’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

In Galveston, get ready for a taste of the Gulf of Mexico at Gaido’s Seafood Restaurant. Open since 1911, Gaido’s is a fourth-generation family-owned restaurant serving dishes that combine Southern deep-frying, Southwest open-flame grilling and rich Creole flavors.  With a private dining coordinator available for group meals, the restaurant enjoys customizing a menu to fit all size groups and budgets. Gaido’s offers a variety of private dining rooms, ranging from the Gulf Room with panoramic views of the water to the elegant Pelican Club offering views of the kitchen.

ALDACO’S MEXICAN CUISINE

You can’t visit Texas without having Mexican food and margar-

Gaido’s Seafood Restaurant

Appetizers and margaritas at

Aldaco’s Mexican Cuisine

Kentucky AGING

WELL

By Brian Jewell

BOURBON’S ASCENT FUELS KENTUCKY’S APPEAL

Kentucky and bourbon are practically synonymous.

Though bourbon doesn’t legally have to come from Kentucky, the vast majority of America’s bourbon whiskey — and virtually every top-shelf variety — is produced in the Bluegrass State. You’ll find bourbon drinks on the menus of most restaurants you visit in Kentucky. And bourbon barrels, which can only be used once in the distilling process, have become iconic pieces of decor for locals, serving as flower boxes, tabletops, wall decoration and more.

As a result, one of the best ways to get to know Kentucky is to explore its bourbon history, its booming distilling industry and the culture that surrounds it. And though there are great distillery tours all across the state, a trio of cities in the west-central region offers a wide array of bourbon attractions and activities for groups.

LOUISVILLE

Situated on the Indiana border at the falls of the Ohio River, Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city and perhaps its most dynamic destination. Its Whiskey Row, a stretch of Main Street that was once the center of the state’s distilling industry, is now a popular tourist area and has a number of notable attractions.

The best place to start is the Frazier History Museum, which tells stories of Kentucky history and culture. The museum has a lot to explore, but

one of its highlights is its Spirit of Kentucky exhibition. Visitors will learn about how bourbon and the distilling industry have evolved. True afficionados won’t want to miss the Bourbon Bottle Hall, a collection of more than 300 varieties that includes a bottle of every bourbon currently produced in Kentucky. And don’t forget to plan for a sip or sample in the museum’s on-site speakeasy.

Just two blocks down Whiskey Row, visitors will find the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. Part museum, part distillery and part retail store, this attraction honors Evan Williams, one of the area’s first distillers and the namesake of a popular line of bourbons. Visitors start with an immersive film on bourbon history, then watch as workers make whiskey in a working still. There are a variety of tasting experiences available and a cool cocktail bar upstairs.

From there, groups have a virtually limitless menu of other bourbon experiences available in Louisville, including 14 other distilleries around town, as well as other tasting rooms, speakeasies and bourbon-inspired shops.

HEAVEN HILL RICKHOUSES IN BARDSTOWN

LUX ROW DISTILLERS IS ONE OF NINE BARDSTOWN-AREA DISTILLERIES WITH VISITOR EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES.

COURTESY VISIT BARDSTOWN RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM: A LOUISVILLE OLD FASHIONED; A COCKTAIL AT ANGEL’S ENVY DISTILLERY IN LOUISVILLE; INSIDE LOG STILL DISTILLERY; VINTAGE WHISKEYS AT BARDSTOWN BOURBON COMPANY.

COURTESY VISIT BARDSTOWN

COURTESY LOUISVILLE TOURISM

COURTESY LOUISVILLE TOURISM

COURTESY VISIT BARDSTOWN

SHEPHERDSVILLE

From Louisville, it’s about a half-hour’s drive south to Shepherdsville and surrounding Bullitt County. The area’s Whiskey, Wine and Ale trail has a variety stops for people who enjoy all kids of beverages. But its primary attractions are also two of the biggest names in bourbon: James B. Beam and Four Roses.

The James B. Beam distillery has been producing bourbon for more than 200 years. Its signature product, Jim Beam, is one of the world’s most popular bourbons, but the distillery also makes a number of other brands, including Knob Creek and Basil Hayden. Groups can learn all about the bourbons and their memorable makers during a variety of tours available at the distillery. Activity options range from a 75-minute overview tour and tasting programs to in-depth experiences that examine the company’s distilling innovations or pair its signature bourbons with food from the on-site restaurant.

Bourbon fans traveling in the area will also want to plan a stop at the Four Roses Warehouse and Bottling Facility. Tours showcase the site’s unique single-story rack houses, which are designed to minimize variations in temperature and humidity, and the bottling line where products are prepared for distribution. From there, groups can choose one of several guided tasting experiences or browse for souvenirs in the 2,500-squarefoot visitor center.

A TOUR OF THE JAMES B. BEAM DISTILLERY NEAR SHEPHERDSVILLE

COURTESY JAMES B. BEAM

BARDSTOWN

About 20 miles southeast of Shepherdsville, Bardstown is quickly becoming one of the state’s foremost bourbon tourism destinations. With nine distilleries in and around Bardstown, the town bills itself as Kentucky’s bourbon capital and offers an impressive array of bourbon experiences for groups.

A short drive south of downtown, Log Still Distillery sits on 350 acres in an area called Gethsemane, where it was one of three distilleries that existed before Prohibition. The owners restarted the distillery in 2019 and have developed a range of experiences around it, including an outdoor amphitheater for concerts, bed-and-breakfast accommodations, a restaurant, an event venue and more. Groups can tour the distillery to learn more about its history and taste its variety of products, including bourbons and other spirits.

Making their way back into Bardstown, groups will come to the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience. This is the primary visitor facility for the Heaven Hill company, which operates throughout the area. At the visitor center, which was renovated in 2021, visitors can start by touring exhibit areas that introduce the history of bourbon distilling and the Heaven Hill family of brands. From there, group leaders have a variety of options, ranging from standard tastings that feature three whiskeys to the immersive Bottled in Bond tour, which takes them into two warehouses, and the interactive You Do Bourbon experience.

COURTESY VISIT BARDSTOWN

BY BRIAN JEWELL

THIEVING

Another site worth visiting is Lux Row Distillers. Opened in 2018, this distillery produces six brands of whiskey, some of which date back to 1958. On a tour, visitors will see the 43-foot copper still that is used to create products such as Rebel Bourbon, Ezra Brooks, Blood Oath and David Nicholson Reserve. The tour continues to a rickhouse and ends in a great gift shop and tasting area.

Finally, Bardstown Bourbon Company is one of the biggest players in the local bourbon scene and has created a number of innovative guest experiences. Opened in 2016, this high-tech company distills for more than 50 outside bourbon brands and also has its own line of products. Visitors can tour the distillery and rickhouses, as well as the on-site vintage whiskey library. Some of its bottles date to the 1800s, and all of them are available to taste by the pour. Group leaders can choose to add on a number of other experiences as well, including the Taste of History, which features rare bourbons, a speakeasy visit, the Shaken and Stirred cocktail class, and lunch in the distillery restaurant.

COURTESY VISIT BARDSTOWN

THE TASTING BAR AT LOG STILL

Cincy Region covers all the bases

BY VICKIE MITCHELL

To say there’s a lot to do in the Cincy Region is quite an understatement. You can spend a morning in Newport, Kentucky, starting at the aquarium and an afternoon in Cincinnati, Ohio, basking in the neon glow of the country’s largest public sign museum. Have Cincinnati chili for lunch and ribs on the riverfront for dinner. Tour the Ark Encounter — the largest timber-frame structure that is 510-feet long and seven stories high, and an excellent family fun addition to a Northern Kentucky visit — or shop at Ohio's oldest public market the next day.

North Meets South Along the River

As Lorey Hall of meetNKY, the Northern Kentucky CVB says, Cincy is “a unique, multistate destination.”

It’s where North meets South, and where two states on either side of the Ohio River work cooperatively to tell travelers about the best ways to experience entire region.

Each side of the river has its own vibe. Cincinnati is peppered with skyscrapers, its riverfront punctuated by sports stadiums and parks. “To me, downtown Cincinnati is like a smaller version of Chicago filled with beautiful architecture, history and culture,” said Hall.

On the Northern Kentucky side, the scale

is smaller. Handsome homes line streets and historic storefronts house shops and restaurants. A collection of cities that sit side by side on the river feel like small towns.

“It is a totally different feeling when you cross that bridge,” said Hall. “And groups love the opportunity to experience both.”

Handcrafted Tours for Groups

In a region so diverse, it’s nice to have travel planning assistance, and Hall is happy to help. To lay out some possibilities, she’s created a half dozen group tour itineraries. Some are themed, like Baseball and Brews, which blends a baseball fueled tour of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, or even a game with a stop at the Hofbräuhaus in Newport, the first American location of the famous Munich beer hall or the Moerlein Lager House in Cincinnati.

The Spirited Adventure Tour covers the Ark Encounter, featuring a 510-foot-long Noah’s Ark as its centerpiece; the Creation Museum, the Ark’s sister attraction; and Catholic basilicas on both sides of the river. Other itineraries are a mix, like a Mystery Tour that includes the 1855 Findlay Market, Covington’s Mainstrasse Village, a BB Riverboats ride and New Riff Distillery. Hall has also created a quick reference guide with valuable information like free attractions, transportation companies, group friendly dining, and ways to explore the region’s history, brews, food scene, and other guided tours.

And although the itineraries include popular tour possibilities, Hall doesn’t want planners to feel tied to them. Instead, she will help create custom tours. “We do a ‘discovery call” so I can talk to them about what interests them and their group about our area, and we go from there.”

Tours can also be built around festivals, like Oktoberfest Zinzinnati; BLINK, a four-day, 30+ city block, outdoor art experience; and coming October 9-12, 2025, America’s River Roots (americasriverroots.com), which will celebrate culture, cuisine, and music along the banks of the Ohio River.

In those cases, it’s important to keep Hall’s phone number handy as. “We always recommend they contact us first, whatever the event,” said Hall. “We can definitely point them in the right direction.”

BLUEGRASS STATE MUSTS

Discover Georgetown, KY

DISCOVER THE HISTORY OF A FIRST LADY

Downtown Lexington, Kentucky

Explore our nation’s history with a visit to the Mary Todd Lincoln House, the first historic site dedicated to a first lady. The childhood home of Mary Todd, wife of Abraham Lincoln, has been restored to reflect the Todd family’s residency with period furnishings and family portraits from the Todds and Lincolns. Located in the heart of downtown Lexington, both guided and self-guided tours are available year-round.

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WINE, WHISKEY, AND OUTDOOR SANCTUARY

Find Your Escape in Bullitt County

From our world-famous equine attractions to world-class dining, bourbon and outdoor recreation, Georgetown is the home of Bluegrass adventure. It’s just one of those places. An “if you know, you know” kind of place. A horse-saddling, kayak-paddling, bourbon-sipping good times kind of place. It’s your kind of place; you just don’t know it yet. GeorgetownKY.com kentuckytourism.com

Bullitt County, Kentucky, offers seven distinctive sensory experiences conveniently located within nine miles of each other along the Wine, Whiskey & Ale Trail. Start your spirited journey by reserving distillery tours online. Then, visit Kentucky’s official state arboretum, Bernheim Forest, which boasts more than 16,000 acres of wildlife sanctuary, landscaped gardens and arboretum. Stop by the visitor center for new exhibits, a gift shop and seasonal menu items from Isaac’s Café.

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SWEET ADVENTURE AWAITS!

History, Mystery, and Adventure in Hopkinsville

Hopkinsville, Kentucky, is a place where sweet adventures await. Over three million bushels of soft red winter wheat are harvested annually. As the leading wheat-producing county in Kentucky, Hopkinsville is responsible for globally recognizable products like Ghirardelli brownie mix, Krusteaz products, Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix, SunFlour cornmeal and more. This is why Hopkinsville, KY, is known as the Batter Capital of the World ®!

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Kentucky WIRE TO WIRE FUN

By Brian Jewell

RIVERBOATS AND RACETRACKS REMAIN KENTUCKY ICONS

You would have to squint pretty hard to make the green grasses of Central Kentucky actually look blue. But the appeal of the state’s Bluegrass region — and neighboring communities in northern Kentucky — is easy to see.

It takes less than 90 minutes to drive from Lexington, the heart of horse country, to the vibrant entertainment areas just across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati. Along the way, groups that make the trip will discover distinctive history, get up close and personal with retired racing champions, and explore one of the largest faith-based attractions in the country.

DANVILLE

Most arrivals in central Kentucky, either by air or interstate, will bring travelers to Lexington. But a great place to begin exploring the area is Danville, a small college town about 35 miles south of the city.

For history lovers, Danville is most notable as the birthplace of Kentucky. The commonwealth’s constitution was signed in 1792 in what now is Danville’s Constitution Square. The historic site has information about the Kentucky founding, as well as a collection of preserved historic cabins and other structures. Also nearby is Governor’s Circle, a series of monuments that trace the history of Kentucky’s governors.

After this history lesson, groups will want to remain in the charming downtown area for some free time to eat, shop and peruse Danville’s art scene. The Art Center of the Bluegrass on West Main Street features art exhibits, classes, workshops, pottery painting, a museum store and a café. It’s also home of the Glass National Art Museum, which features the work of the late internationally renowned hot glass artist Stephen Rolfe Powell.

LEXINGTON

Visitors to Lexington always remark on the beauty of its surroundings, and much of the scenery comes from the horse farms — rolling green pastures bordered by stone walls and painted wooden fences — that surround the city. Lexington touts itself as the Horse Capital of the World, and groups spending time in the area have multiple opportunities to immerse themselves in its equestrian heritage.

Perhaps the best way to start is with a visit to the Kentucky Horse Park, a 1,200-acre facility with numerous museums and interactive experiences, including the Smithsonian affiliate International Museum of the Horse. Visitors can meet retired racehorses that live at the park, learn about the history of horses around the world at the Parade of Breeds and take horse-drawn wagon rides throughout the property.

For another kind of equestrian experience, plan to spend some time at Keeneland, Lexington’s Thoroughbred racecourse. During April and October, groups can see live racing that features some of the world’s greatest horses and jockeys. But the track is worth visiting during other times of year, too, when groups can take behind-the-scenes tours to learn the ins and outs of racing.

Don’t leave Lexington without giving your group some free time at the Distillery District. This up-and-coming area was the home of the James E. Pepper Distillery, which was founded in 1879. The distillery eventually closed in the mid-20th century, and the site sat empty for 50 years until local entrepreneurs began to bring it back to life. Today, the 25-acre area is home to some of the city’s most popular restaurants, as well breweries, retail shops, a live music venue and even a resurrection of the Pepper bourbon distillery, which is open for tours.

GEORGETOWN

Just six miles from the Kentucky Horse Park, Georgetown is Lexington’s immediate neighbor to the north. Many groups use it as a convenient stopover between Lexington and northern Kentucky, but the area has a number of experiences worth making time for.

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Among Georgetown’s most beloved sites is Old Friends Farm, a retirement farm for Thoroughbreds. Started by a local equestrian enthusiast, the farm is now home to more than 100 horses, including several that have won the Kentucky Derby and other high-profile races. Visiting groups can take 90-minute walking tours, during which they will meet racing champions and other horses. They get the opportunity to pet and feed the horses carrots while guides describe their racing accomplishments. Another local favorite site is Evans’ Orchard and Cider Mill. This 175-acre farm is now owned by the fifth generation of the Evans family and offers a variety of experiences. During the fall, it’s the place to be for hayrides, apple-picking experiences, and freshly pressed cider and cider donuts. Throughout the year, its petting zoo and expansive recreation area make it a great stop for student groups.

NORTHERN KENTUCKY

From Georgetown, a quick 30-minute trip up Interstate 75 will bring visitors to what has become perhaps Kentucky’s most popular group tour destination: The Ark Encounter.

Designed as a life-size replica of Noah’s Ark, the Ark Encounter is huge: 510 feet long, 85 feet wide and 51 feet high. Inside, exhibits detail the way the ark would have been built to accommodate humans and thousands of animals. They also give a look into the way that Noah and his family would have lived and worked on board the ark. Plan to spend at least a half day at the complex, which also features a small zoo, a zip-line course, virtual-reality experiences and several dining outlets, including Emzara’s Buffet, the largest restaurant in the state.

From there, it’s a short 40-mile trip north to Newport, one of the cities situated directly across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, and its signature attraction, Newport on the Levee. This entertainment district is home to the Newport Aquarium, which features sea creatures from around the world. It’s also the site of numerous other attractions, including e-sports and gaming facilities, as well as lots of retail and dining options perfect for free-time meals.

Many groups cap off their time in northern Kentucky with a cruise aboard the one of the vessels operated by BB Riverboats. This company has been offering scenic and dining cruises up and down the Ohio River near Cincinnati since 1979. After boarding in Newport, visitors can enjoy buffet meals featuring locally sourced Kentucky specialties while they admire the scenery of the Cincinnati and northern Kentucky skylines. After dinner, take in the view from the open-air upper deck.

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Host your group getaway or small meeting in the conveniently located, beautiful Lexington, Kentucky. Our award-winning sales team can help you find perfect venues, great hotels, and arrange tours of iconic area attractions like horse farms and bourbon distilleries.

Let’s make your gathering a success. Start planning today at VisitLEX.com

Kentucky DISCOVER KENTUCKY’S

ROOTS

By Tom Adkinson

ARTISANS AND MUSICIANS SHARE ITS CULTURE

Straight-as-an-arrow roads aren’t on southeastern Kentucky’s list of travel attributes, but their absence shouldn’t deter you from exploring the hills and hollows of the Bluegrass State. Plenty of treasures await along its byways — spectacular gorges and overlooks, the place where an international chicken brand was born, celebrations of music legends, a college famous for student-made craft items and even a chance to see a moonbow.

The region borders Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Add Ohio if you want to stretch things a bit. Gateway cities for this corner of Appalachia are Knoxville, Tennessee; Lexington, Kentucky; and Charleston/Huntington, West Virginia. The small communities of London and Corbin (both approximately 8,000 population) along Interstate 75 often serve as centers for hub-and-spoke itineraries.

CUMBERLAND GAP AREA

A spot famous in American history anchors the region’s southeastern corner — Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. This was the gap in the Appalachian Mountains where bison and Native Americans carved paths that longhunters and pioneers followed into the continent’s interior. Your American history book probably featured an idealized painting of Daniel Boone leading settlers

through the Cumberland Gap. Today you can stand in three states at once (Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia), enjoy National Park Service programs and start to sense the region’s history.

That cultural history is so deep and strong that the park service has completed a feasibility study that could lead designating 35 counties as the Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area (NHA). Congress labels NHAs as places where natural, cultural and historical resources combine to form cohesive, nationally important landscapes, and while NHA designation isn’t a certainty, the study alone paints a picture of places that warrant visiting.

The terrain can be rugged, but the wonders that evolved over geologic time are the payoff. Among the most famous are the Red River Gorge, Natural Bridge and Cumberland Falls, which is nicknamed the Niagara of the South. The waterfall is a 125-foot curtain of water that under just the right conditions creates the rarest of rare sights — a moonbow.

Cumberland Falls Resort State Park offers lodging in the 51-room DuPont Lodge, where stone fireplaces, hemlock beams and knotty pine paneling provide a rustic ambiance. (Other destination resort state parks in the region include Jenny Wiley, Natural Bridge and Pine Mountain.)

Cumberland Falls Park manager Maggy Monhollen, who directed tourism efforts at nearby Corbin for 10 years, encourages groups to explore far and wide.

“There are plenty of hidden gems [in southeastern Kentucky] that can provide authentic experiences that have people go home talking about them,” Monhollen observed, talking about everything from Corbin landmarks such as the Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum (that’s where Kentucky Fried Chicken began) and Bubby’s Barbecue (buffets laden with pulled pork, fried catfish, fried green tomatoes, bread pudding and froglegs on Fridays) to the Kentucky Coal Mining Museum in Benham, where the harsh realities of working underground are made clear.

HARLAN SANDERS CAFÉ IN LONDON

BY DAVID WHITE

COUNTRY MUSIC HIGHWAY AND MORE

It’s practically impossible to hear about Kentucky coalmining and not think of the “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” Loretta Lynn. The famous cabin in Butcher Hollow where she and her sister Crystal Gayle grew up is just north of Pikeville and is open for tours. The Webb Grocery, which has a collection of Loretta Lynn memorabilia, is the jumping off point for a cabin tour. Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle are just the start of the list of musical notables from this area. Enough luminaries have roots here that U.S. 23 is called the Country Music Highway as it winds through seven counties. The Country Music Highway Museum in Paintsville highlights artists such as Chris Stapleton, the Judds, Patty Loveless, Dwight Yoakam, Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitley — and it offers live music with Thursday night Front Porch Pickin’ events.

Another museum experience is at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Mt. Vernon. It opened in 2002 and honors a variety of Kentucky country and bluegrass stars, as well as inductees from other styles of music. Among them are pop’s Jackie DeShannon (“Put a Little Love in Your Heart” and “What the World Needs Now Is Love”), contemporary Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman and jazz vibraphonist Lionel Hampton.

Next door to the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame is one of the South’s most famous music destinations, the Renfro Valley Entertainment Center. Its popularity started in 1939 with the Renfro Valley Barn Dance, a radio show, in what now is called the Old Barn Theatre (OBT). The OBT is a general admission music hall and older sibling to the New Barn Theatre.

The New Barn Theatre seats 1,500 people for shows by current touring acts. The 2024 schedule included Ricky Skaggs, Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters, Sawyer Brown, the Kentucky Headhunters, the Marshall Tucker Band, Exile, Mark Chesnutt, Rhonda Vincent and the Gatlin Brothers.

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BEREA

No one place can capture all aspects of southeastern Kentucky, but the tiny college town of Berea goes a long way. Appalachia is baked into the DNA of Berea College (enrollment of approximately 1,500), something proven by its Student Crafts Program. Most of Berea’s students are from Appalachia, and the crafts program helps keep the region’s culture alive. Students learn by doing. More precisely, they learn by making, and visitors are the beneficiaries because they can buy the heirloom furniture, hand-woven textiles, woodcrafts and beautiful brooms made by students.

Berea, the South’s first coeducational and racially integrated college, dates to 1855. The crafts program began in 1893. All Berea students work at least 10 hours a week to support college operation and gain workplace experience. Studios devoted to ceramics, board games, weaving and woodworking are part of Student Crafts Program tours. Students are the guides, and tours take about an hour.

In the middle of it all and a place to rest up for another day of touring is another Berea College attraction — Boone Tavern. This group-friendly 63-room hotel is a member of Historic Hotels of America.

A BEREA CRAFTER A WOOD-TURNING DEMONSTRATION

BEREA’S BOONE TAVERN

BOARDWALKS & BITES

TREAT YOUR TRAVELERS TO WATERFRONT FUN

OUTDOOR ISSUE

BY RACHEL CRICK

Acool sea breeze and bright lights against the evening sky give boardwalks their signature nostalgic feel.

Fried foods and festivities only add to the enjoyment.

The country’s coastlines have plenty of incredible boardwalks and piers for groups to visit. These places teem with fun, whether visitors choose to enjoy amusement park rides, sample mouthwatering boardwalk treats, or peruse the shops and many other sights.

We recommend delighting in a combination of experiences at these boardwalks and piers across the country.

NAVY PIER CHICAGO

Stretching 3,300 feet into Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is one of the Windy City’s biggest attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year. Originally opened to the public in 1916, the pier was a successful venue for commerce until the 1940s. It served several other purposes for the city until it was reimagined as an entertainment district and renovated in the ’90s. It’s been a highly successful draw for locals and tourists. In addition to rides, it has dozens of shops, attractions and activities.

“Navy Pier is the lakefront treasure of Chicago,” said Erika Taylor, vice president of arts, culture and engagement at Navy Pier. She added, visitors get “a really great taste of the entire city.”

Some of the most popular activities for groups are the cruises that depart from the pier. Groups can opt for a sightseeing cruise of the Chicago skyline or an architecture-themed cruise highlighting some of the city’s coolest structures along the Chicago River. There’s also the park itself, which features rides like the Centennial Wheel, a historic carrousel and a drop tower in addition to other games. Shopping is another evergreen favorite; visitors can stroll along the pier and browse the stores for gifts, apparel, sweets, art and other eclectic goodies.

At mealtimes, travelers can opt for some of Chicago’s famous foods, such as deep-dish pizza, at grab-and-go stands. Group-friendly restaurants include Chef Art Smith’s Reunion, Harry Caray’s Tavern and Ciccio, which serves corned beef among other Italian favorites.

If they time it right, groups can catch some of the park’s free programming. Wednesday and Saturday evenings, the park hosts spectacular evening fireworks displays, and groups will frequently find live bands and movies in the park.

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Chicago’s Navy Pier draws in millions of visitors to the city each year.

CONEY ISLAND

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

One of the East Coast’s most historic and best-known boardwalks can be found on Coney Island, a beachfront neighborhood and park in Brooklyn. It’s often called the birthplace of amusement parks and has amassed a broad range of thrilling rides and attractions. At about an hour’s drive from Manhattan, it’s a great way for groups visiting New York City to spend a summer afternoon — or a full day — at the beach.

Technically, Coney Island’s boardwalk is called the Riegelmann Boardwalk. It’s 2.7 miles long and serves as an access point into Coney Island’s multiple amusement parks and attractions. Luna Park is home to the Coney Island Cyclone, a wooden roller coaster first opened in 1927. It’s the second-steepest wooden coaster in the country and an iconic symbol of Brooklyn, even inspiring the name for Brooklyn’s minor league baseball team. The adjacent Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park is home to the Wonder Wheel, the neighborhood’s oldest ride. There’s also a historic carousel, the Phoenix Roller Coaster, the Thunderbolt Roller Coaster, a skating rink and a go-cart course.

Dozens of restaurants and food stands line the boardwalk and the surrounding blocks. Coney Island is known for its hot dogs, and Nathan’s Famous is widely considered the signature vendor. It’s the site of the International Hot Dog Eating Contest, held annually on July 4. But there’s also Paul’s Daughter, a restaurant known for carnival food such as cotton candy and fries, and Ruby’s Bar and Grill, which has traditional bar fare.

To learn about the history of the beloved neighborhood and boardwalk, groups can visit the Coney Island Museum. They can also catch any one of its programs, from Flicks on the Beach to Friday Night Fireworks.

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SANTA MONICA PIER SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA

Watching the sun set over the ocean is one of the most rewarding parts of visiting a boardwalk on the West Coast. And with its laid-back atmosphere and gorgeous weather, Santa Monica, California, is just the place to do that. The Santa Monica Pier has been one of the city’s greatest treasures since it was constructed in 1909 and gained popularity as a fishing pier. Now, it’s home to many iconic photo ops, such as the neon Santa Monica Yacht Harbor sign and the marker for the end of Route 66.

The pier’s biggest attraction is Pacific Park, an amusement park with 12 rides, including the Pacific Wheel (the first solar-powered Ferris wheel and a great photo-op) and the West Coaster. Traditional carnival games are found throughout the park. The pier also has a historic carousel, an arcade and the Heal the Bay Aquarium, a little aquarium dedicated to protecting and preserving marine life at the pier. There are plenty of street performances and even historic walking tours to entertain groups.

The pier’s eateries include plenty of traditional carnival foods, like corndogs, funnel cakes, popcorn and cotton candy, as well as seafood at restaurants like The Albright and Bubba Gump Shrimp. But there’s also a Mexican twist to the pier’s food scene, with restaurants like MariaSol Cocina Mexicana, Churro Man Company and Pier Tamales. An old-fashioned soda fountain and a Japanese-style hotdog kiosk add to the eclectic assortment of beach foods. Groups may also enjoy a visit to the food court, where a wide variety of tastes can be accommodated.

For a bonus boardwalk experience, groups can head a couple miles down the beach to the Venice Beach Boardwalk, which is known for its arts and culture scene.

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Nathan’s Famous Frankfurters in Coney Island

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk’s SkyWheel

A Route 66 sign on the Santa Monica Pier

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MYRTLE BEACH BOARDWALK

MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA

Myrtle Beach’s Boardwalk and Promenade is pretty much synonymous with a visit to the South Carolina city. The 1.5-mile stretch on Ocean Boulevard is packed with entertainment, and with plenty of motorcoach parking, it’s exceptionally group friendly.

“It is very nostalgic; it’s kind of like walking down memory lane,” said Sandy Haines, director of group tour sales at Visit Myrtle Beach. “It’s a wooden boardwalk that is color-themed with beachy, rustic colors, and we have murals along the way.”

One of the boardwalk’s most iconic attractions is the SkyWheel, which opened in 2011. The 187-foot-tall Ferris wheel has enclosed climate-controlled gondolas. Groups can hop in and ride to the top for unparalleled views of Myrtle Beach and the ocean during any season. If they’re looking to do a little shopping, the must-visit location on the boardwalk is the Gay Dolphin, a family-owned gift shop opened in 1946 with multiple levels of trinkets and gifts for any traveler. Additionally, arcades on the boardwalk feature everything from pinball to Skee-Ball, and Ripley’s Crazy Golf is a great place for groups to try their hand at mini-golf.

There’s no shortage of eateries either. Peaches Corner, one of the oldest restaurants on the beach, is known for its foot-long hotdogs and ice-cold beers. Bummz Beach Café is another favorite for seafood, sandwiches and burgers. Mad Myrtle’s Ice Creamery is a wonderful way for travelers to cool off and indulge their sweet tooth.

For live entertainment beyond the arcades and artists along the boardwalk, groups can stop into a live music bar such as The Bowery, where the band Alabama got its start.

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KEMAH BOARDWALK KEMAH, TEXAS

Groups visiting the Gulf Coast don’t have to forego a great boardwalk. Kemah Boardwalk, across the bay from Galveston, Texas, has been delighting visitors for decades with the attractions decorating the 60-acre entertainment complex. It’s home to 14 amusement park rides, including a zip-line attraction and a 54-room boutique hotel called the Boardwalk Inn.

“The beautiful views of Galveston Bay are obviously a big draw for people,” said Jacob Bigger, general manager of the Kemah Boardwalk. “It’s scenic and it’s quite relaxing.”

Events are another huge draw for the boardwalk. They are held year-round and include everything from a traditional, German-themed Oktoberfest (complete with stein-holding contests) to a summer concert series featuring many genres of music. Halloween and Christmas are celebrated with Boo on the Boardwalk and Jingle on the Boardwalk, respectively. There are also retail shops, carnival games and a dinner yacht that is available for public and private cruises.

Like other destinations on the Gulf Coast, the Kemah Boardwalk is known for its great seafood. It has six full-service restaurants, all featuring picturesque views of the bay. Visitors can opt for any type of cuisine, from steaks to sweets. The Flying Dutchman Restaurant and Oyster Bar is a popular choice for seafood and burgers, while Aquarium Restaurant is renowned for the underwater-themed dining experience and massive fish tank. When it comes to carnival food, some of the boardwalk’s most popular treats include massive turkey legs and funnel cakes stuffed with Oreos and topped with whipped cream, powdered sugar and chocolate sauce.

Groups looking to explore more of the Houston and Galveston area can purchase the Adventure Pass, which gives them access to Houston’s Downtown Aquarium, Galveston’s Pleasure Pier and the Kemah Boardwalk.

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Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

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Kemah Tower on Kemah Boardwalk

A sunset on Coney Island

Heartland

SPECIAL SECTION

Worth Walk

SPEND AN AFTERNOON ENJOYING THESE HEARTLAND NEIGHBORHOODS

BY DIANA BOCCO

America’s Heartland is home to neighborhoods that offer far more than just a quick stop on a tour. Filled with walkable streets, unique architecture and a variety of experiences for visitors, these districts are where past meets present, with historic landmarks, public art and lively streets lined with unique shops, galleries and restaurants.

For group travelers, these neighborhoods are the perfect way to experience the Heartland’s wholesome charm and traditional values, rooted in community spirit and authenticity. Whether it’s the art-filled corners of an urban hub or a district buzzing with live music, the Heartland’s neighborhoods offer unforgettable experiences at every turn.

The Delmar Loop St. Louis

Named one of the 10 Great Streets in America by the American Planning Association, St. Louis’ Delmar Loop blends the best of local culture with a lively, eclectic energy. Originally named after the streetcar loop that defined the area’s geography, the neighborhood has evolved into a cultural hotspot while retaining its historic roots. The six-block stretch is lined with unique shops, indie boutiques, restaurants and entertainment venues that make it ideal for exploring on foot.

“The Loop is a great place to experience the diversity St. Louis has to offer,” said public historian Amanda Clark, manager and guide for See STL Tours.

One of the local standout attractions is the St. Louis Walk of Fame, which honors notable locals like Miles Davis and Tina Turner.

“The Walk of Fame stars are a great way to learn about all the famous folks who have called St. Louis home, as well as learn more about the history of the area,” said Clark.

Groups can catch a live show at the Pageant, one of the best concert venues in the city, or stop by the Tivoli Theatre, a beautifully restored art-deco cinema that screens indie and classic films.

Historic Third Ward

A star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame in the Delmar Loop

Columbus’ Short North Arts District

Old Market in Omaha

“The architecture of the Loop includes a great overview of styles from the late 1800s to today, and the restaurant scene ranges from barbecue to bao buns,” explained Clark, who added that visitors can even take photos with a larger-than-life Chuck Berry statue.

The Delmar Loop hosts self-guided walking tours, and for a more relaxed experience, the new Loop Trolley allows visitors to ride from the Loop to nearby Forest Park.

“While our program doesn’t offer a Delmar Loop tour to the public, we do offer them to any group as a private tour by request,” Clark said.

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Old Market

Omaha, Nebraska

The Old Market is a living testament to the history of Omaha, Nebraska. Its cobblestone streets and 19th-century buildings offer hints of a bygone era. As Omaha’s premier arts district, the neighborhood is also the heart of the city’s contemporary arts and entertainment scene.

Visitors can start by exploring the Old Market, filled with a variety of art galleries, antique shops and restaurants that offer both local and international fare.

“With so much history in the Old Market, every building and shop is an experience in itself,” said Mattie Scheeterm, director of sales for Visit Omaha. “A top-rated stop in the Old Market is Hollywood Candy, wall-to-wall candy to satisfy classic and contemporary tastes.”

For history buffs, the Durham Museum offers an in-depth look at Omaha’s past, while the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts provides a forward-thinking space for modern art exhibitions and performances.

“Next to the Old Market is the new urban tri-park, The RiverFront,” said Scheeterm. “The 72-acre park is one block off of the main street of the Old Market and offers beautiful green spaces, a sculpture garden, firepits, a dog park, multiple playgrounds, bocce ball courts, a threerink skate ribbon, a performance pavilion and so much more.”

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Short North Arts District

Columbus, Ohio

Columbus’ Short North Arts District, the city’s cultural heartbeat, is known for its bohemian vibe. Located just north of downtown, this neighborhood has been a driving force behind the area’s cultural renaissance.

“The Short North Arts District is an incredible, walkable neighborhood just outside the Greater Columbus Convention Center, often referred to as the ‘art and soul’ of Columbus,” said Cam Tirado, public relations specialist for

Experience Columbus. “With over 100 businesses lining High Street, this neighborhood is truly one of a kind — you’ll be hard-pressed to find another place like it in the country.”

The district’s monthly Gallery Hop is a major draw, as art galleries stay open late, and the streets come alive with live music, performances and food vendors.

“The Gallery Hop is a 40-year-old tradition on the first Saturday of every month, alongside a self-guided art trail and the Columbus Museum of Art at The Pizzuti,” said Dan William, Experience Columbus’ chief sales officer.

For those interested in the culinary scene, the area is also home to award-winning restaurants, rooftop bars, lounges and live music venues that stretch the energy well into the night.

“Visitors can experience tours from Columbus Food Adventures, recently voted best food tour in the country by USA Today,” said William. “Groups can also enjoy a variety of bonding activities, from crafting personalized candles at Penn and Beech to riding the Trolley Pub or Pedal Wagon and exploring the district’s rich art scene.”

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Historic Third Ward

Milwaukee

Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward perfectly showcases both the city’s industrial past and its creative present. Once a busy industrial area, the Third Ward has transformed into an arts and entertainment

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A restaurant in Minneapolis’ North Loop

BY RAU BARBER,

district, with its restored warehouses now housing galleries, shops, restaurants and offices. The neighborhood’s riverside location makes it a beautiful area to explore on foot, offering scenic views and a rich blend of old and new architecture.

The Milwaukee Public Market is the centerpiece of the Third Ward, a place where visitors can sample local foods, browse artisanal goods and experience the best of Milwaukee’s food culture. Art enthusiasts will appreciate the neighborhood’s numerous galleries, while theatergoers can catch a show at the Broadway Theatre Center, home to several of the city’s premier performing arts groups.

Festivals are a staple of the Third Ward, with the annual Third Ward Art Festival and Summerfest — the world’s largest music festival — drawing visitors from far and wide.

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The North Loop Minneapolis

Often referred to as the Warehouse District, the North Loop in Minneapolis was once an industrial hub filled with warehouses. Over the past few years, it has undergone a dramatic transformation to become a trendy, walkable area with loft apartments, stylish boutiques and some of the city’s best restaurants.

Visitors can explore the district’s historic brick buildings, which now house art galleries and performance spaces, as well as catch a game at Target Field, where the Minnesota Twins play, adding an exciting sporting edge to the area’s appeal.

“Groups often attend the games and can get special deals that include food and having the group’s name appear on the scoreboard,” said Kristen Montag, senior PR manager at Meet Minneapolis. “Summer concert series and other public events are available at the field, and groups can enjoy a ballpark tour as well.”

The James I. Rice Parkway runs along the Mississippi River and offers visitors stunning views and paths to stroll or bike, while the nearby Mill City Museum offers a peek into Minneapolis’ industrial past.

Culinary enthusiasts will love the North Loop’s restaurant scene, where farm-to-table dining meets global cuisine.

“The breweries and food halls probably rank up there for groups as well,” said Montag. “Microbreweries like Modist, Fulton and Inbound are all popular spots for a brew, and Graze Provisions and North Loop Galley food halls are great for groups that want variety for the various tastes of the group.

“Cooks Bellecour is another unique option in the neighborhood, where you can take cooking classes like Cookies and Cocktails, tasteand-learn sessions with a sommelier, cooking global foods and more. The cookware shop, bakery and event space are also available.”

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Midwestern Winners

AMERICA ATTENDS THESE ICONIC EVENTS

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Known for their warm hospitality and rich history, the Heartland states are also home to some of the country’s most celebrated annual events. In addition to music and performances, many events highlight local cuisine, offering visitors a chance to enjoy regional specialties and unique culinary creations.

From thrilling air shows to jazz-filled streets, the Heartland offers unforgettable experiences that celebrate the region’s diverse culture. Whether it’s the roar of jet planes over Chicago, the sounds of jazz echoing through Detroit or the communal pride at a state fair, Heartland festivals provide something for every traveler, making it a destination rich in experiences for groups to explore.

Chicago Air and Water Show

Chicago

One of the most thrilling events on the Chicago summer calendar, the Chicago Air and Water Show has been wowing audiences since 1959. What started as a modest neighborhood event has blossomed into one of the largest and oldest free air and water shows in the United States.

Each year, millions of spectators gather along Chicago’s lakefront to witness breathtaking aerial displays from both military and civilian pilots, including spectacular performances by elite teams like the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Army Golden Knights. Along with these high-flying acts, there are impressive water-based performances, boat-jumping demonstrations and parachuting acts, all set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Michigan.

Spectators typically stake out prime spots along the shoreline, with North Avenue Beach offering an unbeatable view of the aerial action. With roaring engines, daring maneuvers and a festival atmosphere, the two action-packed days aren’t just a feast for aviation fans. Many restaurants and bars host viewing parties, and groups can also hop aboard one of Chicago’s many lakefront boat cruises to enjoy a full buffet, bar service and unobstructed views of the spectacular aerial performances. CHOOSECHICAGO.COM

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A prize-winning pumpkin at the Iowa State Fair

Chicago Air and Water Show

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Indy 500 Festival Indianapolis

A staple of Indiana’s culture, the Indy 500 Festival is a month-long celebration leading up to the world-famous Indianapolis 500 race. First held in 1957, the festival now hosts over 50 events, making it one of the most comprehensive prerace celebrations globally. The festival culminates in the grand spectacle of the Indianapolis 500, but there’s much more to enjoy throughout the month. Highlights include the 500 Festival Parade, which showcases elaborate floats, marching bands and race car drivers, and the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, one of the country’s largest half-marathons.

Groups can expect to immerse themselves in Hoosier culture with events like Breakfast at the Brickyard (where visitors dine on the track and meet racing legends for an unforgettable race-day experience) and the festival’s renowned Kids’ Day.

For groups, there are opportunities to visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum to see early racing cars, one-of-a-kind vehicles, trophies, drivers’ suits and helmets, and memorabilia from the best names in the sport. The museum also offers exclusive behind-thescenes access to the historic racecourse. Tour options include the Kiss the Bricks tour, where visitors can take a lap around the famous track and recreate the tradition in which winners of the Indianapolis 500 kiss a remaining section of the original brick-paved racetrack from 1909, and the View from the Top tour, which includes panoramic views from the Pagoda and Victory Podium. For a more intimate experience, the Golf Cart Tour explores restricted areas like Gasoline Alley and the Snake Pit on select days.

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Iowa State Fair Des Moines, Iowa

A state celebrated for its agricultural contributions, Iowa is home to one of the nation’s most iconic fairs — the Iowa State Fair. Since 1854, the fair has been a symbol of Iowa’s deep-rooted connection to farming and rural life. Held every August in Des Moines, it’s one of the largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the world, drawing over a million visitors annually. While the fair’s legendary livestock competitions and award-winning produce are staples, many visitors come for its indulgent food offerings, with 200 stands serving everything from classic corn dogs to more adventurous bacon-wrapped deep-fried treats.

Beyond the agricultural showcases, the fair offers plenty of other activities, including grandstand concerts featuring top national performers, thrilling carnival rides, and lively contests such as pie-eating competitions and talent shows. The Butter Cow, a life-size sculpture carved entirely from butter, remains a fan-favorite attraction.

For visitors seeking more entertainment, the fair also hosts nightly horse shows, tractor pulls, vintage vehicle displays, antique markets, and Fabric and Threads or glass-blowing classes for the more creative minds. Groups can also enjoy the midway filled with games and rides and the Iowa Craft Beer Tent, where regional brews are showcased.

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Wichita Riverfest Wichita, Kansas

Kansas’s largest community event, the Wichita Riverfest, has been a state tradition since 1970.

“Wichita Riverfest is the region’s largest and most anticipated festival,” said Susie Santo, president and CEO of Visit Wichita.

Spanning nine days in late spring or early summer, this event attracts over 400,000 visitors to downtown Wichita, where they can enjoy an eclectic mix of live music, food and family-friendly activities, all centered around the beautiful Arkansas River. The festival kicks off with the iconic Sundown Parade, followed by a packed schedule of concerts, interactive exhibits, river runs and fireworks displays that light up the night sky.

One of the highlights for visitors is the variety of performances at the festival’s multiple stages, where both local talent and national headliners entertain the crowd. Groups can also enjoy art installations, shop at pop-up art markets or participate in the very popular Cardboard Regatta, where teams have 90 minutes to build a river-worthy vessel using cardboard, pool noodles and other basic materials.

“And of course, no visit is complete without sampling the delicious and unique offerings at the downtown food court,” said Santo. “This event is a unique way to experience a summer festival in the heart of the country.”

Groups can also enjoy cruise river tours, try a helicopter ride over the river, rent kayaks and canoes, and attend special events dedicated to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.

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Detroit Jazz Festival Detroit

Labor Day weekend in Detroit wouldn’t be the same without the Detroit Jazz Festival, the largest free jazz festival in the world. Established in 1980, this event celebrates Detroit’s deep jazz heritage and attracts some of the genre’s biggest names, along with thousands of jazz enthusiasts from around the globe. Held across multiple stages in downtown Detroit, the four-day festival offers a diverse lineup of over 60 performances, from contemporary jazz to classic big band and from outdoor amphitheaters to late-night jam sessions at local venues, as well as after-hours concerts at the new Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center.

In addition to the music, the festival hosts food trucks, workshops, panel discussions, and meet-and-greet opportunities with musicians for a truly interactive experience. Groups can stop by Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, the oldest jazz club in the world; check out art exhibits showcasing jazz-inspired works from local artists; or explore the city’s rich history of jazz and Motown legends through walking tours that guide them to significant locations in Detroit’s music scene.

After the festival, visitors should spend some time exploring the birthplace of the iconic Motown sound with a stop at the Motown Museum. Other local highlights include getting to know Detroit’s rich automotive history and taking in Diego Rivera’s famous Detroit Industry Murals, which capture the spirit of the city’s industrial past. DETROITJAZZFEST.ORG

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BY BOB BISHOP, COURTESY WICHITA FESTIVALS

A Wichita Riverfest parade

Fireworks over Wichita

Detroit Jazz Festival

On stage in Detroit