Select Traveler Spring 2023

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ITALY always a treat is

The Group Travel Leader is taking a trip to Savannah, Georgia, and we want you to come with us!

Our friends at Visit Savannah are arranging a familiarization tour of the scenic and historic waterfront city, and they’re inviting our travel planner readers to attend. The tour will take place July 30 through August 2 and will include the city’s famous garden squares, legendary Southern cuisine, historic sites, natural attractions, museums and more.

You’ll join our advertising account manager Bryce Wilson and a professional travel writer as they explore the area with our Savannah hosts.

Highlights of the four-day tour will include the following:

• City Trolley Tour — Get to know the beautiful squares and historic buildings of Savannah on an open-air trolley.

• Savannah Riverboat — Enjoy dinner, live gospel music and unparalleled views of the city on a riverboat cruise.

• Paula Deen’s Creek House — Dine at one of the restaurants established by the celebrity chef who got her start in Savannah.

• Captain Derek’s Dolphin Tour — Venture into the Atlantic to see dolphins and other sea creatures that make their home in the area.

• Savannah Theater — Catch a live show at one of the city’s most popular group tour destinations.

Your hotel accommodations, meals, admissions and other expenses will be hosted by Visit Savannah. Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from the region.

You can apply to attend this FAM tour at grouptravelleader.com/savannah-fam. Space is limited, and applications close May 1.

Don’t miss this opportunity to join us July 30–August 2 in Savannah!

Join Us for a Trip to Savannah

Travel planners can enjoy the beautiful scenery and fascinating history of Savannah during an upcoming familiarization tour with Select Traveler’s Bryce Wilson (bottom left).

JULY 30–AUGUST 2

REGISTRATION CLOSES MAY 1

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

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

PHOTOS COURTESY VISIT SAVANNAH

Monumental EXPERIENCE

ADAMS MUSEUM

Visit the Black Hills’ oldest history museum. Explore dynamic exhibits that shine a light on Deadwood’s legends and outlaws and chronicle the city’s progress and its notorious businesses. Discover Potato Creek Johnny’s original gold nugget. Guided tours available with advance reservations.

605.722.4800 // DeadwoodHistory.com

THE LODGE AT DEADWOOD RESORT

The perfect Black Hills “home” for your tour group, getaway or gathering. Enjoy group meals in a spacious banquet room, luxurious guest rooms and exciting casino gaming. The Deadwood Trolley stops at our door!

877.393.5634 // DeadwoodLodge.com

SANFORD LAB

HOMESTAKE VISITOR CENTER

Located 3 miles from historic Deadwood, Lead, SD, is home to the Sanford Underground Research Facility and the former Homestake Gold Mine. Free admission, tour group-friendly, spacious motorcoach parking, custom tour packages.

605.584.3110 // SanfordLab.org/SLHVC

CAMBRIA HOTEL

Convenient location with easy access, clean and spacious guest rooms, tasty breakfast and excellent service. Plenty of on-site motorcoach parking with nearby service stations. Call to reserve your block of rooms now!

605.721.7360 // CambriaHotelRapidCity.com

THE MAMMOTH SITE

We Dig Big! Discover this indoor active 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

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

LEAD

RAPID CITY

WALL

HOT SPRINGS

checking in

CINDY CULLINS BROWN

Destination Club Director

RELYANCE BANK

PINE BLUFF, ARKANSAS

Relyance Bank’s Destination Club accounts are interest-bearing checking accounts available to customers over the age of 50. Destination Club account holders can participate in the bank’s affinity travel group, which takes numerous domestic and international trips each year. Friends and family of account holders can also travel with the group, leading to a wide age range among the travelers.

BIRTHPLACE: Houston, Texas

EDUCATION: Southeast Arkansas College

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY: Brown served at the Greater Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce as comptroller, HR and office manager, and has been at Relyance Bank as the Destination Club director for almost 20 years.

FAMILY: Brown graduated in the same class as her husband. They reconnected at a class reunion 40 years later and married a year after that. Between them, they have three grown children, four grandchildren and one adopted dog.

HOBBIES: Brown enjoys gardening, cooking, painting and reading. Last year, she and her husband bought a 121-year-old farmhouse that they’re restoring, which has taken the majority of her free time.

BY REBECCA TREON

Cindy Cullins Brown didn’t have the opportunity to travel much in her early life. It was only when she took a job leading Relyance Bank’s affinity travel club that she began taking trips regularly, unlocking a passion she didn’t know she had.

“The more you travel, the more you have an interest in seeing how other people live in the world,” said Brown. “Even though you find differences in people, travel has shown me we have more in common than is different — we all face the same challenges in life.”

Brown studied accounting in college and worked at the Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce in Arkansas doing bookkeeping and office management before becoming the organization’s comptroller.

While there, she had a hand in planning all types of events hosted by the chamber. When she saw the position to lead Relyance Bank’s affinity travel group, Destination Club, she almost didn’t apply because she wasn’t sure her skill set would transfer to that role. As it turned out, having an outgoing personality and the ability to plan events and work within a set budget were all skills the role required — and Brown possessed those skills. She got the job and is now on the cusp of her 20th anniversary heading up the Destination Club, organizing group travel for members across the state of Arkansas.

Destination Anywhere

The Destination Club is for people who have one of Relyance Bank’s inter -

Cindy Cullins Brown enjoys whitewater rafting with her travelers in Montana (left) and exploring Italy with her husband (right).

WITH CINDY CULLINS BROWN

est-bearing checking accounts and are over 50 years of age. In the past 20 years, the Destination Club has more than tripled in size, from 800 to 2,500 participants. Unlike other member-driven travel clubs, the Destination Club allows friends and family to travel with the account holder.

“Our travel group is more interested in international travel that allows them to be more adventurous, and we do a combination of hitting the highlights and giving people free time to explore,” said Brown. “We do have an economy motorcoach tour that gives travelers who can’t fly or don’t want to travel internationally an option. Everyone who is interested in taking a trip with us is able to do so, whether they want to go to South Carolina or South Africa.”

Friends For Life

Equally important to the destination the group is visiting is the group itself, said Brown.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to travel, but it’s so much more than that,” she said. “You’re taking care of people, and they become almost like family. I didn’t count on that kind of experience with this role. It has not only made an impact on my life but on their lives, too.”

Brown typically chooses a couple of destinations each year based on suggestions from her traveler members. Occasionally, she finds an airfare or hotel deal and builds around that, working with a group travel planner who has expertise in the destination. This manner of planning allows members to lock in an affordable group price.

Another detail Brown feels makes the trip that much more special is traveler gifts, such as baskets that include snacks, water and small knickknacks that relate to the destination. It’s part of Brown’s hospitality — a way to welcome her travelers and make them feel cared for.

The Latest News

Brown sends Destination Club members a quarterly newsletter detailing upcoming trips, their highlights and how to sign up. Spaces are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Each newsletter outlines specifics about the domestic and international travel options. For example, the most recent newsletter described an upcoming trip to Boston. It started with the cost and accommodations but went on to describe the agenda in “The Cradle of the Revolution,” where the group will participate in a city tour highlighting famous historic sites before having the afternoon to choose between visiting a museum and Fenway Park after lunch at Faneuil Hall.

Brown also arranges special experiences that not only make for memorable trips but also create connections between travelers and the people who live in the destination. She has taken groups to a private cooking class in Italy and to a Quechua village in Peru, where travelers learned traditional dances and were invited to a home-cooked meal.

Since so many friendships are formed during trips, Brown also organizes monthly lunches and other events, regardless of whether the members are still actively traveling with the group

or not, simply to keep those relationships going.

“The impact travel has on people’s lives is just incredible,” said Brown. “It isn’t about the destination — it’s more [about the impact], and that has endeared me to the job. The personal connection is everything.”

faves DESTINATION

1. Under the Tuscan Sun:

“My most loved place in the world is Italy. What’s not to love? I love the history, the people, the food and wine. I’ve never been disappointed by any of the cities or little villages in Italy, and Tuscany is my absolute favorite.”

2. Out of Africa:

“South Africa was one of the most diversified destinations I’ve ever visited. We got lucky and actually saw a den of lions tear into an impala right in front of our eyes. The penguins on the beach were fun to watch. There were so many animals everywhere, not just on the safari. The vineyards and the beaches are great there, and the food and wine are excellent.”

3. The Land of Fire and Ice:

“Iceland was another very different destination, and I can’t wait to go back. The Northern Lights were awesome — that has to be on most people’s bucket list. It was a beautiful tour.”

BY BRIAN JEWELL

meaningful travel is a mindset

You’ve heard all the buzzwords: meaningful travel, responsible travel, mindful travel, sustainable travel and more. But what do they all mean, exactly? And how do you integrate the ideas they represent into a group travel program?

Like many of the cultural concepts popular among millennials and Generation Z, ideas about a better way of traveling can seem a little hazy — especially if you’re not from those generations or fluent in their language of social responsibility. And while it would be easy to dismiss these travel trends as a bunch of empty talk, there’s a lot of research showing more travelers are actually seeking experiences that align with their social and cultural values. Fortunately, you can make these ideas a concrete part of your group travel program. Here are five practical ways to do that.

Be intentional about economic impact.

Every time your group travels, you spend money in the places you visit. But have you ever stopped to think about where that money goes? Many hotels, for instance, are owned by holding companies or multinational corporations headquartered far away from where their guests are actually sleeping. But people interested in responsible travel want to ensure that as many of their dollars stay in the local economy as possible. That means digging a little deeper than normal to find hotels, restaurants and retail outlets that are owned by members of the communities you visit.

Ask questions about sustainability.

Sustainability — what we used to call environmental friendliness — is a complex topic in tourism. On one hand, travel is fundamentally resource intensive, producing a fair amount of carbon emissions and waste. On the other hand, many travelers express a desire to minimize their environmental footprint. While you can’t erase the emissions of an airplane or a motorcoach, you can ask your hotels and travel partners questions about sustainability. Do they recycle and minimize the use of plastics? Have they invested in energy-efficient systems? Do they participate in regular sustainability audits? Your environmentally conscious travelers will appreciate knowing you have checked.

Get off the beaten path.

In many destinations, travel groups often follow well-worn paths from one attraction to the next. And while there’s nothing wrong with hitting the highlights, itineraries that only focus on the most popular places and businesses often leave a lot of other interesting things unexplored and fascinating people unmet. In any destination, there are likely dozens of small businesses, from restaurants to performance groups, that have trouble competing with the major players in town. Travel planners who make a point to take their groups into overlooked neighborhoods and work with local entrepreneurs who can deliver memorable experiences and help uplift communities along the way.

Look for ways to make a difference.

It’s especially easy to see material needs when you travel to developing countries, but there are underprivileged neighborhoods and communities just about anywhere you go. Some travelers want to provide help when they visit those places. To facilitate that, work with your travel partners to identify opportunities to give back. That could mean making a cash donation to a local charity or taking on a service project with a community organization. Pay special attention to make sure this happens in a way that isn’t exploitive or degrading. When done right, these opportunities to make a difference often become highlights of a trip.

Seek out local makers.

The T-shirts, keychains and shot glasses that travelers love to buy on vacation are usually made in China. And even some items advertised as locally made have been passed through so many middlemen that the artists and craftspeople who created them aren’t making very much from the purchases. For a better and more impactful shopping experience, work with your tour company or the tourism office in the place you’re visiting to arrange encounters with local makers. You’ll learn much more about their culture and take home a souvenir or artwork with a meaningful story attached. And the artist will benefit directly from your purchases.

Come Back to Branson

THIS TRUE AMERICAN FAVORITE WELCOMES THE SELECT TRAVELER CONFERENCE

BY DAN DICKSON

Many of the top group travel planners from across the country have cleared their calendars to attend the annual Select Traveler Conference, March 27–29 at Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa and Convention Center in Branson, Missouri.

Planners participate in the conference because they realize travel destinations providers covet planners who represent banks, chambers of commerce and college/alumni travel groups. In turn, members within those groups are eager to get out and tour. Plus, these planners have helped lead the post-pandemic revival of the travel industry.

Travel destination providers anxiously await the chance to do business with these planners at the conference and bring their travelers to their cities, states, historical sites,

OF COMMERCE AND CVB

“We are a little town of 12,000 people that welcomes 10 million visitors a year, and we love having people come in from all over the country and that includes travel planners and their clients.”

— YVONNE LONG, BRANSON/LAKES AREA CHAMBER

resorts and attractions.

“We are a little town of 12,000 people that welcomes 10 million visitors a year, and we love having people come in from all over the country and that includes travel planners and their clients,” said Yvonne Long, senior sales manager for the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s all about the experience and families and memories here in Branson, where we offer a real Middle America and Ozarks hospitality.”

Branson has been one of the nation’s premier group travel destinations for generations, with its famous Highway 76 “Strip” and dozens of attractions, ranging from theaters with a wide variety of entertainment options to exciting theme parks and boundless recreational offerings.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

The Select Traveler Conference will occupy meeting and dining rooms at the Chateau on the Lake, a AAA Four Diamond-rated property located on the shore of Table Rock Lake. From the 300 sleeping rooms, guests will enjoy views of either the lake or the mountains.

The three-day conference begins with registration, where planners will meet the staff that will be assisting them. The travel destination vendors mall will open and representatives from a dozen cities, states and attractions will operate booths. It is a great place to pick up travel information and to have questions answered.

That evening, the opening night festivities will take place at the chateau and include a wine reception sponsored by

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY EXPLOREBRANSON.COM

Branson scenes, left to right: Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail; the Haygoods; a Pink Jeep adventure.

the Branson Chamber of Commerce and CVB. Dinner will be presented by the chateau and no doubt will include a few surprises. Entertainment is being arranged, and guests can expect a performance from one of the 110 shows available at theaters around Branson, to give the visitors a taste of what the city offers.

Breakfasts and lunches are a good time for delegates to network and share knowledge and experiences. Getting perspectives from fellow planners from around the nation is valuable. Delegates will get to do that a lot at the conference.

Marketplace sessions are scheduled for days two and three at the conference. These are the main reasons planners will come to Branson. They will research destinations and meet face-to-face with their representatives. These six-minute appointments are a good start for planners hoping to fill their trip agendas in 2023 and beyond.

SEEING THE SITES

One of the highlights of every Select Traveler Conference is the sightseeing tours of the host city. It is a great opportunity for that city because the local CVB gets to show a couple of busloads of travel directors many of the amenities that city has to offer. CVB representatives agree that showing off a location in person is much more vivid than showing pictures or videos.

Branson officials have planned three exceptional sightseeing tours, provided on a first-come, first-served basis. One stop will be at the Titanic Museum Attraction. The building is designed in the shape of the historic ship that hit an iceberg in the North Atlantic in 1912 and sank, claiming more than 1,500 lives. Inside, visitors will discover what it was like to wander the cabins, parlors, hallways and the grand staircase of the luxury liner. On display are more than 400 genuine artifacts from the great ship and its passengers. There is also a Titanic Memorial Room where 2,208 names line the walls.

The second sightseeing opportunity will be the Pink Jeep Adventure Tour, during which passengers in custom pink Wrangler Jeeps roll off-road past lakeside landmarks and beautiful vistas on the way up to Baird Mountain. Expert local guides will point out highlights of the mountain scenery and history.

The third sightseeing tour is going to take place at Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail. This trip will include a two-and-a-half-mile ride inside an electric cart through the nature trail ending at Lost Cave, which is four-stories tall with a cascading waterfall. The whole area can be seen from the floor or on balconies at each of the four levels.

Planners may also want to stay after the conference and participate in familiarization tours of the surrounding area. Details are available at the Branson CVB.

The reception and dinner on the second night of the conference will be held at McFarlain’s Family Restaurant located in the Branson IMAX Entertainment Complex. The eatery

“It’s all about the experience and families and memories here in Branson, where we offer a real Middle America and Ozarks hospitality.”

— YVONNE LONG, BRANSON/LAKES AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND CVB

Branson legend Shoji Tabuchi

McFarlain’s Family Restaurant

is famous for its Ozarks-inspired food and homemade pies. The delegates will then travel by motorcoach to the Clay Cooper Theater where The Haygoods will perform. This high-energy shop features six siblings who sing, dance and perform with up to 20 different instruments.

“The Haywoods show is another sampling of what Branson as a whole has to offer visitors,” said Long.

SPEAKERS SHARE

In addition to fulfilling appointments during the marketplace sessions, travel planners will be treated to some industry expertise from the conference speakers who represent a variety of

Titanic Museum Attraction

Chateau on the Lake Resort

travel companies and destinations around the United States. Sponsors also will show videos of their locations and tours in hopes of attracting travel groups.

The conference’s keynote speakers will help attendees learn more about the finer points of the travel industry. The Select Traveler Conference will present Bud Geissler of GroupCollect, a premier registration and payment technology platform for tour operators.

Geissler says travel planners can use this technology to help streamline their operations, convert leads into sales so the planner can reduce risk, both financially and in the trip details. It will also improve pre-trip and on-trip communication.

“Finding the right technology for you is important,” said Geissler. That means technology that covers all the bases. “You can use sunscreen to protect against burns,” Geissler continued. “But you know what it’s like if you miss a spot. It’s painful. The same is true for trip execution. You must cover every aspect of it.”

The travel world has changed since the pandemic, and Geissler says planners must be ready. “Our lives and our businesses look quite different than they did before,” he said. “Travelers have different expectations. Our lodging, attraction and transportation partners also have different expectations. The correct technology can provide multiple solutions.”

A WARM WELCOME

The Branson Chamber of Commerce and CVB are pleased to host the Select Traveler Conference, where they will reveal all that Branson has to offer to a couple of hundred travel planners who in turn can influence their travel club members.

“These are our kind of people,” said Long. “They are the ones who over the decades have made us the top destination that we are today. We really thank them and welcome them.”

“This year’s group picture will look a lot better from here.”

BY KMS PHOTOGRAPHY, COURTESY THE HENRY FORD

BY LUCY HEWEETT, COURTESY THE FIELD MUSEUM

Menlo Laboratory at the Henry Ford

A historic aircraft on display at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Riding in a Model T at the Henry Ford

The Field Museum in Chicago

Rosa Parks’ bus at the Henry Ford

Gold records at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

A dinosaur exhibit at the Field Museum

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

TRAVEL FOCUS

Of Course We Went

These four museums define their cities

BY RACHEL CRICK

The magic of museums is they are meccas of human memory and culture. In addition to appealing to the senses and inspiring wonder in those who visit, museums display the great achievements of humans across time and cultures. These educational and aesthetic attractions usually have a connection to the area in which they’re located, making them

quintessential stops when traveling to their cities. Their artifacts, exhibits and artworks can be varied but are often centered around a theme that contains a great deal of significance to the local culture and history. For groups, a stop at these four top museums around the country is a must when traveling to their cities.

FIELD MUSEUM CHICAGO

Chicago has no shortage of museums to educate and awe visiting groups, but the Field Museum stands out as one of its oldest and greatest. It’s considered by many to be one of the best natural history museums in the world and grew from a collection of items from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Its current building, known for its stately Greek-inspired architecture, opened to the public in 1921 on the bank of Lake Michigan.

The museum is home to a large selection of must-see artifacts and exhibitions that explore the natural sciences and humanity across time. One of the most popular exhibitions is the Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet, the museum’s most-visited exhibition, which tells the story of Earth, from its origins to present day. Within the exhibit, visitors can see SUE, the largest and best-preserved adult Tyrannosaurus rex in the world, as well as the skeletons of the first Brachiosaurus ever found and one of the largest dinosaurs to ever live. Another popular exhibition within the Field Museum includes Inside Ancient Egypt, where visitors can learn about the customs of ancient Egyptians and view a replica of an Egyptian tomb and a mummy.

fieldmuseum.org

MUSEUM OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE DAYTON, OHIO

Detailing the birth of aviation from the Wright Flyer to today’s most advanced space vehicles and technology, the Museum of the U.S. Air Force is the top attraction in Dayton. Following World War I, U.S. Army Air Service engineers established a research collection; these were the museum’s first artifacts. It opened in 1923, making it one of the oldest military museums in the country. It has moved several times to accommodate its rapidly growing collections but has remained in its current location since 1971.

“No other century has witnessed as much social, cultural and technological change, and the history of the Department of the Air Force coincides with those changes,” said Meghan Anderson, curator of the museum’s research division.

Some of the museum’s most iconic artifacts and exhibitions include significant historic aircraft, such as the Memphis Belle, a B-17F heavy bomber that symbolizes 30,000 airmen who died during World War II. Also on display is SAM 26000, also known as Air Force One, which was the first jet aircraft built for an American president, and the Titan IVB Rocket, the largest single-use rocket used by the Department of the Air Force. The museum has four exhibit hangars, a missile gallery, a theater, an outdoor air park and Memorial Park. nationalmuseum.af.mil

COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Country music is an essential part of Nashville’s past and present. Some of the most legendary figures in the genre and in the entire history of music got their start in this musical city, from Garth Brooks to Taylor Swift. As such, it makes sense for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to be in the heart of downtown Nashville. First opened in 1967, this museum has since opened a massive complex that now features 350,000 square feet of exhibition space and consistently changing exhibits and artifacts.

Prominent exhibits such as Sing Me Back Home explore the roots of country music with rotating artifacts of significance to some of the genre’s most beloved artists. Throughout the museum, visitors will find instruments, stage-wear, recordings and films highlighting these musicians’ greatest contributions to American music.

“First and foremost, we’re an educational institution,” said Dana Romanello, the associate director of museum sales. “We express that through a variety of educational programs. More than 100,000 people participate in those each year

The group experience at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is full of opportunities for hands-on learning. In addition to self-guided tours of the museum, groups can participate in songwriter workshops, where they can write a song with a Grammy-winning songwriter. countrymusichalloffame.org

Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame

THE HENRY FORD DEARBORN, MICHIGAN

Ford Motor Company was founded in Dearborn, a suburb of Detroit, in 1903. The city has since become synonymous with automobiles, and especially the Ford name, so it makes sense that The Henry Ford was founded there in 1929 and is today the most popular attraction in Michigan. However, groups that expect the museum to revolve around Ford automobiles will be pleasantly surprised to find a mind-boggling variety of exhibits. Visitors may struggle to make the connection between the vast collection of artifacts, but it can all be connected through the theme of American innovation.

“It really is surprising and delightful around every corner,” said senior director of sales Amy Cox. “If you’re an automotive enthusiast you’ll love it. If you like the stories of American people and how they persevered, we have a million stories you’re going to love.”

American innovation is a broad subject, and the museum reflects this in its wide range of offerings for visitors. Within the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, the campus’ original 523,000-square-foot indoor museum, groups will find prominent exhibits such as the bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, the limousine President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in during his trip to Dallas and the theater chair President Abraham Lincoln was sitting in when his 1864 assassination took place.

Greenfield Village, The Henry Ford’s 80-acre outdoor living history museum open during the warmer months, gives groups outstanding opportunities to experience history firsthand. They can step into Thomas Edison’s laboratory or the Wright Brothers’ Workshop, which were transported from their original locations and rebuilt in the village. They can also ride in a Model T, tour a historically accurate 19th century working farm and hop aboard a real steam locomotive. thehenryford.org

COURTESY CMHOF

BY RACHEL CRICK

The majesty of South Dakota’s Badlands and the Black Hills National Forest draws thousands of travelers to the western part of the state each year. This region offers a wealth of attractions for groups to explore, from the scenic beauty of its state and national parks to the stoic faces of past U.S. presidents carved into Mount Rushmore. It’s also alive with history; travelers can experience influences of Native American and Western culture that intertwined to give the area its adventurous spirit.

“In addition to all these amazing parks we have, we have a wealth of attractions,” said Michelle Thomson, president and CEO of the Black Hills and Badlands Tourism Association. “There are so many things to experience in the Black Hills and Badlands area.”

While each nearby town boasts access to the major attractions of this region, these cities also offer unique sights and experiences for those passing through. Between the dense pine forests of Black Hills National Forest and the dramatic spires of the Badlands, here are four stops along the way that complete a signature South Dakota itinerary.

DEADWOOD

With vibrant nightlife and licensed gaming, the Wild West is still alive in Deadwood. Founded during the Gold Rush in 1876, this historic town boasts its rowdy past with plenty of museums detailing the many facets of life during this bygone era.

“The entire town is actually a national historic landmark,” said Thomson. “In addition to the gaming and Wild West, they also have a lot of events throughout the year.”

One of the city’s most prominent attractions is Mount Moriah Cemetery, a historic cemetery where Deadwood’s most famous dead are buried. This cemetery is the final resting place for notorious folk heroes such as Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane.

At Broken Boot Gold Mine, groups can tour a gold mine that shut down permanently in 1918. The mine, made its owners more profit from fool’s gold than yellow gold, but it’s been a faithful tourist attraction showcasing the area’s history for nearly 70 years. Another popular museum, the Brothel Deadwood, is set in a historic building that once served as a brothel and highlights some of the more scandalous history in the town and the entire West.

The Native American history of the region, particularly of the Lakota Tribe, is celebrated at Tatanka, a Native American Interpretive Center. Groups can hear the story of the bison from Native American interpreters, buy authentic Native American art and jewelry, and see 14 bronze sculptures of Lakota riders pursuing bison on the center’s grounds.

Deadwood features historic hotels and casinos up and down Main Street where groups can stay, play and dine. Downtown, at the Silverado Franklin Historic Hotel and Gaming Complex, groups can enjoy slots, table games and a poker room, then dine at the Legends Steakhouse for a hand-cut Angus steak or chops. Or, they can eat at the casino’s Vegas-style buffet, Silverado Grand Buffet, which features everything from wood-fired pizzas to prime rib.

deadwood.com

Sculptures at Tatonka in Deadwood

Deadwood’s Mount Moriah Cemetery

RAPID CITY

With the Rapid City Regional Airport and easy access to railroads and interstates, Rapid City is a hub for the Black Hills and Badlands region. Though it only has a population of about 75,000, it features plenty of group-friendly attractions. One of the most notable is its proximity to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Groups can see the iconic American landmark for themselves or enjoy all the presidential tributes around Rapid City.

“The big thing that Rapid City is known for would be the City of Presidents, which are life-sized bronze sculptures of all the past presidents on downtown street corners,” said Thomson.

These bronze statues, the first of which were commissioned by the city in 1999 and 2000, are the real heights and weights of past U.S. presidents. They’ve become a symbol of the city and a beloved way to experience it. Groups often enjoy a City of Presidents walking tour, which will take them around the city for equal parts sightseeing and history lesson.

Another way to experience the city and make history come alive is with a tour of the Mt. Rushmore Black Hills Gold Factory. During this signature Rapid City experience, groups will learn about the process of making the signature Black Hills Gold jewelry and the factory’s significance to the city’s history.

Rapid City is also a hub for culture, featuring an abundance of museums, shops and arts centers. These group-friendly attractions include the Journey Museum and Learning Center, the South Dakota Air and Space Museum, Tusweca Gallery and the Dahl Art Center.

The city also has another surprise that will delight groups: Chapel in the Hills is a replica of Norway’s Borgund Stavkirke. This beautiful and ornate example of Scandinavian architecture also features a museum and gift shop for guests to peruse while they admire its craftsmanship.

For a signature South Dakota dining experience, groups can head to Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper and Show, a music show and restaurant that serves up both Western entertainment and hearty, downto-earth meals.

visitrapidcity.com

Badlands

“Rapid City is known for ... the City of Presidents, which are life-sized bronze sculptures of all the past presidents.”

— MICHELLE THOMSON, BLACK HILLS AND BADLANDS TOURISM ASSOCIATION

Public art in Custer

CUSTER

Custer is the oldest town in the Black Hills National Forest region. Once a popular destination for mining, the land eventually became a state park and city. It is centrally located between state and national parks and prominent South Dakota monuments and memorial sites.

“Custer is in the middle of all of these parks,” said Thomson. “Their easy access to the parks is mostly what Custer is known for.”

With all the nearby natural scenery, it should come as no surprise that outdoor recreation is popular in Custer. In addition to hiking, biking, horseback riding and kayaking, travelers can explore the earth and sky around Custer in more unusual ways, such as UTVs, hot air balloons and helicopters.

The city is just outside the entrance to Custer State Park, a 71,000-acre wildlife preserve where bison, elk, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs and many other species roam. Groups can take take the Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour, a wildlife safari adventure from an open-air Jeep.

Due west at Jewel Cave, a national monument and the world’s third longest cave, groups can take a guided cave tour to witness the stunning natural formations within.

Crazy Horse Memorial calls Custer its home. This iconic monument is a tribute to the Lakota leader named Crazy Horse and honors Native American heritage in the Black Hills. Groups can learn about, its significance and the logistics behind its ongoing construction by taking a ride up the mountain or perusing the campus welcome center.

To refuel after a day of sightseeing and outdoor adventures, groups can stop at the Mount Rushmore Brewing Company, a brewpub with both a taproom taproom, groups will find seasonal, local craft beer and bar staples like pizza, burgers and sandwiches. Upstairs at the Pounding Fathers restaurant, groups can choose from a selection of sophisticated dishes, like scallops, Cornish game hen and pork ossobuco. visitcuster.com

WALL

With fewer than 2,000 residents, a tiny town on the western edge of the Badlands may seem an unusual stop for travelers. But for groups traveling through South Dakota, Wall offers several distinct attractions that make it a must-see stop on any itinerary.

Wall has a long history of being a stopover in South Dakota because of the Wall Drugstore, also known as Wall Drug, which became the preferred place for travelers to rest and eat after visiting Badlands National Park, which is one of the state’s most awe-inspiring natural attractions.

“Wall Drug Store opened in 1931 and started offering free ice water to travelers who were traveling across the state of South Dakota on the way to the Black Hills,” said Thomson.

Today, Wall Drug attracts over 2 million visitors a year. With plentiful options for shopping and dining, and of course, free ice water, it’s the perfect place to grab a South Dakota souvenir and refreshments. Wall Drug’s Western Art Gallery Restaurant can accommodate 500 customers, and serves up hot beef sandwiches, buffalo burgers and 5-cent coffee. The restaurant is also known for homemade doughnuts, and true to its name, the collection of Western-themed art adorning its walls.

Besides Wall Drug, Wall is close to Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, a relic from the Cold War. Here, groups can visit a nuclear missile silo and learn about the significance of the U.S. arsenal of nuclear weapons that still reside in the Great Plains.

To see the plains untouched, as they would have been 150 years ago, Buffalo Gap National Grasslands is another nearby stop. These grasslands offer groups sweeping views of the unspoiled South Dakota prairies, with opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking and horseback riding.

For a look at how the pioneers who settled the Great Plains during the early 20th century lived, groups can stop at the Prairie Homestead, Brown’s original sod home, which was built in 1909. wall-badlands.com

A Native American dancer at Mount Rushmore

Buffalo at Custer State Park

Doughnuts at Wall Drug

WALL CUSTER

DEADWOOD RAPID CITY

Perennial Favorite

IT’S ITALY THAT WELCOMES MANY TO EUROPE FOR THE FIRST TIME

BY KATI HYER

Che bella! With so much variety packed into one small country, it’s no wonder Italy is a dream destination for groups. From the staggering Dolomite Mountains in Italy’s alpine region and its grotto-lined southern beaches, the country’s wide-ranging geography is reason alone for a trip. Ubiquitous and fascinating architecture and artifacts showcase the influence Etruscan, Greek, Roman and Christian civilizations have had on Italian culture, and as a result, Western society. And where else in

the world is the food an absolute triumph?

In Italy, groups can experience the past via museums and ancient ruins around the capital city, Rome; enjoy modern art and sightsee from a gondola in Venice; and wake up to explore incredible sites with authentic, freshly brewed espresso in Milan. Geography, history, food, culture — this European dream retreat has what Italians call “la bella vita” — the good life — and something for every group.

Buon viaggio!

Exploring Venice by gondola is among many travelers’ fondest memories of Italy.

can’t miss DESTINATIONS

Rome

There’s a reason the Eternal City tops most must-see lists for cities in Europe. Thanks to millennia of history, a simple stroll gives visitors endless chances to view breathtaking masterpieces. Rome is densely packed with museums, churches, architecture and other clues that reveal its past. Imagine life during the height of the Roman Empire with awe-inspiring Colosseum and Pantheon visits. Fast forward to the Renaissance and religious devotion by visiting the Vatican. There, among other priceless treasures, groups can experience St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, home to Michelangelo’s masterpieces. Complete the Roman holiday with a wish at the intricate Trevi Fountain.

Milan

Prada. Versace. Dolce e Gabbana. These luxury brands find their home in the fashion capital of the world, and groups can find irreplaceable experiences in Milan, too. Milan, Italy’s second-largest city and the capital city of the Lombardy region, is home to elegance, art, luxury and a bustling entertainment scene — not to mention castles and museums. Groups will crane their necks to take in all that is the Duomo di Milano, Milan’s staggering cathedral. Make time for the Sforzesco, a grand castle and fortress in the city’s lush outer environs and the Santa Maria delle Grazie church, home of Da Vinci’s “Last Supper.”

Venice

What do “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” “Casino Royale” and “Spiderman: Far From Home” have in common? Key scenes in each were filmed in one of the world’s most magical, mythical and unmistakable cities: Venice. The openair museum is world-renowned for its canals and transport via gondolas, but this mesmerizing and romantic city on a lagoon was once an imposing city-state and a powerhouse in Europe. The wealth cultivated in centuries past explains the architectural wonders that attract visitors by the tens of thousands today. In addition to the sigh-inducing waterways, groups can explore the Doge’s Palace, the capital of the erstwhile Republic of Venice, and view works by Pollack, Picasso and Dalì at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, a significant museum of modern art on the Grand Canal, a glorious location worth a visit itself.

Italy’s 20 administrative regions are bursting with unique culture, geographies and flavors. What ties them all together? It’s the humble yet triumphant pasta dish. Groups can elevate their experience by learning to make pasta like a true Italian at a traditional, authentic pasta-making class. Tagliatelle, conchiglie and fusilli … few experiences will be as gratifying or mouth-watering.

unforgettable FLAVOR

What are cioccolato, fragola and limone? Chocolate, strawberry and lemon: the country’s three most popular flavors of gelato, Italy’s ultra-rich and creamy take on ice cream. Shop owners make the sweet treat in colorful vats at gelaterias (small ice cream shops) everywhere, with customers frequently coming in during an afternoon stroll or in the evening for an after-dinner treat.

signature EXPERIENCE hidden TREASURE

Opulent, magnificent Teatro alla Scala is Milan’s prestigious opera house. Visiting La Scala is akin to stepping inside a treasure box. Groups can view shows and book tickets ahead of time online. Those pressed for time can tour the attached museum and view the opera house during off hours.

favorite SOUVENIR

Murano master glassmakers are hailed the world over for their glassware. The art form’s history dates back to the 13th century, when Venice was an imposing trading partner and kept the techniques for glassmaking a highly guarded secret. Today, makers use the original technique with modern artistry to create prized sculpture, jewelry or figurines. Travelers should beware of cheap imitations and save their money for the real thing.

Groups

From swank casinos to glitzy live entertainment, stellar shopping and a cuisine scene that can’t be beat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, has much to offer groups. But alongside these high-wattage attractions rises another, simpler pleasure motor coach travelers will want to explore: the sea.

Blessed with an oceanside locale responsible for its very founding — Atlantic City got its start in the mid-1800s as a resort where health-conscious folks could take in the salt air — America’s Playground provides a wealth of diversions themed around the water. Here are a few tours that group leaders will want to include in their Atlantic City itineraries.

Beyond Baccarat

ATLANTIC CITY’S COASTAL OUTDOORS CAN MAKE A TRIP

BY JILL GLEESON

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY VISIT ATLANTIC CITY

visiting Atlantic City can enjoy sweeping views of the Jersey Shore from Absecon Lighthouse.

STEEL PIER

Jutting 1,000 feet into the sea from Atlantic City’s world-famous boardwalk, Steel Pier debuted in 1898, making it one of the oldest amusement piers on the East Coast, according to Heather Colache, tourism account and film commission director for Visit Atlantic City. But the “Showplace of the Nation,” as it was dubbed back in the day, has more to offer groups than its fabled history, which includes hosting performances from such icons as Frank Sinatra and the Rolling Stones.

Nowadays, Steel Pier is home to a bustling amusement park that includes a 227-foot-tall observation wheel. Opened in 2017, The Wheel features 40 temperature-controlled gondolas serving up Atlantic City’s best views. Meanwhile, Ocean Reef Bar and Waterside Pavilion, situated at the pier’s end, offer private event venues with catering and special pricing for groups of 25 or more. According to Colache, Steel Pier also periodically hosts seafood festivals group travelers are sure to love, including “a crab fest, a lobster fest and a shrimp fest, and that’s all throughout the summer.”

ABSECON LIGHTHOUSE

Absecon Lighthouse offers its own showstopping views as well — group members will just have to climb 228 steps to access it. (“No, there isn’t an elevator,” Colache said, chuckling. “Everybody asks that!”) For group members who don’t feel up to the climb, there’s plenty else to see on site, including the well-tended two-acre grounds featuring a verdant community garden, a charming gift shop, and the Keeper’s House Museum, with exhibits focusing on the lighthouse and its keepers, local shipwrecks, marine life and more. Absecon Lighthouse happily hosts group tours.

First lit in 1857 and named to National Register of Historic Places in 1971, the 171-foot-tall masonry lighthouse is the country’s third tallest. Perhaps even more noteworthy, Absecon Lighthouse boasts its original, first-order Fresnel lens. Crafted of lead glass and weighing 12,800 pounds, the light still shines brightly every night.

ATLANTIC CITY CRUISES

For groups that want to get out on the water, Atlantic City Cruises provides a variety of options. Public cruises depart several times a day and include the 60-minute Morning Skyline Cruise; the two-hour Dolphin Watching Adventure, which features an on-board marine naturalist; the 60-minute Afternoon Delight and the 60-minute Happy Hour Cruise.

“They’re a lot of fun,” Colache said. “Captain Jeff George has been around for a long time and definitely knows some amazing facts about Atlantic City that he’s happy to share.”

Atlantic City Cruises, which departs from Historic Gardner’s Basin, also books private charters for up to 100 passengers. Leaders can add options like an on-board DJ, catering and bar service. For smaller groups of 25 or fewer, the company’s fleet includes the Atlantic City Tiki Boat, offering five public cruises a day, as well as private charters.

HISTORIC GARDNER’S BASIN

Groups hopping aboard an Atlantic City Cruise will definitely appreciate some time to wander Historic Gardner’s Basin before or after their adventure. In addition to sightseeing and fishing cruises, travelers will find independent shopping and dining in the charming, relaxed little marine community. And the Atlantic City Aquarium, which specializes in exhibiting sea animals indigenous to the area, is due to reopen this May following a $1 million-plus renovation. Visitors can look forward to upgraded exhibits and a revamped gift shop, among other improvements.

Colache also suggests leaders make time for a group meal at Back Bay Ale House, which dishes up plenty of the fare for which Atlantic City is known best.

“Our most famous type of food is seafood,” she said. “We have huge fishing fleets that fish daily, and a lot of the restaurants will buy right from the boats, so it’s from the boat to the table. And Back Bay Ale House has both indoor and outdoor seating — groups can sit and watch the sunset. It’s really beautiful.”

BY MATTHEW STULLKEN

Back Bay Ale House Absecon Lightbouse by night

Atlantic City Cruises

Steel Pier at dusk

BY REBECCA TREON

Birmingham Botanical Garden

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Magnificent gardens await your group

Local botanical gardens are a unique way for groups to explore a place though its flora. Across the South, remarkable properties welcome visitors in search of landscaped greenery to tour.

Some, like Houmas House and Middleton Place, are tied to historic properties that take guests back in time. Others, like the Memphis Botanical Gardens and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, cultivate native plants or create elaborate themed gardens where visitors can learn, enjoy and explore. Here are six extraordinary gardens across the South that are worth a visit.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Richmond, Virginia

Heiress Grace Arents inherited millions from her uncle, Lewis Ginter, then dedicated her life to improving Richmond, Virginia, earmarking her 73-acre farm to become a botanical garden. The project began in 1984, and 40 years later encompasses 82 acres, including 15 outdoor gardens like the children’s garden and one that grows produce for local food banks. It has four lakes, plus a historic conservatory and greenhouse. The garden welcomes more than 450,000 guests annually and has been named one of the top botanical gardens in the country by numerous outlets.

“We are a fairly young garden, but the site has a very rich history,” said chief marketing officer Beth Monroe. “We’ve been on a tremendous growth trajectory since we opened, with a lot more to come. It’s been a very exciting journey for the garden and the Richmond community.”

Lewis Ginter has year-round appeal. In spring, the gardens are abloom with a million flowers, and during the holiday season they’re festooned with thousands of lights. The garden regularly features special art exhibits and events like Butterflies Live, when the conservatory is filled with thousands of butterflies. They also offer a roster of classes teaching everything from yoga to watercolor painting and cocktail mixing. Groups can enjoy both self-guided and guided tours.

LEWISGINTER.ORG

COURTESY BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDEN

Cherry blossoms are a highlight of the Japanese garden area at Birmingham Botanical Garden.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens Birmingham, Alabama

Since its founding in 1962, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens has celebrated Alabama’s diverse native plants. There are more than two dozen gardens spread over the site’s 67 acres. Guests can wander among its several acres of natural wooded growth; a 50-year-old sycamore tree whose seeds went to the moon in 1971 to study the effects of space travel; a rose garden; several gardens designated to rhododendrons, camellias and crape myrtles; and a popular favorite, the Japanese Garden.

“One of my favorites, and the favorite of most of our visitors, is our Japanese Garden,” said Félix Ortiz, communications and marketing associate at the gardens. “It’s just so tranquil and beautiful — we have a Toshinan Teahouse that is a 16th century teahouse made from materials from Japan and constructed by Kazunori Tago, a temple and shrine builder from Japan. It’s used for traditional tea ceremonies but is also just a great place to enjoy the beauty of the garden.”

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is free to the public and open 365 days a year. Groups can opt for guided garden tours led by trained garden guides, focusing on either garden highlights or more specialized topics.

BBGARDENS.ORG

Houmas House Darrow, Louisiana

An hour from New Orleans in Darrow, Louisiana, Houmas House is a 250-year-old estate with 38 acres of cultivated gardens, including numerous oak trees planted by indigenous people some 600 years ago. The historic gardens feature traditional azaleas and camellias amid statues and fountains, while the remainder is full of exotic colorful flowers and foliage and even a replica of the bridge at Monet’s garden in Giverny.

“We have about 70 live oaks — our largest oak tree is

COURTESY HOUMAS HOUSE

A Houmas House garden

called the Burnside, and it’s 330 feet wide and 65 feet tall,” said Kevin Kelly, owner of the estate. “It has these enormous, majestic branches. When people see it they say, ‘This is the most beautiful tree I’ve ever seen,’ and it truly is — it’s just major.”

Groups can take self-guided tours through the garden, followed by docent-guided tours of the 1760 and 1810 mansions. Restored in the antebellum style, the property exhibits life along the Mississippi in the 1800s. Groups can have lunch at the Carriage House, which offers Louisiana fare and table service, or at the Dixie Cafe, a casual, buffet-style affair with indoor and outdoor seating.

HOUMASHOUSE.COM

Middleton Place

Charleston, South Carolina

America’s first landscaped gardens, Middleton Place was established in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1695 and owned by the Middleton family. The patriarch, Henry, was president of the first U.S. Congress, and his son, Arthur, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Remarkably, the estate, modeled after its English counterparts, has remained intact without being updated in style or developed.

“When you think about it, in 1741, this was just a high bluff on the Ashley River,” said Tracey Todd, president and CEO of Middleton Place Foundation. “Henry Middleton was attracted to this piece of land and its topography. It was full of trees that had to be removed — cutting them down, removing the stumps and roots. It’s hard for us to wrap our minds around the amount of labor it took with no machinery.”

Home to one of the country’s oldest collections of camellias and crape myrtles dating from the 1780s, the formal parterre and terraced gardens (whose highlights are butterfly-shaped lakes) are a top attraction. The House Museum is full of authentic artifacts used by generations of the family, who lived there until 1975, and it documents not only the lives of the family but also its thousands of enslaved residents. The stableyards portion of the property features a blacksmith, cooper, pottery shop, textile shop, the cottage of one of the freedmen and numerous heritage livestock breeds.

Groups have a range of visiting options that include guided tours of the garden, property and house. The Middleton has an exciting option for lunches: a farm-to-table Low Country restaurant with a garden steps from the kitchen.

MIDDLETONPLACE.ORG

An Outer Space Exploration

Home to the world’s largest space museum, “Rocket City” has much for visitors to explore. Featuring breathtaking outdoor vistas, fun-filled attractions, and vibrant art & entertainment districts, Huntsville, Alabama, has something for everyone.

Discover More in The Rocket City

Memphis Botanical Gardens Memphis, Tennessee

In the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, the Memphis Botanical Gardens spans almost 100 acres, offering a respite from the hustle and bustle of Beale Street. It features 30 specialty gardens, including the Japanese garden, whose iconic bright red bridge is a Memphis landmark.

“We got started in 1953 as an iris garden, and next year marks our 70th year anniversary, which we’re very excited about,” said director of marketing Olivia Wall. “We’re known for our pollinator garden and our diverse herb garden, too. We have a variety of adult group programs that range from talks on butterfly gardening to native plants to tree identification — there are about 30 topics to choose from.”

The Memphis Botanical Gardens also offers hands-on workshops that allow participants to create something to take home with them, like a terrarium or herb garden. Guided tours, either on foot or on a tram, offer an overview of the garden’s highlights. The staff can also guide special topic tours focused on a particular area of interest in the garden.

Dining options include the on-site cafe, a prearranged boxed lunch to picnic or a catered event.

MEMBG.ORG

Old Salem Museums and Gardens Winston Salem, North Carolina

Founded in 1766, Old Salem was a Moravian community whose structures still stand in Winston Salem, North Carolina, functioning as museum spaces and telling the stories of the Moravian, Black and Indigenous people who lived in the South at the time. Groups will want to explore all the houses and their exhibits in addition to the gardens.

“The founders were meticulous record-keepers, and we have great documentation that helped us restore the gardens to how they were then,” said Eric Jackson, director of horticulture at Old Salem. “We have restored kitchen gardens that guests can explore and a seed-saving lab where we showcase the different varieties and species of plants we grow because they’re all authentic historic plants.”

Since Old Salem is stewarding historic seed collection and preservation, visitors have the opportunity to learn about the history of the plants, giving them another layer of understanding. The gardens are planted with what would have been there before 1850, and the horticulturists also employ a number of sustainable practices.

OLDSALEM.ORG

Memphis Botanical Garden

Whether it’s learning about the natural world in Decatur and Gulf Shores, the past and future of space exploration in Huntsville, visiting sights where Rock ‘n Roll hits were made, or the history of the Civil Rights Movement, we can supply you with itineraries for several group tours. Trouble is...deciding which tour to take first. We’ll keep adding to the list, you just keep coming for new adventures. www.alabama.travel

To learn how your group can experience Alabama, contact

Shawna Faniel at shawna.faniel@tourism.alabama.gov or 334-353-1907

Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, Montgomery Cook Museum of Natural Science, Decatur

WADE

Simple Reminders

BY REBECCA TREON

The South takes pride in its souvenirs

Most people love bringing home something from their travels to remind them of a trip. Some souvenir shops are full of tchotchkes like keychains and coffee mugs, but discerning travelers will want to bring home something that truly represents the places your group has visited.

Across the South, makers offer souvenirs that have true value: They incorporate a destination’s history or a unique artwork. Visiting their workshops or creative spaces is much better than a gift shop because it offers memorable experiences groups can participate in before bringing a slice of the encounter home.

Here are some places throughout the South where groups can have authentic artisan encounters and come home with distinctive souvenirs.

Bluebird of Happiness Fayetteville, Arkansas

In 1975, the Ward family opened Terra Studios as a glass and pottery studio in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Inspired by the Eastern Bluebird seen in the area, they created the Bluebird of Happiness, and today over 8 million of the little glass birds have been sold. This success allowed them to make the studio a wonderland to explore, with art installations by more than 200 artists. In 2007, artist and musician James Ulick bought Terra Studios and transformed it into a nonprofit bringing art to the world.

“We have so much to offer,” said Laura Ehrke, executive director at Terra Studios. “We have an art gallery focused on regional art, an art park spread over six acres that people can walk through with an outdoor gallery, a mural garden, a sculpture garden, flower gardens, and a large chess and checkerboard. We have live music and live art demonstrations, and we do festivals with food trucks and activities for all ages.”

Groups can explore the property independently or with a guide; take an art class and make everything from a hand-dyed silk scarf to a clay sculpture; or enjoy a luxe catered picnic from their partner Tier 1 Picnics. With the aim to make the world a better place through art, Terra Studios has turned an off-the-beaten-path locale into a destination, wowing everyone who escapes the grind and discovers their acres of eclectic art.

Pine Needle Baskets Helen, Florida

Florida’s early pioneers learned how to make pine needle baskets from women of the Seminole tribe. Using the needles of the Southern Long Leaf Pine, they fashioned the baskets for storage of food and other household items. The baskets are made by layering the needles, which can grow up to 17 inches long, and stitching them together. Twenty years ago, when Diane Moore retired from her career as a teacher for Volusia County Schools, she started creating traditional pine needle baskets as a hobby.

“I love baskets; I love history; and I thought it would be a great hobby,” said Moore. “My friends encouraged me to teach them to make pine needle baskets, and it was so successful that we thought there would be other people out there who wanted to learn, too.”

Fast-forward to today, and Moore’s studio, Southern Pine Basket Studio in Helen, welcomes small groups to take part in its basket-making workshops. Moore’s daylong classes are available by request and feature handson instruction, so each student is successful regardless of their artistic ability. Students can take home their creations, shop for some of Moore’s exquisite baskets, and

keep the memory of a unique experience that helps keep an ancient tradition alive.

SOUTHERNPINESTUDIO.COM

Georgia Peaches Fort Valley, Georgia

Nothing says Georgia like peaches. Groups can visit the largest peach and pecan producer in the U.S. and take something delicious home at Lane Southern Orchards in Fort Valley. Wendy Barton, the orchard’s marketing director, points out the farm is ideally located right off of Interstate 75, making it a great stop while on the road.

“Guests can sit on a rocking chair on the front porch and enjoy lunch at the Peachtree Cafe, where we serve peach cobbler and barbecue,” said Barton. “They can watch peach packing through a window on the line and buy peaches at the roadside market, along with jams, pecans and other goods.”

Lane Southern Orchards has been in business since 1908, cultivates over 11,000 acres of pecan and peach orchards and welcomes roughly 425,000 visitors per year. Visitors can explore the farmers market, stroll the grounds, and enjoy breakfast, lunch or a hearty snack at the Peachtree Cafe. At the roadside farmers market, visitors can find fresh produce, fresh and preserved peaches, jellies, jams, syrups, salsas and all kinds of pecans.

Lane Southern Orchards also offers you-pick strawberries, a playground, a fall corn maze and various events throughout the year.

LANESOUTHERNORCHARDS.COM

COURTESY LANE SOUTHERN ORCHARD

Lane Southern Orchard

BY WADE

Kentucky Bourbon Sparta, Kentucky

Bourbon is synonymous with Kentucky; the state’s bourbon country features almost 100 distilleries. Neeley Family Distillery in Sparta is a craft operation with one of the state’s youngest distillers at the helm. Royce Neeley started the distillery in 2015 at just 23 years old, but his family’s history with moonshine dates back 11 generations to 1740, when James John Neeley emigrated from Ireland, bringing his copper still along with him.

Bringing home a bottle of the good stuff is a no-brainer, but groups can tour the distillery, have a tasting and then actually fill their own bottle directly from the still.

“People get to taste straight from the barrel just as the master distiller created it, and then bottle the whiskey themselves,” said Neeley. “Sometimes people get char from the barrel that we normally take out in the bottling process, so every bottle people make is unique.”

The distillery also has family heirlooms on display, including historic stills, moonshine jugs and pistols. Neeley Family Distillery is close to the Kentucky Speedway, making a tour, tasting and bottling experience a great way to round out a day.

NEELEYFAMILYDISTILLERY.COM

HOWARD, COURTESY NEELEY FAMILY DISTILLERY

A Neeley Family Distillery bottling experience

COURTESY SOUTHERN PINE BASKET STUDIOS

Craftwork from Southern Pine Basket Studios

St. Tammany Parish is located less than an hour from New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Southern charm and big-city amenities await you on Louisiana’s Northshore, where everyone is family. Bring your appetite for life and discover where New Orleans has come to play and get away for more than a century.

Blenko Glass Milton, West Virginia

Halfway between Huntington (home of Marshall University) and Charleston (the state capital), Milton, West Virginia, is a town with just over 2,000 residents — and one of the country’s oldest glass-making studios, Blenko Glass. Started in 1893, the family-owned company has been creating hand-blown glass for five generations.

“We’ re looking forward to the future and growing for the first time in decades,” said Odana Chaney, director of customer experience at Blenko Glass. “Our guides really know their stuff — the tours are about an hour and are pretty exhaustive, information-wise, so you’ll come away learning something new about glassblowing, Blenko, our culture and heritage, and our role in the glass industry.”

Groups can visit Blenko and take a tour that includes watching glass production and interacting with the blower; a visit to the Blenko Glass Museum, which has more than a century of their glasswork on display; and a stop at the gift shop, where they can pick up unique items to bring home. The scenic property includes a pond where groups can picnic.

BLENKO.COM

BY

Wolfe Ceramics Jackson, Mississippi

Groups traveling in Jackson, Mississippi, will want to pay a visit to the Wolfe Studio, home of the famed Wolfe Bird and other beautiful ceramic artworks. Founded by Karl Wolfe and Mildred Nugester Wolfe in the 1940s, the studio was expanded and is run by their daughter Bebe today. Employing roughly 10 ceramic artists who handpaint the range of figurines produced at the studio, the ceramic works include various species of birds, many types of animals, from turtles to fish, and nativity sets. Since each artwork is created by hand, no two are alike, and each bears the style

“We approach ceramics from a painterly standpoint,” said Wolfe. “Everyone has their own experiments and explorations of layering glazes, and it’s really quite beautiful. We work collaboratively and share our discoveries, and everyone builds off one another and goes in their own direction. The unique thing is the work won’t be the same from year to

Groups can visit the studio, a grouping of buildings, and get a guided tour from Bebe herself, during which she’ll cover everything from the studio’s origins to the process of creating the ceramic piec-

THEWOLFESTUDIO.COM

TORIL LAVENDER, COURTESY BLENKO GLASS COURTESY WOLFE STUDIOS

The Blenko Glass visitor center Ceramics from Wolfe Studios

famous Lambert s Cafe or local favorites Kirby's Sandwich Shop, Susie's or River Ridge Winery.

a Hot Air Balloon Festival, Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo, St. Patrick s Day Festival, Crawfish Boil-Music Festival & much more!

For event details, hotels, amenities and trip itineraries call the Sikeston CVB at 888-309-6591, or tourism@sikeston net

the Downtown District, shopping, museums, historic sites and recreation trails

going places

WITH ASHLEY TAYLOR

Use Time on the Coach to Your Advantage

Traveling by motorcoach is a great way to move a large group. However, without any entertainment, coach tours can have more than their share of long, boring stretches.

Motorcoaches are more comfortable than airplanes and offer a lot more legroom. Getting on and off the coach is more manageable than keeping a group together through airport security checkpoints. And if you factor in all the extra time involved in flying — from arriving early at the airport to gathering bags at the arrival airport — flying with a group often takes as much time as traveling by coach. Many tour planners choose the motorcoach when possible. However, choosing that option leaves them with some gaps in entertainment.

We all know that long trips can feel longer when there’s nothing to do en route. That’s why games are the most popular form of entertainment during motorcoach tours.

One-handed card games, such as Bingo, are a popular choice among tour planners. To keep the cards together, try hole punching each set of cards and using a fastener to attach them so they can slide in and out from the hand. There are also many types of travel card games available for purchase. Keep a few packs on the coach and make them available upon request for your travelers. They might even want to use them in the evenings at the hotel.

Giveaways are a lot of fun on the bus. They don’t take much involvement and can create a fun moment of anticipation for your travelers. To create some excitement, try breaking up the drawings evenly throughout the trip. If you have a six-hour drive with your travelers, draw the name of a prize winner at the top of each hour. To enhance

the fun, have some game-show music ready to accompany the drawing. Don’t forget to bring prizes!

Of course, there are many ideas for games on a bus, but if you have a more tech-savvy group, try some game apps. There are a lot of great apps for group games. Do some research and choose an app that fits your group best. My groups enjoy trivia apps. Everyone downloads the app and selects the category, and the questions appear on their phones. Using your phone to play games can reduce the amount of things you have to bring on board the coach, making your travel load that much lighter.

Movies are another go-to for group travel. However, picking films can often be difficult, because some people like romance and others might like Westerns. Regardless of the genre, though, travelers generally want to learn about the places they are going to visit. Try playing movies that are relevant to your destination. If you can’t find a documentary, an iconic film about the city or state you are visiting is a good choice.

Professional tour directors often prepare commentary to help keep people engaged during long stretches on the motorcoach. You may not have a full-time tour director for every trip you take, but you can learn from this technique and prepare your own commentary for the road. Try researching the route you’ll be traveling ahead of time. Once the route is established, explore the area and find interesting facts to share with your group. With a little bit of research, you can be the expert guide on the long journey to your destination.

Here’s another idea: Use downtime on the motorcoach to your advantage by taking it as an opportunity to promote your future trips. After all, you already have a captive audience with a proven interest in group travel. So

tell them about other trips you have planned for the current year and thoughts about the following year. You might even ask your group to give you ideas and ask what’s on their bucket lists. A group discussion can be a great way to get ideas for the future. Gauge the interest levels of your travelers as you mention potential destinations, and perhaps even take a straw poll to see which sug-

gested trips are most popular. Just keep in mind that not everyone who expresses interest in an upcoming trip will actually book.

In addition to talking about upcoming trips, you can use time on the motorcoach to talk about your affinity institution. If you’re a banker, your club exists in part to help bring in deposits, so try discussing your deposit products. CDs and savings accounts are great products to promote to bank club travelers. Just be ready to pull an up-to-date interest rate from your company’s website, because your travelers will ask for it. If you plan travel for a university alumni group or chamber of commerce, there are similar opportunities to talk about the value your organization can bring to members.

There are a lot of fun and educational ways to entertain travelers on the motorcoach. Keep in mind, though, that you probably won’t find a single one that appeals to everyone on every trip. Some people might not want to play games, and that’s OK. Some might not watch the movie or listen to your commentary or presentation. That’s OK, too. Just focus on the travelers who want to be entertained and allow the others to read, sleep or do whatever they do to enjoy the ride.

Ashley Taylor is a longtime bank and travel club planner. She lives in Ashland, Kentucky, with her family of six.

Ashley Taylor keeps motorcoach passengers entertained with games, snacks and other strategies.

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