Itineraries Midwest spring 2012 by ShowNation

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www.itinerariesmidwest.com

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letter from

the publisher

56 South 33rd Avenue, #234 | St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301 320-259-1082 | 877-832-7267 | Fax: 763-201-7945 info@itinerariesmidwest.com | www.itinerariesmidwest.com Heather J. Lahren | PUBLISHER heather@itinerariesinc.com Lynn Gottwalt | TRAFFIC MANAGER lynn@itinerariesinc.com Mackenzie Lahren | PROJECT COORDINATOR mackenzie@itinerariesinc.com Eric Beuning | ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Independent eric@itinerariesinc.com Chris Reber | WEB DESIGNER/PROGRAMMER chris@itinerariesinc.com Carinna K. Hard Bullemer | ART DIRECTOR HARD AT WORK Design, inc. | carinna@hardatworkdesign.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Heather Lahren, Kathleen Somers, Lynn Gottwalt, and Mackenzie Lahren | ITINERARIES Inc. Britt Aamodt

We make every effort to be as accurate as possible, but assume no responsibility for errors or omissions found in this magazine or any other corporate publications produced by ITINERARIES Inc. Proud Members of: Tour Minnesota Association (TMA) & American Bus Association (ABA)

Dear Planner, It’s that time of year again! The snow sculptures have melted, the fish houses are off the lakes, and the ice has retreated to reveal sparkling waters. Park your motorcoach along the shore and get your feet wet at some of the Midwest’s most “water-ful” group travel attractions. Plenty of towns in the Midwest pride themselves on the amount of water surface they offer, as well as the variety of water-related activities available. Bismark’s Lewis & Clark Riverboat will float your group down the Missouri River, providing guests with a look at the river’s trade history and is a tribute to the great river steamers that have traveled the river since the 1830s. Other traditional riverboat cruises include South Dakota’s Capital City Queen, Wisconsin’s La Crosse Queen paddlewheeler, and Minnesota’s Padelford Cruises down the Mississippi. If your group is looking for a high-speed excursion on the water, check out Bryson’s Airboat Tours down the Platte River. View the Nebraska scenery at nearly 60 mph! For a different ambience, your group will enjoy basking in the lap of luxury on one of CENTRAL CANADA the Midwest’s extravagant yachts such as Missouri’s Branson Landing Princess. This issue also covers water-themed land attractions such as aquariums, museums, lighthouses, resorts and everything in between. You’ll also catch a sneak peak of the Group Travel Show & FAM coming this fall. This year we’ll be sailing over to Rapid City for the excitement. Don’t miss the boat! MINNESOTA

North dakota

U.P., MICHIGAN

WISCONSIN

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ITINERARIES Inc. 56 South 33rd Avenue #234, St. Cloud, MN 56301

SOUTH dakota

IOWA

NEBRASKA

ILLINOIS

PHOTO CREDITS

Cover image: The Great Tugboat Race, Sault Ste. Marie, photo courtesy of John Shibley, Superior State University. Other images: Branson Landing Cruises, Branson, Missouri – Titanic Museum, Bryson’s Airboat Tours, Copper Peak Adventure Ride, D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery, Dan Johnson – National Park Service, David Lee – ND Department of Tourism, Dells Boat Tours – PRWeb, Eagan CVB, Fairmont CVB, Mackinaw Trolley Company, Marquette Country CVB, Megan D. – Creative Happiness, Mississippi Explorer Cruises, Oak Park, Illinois, Paradise Charter Cruises, Pete Schultz – International Falls/Rainy Lake/Ranier CVB, Plymouth CVB, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, St. Ignace CVB, Sault Ste. Marie CVB, Science Museum of Minnesota, Spirit of Peoria, Stillwater CVB, Tourism Winnipeg, Wisconsin Maritime Museum

Best Regards, Heather J. Lahren, CEO - Publisher

illinois

table of contents spring 2012 featuring

Group Tours on the Water

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kansas

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missouri nebraska

columns

iowa

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minnesota

12 Don’t Miss the Boat!

tour highlight

MISSOURI

KANSAS

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A Tour Along Lake Superior

14 52 Ernest Hemingway Birthplace - IL

Coming Summer 2012! Famous Birth Sites

From Mark Twain to Bob Dylan, the Midwest has provided the world with influential people throughout history. This issue is a tribute to those who called the Midwest “home.” Visit original homes, heritage sites, and museums exhibiting memorabilia and childhood stories from notable Midwesterners.

travel tips

Safety in Groups

2012 Itineraries Midwest Group Travel Show & FAM

upper peninsula, MI

wisconsin - - - - - - - - - - - 47 central canada

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on the cover They are the workhorses of the river, pushing and towing larger ships into place. But every June, tugboats of all shapes and sizes take to the St. Marys River in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan for an event that is pure fun. They parade through the Soo Locks and race up and down the river, all the while reminding us that, like the charities they benefit, even the mightiest vessels need a helping hand once in a while. The Great Tugboat Race puts these colorful tugs on display for a good cause, with proceeds benefiting disabled children in both Michigan and Ontario. For more info, visit saultstemarie.com. Read ITINERARIES Midwest Online. Ads hotlinked to websites. www.itinerariesmidwest.com

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tour highlight

A Tour Along Lake Superior Prepare yourself for a world-class touring experience that is truly Superior.

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as up your motorcoach and tour the world’s largest and most famous freshwater lake. Lake Superior’s changing moods and awesome power will thrill and fascinate you, while amazing the senses.

For years it’s been a great leisure trip for families. Now tour operators and group travel planners are discovering the opportunities along magnificent Lake Superior—and groups are loving it! This is the place to go for the true relaxing sounds of nature and running water. There are outstanding nature parks, native arts & culture, shops, outdoor attractions, boat tours, hiking trails, historic rivers, sandy beaches, wonderful waterfalls and large lighthouses to visit. This beautiful journey along Lake Superior is touched by Native American and maritime cultures, while never denying its rich history in the fur trade. Its uniqueness and color is unsurpassed, particularly during the fall months when the air is clean and fresh and the foliage and forest colors are unbelievable in their rich yellows, oranges and reds. Return home feeling rejuvenated and inspired. TURN THE PAGE TO CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY ALONG LAKE SUPERIOR, AND FIND THE CORRESPONDING KEY TO THE MAP ABOVE.

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Minnesota

AMERICINN LODGE & SUITES OF SILVER BAY 1

Our prime location in Minnesota’s Superior North Shore region, plus our wonderful amenities make the AmericInn Lodge and Suites your best lodging choice while in the Silver Bay area. The AmericInn is located on scenic Route 61 just outside the village of Silver Bay, approximately one-half mile from Lake Superior and just minutes from the Superior National Forest and several showcase state parks. A variety of room types are available, including rooms and suites that offer whirlpools, fireplaces, balconies and spectacular Lake Superior views. All rooms have microwaves, refrigerators and coffee makers. The hotel also features two spacious meeting rooms for business meetings and social gatherings. The AmericInn offers spacious accommodations perfect for relaxing after a long day of enjoying all that the Silver Bay area has to offer. www.americinn.com/hotels/mn/silverbay 2

will immediately see that this area is not just for skiing! There is a mystique about Lutsen that lures visitors back year after year and in all seasons. The North Shore has what no other place can offer—an inland sea, a mountain backdrop, an unspoiled wilderness and a feeling all its own. A tour around Lake Superior or along the North Shore would not be complete without taking a ride on the Lutsen Mountain Tram, rising 1,000 feet over Lake Superior to the top of Moose Mountain, and dropping you off at the Summit Chalet. Come inside to relax and enjoy the northwoods ambiance, order lunch, snacks, and beverages and take a seat on the Chalet’s

expansive deck, a wonderful place to soak in the fresh mountain air and panoramic views of Lake Superior’s dramatic coastline. Your group can spend a night (or two) at the Lutsen Resort. From simple to luxurious, they have a variety of lakeside accommodations. They have professional outdoor educators on staff that can provide customized experiences for your group or incorporate their regular lineup of guest activities into your group tour. The spacious beach in front of the lodge is a great spot for a group barbeque or a place to gather around a campfire for some relaxed group time together. Contact Melissa Dressely at 218-406-1319 or www.Lutsen.com.

LUTSEN MOUNTAINS

As your coach travels along scenic Hwy 61, look out your window… It’s springtime and the wildflowers are beginning to appear. Taking your groups to Lutsen is full of wonders at every turn. Upon arriving at Lutsen Mountains, you

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ODYSSEY RESORTS

Explore Lodge to Lodge Adventure Tours with Odyssey Resorts. Experience 120 awe-inspiring miles along one of our country’s most magnificent all-American byways: Lake Superior’s Scenic North Shore. Travel through pristine forests along a rugged coastline and view majestic mountainsides. Choose one of five Odyssey resorts for your group lodging and enjoy complimentary activities at the other four as you explore. Resorts/restaurants include: Larsmont Cottages/Ledge Rock Grille (20 miles from Duluth), Grand Superior Lodge/Splashing Rock Restaurant (Two Harbors, MN), Caribou

Highlands Lodge/Moguls Grille & Taproom (Lutsen, MN) and East Bay Suites (Grand Marais, MN). Each resort offers special group menus, a personal step-on welcome, group lodging rates, driver discounts, and many exciting activities. Plan your group tour your way! Contact Barb Oswell, CTP at barbo@odysseydev.com or 218-728-8060 ext. 114. 4

STAY IN DULUTH

StayInDuluth.com hotels have come together to offer your group exceptional lodging with the Welcome Mat laid out and all those extra

touches that make group travel so special. They offer beautiful hotels in Canal Park, great lakeside rooms on Lake Superior, and other centralized locations—all within minutes of many local attractions such as: • Lake Superior and the Lake Walk • Canal Park shops and attractions • The Lake Superior Zoo, Park Point – miles of sandy Lake Superior beach • Bike trails, ship watching, annual events and more! Visit Duluth today—truly one of the most unique cities along the North Shore. See our ad on page 31 and visit www.StayInDuluth.com. Copper Peak

Upper Peninsula BEST WESTERN - SAULT STE. MARIE 1

Discover Upper Peninsula hospitality at the Best Western of Sault Ste. Marie, conveniently located at exit 392 off Interstate 75 and close to all area attractions. Hotel features and amenities include: • 53 rooms with flat screen television, refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker • 24-hour indoor pool, sauna, & fitness center • In-room wi-fi • Complimentary deluxe hot and cold breakfast from 6-10:00 am • Shuttle to Kewadin Casino Sign up for a Best Western Reward Card and earn points toward free stays! For more information call 1-800-297-2858 or visit www.bestwesternmichigan.com.com/ sault-marie-hotels.

COPPER PEAK ADVENTURE RIDE 2

Take an Adventure Tour to Michigan’s beautiful and scenic Western Upper Peninsula to visit Copper Peak, the only ski-flying facility in the Western Hemisphere. Take our Adventure Ride via the 800 ft. chair lift and the 18-story elevator to the top of the world’s largest ski jump platform. The vista is unsurpassed in the Midwest, overlooking 2,500 square miles of the Lake Superior Basin. On a clear day see three states and some 80 miles across Lake Superior to Northern Minnesota. A historical tour highlighting the area’s unique ski flying, Native American, and mining history (copper and iron) will enrich the experience. Copper Peak is located 10 miles north of Bessemer, MI on County Hwy 513. Visit numerous nearby waterfalls and historic sites. 906-224-1349 / www.copperpeak.org

ITINERARIES MIDWEST SPRING 2012

DRIFTWOOD RESTAURANT & MOTEL 3

The Driftwood Restaurant & Motel is open year round serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails. Dine in our newly remodeled “Up North” theme restaurant or relax on our covered deck overlooking Mackinac Island. We offer fresh locally caught fish, steaks, pastas, soup and salad bar and daily specials. Our nonsmoking motel rooms are all ground floor and most are newly remodeled with a coffeemaker and refrigerator in each room. Buses and tour groups are our pleasure! www.thedriftwoodonline.com

GREAT LAKES SHIPWRECK MUSEUM 4

Visitors to the Shipwreck Museum in Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula will discover shipwrecks that have haunted Lake(s) Michigan and Huron for decades. The Carl D. Bradley and the Daniel J. Morrell, both massive freighters, broke apart and sank in violent November storms. New exhibits will tell the story of each shipwreck through multimedia, artifacts and informational panels. 800-635-1742 / www.shipwreckmuseum.com

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HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS - SAULT STE. MARIE

UPPER PENINSULA TRAVEL & RECREATION ASSOCIATION

Located just steps from Lake Superior State University and just minutes from the Soo Locks and St. Mary’s River, let the Holiday Inn Express of Sault Ste. Marie fulfill all your lodging needs. You can relax knowing we offer a broad range of services and amenities featuring our Express Start Breakfast Bar. We are located within miles of DonDee Bowling Lanes, Agawa Canyon Train Tours and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Enjoy exceptional service while savoring the history of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. 800-632-7879 / www.hiexpress.com/saultmariemi

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a “5–Star Wilderness” and one of the most popular destinations in the Midwest for group travel. The area is blessed with an abundance of natural resources and features some of the finest wilderness parks in the Midwest, including the Porcupine Mountains and the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Surrounded by three of the Great Lakes, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula contains over 80% of the shoreline on the south shore of Lake Superior and almost all of the north shore of Lake Michigan. To the east lies Lake Huron and in between you have over 4,300 inland lakes, 12,000 miles of rivers & streams and over 200 waterfalls. Quaint harbor towns and lighthouses welcome visitors and sandy beaches and rugged cliffs frame the Great Lakes shoreline. Maritime museums like the Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point dot the landscape and boat tours such as the Glass Bottom Boat Shipwreck Tour abound. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula also features some of the largest and most popular island destinations on the Great Lakes including Mackinac Island, Grand Island and Isle Royale. The area is home to some of the finest man-made attractions including the Mackinac Bridge—which spans the two peninsulas— and the Soo Locks, which connect Lake Superior with the lower Great Lakes. When you enter Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, you enter a world of fine attractions and unique experiences unmatched anywhere. The rich and colorful history of the region, coupled with a scenic splendor still unspoiled, provides something for everyone. www.Uptravel.com

KEWADIN CASINOS

Whether you come for the weekend, a day trip or for a convention, Kewadin Casinos has just the right package for your group! With so many wonderful locations and travel packages available, it might take some time to decide just what to do! Don’t worry – our staff is eager to help you customize your itinerary and reduce your workload. Call Group Sales at 877-539-2346 or Kewadin Travel at 888-539-2346 and start planning your group trip today! 3

MACKINAC GRILLE

Our quaint, cozy restaurant overlooks Lake Huron & Mackinac Island with a spectacular patio bar and casual family dining that offers waterfront and St. Ignace Marina views. We offer group menus, off menu, box lunches and catering and we specialize in planked whitefish, char-grilled steaks & ribs, fresh walleye & perch and other American classics. It’s a must-stop when visiting St. Ignace. 906-643-7482 / info@mackinacgrille.com.

MACKINAW TROLLEY COMPANY Let our local and experienced guides advise and accompany your tour group during your Mackinac Straits area visit. In addition to personalized service, your group may choose from a variety of narrated tours aboard our handicap-accessible trolleys or your own personal motorcoach. Select from our entertaining tour itineraries including Historical and Sightseeing Tours, Sunset Cruises across the Mackinac Bridge, or Area Lighthouse Tours. We can accompany your group to such area attractions as the Lumberjack Show or Tahquamenon Falls and also assist in developing customized tours to accommodate your group. 877-858-0357 / mackinawtrolley@gmail.com

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For more information please contact the advertisers directly. Log onto Itineraries Midwest Online Itinerary Library, www.ItinerariesMidwest.com for more details.

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MARQUETTE COUNTRY “Lighthouses, Maritime Museums and Tours on the Water” This itinerary can be customized for any time Spring, Summer or Fall.

Marquette Lighthouse

Marquette County sits on the south shore of Lake Superior. With over 1,083 square miles of land, Marquette County is larger than the state of Rhode Island and includes 55 miles of Lake Superior frontage. Follow this itinerary during your next visit to Marquette, Michigan!

DAY ONE 2:00 pm Arrive in Marquette Country in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in the afternoon. Enjoy a welcome reception in your honor and check in to an area lodging facility. 5:00 pm Travel to Landmark Inn in downtown Marquette. Enjoy dinner from a limited menu at the Skyroom Restaurant on the top floor overlooking Lake Superior and the downtown area. Discover a place that time forgot... but you never will! Tour this beautiful landmark, including some of their nicest rooms, all restored to their original splendor.

DAY TWO 8 – 9:00 am Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and meet your step-on guide from Marquette Country Tours in the hotel lobby. 9 – 11:30 am Spend the morning touring the historic city of Marquette on this sightseeing tour. The tour includes Marquette’s Historic Home and Harbor District, Presque Isle Park and over 7 miles of scenic Lake Superior shoreline. (Note: If interested, visit the Lake Superior shoreline museum to learn of Marquette’s

ITINERARIES MIDWEST SPRING 2012

rich maritime history.) 11:30 – 1:00 pm Travel to Upfront and Company in downtown Marquette for lunch. Relax in this unique atmosphere and enjoy great American cuisine and quality service within a pleasant, inviting, and unique atmosphere 1 – 3:00 pm Marquette Maritime Museum - The museum tells a rich rewarding story of the maritime heritage of Marquette and Lake Superior. Exhibits include birch bark canoes, a “Fresno” lighthouse lens, miniauditorium, antique inboard and outboard motors, restored boats, shipwreck charts & displays, 40' coast guard vessels, 36' coast guard lifeboat restoration and ore boat flags and related memorabilia. The museum is on the national historic places register. 3 – 4:30 pm Do some shopping and sightseeing on your own for the remainder of the afternoon in downtown Marquette. Meet at Docker’s Candy and Gifts for a sweet treat before heading back to hotel. 4:30 – 6:00 pm Get freshened up for dinner. 6:00 pm Meet your guide for dinner at the Casa Calabria Italian Restaurant in the Village—a dining experience in a festive Italian atmosphere with pasta, pizza, steaks and more!

DAY THREE 8 – 8:30 am Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and meet your step-on

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

guide from Marquette Country Tours in the hotel lobby. 8:30 – 10:00 am Enjoy the scenic drive along Lake Superior to the Glass Bottom Boat Shipwreck Tour on Munising Bay. 10 – 12:30 pm Enjoy a fully narrated 2-hour tour viewing three shipwrecks and East Channel Light House. Take some time to enjoy the gift shop after your tour. 12:30 – 1:30 pm The Dogpatch Restaurant is famous for their seafood & steaks, large menu selection and the Legendary Vittles and Gift Shop! 1:30 – 3:30 pm Take a scenic drive to Munising Falls in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The park is located on the shoreline of Lake Superior encompassing cliffs, dunes, waterfalls and lakes with an on-site interpretive center. 3:30 pm Head back to Marquette for more evening fun. 5:30 pm Dine at Elizabeth’s Chop House located in Marquette’s historic waterfront district. Outdoor seating overlooking the famous Lower Harbor of Lake Superior make it a perfect destination for dinner. After dinner you may want to let your group take some time to enjoy downtown.

For more information or to customize this sample itinerary for your group, please contact your tour operator or the people at Marquette Country: 1-800544-4321 or www.marquettecountry.org.

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Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss the Boat

Group Tours on the Water

BY BRITT AAMODT

eople love the water. And why not? You can swim in it, lounge beside it with a zippy umbrella drink, splish, splash, cannonball and dive in the deep end of a pool. Set your deckchair on the end of a dock and catch up with old friends. Rent a cabin with a spectacular view and leave your footprints in the sand. Fish, play, bird watch, rejuvenate, and relax. What's not to like about water? Especially when the Midwest is chockfull of cruise lines, charter boats, tempting waterside resorts, nature preserves and must-see museums that make lakes, rivers and the people who've built their dreams around them, the ultimate side trip, en route to a sunset cruise with the band playing and the wind in your hair. Still, why take your group on the water? Because people love the water. Okay, we already went over that. But for the tour operator, group tours on the water provide not only variety and flexibility (superb resorts and picture-perfect villages tend to spring up by water), but also convenient locations, accommodations and staff who've made an art of working with groups of all sizes. Plus, anyone who works around water knows that rain or shine the show must go on. You'll be working with people who are pros at coming up with contingency plans and programming that keeps you and your group entertained and on the go, full steam ahead. So jump in. The water's warm.

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Ahoy There! If you want to get a taste for the wet and wild and still have a great big lot for your motorcoach and terra firma under your feet, you couldn’t do better than an aquarium, botanical garden or hatchery. Chicago lays claim to the world’s largest indoor aquarium: the John G. Shedd Aquarium. Nebraska’s Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium offers 330 acres of recreation area and spectacular views of the Platte River (think: great picnic spot). In neighboring Kansas you’ll encounter water gardens, bog and a botanical maze at Overland Park & Botanical Garden, one of the many sites that provides your group an opportunity to stroll and photograph rare and eyecatching wetland birds, animals and plants. Arrange a narrated tour. Then settle down for the evening at a nearby resort, where the pool will bring out the water baby in everyone. Did someone say water slide? Want to soak up some culture? Well, point your motorcoach at any of the scores of museums dedicated to America’s waterways, lakes and rivers. The Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona collects great art inspired by water. Enjoy hours of hands-on fun with the “world of technology” and “world of water” exhibits at Discovery World located right on Milwaukee’s Lakefront, and Dubuque, Iowa plays host to the National Mississippi River Museum. You can even schedule an overnighter for your group on their 1934 dredge boat, the William M. Black. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum features shipwreck and diving exhibits, while Munising Bay Shipwreck Tours takes you out on

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Superior to see the real deal through the glass-bottomed floor. The granddaddy of all shipwrecks is probably the RMS Titanic. Though the ship sank in the North Atlantic, Missouri’s Titanic Museum has recreated that tragic and storied April night in 1912, complete with grand staircase, first-class stateroom and third-class cabin.

Before you slip into swimsuits and hit the beach, try out a shoreline cruise. The world

want to hitch a ride with the Queen of the Mississippi for the Mark Twain Tribute Cruise, which brings you right to the doorstep of Twain’s boyhood home in Hannibal, Missouri. Wendella Sightseeing Company offers three separate cruise views of Chicago: lake and river, architecture and sunset over the city. There’s the added bonus of end-of-day Buckingham Fountain Water and Light Show. Don’t forget to leave the city behind at some point

looks different from the water, and there’s a lot you can see on the water that you can’t from the beach, like a full-spectrum view of multimillion dollar lake homes. Minnesota’s Lake Minnetonka is ringed by fabulous mansions that are yours for the taking— as in taking photographs— aboard an excursion boat. Several cruise lines provide themed outings—famous landmarks, nature, fall colors. The Lewis & Clark Riverboat (North Dakota) takes you on a voyage about America’s legendary explorers. And for laughs and stories, you’ll

and head into the tall trees and scenic majesty of a Wisconsin River Cruise or a Mississippi River Cruise through the backwaters and channels, where river birds nest and the currents teem with over 100 species of fish. If your group has an eye for casting a line, there are also plenty of fishing charters and guides eager to lead you to their favorite hot spots. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Your group can mix up their sightseeing with a two-step on the ship’s dance floor and cocktail hour with the onboard jazz ensemble.

All Aboard

A Tour Operator’s Guide to the Water In fact, if you’re looking for a group tour on water, you can’t go wrong with a boat and a quiet stretch of water. Cruise lines are made for groups. They offer a full lineup of destinations and add-on events like seasonal festivals and entertainment. Narrated tours come made to order. And luckily, your group doesn’t have to catch its dinner. Servers bring meals right to your table. But remember to bring a belt with some wiggle room; food tastes even better on the deck of a ship. Sometimes, however, a boat may not be big enough for your group. The charter company will work with you to organize your group into sections. While one section plies the water, the others can enjoy a shore lunch, tour an exhibit or take a guided river walk. Then there’s that thorny issue of weather. Ugh. Why does it have to be so unpredictable? Well, rest assured your cruise line and resort have run up against rain and dark skies before. They can help you tweak an itinerary and work out options to make the best use of a rainy day. The only thing overboard about group tours on the water is the variety available. Whether you want to rent canoes, paddle boats or electric fun boats and plot your own course, or hire an oldfashioned steamboat, a million-dollar yacht (Yes, it’s true. Check out American Lady Yacht Cruises in Iowa), airboat or fishing charter and have someone else do the driving, the sky’s the limit. And the horizon’s pretty wide— and breathtaking—on the open water, don’t you think?

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travel tips

B Y K AT H L E E N S O M E R S

Safety in GROUPS When The Curvy Scarlet Ladies of the Morning decided to take their first overnight trip, the conversation was all about where to go and what to do. But the minute it was time to choose a bus company to get them there, safety became the top issue.

How do you know if the company you choose to carry your group has a safe record? And whose responsibility is your group’s safety anyway?

t’s a big issue, safety; one you will take seriously as a professional planner. But the good news is, you don’t have to shoulder it all alone. There is plenty of responsibility to be shared. From the individuals in your group, to the bus company you choose, to the hotels and sites you visit, everyone can play an important role in addressing issues of safety. Be aware of this and it becomes easy to check and make sure others are doing their part.

Let’s begin with choosing a carrier. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a website you could go to that would tell you everything you needed to know about the safety stats of the motorcoach company you are considering? There is…sort of. But it’s not very helpful when the highest rating they offer is “satisfactory” and the lowest is “not satisfactory.” This is where a little detective work on your part comes into play. If you can, check with other planners to see which they have used and how they liked them. But I wouldn’t recommend taking anyone’s word for anything. Take the time to visit any bus company you are using for the first time.

Stan Holter of Richfield Bus company encourages new customers to come tour his facility and ask questions. “Experience matters,” says Stan “from the experience of the bus company to the experience of the driver.” You’ll want to know that you and your group are in good hands, so ask the

questions pertinent to your group or outing. For instance, you may be paying for a driver for a 15-hour day, but only 10 hours can be spent driving. Did you know that changes the minute you cross the border into Canada? When packaging your trip you don’t want to ignore such legal ramifications. Industry regulations may require 8 hours off each day, but some companies like Richfield Bus require 9. Plan time to park the bus, sweep it up, and service the restroom, plus pre-trip prep in the morning. If an itinerary doesn’t allow for all this, a second driver will be added. “Hours of service is huge,” says Stan when talking about safety, “Most crashes result from pushing the driver all day long.” Learn how the regulations apply to your group, and be aware they will probably be changing soon and become even more stringent. All the fun of a trip away can be lost when you return home to a house that’s been burglarized. George Fernau of Gone Again Tours gets his people thinking about safety even before they have packed. Beginning with a checklist at the time of booking, he reminds travelers of some common sense practices such as not allowing mail and newspapers to pile up outside their home. Make photocopies of important papers and never bring your social security card on the trip. Consider leaving your phone number with police and be sure someone at home

knows where you will be. George does a one-hour seminar on safety and likes to remind us that “safety is for everybody.” We don’t want to scare the bejeezus out of our travelers, but we do want to help everyone be aware that they play an important role in their own safety while away from home. Once you have arrived at your hotel, George likes to keep everyone on the bus long enough to remind them to keep quiet about which room number they are in. Even the nicest hotels can have stranger danger in the lobby…people who will follow you to your room and snatch your purse off the bed while you are rushing to the bathroom. Just make sure your door closes all the way and flip the safety lock every time. Looking out for your group’s safety is a responsibility you take seriously, but it also is something you can promote as part of your business. “Go with a professional for security,” says George. Having cell phones now makes everything a whole lot easier. As a tour professional, do you make sure you have the cell phone numbers of everyone in your group? Whatever you do to address safety issues, the important thing is that you are aware, that you encourage your members to be aware, and then everyone can get going and have great fun.

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Mile after Magnificent Mile.

illinois cities belleville, bloomington, champaign, chicago, dixon, east dubuque, galena, hanover, kewanee, la salle, marshall, moline, monee, mt carroll, mt morris, peoria, rochelle, rockford, savanna, springfield, st. charles, stockton, thomson

calendar of events

Spirit of Peoria

– Peoria

Step back in time aboard the Midwest’s only authentic paddle wheeler, Spirit of Peoria, as it navigates the Illinois and Mississippi River Valleys. Traveling at 7mph, our Riverlorian brings the history and stories of the rivers to life with help from world class banjo/guitar and piano players. Snowy egrets, great blue herons, bald eagles and flocks of pelicans are easily spotted along the way. All-inclusive 2-3 day excursions run north on the Illinois River to Starved Rock State Park where Mark Twain makes an evening appearance. Our 3-5 day trips travel south on the Illinois and the Mississippi to Saint Louis, MO. These trips feature overnight stays at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Pere Marquette Lodge and a tour of the Lincoln Museum. One day trips out of Starved Rock State Park and Saint Louis are also available. Sightseeing, dinner, holiday and overnight excursions run May through December. (See location on map below)

continue to wet your feet in illinois… Shoreline Sightseeing, Chicago – They know how to show your group Chicago at its very best; and have been doing it since 1939! There’s no better view of the city of Chicago than from the deck of a Shoreline boat. A Shoreline Architecture Tour is a fascinating way to explore Chicago’s past and present. Their professional and entertaining docents tell the story of a city that literally rose from the ashes of the great Chicago fire. And if it’s fireworks you want, a number of our cruises include a front-row seat for Navy Pier’s spectacular fireworks displays. Wendella Sightseeing Co., Chicago – As Chicago’s original tour boat company, Wendella features three distinctive tours, all focusing on the history and architecture of the city. They include the Combined Lake and River Tour, the Chicago River Architecture Tour and the extremely popular Chicago at Sunset Cruise. Heading directly onto Lake Michigan, a brilliant array of lights will come to life along the skyline. LaSalle Canal Boat, LaSalle – Board the LaSalle Canal Boat, and enjoy the scenery, history and relaxation of a mule pulled ride on the waterway that changed the face of the nation – the historic Illinois & Michigan Canal. Choose from a one-hour boat tour or from six themed group tours available: Canal Locktender’s Tour, Lincoln & the I&M Canal Tour, Queen Victoria’s Tea & Sweets Tour, Decadent Tea & Chocolate Tour, Explore LaSalle County Tour, Outdoor History in the Starved

Rock Area. Your guides, dressed as Canal Era crew and passengers, will take you back in time to life on the American frontier and the Illinois prairie.

Belle of the Rock, Utica – The Belle of the Rock paddleboat tours are located at historical Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois (just 80 miles west of Chicago). Enjoy a 45minute narrated cruise down the Illinois River with spectacular views including Starved Rock. Starved Rock is probably the single most prominent historic place connected with early American Indian life in the Corridor. This striking pedestal of sandstone has a colorful history to match. Peoria

april • Damn Yankees April 3, Joliet 815-726-6600 • Taste of Spring April 12, Sycamore 815-895-3456 • Best of Circurious April 14, Grayslake 847-543-2300 • Sandburg Days – Festival for the Mind April 19-21, Galesburg 309-341-5221 • Art Chicago April 27-29, Chicago 312-527-3701 may • Annual Iris Walk May 1-31, Wayne City 618-895-2022 • Long Grove Chocolate Fest May 4-6, Long Grove 847-634-0888 • 6th Annual Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival May 5-6, Towanda 309-728-2811 • Cache River Nature Festival May 12, Cypress 618-634-2231 • Pause for Patriotism May 19, Bradley 815-935-7390 • Barrington Art Festival May 26-27, Barrington 847-304-3400 june • 21st Annual Champagne British Car Festival June 1-3, Bloomington 309-828-1084 • Access Illinois Winery Tour June 2, Pittsfield 217-285-2464 • Superman Celebration June 7-10, Metropolis 618-524-2714 • 1900 America Chautauqua June 9-10, Rockford 815-397-9112 • 63rd Annual Midsommar Swedish Days Festival June 19-24, Geneva 630-232-6060 • Blossoms at Butterworth – Deere Family Mansions June 24, Moline 309-765-7935 july • Summer Theatre Festival July 6-22, St. Charles 800-777-4373 • Ain’t Nothin’ but the Blues July 20-21, Bloomington 309-665-0033 • Let’s Dance Big Band Weekend July 20-22, DeKalb 815-753-1000 • Native American Prairie Day July 28, Hanover 815-858-9100 (Contact area CVBs for complete calendars)

directory & map Illinois Bureau of Tourism www.enjoyillinois.com . . . . 800-2CONNECT

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Life Changing

iowa cities amana, ames, anamosa, balltown, bankston, bellevue, burlington, cedar rapids, clinton, council bluffs, decorah, davenport, des moines, dubuque, dyersville, guttenberg, independence, iowa city, maquoketa, mason city, mcgregor, sioux city, urbandale, waterloo

calendar of events april • Midwest Antique & Art Show and The Collector’s Eye April 1, Cedar Rapids 319-363-1417 • Gallery Talks at Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum April 5, Decorah 563-382-9681 • Old Fort Madison Spring Rendezvous & War of 1812 Bicentennial Event April 13-15, Fort Madison 319-372-7275 • Oak Tree SpringFest April 20-22, Anita 712-762-4363 • Spring Iowa Wine Trail Event April 28-29, Marquette 563-873-2509 may • Tulip Time Festival May 3-5, Pella 641-628-4311 • Maifest May 5-6, Amana 800-579-2294 • Taste of Czech and Slovak Cuisine May 18, Cedar Rapids 319-362-8500 • Uff Da Fest at Eagles Landing Winery May 19, Marquette 563-873-2509 • Remembering the Fallen: Old Fort Madison’s Bicentennial Memorial Dedication May 26-28, Fort Madison 319-372-7275 • Iowa Renaissance Festival May 26-28, Amana 800-579-2294 • My Waterloo Days May 31-June 3, Waterloo 319-291-2038 june • Iowa Arts Festival June 1-3, Iowa City 319-337-7944 • Great River Road Wine Trail Event June 2-3, Marquette 563-873-2509 • Glenn Miller Festival June 7-10, Clarinda 712-542-2461 • Lewis & Clark Festival June 8-10, Onawa 712-433-1505 • Civil War Days June 12-15, Waterloo 319-234-6357 • Lazy River Beer & Wine Festival June 23, Marquette 800-896-0910 • Mississippi Valley Blues Festival June 29-July 1, Davenport 563-322-5837 july • Star Spangled Spectacular July 3-4, Storm Lake 712-732-3780 • Rooftop Jazz and Blues July 7, Waterloo 319-291-4490 • Stratford Bluegrass Festival July 13-15, Stratford 515-835-0050 • Balloons Over the Mississippi July 20-21, Fort Madison 319-372-5471 • Lakeside DixieFest July 28-29, Clear Lake 641-357-2159 (Contact area CVBs for complete calendars)

Mississippi Explorer Cruises

– Lansing

Lansing is one of Iowa’s premier picturesque river towns, and a river lover’s ultimate getaway. Come and explore the Mississippi River as you never have before, from the decks of the Mississippi Explorer Riverboat. Your group can sit back and enjoy the splendor of the mighty Mississippi River, as your Captain safely navigates through meandering channels and endless backwaters. Magnificent scenery, abundant wildlife, waterfowl and bald eagles welcome your group around every bend - binoculars and cameras are suggested! The Mississippi River, rich in history, is unveiled as your seasoned Captain shares yarns of river lore. Reflect back to earlier river years with tales of steamboat wrecks, early explorers, Native American wars, and the massive log rafts that once supplied lumber to a new nation. The friendly residents and merchants of Lansing always extend a smile and a hearty welcome to visitors. The town is filled with charming and unique shops, beautiful Bed & Breakfast accommodations, and outstanding restaurants. Our Lansing location is primarily reserved for Group Tours and Private Charters. If you would like to schedule a riverboat cruise out of our Lansing port, please call us directly and we will be glad to set up a unique experience that will be remembered for years to come! (See location on map, page 17

continue to wet your feet in iowa… Jon Anderson White Riverboat, Des Moines Leisurely cruise the Des Moines River and experience a one-of-a-kind view of the city on board Des Moines’ authentic sternwheeler paddlewheeler, the Jon Anderson White Riverboat. The Riverboat offers a full schedule of public and private charters. Located across from the Des Moines Botanical and Environmental Center. American Lady Yacht Cruises, Dubuque This million-dollar yacht provides spacious and luxurious accommodations with modern, sleek styling, composed of the latest in fabrics and woods, which make the interior warm and inviting. Your group can relax on the Happy Hour Cruise or on the Sunset Dinner Cruise. This two-hour Dinner Cruise is the perfect way to take in Dubuque’s beautiful river scenery while enjoying a delicious meal catered by Catfish Charlie’s.

The Twilight, LeClaire Year after year, Twilight is a favorite for Travel Groups. Their all-inclusive pricing and first-rate experience make the planner’s job quick and easy. The Twilight will guide your group on an exciting trip through the Heartland of America on the Mighty Mississippi River, from Le Claire to Dubuque. The complete 2-day itinerary provides meals, activities,

entertainment and lodging at the Grand Harbor Resort in Dubuque, with a sparkling view of the Mississippi River just steps outside the door. The professionally planned cruise attends to all of your group’s needs, allowing your members to relax and enjoy.

Celebration River Cruises, Moline From the moment your group is greeted upon arrival, the entire crew provides exceptional service throughout. The Celebration Belle is the largest non-gaming riverboat on the Upper Mississippi River, accommodating up to 800 passengers. She is four decks tall with two enclosed climate controlled dining decks, two outer decks for observation, gift shop, five fully stocked bars, two dance floors, and full galley. All Day Cruises, 4-Hour Themed Cruises (Big Band, Classic Oldies, Fall Foliage and more!) Also leaving from: LeClaire, Dubuque and Muscantine.

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Life Changing

Read ITINERARIES Midwest Online. Ads hotlinked to websites.

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Bellevue’s True Riverfront Experience

directory

This sample itinerary is best in Spring through Fall but can be customized for anytime of year.

attractions

Nestled between towering wooded bluffs and bordered by the mighty Mississippi, this town offers an assortment of venues to relax with nature, enjoy shopping and dining, and participate in festivities throughout the year. Let their experts be your guide.

Mississippi Explorer Cruises

10 – 10:30 am Bellevue, translates to “beautiful view”; a representative from Bellevue’s Chamber will step on to welcome you and introduce you to the spectacular views up and down the Mississippi River. 10:30 – 11:30 am Take a tour of the city, set on a small hill, lending to a very nice overlook to watch the massive Lock & Dam #12 in action. 11:30 – 12:30 pm Have lunch at one of Bellevue’s many restaurants, Water Street Market/The Happy Bean, Riverview Hotel & Restaurant, Off Shore Bar & Grill, whatever your group is craving, there’s a place to satisfy it. 12:30 – 3:00 pm Board the coach for “The Little Wine Trail” offered by Bush Creek Winery and Iowa Grape Vines Winery. Your group will be delighted with these wineries. Enjoy

wine tasting, or for those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages, the Iowa Grape Vines Winery also has a Juicery; try their 100% Grape Juice, Wine Jellies and Grape Jams & Jellies. 3 – 5:00 pm Take some free time to visit the riverfront shops for collectibles, gifts, clothing and books. Tour the museum and other historical sites in town. 5 – 8:30 pm Dinner at one of Bellevue’s fine eating establishments overlooking the river; the Spruce Harbor Inn is a great choice. Stroll along the Riverfront Path or visit one of the live music venues. Lodging for groups, depending on size, includes; Bellevue House, Gehlen House (in St. Donatus), It’s a Wonderful Life at Spruce Haven, Riverview Hotel, Stone Street Cottage, or Whispering Meadows Resort. For more information or to customize this sample itinerary for your group, please contact your tour operator or the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce 563-872-5830.

National Farm Toy MUSEUM e invite you and your group to experience the treasures of the National Farm Toy Museum in Dyersville, Iowa. Nestled among the fields of Dyersville, the National Farm Toy Museum displays thousands of replicas, scale models and toys inspired by farm equipment throughout history. The museum can easily accommodate any size group, and is accessible to persons with disabilities.

Due to the growing awareness of farm-toy hobby enthusiasts, the founders of the ERTL Company, the world’s largest farm toy manufacturer that is also headquartered in Dyersville, established the museum in 1986. Groups can spend hours exploring the museum’s two floors, viewing trucks, tractors,

w w w. i t i n e r a r i e s m i d w e s t . c o m

miniature farm dioramas and other farming equipment.

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The museum is conveniently located at the junctions of U.S. Highway 20 and State Highway 136 in Dyersville (20 miles west of Dubuque).

. . . . . . . . . 877-647-7397 Ext 1 60 South Front Street – Lansing, IA 52151 info@mississippiexplorer.com www.mississippiexplorer.com Charter cruises are customized to your groups needs. Port of departure, times, routes, and length of trip…you decide! However, we will assist you in putting a marketable and entertaining package together! Our company employs a “hands on” approach and we’ll be there on the boat with you!

National Farm Toy Museum . . . . 877-457-2727 1110 16th Avenue Court SE – Dyersville, IA 52040 www.nationalfarmtoymuseum.com The National Farm Toy Museum features thousands of toys and exhibits between its two floors. Tractors, implements, trucks, miniature farm dioramas, toy manufacturing information, and pedal tractors are on display around the museum!

convention & visitors bureaus and chambers Bellevue Area Chamber of Commerce

. . . . . . . . 563-872-5830 210 N Riverview Street – Bellevue, IA 52031 www.bellevueia.com Bellevue, an Iowa Great Place, has handicapped accessible sidewalks, riverfront shops and restaurants located on the Mississippi River by Lock and Dam 12. Bellevue State Park with panoramic views of the river and limestone bluffs.

restaurants L. May Eatery Dubuque . . . . . . . . . . . . 563-556-0505 Lansing

Dyersville is also home to the popular Field of Dreams movie site, St. Francis Xavier Basilica and Dyer Botsford Victorian Home and Doll Museum. For details on scheduling a group tour including package deals that include souvenir toy tractors for your guests, call 877-475-2727 or visit www.nationalfarmtoymuseum.com. Open daily 8-6:00 pm.

ITINERARIES MIDWEST SPRING 2012

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As Big As You Think

kansas cities abilene, bonner springs, chanute, council grove, dodge city, emporia, fort scott, hays, hutchinson, independence, junction city, kansas city, lawrence, leavenworth, liberal, lindsborg, manhattan, mcpherson, newton, pittsburg, russell, salina, topeka, washington, wichita

calendar of events april • Tulip Time April 7-23, Topeka 785-368-3888 • West Topeka Ghost Tour April 13, Topeka 785-851-0856 • Flames in the Flint Hills April 14, Cedar Point 620-274-4357 • Pioneer Days April 22-23, Kiowa 620-825-4127 • The Taste April 29, Emporia 620-340-6430 may • Chisholm Trail Festival May 4-5, Caldwell 620-845-6666 • Buffalo Days May 5, Alma 785-765-4655 • Kansas Sampler Festival May 5-6, Liberal 800-542-3725 • 15th Annual Sunflower Balloon Fest May 11-13, Anthony 620-842-5456 • Barber County Wildflower Tour May 12, Medicine Lodge 620-886-3721 • Steam Engine Running May 26-28, Abilene 785-263-1077 june • Riverfest June 1-9, Wichita 877-WFIFEST • Butterfield Trail Ride June 2-3, Russell Springs 785-751-4242 • Echoes of the Trail Cowboy Gathering June 7-9, Fort Scott 620-223-0736 • Mayhem on the Marais des Cygnes June 9, Ottawa 785-242-2085 • Juneteenth Celebration June 16-17, Atchison 913-367-2481 • Territorial Days June 22-23, Lecompton 785-887-6148 july • Sundown Salute July 3-7, Junction City 785-238-3103 • Wild West Festival July 4-7, Hays 785-623-4476 • Salute: Festival of Wine & Food July 5-7, Lawrence 785-842-0550 • Blackberry Festival at Summit Hill Gardens July 15, Chanute 620-212-3878 • National Day of the Cowboy July 21, Abilene 785-263-2681 • Wichita County Fair July 25-28, Leoti 620-375-2724 (Contact area CVBs for complete calendars)

directory & map Kansas Travel & Tourism Division Topeka. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 785-296-2009

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge

– Great Bend

Touring slowly by coach on the roads or dikes is a good way to visit either Cheyenne Bottoms or Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, as the critters are somewhat accustomed to traffic. Both areas have driving tours with brochures available at entrances. Enhance your group’s tour with short walks along the roads. Be among the first to drive the newest Kansas Scenic Byway. Central Kansas will soon be the home of the Wetlands & Wildlife Scenic Byway. This drive is a perfect way to enjoy a tour that mixes wetlands, prairie, and small rural communities. This Byway is a visual surprise. Flat prairie vistas are certainly here but there are also lovely, softly rolling sand hills covered with grass and gnarled trees. There are large shelterbelts of evergreens and deciduous trees saluting the prairie and revealing glimpses of homesteads and farmhouses. While in the area, visit the new Kansas Wetlands Education Center, overlooking the Cheyenne Bottoms, the largest inland marsh in the United States. Staffed with naturalists, tours and programs are available daily. There is a gift shop, traveler information, and nature trails. (See location on map below)

continue to wet your feet in kansas… Friends of the KAW Float Trips, Lawrence A float trip for the active group! Friends of the KAW sponsor both private and public educational canoe float trips from April through October. Efforts are focused on scheduling private groups of 16 to 24 people. The advantage of organizing a private group trip is that you pick the date, time and river segment you wish to float and they bring the boats and host an educational “sand bar” seminar followed by a hot dog & marshmallow roast. Float trips on the Kansas River are appropriate for novice boaters and groups, however it takes some muscle power to paddle down the river and we advise that participants be in good health and physically in shape.

Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Garden, Overland Park This 100-year-old 300-acre park features woodlands, prairie and gardens. Of special interest is the Erickson Water Garden with four waterfalls, the Marder Woodland Garden, the Rotary Children’s Garden, the Prairie Medicine Garden, an old English-type maze with shrubs, and a bog area with over 100 natural plantings designed to attract birds and butterflies. About 85 percent of the property is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of eight natural ecosystems, plus traditional botanical gardens, trails, the Visitors Center and the Arboretum Café. River City Trolley & Charters, Wichita Celebrate the History of the “River City” on Wichita’s Historic Trolley Tour! Step back in time to the days of Carrie Nation, Wyatt Earp and the early aviation pioneers. Learn about Wichita’s colorful and storied history from our knowledgeable guide. The 1 1/2 hour narrated tour winds along the Arkansas River and throughout the Delano area into downtown, Midtown and Old Town to some of Wichita’s most historic neighborhoods. Relax aboard our air-conditioned 1925-style trolley. The Discover Historic Wichita Trolley Tour has something for all ages to enjoy.

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge

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Explore Minnesota

minnesota cities albert lea, alexandria, austin, bemidji, bloomington, burnsville, chanhassen, eagan, faribault, grand portage, harmony, minneapolis, morton, park rapids, plymouth, owatonna, roseville, saint paul, st. cloud, stillwater, willmar For a complete list of MN cities & events please visit www.itinerariesmidwest.com.

calendar of events

Voyageurs National Park Boat Tours – International Falls/Rainy Lake Rainy Lake serves as the northern gateway to Minnesota’s only national park – Voyageurs National Park. This 218,000-acre island and water park is simply awe-inspiring! They offer guided boat tours and naturalist programs during the summer months, primarily June - August. Programs take place throughout the park, departing from the Rainy Lake and Kabetogama Lake Visitor Centers. Kettle Falls Cruise – A voyage to the historic Kettle Falls Hotel. Spend 2 hours on land to dine at the hotel or enjoy a picnic lunch, and explore the hotel and nearby dam. Grand Tour – A combination of the Discovery Cruise and Gold Mine Tour. See the Little American Island where your group will meet with a park naturalist for a ¼-mile walk through the remains of the mining activities, and discover the wonders and beauty of Voyageurs National Park. The captain will navigate Rainy Lake in search of abandoned gold mines, abundant wildlife and a view of a historic commercial fishing camp. (See location on map, page 38)

continue to wet your feet in minnesota… Vista Fleet, Duluth – Take in all the activity and spectacular Breezy Belle Cruises at Breezy Point, Pequot Lakes – scenery in the hard working Duluth and Superior Harbor. Learn about the Harbor, Duluth’s history, the science and ecology of Lake Superior and enjoy the panoramic views of the North Shore and the largest freshwater lake in North America. Your group will love the largest gift shop in the Twin Ports for unique nautical merchandise Grand Portage Isle Royale, Grand Portage – Offering day trips to the island aboard the “Sea Hunter III.” Your group will depart at 8:30 am from Grand Portage, MN. The boat passes and pauses at several points of interest, including the Witch Tree, the sunken steamer America, and Rock of Ages Lighthouse, along the way out and back from Isle Royale allowing time for photos and viewing. The park staff will welcome your group to the island around 10:00 am and spend 4 hours taking part in planned activities. Re-board for departure back to Grand Portage, arriving around 3:30 pm Coborn’s Lake Itasca Tours, Lake Itasca – Coborn’s Lake Itasca Tours welcomes your group aboard the 141 Passenger “Chester Charles II.” Relax on beautiful Lake Itasca while enjoying a 2-hour, 10-mile naturalist narrated tour. Tour provides unique opportunities for viewing and photographing wildlife like the common loon, bald eagles, great blue herons, deer, osprey, and landscapes seen only by boat. The Douglas Lodge will cater food if your group would like to dine while floating along the same route taken by Ozawindib in 1832.

Welcome Aboard! Explore beautiful Pelican Lake aboard the Breezy Belle, a unique Paddle-Wheel Excursion Boat. The Breezy Belle is a great choice for any group to go on a dinner cruise or lunch cruise and unwind. They specialize in customizing a menu to fit your group’s needs with box lunches or a customized reception. Also offered is the Breezy Belle Stunt Show – a live action Hollywood Western! Padelford Packet Boat Company, Saint Paul – Padelford Riverboats offers a variety of great options for your group. The Lunch & Lock Cruise is a special four-hour trip from Harriet Island, Saint Paul, upriver through Lock and Dam #1 into Minneapolis and back. Enjoy plenty of sightseeing and historical narration, plus lively banjo music as you pass through one of America’s deepest locks. The Jonathan Padelford, Anson Northrup and Betsey Northrup are also available for private events April through October. The Minnesota Centennial Show Boat, Saint Paul – The very definition of summer fun on the Mississippi! Board this floating palace, to enjoy traditional painted backdrops, footlights, and nineteenth-century stage magic. The Showboat has delighted groups since 1958 with its annual crop of wonderfully talented young actors. Its scenic home, docked on Harriet Island right across from downtown Saint Paul, provides the best river views in the Cities from its decks and public spaces.

april • Mark Twain’s Mississippi – Minnesota Centennial Showboat April 11-May 20, Saint Paul 651-227-1100 • The 15th Annual Ibsen Festival April 13-15, Lanesboro 800-657-7025 • Capital Crimes: The St. Paul Gangster Musical April 21-May 20, Saint Paul 651-292-4323 • How to Talk Minnesotan April 25-May 5, Albert Lea 507-373-2316 may • Festival of Nations May 3-6, Saint Paul 651-647-0191 • 100 Mile Garage Sale May 4-6, Wabasha 800-565-4158 • A Salute to the Girl Singers of the Hit Parade May 13, Burnsville 952-895-4685 • Stand Still Parade May 19, Whalan 507-467-2696 • Rivertown Art Festival May 19-20, Stillwater 651-351-1717 • Dylan Days May 24-27, Hibbing 866-305-3849 • Cannon River Rendezvous May 25-28, Stanton 763-213-7572 june • MN Inventors Congress Invention & Idea Show June 8-9, Redwood Falls 800-468-3681 • Windsurfing Regatta & Unvarnished Music Fest June 8-10, Worthington 507-372-2919 • Steamboat Days June 13-17, Winona 507-452-0735 • Stone Arch Festival of the Arts June 15-17, Minneapolis 612-767-8001 • Granite City Days June 21-24, St. Cloud 320-251-4170 • Midwest Viking & Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival June 22-23, Moorhead 218-299-5452 • Park Point Art Fair June 23-24, Duluth 218-428-1916 july • Fourth of July Freedomfest July 3-4, Austin 800-444-5713 • 4th of July Fireworks Cruise Aboard the Padelford July 4, Saint Paul 800-543-3908 • Hubbard County Fair July 4-9, Park Rapids 800-247-0054 • Wilder Pageant July 6-21, Walnut Grove 888-859-3102 • Grand Marais Arts Festival July 14-15, Grand Marais 218-387-2737 • Lumberjack Days July 19-22, Stillwater 651-430-2306 • Bavarian Blast July 20-22, New Ulm 888-463-9856 (Contact area CVBs for complete calendars)

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Read ITINERARIES Midwest Online. Ads hotlinked to websites.

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Welome aboard PARADISE CRUISES!

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STOP aradise Charter Cruises and Minneapolis Queen offer sightseeing cruises, scenic tours and private charters on Lake Minnetonka and the Mississippi River. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the majestic Mississippi River and Minneapolis Skyline and the beauty of the Lake Minnetonka area. They offer cruises ranging from delicious lunch cruises to romantic dinner cruises, from narrated sightseeing tours to special event cruises. Paradise Charter Cruises and Minneapolis Queen have a trip that’s perfect for any occasion or group event.

The Minneapolis Queen offers a narrated sightseeing cruise on this historic Paddleboat, a 100' modern day replica of the grand riverboats that used to ply the Mississippi River. As she paddles along the Minneapolis Skyline, your Captain will provide your group with historical facts and point out sights like the Historic Stone Arch Bridge, the Upper and Lower St. Anthony Falls, the Lock System, and more! Aboard the Yachts of Paradise Charter Cruises, your group will discover the beauty of two very special venues! Departing from the ports of Excelsior or Wayzata, the cruise will take you past century old lake cottages from the past to the luxurious mansions of today. The lake fleet offers accommodations for groups from 10-100. The Mississippi River is home to their Flagship yacht, the Paradise Lady; the Twin Cities only luxury charter yacht. At nearly 100' in length, she will captivate your group with her elegance and beauty as she cruises the majestic waters of the Mississippi River. Ready to book your group’s visit or have questions? Call 888-559-8058 or email inquiries@twincitiescruises.com.

A Tropical Rainforest in Southern MN? This itinerary may be customized for any time of the year. Your group will never have to leave the “Island.” Bring your group to Treasure Island Resort & Casino. Located just outside the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metro in Red Wing, our 150,000 square foot gaming floor is bursting with excitement. We offer over 2,400 state-of-the-art slot machines, 40 blackjack tables, 6 live poker tables in our private poker room and the largest selection of Class II table games in Minnesota. Additionally, Treasure Island Resort & Casino boasts the largest non-smoking casino area in the Midwest. Additional guest amenities include a 137-slip marina, 95-site RV park, a 120-passenger cruise yacht and Island Xtreme Bowl—a 24 Brunswick™ Lane bowling center, arcade and lounge.

day one 12 – 2:00 pm Enjoy a lunch cruise aboard the elegant cruise liner, Spirit of the Water, while you float down the scenic Mississippi River. Note: Summer & Fall Cruises available with special group rates. 2:00 – 6:00 pm Golfers are challenged with each hole at Mt. Frontenac’s 18-hole golf course. Play with beautiful views along the rolling hills of southeastern Minnesota and the Mississippi River Valley. Non-golfers may enjoy shopping in the area towns or try their luck at the casino! 6 – 7:00 pm Experience the taste of the tropics every day. From fine dining to a quick snack – Treasure Island Resort

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Minnehaha Falls

Exploring Eagan Style This itinerary is best spring through fall. This itinerary gives you the opportunity to take in some of the wonderful outdoor venues in and around Eagan. 10 – 11:00 am Take a walking tour of the amazing Walker Art Center & Sculpture Garden. It offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy important works of art by leading American and international artists in a setting of plazas, walkways, and plantings. 11 – 12:00 pm The next part of this journey takes you along the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway and includes a stop at the magnificent Minnehaha Falls. 12 – 2:00 pm The next stop on your “Exploring Eagan Style” adventure will be Stillwater. Situated on the St. Croix River (the divider between Minnesota and Wisconsin), you’ll enjoy strolling the streets of this historic river town. As a part of this day of adventure, you’ll be visiting the first of two wineries that make up a part of the Minnesota Wine Trail. Northern Vineyards Winery is located in historic downtown Stillwater. Enjoy a wine tasting in their tasting room, and then relax with a glass of wine and head out to the deck that overlooks the scenic St. Croix River and the historic lift bridge. 2 – 4:00 pm Enjoy the beautiful scenery as you follow the Great

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Walker Art Center and Sculpture Garden

River Road Scenic Byway along the St. Croix River to your next destination - Hastings. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, this scenic river town is steeped in tradition. A guided tour of the LeDuc Historic Estate will take you back in time to the mid-1800s. 4:00 pm Then it’s on to Cannon Falls. Located in the scenic Cannon Valley, at the junction of the Big and Little Cannon Rivers, it offers a wide variety of opportunities for recreation and relaxation. Here you’ll make the second stop on the Minnesota Wine Trail at the Cannon River Winery. You will enjoy a wine tasting as well as a guided tour of the winery. The gift shop offers one-of-a-kind wine-related gifts and artwork, made by Minnesota artists. Enjoy a stroll through historic downtown Cannon Falls or enjoy your time sitting near the river and taking in the beauty that surrounds you.

4 – 5:00 pm Head back to your Eagan hotel to freshen up for the night’s entertainment. 6:00 pm A favorite destination for groups is an evening at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre; the largest professional dinner theatre in the nation. Your group will relax and enjoy tableside service with entrees selected from a delicious menu. Specialty appetizers, cocktails and desserts are available. The main theater seats 577, the Fireside Theater has 230 seats for non-dining patrons, while the Playhouse Theater has tables for 126. For more information or to customize this sample itinerary for your group, please contact Eagan’s tour operator: Denise Olsen at 651-675-5542 or denise@eaganmn.com. Don’t forget - $250 Cash Rebate with 20 or more rooms booked in Eagan!

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Continued from Page 22: A Tropical Rainforest…

Group Hospitality at THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR he Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest and best-attended expositions in the world, attracting nearly 1.8 million visitors annually. In addition to being a showcase for Minnesota’s finest agriculture, art and industry, the fair features hundreds of entertainment options including music all around the fairgrounds, educational exhibits, hands-on experiences, more than 60 carnival rides, thousands of competitions, 11 nights of Grandstand shows, and more than 450 different foods.

Our hospitality staff has a variety of resources to make your day at the fair even more fun! We can help you organize a fairgrounds scavenger hunt or a trivia contest, provide self-guided tour maps for the fair’s beautiful gardens and tree sculptures or help you plan your activities with a sample itinerary. We also provide daily entertainment and activity schedules so you won’t miss a thing! Most exhibit buildings are open from 9 am to 9 pm. For early arrivals, there is plenty of activity in the Livestock area as animals are groomed and readied for judging. From 6 am to midnight, there’s always something different to see all 12 days of the Great Minnesota Get-Together! Morning is the best time to… • schedule a breakfast and welcome session for your group at the Blue Ribbon Picnic Area. • learn about renewable energy and sustainability at the award-winning Eco Experience. • experience the Miracle of Birth Center where lambs, calves and piglets are born. Mid-day is the best time to… • catch one of more than 75 acts on seven free entertainment stages. • check out nearly 70 rides from around the globe at Mighty Midway and Kidway. • browse through the shops at Heritage Square or the International Bazaar. Afternoon is the best time to… • meet Princess Kay and see the famous butterhead sculptures. • choose a snack from the menu of 350 foods, including more than 50 foods on-a-stick. • stroll through Minnesota’s largest juried art show in the Fine Arts Center. Evening is the best time to… • go to extremes on Adventure Park’s rides. • see big-name entertainers at the newly-restored 1909 Grandstand. • watch the nightly fireworks spectacular.

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For more information call 651-632-2689 or email groups@mnstatefair.org.

& Casino offers four restaurants that are sure to satisfy any appetite. 7 – 10:00 pm With more than 2,500 state-of-the-art slot machines, 44 blackjack tables and a 550-seat high stakes bingo hall all in the Caribbean-themed casino, your group is sure to have a blast — and maybe even win some treasures of their own. 10:00 pm Relax in a tropical-theme hotel room, or take a swim in the lush, rainforest pool environment.

day two 9 – 10:00 am Before you head home, enjoy brunch in the Tradewinds Buffet with a variety of creative cuisines. For more information on this sample itinerary, contact your tour operator or our tour department at Treasure Island Resort & Casino, 800-222-7077 ext. 2716 or 2952, Monday-Friday 8am to 4pm.

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the tradition continues... The 42nd Annual Minnesota

Renaissance Festival t is hard to escape the smell of tasty delicacies with more than 100 food booths throughout the village. Taking your group trip to The Minnesota Renaissance Festival would not be complete without the famous Turkey Leg. Rotisserie smoked Turkey Legs have become a staple to most patrons who visit the Festival. However, a Turkey Leg is not on the menu for everyone. The Festival also offers a variety of customary renaissance foods, for instance, scotch eggs, spinach pie, and bangers and mash.

In addition to traditional Renaissance festivities, the Minnesota Renaissance Festival elaborated on the events that occur at most renaissance festivals to include theme weekends that focus on different aspects of the Renaissance era. The themes have changed over the years to bring new & fresh events to the Festival. The weekends for the 2012 Minnesota Renaissance Festival are still in the planning stages but here are a few: Royal Pet Fest, Silk Road: Discover the Riches, Highland Fling, and Wine, Chocolate & Romance. Each weekend takes on a feel of its own with special events, dance, song, and competition directly related to that weekend. The 42nd annual Minnesota Renaissance Festival runs weekends and Labor Day. Groups are welcomed and the bus parking is the best! For more information, call 952-445-7361 or visit www.renaissancefest.com.

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Real Pirates at the SCIENCE MUSEUM of MINNESOTA A touring exhibition organized by National Geographic and Arts and Exhibitions International. vast, ye mateys! Hoist the Jolly Roger and guard the booty—the pirates have invaded the Science Museum of Minnesota! Climb aboard a recreation of a pirate ship, view over 200 artifacts, learn to tie knots and meet the swashbuckling crew of the Whydah. The folks in Hollywood have skewed our vision of the Golden Age of Piracy. It’s time to throw that

information overboard and discover what life was really like on the high seas in Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship. One of the most technologically advanced vessels of her day was the Whydah. Originally built and launched as a slave ship, it was captured during her maiden voyage across the Atlantic by a crew of pirates lead by Sam Bellamy. The legendary vessel then became the flagship of Bellamy’s flotilla, leading raids

throughout the Caribbean waters and up the Atlantic coastline. On April 26, 1717, a violent storm sank the Whydah along with most of her crew and the fortune from over 50 captured ships. Nearly 300 years later, the wreck was discovered and its contents are available for public viewing at the Science Museum of Minnesota through September 3, 2012. Call 800-221-9444 to reserve your group tickets (15+), or visit www.smm.org/pirates/groups. The pirates are waiting…

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ST. CLOUD’S “Eye Candy” aint Cloud, Minnesota’s coolest hot spot in town is Mr. Twisty. Serving up delectable ice cream creations all summer long, this walk-up shop is reminiscent of the ones you rode your bike to as a kid. The low prices and friendly atmosphere are what keep guests coming back again and again. Not to mention the one-of-a-kind soft serve used in their banana splits, parfaits, sundaes, cones, shakes, and twisters!

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• Italian Ice: This dairy-free dessert comes in hundreds of flavors; a different one highlighted each week, and a refreshing cure to those hot summer days. • Eye Candy: You heard right! Each of Mr. Twisty’s signature cones is adorned with two little sugary eyeballs for that extra touch of character. Eat them right away or save them for later. • Hot Food Options: Hungry for more? The shop also serves popcorn, hotdogs, pulled-pork sandwiches and the ever-popular “walking taco”- a small bag of Doritos™ topped with your favorite taco fixings. Open mid-March through mid-October (weather permitting). Groups of 15 or more, please call ahead to maximize your visit: 320-310-0314.

Experience St.Cloud’s “Shopping & Theatre” Perfect for a girlfriend get-away weekend. 9 – 10:30 am Welcome to The Grande Depot. Housed in a beautifully restored 1912 Soo Line Depot, it offers two upscale retail choices for discerning consumers. Accentric offers extensive stylish home décor, gourmet foods, exclusive culinary, children’s gifts and much more. Cork & Cask offers central Minnesota’s most unique selection of fine wine and spirits. FREE samples of wine and food products on Saturdays. 10:30 – 12:00 pm Next stop is Crafts Direct, the get inspired, create and decorate store! Offering a huge selection of arts and crafts supplies – it’s the largest craft store in the state! See their website for project ideas, current sales flyer, and calendar of craft classes. 12 – 2:00 pm Time for some serious shopping in downtown and your first stop is Herbergers! It’s always a fun stop when visiting St. Cloud! Do a little browsing before and after the show today. Your reward for a short walk down St. Germain Street is a stop at the specialty shop called Northern Brights featuring unique handbags, jewelry, gifts, art and fashions! You’ll find many other shopping treasures along your way plus lunch at Mexican Village – fun, food and fabulous margaritas! Including FREE chips and salsa. 2 – 4:00 pm See a matinee at the Paramount Theater for one of Great Theatre’s productions. Saturday or Sunday matinees are perfect for mid-afternoon fun. Grab a glass of wine or a soda and sit back to watch the show. 4 – 6:00 Resume shopping before heading over to Café Renaissance for an elegant dinner. Enjoy their unique pan-Mediterranean cuisine featuring dishes from the south of Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Turkey, Morocco, and the Eastern & middle-Eastern Mediterranean. When

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you’re ready to turn in, the AmericInn of Sartell is a great choice for groups to relax and unwind around their pool. For more information or to customize this itinerary for your group, contact the St. Cloud Convention & Visitors Bureau / Jean Robbins at 1-800-264-2940, ext 129 or jean@granitecountry.com.

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Hairspray Sept 7-16, 2012 at the Paramount Theatre Baltimore teen Tracy Turnblad has only one desire: to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. The Hobbit Oct 12-21, 2012 at the Paramount Theatre Tolkien’s classic novel is brought to the stage and guarantees excitement. Join Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Wizard, 13 dwarves and a sinister creature named Gollum. A Christmas Carol Nov 24 – Dec 9, 2012 at the Paramount Theatre The classic story returns to the Paramount stage to celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens. Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells December 7-16, 2012 at the Stephen B. Humphrey Theater - Saint John’s University Junie B. Jones is having a tough Christmas, when this first grader draws her enemy’s name at the Secret Santa gift party.

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A True Northwest Minnesota Adventure This sample itinerary is best during summer, but can be customized for any time of year.

day one 9:30 am – 11:30 am Begin your day in gorgeous Nisswa, surrounded by sparkling lakes, outstanding recreation, and natural beauty. Enjoy their local dining and unique shopping on this visit. Follow it up with an early lunch at one of Nisswa’s popular restaurants. 11:30 am – 1:30 pm Travel north on Hwy 371 heading deeper into Minnesota’s lake country passing through numerous lake towns on your way to the Headwaters of the Mississippi at Itasca State Park. 1:30 – 4:00 pm Prepare to relax aboard the “Chester Charles II” on beautiful Lake Itasca, the source of the mighty Mississippi River. Your group will follow the same route taken by Ozawindib in 1832 when he guided Henry Rowe Schoolcraft to the Headwaters of the Mississippi River where they recorded the source of the greatest river in the United States. 4 – 8:00 pm Travel into Bemidji for dinner and a relaxing evening in one of their fine group friendly hotels.

day two 8 – 10:00 am After breakfast, it’s time to get back on the road for

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Thief River Falls. 10 – 12:00 pm Take a walk back in time at the Peder Engelstad Pioneer Village, named after a local Norwegian immigrant. The Village consists of 19 buildings including seven late 1800s log houses; a Swedish Lutheran church, built in 1916; two railroad building depots and two cabooses; a one-room schoolhouse dating back to 1908; five original stores and muchmuch more! 12 – 2:00 pm Lunch in Thief River Falls before taking in one of the most fascinating tours in the region; world-class snowmobile and ATV manufacturer Arctic Cat, Inc. 2 – 3:00 pm You won’t want to leave without a stop for wine tasting at MN’s northernmost vineyard, Two Fools Vineyard. 3 – 5:00 pm Time to travel yet further north, nearly to the Canadian border and the cozy town of Warroad, which rests on the shores of Lake of the Woods, the world’s 100th largest lake. 5:00 pm Check in to your hotel room or resort and enjoy dinner on-site or at Warroad’s Lakeview Restaurant. Their dining area is centered around a floor to ceiling stone fireplace, and with a wall of glass, every seat has a

spectacular view of Lake of the Woods. And the food is great too! The evening is yours to enjoy.

day three Up in the great north woods of Minnesota, your group has choices. Perhaps some of your group would like to fish, while others would like a tour of The Wm. S. Marvin Training and Visitor Center, and some might just prefer a relaxing day by the calming waters of Lake of the Woods. Take your pick and let the Warroad CVB help you make all the arrangements for a wonderful day!

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Stay in DULUTH!

day four 9 – 11:15 am Rise and shine! Time to travel to International Falls and the beautiful Rainy Lake area, home to Voyageurs National Park. 11:15 am Check in to the AmericInn Hotel in International Falls. At AmericInn, they believe the more, the merrier. They love groups and their comfortable surroundings are made for sharing. Grab some lunch at Lenard’s, their onsite restaurant. 1 – 2:30 pm Tour the Boise Paper Mill. See one of the largest and fastest paper making machines in the world at the Boise Paper Solutions mill. Tours regularly June through August or by reservation. 2:30 – 5:30 pm A vacation is rarely complete without taking time to shop. Voyageur Country is sprinkled with unique stores, antique shops and a mall. 5:30 – 7:00 pm Have dinner at the Chocolate Moose Restaurant Company. They take their food seriously, and you’ll taste what that means in every bite!

day five 9:00 am Your group’s last day in the north includes a date with nature, exploring Voyageurs National Park on a boat

lanning a group tour of the North Shore? The following hotels invite you to stay with them. All are centrally located among shopping, dining, and North Shore attractions. Best of all, they offer group rates!

P tour. Each of the park’s three boats - the Voyageur, the Otter, and the Borealis - are available for charter. Examples of tours include: Gold Mine tour, Discovery tour, tours to the famous historic Kettle Falls Hotel, and also evening sunset and/or full moon cruises. Explore Minnesota’s only national park. Tours depart from the Rainy Lake and Kabetogama Lake Visitor Centers. Did You Know? The rocks you see at Voyageurs National Park are older than those found at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. For more information or to customize this sample itinerary for your group, please contact your tour operator, our advertisers or these Chamber/CVB’s: • Nisswa Chamber of Commerce / 800-950-9610 • Coborn’s Lake Itasca Tours / 218-266-3660 • Thief River Falls CVB / 218-686-9785 • Warroad CVB / 800-328-4455 • International Falls CVB / 1-800-325-5766

Comfort Suites of Canal Park on Lake Superior • Group discounts available in spring, winter and late fall • Complimentary hot breakfast • Comp rooms for escorts with 15 rooms or more • Discounted drivers room • All suites come with microwave & fridge • Pool & whirlpool • Exercise room • 100% smoke-free property Hampton Inn of Canal Park on Lake Superior • Lakeside rooms and suites available • Complimentary hot breakfast • In-room microwave & fridge • Free high-speed internet • Free bus parking • Escort comps & driver discounts available spring and fall • Newly remodeled in Spring 2011 Canal Park Lodge Canal Park’s newest lakeside hotel • Complimentary hot breakfast featuring Caribou Coffee • Pool & whirlpool • 24-hour exercise room • Free bus parking (plug-ins available) • Meeting room • 100% smoke-free property • Easy access to the Lake Walk Comfort Inn West 2011 Platinum Hospitality Award Winner • Complimentary hot breakfast • Pool, whirlpool & sauna • Free WiFi • Group welcome receptions • Express check-ins • Luggage handling hot • Bus parking STOP • Meeting room Check out www.StayinDuluth.com or call 1-888-766-7636 for flexible lodging options for large groups or for more information.

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All aboard for Albert Lea! This sample itinerary is best in Summer/Fall. 9 – 11:30 am Begin your tour with a visit to the Freeborn County Historical Museum. With 14 buildings in the village depicting lives of early settlers, your group can attend school, go to the general store, church, jail, or the barbershop. The Museum is rated one of the finest history complexes in Minnesota, and home to the “Minnesota Rock & Country Hall of Fame” and Marion Ross of “Happy Days.” 11:30 – 1:00 pm Lunch will be held at the beautiful and scenic Wedgewood Cove Golf Course. Fine dining, panoramic views, and banquet facilities are available. 1 – 3:00 pm Climb aboard the Pelican Breeze Cruise Boat on Albert Lea Lake and admire the wildlife and historic sites as you sit back on this 60-foot riverboat replica. Full catering services and entertainment are available. 3 – 5:00 pm There are two different Garden studios for you to enjoy. Hill’s Gardens and Garden Diva both have beautiful gardens with unique gift shops attached. 5 – 8:00 pm Enjoy an evening meal followed by a performance at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, offering plays, concerts, and specialty shows year-round. For more information or to customize this sample itinerary for your group, please contact your tour operator or the tour director at the Albert Lea CVB at 800-345-8414.

A Fresh Air Day in Austin This sample itinerary is best during the Summer months but can be customized for any time of year. 9 – 10:00 am Pick up your step-on guide for a city tour of Austin and get acquainted with SPAM™Town USA. Everyone will receive a Welcome Bag & SPAM Cookbook and see the SPAM Museum first-hand a little later on. 10 – 11:30 am First stop is the Hormel Nature Center. This gem is not to be missed. Visit with the resident naturalist and enjoy the wildlife at this 507-acre center featuring an Interpretive Building, enabling guests to see living displays that feature snakes, salamanders, toads and an indoor beehive. Fun, seasonal offerings like maple syruping and apple cidering are offered as well. Your group may even learn how to walk and talk like a snipe. 11:30 – 12:30 pm Relax at one of Austin’s family-owned restaurants. 12:45 – 2:00 pm Dessert will be served on the SPAMtown Belle, which docks at East Side Lake every spring. Enjoy root beer floats aboard this 36’ paddle wheel boat, taking riders Continued on Page 32

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from April until September, and holds 18 passengers. 2 – 3:30 The SPAM Museum features videos and displays depicting the rich 117-year history of the Hormel Foods Corporation. The tour takes visitors through a myriad of exhibits and eras in an interactive, educational and fun way of sharing their story. Swing in to the SPAM Shop, where you will find more than 400 SPAM logo items. The self-guided tour is enhanced with friendly and knowledgeable SPAMBASSADORS. 3:30 – 4:30 pm If your visit brings you to Austin on a Monday, Thursday or Saturday, stop at the Farmer’s Market. Come for

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fresh fruits, vegetables, jams & jellies, plants & flowers, baked goods, crafted items and more! 4:30 Check in to your group-friendly hotel, perhaps the Holiday Inn, with its quiet, comfortable rooms and featuring Torge’s Live Sports Pub and Grill. 7:00 For a night out on the town, reserve tickets for a show at the Historic Paramount Theatre. This 1929 theatre is run by The Austin Area Commission for the Arts, presenting a full season of performing arts. For more information or to customize this sample itinerary for your group please contact your tour operator or the Austin CVB at 507-437-4563

Lots to Do in the Willmar Lakes Area This sample itinerary is best in Summer but can be customized for anytime of the year! The Willmar Lakes Area has everything you need for a great trip. There are 360 surrounding lakes offering beaches, resorts and a wide variety of recreational activities. The area offers plenty of dining and lodging, as well as museums and year-round festivals. Discover “Where the Lakes Begin in West Central Minnesota.”

day one 12 – 1:30 pm Arrive in Willmar and stop for lunch at Jazz N’ Java. A hot latte or cappuccino will energize you after the drive and some homemade soup and a sandwich always hits the spot. The atmosphere is friendly and the locals consider it some of the best coffee around! 1:30 – 4:00 pm Enjoy free group admission at Kandiyohi County Historical Society & Museum. Groups are welcome to explore exhibits highlighting transportation, Indian artifacts and immigration. The museum is open 7 days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day. 4 – 5:00 pm Check into your hotel and freshen up for the evening. 5 – 7:00 pm Enjoy dinner with a view at The Oaks at Eagle Creek. Overlooking Willmar and Swan Lakes, with a view of their championship golf course. The Oaks offers a great atmosphere for groups on a night out, serving up everything from pizza to salads to barbeque ribs and a wine list to complement any entrée. 7 – 10:00 pm Head to the New London Little Theater. Their venue includes theatrical productions, musical variety shows, concerts and an information entertainment night designed to nurture local budding musicians. Sit back and enjoy the show!

day two 7 – 9:00 am Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. 9 – 11:00 am Step back in time at the Schwanke’s Museum. The museum features over 54 years of collections of tractors, cars, trucks, gas engines, gas pumps, signs and more! They have over 400 units on display. 11 – 3:00 pm Travel a few miles to Spicer, on the south shore of Green Lake and have a delicious lunch at the brand new Zorbaz restaurant (formerly Melvin’s). After lunch, right outside the door, the Houseboat Cruises on Green Lake will welcome your group on-board for a lovely afternoon cruise aboard their 56’ houseboat. Take in the sun, fresh air and the sights around this beautiful Lake. For more information or to customize this sample itinerary for your group, please contact your tour operator or the Willmar Lakes Area Convention & Visitors Bureau 800-845-8747, www.WillmarLakesArea.com.

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“City of Lakes” This sample itinerary is best during the Spring and Summer months, but can be customized for any time of year. Fairmont has a picturesque setting amidst a chain of five lakes offering boating, fishing, small town hospitality, and spectacular views! While in the area, we suggest a visit to the parks, historical attractions, Aquatic Park, and cultural events. Their comfortable group-friendly hotels help make Fairmont a great place for groups to stay and play.

Martin County Courthouse

day one 2:30 – 4:30 pm Begin with a drive through the city with your Fairmont CVB step-on guide, and make a stop at the Martin County Court House, originally a stockade to provide safety to the locals against Indian uprisings and was called Fort Fairmont. The present Court House was built in 1906 and is one of the Top 10 most beautiful courthouses in Minnesota. Especially noteworthy are the upper level murals and artistic construction. 4:30 – 6:30 pm Built in 1867 on a hill overlooking Lake Sisseton, The Chubb House is the oldest surviving house in Fairmont. The house is of Greek Revival architecture where square nails can be seen in places throughout the house. Your group will enjoy dinner relaxing around the warm and friendly fireplace, or the backyard is suitable for picnics overlooking Lake Sisseton. The view is great and food service will be arranged. 6:30 – 10:00 pm An evening performance at the Fairmont Opera House awaits you, a unique building, which has enriched the architectural, cultural and commercial life of the region for over 100 years. The atmosphere, ghosts, memories of great actors, entertainers and shows are all here.

day two 9 – 11:00 am Heritage Acres is an Agricultural Interpretive Center with community events and festivals celebrated throughout the year. Enjoy taking a stroll through “Old Main Street” with its one room schoolhouse and country church. Tours by appointment are conducted through yesteryear’s Pioneer Village. For more information on this sample itinerary contact your tour operator or Fairmont CVB at 800-657-3280.

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Grand Opening of the NEW Steele County History Center This sample itinerary may be customized for any time of the year.

day one 10 – 11:30 am Visit the State School Orphanage Museum to learn the story of Minnesota’s orphans from 1886-1945. Explore and tour the grounds of the West Hills Campus and stop at Cottage 11. Highlights include the Children’s Cemetery, Audio Kiosks, Root Cellar, gift shop, and of course, the opportunity to walk through an original cottage from the orphanage era and learn the story of the boys who lived there. The village hosts a history Extravaganza in July. 11:30 – 1:30 pm Discover the architecture of the National Farmer’s Bank, designed by world-renowned architect Louis Sullivan. The bank building is famous for its Prairie School architecture. Relax and enjoy the historic buildings, coffee shops, boutiques and restaurants downtown. For treats of the chocolate sort, stop by Costa’s Café & Chocolate Shop featuring delicious hand-made/hand-dipped candies. 1:30 – 3:30 pm Schedule a group tour at the NEW Steele County History Center, featuring their first exhibit “Minnesota on the Map,” based on the book Minnesota on the Map: A Historical Atlas by David Lanegran. This exhibit features seven exhibit panels, an in-depth look at Minnesota’s geography and a video station provides commentary on a selection of maps.

w w w. i t i n e r a r i e s m i d w e s t . c o m

3:30 pm Enjoy an afternoon treat with Blue Bell Ice Cream at Russell Stover’s Candies and pick up gifts for your friends and family! 6:00 pm Join the Steele County Historical Society for a gala evening of fine art, superb food, and entertainment at their Art Auction! Local celebrity auctioneers will sell a unique variety of art. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. Silent auction items will be available to bid on, too. All proceeds benefit the NEW History Center.

day two 8 – 9:30 am Rise and shine and discover Owatonna’s Parks and Trails for a brisk walk through Kaplan’s Woods or enjoy the sights and sounds of Lake Kohlmeier. 9:30 – 11:30 am Return to the History Center for their Plant and Vintage Sale! Enjoy finding unique treasures and locally grown plants. Modeled after English country sales, this fundraiser for the History Center is sure to have something for everyone! 11:30 – 1:00 pm Grab lunch at the Northwoods Cache in Cabela’s World’s Foremost Outfitters store and try their delicious Elk Burger with Sweet Potato Fries. Take a little time to shop for all your outdoor needs and home

décor. The newly remodeled store includes animal displays, fresh water aquariums, and fudge shoppe. 1 - 3:30 pm Shop until you drop! Visit the Medford Outlet Center to get the latest deals on your spring and summer fashion. Shop at great stores like GAP, Old Navy, Bath & Body Works, Nike Clearance Store, Country Goods and many more stores at outlet prices. 3:30 – 5:00 pm Head back to one of their group friendly lodging properties to freshen up for dinner. 5:00 pm Looking for a nice dinner before hitting the show? Whether you like Mexican, Asian, BBQ or a home cooked meal, Owatonna has everything for your taste buds. 7 – 9:30 pm Call ahead to see what’s showing at the Little Theatre of Owatonna and enjoy quality entertainment provided by local talent. 9:30 pm Not ready to go back to your hotel? Enjoy a chocolate martini or an old-fashioned at Torey’s Restaurant. For more itineraries and activities in Owatonna, contact the Tourism Department at 800-423-6466 or go to www.visitowatonna.org.

ITINERARIES MIDWEST SPRING 2012

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directory & map accommodations

Holiday Inn MPLS NW Elk River . . 763-656-4400

Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .952-854-0300

9200 Quaday Avenue NE – Otsego, MN 55330 jbluhm@hielkriver.com / www.hielkriver.com Minnesota’s favorite water park resort! Stay, Play, Shop and Experience local history all within a 5-mile radius! On the banks of the Mississippi River you’ll find local hospitality at its best beckoning you and your group. Four story waterslides, lazy river, and separate zero depth entry pool; fun for absolutely all ages!

Comfort Inn Airport

Homewood Suites By Hilton

metro

Americas Best Value Inn & Suites Shakopee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 877-291-0622

Cambria Suites

Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .952-854-3400

Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-854-0900

Country Inn & Suites at Mall of America

Hyatt Place Minneapolis Airport-South

Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-854-5555

Country Inn & Suites West Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-831-9595

Courtyard by Marriott MPLS/Bloomington Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-876-0100

Crowne Plaza Bloomington Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-831-8000

Days Inn Bloomington West Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-835-7400

Embassy Suites Bloomington Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-884-4811

Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-884-1400

Silver Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 877-254-1827

Just For Me: the Spa

. . . . . . . . . . .651-439-4662 110 South Greeley Street – Stillwater, MN 55082 justformespa@justformespa.com / www.jusstformespa.com

Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-881-7311

La Quinta Inn & Suites

AmericInn of Sartell . . . . . . . . . . . .320-259-0877

La Quinta Inn Bloomington-MPLS

Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-830-1300

Le Bourget Aero Suites Hotel Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-893-9999

Lexington Inn & Suites

. . . . . . . . .651-275-1401 2000 Washington Avenue – Stillwater, MN 55082 www.lexingtonhotels.com

Minneapolis Airport Marriott Mystic Lake Prior Lake

Hampton Inn & Suites

Park Plaza Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-831-3131

Hampton Inn By Hilton Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-835-6643

Hilton Garden Inn MPLS/Bloomington Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-831-1012

Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-893-9500

Hilton Minneapolis/Saint Paul Airport Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-854-2100

. . . . 800-262-7799

ext 665

Quality Inn & Suites Bloomington . . . 952-854-5558 Radisson Hotel Bloomington By MOA Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-854-8700

Ramada Mall of America Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-328-1931

Residence Inn MPLS/Bloomington Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-876-0900

Sheraton Bloomington Hotel-MPLS South Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-835-7800

Holiday Inn Bloomington Airport I-35W

Sofitel Minneapolis

Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-884-8211

Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-835-1900

Holiday Inn Express MPLS Airport/Mall Area

Staybridge Suites

Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-854-1687

Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-831-7900

Holiday Inn & Suites MPLS Airport

Super 8 Motel Bloomington . . . . . . . . . 952-888-8800

Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-854-9000

119 LeSauk Drive – Sartell, MN 56377 sartell.mn@americinn.com www.americinn.com/hotels/mn/sartell Stay at the hottest spot in the St. Cloud area, the AmericInn of Sartell, we’re on the border to everywhere. Experience a quiet night’s sleep with our soundguard guestrooms and wake up to our free enhanced continental breakfast.

Canal Park Lodge

Microtel Inn & Suites

Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-858-8475

Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-854-7600

AmericInn Lodge & Suites & Event Center of Moorhead . . . 218-287-7100 600 30th Ave S – Moorhead, MN 56560 877-287-7100 Our two-story waterfall cascades into a tropical courtyard featuring an indoor 9-hole championship, miniature golf course, swimming pool, children’s pool, & whirlpool. We have a lounge, fitness center and free deluxe hot continental breakfast.

Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-854-7441

Fairfield Inn by Marriott

. . . . . . . . . . 800-Hampton 2705 S Broadway – Alexandria, MN 56308 320-763-3360 AXNMN_Hampton_Suites@hilton.com www.alexandriasuitesmn.hamptoninn.com Opened 2008. Free Hot Breakfast, Indoor Pool and Whirlpool, Fitness Center, Business Center, Suite Shop, Free Wired/wireless internet, Microwave & Refrigerator in all rooms, meeting room on site 10-50 people.

Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-854-0700

Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-854-6600

Extended Stay America

Alexandria Hampton Inn & Suites

AmericInn

Embassy Suites Minneapolis Airport Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-854-1000

northern

Travelodge Bloomington . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-854-3322

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .218-279-6000 250 Canal Park Drive – Duluth, MN 55802 www.canalparklodge.com Duluth’s newest lakeshore hotel, situated in the heart of Canal Park. Offering great accommodations for groups. Modern comfortable rooms with refrigerator, microwave, internet and a great view. Complimentary breakfast, onsite pool, fitness center and more.

Comfort Inn – West

. . . . . . . . . . . .218-628-1464 3900 West Superior Street – Duluth, MN 55807 gm.mn017@choicehotels.com 2011 Platinum Hospitality Award winner. Complimentary Hot Breakfast. Indoor Pool, Whirlpool & Sauna. Weeknight guest hospitality hour with apps and a cash bar. Great location near all area attractions at an affordable price.

Comfort Suites Canal Park

. . . . .218-727-1378 408 Canal Park Drive – Duluth, MN 55802 gm.mn031@choicehotels.com www.choicehotels.com/hotel/mn031 The Comfort Suites Canal Park is located on beautiful Lake Superior in Historic Canal Park. Enjoy dining, museums, shopping, and the boardwalk within walking distance. We will make your group tour successful and memorable.

Hampton Inn

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-426-7866 310 Canal Park Drive – Duluth, MN 55802 dulmn.hampton@hilton.com www.hampton.com/hi/duluth Relax in our sunroom and watch your ship come in! In Canal Park on Lake Superior and next to the lake walk, we are centrally located for shopping, dining and attractions. Newly remodeled in summer 2011.

University Hotel Minneapolis . . .800-822-6757

615 Washington Avenue SE – Minneapolis, MN 55414 ITINERARIES MIDWEST SPRING 2012

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Lutsen Resort on Lake Superior. . 800-258-8736

Saint Croix Vineyards . . . . . . . . . . . . 651-430-3310

Wanda Gag House New Ulm . . . . . . . . 507-359-2632

5700 W Hwy 61, PO Box 9 – Lutsen, MN 55612 sales@lutsenresort.com / www.lutsenresort.com Historic property, located on Lake Superior’s shore, a spectacular stop for any group. Great lakeside restaurant, pub, massage services and beautiful grounds. There is a large beach, with evening campfires and frequent guest programs.

6428 Manning Avenue North – Stillwater, MN 55082 info@scvines.com / www.scvines.com

Wow!Zone Mankato . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507-625-2695

Odyssey Resorts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218-728-8060 Barb Oswell (contact) www.odysseyresorts.com A Collection of Minnesota's finest resorts. Outdoor beauty to indoor luxury. From the North Shore of Lake Superior to the banks of Leech Lake, the outdoors offers something for every group.

Sawmill Inn

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218-326-8501 2301 S Highway 169 – Grand Rapids, MN 55744-9501 www.sawmillinn.com sawmill@uslink.net

southern

Microtel Inn & Suites Mankato . . . . .507-388-2818 Microtel Inn & Suites

Springfield . . .507-723-8200

Science Museum of Minnesota . . 800-221-9444 120 West Kellogg Blvd – Saint Paul, MN 55102 groupsales@smm.org www.smm.org One-of-a-kind exhibits, larger-than-life Omnitheater films, and a priceless collection of nearly two million artifacts from around the globe. It’s no wonder that the Science Museum is the Upper Midwest’s must-see, must-do museum.

Stillwater Trolley Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 651-430-0352 400 Nelson Street – Stillwater, MN 55082 www.stillwatertrolley.com

Treasure Island Resort & Casino . . . . . . . . . 800-222-7077 ext 2716/2952 5734 Sturgeon Lake Road – Welch, MN 55089 info@ticasino.com www.ticasino.com Offers groups some of the best gaming, accommodations, food service and nationally known entertainment in the casino industry. Featuring over 2,400 slots, 40 blackjack tables and a 550-seat high stakes bingo hall, all in a Caribbean themed casino.

Twin City Model Railroad Museum

attractions

Saint Paul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 651-647-9628

metro

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

. . . 800-355-6273 501 West 78th Street – Chanhassen, MN 55317 www.chanhassentheatres.com groupsales@chanhassendt.com

Foodies on Foot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 855-236-6343 Stillwater, MN / www.FoodiesOnFootMN.com

Gondola Romantica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 651-439-1783 425 East Nelson Street – Stillwater, MN 55082 info@gondolaromantica.com www.gondolaromantica.com

Minnesota Historical Society

. . . 651-259-3444 345 W Kellogg Blvd – Saint Paul, MN 55102 www.mnhs.org Chief caretaker of Minnesota’s story and the History Center is home to the Society’s vast collections. Within our archives reside artifacts ranging from American Indian moccasins and artwork to furniture and photographs. Civil War-era flags and a wealth of genealogical information.

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

. . . . . . . . . . . . 952-445-7361 1244 Canterbury Road South #306 – Shakopee, MN 55379 www.renaissancefest.com

Mystic Lake Casino - Hotel Prior Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-496-7345

Northland Visions

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 612-872-0390 1113 E Franklin Avenue – Minneapolis, MN 55404

Padelford Packet Boat Company Saint Paul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 651-227-1100

Paradise Charter Cruises . . . . . . . . 888-559-8058 PO Box 563 – Excelsior, MN 55331 www.twincitiescruises.com w w w. i t i n e r a r i e s m i d w e s t . c o m

Wabasha Street Caves . . . . . . . . . . . 651-292-1220 215 Wabasha Street South – Saint Paul, MN 55107 www.wabashastreetcaves.com Down In History has exciting historic tours done by costumed characters. Historic Walking Cave Tours in Saint Paul and Stillwater. Motorcoach Gangster Tours, Irish Tours, Tacky Tours, Ghost & Graves Tours, & More! We make history fun!

convention & visitors bureaus and chambers metro

Burnsville CVB

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .952-895-4690 12600 Nicolett Avenue Suite 100 – Burnsville, MN 55337 www.burnsvillemn.com Discover vibrant Burnsville where everything under the sun is right under your nose. Enjoy a variety of affordable, comfortable and uncomplicated lodging options. Explore Minnesota’s signature venues and regional attractions, unique shops, diverse dining, fine arts and much more.

Eagan Convention and Visitors Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . .651-675-5546 1501 Central Parkway – Eagan MN 55121 denise@eaganmn.com / www.eaganmn.com Eagan makes planning your next group outing easy! Personal service includes custom and creative itineraries, FREE welcome bags and FREE Mall of America coupon books ($9.95 value) You’ll also enjoy our low 3% lodging tax. Ask how to qualify for our $250 cash rebate.

Saint Paul Convention . . . . . . . . . . .651-265-4906 & Visitors Authority 800-627-6101 ext 4906 175 West Kellogg Blvd, Suite 502 – Saint Paul, MN 55102 mhernandez@visitsaintpaul.com www.saintpaulgroups.com A classic group tour destination. In addition to offering a variety of group-friendly activities, we provide unparalleled service for tour operators and group leaders. Take advantage of our group services such as itinerary planning and meet & greet programs.

Wells Fargo History Museum

. . 612-667-4210 Sixth Street South and Marquette Avenue Skyway Level Minneapolis, MN 55402 wfmuseum.mn@wellsfargo.com www.wellsfargohistory.com Visit a fun, interactive museum on the skyway in downtown Minneapolis. See the glimmer of gold, send messages by telegraph, examine a historic stagecoach, and more! Guided tours available. Free and open to the public.

northern

Coborn’s Lake Itasca Tours Inc. 54725 Sunset St – Osage, MN 56570 . . . . 218-266-3660 Off Season phone: 218-573-2216 Naturalist narrated 2 hour tours to the Mississippi Headwaters aboard the 141 Pax “Chester Charles II”, on Lake Itasca. Unique opportunities for viewing and photographing wildlife. Snacks & beverages for sale. New in 2011: A local shuttle service available upon request.

Lutsen Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218-406-1319 Lutsen / www.lutsen.com The highest peak in MN. Stunning views of Lake Superior. The 200-mile Superior hiking trail and some of the finest accommodations on the North Shore. Ski it in the winter, see it all from the gondola in the summer, plus so much more.

southern

August Schell Brewing Company New Ulm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507-354-5528

Stillwater & Oak Park Heights CVB . . . . . . . .651-351-1717 PO Box 2025 – Stillwater, MN 55082 www.discoverstillwater.com Historic Stillwater, Minnesota is located along the banks of the scenic St. Croix River. Our many unique shops, restaurants, lodging establishments & attractions make a perfect group destination. Located within 30 min. of most major Twin Cities metro attractions.

northern

International Falls/ Rainy Lake CVB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-325-5766 301 2nd Avenue – International Falls, MN 56649 www.rainylake.org

Nisswa Area Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . . . . . 218-963-2620 25532 Main Street – Nisswa, MN 56488 www.nisswa.com

St. Cloud Area Convention & Visitors Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320-251-4170 525 Hwy 10, Suite 1 – St. Cloud, MN 56304 800-264-2940 jean@granitecountry.com / www.granitecountry.com Among the many attractions are world-class gardens, history, granite, and great places to stay and eat. The St. Cloud CVB takes pride in helping you plan the perfect getaway. Creativity is key to the success of your group tour.

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Explore Minnesota northern continued

Read ITINERARIES Midwest Online. Ads hotlinked to websites.

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entertainment & theater

Thief River Falls CVB

. . . . . . . . . . . . 218-686-9785 PO Box 176 – Thief River Falls, MN 56701 www.visittrf.org

Warroad Area Chamber . . . . . . . . . . 218-386-3543 311 State Ave North – Warroad, MN 56763 www.warroad.org

southern

Albert Lea Convention & Visitors Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .507-373-2316 102 W Clark Street – Albert Lea, MN 56007 800-345-8414 cvbdirector@albertlea.org www.albertleatourism.org Located 90 minutes from Minneapolis, where I-90 & I-35 intersect, featuring small town hospitality with big city amenities. Plus additional lakes and 38 city parks hosting various outdoor activities.

Austin CVB

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .507-437-4563 104 11th Ave NW Ste D – Austin, MN 55912 800-444-5713 visitor@austinmn.com www.austincvb.com SPAM Town, USA. Southern Minnesota Tourism at its best! Home of Fortune 500 Company Hormel Food Corporation. Tourists will be delighted with the SPAM Museum, Historic Hormel Home, Paramount Theatre, & other exciting attractions.

metro

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. . . 952-934-1547 501 W 78th St – Chanhassen, MN 55317 800-355-6273 www.chanhassendt.com Since 1968 Chanhassen Dinner Theatres have been recognized for quality theatre entertainment & fine dining. The nation’s largest professional dinner theatre is AAA Magazine recommended, “Any Twin Cities visit should include an evening at Chanhassen!”

Fairmont Convention & Visitors Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-657-3280 323 East Blue Earth, PO Box 976 – Fairmont, MN 56031 www.visitfairmontmn.com Fairmont the “City of Lakes” awaits your arrival. Located in southern Minnesota on Interstate 90 we have a range of lodging and dining options to fit your needs. Lakes, history, open spaces, discover Fairmont!

Mr. Twisty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320-310-0314 5821 Ridgewood Road – St. Cloud, MN 56303 www.mrtwistyicecream.com St. Cloud’s coolest hot spot! Serving up delectable ice cream creations, this walk-up shop is reminiscent of the ones you rode your bike to as a kid. The treats, low prices and friendly atmosphere keep guests coming back.

southern

History Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 651-292-4323

Pub 500

30 10th Street East – Saint Paul, MN 55101 jvaughn@historytheatre.com / www.historytheatre.com

Mankato . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507-625-6500

Veigel’s Kaiserhoff Minnesota Centennial Showboat

New Ulm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507-359-2071

Saint Paul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 612-625-4001

northern

shopping

GREAT Theatre

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320-258-ARTS 919 W Saint Germain Street – St Cloud, MN 56301 www.greattheatre.org The premiere community theater in Central Minnesota. GREAT has produced over 100 shows since 1998, including 5 World Premiere productions. Provides School Performances.

metro

Northland Visions

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 612-872-0390 1113 E Franklin Avenue – Minneapolis, MN 55404 Specializing in Native American art from the Woodlands and Plains tribes. Sculptures, paintings, beadwork, jewelry, native foods, original native and traditional art, gifts of the northlands, offering unique, all Minnesota gifts.

festivals & events

Explore Southern Minnesota Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .888-868-7476 ext 162 115 East Hickory #403 – Mankato, MN 56001 www.exploresouthernminnesota.com You’ll be surprised…at what you’ll find in southern Minnesota! With many scenic byways, festivals, parks & trails, historic sites, caves, bluffs, waterfalls & so much more, it makes a perfect destination for any group.

northern

metro

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

. . . . . . . . . . 952-445-7361 1244 Canterbury Road South #306 – Shakopee, MN 55379 www.renaissancefest.com

Minnesota State Fair . . . . . . . . . . . 651-632-2689 1265 Snelling Avenue North – Saint Paul, MN 55108 www.mnstatefair.org The great Minnesota Get-Together. Local, national and internationally-known entertainers, horse show and rodeo performances, Mighty Midway and Kidway rides, competitions, exhibits, attractions and concessions.

tour operators metro

Foodies on Foot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 855-236-6343 Stillwater, MN www.FoodiesOnFootMN.com

Valley Tours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 651-439-6110 101 Pine Street West #4 – Stillwater, MN 55082 info@valleytours.com / www.valleytours.com

International Falls southern

Wilder Pageant Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce

. . . . . . . . .507-451-7970 320 Hoffman Dr – Owatonna, MN 55060 800-423-6466 www.owatonna.org Located in south central MN, 45 minutes from Mpls/Saint Paul on I-35. Come “discover our faces & places” - filled with historical, recreational & cultural opportunities as well as nearly 700 guest rooms to accommodate any group.

Walnut Grove. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 888-859-3102

restaurants metro

Cherokee Tavern Willmar Lakes Area CVB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-845-8747 ext 79

Saint Paul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 651-457-2729

2104 Highway 12 East – Willmar, MN 56201 www.willmarlakesarea.com Visit the Willmar Lakes Area. Only 2 hours west of Minneapolis/Saint Paul. 360 lakes, 36 parks, 81 holes of golf – and that’s just on the drive in! Let our staff help put together a getaway for your group.

The Dock Café

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 651-430-3770 425 Nelson Street East – Stillwater, MN 55082 www.dockcafe.com

El Burrito Mercado Restaurant Saint Paul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 651-227-2192

Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter

. . . . . . 651-439-7128 8390 Lofton Avenue North – Stillwater, MN 55082 www.gasthausbavarianhunter.com

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Close to home. Far from ordinary.

missouri cities branson, cape girardeau, charleston, columbia, crocker, eagleville, farmington, fort leonard wood, hannibal, hermann, kansas city, jefferson city, mansfield, rock port, springfield, st. louis, st. joseph, st. robert, west plains

calendar of events

Titanic Museum

– Branson

Welcome to the world’s largest Titanic museum attraction. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a crewmember and each guest will be handed a boarding pass bearing the name of a Titanic passenger. For two hours, guest passengers will be swept up in the excitement, wonder and consequences of the Titanic story. Along the way, powerful emotions will surface as guests are invited to walk an elegant replica of the Titanic’s Grand Staircase, touch the frozen surface of an ‘iceberg,’ explore world-class gallery rooms with rare historical artifacts, see a First Class Stateroom & Third Class cabin, and engage with crewmembers who tell touching stories along the way. The ship’s mascots, Molly and Carter, work daily from 9am-5pm as a tribute to the dogs on board the vessel. The year 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of this “unsinkable” ship. This is sure to be a first class experience for you and your group. (See location on map, page 40)

continue to wet your feet in missouri… Mark Twain Riverboat, Hannibal

Celebration Cruises, Osage Beach

Book your group on a one-hour Sightseeing Cruise, with commentary of Mississippi River history, legends and sights. See Jackson’s Island, other riverboats and barges, Lover’s Leap and the mighty Mississippi River rolling along. Lunch may be requested for your group of 20 or more during the 11:00 am and 1:30 pm cruises if notified in advance. Or you may choose the evening Dinner Cruise, complete with live music, dancing, food and beverages. Your group will long remember your pleasant excursion on this triple-deck riverboat that is air conditioned and heated for your comfort.

Come aboard Celebration Cruises on Lake of the Ozarks. They offer a full-service lounge and a capacity of 150 passengers. The 80' Celebration is the lake’s largest and most luxurious climate-controlled motor yacht. Take your group on a 2-hour Luncheon Cruise and enjoy a delicious table-service lunch while enjoying the lake’s exceptional scenery and lakefront homes. Learn all about the lake with a narration during your cruise. You also may choose the option of an evening Dinner Cruise with excellent restaurant-style service and delicious entrees, expertly prepared in their galley, and served to you by experienced and friendly wait staff. Any Public Lunch or Dinner Cruise may be taken to enjoy the scenery, without food service.

Sea Life Aquarium, Kansas City (Projected to open April of 2012) Your group will be transported into an amazing underwater world. SEA LIFE Kansas City will take visitors on an enthralling 2-3 hour journey from the fresh waters of the Missouri River, into the mighty Mississippi River then out into the warm blue coral-strewn waters of the Caribbean Sea, ending in the deep dark abyss of the Atlantic Ocean. Come nose to nose with sharks and prepare for astonishingly close views of everything from humble starfish and seahorses to graceful rays. In addition, a stunning centerpiece will be a huge tropical ocean tank with a walk-through underwater tunnel. To get any closer you’d have to get wet! View over 5,000 creatures including sharks, seahorses, octopuses, jellyfish and rays.

Queen of the Mississippi, St. Louis (New in 2012) Journey to the heart and soul of America on American Cruise Lines’ brand new Mississippi Riverboat: Queen of the Mississippi. Reflect upon the role St. Louis played in the opening of the American frontier as you cruise past the famed Gateway Arch on the greatest sternwheeler to ever grace the Mississippi River. The authentic paddlewheeler will offer an unmatched level of comfort. Features include six unique lounges, a library, an elegant dining salon, elevator service to all decks, and the exceptionally large staterooms found on all American Cruise Lines ships.

april • Silver Dollar City’s World-Fest April 12-May 6, Branson 800-475-9370 • Cape Girardeau Storytelling Festival April 13-15, Cape Girardeau 573-335-1631 • Little Shop of Horrors April 20-May 20, Kansas City 816-235-2700 • World War II Weekend April 28-29, St. Louis 314-467-0741 may • Truman Heritage Festival May 3-5, Grandview 816-316-4812 • Wild West Fest May 4-6, Kingdom City 573-356-6558 • Silver Dollar City’s Bluegrass & BBQ Festival May 10-June 3, Branson 800-475-9370 • May Days Festival May 11-12, Jamesport 660-684-6146 • Riverdance May 18-20, St. Louis 314-534-1678 • St. Louis Bluesweek May 25-27, St. Louis 314-534-2100 june • HOBA 30th Annual Spring Bluegrass Festival June 7-9, West Plains 888-256-8835 • Downtown Hannibal Art Fair June 9-10, Hannibal 573-221-6960 • Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival June 15-16, St. Joseph 816-279-8893 • Midsummer’s Festival June 16, Lindsborg 785-227-8687 • White Hart Renaissance Faire June 23, 24, 30, July 1, Hartville 417-830-1410 july • Jefferson Barracks Blast July 3, St. Louis 314-615-5972 • National Tom Sawyer Days July 4-7, Hannibal 573-221-2477 • 25th Annual Bingham-Waggoner Antique & Craft Fair July 14, Independence 816-461-3491 • R.Woolery Memorial Pow-wow July 20-22, Sedalia 660-826-5608 (Contact area CVBs for complete calendars)

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Close to home. Far from ordinary.

convention & visitors bureaus and chambers Jefferson City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-519-2100

St. Joseph CVB

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-785-0360 109 South 4th Street – St. Joseph, MO 64501 cvb@stjomo.com / www.stjomo.com/stjogrouptours.aspx An All-American city born of the fur trade and brimming with a spirit of adventure. Recently named America’s “Top Ten Western City” by True West Magazine, we are a city abounding in 19th century charm and timeless beauty.

This sample itinerary can be customized for any time of the year. Explore Missouri Highway 36 for some of America’s most iconic stories! This 193-mile stretch of road travels from St. Joseph to Hannibal and is full of stories that uncover some of this country’s most memorable innovators.

glass. Come see how they create these timeless, beautiful and architecturally harmonious works of art. Visitors are invited to create their very own stained glass angel.

day two Among the rolling hills and farms across the northern part of the state, you can find stories about innovative people and processes that highlight American ingenuity. The corridor–spanning 36 miles south and 36 miles north of the actual highway–is dotted with museums and landmarks that will take more than a week to explore.

day one

Branson

www.itinerariesmidwest.com

From the Pony Express to Mark Twain, Find it on Highway 36!

directory & map

Missouri Division of Tourism

Read ITINERARIES Midwest Online. Ads hotlinked to websites.

1 – 3:00 pm Mount up and head to the Pony Express Museum. This famous mail delivery service started within these walls on April 3, 1860. Your guide will give a personalized tour of exhibits covering the creation, running and demise of the Pony Express. 3:00 pm Add color to your tour with a visit to Tobiason Stained Glass Studio. They have over 50 years of experience designing, fabricating, installing and restoring church windows throughout the country. Restoration is a difficult and tedious task, but is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding projects for owner Rick Rader. He specializes in all styles— whether traditional or contemporary—executed in stained glass, faceted glass or etched and carved

9 – 10:00 am Start your quest of innovation for the day by visiting the Glore Psychiatric Museum. Noted as one of the most unusual museums in the United States, Glore will give you a taste of medical innovation as the museum shares the history of mental health. You will be fascinated by the story of this selfcontained city that housed over 3,000 patients. Three floors of display rooms cover 400 years of psychiatric treatment and the history of this impressive facility. Glore is one of only six museums of its kind in the country. 10:30 – 11:30 am Your group will enjoy a leisurely walk through the exhibits at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. This museum houses one of the finest collections of 18th, 19th and 20th century American art in the Midwest. Call ahead to find out whose artwork will be featured during your visit. For more information or to customize an itinerary that is perfect for your group, please call Jolene Dempster at the St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-785-0360 or e-mail jdempster@stjomo.com.

BRANSON LANDING Waterfront Fountain Show

ranson Landing offers tours of Lake Taneycomo ranging from delicious lunch cruises to magical dinner cruises, from narrated sightseeing tours to special events and holiday cruises throughout the year. Every evening along the lakefront is a spectacular fountain show featuring 120-foot geysers, cannons, dazzling lights, flames and music. This spectacle of water and fire is a $7.5 million creation by internationally renowned Wet Design, the same company that created world-class shows for Downtown Disney and the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Enjoy the show from the lake in one of Branson Landing’s cruise ships: the 100’ Lake Queen Paddleboat or the Branson Landing Princess—a 100’ luxury yacht.

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Fountain Show Schedule: STOP Monday through Sunday Top of the Hour Shows beginning at noon through 10 pm Two Show Presentations at 7 pm *Special Performances of The Star Spangled Banner: Sunday–Thursday: noon & 8 pm Friday & Saturday: noon & 9 pm Book your cruise at www.bransonlandingcruises.com or call 417-239-3980.

ITINERARIES MIDWEST SPRING 2012

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Possibilities…endless

nebraska cities chadron, columbus, fremont, grand island, gretna, hastings, kearney, kimball, lincoln, mccook, minden, nebraska city, norfolk, north platte, omaha, royal, scottsbluff, sidney, valentine, york

calendar of events

Bryson’s Airboat Tours

– Fremont

Book your group on a high-speed airboat adventure on the Platte River, considered to be one of the nation’s best and most beautiful airboating rivers! And for those lucky riders who are at the right place at the right time, wildlife such as bald eagles, deer, river otters, turkeys and beavers may be seen, sometimes just a few feet from the airboat. Their staff will cater to all your group’s needs, short rides with lunch on the river or even a nice dinner, the sky is the limit. If adventure is wanted, adventure will be delivered; or if riders are more interested in seeing the scenery at a slower pace, a peaceful and relaxing ride is what your group will get. They promise it will be one of the most unique rides that you will go on; with movie theater style seating providing an astonishing view for all passengers. (See location on map below)

continue to wet your feet in nebraska… Bridge Crane Viewing Site, Alda Get a ‘birds-eye’ view from this platform, which provides an excellent view of cranes and waterfowl roosting on both sides of the Platte’s Alda Bridge at sunrise and sunset. This site has a small lake and a paved hiking trail. It is adjacent to a private sandpit lake that may attract over 100,000 geese. Besides cranes, herons, egrets, pelicans, waterfowl, and song sparrows, a host of other birds can be seen comfortably from this wooden deck.

River City Star Cruises, Omaha

Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium/ Schramm State Recreation Area, Gretna

Cabela’s, Sidney

This 330-acre state recreation area located along the Platte River offers spectacular views, hiking paths, and an interesting history of fishing activity in Nebraska. The site of the state’s first fish hatchery (1882) is now a fishing management museum. Inside the aquarium, 12 viewing tanks offer an amazing glimpse into underwater wildlife.

Lake Minatare State Recreation Area, Minatare Make a stop at Lake Minatare to see a unique attraction along the 2,000 acres of water. While you normally wouldn’t expect to find a lighthouse in Nebraska, they are home to one of only seven inland lighthouses in the nation. The 55-foot stone structure is open to the public, and your group can climb up to the top for a unique view of the lake and valley.

Enjoy cruising the Missouri River on Omaha’s only excursion vessel. Lunch cruises, sightseeing cruises and private charters are available. Your group can relax and enjoy dinner while cruising along the river. All dinner cruises feature live entertainment. Wine, spirits, and merchandise are also available. The lower deck features a fully enclosed bottom deck with temperature-controlled environment, plus an open-air upper deck with overhead canopy for all to enjoy the fresh air.

Get an up close look at their large 2000-gallon tanks with a variety of fish including rainbow trout, bluegill, catfish, channel cat, walleye, small and large mouth bass, pike, sturgeon, and many more species. In addition to offering quality outdoor merchandise, the 85,000 sq. ft. showroom features museumquality animal displays and trophy animals in realistic re-creations of their natural habitats. Fremont

april • 2012 Rails and Trails Event: Railroad Exhibit April 1-30, Madison 402-992-1221 • Wine, Writers and Song Festival April 13-15, Brownville 402-475-8663 • California Springtime April 20, Stanton 402-439-5100 • Prairie Loft SpringFest April 22, Hastings 402-463-0565 • Bargain Buyway – The Ultimate Road Trip April 27-29, Lynch 402-893-2880 • Heartland Storytelling Festival April 30-May 4, Beatrice 402-223-3514 may • Midlands Pirate Festival May 5-6, Papillion 402-331-5500 • Honky Tonk BBQ Festival May 11-12, North Platte 308-530-5139 • La Vista Daze May 24-27, La Vista 402-331-4343 • Victorian Festival May 25-27, Superior 402-879-3419 • Willa Cather Spring Festival May 31-June 2, Red Cloud 402-746-2653 june • Taste of Omaha June 1-3, Omaha 402-346-8003 • Gateway to the West Days June 7-10, Blair 402-533-4455 • Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival June 8-9, McCook 308-345-6163 • Wurst Tag June 9, Eustis 308-486-5545 • NEBRASKAland Days June 9-23, North Platte 308-532-4729 • Viero Great American Comedy Festival June 13-17, Norfolk 877-371-1020 • Summer Solstice Wine and Cheese Tasting at Ponca State Park June 23, Ponca 402-755-2284 • Petersburg Q125 June 29-July 1, Petersburg 402-386-5297 july • Bluegrass Festival July 3-4, Lyons 402-687-2485 • GermanFest July 7-8, Syracuse 402-269-7489 • Fur Trade Days July 13-15, Chadron 308-432-3149 • Wild Wild West Day July 21, Omaha 402-444-5071 • Concerts on the Creek July 28, Cambridge 402-429-8227 (Contact area CVBs for complete calendars)

directory & map Nebraska Department of Economic Development Lincoln . . 877-NEBRASKA

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Legendary

north dakota cities bismarck-mandan, bottineau, bowman, crosby, devils lake, dickinson, fargo/moorhead, garrison, grafton, grand forks, jamestown, langdon, medora, minot, rugby, valley city, wahpeton, west fargo, williston

calendar of events april • Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show April 13, Grand Forks 701-777-4090 • The Spring Big One Art & Craft Fair April 13-14, Minot 701-837-6059 • 2012 UNDIA Pow-wow April 20-22, Grand Forks 701-777-4321 may • NIRA DSU Blue Hawk Rodeo Stampede May 4-6, Dickinson 800-279-7391 • A Chocolate Affair May 5, Dickinson 800-279-7391 • Key Ingredients: America By Food – A Smithsonian Exhibit May 5-June 4, Hettinger 701-255-3360 • Skydance Sakakawea May 26-28, Garrison 701-337-5576 june • Happy Harry’s Ribfest June 6-9, Fargo 701-241-9100 • Irrigation Days June 8-10, Oakes 701-742-3508 • Medora Musical June 8-September 8, Medora 800-633-6721 • Midwest Viking & Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival June 22-23, Fargo 218-299-5510 • Fort Stevenson Frontier Military Days June 23-24, Garrison 701-337-5576 • Celebrating Our Legacy - 125 Years June 29-July 1, Fullerton 701-375-6049 july • Mandan Rodeo Days July 2-4, Mandan 701-751-2983 • Sertoma Fun 4th & Fireworks July 4, Grand Forks 701-746-0052 • White Cloud’s 16th Birthday & Tatanka Festival July 4-8, Jamestown 701-252-8648 • Red River Valley Fair July 10-15, West Fargo 701-282-2200 • Fargo’s Downtown Street Fair July 19-21, Fargo 701-241-1570 • North Dakota State Fair July 20-28, Minot 701-857-7620 • Taylor Horsefest & Musical July 27-28, Taylor 701-974-4210 (Contact area CVBs for complete calendars)

directory & map convention & visitors bureaus and chambers Fargo-Moorhead CVB Fargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-235-7654

North Dakota Tourism Division Bismarck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-435-5663

The Lewis & Clark Riverboat

– Bismarck

Bring your group on board to cruise the majestic Missouri River on the Lewis & Clark Riverboat. Choose a morning, afternoon or evening adventure on one of America’s most beautiful and historic rivers. The Lewis & Clark Riverboat, located at the historic Port of Bismarck, continues the proud tradition of the great river steamers that have traveled the mighty Missouri River from St. Louis to the trading posts of the great northwest since the 1830s. Travel the river of Lewis & Clark, Sakakawea, Custer and Sitting Bull in elegance and comfort on the last 150-passenger vessel on the upper Missouri. Any type of food and beverages can be provided at your request. The lower level can seat up to 72 passengers for a meal, or a buffet line is an option to enjoy both levels for your dining pleasure. A fully stocked bar and snacks are available. Docents are also available for hire during the season. (See location on map below)

continue to wet your feet in north dakota… Audubon National Wildlife Refuge, Coleharbor Part of a landscape marked by numerous wetlands called potholes, these land depressions are what remained after glaciers melted from the area over 10,000 years ago. Your group can begin their day at the Visitor Center. A new exhibit hall features exhibits on wetland and grassland habitat, migratory birds, John James Audubon, history and more. Encompassing 14,735 acres of native prairie, planted grasslands, and wetlands, these lands are managed to meet the needs of many species of wildlife. End your visit with a stop in the Prairie Pond Store for a souvenir.

Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium, Riverdale Located directly downstream of Lake Sakakawea, your group can explore the hatchery’s visitor center, which houses five 300-gallon aquariums displaying many of North Dakota’s fish species. The Wetlands Trail provides a unique adventure and insight into the value of wetlands. In October, trail-goers can witness the fall migration of salmon as they make their return to the hatchery. The Lewis and Clark Trail brings you back to the hatchery and provides interpretation into the past. Guided tours are available year-around with reservations.

International Peace Garden, Dunseith Devoted to world peace, and situated along the world’s longest unfortified border of Canada and the United States. Boasting colorful displays of 150,000 flowers, splashing across the grounds terraced walkways. Hear the 14-bell chime echo in the distance as you ponder the beauty of the two floral displays of the American and Canadian Flags, the only two floral designs that remain the same each year. The 120-foot concrete Peace Tower, and the Peace Chapel can be seen at the end of the formal garden. The Japanese Government presented seven Peace Poles in which the words “May Peace Prevail” are written in twenty-eight different languages. (Don’t miss the floral clock – 18 feet in diameter!)

Bismarck

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Great Faces. Great Places.

south dakota cities aberdeen, belle fourche, beresford, bridger, brookings, chamberlain, crazy horse, deadwood, de smet, flandreau, garretson, keystone, lake city, mitchell, mobridge, platte, pierre, rapid city, roslyn, selby, sioux falls, sturgis, watertown, webster, yankton

calendar of events

D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery – Spearfish Est. in 1896, and constructed to establish trout populations in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming. Groups can tour the historic grounds and buildings during the summer season. The Museum: contains over 185,000 items, the largest collection of fishery artifacts in the country. The Booth House (1905): Learn the history of the house and the families that lived and worked at the hatchery. The Railcar: The solution on how to quickly move fish from hatcheries to lakes and rivers around the country. By 1920, fish cars had carried over 72 billion fish across 2 million miles of railroad track. The Yellowstone Boat: a wooden Great Lakes style cabin cruiser, tells the story of workers who went on expeditions to Yellowstone National Park collecting trout eggs. And the fish: between 20,000-30,000 rainbow trout are stocked out of D.C. Booth each year, visitors can get up close and personal with brown and rainbow trout by feeding them from above or watching them through the underwater viewing windows. (See location on map, page 44)

continue to wet your feet in south dakota… The Capital City Queen Riverboat Tour, Pierre See the sights from the vantage point of the region’s early travelers — from a boat traversing the Missouri River. The Capital City Queen takes you on a two-hour cruise of historic landmarks, including the mouth of the Bad River where the Lewis and Clark expedition held counsel with the Teton Sioux. Wildlife is abundant and the scenery is spectacular. Any of our trips on the Missouri will give your group a new sense of South Dakota and what it offers. Canyon Lake Resort, Rapid City Bring your group for a relaxing dinner to Canyon Lake Resort, located on the west shore of Canyon Lake. Nestled in the foothills of the Black Hills, their Chophouse offers a full array of fresh foods and beverages your group can enjoy while enjoying the truly picturesque view.

Valiant Vineyards Winery, Vermillion Your group will love a relaxing visit to Valiant Vineyard Winery, South Dakota’s first winery, located on the Vermillion River and overlooking the Missouri River. They offer wine tasting and tours and meals for groups with advance notice. Tours include their winemaking facility, cask room and bottling

area with an expert guide and conclude with a wine tasting. They are also home to Buffalo Run Resort, if your group is interested in spending the night.

Missouri National Recreational River, Yankton Did you know Yankton has a National Park? That’s right, the Missouri National Recreational River runs right along Yankton’s historic waterfront. Bring your group and discover beautiful stretches of the Missouri River with plenty of outdoor activities. Start your visit at Riverside Park where there are exhibits detailing the history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the steamboat era and the Dakota Territorial Capital. A new hiking feature is the Meridian Bridge, recently converted to safe pedestrian access from downtown Yankton to trails in Nebraska. The bridge offers a wonderful vantage point to look upon the Recreational River’s Wild and Scenic waters.

april • CubFest 2012 April 14-15, Rapid City 605-343-2290 • Annual Mobridge Area Art Show April 14-15, Mobridge 605-845-7639 • Heritage of the American West Performance Series April 19, Spearfish 605-642-9378 may • Korczak Day May 3, Crazy Horse 605-673-4681 • Critter De Mayo May 5, Sioux Falls 605-367-7003 • 1880 Train: Mother’s Day Express May 13, Hill City 605-574-2222 • Custer State Park Spring Open House Weekend May 18-20, Custer 605-225-4515 • South Dakota Birding Festival at Fort Randall May 18-20, Wagner 605-384-3741 • Legends in Light® Laser Light Show May 26-Oct 8, Crazy Horse 605-673-4681 june • The Original South Dakota State BBQ Championships June 1-2, Huron 800-529-0900 • Fort Sisseton Historical Festival June 1-3, Lake City 605-448-5474 • Volksmarch June 2-3, Crazy Horse 605-673-4681 • Great Plains Hot Air Balloon Race June 9-10, Sioux Falls 605-332-6161 • Czech Days June 14-16, Tabor 605-463-2571 • Crazy Horse Stampede Rodeo & Gift From Mother Earth Celebration June 15-17, Crazy Horse 605-673-4681 • International Vinegar Festival June 16-18, Roslyn 605-486-0075 • Black Hills Bluegrass Festival June 22-24, Sturgis 605-348-1198 july • Wild West Days July 1-4, Faulkton 605-598-6592 • Lantern Tour July 14, Lake City 605-448-5474 • Horse and Buggy Days July 20-22, Sisseton 605-698-3980 • Hills Alive Music Festival July 20-22, Rapid City 605-342-6822 • JazzFest July 26-28, Sioux Falls 800-333-2072 • Gold Discovery Days July 27-29, Custer 800-992-9818 (Contact area CVBs for complete calendars)

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Great Faces. Great Places. directory & map convention & visitors bureaus and chambers Department of Tourism & State Development Pierre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-S-DAKOTA

Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 605-336-1620 200 N Phillips Ave Suite 102 800-333-2072 Sioux Falls, SD 57104 cbuchheim@siouxfalls.com www.grouptours.siouxfallscvb.com Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s largest city is located at the junction of I-90 and I-29 and offers abundant shopping, local flavor restaurants, vibrant downtown, accommodating hotels and historic Falls Park! Need Assistance? Tour itineraries, step-on-guides--we’ve got it!

Spearfish

ITINERARIES MIDWEST SPRING 2012

Read ITINERARIES Midwest Online. Ads hotlinked to websites.

www.itinerariesmidwest.com

The Falls of the BIG SIOUX RIVER

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ioux Falls, South Dakota is an easy city to promote. We have everything from outdoor adventures to shopping and culture. We take pride in our green and open spaces with over 70 parks within Sioux Falls.

STOP surrounding our city. The River Greenway project continues with construction on the east bank of the Big Sioux River with plans for the future on continued improvements.

The gem of our city is Falls Park located near the downtown district. The park covers approximately 123 acres and centers around “The Falls of the Big Sioux River.” Each second an average of 7,400 gallons of water drop 100 feet over the course of the falls.

The Falls of the Big Sioux River have been a focus of life in the region throughout history. Native American people were the first to visit the falls and bring stories of them to European explorers. The Falls have been the center of recreation and industry since the city of Sioux Falls was founded in 1856. See the city’s namesake as well as some of the first buildings built in Sioux Falls.

The first Big Sioux River Greenway was adopted in April 1975. The objectives were parks, trails, flood control, picnicking, archery, nature study, camping, motorized recreation area, horseback riding, winter recreation, water activities, and historic sites. The second Big Sioux River Greenway Plan was adopted in April of 1987. It had seven goals, and 39 items of concern. Nineteen have been completed and others are still in the planning stages and have yet to be completed. Today, the River Greenway is best known for the 20 plus mile bike trail

Falls Park features a visitor information center with a gift shop, a five story viewing tower offering a panoramic view of the park and the Overlook Café, which offers planned meal options for large groups. Falls Park is also home to a FREE Sound and Light Show featuring information about the history of Sioux Falls and is shown at 9:30 pm nightly, weather-permitting, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

1-877-832-7267

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5-Star Wilderness®

upper peninsula cities calumet, curtis, crystal falls, escanaba, iron mountain, iron river, ironwood, gladstone, grand marais, houghton, marquette, menominee, munising, newberry, ontonagon, st. ignace, sault st marie, wakefield, watersmeet

calendar of events

Pictured Rocks Boat Cruises

– Munising

Treat your groups to the world famous Pictured Rocks sandstone cliffs. Bring your camera on a breathtaking 2½-3 hour cruise along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The crystal clear blue green waters of Lake Superior have created masterpieces of colors and rock formations found nowhere else in the world. The cruise passes points such as Lovers Leap, Grand Portal, Miners Castle, and Indian Head. These rock sculptures are described with legend and lore by your captain. The boat slowly cruises close to some of the rocks so that you may take outstanding photos. The views are breathtaking, up close and wonderful! The beaches, sand dunes, & waterfalls along the Lake Superior Shoreline will delight viewers of all ages. The boat travels 18 miles along the lakeshore and turns around at Chapel Rock. Stop by their large gift shop for unusual gifts, sweatshirts, “T” shirts, books, nautical items, and lighthouse collectibles. (See location on map, page 46)

continue to wet your feet in the upper peninsula… Copper Harbor Lighthouse Tours, Copper Harbor

Soo Locks Boat Tours, Sault Ste. Marie

Your group will enjoy a narrated cruise through Copper Harbor’s once bustling port that takes you to one of Michigan’s oldest lighthouses, restored to its original beauty and overlooking the majesty of Lake Superior. This single tour encompasses a total lighthouse experience, including a ride in a boat similar to an early 20th century lighthouse launch. Once at the lighthouse, you will be met by a host who will assist you through the historic lighthouse complex, which includes a maritime museum, shipwreck artifacts, Michigan’s first commercial copper mine site, and easy historic walking paths. Please allow one and one half hours for the round-trip tour.

Experience the world’s busiest lock system aboard a delightful 2½ hour Luncheon Cruise. You will sail the historic waterway of the St. Mary’s River while enjoying a delicious buffet luncheon. This tour will take you through the Locks, right alongside the big freighters. Your tour boat will ride the water as it is raised twenty-one feet, straight up, to the level of Lake Superior.

Munising Bay Shipwreck Tours, Munising Book your group on an exploration of the depths of Lake Superior and its sunken vessels aboard the only place in the United States that you can see real shipwrecks on a Glass Bottom Boat! Shipwreck Tours offers modern travelers a chance to see the proud boats that sailed the Great Lakes before the turn of the century. Preserved by Lake Superior’s frigid waters, these doomed vessels lay on the bay bottom where they met their fates when the tempestuous Lake displayed its violent power. History comes alive as you hear about these turn of the century wrecks.

Toonerville Trolley Riverboat Tour, Soo Junction Welcome to the Tahquamenon Falls Wilderness Excursion. The Toonerville Trolley, an authentic narrow gauge railroad, takes your group 5½ miles through thick forest, the habitat of bear, deer, moose, gray wolf, and many types of birds. This incredible train has been in operation since 1927, the unique train ride and river boat tour provides the only access to the Upper Tahquamenon Falls. The tour combines the 24" narrow-gauge track of yesteryear with an old fashioned Riverboat Trip that is second to none in Pictured Rocks Wilderness Adventures! Food, beverages and restrooms available on the boat.

april • St. Ignace Home Show & Spring Expo April 13-14, St. Ignace 906-643-8676 • 24th Annual Spring Fling/ Whitefish Point Bird Observatory April 27-29, Paradise 906-492-3596 • Michigamme Moonshine Gallery Spring Art Show April 29-May 12, Michigamme 906-323-6546 may • Migratory Bird Festival May 1-31, Copper Harbor 906-289-4588 • Bobby Vinton at the Island Resort & Casino May 11-12, Harris 877-ISL-SHOW • 4th Annual Western UP Women’s Expo May 12, White Pine 906-884-4886 • Les Cheneaux Historical & Maritime Museums Open May 26, Cedarville 906-484-2821 june • Pine Mountain Music Festival June 1-July 15, Houghton 906-482-1542 • 63rd Annual Mackinac Island Lilac Festival June 8-17, Mackinac Island 906-847-3783 • Great Lakes Rodeo June 15-17, Marquette 906-367-7069 • 16th Annual Antiques on the Bay Classic & Antique Car Show June 22-23, St. Ignace 906-643-8087 • Soo Locks Engineer’s Day June 29, Sault Ste. Marie 800-647-2858 july • International Food Festival July 3, Marquette 906-228-7749 • 4th of July Celebration July 4, Grand Marais 906-494-2447 • Ishpeming 4th of July Celebration July 4, Ishpeming 906-485-1091 • 31st Annual Sault Tribe Pow-wow & Summer Gathering July 5-8, Sault Ste. Marie 906-632-0530 • 23rd Annual Folkfest July 13-14, Manistique 906-341-5010 (Contact area CVBs for complete calendars)

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5-Star Wilderness®

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directory & map accommodations

Park Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-632-6000

Americas Best Value Inn . . . . . . . 906-249-1712

3525 I-75 Business Spur – Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 www.parkinn.com

1010 M-28 East – Marquette, MI 49855 www.americasbestvalueinn.com

Quality Inn Lakefront. . . . . . . . . . . 906-643-7581

Best Western Country Inn . . . . . . 906-485-6345

1021 N State Street – St. Ignace, MI 49781 www.qualityinnlakefront.com

850 US 41 West – Ishpeming, MI 49849 www.bestwestern.com

Quality Inn of St. Ignace

Best Western Harbour Pointe Lakefront . . . . . . 800-642-3318 797 N State Street – St. Ignace, MI 49781 www.harbourpointe.com

Best Western Sault Ste. Marie . 800-297-2858 4335 I-75 Business Spur – Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 www.bestwestern.com

Budget Host Inn & Suites . . . . . . 800-872-7057

Marquette Country CVB

. . . . . . . 906-643-9700 561 Boulevard Drive – St. Ignace, MI 49781 www.qualityinn.com

Ramada Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-228-6000 412 W Washington Street – Marquette, MI 49855 www.ramadamarquette.com

Soo Locks Lodge & Suites . . . . . 906-635-3000 3295 I-75 Business Spur – Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 www.soolockslodge.net

attractions

Comfort Suites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-228-0028

Copper Peak Adventure Ride

Country Inn & Suites by Carlson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-225-1300 2472 US 41 West – Marquette, MI 49855 www.countryinns.com

Days Inn & Suites Saint Ignace Lakefront . . . . . . . . . 800-732-9746 1067 N State Street – St. Ignace, MI 49781 www.daysinn.com

Driftwood Motel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-643-7744 590 N State Street – St. Ignace, MI 49781 www.thedriftwoodonline.com

. .906-932-3500 PO Box 159 – Ironwood, MI 49938 info@copperpeak.org www.copperpeak.org Visit Michigan’s scenic Western Upper Peninsula for the only ski-flying facility in the Western Hemisphere. Enjoy numerous nearby waterfalls and historic sites to enrich your experience.

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum . . . . . . . . . . . .888-492-3747 18335 N Whitefish Point Road – Paradise, MI 49768 www.shipwreckmuseum.com

Kewadin Casinos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .906-632-0530 2186 Shunk Road – Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 www.kewadin.com

Mackinaw Trolley Company . . . .877-858-0357 Econo Lodge of Marquette . . . . . 906-225-1305 2050 US 41 South – Marquette, MI 49855 www.econolodgemarquette.com

Holiday Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-225-1351 1951 US 41 West – Marquette, MI 49855 www.mqtmi.holidayinn.com

. . . . . . . . 800-544-4321 337 W Washington Street – Marquette, MI 49855 www.marquettecountry.org We’re here to help you plan a trip for the memory books. We offer customized itinerary planning, step-on guides, reservation assistance, digital images, familiarization tours and more—all at no charge!

Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Visitors Bureau . . 800-647-2858 536 Ashmun Street – Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 info@saultstemarie.com / www.saultstemarie.com Our diverse waterfront community offers a wealth of year-round activities for your group to experience. Sault Ste. Marie is a place where you think with your heart and feel with your senses. Come to the “Place Where Michigan Was Born.”

St. Ignace Visitors Bureau . . . . . . 800-338-6660

700 N State Street – St. Ignace, MI 49781 www.stignacebudgethost.com

2463 US 41 West – Marquette, MI 49855 www.comfortsuitesmarquette.com

convention & visitors bureaus and chambers

PO Box 358 – Mackinaw City, MI 49701 mackinawtrolley@gmail.com www.mackinawtrolley.com Our experienced guides will advise and accompany your tour group during your Mackinac Straits area visit. Choose from a variety of narrated tours aboard a trolley or personal motorcoach. Customized tours available!

6 Spring Street, Ste. 100 – St. Ignace, MI 49781 www.stignace.com Visit Marquette National Memorial, walk the historic Huron Boardwalk, browse our shops or visit the bridge at sunset. St. Ignace offers great group activities at a relaxing pace. We’re your four-season destination!

restaurants Driftwood Restaurant

. . . . . . . . . .906-643-9133 590 N State Street – St. Ignace, MI 49781 www.thedriftwoodonline.com

Mackinac Grille

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .906-643-7482 251 S State Street – St. Ignace, MI 49781 www.mackinacgrille.com

tour operators Upper Peninsula Travel & Recreation Association . . . . . . 800-562-7134 P.O. Box 400 – Iron Mountain, MI 49801 info@uptravel.com / www.uptravel.com Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a “5-Star Wilderness” and one of the most popular destinations in the Midwest for group travel. Enter a world of fine attractions and unique experiences. There’s something for everyone!

Holiday Inn Express . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-315-2621 1171 Riverview Way – Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 www.hiexpress.com

Munising

Kewadin Casino Hotel & Convention Center . . . . . 800-539-2346 2186 Shunk Road – Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 www.kewadinsault.com

Kewadin Casinos Lakefront Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-539-2346 1131 N State Street – St. Ignace, MI 49781 www.kewadin.com

Landmark Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 888-752-6362 230 N Front Street – Marquette, MI 49855 www.thelandmarkinn.com

ITINERARIES MIDWEST SPRING 2012

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Travel Wisconsin

wisconsin cities appleton, ashland, baraboo, bayfield, beloit, brookfield, chippewa falls, columbus, eau claire, elkhorn, fort atkinson, fond du lac, green bay, hudson, la crosse, lake geneva, madison, manitowoc, milwaukee, minocqua, menomonie, mishicot, mount horeb, oshkosh, platteville, prairie du chien, sparta, st. croix falls, stevens point, stoughton, sturgeon bay, sturtevant, superior, tomah, two rivers, watertown, waukesha, wausau, woodruff, wisconsin dells

calendar of events

Dells Boat Tours

– Wisconsin Dells

A Dells Boat Tour is more than an awesome journey through scenery, history and legend. Nowhere else will you find such a high caliber and wide variety of group excursions. From unique charter cruises to custom events, they have something for everyone to enjoy. There is a 15-mile stretch of the Wisconsin River that is home to towering sandstone cliffs — spectacular natural sculptures carved by wind, water and time, and shaped by history and legends of Native Americans, traders and rivermen. This unique combination of beauty and mystery is yours to discover. Your group may prefer to enhance the evening with delicious food and live entertainment aboard a spectacular Sunset Dinner Cruise. Or for those who dare, the mysteries and frights of the new Lost Voyage and Ghost Boat adventures are as near as the next haunted port. Dells Boats have something for everyone, every hour of the day. (See location on map, page 49)

continue to wet your feet in wisconsin… Apostle Islands Cruise Service, Bayfield – Bayfield puts out the welcome mat for group tours; experience the Beautiful Apostle Islands in Majestic Lake Superior. If your group likes charming and scenic shoreline villages, you’ll love Bayfield’s unspoiled beauty. Their most popular cruise, the Grand Tour takes you on a narrated, informative, 55-mile, scenic cruise aboard the Island Princess. Experience extraordinary scenery, beautiful historic Raspberry and Devils Island Lighthouses, standing rocks, extensive sea caves and marine wildlife.

Lake Geneva Cruise Line, Lake Geneva – Choose from their Bay Tours, Full Lake Tours and even their unique Mail Boat Tour, plus much more! View beautiful estate and natural scenery that can only be viewed from on-board their beautiful boats. Group tours are their specialty and the staff will make your planning easy, by assisting in choosing the tour that best fits your needs and even booking packages with area attractions and restaurants, guaranteed to make your visit with them a great one.

Lock & Dam No.7 in Dresbach, Minnesota, your guide will explain the locking process.

Maritime Heritage Festival, Port Washington – Set course for Port Washington’s Maritime Heritage Festival and experience a celebration of all things that have made this community a historic lakefront destination. This awardwinning event features three majestic tall ships, an Artisan’s Marketplace, educational and historic activities and displays, two music stages, harbor tours, food/beverage court, fireworks and a cardboard boat regatta. A great deal more than a traditional maritime festival. [ August 17-19, 2012 ]

Wisconsin River Cruises, Rhinelander – View the beauty of the northwoods from the scenic Wisconsin River. Bring your group aboard one of their beautiful sightseeing or sunset cruises. Choose from sightseeing, Dinner Cruises with live entertainment, Fall Brunch and specialty cruises. Bring your camera and binoculars as you watch for wildlife including loons, otters and bald eagles. Special group pricing is available.

La Crosse Queen Cruises, La Crosse – Welcome aboard the authentic La Crosse Queen paddlewheeler for scenic delight on the upper Mississippi River! As she paddles the main channel of the river your guide will explain facts and trivia of the historical and present day river, plus local points of interest. Watch for eagles and other wildlife as you cruise past steep bluffs adjacent to the Great River Road, designated by AAA as one of the most scenic areas in America! At

Door County Fireboat Tours, Sturgeon Bay – Welcome aboard! This former Chicago Fireboat now takes narrated tours, lasting 1 1/2 hours and cruises Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal or to Sherwood Point Lighthouse. Snacks and refreshments, including full bar are available, plus memorabilia, a gift salon and restrooms. Incorporate a visit to the Door County Maritime Museum, located adjacent to the dock upon your return.

april • Spring Expo Craft & Gift Show April 14, Edgerton 608-289-1042 • Dairy State Beer & Cheese Festival April 21, Kenosha 262-654-6200 may • Taste of the Valley May 4, St. Croix Falls 800-222-7655 • Lakefront Artists Fair May 5, Racine 262-637-7892 • Bayfield in Bloom May 11-June 10, Bayfield 800-447-4094 • Yellowstone Trail Days May 11-13, Hudson 800-657-6775 • Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles May 17, Wausau 888-239-0421 • Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show May 19-20, Baraboo 866-693-1500 • Southern Wisconsin AirFest May 25-27, Janesville 815-420-7923 june • Port Pirate Festival June 1-3, Port Washington 262-388-9762 • Cambridge Art Fair June 2-3, Cambridge 608-764-5889 • Salute to Freedom June 9-10, Kenosha 262-653-4141 • Polish Fest June 15-17, Milwaukee 414-529-2140 • Solstice on Grand Art Faire June 16, Chippewa Falls 715-723-4970 • Cranberry Blossom Festival June 21-24, Wisconsin Rapids 715-422-4650 • Oneida Pow-wow June 29-July 1, Oneida 920-496-5020 july • Independence Day Americana Style July 4, Sheboygan 800-457-9497 • July 4th Celebration July 4, Lac du Flambeau 877-588-3346 • Polka Fest July 6-8, Ellsworth 715-273-5596 • Balloon Rally & Glow July 12-15, Wausau 715-843-0748 • Island Art Walk July 14, Minocqua 715-892-1204 • Country Jam USA July 19, Eau Claire 800-7800-JAM • Festa Italiana July 19-22, Milwaukee 414-223-2808 (Contact area CVBs for complete calendars)

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Travel Wisconsin

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Manitowoc County Lighthouse/Energy Tour! This sample itinerary is best during the spring and summer months, but can be customized for any time of year. This Itinerary is sure to be a hit! Spend three days exploring, learning and partaking in the culture, history and fun that Manitowoc County has to offer. Fox Hills Resort is only 10 minutes from lake Michigan, 30 minutes from Green Bay and only a few minutes from Door county, making it the perfect “Hub and Spoke” destination! USS Cobia

day one 4:30 – 7 pm Fox Hills Resort in Mishicot welcomes you with an on-bus greeting and a welcome reception in our hotel lobby. Your complimentary welcome reception will include changing season receptions. Guest room keys will be dispersed as well as luggage delivered to individual rooms. Rest, relax and explore the wonderful things that Fox Hills Resort has to offer. 7 – 9:00 pm Enjoy a wonderful dinner buffet that will be created just for your group by our catering department and served in our private dining room. Or you can also dine in our on-site Willowview restaurant or Benchwarmers Sports Bar.

day two 7 – 9:00 am Enjoy a hot breakfast in our Willowview restaurant or if your group has some golfers be sure to get an early tee time. 9 – 11:30 am Rawley point light house located at point beach state forest is among the brightest traffic signals on the great lakes, rising 113 feet above water (no tours, but a great view) and you can get out and walk around for some photos. Continue the Manitowoc Tour drive to a fully restored World War II submarine at the largest maritime museum on the Great Lakes, Wisconsin Maritime Museum. 11:30 – 1:00 pm Lunch at the Lighthouse Inn where you will enjoy a great lunch and a wonderful view of Lake Michigan while you dine. 1 – 3:30 pm You are off to the Point Beach Energy Center were you will see exciting displays featuring the history of electricity and electrical power generation through the use of nuclear energy, fossil fuels and renewable sources. 3:30 – 5:30 pm Take this time to head back to Fox Hills and enjoy some relaxation. Have your group take advantage of some of the amenities like a massage or special spa treatments. 5:30 – 8 pm You are headed to the Courthouse Pub where you will enjoy a wonderful dining experience and some history!

day three 8 am Have breakfast at the resort and then head south to Two Rivers and take a journey back in time at Rogers Street Historic Fishing Village. Celebrating 174 years of commercial fishing. Rogers Street Fishing Village and Great Lakes Coast Guard Museum exhibits an 1886 historic lighthouse, shipwreck display and artifacts. Discover tales of courageous seafarers and ill-fated schooners through old mariners’ tales of seafaring and survival. Learn about their French-Canadian history and heritage. For more information please contact your tour operator or Diane at Fox Hills Resort 920-755-3625 to book your tour.

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Travel Legendary Wisconsin

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Plymouth THE “HUB CITY” entrally located between Milwaukee and Green Bay at the intersection of Highways 23 and 57, Plymouth, Wisconsin is known as the “Hub City.” Nestled in the gently rolling hills of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, we invite you to the ideal place for groups to relax, rejuvenate and experience the four-season charm of Plymouth.

The newest additions to the “must-see” list for visitors are the Walldogs Murals. The downtown street lights went dark for one night, and the projector lights came on! Sketched overnight and painted over a four-day span in June 2011, 160 artists created 21 murals hot in downtown STOP Plymouth (bringing the total to 23), capturing the nostalgia and historic significance

of Plymouth’s rich business history. Be sure to pick up a map, outlining the location of each mural, from the Visitors Center or from any of the downtown businesses. Established in the late 1800s, downtown Plymouth is filled with historic charm. Shoppers will find everything from antiques, gifts, artwork, music, books, a cake shoppe, a coffee shop and much more. Along with the murals, you will be intrigued by the architecture and history of many of the buildings. Enhance your walk through downtown with the “Historic Plymouth Walking Tour” brochure, a self-guided tour of noteworthy buildings. The Plymouth Historic Museum is one of those buildings. The family-friendly museum features changing exhibits throughout the year and a gift shop. The newly-remodeled Plymouth Arts Center is home to Gallery 110 North, featuring rotating shows of mixed media artwork. The Arts Center also hosts a number of theatrical and musical shows throughout the year. Just to the east of downtown, on the Mullet River, is the Veterans Memorial Trail. The trail winds along the river, with 11 flags; each flag

represents a war or conflict that our country was involved in. There is an entry plaza with a memorial bell and bricks honoring the individuals who have defended our country’s freedom. Those who enjoy biking will find that Plymouth’s Recreation Trail, consisting of both off-road (paved) and street pathways connects to the Old Plank Road Trail, which runs parallel to Highway 23 for 17.5 miles, from Sheboygan to Greenbush. Part of Plymouth’s charm is its eclectic mix of dining choices. Whether you are looking for Italian fare, Irish dining or an authentic German meal, you can find it here. Relax with a cup of coffee, enjoy a pizza with friends, lunch at a drive-in, or have breakfast any time of day. End your day with a drive through the Kettle Moraine State Forest. While especially beautiful in autumn, the Forest beckons to those who love to take “the back way home” and explore the winding roads and spectacular views from the hilltops. Information on all that Plymouth has to offer for your groups call 888-693-8263 or visit www.plymouthwisconsin.com.

directory & map accommodations Fox Hills Resort

Plymouth Chamber/ Visitor Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 888-693-8263

attractions

Real Racine Racine

. . . . . . 800-950-7615 ext 3621 250 West Church Street – Mishicot, WI 54228 www.foxhillsresort.com Fox Hills Resort in Mishicot, Wisconsin features year round lodging, activities, meeting/banquet space, swimming pools, onsite Restaurant and Sports Bar with weekend entertainment, spa services and 45 holes of golf. Minutes from Green Bay.

Potawatomi Bingo Casino

. . . . . 414-847-7910 1721 West Canal Street – Milwaukee, WI 53233 groupsales@paysbig.com / www.paysbig.com At Potawatomi Bingo Casino you’ll experience plenty of casino action 24/7! The casino offers 500 slot machines, 8 table games, bingo and much more!

convention & visitors bureaus and chambers

647 Walton Drive – Plymouth, WI 53073 www.plymouthwisconsin.com See a record 21 beautifully hand-painted historic murals on buildings throughout downtown Plymouth—created by nearly 160 artists from around the world. Downtown is also home to art galleries, museums, antiques, specialty shops, inns, dining and lodging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262-884-6400

events Warrens Cranberry Festival Inc. Warren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608-378-4200

Wisconsin Dells

Chippewa Falls Chamber/ Visitor Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 866-723-0334 10 S Bridge St – Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 715-723-0331 allyson@chippewachamber.org www.visitchippewafallswi.com Chippewa Falls welcomes your group to visit our beautiful area. You’ll enjoy a variety of attractions, homemade culinary delights, exciting events, unique shopping, and pristine natural beauty. Conveniently located off of State Highway 53, State Highway 29 and near I-94.

w w w. i t i n e r a r i e s m i d w e s t . c o m

ITINERARIES MIDWEST SPRING 2012

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Keep Exploring

central canada cities manitoba

ashern, binscarth, brandon, dauphin, flin flon, grand rapids, portage la prairie, selkirk, steinbach, the pas, st. andrews, thompson, winnipeg ontario

atikokan, dryden, flanders, fort frances, kenora, longlac, sault ste. marie, sioux lookout thunder bay, vermilion bay

calendar of events april • Sinners, Saints and Spirits April 3-June 9, Kenora 807-467-2105 • Brandon Home & Leisure Show April 6-8, Brandon 204-727-4837 • Voices of the Prairie April 7, Portage la Prairie 204-239-4848 • Winnipeg Folk Festival April 21, Winnipeg 204-944-8824 may • Celebrations Dinner Theatre Presents Jail House Rock May 1-27, Winnipeg 877-823-8282 • Folklore Festival 2012 May 5-6, Thunder Bay 807-345-0551 • Cultural Fair – Yours, Mine and Ours May 11, Dryden 807-223-3004 • Kite Festival May 27, Thunder Bay 807-625-2487 june • TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival June 14-23, Winnipeg 204-989-4656 • Red River Exhibition June 15-24, Winnipeg 204-888-6990 • Manitoba Highland Gathering June 16, Selkirk 800-894-2621 • Antique Tractor and Vintage Car Show June 17, Vermilion Bay 807-227-2633 • Dauphin’s CountryFest June 28-July 1, Dauphin 800-361-7300 july • Thunder Bay Blues Festival July 6-8, Thunder Bay 807-343-2309 • Portage Ex July 7-9, Portage la Prairie 204-857-3231 • Triple S Fair and Rodeo July 13-15, Selkirk 204-757-7901 • Winnipeg Fringe Festival July 18-29, Winnipeg 204-956-1340 • Thunder Bay Dragon Boat Festival July 20-21, Thunder Bay 807-345-8467 • Neepawa Lily Festival July 20-22, Neepawa 866-893-0381 (Contact area CVBs for complete calendars)

The Forks

– Winnipeg

Explore The Forks, one of the loveliest public spaces in Winnipeg. This exquisite riverside attraction is in the heart of downtown, featuring a wonderfully eclectic market and a wide variety of restaurants and entertainment opportunities. For an on-site tour, join a costumed Parks Canada interpreter as they recount the 6,000-year evolution of The Forks and Winnipeg from a meeting place to a booming metropolis. Climb aboard the Splash Charter Boat, Winnipeg’s finest charter boat, available for cruises leaving from The Forks. Accommodating up to 35 people with a full-size, fresh-air upper deck and a spacious interior. Everything is taken care of as your group enjoys a cruise along the scenic Red and Assiniboine Rivers. The Forks is a must for a stunning array of dining experiences, incomparable shopping, and a constantly changing slate of entertainment. (See location on map below)

continue to get your feet wet in central canada… Agawa Canyon Tour Train, Sault Ste Marie – This tour may not take place ‘on the water’ however this one-day wilderness train takes you 114 miles north of Sault Ste. Marie over towering trestles and along pristine northern lakes and rivers, to the Agawa Canyon. During your excursion the tour attendants will tell your group about this fascinating country and its history. Just when you thought you’d seen it all, you will coast 500 feet down to the floor of the Canyon, where you’ll have nearly two hours to experience the pristine beauty up close. Enjoy four waterfalls or climb to the stunning lookout platform 250 ft. above the tracks. Lake Superior Visits, Thunder Bay – Offering Thunder Bay city and countryside tours and the Superior North Shore Tour – where your guide travels with your group for 200 miles along Ontario’s North Shore of Lake Superior - from Thunder Bay to Marathon, interpreting the “greatest” of the Great Lakes. Learn about her shipwrecks, ports & sailors, about moose & bear and the prospectors & prophets of North-western Ontario. Your guide will turn this scenic drive into an “Ontario Incredible” journey. In the summer, it doesn’t get dark in Thunder Bay until 10:30 pm, so you can enjoy many evening activities - a walk at Kakabeka Falls, a Marina Park concert or a stop at Mt. McKay Lookout.

Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg – Set sail on a thrilling voyage of excitement and discovery at The Manitoba Museum. Only here can your group travel through time to the roaring 20’s, explore a 17th century ship, and view treasures from around the world. There is always something new to experience. One of the newest additions is Ancient Seas – a completely immersive, animated underwater environment that takes you

back 450 million years ago to a tropical sea that once existed where Churchill is today. The Discovery Room is updated every six months with treasures from their vaults. Be sure to visit the newly refurbished Earth History Gallery, and discover why one of their curators is in the Guinness Book of World Records.

directory & map convention & visitors bureaus and chambers Tourism Thunder Bay

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-667-8386 PO Box 800 – Thunder Bay, ON P7C 5K4 / cpresenger@thunderbay.ca www.VisitThunderBay.com/GroupTravel Located just minutes north of the Minnesota/Ontario border, Thunder Bay offers numerous attractions, exceptional accommodations and sensational shopping and culinary delights. Contact us for marketing tools or any of your group tour planning needs.

Winnipeg Tour Connection

. . . . . . . . . . .800-665-0204 Winnipeg, Manitoba / www.tourismwinnipeg.com Winnipeg offers a variety of signature experiences, unique products and warm hospitality for your next travel group. We’ve made it easier than ever to plan your next trip with up-to-date planning features, specialized itineraries, images, video and promotional materials.

Winnipeg

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Designed by group travelers, grouplodgingmidwest.com is the premier online travel tool that gives you all the information you need to plan upper Midwest group travel stays. Enjoy peace of mind knowing you have the right contact names, numbers, maps, photos and little details that always make a difference. Bookmark grouplodgingmidwest.com today and come back often for new hotels to check out.

find these “group-friendly” hotels online now: IOWA

CORALVILLE/IOWA CITY

Suburban Extended Stay Hotel OKOBOJI

Arrowwood Resort & Convention Center MINNESOTA – Northern ALEXANDRIA

Hampton Inn DULUTH

Comfort Inn - West Comfort Suites Hampton Inn GRAND RAPIDS

Sawmill Inn

MOORHEAD

AmericInn Lodge & Suites SARTELL

AmericInn Lodge & Suites MINNESOTA – Twin Cities Metro BLOOMINGTON

Cambria Suites

Comfort Inn Airport Country Inn & Suites At Mall of America Country Inn & Suites West Courtyard by Marriott MPLS/Bloomington Crowne Plaza Bloomington Days Inn Bloomington West Embassy Suites Bloomington Embassy Suites Minneapolis Airport Extended Stay America Fairfield Inn by Marriott Hampton Inn Bloomington Hampton Inn & Suites Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis/Bloomington Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington Hotel Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport Holiday Inn Bloomington Airport I-35 Holiday Inn Express Minneapolis Airport/Mall Area Holiday Inn & Suites Minneapolis Airport Homewood Suites by Hilton Hyatt Place Minneapolis Airport-South La Quinta Inn Bloomington-Minneapolis La Quinta Inn & Suites Le Bourget Aero Suites Hotel Microtel Inn & Suites Minneapolis Airport Marriott Park Plaza

Quality Inn & Suites Ramada Mall of America Residence Inn Minneapolis/Bloomington Sheraton Bloomington Hotel-MPLS South Sofitel Minneapolis Staybridge Suites Super 8 Motel Travelodge ELK RIVER

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SAINT PAUL

St Paul Hotel SHAKOPEE

Americas Best Value Inn & Suites STILLWATER

Just for Me Spa

NORTH DAKOTA MOORHEAD

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EAU CLAIRE

Fanny Hill Victorian Inn

If you are a group-friendly hotel and want information to participate in www.grouplodgingmidwest.com, call the Itineraries Inc. office at 1-877-832-7267.

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Join us in Rapid City, South Dakota October 28th – 30th for the

2012 ITINERARIES MIDWEST Group Travel Show & FAM. Tour Operators, Bank Club Directors and qualified Group Leaders will have time for… • Appointment Session • Open Market Place • Find Out What’s New and Plan Itineraries • Area FAM Tour Coach departs from Minneota’s Minneapolis/Saint Paul area Saturday, October 27th. Arrive in Sioux Falls, South Dakota October 27th for an area FAM and overnight. Registration fees start at just $35 for a one day experience with no accommodations, to $145 for a full registration including transportation from the Twin Cities.

Call 877-832-7267 or visit www.itinerariesmidwest.com.