Itineraries Midwest Winter 2013/2014

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56 South 33rd Avenue, #234 | St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301 320-259-1082 | 877-832-7267 | Fax: 763-201-7945 info@itinerariesinc.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 Ashley Pipenhagen | JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER ashley@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) POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ITINERARIES Inc. 56 South 33rd Avenue #234, St. Cloud, MN 56301 PHOTO CREDITS

7D Cinema, Albert Lea CVB, Arts on Grand, Atchison Area Chamber, Austin CVB, Bloomington-Normal CVB, Brooks Stevens Inc., Calumet Theatre, Carleton College, Chicago Entertainment Cruises, Chris Dodson, Clay County Heritage Center, Council Bluffs Chamber & Tourism, Dodge City Area Chamber, Eagan CVB, Enjoy Illinois, Fairmont Opera House, Fargo Theatre, Gainey Conference Center, Grand Portage Trust, Greater Green Bay CVB, Hennepin Theatre Trust, Historic Forestville, Hospitality Investors, Iowa Theatre Artists Company, John Douglas Photography, Joplin CVB, Joplin Little Theater, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln County CVB, Litchfield Area Tourism, Little Falls CVB, Memories Ballroom, MTWichita, National Cherry Festival, Northfield Chamber, Omaha Community Playhouse, Owatonna Chamber & Tourism, Parker Historical Museum, Plymouth Playhouse, Preston Area Tourism, Robidoux Resident Theatre, St. Charles CVB, St. Joseph CVB, Sleepy Hollow Theatre, Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, Travel South Dakota, Troupe America, Visit Galena, Wabasha-Kellogg Chamber, Warroad Chamber/CVB, Worthington CVB

letter from

the publisher Dear Planner, Theatre is one of the most popular activities for groups, and this issue of Itineraries is jam-packed with some of the best opportunities for your groups to fill those seats.

You don’t have to go to Broadway to see high-quality theatre. The Midwest offers thousands of group-friendly venues for plays, musicals, concerts, dinner theatre, interactive theatre, opera, outdoor theatre…the list goes on!

For a dinner show, try the Robidoux Landing Playhouse in St. Joseph, Missouri. They’ve been performing to sold-out audiences since 2007 and they love groups! Or if your group is feeling adventurous, the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Theater in Keystone, South Dakota delivers a multi-sensory, Wild West adventure without ever leaving your seat. Learn about these and several more Midwest theaters in this issue.

Finally, we want to welcome Ashley to the Itineraries Midwest team! We look forward to having such a talented graphic designer on board.

Now read on, and find out how to put your groups in the spotlight!

Best Regards, Heather J. Lahren, CEO - Publisher

illinois iowa

table of contents winter 2013-14

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featuring

8 Now Showing:

minnesota

Group Tours in the Spotlight Theaters of the Midwest

COPYRIGHT 2013-14

Coming Spring/Summer 2014 !

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destination highlight Plymouth Playhouse profile Missouri Theaters

festivals ABA Top Events for 2014 calendar of events

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wisconsin - - - - - - - - - - - 47 on the cover Historic Trails…Become a Modern-Day Explorer Imagine your motorcoach is a covered wagon as you explore the trails paved by early settlers of the United States. The Midwest contains thousands of miles of historic trails waiting to be rediscovered by your groups. Navigate using the same North Star as Lewis & Clark, and take a tour designed to educate your group about the history of those who have explored before us.

central canada

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It’s been said, “All the world’s a stage.” With that in mind, taking your groups to the theater is still one of the most loved outings. There is an amazing array of live performances indoors and outdoors to be enjoyed.

It’s time to raise the curtain!

Read ITINERARIES Midwest Online. Ads hotlinked to websites. www.itinerariesmidwest.com

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destination highlight

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

Playing at the

Plymouth Playhouse I

f I said to you “Church Basement Ladies,” chances are you would reference the hit musical comedy and not wonder what was going on in the lower level of the parish hall. When you consider the show has been viewed by 1,635,000 theater-goers across 34 states and 248 cities, it’s a pretty safe bet that you or someone in your group has either seen the show, wanted to see the show, or

“

Pump Boys and Dinettes, Nunsense, The Lovely Liebowitz Sisters, and A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, it wasn’t until How To Talk Minnesotan: The Musical that things started to really get into high gear. Based on the popular book by Howard Mohr, How to Talk Minnesotan opened in January of 1997 and was “a huge, huge success” as publicist Linda Twiss says. It played to a million people

continuity to generations of farm families.

Each “Basement Ladies” show has enjoyed great success at the Plymouth Playhouse before touring nationally.

I caught up with Wollan at the Amana Colonies where Last (Potluck) Supper was opening. He’s thrilled with the popularity of the shows. Some critics have called Church Basement Ladies a Lutheran response to Nunsense, but Wollan We found our niche in a huge underappreciated group of people recognizes the appeal is far more universal. Stirring who love to look at themselves and laugh... up fond memories of growing up, whether Lutheran or not, there seems to be a statewide through the run of the show. knows someone who has been raving theme or a character in each of the Could it get any better? Well, yes it could. about it. Tipping the scales even further productions that people can identify in my favor is the fact that those statistics with. The hierarchy of the kitchen offers When Curt Wollan, producer and reflect just one show! Church Basement a character that just seems to remind us executive director for Troupe America, Ladies was such a huge hit it went on to of an aunt or a neighbor or perhaps even was urged by family members to check have four sequels. Can you name all five someone a bit closer. And those memories out Growing Up Lutheran, a fun and Church Basement Ladies shows? (Hint: stir up laughter and sometimes tears, but award-winning book by author/humorists The Last (Potluck) Supper is number 5). always in a feel-good manner. “I think Janet Martin and Suzann Nelson, he But the story, as is so often the case with people enjoy theatre especially when it’s couldn’t have imagined the journey he’d live theatre, is just as entertaining behind about their own lives,” he says. be starting. In 2005 Troupe America the scenes as it is on stage. commissioned a series of musicals based The original production of Church on the book, and Church Basement Ladies It really started in 1988 when Troupe Basement Ladies enjoyed a two and a was born. All five installments of the America, a Minneapolis-based theatrical half year run. Its sequel, Church musical comedy are inspired by the works production company, leased space at Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping, of Martin and Nelson. The fifth show is the Plymouth Playhouse — an intimate played to an equally enthusiastic also based on the Emmy Award-winning 211-seat theater housed in the Best response, followed by the holiday show, documentary DELAFIELD, produced by Western Kelly Inn located in Plymouth, Away in the Basement: A Church Mark Brodin. It follows the demise of his Minnesota. While the theater had enjoyed Basement Ladies Christmas, an even rural church that was once a source of plenty of success with productions like

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PLAYING AT THE PLYMOUTH PLAYHOUSE

bigger success. And the hits just kept on coming with the fourth show: A Mighty Fortress Is Our Basement. No matter the version, audiences have instantly fallen in love with the Church Basement Ladies.

The popular musical has grown to be the most successful show ever produced, either locally or nationally, by Troupe America in its twenty-five-year history.

Oh, wait a minute—you say you have not yet seen Church Basement Ladies: The Last (Potluck) Supper? Not only is it not too late, but put it on your must-do list! Dishing up more laughs and more fun, this is the one where they time-jump through a century. It begins in 1979 at the church’s Centennial Celebration.

While parishioners have gathered to

“We found our niche in a huge underappreciated group of people who love to look at themselves and laugh at themselves,” says Wollan. Indeed he has.

Hundreds of productions of Church Basement Ladies are now seen across the country from national tours to regional runs. It was the success of Church Basement Ladies that put Plymouth on the map, so to speak, solidifying the Playhouse as the Midwest’s premiere destination for original musical comedy. But something else has happened that is worth noting: sometimes these shows bring financial stability to struggling theaters and may even serve as their saving grace.

Still, the magic is not just a Midwest thing, no siree. It works everywhere, with huge successes being staged in Upstate New York, Nashville, Florida, North Carolina, and places out west. The first Canadian premier is scheduled for summer of 2014.

Having gained a reputation for launching original musical comedies that go on to tour nationally, I am sure you are wondering what is coming up next for you to bring your group to. The Church Basement Ladies: The Last (Potluck) Supper has been extended through June of 2014. Then July brings the return of Ring of Fire for a nineteen-week run.

Based on the music and life of singing legend Johnny Cash, this tribute uses Cash’s own music to tell his story with dance, comedy and more. The show is never an impersonation of Cash, but more of a tribute to an extraordinary talent who transforms his pain over the course of his life. You will be drawn in as you realize Cash never sang anything that didn’t touch him personally.

share hotdish, bars, and stories from the last 100 years, those loveable church basement ladies work in the kitchen, with their own shared memories bursting into life through a series of flashbacks. As Gary Block of Gary Block Tours says, “I can pretty much expect a sell-out every time.”

Besides its reputation as a great group destination, the Plymouth Playhouse is known for comfortable and roomy seats. The rows are tiered, with generous leg room, no visual obstructions, and the furthest seats from the stage are only 25 feet back. All performers have individual microphones so hearing is never a problem. Assisted listening devices are also available for no additional charge.

Group rates are affordable and start at

just 12 or more, and the theater is perfect for groups of all sorts. There is wheelchair access, no ticket service fee, and Green Mill catering service is available. Plenty of free parking, even for the motorcoach, and when you book a group they will even provide free promotional materials.

So what are you waiting for? Get your group together and let’s go play at the Playhouse! l

pretty much expect “ aI can sell-out every time. ” For your group’s “Playhouse Fun” call the ticket office at 763-553-1600 or email groupst@plymouthplayhouse.com.

And check us out on the web at www.plymouthplayhouse.com.

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EVERY THEATER HAS A STORY

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BY BRITT AAMODT

NOW SHOWING:

Group Tours in the Spotlight ome guy with a neck ruff and a pointed beard once said, “All the world’s a stage.” I think it was Shakespeare, and what the Bard of Avon knew better than anyone is that there’s nothing that says group experience better than theatre.

S

For this issue, we’ve compiled a stellar cast of theaters and performance destinations. They’re not only sized to accommodate your group, however big or small, but their productions, concerts and special programming are customizable to your star-studded itinerary.

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Act I The greatest advantage theaters offer to the tour operator is variety. You can cater to every taste in your group, whether it’s opera at Manitoba Opera, dinner theatre at Kansas’ New Theatre Restaurant, or ballet at Missouri’s Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. You can narrow your focus to stage plays—choosing from touring Broadway shows, oddball fringe theatre or Shakespeare in the round—or sample the smorgasbord of art forms available to theatergoers.

You can take in standup comics, bluegrass, jazz, symphony orchestras and improv, and many times theaters have multiple performance spaces under one roof. So you can choose from that evening’s happenings or give your members the option of their choice.

American Players Theatre in Wisconsin offers a delightful indoor theater and an even more stunning outdoor theater, set among hills and woods. That way you can take advantage of a balmy night with a picnic under the stars. South Dakota’s Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant recreates the Little House books in the same prairie where some of her stories were set. How cool is that?

Omaha Community Playhouse gained fame for giving a start to fledging actors like Henry Fonda, Marlon Brando and his mother Dodie Brando. But your group can come face-to-face with today’s Broadway and TV stars at the Music Theatre of Wichita. With a little advance notice, a theater can schedule a meet-andgreet with cast members and director.

Other theaters provide two trips in one. Travel back in time to Medieval Europe at Schaumberg Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament while also enjoying a real-time panoply of jousting, horsemanship and falconry. Also in Illinois, you’ll find 1920s bootlegging alive and well at Tommy Gun’s Garage. This is an interactive speakeasy, so hide the flask when cops bust through the door.

Immerse yourself in Amana culture and in high-end performance at the theaters of the Amana Colonies in Iowa.

Students from the local Bismarck-Mandan community re-interpret classic plays for your group at Sleepy Hollow Summer Theatre & Arts Park. Both locations allow you, with some planning, to pair an

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interpretive tour of local culture and history with an evening stage play.

Hennepin Theatre Trust in Minneapolis has preserved four theaters of the original 30 show houses that made up Theatre Row. What an opportunity for a guided pre-show walking tour.

Act II Theaters really are one of the best places to go for groups. Kearney Community Theater in Nebraska works with your schedule and your appetite with matinee and evening performances, as well as providing dinner theater with a no-dinner option. Wisconsin’s St. Croix Off Broadway will greet you at the door. Tour leaders and bus drivers get complimentary dinner and show, and there’s always a convenient motorcoach spot in the lot.

The Theatre of Ewing, Illinois, wants you to get the most bang for your bus group.

They’ll take you behind the scenes, show you how a stage play is put together and then lead you outside for a pre-show picnic with serenading madrigal singers. Wonder if they take song requests?

The Des Moines Community Playhouse is an old pro with groups.

You’ll have your own volunteer ambassador to show you around and let you in on sneak peeks and special programs available only to groups. The ultimate in customizable theater can be found at Fargo Theater, home to the Fargo Film Fest, where your group can rent the hall and create your own theme night. Robidoux Landing Playhouse in Missouri runs sell-out shows. But they’ll partner with you to offer an intimate group night at the theater.

Theaters also work with your special needs in other ways. Several theaters, like Kansas’ Theatre Lawrence, are built so that every seat in the house has an unobstructed view and most seats are within 20 feet of the stage. Wharton Center in Michigan is equipped with captioning for group members with hearing loss.

Act III Maybe all this theatergoing will make your group eager for a chance to strut their stuff on the boards. It’s all well and good to sit and watch a performance, but interactive theatre takes the group experience to a new level. Shake up your itinerary. Get your group involved in live theatre!

There is usually a mystery theater in every town. They come in all varieties.

Sometimes you’re given a prize for a sleuthing out the murderer. And sometimes you are the murderer.

Like Tommy Gun’s Theater, where your group becomes the speakeasy crowd, you can rustle up any number of immersive theatrical experiences. Themes run the gamut from Ye Olde England to Out West and Homespun Midwest.

Woodtick Musical Theater in Minnesota takes a cue from the popular radio program A Prairie Home Companion. They offer a variety show jam packed with comedy, toe-tapping music, dance and skits. But you’ll also be encouraged to sing along with old time favorites.

And if your group is really itching to get out of their seats, book them in at Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Theater in South Dakota. They’ll be armed with laser guns and an Old West plot to make your boots curl. They’re the actors who drive the plot of this shoot-em-out. Saddle up.

Curtain Call Theaters are built for groups. They come in all shapes and tastes, and offer group rates and services. Some have special tours and programs on hand for beforeand after-show hours. A lot of their programming is available only to tour groups. And if you don’t see what you’re looking for, work with their group ambassadors to stage that one-of-kind experience your group members will be talking about for years.

So dim the lights, sit back and enjoy the show.

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festivals Itineraries Midwest would like to congratulate the following events for being selected as part of the

2014 AMERICAN BUS ASSOCIATION’S

TOP 100 EVENTS IN NORTH AMERICA! ABA’s Top 100 Events in North America is an annual compendium of the best events for group travel in the U.S. & Canada. In creating this list, judges considered the event’s broad appeal, its accessibility to motorcoaches and skill at handling large groups, plus a variety of other relevant criteria. Listed below are the events from the list that can be found in the regions covered by Itineraries Midwest magazine.

Galena Oktoberfest

National Cherry Festival

Galena, IL | October 4, 2014 www.galenaoktoberfest.com

Traverse City, MI | July 5-12, 2014 www.cherryfestival.org

Wear your best lederhosen and dirndls and join

more than 4,000 people—and 125 dogs—at the eighth annual Galena Oktoberfest. Visitors instantly enter into a traditional German Festhalle where the polka music is booming and the bratwursts are simmering. Catch a seat to see the competitive wiener dog races or challenge yourself in the beer stein endurance contest. Proceeds from the event are contributed back into local charities through the Galena Lions Club.

Remember the sights, sounds and smells of a summer celebration in your hometown when you were a kid? Happy days return to Traverse City’s beautiful Lake Michigan shores each summer with more than 100 events, including free air shows over the bay, colorful parades, wine and culinary galas, music shows, sporting events, marching bands, rides, pie-eating contests, classic car show, an arts and craft fair, orchard tours and loads of luscious cherries prepared every way you can imagine.

Amelia Earhart Festival

Christmas Traditions

Atchison, KS | July 18-19, 2014 www.atchisonkansas.net

St. Charles, MO | Nov 28-Dec 24, 2014 www.historicstcharles.com/ things-to-do/christmas-traditions

Every summer, Amelia Earhart’s hometown, Atchison, Kansas, celebrates the famed aviatrix with a two-day festival. The weekend opens with LakeFest, an outdoor concert featuring country music stars. Saturday activities include food, live music and crafts on Atchison’s downtown pedestrian mall. The grand finale—on the scenic banks of the Missouri River—features live music, aerobatic performances and a spectacular fireworks show.

Dodge City Days Dodge City, KS | July 25-August 3, 2014 www.dodgechamber.com

Visit

Dodge City for a “New Twist on the Old West” during Dodge City Days! This 10 day festival hosts more than 50 events including concerts, parade, Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned contest, classic car and arts & crafts show, and much more! Embrace our western culture at the Dodge City Roundup Arena where we host a top ten PRCA rodeo. Then, at high noon, head on over to the Boot Hill Museum and watch the gunfight and Miss Kitty & Her Can Can Dancers at the Long Branch Saloon! With so many activities, come “Get the Heck into Dodge!”

Grand Portage Rendezvous Days Grand Portage, MN | August 7-10, 2014 www.nps.gov/grpo/planyourvisit/ special_events.htm

The Grand Portage Rendezvous interprets the

annual fur trade rendezvous of 200 years ago, including historic encampment, demonstrations, and activities. It showcases the Great Lakes Fur Trade, which influenced the history of North America. The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Pow-Wow is an annual American Indian cultural gathering focusing on dance, song, and family celebration with traditional foods, music, crafts, and more than 350 dancers.

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Remember a time in America when life was simpler and Christmas was elegant and magical?

With twinkling lights and the scent of roasting chestnuts, you’ll stroll Main Street enjoying holiday music from Victorian Carolers and Lewis & Clark Fife and Drum Corps. Celebrating its 40th season, our charming village on the Missouri River comes alive with Christmas Legends and Santas from around the world. Shop and dine along the festively decorated brick-paved street. Christmas past is our present to you.

North Platte Rail Fest North Platte, NE | Sept 19-21, 2014

As the home of Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard, the www.nprailfest.com

largest railroad yard in the world, North Platte’s Rail Fest is one of the premier railroad attractions in America. Your motorcoaches are invited to join in the caravan of buses that are actually allowed to travel through the busy railroad yard. Live steam and various locomotives of the UP Heritage Fleet will be on hand for tours. From there you are invited to get a birds-eye view of the busy yard at the nearby Golden Spike Tower.

Custer State Park Annual Buffalo Roundup & Arts Festival

Custer, SD | September 26-28, 2014 www.custerresorts.com/ about/17th-annual-buffaloround-up

More than 14,000 spectators attend the Annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival each year to experience true old West in action as Custer State Park’s herd of 1,300 bison is rounded up by cowboys on horseback. Special bus parking, free admission, open seating. Featured on ABC’s “Born to Explore” 2012. Stay the weekend and join in on the Volksmarch up Crazy Horse Memorial!

To view the complete list, visit www.buses.org.

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tour illinois theaters…

Tommy Gun’s Garage CHICAGO Tommy Gun’s Garage is an interactive “speakeasy” experience that offers a musical comedy review wit da gangsters, da flappers and YOU! (uh, dat’s audience participation).

After a delicious sit-down dinner, join “Vito,” “Gloves,” and the gangsters and the flappers for non-stop comedy and dangerous fun. Your group will be transported back to the 1920s, complete with the boss’s 1928 Model “A” Ford, Roaring Twenties music, and memorabilia from the era. Be ready to hide your hooch (alcohol) ‘cause we could get raided by da coppers at any time.

You could even get pulled up on stage to perform a sobriety test given by Officer Murphy! Chicago’s Longest Running Audience Interactive Dinner Show

Conklin’s Barn II | GOODFIELD For over 35 years, Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre has hosted thousands of people and turned the classic “dinner and a show” into one hearty, hilarious and unique entertainment experience. Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre offers renowned plays and casually eloquent dining, with a “down home” ambience that complements its country style meals. All held in this rustic barn, built in 1941!

Galena

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Surrender to an age of bravery and honor and witness epic battles of steel and steed during this all-new show! From ringside seats, discover a feast for the eyes (and appetite!) with more action, more fun, and more excitement than ever before.

As you thrill to a rousing live jousting tournament, marvel at awe-inspiring horsemanship and falconry. Medieval Times serves a four-course meal fit for royalty. They happily offer special rates and services for groups!

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Peoria 438 seats, watching world-class Macomb 24 ○ Bloomington t 155 136 Shakespeare performances under the 136 136 74 51 night sky…what group wouldn’t love Rushville 74 T 24 72 55 this? The festival offers three plays in 67 Champaign Jacksonville 36 a lovely outdoor setting on the grounds 74 r t 150 Springfield of Ewing Manor—a 1920s mansion built Marshall 54 57

by Wrigley heiress Hazle Ewing. Prior to T 51 70 each nightly performance (except Mondays), 55 t Effingham 67 they present a Green Show in the courtyard.

70 45 It often offers an abbreviated version of the play Highland 50 t ○ Collinsville 50 to come. The manor grounds serve as picnicking 57 spots for the audience as madrigal singers stroll Belleville 64 64 3 the grounds. The festival runs from the later part of ○ Whittington June through the middle of August. t

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament | SCHAUMBURG

St. Charles

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See a play or a musical performance at the wonderfully ornate Coronado Performing Arts Center, which was once a 1920s movie palace and Vaudeville hall. The Coronado still features its original whimsical details, such as gilded Spanish castles, Chinese dragons in relief on the walls and a faux starry sky. This is the venue for many performing arts groups and traveling shows. Catch a Broadway show in 2014, such as West Side Story or see the Moscow Festival Ballet in May.

spotlight illinois

Coronado Performing Arts Center | ROCKFORD

94 Libertyville ○

Mt. Carroll

Take a backstage tour! Peek into secret passageways and hidden backstage rooms. Discover interesting bits about the history of the festival and how they put a season together.

These 30-minute tours leave from the courtyard ticket office at 6pm each night. Please book in advance. (See location on map)

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Illinois: Mile after Magnificent Mile.

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Mile after Magnificent Mile.

Read ITINERARIES Midwest Online.

Ads hotlinked to websites.

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Chicago: The Ultimate Entertainment Experience!

This sample itinerary can be customized for any time of year.

Entertainment Cruises

Magnificent Mile

day one 1 – 2:00 pm Start off your day in Chicago on a high note from the 94th floor of the John Hancock Observatory and step out onto the Skywalk, an open-air viewing deck that hovers 1,000 feet above the Magnificent Mile.

2 – 4:00 pm Afterwards, hit the Magnificent Mile to shop upscale boutiques on Michigan Avenue such as Chanel and Burberry, along with shopping centers that include Water Tower Place and the 900 North Michigan Shops

(home of Bloomingdale’s).

4 – 5:00 pm Check into one of Chicago’s group-friendly hotels and freshen up before your night on the town.

5 – 7:00 pm Chicago’s Magnificent Mile offers visitors a delectable spread of places to dine. It’s a melting pot of global flavors and every foodie’s fantasy.

7 – 9:00 pm Chicago's bustling Downtown Theater District offers theatrical productions direct from Broadway and world

premieres of productions destined for Broadway.

Choose a production to see on the stages of the Oriental Theatre, the Cadillac Palace Theatre, the Bank of America Theatre, the Auditorium Theatre or the Broadway Playhouse. Whichever venue your group picks is sure to delight one and all.

9:00 pm Later, head to Buddy Guy’s Legends, owned by the famed blues guitarist, to experience the finest blues seven nights a week.

day two 8:30 – 10:30 am Enjoy a late breakfast and a little local sightseeing before the day’s big adventure!

10:30 – 12:30 pm See Chicago’s cityscape by boat on Entertainment Cruises. Choose from an informative and amusing river and lake architectural tour or any of their famous speedboat rides aboard the Seadog. Or create a custom event from scratch. Entertainment Cruises’ unique vessels offer the complete cruise experience, from bow to stern, delivering the best seat for some of the nation's most famous skyline views.

12:30 – 1:45 pm For lunch, head to the rockin’ Hard Rock Café, celebrating over 25 years at the corner of Clark and Ontario, in the heart of Chicago's River North neighborhood.

1:45 – 3:30 pm A trip to the Museum of Contemporary Art is last on your itinerary. It showcases cutting-edge works by some of the most thought-provoking artists of our time. The MCA boasts a gift store, bookstore, restaurant, 300-seat theater, and a terraced sculpture garden with a great view of Lake Michigan.

For more information contact your tour operator or Entertainment Cruises at 1-866-391-8439 or www.entertainmentcruises.com.

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ITINERARIES MIDWEST WINTER 2013-14

1-877-832-7267

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Mile after Magnificent Mile.

Read ITINERARIES Midwest Online.

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Bring Your Group to Litchfield and Include Route 66 This two-day itinerary can be customized for any time of the year.

directory attractions Chicago Entertainment Cruises. . . . 866-391-8439 401 E Illinois Street, Suite 310 – Chicago, IL Planning with Entertainment Cruises in Chicago is an effortless process - we have ready-made lunch and dinner cruises onboard the elegant Odyssey, festive Spirit of Chicago and contemporary Mystic Blue that are perfect for your upcoming event.

convention & visitors bureaus and chambers Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau . . . . . . . . . 888-895-8233 2304 173rd Street – Lansing, IL www.visitchicagosouthland.com Experience true Midwestern hospitality on your next motorcoach tour. The Chicago Southland CVB is the official, state designated, nationally accredited destination marketing organization (DMO) for Chicago’s 62 south and southwest suburbs. Discover the Chicago Southland Advantage!

Experience the Route 66 restaurants and museum, historic downtown, nearby wineries, a walk on the beach and an overnight stay in their modern, national brand hotels. Litchfield can customize group tour visits with the friendly help of their full time director of tourism. Call 217-324-8147 or e-mail tourism@cityoflitchfieldil.com.

day one 8 – 9:00 am Start your day with breakfast at Jubelt’s, a third generation family-owned bakery and restaurant, located on Historic Old Route 66.

9 – 11:00 am Visit the new Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center to learn more about Litchfield’s special place in Route 66 history. The museum features a large display area that includes a period automobile.

11 – 2:30 pm Spend some time shopping on the west side or in Historic Downtown Litchfield. This 12-square-block area is within easy walking distance of the Carnegie Library and Litchfield Veterans’ Memorial Garden.

Your group can have lunch at one of Litchfield’s many deliciously different dining options. Pub Donegal features Irish fare and is a favorite lunch spot while visiting the historic downtown.

2:30 – 6:00 pm Take a short drive to Forsee Vineyards. Established in early 2008, they are nestled in the landscape of rolling hills and part of the Heartland Rivers Wine Trail.

Guests are offered several opportunities to share in their passion and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere as they tour and sample wines.

at Shoal Creek Conservation Area or walk along Milnot Beach.

10:00 am Treat your group to some ice cream from “The Ice Cream Man.” For more information or to customize this itinerary for your group, contact your tour operator or the Litchfield CVB at 866-733-5833 or www.VisitLitchfield.com.

Visit Litchfield . . . . . . . . . . . . 866-733-5833 120 East Ryder St – Litchfield, IL 217-324-8147 tourism@cityoflitchfieldil.com Litchfield boasts a 1,400-acre public recreational lake, a historically preserved downtown area with many points of interest, Route 66 icons, antique shopping, a broad range of dining options, hotels, nearby golf courses and wineries.

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

day two 8 – 10:00 am Head for the great outdoors at beautiful Lake Lou Yaeger, a 1,400-acre recreational lake minutes from downtown. Follow one of the two nature trails

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Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center CEDAR FALLS On the campus of the University of Northern Iowa, the Gallagher Bluedorn hosts over 300 performances each year—from major musical stars, to hit Broadway shows like Memphis, Hello Dolly! and The Nutcracker Ballet. Three concert halls, a soaring lobby and the best acoustics in Iowa provide groups an unparalleled environment for enjoying live performances.

Des Moines Community Playhouse | DES MOINES This is the second-largest community theater in the U.S. and also one of the oldest. From today’s most talked-about musicals to riveting classic plays, they provide high quality theatre at affordable prices.

Volunteer ambassadors are a hallmark of the Playhouse's group program. All are passionate about live theatre and will give your group personal attention and even share a few behind-the-scenes stories. Make your visit unique with a post-show Meet the Actors Q&A, talkback, or backstage tour. These unforgettable experiences are free and exclusive to groups (available upon request).

Keep in mind Les Misérables is coming March 21st – April 13th, 2014.

The Elkader Opera House hosts a wide range of local, regional and nationally known artists. The Opera House Players put on a spring and fall production each year and local musical groups like the Keystone Barbershop Chorus and Big Blue Sky are area favorites. Elkader Opera House offers a charming and intimate setting. The views are great from every seat and the new state-of-the-art sound system ensures a quality experience.

Riverside Theatre | IOWA CITY Each year, from September through April, Riverside Theatre produces a full season of work—including classic plays, new plays, musicals, a monologue festival, and more—at their theater on Gilbert Street.

During June and July, bring your group to experience the Shakespeare Festival in Iowa City’s Lower City Park, held in a 472-seat outdoor amphitheater. They are Iowa City’s resident professional theatre company, currently in their 32nd season. Join them along the way, won’t you?

spotlight iowa

Elkader Opera House | ELKADER AMANA COLONIES

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oday the seven villages of the Amana Colonies represent an American dream come true; a thriving community founded on religious faith and community spirit.

Groups have a couple of choices for live theatre, but if they cannot decide, stick around and enjoy both venues!

Amana has so much to offer all their guests.

Iowa Theatre Artists Company See a live, professional stage performance in a 99-seat, intimate theatre setting that offers comedy, music and more. April through December.

The Old Creamery Theatre Company This is a live, professional theatre with two stages to choose from, offering the finest in entertainment. From comedies to dramas to musicals and children’s shows, the Old Creamery Theatre has it all!

Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965, the Amana Colonies attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, all of whom come to see and enjoy a place where the past is cherished and where hospitality is a way of life.

Iowa: Life Changing

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Life Changing

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Council Bluffs: Iowa’s Leading Edge

Historic General Dodge House

This sample itinerary can be customized for any time of year.

10 – 11:00 am Groups love to visit the Pottawattamie County Court House. Grant Wood corn murals from the Chieftain Hotel have been restored to their former glory. The murals have been placed in the lobby of the courthouse, meant to make viewers feel as if they were sitting in an Iowa field with tall stalks of corn, rolling hills and barns dotting the horizon.

11 – 12:30 pm Train lovers all enjoy a trip to the Union Pacific Railroad

February 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 2014. Vanities surprised everyone - including its author - by becoming one of the most successful Off-Broadway plays in history. The comic study of three Texas cheerleaders as they come of age in the 1960s and 1970s is funny and poignant in its treatment of this transitional era for women.

For more information on this sample itinerary contact your tour operator or the Council Bluffs CVB 1-800-228-6878 or www.councilbluffsiowa.com.

Museum. Housed in the former 1903 Carnegie Library, this Beaux Arts-style building showcases one of the oldest corporate collections in the nation. Their newest exhibit is “Building America.”

12:30 – 2:30 pm Lunch will be served by Dixie Quicks Public House & RNG Gallery. Savor southern cooking with Cajun and Tex-Mex. As a fun bonus, step into the next room and experience the art shown in the RNG Gallery and try your hand at making a piece of art.

2:30 – 3:30 pm Tour the Historic General Dodge House, built by one of the greatest railroad builders, General Grenville M. Dodge. It’s historically authentic with many of its historic heirlooms on display in the 14-room mansion.

3:30 – 4:30 pm Cell Phone Tour All you need is a cell phone to take a free audio tour of public art in Council Bluffs. See Molecule Man and the Odyssey by Albert Paley, which is some of the newest artwork along with many other interesting pieces.

4:30 – 5:30 pm Check into an area hotel, welcoming groups with open arms!

5:30 – 7:00 pm A great stop for an unforgettable outdoor adventure is Bass Pro Shops. Enjoy breathtaking architecture, wildlife displays, and an 18,000-gallon fish tank filled with more than 200 fish. After exploring the store, have dinner at Uncle Buck’s Grill inside the Bass Pro Shop.

Relax in a rustic setting while viewing a 13,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, home to scores of colorful, exotic fish, while enjoying your favorite beverage and dinner.

7 – 9:00 pm An evening at the Chanticleer Community Theater.

They provide 5 seasonal performances in September, November, January, March and May, including Broadway musicals, comedies and dramas. See Vanities running

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Life Changing

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directory accommodations AmericInn of Ames . . . . . . . 515-233-1005

Arts On Grand

Clay County Heritage Center

2507 SE 16th Street - Ames, IA 50010 ames.ia@americinn.com www.americinn.com/hotels/IA/Ames Conveniently located near all the attractions and excitement in the area. Every guest is welcomed with a smile, great service, an inviting indoor pool, free hot home-style breakfast & a quiet night’s sleep! A perfect fit for any tour!

AmericInn of Spencer . . . . 712-262-7525 1005 13th Street SW - Spencer, IA 51301 spencer.ia@americinn.com www.americinn.com/hotels/IA/Spencer Count on us to be your best lodging choice in the Iowa Great Lakes area. With unmatched service and amenities that include free hot home-style breakfast, indoor pool and WiFi. Visit Arts on Grand, retail, golf, Clay County Fair and more!

Country Inn & Suites . . . . . 515-233-3935 Parker Historical Museum

A Day in Beautiful Spencer This sample itinerary can be customized for any time of year.

12:30 – 1:30 pm Step back in time with a visit to the Parker Historical Museum of Clay County. The museum collects and preserves Clay County history and heritage in a 1916 Arts and Crafts period house and the adjacent Duroe Building. The artifacts in the museum’s permanent collection date primarily from 1860 - 1950 and include a rosewood piano, Victorian organ, Observatory time clock, 1918 LaFrance fire truck, vintage clothing, china and agricultural tools.

1:30 – 2:30 pm The Clay County Heritage Center is located at 7 Grand Avenue featuring historical exhibits of Clay County in conjunction with the Parker Museum. The facility features multiple galleries and showcases the museum collection with interpretive exhibits. The center also houses the Clay County Convention & Visitors Center.

2:30 – 3:30 pm Arts on Grand is a facility on Spencer’s main street operated by the Spencer Area Arts Council - a nonprofit organization. The facility offers an exhibit gallery featuring original artworks by local artists, pottery and painting studios, and unique evening events ranging from artist receptions to musical groups. Classes, workshops, and educational programs are offered for artists of all ages throughout the year.

3:30 – 4:30 pm Up and down beautiful Grand Avenue, branching out

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from the downtown historical district you’ll find great gift ideas. Antiques and collectibles, home furnishings, flowers and home décor, sporting goods, hobbies and crafts, home improvement, automotive supplies and dealers, shoes, clothing and so much more!

4:30 pm Check into Spencer’s AmericInn. Your group can count on AmericInn to be your best lodging choice, with unmatched service and remarkable amenities.

5:30 – 7:00 pm Have dinner at Prime Rib, a restaurant offering a delicious evening dining experience, specializing in prime rib & corn-fed beef.

7 – 9:00 pm An evening of entertainment awaits you at the Spencer Community Theatre. Housed in a renovated grocer’s warehouse, the SCT Playhouse offers quality community theatre experiences for people of all ages. Tours are always welcome. Groups can also arrange a tour of the renovated warehouse. And don't forget to ask to see the costume shop on the second floor!

9:00 pm Return to the AmericInn for the night. Perhaps a relaxing swim in the pool?

For more information on this sample itinerary contact your tour operator or Lori Reese with Hospitality Investors at 763-263-6366.

2605 SE 16th Street - Ames, IA 50010 Debra.Pratt@countryinns.com www.countryinns.com/amesia Situated by Interstate 35, our location puts you within easy reach of Jack Trice Stadium, Reiman Gardens, Iowa Arboretum, Adventureland theme park, White Oak Vineyards and much more. Enjoy our indoor pool, WiFi, daily Manager’s Cocktail Reception and complimentary hot breakfast.

Country Inn & Suites . . . . . . 319-545-8464 2571 Heartland Place - Coralville, IA 52241 cx_crvl@countryinns.com www.countryinns.com/coralvilleia Just off I-80/I-380 an ideal location for experiencing the Amana Colonies, Englert Civic Theatre, Coral Ridge Mall, Wilson’s Orchard, Iowa City Community Theatre, and the University of Iowa. Enjoy complimentary hot breakfast, free Wi-Fi and indoor pool.

Country Inn & Suites . . . . . . 641-236-9600 1710 West Street South - Grinnell, IA 50112 cx_grin@countryinns.com www.countryinns.com/grinnellia Grinnell has been named one of the Top Ten Coolest Small Towns in America! Come see all there is to do!

Just minutes off I-80 we pride ourselves on warm hospitality. Enjoy complimentary hot breakfast, free Wi-Fi and indoor pool.

convention & visitors bureaus and chambers Council Bluffs CVB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-228-6878 ext 130 149 W. Broadway – Council Bluffs, IA 51503 dhestness@councilbluffsiowa.com www.councilbluffscvb.com Allow the Council Bluffs Convention and Visitors Bureau to make planning your next group tour a little easier!

Designing itineraries, suggesting dining options, organizing entertainment, and coordinating lodging are just a few of the services offered through the CVB.

1-877-832-7267

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The Depot Theater Company DODGE CITY For close to three decades, the Depot Theater Company has been the crown jewel in Southwest Kansas’ thriving theatre scene, offering a state-of-theart dinner theater, cutting-edge “Side Track” productions, cabarets & much more. The company is their very own Broadway on the Prairie. Groups will enjoy delightful plays performed by experienced actors in the beautifully restored Dodge City Santa Fe Depot.

A delicious meal in lovely surroundings accompanies most productions.

Theatre Lawrence | LAWRENCE Experience entertainment that is always in 3D! No special glasses needed! Enjoy the excitement of live theatre in an intimate setting.

Don’t miss any of the comedy, the music or the drama. Bring your groups to Theatre Lawrence where no seat is more than twenty feet from the action. With a thrust stage surrounded on three sides by tiered seating, your view will always be close and unobstructed. The relaxed, informal atmosphere also makes it a great place to sip a glass of wine and view exhibits of work by local artists.

Theatre Lawrence will help make your group’s evening special!

OVERLAND PARK This 600-seat theater features Broadway-style musicals and comedies starring award-winning actors from stage, TV and film including Jamie Farr, Marion Ross and Marla Gibbs to name a few.

Guests are treated to 5-star American cuisine in a comfortable and elegant theater and dining showroom, which has been cited by Gourmet magazine for “outstanding dining.” Then…dishes are cleared, the lights are dimmed and the curtain goes up on a Broadway-style spectacular. Evening performances are available every evening except Monday and matinee performances on Wednesday and Sunday.

Mosley Street Melodrama WICHITA Groups love The Mosley Street Melodrama. It’s a great excuse to let your hair down, relax, laugh and have fun! Boo the villain and cheer the hero at Wichita’s only audience participation dinner theater. They offer a full evening of fun, food, and fantastic live entertainment that everyone will enjoy! You’ll get an idea of the fun you may have just by reading some of the show titles, such as Butch Cassidy & the Can’t Dance Kid, Shakespeare’s MacBethlehem Christmas, Dirty Square Dancing— you get the idea. So come along and don’t be shy; your group is about to have the time of their life!

spotlight kansas

New Theatre Restaurant

WICHITA

Music Theatre of Wichita

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oin them for an exciting 2014 season as they present five outstanding productions: South Pacific, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, West Side Story, 42nd Street, and Catch Me If You Can. At MTWichita, your groups are always guaranteed top-flight Broadway guest stars, full professional orchestras, and lavish sets and costumes. Each summer, MTWichita self-produces five Broadway-scale musical productions using a unique mixture of top professionals from Broadway and Hollywood, working hand-in-hand with talented Midwesterners. The resulting productions have received praise from critics in New York, Los Angeles, Canada, and Europe.

Chosen by the American Bus Association as one of the Top 100 Must-See Events in North America!

Kansas: As Big As You Think

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tour michigan theaters…

Wharton Center EAST LANSING Michigan’s largest presenter of performing arts is located on the campus of Michigan State University and offers more than fifty attractions each year. Whether your groups enjoy the best in Broadway shows, dance, classic music, or jazz, it can be found at Wharton Center. Open captioning is a service at Wharton Center for people with hearing loss that uses a text display to provide a simultaneous translation of dialogue and lyrics during a live performance, as well as a description of sound effects on stage. The service is open to everyone for viewing in a designated seating area without any special equipment needed by the audience member.

spotlight michigan

Potter Center at Jackson College | JACKSON

CALUMET

Calumet Theatre

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he theater opened in 1900 with a touring Broadway production of Reginald De Koven’s The Highwayman.

In the ensuing years, the theater’s marquee read like a “who’s who” of American theatre. The auditorium was renovated for the village’s centennial in 1975 and is a National Historic Landmark. Today, the venue annually hosts 60-80 events with a total attendance of nearly 20,000. Nearly all of the performing arts disciplines are represented, including symphony, folk music, jazz, opera, theatre, dance, and community events, as well as public meetings and guided tours. Bring your groups for an unforgettable performance in this classic theater of days gone by.

Pure Michigan

More than 150 cultural events are showcased annually in the Potter Center, including Broadway productions, national & international touring shows, local community groups, in-school productions and visiting performers. The Potter Center houses three theaters: Ruth M. Day Theatre, Michael Baughman Theater and the Harold V. Sheffer Music Hall.

The campus complex has enjoyed national attention after more than 30 years of welcoming familiar stars and outstanding productions to the campus. Groups can choose from a variety of wonderful performances to suit anyone’s taste.

Miller Auditorium KALAMAZOO This is the premier performing arts venue in West Michigan, and features touring productions straight from Broadway, live concerts, comedy events and family shows. Groups are eligible to book seats before they go on sale to the general public, and with advance notice, some shows offer post show lectures and meet and greet tours. If you will be in Kalamazoo and want an evening of fun and entertainment, bring your group here and see a show!

Lake Superior Theatre MARQUETTE Enjoy the incredible views of the Marquette Harbor at the best little theater with the biggest shows! Join them in their converted boathouse with nautical artifacts for the best in entertainment and adventures on the Superior seas! They recently completed their 15th season with the return of their signature original musical celebrating regional history: Beacon on the Rock. Your group will be humming all the way home!

Forget the opera glasses…laugh, shed a tear, and feel like you are on Broadway in easy, intimate, air-conditioned comfort.

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Pure Michigan

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MENOMINEE “Where the best of Michigan begins” hen we say that Menominee is “Where the Best of Michigan Begins” we mean every word of it. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is a special place, and Menominee is where it starts.

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From our wonderful neighborhoods to our historic downtown to our beautiful waterfront, Menominee is a town your group will love! Menominee is located at the mouth of the Menominee River where it empties into the Bay of Green Bay, part of northern Lake Michigan and only a one hour drive north of Green Bay, WI. The Menominee River divides the state of Wisconsin from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with Marinette on the south side of the river while Menominee is on the north side. Groups can take full advantage of this by sharing in the best each state has to offer, simply by crossing over the river.

Here are some group-friendly options: • In the summer months, be sure to take in the summer concerts on Stephenson Island (WI side) mid-June through mid-August and at the band shell located at the Menominee Marina (MI side). This site has a large grassy area used extensively throughout the summer for concerts, events and festivals.

• The Porterfield Country Music Festival is a great group outing and is scheduled the 3rd weekend in June, beginning Thursday and ending Sunday, at Green’s Green Acres Campground, six miles west of Marinette. National country acts have included Patti Loveless, Joe Diffie, Crystal Gayle, Kenny Chesney and others. Visit their website at www.countrymusicfestival.com.

• A “Mini-Tour” of Marinette County’s Waterfalls is a big attraction and is becoming increasingly popular. Being the third-largest county in the state, visitors are sometimes caught trying to see too much in too little time. Now your group can take one of four shorter tours that will allow you plenty of time to visit a number of falls without feeling like you missed out on something.

The names of the Falls are: Veteran’s Falls, Long Slide Falls, McClintock Falls, Smalley Falls, Strong Falls, Bull Falls, Twelve Foot Falls, Dave’s Falls, Eight Foot Falls, Pier’s Gorge, Eighteen Foot Falls, and Pemene Falls.

• Your group can enjoy a performance at Theatre on the Bay, located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Marinette.

Their first performance began in 1966.

Recent productions have included: Peter Pan, Nuncrackers, Hair, and The Sound of Music.

Tickets are reasonably priced. Their box office opens the first week in June for the summer season, and one week before the fall and spring productions. Call 715-735-4313 for reservations.

• Groups love to dine at Schloegels Bay View Restaurant in Menominee, MI. They have been serving the motor coach industry for over 30 years, offering both set/all inclusive or off the menu dining options. Enjoy the Bay View Room or the outdoor patio for those who just can’t bring themselves inside on a sunny U.P. summer day.

• And when it’s time to turn in, choose the AmericInn Lodge & Suites-Menominee.

Located so guests can enjoy nice peaceful lake views from their own private patio! Proud to provide the amenities groups want at the highest level possible, starting with quiet rooms.

The Menominee hotel has a variety of room types, including suites with whirlpools and fireplaces that are perfect for group travelers.

Wake up each morning with free, hot, home-style AmericInn Perk breakfast and stay connected with free, hotel-wide, high-speed Internet.

For more information on this area contact hot your tour operator or call AmericInn STOP Lodge & Suites Menominee 906-863-8699.

directory accommodations AmericInn of Menominee . 906-863-8699 2330 10th Street - Menominee, MI 49858 Menominee.mi@americinn.com www.americinn.com/hotels/MI/Menominee Imagine after a day of tours relaxing on a bench looking out at the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan’s Green Bay. We offer lake view rooms, indoor pool, hot tub, free hot home-style breakfast, & WiFi, all perfectly located within the Lower U.P.!

convention & visitors bureaus and chambers Experience Grand Rapids . 800-678-9859 171 Monroe Avenue NW - Grand Rapids, MI 49503 www.experiencegr.com Grand Rapids makes it easy for your motorcoach group to share a memorable travel experience. The city offers a variety of arts and culture, fantastic restaurants, plenty of outdoor recreation, shopping and lodging.

Marquette County CVB

. . . 800-544-4321 337 W Washington Street - Marquette, MI 49855 www.travelmarquettemichigan.com 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!

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Woodtick Musical Theater | AKELEY Come one, come all, to the greatest musical show in the Northwoods, featuring the Woodtick Musical Band performing lively bluegrass, country, folk and gospel music. It’s sure to keep your toes tapping and your hands clapping. Sing along? Ya sure, you betcha! Sing classic songs from years past or fresh new hits of today.

And don’t forget everyone’s favorite Norwegian, Lena Olson. She’s always up to something that will tickle your funny bone. The Woodtick Theater personifies the spirit of music and comedy of the popular public radio show, A Prairie Home Companion.

And though it may not look like Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, the talent of its performers seems to leave audiences just as satisfied.

spotlight minnesota

Marion Ross Performing Arts Center | ALBERT LEA Enjoy a variety of entertainment at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, offering plays, concerts and specialty shows year-round. For something completely different, your group can join them for The Met: Live in HD to give people an opportunity to see The New York Metropolitan Opera live and also National Theatre Live. This is an initiative operated by the Royal National Theatre in London, which broadcasts live performances of their productions to movie theaters, cinemas and arts centers around the world.

MINNEAPOLIS

Hennepin Theatre Trust

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he historic State, Orpheum and Pantages Theatres are unique to Minneapolis and continue to be among the finest venues in the Midwest. The Trust works to preserve, maintain and improve these nearly century-old venues to ensure they operate smoothly into the future. Whether your group is seeing the hottest Broadway shows under the Orpheum’s chandelier, staring up at the Pantages’ stained glass ceiling during a concert or examining the State’s colorful murals at intermission, please enjoy a performance in the setting of these architectural gems filled with a character all their own. These theaters were originally part of Minneapolis’s own “Theatre Row,” with more than 30 show houses lining Hennepin Avenue. Today, only four of them still exist. The New Century Theatre, a flexible-use performance space, opened in City Center in 2011 and complements these other historic venues. All venues welcome groups of all kinds and offer customized service to fit your group's specific needs!

Explore Minnesota

Guthrie Theater | MINNEAPOLIS Now celebrating its 50th season, The Guthrie Theater is known for its dynamic productions of classic and contemporary plays. Open to the public year-round, this award-winning cultural destination houses three theaters, dramatic public spaces and distinctive dining. The building was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel and features a 175-foot cantilever bridge, which overlooks the Mississippi River. Come and see why TIME magazine calls it “a 21st century dream factory.”

Pioneer Place | ST. CLOUD Pioneer Place Theater on Fifth was originally built as an Elks Club in 1913.

This intimate venue hosts high-quality professional theater, comedians, musicians, and other traveling shows.

The upstairs of this grand historic building originally housed chambers where fellow Elks could spend the night. It is also home to one of the most admired points of interest: a turn-of-the-century porcelain floor model urinal named The King. In 2005, Pioneer Place expanded its service by opening The Veranda Lounge—a beautiful wine bar with full spirits overlooking Fifth Avenue.

Come see what rich history this building holds and maybe purchase a souvenir t-shirt featuring The King!

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Explore Minnesota Try these Down in History tours: Winter Lights Tour – December If the festive lights of the winter season are more your speed, then you’ll love our Winter Lights Tour. The familiar 2-hour deluxe motorcoach tour that shows off the biggest and brightest displays of holiday cheer in our chilly capital city. Your guide is a member of winter lore, who will lead you on your fun-filled tour.

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WABASHA STREET CAVES We are the “ORIGINAL!” he Wabasha Street Caves are carved out of sandstone and date back to the 1840s.

Throughout history the caves have been used for a number of different activities, including growing mushrooms, storage of food and belongings, music, and dancing.

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In the 1920s, the caves were used as a restaurant and nightclub venue known as the Wabasha Street Speakeasy. The speakeasy is said to have been frequented by gangsters such as Ma Barker and John Dillinger. However, there is no evidence that these visits occurred; thus, these stories are considered legend. Legend or not, it is always fun to bring your group to Wabasha Street Caves.

The No Blarney Tour Are the streets of Saint Paul really laid out by drunken Irishmen? Why are Saint Paul’s most notorious figures of Irish descent? See how Irish immigrants influenced architecture, politics, and religion in Saint Paul’s past.

(Available to groups of 25+) Twin Town Tacky Tour Join the Gunderson girls, Gloria and Gladys, on a journey to the tackiest places in Saint Paul & Minneapolis. How often do you get a chance to see the very spot where shopping bags with handles were invented? (Available to groups of 25+) The Uff Dah!! Tour Set out to discover how and why immigrants from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland came to settle in Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Why did Ole & Lena settle here, and what is Lefse? (Available to groups of 25+) Mill City Mobs Tour This tour shows you the MiniApple when it was rotten to the core. Yes, there were gangsters in Saint Paul, but there were the rackets and mobsters in Minneapolis. (Available to groups of 25+) Rivers & Roots Tour Journey with us and learn about the formation of the Twin Cities around the Mississippi River.

Have you ever wondered how Minneapolis and Saint Paul got their names? Why are there two cities? Why did the state capitol building end up in Saint Paul? (Available to groups of 25+) Caves & Graves Tour – October This tour is designed to give you a shiver and not a heart attack. Hear stories of haunted sites, historic murders, visit a haunted cave and learn about the history of a local Saint Paul cemetery. Keep an eye on your hosts however; your tour guide might be a mad nurse, a fortune teller, or even a vampire!

Call Wabasha Street Caves to make your group reservation 651-292-1220. See you underground.

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Explore Minnesota

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Take Center Stage IN EAGAN

Caponi Art Park

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Fitzgerald Theater Minnesota Centennial Showboat

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aponi Art Park is located on 60-acres of rolling wooded hills in Eagan. The Art Park’s most prominent features include miles of wooded walking trails, a one-of-a-kind sculpture garden and Theater in the Woods – a large outdoor amphitheater nestled in the park’s hilly landscape and made intimate by a canopy of trees. A unique setting for musical, literary and theatrical performances, Theater in the Woods boasts a large brick open-air stage, near-perfect acoustics, plentiful grassy and ledge seating and the feeling of the north woods right in the middle of Eagan. Programs that take place include the Summer Performance Series, Shakespeare Festival and more!

Hennepin Theatre Trust’s historic State, Orpheum and Pantages Theatres are unique to Minneapolis and continue to be among the finest venues in the Midwest. The Trust works to preserve, maintain and improve these nearly

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century-old venues to ensure they operate smoothly into the future.

Whether you’re seeing the hottest Broadway shows under the Orpheum’s chandelier, staring up at the Pantages’ stained glass ceiling during a concert or examining the State’s colorful murals at intermission, please enjoy the performance in the setting of these architectural gems.

Built in 1910, the Fitzgerald Theater is Saint Paul’s oldest surviving theater space and is home to A Prairie Home Companion. The theater has, over the years, played host to Broadway musicals, Vaudeville shows, film festivals, and concerts of all sorts.

The Minnesota Centennial Showboat features an interactive style of theatre based upon old-time Vaudeville traditions and offers great music, wit, charm, and lots of laughter. Board this floating palace, as thousands have, to enjoy traditional painted backdrops,

footlights, and nineteenth-century stage magic – howling windstorms, rolling thunder, and ghostly apparitions.

The Showboat is docked on Harriet Island right across from downtown Saint Paul and provides the best river views in the Cities from its decks and public spaces.

Please contact Denise Olsen, Tourism Sales Director, at the Eagan Convention & Visitors Bureau for more itinerary planning ideas. The Eagan CVB offers gift bags, meet and greets and a $250 rebate for first-time groups booking 20 or more rooms in Eagan.

Call 651-675-5546 or email denise@eaganmn.com.

Hennepin Theatre District

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WELCOME TO THE Best 12 Days of Summer!

F

rom 6am to midnight, there’s always something different to see each day of the Great Minnesota Get-Together!

August 21st through September 1st, 2014.

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.

• 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.

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• see big-name entertainers at the STOP newly-restored 1909 Grandstand.

• watch the nightly fireworks spectacular.

For more information call 651-632-2689 or email groups@mnstatefair.org, and bring your groups to the “Great Minnesota Get-Together”.

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 West End Market or the International Bazaar.

Afternoon is the best time to…

• meet Princess Kay and see the famous butterhead sculptures.

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LOCATION

LOCATION

LOCATION All the convenience. All the amenities. All the appeal.

Granite Country US A St. Cloud, Minnesota

If you are looking for something a little different, you’ll find it in Granite Country! Located between Minneapolis/Saint Paul and Moorhead/Fargo, it’s convenient and an interesting place to start your “hub-n-spoke” touring adventure.

Our experienced industry professionals will assist you in planning your trip. We know the ins & outs, who’s and what’s, and we’ll make sure your visit is an exceptional experience!

ALTOGETHER ALL TOGETHER.

MILEAGE CHART Des Moines, IA . . . 305 Chicago, IL . . . . . . 470 Milwaukee, WI . . . 397 Omaha, NE . . . . . . 438 Duluth, MN . . . . . . 141 Rochester, MN . . . 148 Mankato, MN . . . . 115

St. Cloud

Site of the 2013 Itineraries Midwest Group Travel Show & FAM.

St. Cloud Itinerary

Day One 5:30 – 7:00 pm Arrive in time for a delicious meal at Nick’s Third Floor restaurant in downtown St. Cloud. Located in the classic D.B. Searle’s building, every meal is made in-house from the freshest ingredients available. Their produce and signature grass-fed beef come straight from Central Minnesota farms, because they believe great food starts with high-quality ingredients. From hand-kneaded buns to fresh, daily-made dressings, your group is in for a real treat at Nick’s!

7 – 9:30 pm Go next door and take your seats for tonight’s production at the Pioneer Place on Fifth.

Whether your group is seeing a play or a concert, their mission is to bring high-quality, professional entertainment to St. Cloud.

The intimate space means the audience is up close and personal with the performers.

The statement of “not a bad seat in the house” certainly holds true for Pioneer Place.

The elegant woodwork, original restoration, and interesting nooks and crannies are truly

a treat for all theater and concert-goers.

9:30 pm Just a quick drive from downtown, head over to the Country Inn & Suites East for a restful night in comfortable surroundings.

Day Two 7:30 – 8:30 am Rise and shine to breakfast at your hotel.

8:30 – 12:00 pm Embark on a new adventure with your group this morning. CW Outfitting in Clearwater is ready to take you out on the Mighty Mississippi.

No experience is needed; this stretch of river is all flat water with gentle currents. Because the Mississippi River is a major migratory corridor, paddlers will often see eagles, blue herons, egrets, hawks, and pelicans along with many other birds, mammals, and amphibians that call this area home.

12 – 2:30 pm Grab some lunch and continue down the road just a few miles to Ken Norlein’s Art & Gift Gallery—a unique stop and hidden treasure indeed. Ken’s award-winning wildlife scenes

invite viewers to peacefully gaze upon wildlife in their natural state. Equally captivating are his nostalgic pieces, which capture the joy and simplicity of days gone by. They love tour groups and he’ll be happy to demonstrate and autograph your items for you!

2:30 – 3:00 pm Board the coach and travel to the Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery, just south of Kimball, MN. 3 – 6:30 pm The Millner family welcomes groups! Take a winery tour and see some impressive modern wine-making equipment, learn about temperature control and witness how the whole process is completed. The tour will be followed with a wine tasting, sampling 15 different wines. Choose which one will best complement your dinner, which is coming right up! Be sure to browse the wine selection and the gift shop before you leave.

For more information on this sample itinerary, contact your tour operator or the St. Cloud Area CVB at 800-264-2940.

1.800.264.2940 x129 / www.granitecountry.com

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St. Cloud was the site of the

2013 Itineraries Midwest Group Travel Show & FAM on October 27-29th, 2013.

Thank you to all of the show sponsors for a very entertaining & successful show!

2013 SPONSORS

Café Renaissance 320-253-9300 / www.thecaferenaissance.com Experience the ambiance of a classy café/bar with a European flair.

Country Inn & Suites by Carlson 320-252-8282 / www.countryinns.com Enjoy a relaxing and memorable stay, just five minutes from downtown.

Coyote Moon Grille 320-257-6500 / www.coyotemoongrille.com This restaurant at Territory Golf Club offers large rooms for banquets & meetings – and great food!

Fuji Sushi & Steakhouse 320-252-3838 / www.fujisushihibachi.com An authentic Japanese Hibachi grill and lounge serving the St. Cloud area.

Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery 320-398-2081 / www.millnerheritage.com Explore nine acres of grapes, growing eight different varieties.

Nick’s Third Floor at D.B. Searle’s 320-253-0655 / www.nicksthirdfloor.com Enjoy fine dining in a relaxing atmosphere; serving soup, salads, steak, burgers and more!

Pioneer Place on Fifth 320-203-0331 / www.ppfive.com See high-quality entertainment in an intimate setting.

Relax at The Veranda Lounge before or after a show.

1.800.264.2940 x129 / www.granitecountry.com

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A Summer Day in the North This sample itinerary is best during the summer months, but can be customized for any time of year.

Wm. S Marvin Training & Visitor Center

Warroad Summer Theatre

12:30 – 1:30 pm Begin your day in beautiful northern Minnesota with a visit to Wm. S Marvin Training and Visitor Center where your group will experience the history of Marvin Windows and Doors. The 6,000-square-foot museum and gift shop are open to the public daily. Admission is free. Exhibits include a combination of artifacts and interactive presentations that will wow visitors of all ages.

1:30 – 4:30 pm Seize the day and enjoy the afternoon with the folks from one of the area’s resorts. They will take your group out fishing on charter boats. Most offer downrigging, jigging, and conventional hook and line fishing, plus fish cleaning and freezing service, bait, tackle and licenses.

4:30 – 5:30 pm Come back in and check into your rooms to freshen up for your evening at the theater!

5:30 – 7:00 pm Relax over a wonderful dinner at Lakeview Restaurant, a great choice if you’re looking for ambience, natural beauty and good food. The 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. The menu features hearty burgers and sandwiches, homemade soups, and comfort foods just like mom used to make. Try the signature entrée, World Famous Red Lake Walleye!

7:00 pm Spend the evening with the Warroad Summer Theatre. Each year, three summer plays are featured, plus a children’s theatre/workshop production featuring the WST Popcorn Players. Each March brings a new season featuring dinner theatre presented at the Warroad American Legion Club.

All other performances for the season take place at the Mini Theatre located at the Warroad High School. Their 2014 season will be announced soon.

For more information or to customize this sample itinerary for your group please contact your tour operator or the Warroad Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-328-4455 or www.warroad.org.

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Big Things in Little Falls This sample itinerary can be customized for any time of year.

Little Falls was established in 1848 and is one of the oldest cities in the state of Minnesota. Listed on the Downtown National Historic Register and located in Central Minnesota, Little Falls is perfectly positioned for group tours.

9 – 11:00 am Upon arrival in Little Falls, your first destination will be the boyhood home and newly remodeled visitor center of world famous aviator and conservationist Charles A. Lindbergh. The Lindbergh home, built in

1906, is fully furnished and houses approximately 90% of the original family furnishings. The visitor center, with state-of-the-art exhibits, boasts a replica of the cockpit of The Spirit of St. Louis, where you can re-live the feeling of Lindbergh’s historic 1927 trans-Atlantic flight.

As you and your group enjoy refreshments at the Lindbergh Home, a friendly guest service representative from the Little Falls CVB will give you a brief orientation and welcome your group to the city.

11 – 12:00 pm Next up is the Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River. It houses the county’s local history in a beautiful building surrounded by native prairie gardens, a Victorian-style fountain and gazebo. The museum boasts a wonderful exhibit on the lumber era in Minnesota, with emphasis on the central region.

12 – 1:00 pm Enjoy lunch at one of their many restaurants, delis, or fine dining establishments.

1 – 2:00 pm Did you know Little Falls is the home of the MN Fishing Museum and Education Center? This facility is dedicated to preserving the heritage and history of freshwater fishing in Minnesota. The museum features over 10,000 artifacts, the O’FISH-L Gift Shop, and a 1930s style fishing cabin.

2 – 3:00 pm What better way to follow your visit to the Fishing Museum than a stop at Larson Boat Factory? They have been making boats in Little Falls for over 90 years, and have made Little Falls the “Small Boat

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Capital” of the world. Tours of the boat factory are a wonderful accompaniment to any tour of the area.

3 – 4:00 pm Spend a little time meeting the sisters at St. Francis Convent. The St. Francis Convent and Campus was founded by the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls in 1891. St. Francis is home to the Sacred Heart Chapel. A Romanesque influence can be seen in its pillars, rounded arches and the symbolism of the stained glass windows. The Campus Convent and Chapel is open to the public and is a wonderful example of the missionary work that has been taking place in Minnesota, and around the world, for hundreds of years. Be sure to visit their gift shop.

4 – 5:30 pm Before winding down for the day, take a stroll through historic downtown. You’ll love browsing their friendly shops, such as Ambiance at 53, where they always have something new! Clothes, jewelry, cards & gifts, home decor, wedding gifts, candles and more!

Little Falls offers comfortable group lodging and plenty more if you would like to spend the night and resume your tour the next day!

Sacred Heart Chapel

For more information on this sample itinerary contact your tour operator or the Little Falls CVB at 800-325-5916 or lfcvb@charter.net.

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Back In Time History Tour This sample itinerary is best during the spring and summer months but can be customized for any time of year.

Every city has their story. Learn about Owatonna’s story in this fun history tour of the city.

day one

Gainey Conference Center

Mineral Springs Park

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9 – 9:45 am Known for its “healing waters,” Mineral Springs Park is the birthplace of Owatonna and where the legendary Princess Owatonna watches over the water.

Drink from the natural springs in hope to be healed.

It’s a great location for a morning stroll.

9:45 – 11:30 am Experience what life was like in Owatonna at the turn of the 20th Century at the Village of Yesteryear.

Presented by the Steele County Historical Society, this 15-structure site has become a landmark in the county and a historic treasure. Tour two log cabins, a railroad station with caboose, a general store/post office, fire station, the Dunnell mansion and the St. Wenceslaus Moravia Church and more! The buildings are furnished according to the time they were built, and are connected by a boardwalk.

11:30 – 12:30 pm Located immediately adjacent to the Village of Yesteryear, the Steele County History Center illustrates

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Dunnell House Village of Yesteryear

history beyond the Village of Yesteryear circa 1920.

Archives, artifacts, antiques and fascinating personal mementos are shared through displays, tours, oral history, and publications. A small theatre within the center is used for groups to view documentaries, movies or to host presentations.

12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch downtown.

1:30 – 3:00 pm The Minnesota State School Orphanage for Dependent and Neglected Children plays a major part in Owatonna and Minnesota history. Tour the State School Orphanage Museum and learn its story.

Between 1886-1945, over 10,000 orphans passed through here, the only one in the country. Take a guided tour, watch videos and hear stories as told by those who lived at the orphanage.

3 – 4:00 pm Discover historic downtown and the National Farmer’s Bank. Built from 1906-1908, this bank is the most famous of all Louis Sullivan’s banks, and is considered “a jewel box of the prairie,” featuring gold leaf arches, stained glass windows, and nouveau baroque art designs.

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4 – 6:30 pm Your next stop will be the Gainey Conference Center and a tour of the Frank Gehry House. The Los Angeles-based architect Frank Gehry was known for his acclaimed designs for Twin Cities arts patrons Mike and Penny Winton. The house was originally located on their estate overlooking Lake Minnetonka.

The house was purchased by the University of St. Thomas, disassembled, and moved to Owatonna.

Walking through the Winton Guest House will be unlike any other architectural tour, since this is the only Gehry-designed residence that is open to the public.

Gainey Conference Center is nestled on 180 acres of beautiful rolling prairie land and has the ability to cater to your group’s every need, including lodging and dining. Their renowned classic cuisine is perfect for enjoying the company of your group with your favorite seasonal dishes for lunch or dinner.

For more information or to customize this sample itinerary for your group please contact your tour operator, the Gainey Conference Center at 855-4464460, gainey@stthomas.edu, or the Owatonna CVB 800-423-6466, oacct@owatonna.org.

State School Orphanage Museum

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A Cultural Experience in the Key of Fairmont This sample itinerary can be customized for any time of year.

Fairmont is known as the “City of Lakes.” It is located in Southern Minnesota off Hwy 90.

1 – 2:00 pm Welcome to Fairmont. Begin your visit with a drive through the city with their step on guide and make a stop at the Martin County Courthouse. This was originally a stockade to provide safety to the locals against Indian uprising and was called Fort Fairmont.

The present courthouse was built in 1906 and is considered to be one of the top 10 most beautiful courthouses in Minnesota. Especially noteworthy are the upper level murals and artistic construction.

2 – 4:00 pm Take a tour of one of Southern Minnesota’s greatest art venues, The Red Rock Center for the Arts.

Explore this restored 1898 red stone building that was once a church and now houses a location for many local artists to display their work. Groups can also enjoy a wide variety of musical concerts featuring big band, swing, jazz, cultural, strings, piano, and more. Their beautiful hardwood floors are perfect for ballroom dancing. Call ahead to line up your group’s private entertainment and bring your dancin’ shoes!

4 – 5:00 pm Check into your hotel and relax a bit before the evening’s activities.

5 – 7:00 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 & friendly fireplace. The backyard is suitable for picnics overlooking Lake Sisseton in the summer months. Food service will be arranged for your group.

7:00 pm An evening performance of the Fairmont Opera House awaits you. This unique building 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. Enjoy!

For more information or to customize this sample itinerary for your group please contact your tour operator or the Fairmont Convention and Visitors Bureau 800-657-3280, www.VisitFairmontMN.com.

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LEGACY LIVE: A Tribute to the

King of Pop

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EGACY embodies the live, onstage work of the King of Pop featuring MJ impersonator LC Jackson. With its incredibly high-energy dancers and large performance catalog you are going to get the highest quality entertainment. LEGACY will keep you on the edge of your seat (or on your toes for that matter) as you’re taken through a spectacular journey encompassing Jackson’s forever classics like Smooth Criminal, Beat It, Billie Jean, The Way You Make Me Feel, They Don’t Care About Us, Bad, Black or White, Thriller and more.

See the show February 8th, 2014 – 7:30-10:00 pm. Find more information at www.fairmontoperahouse.com/ performances.php.

Fairmont Opera House

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A GROUP FAVORITE – Exploring the Wineries of Southern Minnesota!

The abundance of locally produced wines has opened a new dimension in Minnesota tourism. The wineries in Southern MN will satisfy the wine lover in you as you explore their festivals and events, tastings and tours, adding excitement to the sipping.

Alexis Bailly Vineyards | Hastings The first vineyard in Minnesota, with a pioneering spirit that has brought fame in the wine drinking world.

Cannon River Winery | Cannon Falls Mixing old traditions with new – combining local techniques with those from around the world.

Crofut Family Vineyard | Jordan Wine, fun & events – minutes from Minneapolis.

Falconer Vineyards | Red Wing Enjoy the wine and stay to take in the views from the deck and also enjoy a delicious wood-fired pizza.

Garvin Heights Vineyards | Winona Evoking the taste and beauty of the Upper Mississippi River Valley.

Glacial Ridge Winery | Spicer Sample specialty wines, relax in the lounge and purchase a variety of specialty gifts.

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Hinterland Vineyards & Winery | Clara City Where skill, science, and the winemaker’s artistic style combine to bring you the best wines.

Indian Island Winery | Janesville The 2011 MN Governor’s Cup winner and the 2010 Best Red Wine winner in the International Cold Climate Wine Competition.

Morgan Creek Vineyards & Winery | New Ulm Visit Minnesota’s only underground winery, tasting room, & gift shop. Wood fired oven tapas and music!

Olde Country Winery | Lake Lillian Minnesota’s best wine & wine club!

Painted Prairie Vineyard | Currie Located in the scenic Coteau des Prairies region of Minnesota, they specialize in fine wines produced from Minnesota grapes.

Post Town Winery | Rochester This boutique winery will charm you the moment you step through the door.

Salem Glen Vineyard & Winery | Rochester Surrounded by sunny, fertile, rolling hills, the farm is well suited for growing grapes that make great wine.

Scenic Valley Winery | Lanesboro Share local stories, browse wine related gifts, and enjoy free samples of specialty wines.

Whitewater Wines | Plainview A wine for every palate!

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STOP Want more information on wineries in southern Minnesota? Contact Dave Vogel Regional Manager of Explore Minnesota Tourism - Southern Regional Office at 888-975-6766, dave.vogel@state.mn.us, or www.exploresouthernminnesota.com.

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Ole Store Restaurant

Jo Ryo En Japanese Garden

Northfield with a Bang!

This sample itinerary can be customized for any time of year.

Whether you enjoy art, history or nature, you’ll find multiple outlets for your educational curiosities.

And when you are ready to relax, you’ll find one-of-a-kind restaurants, live music and theater, and a variety of comfortable lodging options in Northfield, Minnesota.

12:30 – 2:00 pm Begin your time in Northfield with a bang! The events that occurred on September 7, 1876 gave Northfield its place in the history books. The infamous Jesse James and his gang rode into town to rob the First National Bank. With prior arrangements, the Northfield CVB will guide you

along “The Outlaw Trail Tour.” Your group will retrace the route the James-Younger Gang took as they rode through the Northfield area in 1876.

Hear how the raid was thwarted by the brave townspeople who answered the call, “Get your guns boys. They’re robbing the bank.”

2 – 3:00 pm After all that excitement, you could probably use some peace and quiet. Venture over to the Jo Ryo En Japanese Garden at Carleton College. The Garden of Quiet Listening is named as one of the 10 best Japanese gardens outside Japan. This remarkable garden is a “kare-sansui” or dry landscape garden, where water is only suggested

by rocks and gravel. Features include stone lanterns, a water basin with bamboo drip and a viewing pavilion.

3 – 4:30 pm Spend a little time enjoying a few of the stores in town. Swing into The Measuring Cup, a collection of fun kitchen items and their sister store the Monarch Gift Store for Beautiful Home…Beautiful Body…Beautiful Mind…Beautiful Spirit.

4:30 – 5:30 pm Check into one of Northfield’s group friendly hotels and freshen up before the evening’s festivities begin.

5:30 – 7:00 pm Dinner will be at the historic Ole Store Restaurant. Established in the late 1880s first as a grocery store, it is nestled in a quaint neighborhood on the west side of town, just down the hill from St. Olaf College. It’s a landmark establishment and continues to be a favorite dining spot for local patrons as well as out-of-town visitors to the area. The welcoming atmosphere, coupled with outstanding cuisine and local farmfresh foods, brings back satisfied customers again and again.

7:00 pm Northfield truly has an abundance of theater options to choose from. Having both the Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges in town really adds to the repertoire for groups to choose from. Tonight has you attending a production at Lockwood Theater Company. This theater company is grounded in Northfield’s rich theatrical tradition. To highlight the day’s earlier adventure, LTC’s signature production is Jesse, Northfield’s treasured musical retelling of the story of notorious train and bank robber, Jesse James. Performed in the style of turn-of-the-century music hall melodramas, the audience is strongly encouraged to loudly cheer the heroes and hiss at the villains as the story unfolds through comedy and, of course, tragedy.

For more information on this sample itinerary contact your tour operator or the Northfield Convention and Visitors Bureau 800-658-2548 or www.thisisnorthfield.com.

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Live Performance Venues IN AUSTIN, MN he following is a list of some of the great entertainment you can treat your group to after a full day of tours in Austin, MN--home of the World Famous SPAM™ Museum.

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The Paramount Theatre originally opened on September 14, 1929, designed for stage theatre and first-run movies. It is one of four atmospheric theaters in Minnesota.

The theatre showed its last movie in 1975, and after operating as a comedy club/bar, closed in 1987. In 1992, the Austin Area Commission for the Arts (AACA) completed acquisition of the theatre and completed the process of restoring the theatre as an art and film center, and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It serves as home to the Matchbox Children’s Theatre, as well as a place to host concerts, films, festivals, recitals and other events. Tours are available.

Riverland’s Theatre Department is a high-energy, performance-oriented program.

They produce four main stage productions each academic year: one well-known classic musical, one contemporary musical, one modern or classic drama, and one modern or classic comedy. Summerset Theatre, a community theatre company that has produced shows on campus since 1968, also mounts three full-scale productions each June and July. Each summer, current students also have an opportunity to perform with Riverland theatre and music alumni in a production.

Please join them again for another fantastic year of music and the arts!

The Austin ArtWorks Festival is a major investment in the culture of Austin.

They are featuring visual, performing, media, and literary artists with ties to the Austin community. Join them for a true celebration of the arts because art works! August 23-24, 2014.

The Austin Artist Series is celebrating its 70th season! This wonderful program has been enriching the community by providing world-class performances of music, dance and other cultural events at an affordable price.

Enjoy folk singer Mack Bailey and veteran Broadway performer Gregg Edelman. The finale will be fun for young and old with Golden Dragon Acrobats, all the way from China.

Call 800-444-5713 or email visitor@austinmn.com to customize an itinerary for your group!

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The Austin Symphony began its 57th season in October 2013 with great excitement. Their superb school music program gives students a solid background in the arts, and has nurtured many who have become professional performers and teachers. As they continue to present locally connected soloists, it is obvious they have a reputation for attracting musicians who are willing to share their talents. Conductor Ramsey is beginning his 20th year of sharing his musical abilities and expertise in Austin.

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A Little Bit of Broadway in Albert Lea This sample itinerary can be customized for any time of year.

Welcome to Albert Lea, fondly known as the “City Between the Lakes.” But even if you travel here when the lakes are frozen, there is still plenty to see and do.

day one

Albert Lea Art Center

Freeborn County Museum, Library & Historical Village

11 – 12:30 pm Begin with a visit to the Albert Lea Art Center and Art on Broadway Gift Shop.

The Art Center has a permanent collection of Midwest artists on display in its Hall Gallery.

Some of their featured artists include Lloyd Herfindahl, Stu Botten, Nam Rhodes, and John Lacies Sr. Each month different Midwest artists are invited to show their work in the Herfindahl and Storrer Galleries. In the Love Gallery, the Art Center invites new and upcoming artists to display their work. The gift shop includes unique gifts from jewelry to pottery, art supplies and special orders.

12:30 – 2:00 pm What? It’s time for lunch already! Dine at Crescendo located in a building dating back to 1883, full of turn-of-the-century charm and featuring exquisite food, an extensive wine list, and a relaxing atmosphere, all earning rave reviews!

2 – 4:00 pm Take a short ride to Minne-Soy-Ta Nice Boutique in Glenville, MN. Tour operators and their clients love visiting this store because they actually provide them with something fun to do besides shopping. Tour groups will make a candle and a bar of soap as well as taking a tour of the factory. Later, they have a chance to make sugar scrubs and multi-colored candles from their “do-ityourself” candle table.

4 – 5:15 pm Travel back to Albert Lea and check into your hotel to freshen up for the evening. Albert Lea has several group friendly lodging facilities to choose from.

5:15 – 7:00 pm Your group will grab dinner at a place of your choosing before the night’s entertainment.

7 – 9:00 pm Do you remember Marion Ross (Mrs. Cunningham) from Happy Days? Marion grew up in Albert Lea and calls it her hometown.

The Marion Ross Performing Arts Center is home to ACT Theater, HD Live Metropolitan Opera and musical performances. Prepare to enjoy a night of magic on the stage, from live theater to concerts of many varieties.

day two 8 – 9:00 am After a filling breakfast at your hotel, set out to explore the variety of shops in Albert Lea. 9 – 10:00 am Walk down Broadway and swing in to browse at Candy & Jewels, Addie’s Floral & Gifts to see what treasures await you.

10 – 12:00 pm Move on to visit the Freeborn County Museum, Library & Historical Village. See the unique, professionally designed exhibits defining the history of Freeborn County and historical village with 18 buildings - County School, Church, General Store, Log Cabins, Blacksmith Shop, Barbershop, Bank, Shoe Shop, Mill house, Train Depot and more.

The county’s story is told of a time when eight grades were educated in one room, the general store covered the needs not found in the vegetable garden, and when one horse-power was a luxury. Of course, don’t miss the gift shop for books and items related to area history.

12:00 pm Enjoy lunch in the area, as you get ready to head for home.

For more information on this sample itinerary contact your tour operator or the Albert Lea CVB 800-345-8414 or www.albertleatourism.org.

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Explore Minnesota

Dinner and a Show!

This sample itinerary can be customized for any time of year.

1:00 pm Welcome to Worthington—the perfect location, located on Interstate 90, just minutes away from the South Dakota and the Iowa borders. Its residents are helpful and friendly to visitors, and the Worthington Convention & Visitors Bureau staff can help make your group’s stay memorable.

1 – 2:00 pm Begin your time here with a visit to the Dayton house, built in 1890 as a residence for the George Draper Dayton family. George Dayton was a banker and a real estate developer in Worthington before moving to Minneapolis shortly after 1900 to start Dayton’s Department Store. The Dayton house served as a family home for many years, and was later used as a nursing home. The house was purchased and restored by Historic Worthington, Inc. and is available for tours.

2 – 3:00 pm Take a step back in time at the Pioneer Village.

The village contains 40 restored buildings plus a museum of farm machinery reflecting the early years of Nobles County. Located adjacent to the Nobles County fairgrounds, the village is open weekdays and Sundays, Memorial Day through Labor Day. 3 – 4:30 pm Spend some time downtown and enjoy its quaint lighting, comfortable benches, decorative columns and pleasant music—all giving ambience for the wide variety of unique shops found downtown.

4:30 – 5:30 pm Check into your hotel. Worthington offers a variety of lodging choices to make your group comfortable.

5:30 – 7:00 pm Have a glass of wine and dinner at Worthington’s Ground Round Bar & Grill. Serving up a variety of delicious foods for all appetites!

7:15 – 9:15 pm Enjoy tonight’s performance at the Memorial Auditorium Performing Arts Center. Constructed in 1931, the renovated and newly restored building is one of the largest auditorium facilities in a wide region of Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa. Memorial Auditorium is a classic art deco performance center owned and operated by the City of Worthington.

Memorial Auditorium Performing Arts Center

For more information or to customize this sample itinerary for your group please contact the Worthington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-279-2919 or www.worthingtonmnchamber.com

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A HOLE-IN-ONE Fishing Experience The Preston Inaugural Fishing Course combines fishing and golf! n May of 2012, Minnesota’s Trout Fishing Capital raised the bar with a nine-hole fishing course along a 0.8-mile stretch of the Root River. This self-guided troutfishing course is made up of nine distinct holes ranging from 40 yards to 120 yards, beginning at Hole 1 (The Big Bend Rapids) upstream to Hole 9 (The St. Paul Street Bridge). Each hole features different flow characteristics and trout habitats that will challenge anglers and help develop their angling skills. All three species—brook, brown, and rainbow trout—inhabit the streams within this unique course.

I

Anglers can pick up a map and scorecard at the National Trout Center in downtown Preston. How do you keep score? You record your results based on species, size, and number of fish. The National Trout Center utilizes the course to promote cold water and trout stream resources, trout ecology, recreation and tourism. And don’t miss Preston Trout Days, May 16 - 18, 2014!

hot

STOP

Testing water at PIFC

To find out more details contact Preston Area Tourism 507-765-2100, www.prestonmntourism.com or the National Trout Center 507-867-8801, www.nationaltroutcenter.org.

Get Hooked on Preston!

This itinerary is best Spring through Fall.

9:00 am – 12:00 pm Arrive in beautiful Preston, MN, located along the Root River in scenic Historic Bluff Country and known as Minnesota’s Trout Capital. Your group can get acquainted and browse around town. Do a little shopping or stop and see the Milwaukee Elevator.

This original 1902-grain building is also home to a restored 1939 Milwaukee Road boxcar and 1951 caboose. Plus visit the National Trout Center and take part in hands-on activities to engage your group in the environment and cold-water fishery resources of the driftless region and the arts and crafts related to trout fishing. They are happy to design a special program just for your group!

12 – 1:30 pm Have lunch at Jail House Inn, the original Fillmore

County Jail turned bed and breakfast. Spending time in jail is just what your group will go home and talk about. Enjoy a casual dining experience where you can enjoy a full menu and specialties designed just for your groups needs.

1:30 – 3:00 pm Take the short ride to Historic Forestville for a “Taste of Life in the Late 1800s.” Go back in time as costumed guides go about their daily business at this 19th century pioneer village. Visit the general store with original 19th century merchandise. Tour the homestead and farm buildings, which feature original artifacts. You can even lend a hand with daily chores of the era like baking bread, tending the garden, and cutting wood. Walk across the landmark Carnegie Bridge that leads visitors into

Forestville

town. Special programs offered May – October.

3 – 5:00 pm The Amish communities in Fillmore County started settling here in 1974 and use only limited technology in their homes, businesses, and forms of transportation. You will find several Amish businesses located near Preston that offer a variety of items for purchase. Preston also has several Amish Tours to choose from.

5 – 7:00 pm Return to Preston for dinner at the Branding Iron Supper Club. Known for its beautiful view and delicious food, including everything from the salad bar to steaks, with numerous choices in between.

For more information on this sample itinerary contact your tour operator or the Preston Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism at 507-765-2100 or www.prestonmntourism.com.

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directory accommodations

attractions

metro

metro

Just For Me: the Spa

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

Lexington Inn & Suites

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

northern

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

AmericInn of Grand Rapids

. . . .218-326-8999 1812 Pokegama Ave S – Grand Rapids, MN 55744 grandrapids.mn@americinn.com www.americinn.com/hotels/mn/grandrapids The birthplace of Judy Garland; drive the Wilderness National Scenic Byway, discover the history of the logging era at the Forest History Center. Enjoy the area’s 1,000 lakes or relax by our pool. Wake up to a free hot home-style breakfast.

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

Country Inn & Suites Duluth North . 218-740-4500 Country Inn & Suites Shoreview . . . 651-784-6000 Country Inn & Suites Baxter . . . . . . 218-828-2161 Country Inn Walker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218-828-2161 Lutsen Resort on Lake Superior. . 800-258-8736 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.

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 sawmill@uslink.net / www.sawmillinn.com

southern

Microtel Inn & Suites Mankato

. . . .507-388-2818

Microtel Inn & Suites Springfield . . .507-723-8200 w w w. i t i n e r a r i e s m i d w e s t . c o m

southern

Gainey Conference Center

425 East Nelson Street – Stillwater, MN 55082 info@gondolaromantica.com / www.gondolaromantica.com

. . . . . . 507-446-4460 2480 S County Road 45 – Owatonna, MN 55060 gainey@stthomas.edu www.stthomas.edu/gainey.com A tour through the Winton Guest House will be unlike any other architectural tour, since this is the only Gehry-designed residence that is open to the public. Observe how the rooms show their individuality as they branch off from their common hub.

Landmark Center

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

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

Gondola Romantica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 651-439-1783

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 651-292-4375 75 West 5th Street – Saint Paul, MN 55102 www.landmarkcenter.org Landmark Center serves as a cultural center for music, dance, theatre, exhibitions and public forums, and hosts countless special events. Groups are always welcome!

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

Saint Croix Vineyards . . . . . . . . . . . . 651-430-3310 6428 Manning Avenue North – Stillwater, MN 55082 info@scvines.com / www.scvines.com

convention & visitors bureaus and chambers metro

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.

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.

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

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!

Tour Minnesota Association . . . .952-406-8832 PO Box 11682 – Saint Paul, MN 55111 info@tourmn.org / www.tourmn.org TMA members provide exciting destinations and top quality services for tour groups. Our member organizations include Attractions, Lodging, Dining/Catering, CVB’s, Transportation and Tour Operations. Check out the website for a full list of members.

northern

northern

St. Cloud Area Convention & Visitors Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320-251-4170

Fond-du-Luth Casino . . . . . . . . . . . 218-720-5113 129 East Superior Street – Duluth, MN 55802 www.fdlrez.com Conveniently located in the heart of downtown Duluth and offering guests a variety of gaming entertainment choices for adults 21 and older. It’s all provided in a clean, friendly and comfortable environment!

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.

Lutsen Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218-406-1319

Little Falls CVB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320-616-4959

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.

606 1st Street SE – Little Falls, MN 56345 www.littlefallsmn.com Visit our historic attractions and museums, experience the town’s original murals and frescoes or take in the great outdoors. We’re happy to customize a tour for your group!

Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery

Warroad Area Chamber . . . . . . . . . 218-386-3543

Kimball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320-398-2081

311 State Ave North – Warroad, MN 56763 www.warroad.org ITINERARIES MIDWEST WINTER 2013-14

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directory continued 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.

Worthington Area CVB

. . . . . . . . . . .507-372-2919 1121 Third Ave – Worthington, MN 56187 www.worthingtonmnchamber.com Worthington is a friendly community in the Southwest corner of MN. Bring your group here for some fantastic tours, including the Pioneer Village, Historic Dayton House, and War Memorial Auditorium.

entertainment & theater metro

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.

History Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 651-292-4323 30 10th Street East – Saint Paul, MN 55101 jvaughn@historytheatre.com www.historytheatre.com

northern

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.

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!

Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce

. . . . . . . . .800-658-2548 205 3rd Street West – Northfield, MN 55057 www.northfieldchamber.com Located just 30 minutes from the Twin Cities along the shores of the Cannon River. Whether you enjoy the arts, history or nature, you’ll find multiple outlets for education as well as opportunities for relaxation and live entertainment.

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.

Preston Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .507-765-2100 PO Box 657 – Preston, MN 55965 www.prestonmntourism.com Preston is a vibrant community in the heart of bluff country, known as “Minnesota’s Trout Capital”, and home to the Forestville Mystery Cave. Preston welcomes groups offering a variety of entertaining, educational, and recreational activities.

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

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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.

northern

Café Renaissance Waite Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320-253-9300

Coyote Moon Grille

. . . . .320-258-4653 ext 113 480 55th Ave SE – St. Cloud, MN 56304 Overlooking the beautiful Territory Golf Course with a view second to none. Conveniently located on the East side of St. Cloud near the Paramount Theater, Munsinger Gardens, and other local attractions. Inclusive group pricing on lunch buffet and plated dinner menus. Private rooms available.

Fuji Sushi & Steakhouse Waite Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320-252-3838

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.

Nick’s Third Floor at D.B. Searle’s St. Cloud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320-253-0655

southern

Pioneer Place on Fifth St. Cloud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320-203-0331

Pub 500 Mankato . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507-625-6500

festivals & events 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.

southern

Wilder Pageant

Veigel’s Kaiserhoff New Ulm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507-359-2071

shopping 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.

tour operators metro

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

Foodies on Foot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 855-236-6343

restaurants metro

Cherokee Tavern

Stillwater, MN www.FoodiesOnFootMN.com

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

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

The Dock Café

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

Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter

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

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tour missouri theaters…

Clay Cooper Theatre BRANSON Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express is more than just country music. Clay and his cast of 21 veteran entertainers light up the stage with singin’, dancin’, gunslingin’, rope-twirlin’, percussion, and comedy. The cast includes eight incredible dancers; trick-roper Johnny Lonestar; percussion duo Buckets ‘n’ Boards; comedian Matt Gumm; 7-year-old Colt Cooper; and the Country Express Band. Clay sings some of the greatest classics from Conway Twitty and George Jones to today’s famous artists including Kenny Chesney and Garth Brooks. The variety is endless!

Planters Barn Theater

Fabulous Fox Theatre ST. LOUIS Throughout the year, this magnificently restored theater offers a dazzling array of world-class talent and entertainment: Broadway shows, family productions, comedians, concerts featuring all kinds of music, and special productions. A few events coming up in 2014 are: Mamma Mia, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and The Wizard of Oz! The delectable Grand Buffet is offered prior to most Broadway performances. Tours of the theater are also available.

Juanita K. Hammons Hall SPRINGFIELD Located on the campus of Missouri State University is a state-of-the-art performing arts center presenting national touring Broadway shows and a wide variety of other artists and performances. The venue features a 2,264-seat theater including multi-level boxes and an orchestra pit. Hammons Hall presents a full season which includes touring Broadway musical productions, children’s shows, and an emerging concert artists recital series. The Springfield Symphony Orchestra has presented their concert season in the Hall since the venue opened in 1992.

spotlight missouri

HANNIBAL Summer season at the Planters Barn Theater is May through August. They also host the Christmas production of A Shepherd's Tale in December.

Like a homecoming, Mark Twain Himself returns author and humorist Samuel L. Clemens to his Missouri birthplace and his home on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Audiences experience a special encounter with the man who made America laugh and inspired the world.

It’s a great show full of hilarious comedy and compelling drama.

KANSAS CITY

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

T

he Kauffman Center’s vision is to enrich the lives of everyone through extraordinary and diverse performing arts experiences. What began as a sketch on a napkin has become an architectural icon and home for the performing arts in Kansas City. It has changed Kansas City's skyline, as well as the experiences of artists and audiences throughout the region.

The 1,600-seat Helzberg Hall hosts a variety of local, regional, national and international artists and performance groups, and serves as the home of the Kansas City Symphony. Its oval shape places 40 percent of the seats alongside or behind the orchestra. This creates an intimate and immersive experience for both artists and audiences. The Muriel Kauffman Theatre presents a diversity of entertainers and performances from around the world, including Broadway productions, and is also the home of the Kansas City Ballet and Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

Missouri: Close to home. Far from ordinary.

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Joplin Museum Complex

Joplin Little Theatre

The Joplin Experience This sample itinerary can be customized for any time of the year.

Notable History of Joplin’s Route 66…

In 1925, Route 66 was officially assigned as the nation’s principal east-west arteries—from Chicago to Los Angeles—and was established on November 11, 1926. Route 66 consists of 2,448 miles of highway and has become the “Main Street” of the Midwest. For many during the Dust Bowl era, Route 66 became their exodus (as immortalized in John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath and his reference to “The Mother Road.”) The highway crosses eight states and Missouri accounts for 347

of the total miles. The famed route brought traffic, commerce, and notoriety to Joplin. In the famous song Route 66 by Bobby Troup, listen for Joplin in one of his verses.

day one 4 – 5:00 pm Joplin offers a wide variety of quality group lodging choices at affordable prices. Check into your hotel, kick your feet up, and relax.

5 – 7:00 pm Joplin has over 200 restaurants to choose from.

Enjoy some local favorites offering everything from flaming cheese to spaghetti red.

7 – 9:00 pm Catch a performance at the Joplin Little Theatre – the oldest continuously operating community theatre west of the Mississippi.

day two 9 – 10:30 am Board the coach to the Joplin Museum Complex.

It’s home to two outstanding educational museums: the Everett J. Ritchie Tri-State Mineral Museum and the Dorthea B. Hoover Historical Museum.

While touring the complex, guests will learn about the origins of Joplin as a mining boomtown, while inside a replica of a mineshaft. The museum also features displays about Historic Route 66, Bonnie and Clyde’s adventures in Joplin, The National Cookie Cutter Museum, the mysterious Spooklight and more!

10:30 – 12:30 pm Head downtown where your group can enjoy some free time with shopping, lunch, and southern hospitality.

12:30 – 2:30 pm The Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center includes a 1,300-gallon aquarium and Ozark stream; a large terrarium complex with glade species including collard lizards, snakes and tarantulas; and a wildlife viewing area for visitors to see animals in their natural habitat.

2:30 – 4:00 pm Satisfy your sweet tooth with a tour of the Candy House Chocolate Factory. In 1970, an old rock tavern in the Ozarks was transformed into a quaint little candy shop. Watch the process of candymaking and enjoy some free samples before purchasing your favorites and heading home.

For more information or to customize this sample itinerary for your group, please contact your tour operator or the Joplin CVB at 417-625-4789 or www.visitjoplinmo.com.

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Close to home. Far from ordinary.

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directory convention & visitors bureaus and chambers St. Joseph CVB . . . . . . . . . . . 800-785-0360 109 South 4th Street – St. Joseph, MO 64501 cvb@stjomo.com www.stjomo.com/stjogrouptours.aspx Recently named America’s “Top Ten Western City” by True West Magazine, we are a city abounding in 19th century charm and timeless beauty.

Joplin CVB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-657-2534 602 South Main Street – Joplin, MO 64801 cpuffinba@joplinmo.org www.visitjoplinmo.com Joplin, located near the crossroads of I-44 and Hwy 71, is perfect for your group destination. Call for your group tour services and custom itinerary planning.

Robidoux Landing Playhouse

Entertainment Along the River This sample itinerary can be customized for any time of year.

day one 1:00 – 2:30 pm Mount up and head for the Pony Express Museum. The famous mail delivery service started within these walls on April 3, 1860 (150 years ago). Your guide will give a personalized tour of exhibits covering the creation, running and demise of the Pony Express.

2:30 – 4:00 pm The Patee House was the headquarters for the Pony Express in 1860 and the finest hotel west of the Mississippi. Today, it offers a “hands on” look at St. Joe’s colorful history. Stroll down Old Main Street, climb aboard a steam engine and visit the little house where Jesse James was shot and killed. Enjoy the “Wild Thing Carousel” which is fun for all ages.

4:00 – 5:15 pm Arrive at the Remington Nature Center, where history and nature collide. As your journey begins, a 10,000-year-old woolly mammoth greets your group. Follow the indoor “river” past a 7,000-gallon aquarium teeming with native Missouri river fish. Wild animals abound as you pass a howling wolf. A beaver lodge blocks a creek and forms a habitat for many animals.

Learn about Missouri animals as you watch their tracks appear before you.

5:15 pm Check in at a group friendly hotel of your choice.

6:30 pm Smaller and more intimate than most typical venues, the Robidoux Landing Playhouse is perfect for making the audience feel part of the performance. Enjoy great food and be prepared to

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

laugh at some entertaining characters and their historical humor.

day two 9:00 – 10:30 am A visit to Tobiason’s Studio is first up this morning. They have over 50 years of experience designing, fabricating, installing and restoring church windows throughout the country. See all styles, whether traditional or contemporary, executed in stained glass, faceted glass or etched and carved glass. Come and see how they create these timeless, beautiful and architecturally harmonious windows. You also have the experience of creating your own stained glass “angel.”

10:30 – 11:45 am Tour the Shakespeare Chateau Inn and Gardens, built nearly 130 years ago by Nathan Ogden who filled it lavishly with the best of everything that money could buy. High atop a bluff looking down across the city toward the Missouri River, this mansion is one of several in the Hall Street Historic District known locally as “Millionaires’ Row.” The home boasts 47 original artisan-crafted stained glass masterpieces.

11:45 am Enjoy lunch at the Gothic House Tea & Eatery, featuring soups, entrees and desserts made from scratch with menus differing from week to week.

For more information or to customize this sample itinerary for your group please contact your tour operator or the St. Joseph Missouri CVB at 800-785-0360.

ITINERARIES MIDWEST WINTER 2013-14

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tour nebraska theaters…

Kearney Community Theatre KEARNEY Amateur theater has been alive and well in Kearney for at least 100 years.

Historical newspaper archives have often contained stories about local actors presenting plays of all kinds at local theaters, in parks and on the stages of schools. Now in their home of 23 years, the local live theatre— performed for the community, by the community—is alive and well and welcomes tour groups! Enjoy their dinner theatre, a show without dinner, or a matinee.

Lied Center for Performing Arts | LINCOLN Treat your groups to the Lied Center for Performing Arts. Their mission is to educate, inspire and entertain people through the performing arts.

For more than two decades, they have presented the greatest artists in the world ranging from Itzhak Perlman and Wynton Marsalis to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Joffrey Ballet. They offer something for everyone, including the best of Broadway, symphony orchestra, dance, music, theatre and family programs.

spotlight nebraska

Community Playhouse at the Neville Center for the Performing Arts

OMAHA

Omaha Community Playhouse

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his is one of the city’s most popular places for live theatre. This nationally recognized community theater was founded in 1924 and is now one of the largest, most famous, and wellendowed community theaters in the country. The theater’s first production, The Enchanted Cottage, was in 1925 and starred Marlon Brando in his acting debut. Henry Fonda, Dorothy McGuire, and Julie Wilson all launched their acting careers here as well. Today, the building features two cutting edge performance areas: the Mainstage Auditorium, which seats 610; and the intimate setting of the Howard Drew Theatre, which can accommodate audiences of between 200 and 230 people.

So whatever the size of your group, they will enjoy a production here!

Nebraska: Possibilities…endless

NORTH PLATTE What began in 1955 in someone’s living room has succeeded in performing over 200 plays. Now home at the historic Fox Theater, which was originally built as a movie and Vaudeville theater in 1929, now has undergone a complete renovation and was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

They produce four live plays annually, a concert series and numerous traveling shows. Check in with that spunky orphan girl “Annie” in their production of this classic play coming in April 2014.

Holland Performing Arts Center | OMAHA Operated by Omaha Performing Arts, the Holland Center specializes in performances in which the sound quality is of the utmost importance.

The center hosts world-class artists and ensembles. The Peter Kiewit Concert Hall offers seating for 2,000 with a shoebox design that allows for terrific views and pristine sound.

With bold European design and finely engineered acoustics, this performing arts center is truly among the best in the country, offering spectacular views of downtown Omaha, an intimate atmosphere for groups, and a home for the best performing arts the world has to offer.

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tour north dakota theaters…

Fargo Theater | FARGO This unique Art Deco designed theater, built in 1926 as a Vaudeville and cinema house, has a hidden gem: a Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ. This theater is also very popular in March due to its annual Fargo Film Festival and is also Fargo’s hottest downtown venue for concerts, plays and other live events.

Tour the 870-seat theater and take a group picture with “Wood Chip Marge,” a larger-than-life statue commemorating the Academy Award winning film Fargo. Rent the theater for your group and have a theme night.

Chester Fritz Auditorium, University of North Dakota

Clay Your Way | LaMOURE Every June–August, people pack into the historic World War I-era auditorium to enjoy three musicals and plays. This once-forgotten venue, home to many events and celebrations in the early 1900s, fell into disrepair. But local music teacher and champion of the performing arts Ron Zimmerman realized the venue’s potential. Thanks to his TLC and vision, LaMoure County Summer Musical Theatre has been a summer hit since 1972 when it opened with a production of The Fantasticks.

These days, volunteers gather every summer to perform musicals, non-musicals, and children's plays.

Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center | WALHALLA The twinkling, star-filled North Dakota skies and the rolling hills of the Pembina Gorge provide a scenic backdrop for the Frost Fire Summer Theatre. Energizing North Dakota’s summer evenings for nearly 30 years, this outdoor theatre entertains groups with a unique Broadway-like experience. All performances take place in the outdoor covered amphitheater, which comfortably seats 450. The musical runs on Saturdays and Sundays, usually beginning the last weekend in June through the first weekend in August.

spotlight north dakota

GRAND FORKS Known for its spectacular acoustics and beautiful design, they offer a variety of acts from national entertainment, including Broadway theatre, opera, ballet, country music, children’s and special performances.

“The Fritz,” as it is commonly known, is used for many events. Your group will appreciate their renowned auditorium layout, which makes you feel at one with the production.

The upcoming schedule is sure to please a wide variety of tastes and entertain groups big and small!

BISMARCK

Sleepy Hollow Summer Theatre and Arts Park

S

leepy Hollow Summer Theatre showcases the performing arts talents of more than 100 students from the Bismarck-Mandan community and surrounding area.

Professional actors and teachers mentor the young students, preparing them for the two annual productions that are performed under the North Dakota skies. A new stage and orchestra pit have the audience seeing and hearing everything in perfect harmony. Sleepy Hollow enhances the lives of audiences through quality performances, held July through August.

North Dakota: Legendary

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Legendary

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A Star-Studded Tour of Fargo-Moorhead This sample itinerary can be customized for any time of year.

The vast openness of the Red River Valley is breathtaking, but the stars in the sky are not the only stars in Fargo-Moorhead!

1 – 2:30 pm Begin your star-studded day with a tour of the public broadcasting station with the stars of Prairie Public, right in the heart of downtown Fargo. Take a tour of the historic Fargo Theatre. While you are there, be sure to meet the stars of the theatre, the Mighty Wurlitzer, a restored theatre pipe organ and “Wood-Chip Marge,” the wood carved likeness of one of the stars of the movie Fargo.

2:30 – 4:00 pm The Fargo Air Museum - Their Planes Fly! The skies are always blue inside the Fargo Air Museum! Their flying aircraft include a P-51 Mustang, the new L-39 Jet, the DC-3 “Duggy -The Smile in the Sky” airplane, Corsair, TBM Avenger, PT-19 Fairchild, and other flying airplanes. Climb into a Huey helicopter, a “seat of the cockpit” or sign up for a test flight in the Frasca simulator. The ND Wall of Aces, Century of Aviation Wall, airplane restoration area, rotating exhibits and an extensive aviation gift shop offer a pleasant surprise for tour groups to the region.

4 – 4:30 pm Groups must stop by the Fargo-Moorhead Visitor

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Center and wander through the Celebrity Walk of Fame with over 100 celebrity signatures, hand, and footprints in cement. While you’re there, visit the star of the movie Fargo-- the woodchipper!

4:30 – 5:30 pm Check into your hotel, the C’mon Inn. Experience their warm and friendly resort atmosphere and relax a bit before dinner.

5:30 – 7:00 pm Fargo-Moorhead is a virtual smorgasbord of dining choices. With more than 350 restaurants, there’s no end to the culinary variety and style your group can choose from. Make your choice, you’re sure to enjoy!

7:00 pm The curtain is rising for you at the Fargo Moorhead Opera, held at Festival Hall/NDSU. The current programs include three fully staged opera productions - two in the fall and one in the spring. They are proud to be the only professional opera company between Minneapolis and Billings and are especially proud of the fact that Fargo-Moorhead is the smallest city in America to host a professional opera company.

Coming in March, they are co-producing two one-act operas with New York’s American Lyric Theater.

Buried Alive and Embedded are part of the Poe Project.

Get your group tickets for the World Premiere.

directory convention & visitors bureaus and chambers Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau . . . . . . . . . 800-235-7654 2001 44th Street South – Fargo, ND 58103 www.fargomoorhead.org The Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau is eager to assist with your tour planning. Whether you are looking for a group-friendly restaurant, accessibility to the interstate, motorcoach parking or full continental breakfast, your tour experience is our priority.

For more information or to customize this sample itinerary for your group please contact your tour operator or Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau 800-235-7654 or www.fargomoorhead.org.

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tour south dakota theaters…

Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant Presents “The Little Town on the Prairie” | DE SMET This is your opportunity to experience the "Wilder" life this summer! The Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant welcomes your group to its annual summer event that brings a Laura Ingalls Wilder book to life on the De Smet outdoor stage. As twilight falls and the leaves of the giant cottonwoods that Pa planted rattle in the evening breeze, the classic story is presented on the open, wide prairie where Laura’s stories actually happened. Please join them as they bring these unforgettable stories to life!

The Orpheum | SIOUX FALLS Happy Birthday! The Orpheum Theater turned 100 on Oct. 2, 2013.

This beautiful Center features three distinct spaces: the 686-seat Historic Orpheum Theater, built in 1913; the old “Rainbow Bar” that now houses the 450-seat Anne Zabel Studio Theater; and a classroom space. The Orpheum Theater Center hosts plays, concerts, dance, and other forms of entertainment throughout the year.

The world class Husby Performing Arts Center features the elegant 1,900-seat Mary W. Sommervold Hall, with its large proscenium stage, complete superior sound and lighting systems. The facility also includes the intimate 291-seat Belbas Theater and the Schulte Rehearsal Room.

The Pavilion Performance Series consists of performances and programs that are educational and entertaining from Broadway musicals to nationally and internationally recognized music, dance and theatre performances.

Matthews Opera House SPEARFISH Built by Wyoming rancher Thomas Matthews for $50,000, the Matthews Opera House opened on December 3, 1906 with a political farce-comedy called The Lion and the Mouse.

Over the next century, the opera house was used for everything from motion picture shows to basketball practices to a shooting gallery. In the 1980s, a major renovation project restored the theatre to like-new conditions, and today the Matthews Opera House is the centerpiece of the Spearfish Arts Center. Home to an active community theater with live performances and art events throughout the year, visitors can stop by the opera house to see a local theatre production, browse the modern art gallery or attend the Festival in the Park.

spotlight south dakota

Husby Performing Arts Center | SIOUX FALLS

KEYSTONE

Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Theater

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ushmore Cave has added a new level of fun for “wanna-be” bandits and sheriffs with their newly constructed 12-seat, dark ride theater.

You and your group will be able to challenge each other to a shootout like you’ve never experienced before - one where you’ll all come out alive and be dying to go back for more. They’re not just blowing barrel-smoke: the theater system has a giant curved screen, 360 degree surround-sound, real-time 3D graphics, moving seats, wind, light, and electrifying laser guns that will give visiting pistoleers a multi-sensory, immersive experience. You will feel like real gunfighters when you enter through the old west themed building. You’ll fasten your holster-seat belts and twirl your laser-revolvers as you prepare for your first lightning draw. The modern, moving seats will virtually propel you through dangerous territories – you’ll feel the wind in your hair as you try to prove yourself the best shot. Each competitor’s score is displayed alongside his or her photo at the end of each round, which heightens the fun. Rushmore Cave is convinced you and your fellow gunfighters will finish the movie puffing the smoke off of the end of your laser guns, determined to come back for another showdown.

South Dakota: Great Faces. Great Places.

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Great Faces. Great Places. hot

STOP

Winter Fun IN SIOUX FALLS

ith the arrival of winter and the holiday season, Sioux Falls offers a variety of activities ranging from outdoor recreation to performances. Come see what we have to offer.

W

Winter Wonderland at Falls Park Falls Park is located on the banks of the Big Sioux River. Winter Wonderland at Falls Park runs from mid-November to the first week in January each year. The park becomes a spectacular “Winter Wonderland” with breathtaking lights throughout the entire park.

Don’t miss this enchanting winter attraction.

Performances & Theatrical Productions Sioux Falls offers something for everyone!

From Broadway musicals to concerts to local theater, check out our upcoming schedule for dinner theater and more! Home to the 1,800 seat Mary W. Sommervold Great Hall at the Washington Pavilion and the Orpheum Theater with seating for nearly 700.

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ITINERARIES MIDWEST WINTER 2013-14

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directory Great Bear Recreation Park Home to skiing, snowboarding and tubing fun for everyone. Located just 3 miles east of Sioux Falls, they offer 14 downhill trails, 1 quad chair lift, 2 handle tow lifts, a terrain park, and Eastern South Dakota’s only tubing park and lift. With the latest snowmaking techniques, a recently remodeled chalet, and a qualified ski school staff, Great Bear is the place to experience the exhilaration of winter!

Other Outdoor Activities Are you looking for a unique outing for a hot time at a cool place? Sioux Falls is well known for its parks and has six beautiful ice skating rinks around the city. Each ice rink has a warming house, concessions, and skate rentals.

Another popular venue is the Sherman Park hockey rink. It is available for open use when not being used by scheduled groups.

Did you know that Sioux Falls has three Nordic ski trails within the city limits? All trails offer a variety of skill levels, scenic wooded areas, and a surefire way to get some exercise. The Great Bear trail location also offers lessons for the beginning skier.

convention & visitors bureaus and chambers Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau . . . . . . . . . 605-336-1620 200 N Phillips Avenue Suite 102 . . 800-333-2072 Sioux Falls, SD 57104 / cbuchheim@siouxfalls.com www.visitsiouxfalls.com/grouptours 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!

Snowshoeing is a very easy and enjoyable way to get outside during the snowy winter days. All you need is a sense of adventure and good boots. If you do not have your own snowshoes, you can borrow them from South Dakota State Parks. The parks have snowshoes that fit anyone from youth to adult, and they are free to check out for a day or a weekend.

For more information please call 800-333-2072 or visit www.siouxfallscvb.com.

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tour wisconsin theaters…

Fanny Hill Dinner Theatre EAU CLAIRE This is the perfect destination or stop of a multi-attraction tour. Great food, great shows, great service, great scenic beauty and just to keep them apart from the rest, great seasonal decorations. One of the very best venues for the fun and magic of live theater, they have a long tradition of entertaining and delighting guests for over 30 years. Matinee and evening performances are available and provide your group with many scheduling options.

St. Croix Off Broadway

Fireside Dinner Theatre FORT ATKINSON Experience the magic of The Fireside Dinner Theatre, Wisconsin’s #1 yearround motorcoach attraction and one of ABA’s top 100 events. The Fireside treats your groups to superb dining, beautiful gift shops and professional Broadway musicals in a state-of-theart theatre-in-the-round—a complete destination in itself or the perfect complement to any Wisconsin tour.

Their location in a small city of 12,000 in the heart of scenic southern Wisconsin makes it surprising to some that they are all that they are!

Come see for yourself!

American Players Theatre SPRING GREEN Come play in the woods! The American Players Theatre is a professional, classic theater. Situated on 110 acres of hilly woods and meadows, APT boasts two theater spaces: a 1,148-seat outdoor amphitheater and the 200-seat indoor Touchstone Theatre. From June through October, APT produces eight plays in rotating repertory – five Up the Hill and three in the Touchstone Theatre. In those precious warmer months, your group can enjoy a picnic and relax under the stars and experience the best of the classics.

spotlight wisconsin

HUDSON Your party may come as a group, but they see each of you as individuals.

From the personal greeting you’ll receive from the hostess at the door, to your individual tableside waitstaff service and menu choices, you’ll feel like there’s no one else in the theater.

They offer a stylish, yet intimate, theater seating 150 patrons with state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment. Tour leaders and bus driver receive a complimentary dinner and show with free, safe motorcoach parking on site. Plus, you’ll have the option of a special after performance discussion over coffee or drinks with the director and the cast.

PORT WASHINGTON

Memories

T

ake a step back in time as you are engulfed by the beautiful ambience of a bygone era. Dating back to the 1930s, Memories began as a world-class dance hall, featuring Big Bands and many well-known musicians of that time.

As a lingering memory of its history, the dazzling 2,500-square-foot solid maple dance floor, rustic tamarack log ceiling and twin stone fireplaces still remain to create the rustic elegance that theater-goers have relished for years. Boasting a state-of-the-art sound system, as well as modern theatrical lighting, delicious, down-home cooking and as always, some of Wisconsin’s most talented and experienced performers, groups receive a dinner theater event that will hold a place in their fondest “memories.”

They also proudly offer the deliciously popular “Chicken Comedy” events as well as audience-participation Murder Mystery experiences. At Memories, there’s sure to be some type of entertainment for folks of all ages and from all walks of life!

Travel Wisconsin

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Travel Wisconsin

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Lambeau Field

Bay Beach Amusement Park

The Other Side of Green Bay… This sample itinerary can be customized for any time of year.

The Greater Green Bay area has become a popular group tour destination. Groups love the experienced step-on guides and storytellers that add a unique touch to make it a truly memorable experience.

day one 3 – 5:00 pm Enjoy a relaxing stay at the Country Inn & Suites, the North Green Bay, WI location. Here your group can experience the city’s top attractions just minutes away from the hotel. They’ll have easy access to Lambeau Field, Oneida Casino, the NEW Zoo, the historic Meyer Theatre and Bay Beach Amusement Park.

You can also enjoy an array of excellent amenities, such as complimentary Wi-Fi, a well-equipped fitness center, a heated indoor pool and the hotel’s free breakfast buffet.

5 – 8:30 pm The Palace of Reif Mills Dinner Event Theatre is located in downtown Reifs Mills. The show begins when your group arrives at The Palace and is greeted by the characters in the show. When the show begins, characters set the scene for the show and the buffet.

While everyone is eating, they are entertained with live theme-oriented dinner music. After dinner, the “main show” begins and lasts for about an hour-and a-half. The shows include audience participation such as: contests, cheers, yells, sing-alongs, birthday & anniversary recognition, dancing and much more.

day two 9 – 11:30 am Segway: The Fox Tour Lambeau Stadium/Walk of Legends Tour: Do you know about the Walk of Legends? It is 24 huge granite obelisks that chronicle the Packers decade by

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decade. This tour starts at Tundra Lodge, goes down the Walk of Legends, and around Packer Stadium.

Whether you are a Packer fan or not, the Stadium and Walk are fun and impressive seen from the platform of the Segway PT. Your group will draw the stares of the passersby as you glide down the sidewalks of Green Bay. 11:30 – 2:00 pm Grab some lunch at the Oneida Casino and try your luck at the slots, blackjack or bingo!

2 – 4:00 pm Take a pleasant drive up to Oconto, WI and tour the Historic Beyer Home. This historic house was built in 1868 and is believed to be one of the first brick homes in the county. The building passed through several owners before becoming the home of George and Fanny Beyer in 1881. In 1941, the county acquired this home and turned it over to the county historical society with the stipulation that it becomes a museum for all to enjoy.

4:00 pm If their show schedule is on your side while you’re in Oconto, there is the cutest little theater there for your group! The Park Avenue Playhouse, home of the Machickanee Players, serves up live performances, dinner shows, dessert shows or just the ‘show’ straight up! Call ahead for what’s on their schedule!

Evening Your resting spot for this evening is the AmericInn in Menominee, MI. At AmericInn, they believe the more the merrier. They love groups and their comfortable

surroundings are made for sharing. You’ll receive the best rooms available, inviting extras and more!

For more information or to customize this sample itinerary for your group, please contact your tour operator or Lori Reese with Hospitality Investors at 763-263-6366 or LReese@hospinv.com

directory accommodations Baymont Inn & Suites . . . . 715-384-5240 2107 N Central Avenue - Marshfield, WI 54449 generalmanager70231@yahoo.com www.baymontinn.com Enjoy some fun in Marshfield! Cranberry Tours, Amish Tours, Cheese Factory Tours, & Farm Tours. Visit Jurustic Park, Marshfield Motor Speedway and Wildwood Zoo, then relax in our indoor pool and wake up to a free hot breakfast.

Country Inn & Suites . . . . . 920-884-2000 2308 Lineville Road - Green Bay, WI 54313 tom.greenya@countryinns.com www.countryinns.com/greenbaywi_north Easy access to Lambeau Field, Oneida Casino, the NEW Zoo, the historic Meyer Theatre and Bay Beach Amusement Park. Choose our hotel in north Green Bay, and enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, an indoor pool & free hot breakfast buffet.

1-877-832-7267

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tour central canada theaters…

Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium | BRANDON The WMCA is Western Manitoba’s main venue for the performing arts, community events, and professional entertainers. Each year the WMCA hosts a variety of performances: professional ballet, symphony orchestras and classical chamber music, community and high school theatrical productions, several cultural festivals, guest lectures, conferences, school music concerts, and professional comedians and musicians.

Black Hole Theatre Company WINNIPEG You’ll find the Black Hole Theatre Company at University College, located on the University of Manitoba’s Fort Garry Campus in south Winnipeg. The company’s season runs from October to April, performing works by both established & emerging playwrights.

The company presents main stage productions in November, January and March in the Black Hole Theatre.

Opera thrills you unlike anything else. It is a passionate, exotic, glorious experience that features larger-than-life characters, beautiful, soaring music, and heart stopping singing. Acclaimed singers from around the world join the finest Canadian singers, the Manitoba Opera Chorus, and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra to present an array of operatic masterworks. The company also presents other opera events in the community throughout the season. Manitoba Opera is Manitoba’s only full-time professional opera company. Subtitles displayed above the stage during the shows at the Centennial Concert Hall help keep you in-the-know.

Royal Manitoba Theatre Center | WINNIPEG Known as a cultural hub throughout Canada, Winnipeg is a city where arts and culture thrive! The Manitoba Theatre Center is a regional community theatre that presents over 250 performances each year.

Annually they host a Master Playwright Festival and the Winnipeg Fringe Festival—the second largest of its kind in North America.

spotlight central canada

Manitoba Opera | WINNIPEG

THUNDER BAY

The Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

A

t the heart of this community, on 1 Paul Shaffer Drive (named for the famed bandleader on The Late Show With David Letterman), stands this impressive 1,500-seat performing arts center. Since its grand opening in 1985, the TBCA has been host to countless live performances from plays to concerts of all genres.

The TBCA is also home to the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, which presents a full season of Masterworks and Pops Programs. On occasion, the auditorium has been host to visiting orchestras including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, the Calgary Symphony Orchestra, and the USSR State Orchestra.

directory convention & visitors bureaus and chambers Tourism Thunder Bay. . . . . 800-667-8386

Canada: Keep Canada: Keep Exploring Exploring

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.

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Dates to consider for your next itinerary…

Big Chill Ice & Snow Festival (Sculpting) –Racine, WI

Grumpy Old Men Festival –Wabasha, MN

Musher Mania –Monee, IL

calendar of events 2014 [ january – february – march ]

C O N TA C T A R E A C V B S F O R C O M P L E T E C A L E N D A R S .

illinois

illinois

january • Audubon Eagle Festival January 5, Alton 618-465-6676 • Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular January 9, Skokie 847-679-9501 • Musher Mania January 11, Monee 815-727-8700 • Stephen Sondheim’s Company January 24-26, University Park 708-235-2222 • Central Illinois Jazz Festival January 31-Feb 2, Decatur 217-422-8800 february • Civil War Weekend February 7-9, Anna 618-833-6565 • Galesburg Historical Society Annual Chocolate Festival February 15-16, Galesburg 309-343-2485 • Masters of the Sky February 15-17, Alton 618-462-6979 • 47th Annual Elmhurst College Jazz Festival February 20-23, Elmhurst 630-617-3500 march • Festival of Arts and Crafts March 8-9, St. Charles 630-443-7158 • Maple Sugaring Days March 8-9, Naperville 630-420-6010 • Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat March 13-16, DeKalb 815-758-1940 • Chicago Flower & Garden Show March 15-23, Chicago 312-595-7437 • Wine Lovers’ Weekend March 28-30, Galena 888-942-5362

iowa

iowa

january • World’s Toughest Rodeo January 10-11, Des Moines 515-564-8300 • Cherokee Jazz and Blues Festival January 17-18, Cherokee 712-225-6414 • The Addams Family January 22, Mason City 641-422-4188 • Hello Dolly!

January 24-25, Cedar Falls 319-549-7469 • Winterfest Wine Walk January 25, Amana 319-622-7622 february • The Fantasticks February 4, Oskaloosa 641-672-0799

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• Owl Prowl February 9, Honey Creek 712-545-3283 • 13th Annual Color the Wind Kite Festival February 15, Clear Lake 641-357-5516 • Des Moines Metro Opera’s Wine & Food Showcase February 21, Des Moines 515-961-6221 • Popovich Comedy Pet Theater February 23, Mason City 641-422-4188 march • Maple Syrup Festival March 1-2, Cedar Falls 319-277-2187 • Branson on the Road March 13-15, Amana 319-622-6262 • Tim Britton & Pat Egan Irish Music & Dance March 16, Keokuk 319-795-1413 • Siouxland Garden Show March 28-30, Sioux City 712-276-2157

kansas

kansas

january • Eagle Day at Tuttle Creek Lake January 4, Manhattan 785-776-8829 • Kansas City Symphony’s Lyric Arts Trio January 5, Junction City 785-238-3906 • Elk Days January 18-25, Canton 620-628-4455 • 2nd Annual KaleidEscape Kansas January 24-26, Dodge City 620-227-3100 • Kansas Statehood Ball January 25, Abilene 785-263-2550 february • Abilene Gun Show February 1-2, Abilene 785-263-5575 • Young Frankenstein February 7-24, Salina 785-827-3033 • Chocolate Lovers Affair February 8, Lindsborg 785-212-0518 • What’s Funny After 50?

February 28, Junction City 785-238-3906 • Dinner Theatre – The Dixie Swim Club February 28 – March 16, Garnett 785-304-1683 march • International Pancake Day March 4, Liberal 620-624-6423 • Tallgrass Film Festival Road Show March 7, Junction City 785-238-3906 • California Dreaming March 21, McPherson 620-241-1952 • Beauty & the Beast – Symphonic Musical March 29-31, Salina 785-823-8309

michigan michigan january • Tahquamenon Country Sled Dog Race January 4, Newberry 906-293-2917 • Ice Sculpting Competition January 10, Holland 616-394-0000 • Cross Country Winter Trail Days at Boyne Highlands January 11-12, Harbor Springs 231-526-3029 • Wine About Winter January 17, Grand Haven 616-844-1188 • Fire and Ice Festival January 24-26, Rochester 248-656-0060 february • Frozen in Time February 8, Grand Haven 616-844-1188 • Chocolate Festival February 9, Marquette 906-228-5744 • Snowsfest – Les Cheneaux Islands February 13-16, Hessel 906-484-3935 • The Great Lakes Showcase February 28, Houghton 906-487-3200 • Women’s Lifestyle Expo Feb 28 – March 1, Kalamazoo 269-498-0846 march • Marquette Symphony Orchestra March 1, Marquette 906-228-0472 • Monty Python’s Spamalot March 5-8, Escanaba 906-789-7468 • Livingston County Home & Garden Show March 21-23, Howell 517-546-3920 • Maple Syrup Day March 22, Grayling 989-348-2537

minnesotaminnesota january • MinnesotaFest January 3-4, Austin 507-437-4563 • The Church Basement Ladies: A Mighty Fortress is Our Basement January 9, Burnsville 952-895-4680 • Itasca’s Lantern Lit Showshoe January 18, Park Rapids 218-699-7252 • Taste of Northern MN January 23, Bemidji 800-458-2223 • Saint Paul Winter Carnival January 23 – Feb 2, Saint Paul 651-223-7400 february • Logging Days February 1, Bemidji 218-243-2231

• The Odd Couple February 6-16, Duluth 218-733-7555 • Paint the Town Pink February 14-23, Austin 507-437-4563 • Grumpy Old Men Festival February 22, Wabasha 651-565-4158 • Winter Bluegrass Weekend Feb 28 – March 2, Plymouth 612-285-9133 march • Fasching March 1, New Ulm 507-354-8850 • International Festival of Owls March 7-9, Houston 507-896-4668 • Murder at Café Noir – Midi Change of Pace Dinner Theater March 7-23, Duluth 218-727-4880 • Northwest Sportshow March 26-30, Minneapolis 612-332-8330 • A Taste of Wabasha March 29, Wabasha 651-565-4989

missouri

missouri

january • West Side Story January 3-5, St. Louis 314-534-1111 • 14th Annual Eagle Days January 4-5, Lake Ozark 800-386-5253 • Wassailing the Apple Trees January 18, Kingsville 816-697-2600 • Kansas City Broadway Series Presents Sister Act Jan 21-26, Kansas City 816-421-7500 february • Branson’s Hot Winter Fun Big Show February 3, Branson 417-339-3003 • Beer, Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Festival February 8, Springfield 417-833-2660 • Civil War Times February 16, Cape Girardeau 573-651-2260 • Chocolate Wine Trail February 22-23, Hermann 573-486-2313 • Screenland at the Symphony Presents: The Wizard of Oz February 27-28, Kansas City 816-471-0400 march • SMHBA Home & Garden Show March 1-2, West Plains 417-256-2422 • Battle of Sand Ridge Civil War Reenactment March 8-9, Sikeston 573-471-2566 • Celtic Woman: The Emerald Tour March 14, St. Louis 314-534-1111 • Mid-Missouri Collectors Show March 21-23, Osage Beach 620-423-6600 • WurstFest March 22-23, Hermann 573-486-2313

nebraska nebraska january • Hastings Symphony Orchestra January 11, Hastings 402-469-9396 • Cabin Fever Antique Show & Sale January 11-12, Lincoln 402-432-1451 • Central Nebraska Home & Builders Show January 17-19, Grand Island 515-537-2094 • 9th Annual Chilympiad January 26, Milligan 402-629-4446 • The Fantasticks January 30, Norfolk 402-371-7199 february • Jazz Impressions February 2, Wood River 308-583-2606 • Kegs & Corks February 8, Arnold 308-848-2211 • Great Backyard Bird Count February 14-15, Gering 308-436-9700 • Chocolate Lovers’ Fantasy February 21, Lincoln 402-435-7496 • Cowboy Poetry & Music Jam February 23, Merriman 308-684-3428 march • 2014 Crane Spring Migration Season March 1 – April 6, Gibbon 308-468-5282 • I Love Lucy Live on Stage March 7-9, Lincoln 402-472-4747

• Beers of Nebraska March 22, Milligan 402-629-4446 • Springfest March 27, Humboldt 402-862-3278 • White Pelican Homecoming Celebration March 28 – April 4, Alma 800-762-5498

north dakota north dakota january • The New Year’s Revue: Gems of Broadway January 3-5, Fargo 701-235-6778 • Winter Wonderland at Gateway to Science January 17, Bismarck 701-258-1975 • Boat & Marine Show January 24-26, Fargo 701-241-9100 • Wine & Cheese Tasting January 25, Jamestown 701-251-2496 • KMOT Ag Expo January 29-31, Minot 701-852-5254 february • Dog Sledding Workshop February 6-9, Binford 701-345-8554 • Cabin Fever Days February 7-16, Jamestown 701-252-3982 • ShiverFest February 14-16, Devils Lake 701-662-4903 • Forbidden Broadway February 20 – March 2, Fargo 701-235-6778 march • Fargo Film Festival March 4-8, Fargo 701-239-8385 • Red River Valley Sportsmen Show March 6-9, Fargo 701-241-9100 • Williston Sports & Recreation Show March 14-16, Williston 701-774-9041 • Prairie Quilt Festival March 21-23, Minot 800-264-2626 • PRCA Rodeo March 28-29, Fargo 701-663-6098

south dakota south dakota january • Wining Women at Strawbale Winery January 9, Renner 605-543-5071 • Christmas with the Animals January 11, Sioux Falls 605-367-7003 • James Valley Model Railroad Open House January 18, Aberdeen 605-226-2139 • Living History Fair Jan 31 – Feb 1, Watertown 605-881-1758 • Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo Jan 31 – Feb 9, Rapid City 605-355-3861 february • Arsenic and Old Lace February 6-10, Yankton 605-665-4711 • Ballroom with a Twist February 18, Sioux Falls 605-367-6000 • Owl Moon Showshoe Hike February 22, Bruce 605-627-5441 • Mardi Gras Feb 28 – March 1, Deadwood 605-578-1876 march • Spring Arts & Crafts Show March 8-9, Aberdeen 605-226-2162 • The Ten Tenors in Concert March 14, Sioux Falls 605-367-6000 • Satisfaction (Rolling Stones Tribute) in Concert March 15, Deadwood 605-559-1187 • Farm Toy & Collectibles Show March 22-23, Aberdeen 605-225-4841 • 2014 Home & Spring Preview Show March 29-30, Mitchell 605-996-9667

• Bald Eagle Watching Days January 17-18, Prairie du Sac 608-643-4168 • Wine Around the World January 25, Fond du Lac 920-979-6919 february • Winter Wine & Cherry Fest February 1, Fish Creek 920-868-3479 • Cabin Fever Weekend February 8, New Glarus 800-527-6838 • Death by Chocolate February 14, Appleton 920-954-9112 • Fire & Ice February 14-16, Sturgeon Bay 920-743-6246 • Comedy Pet Theatre February 22, Viroqua 608-637-8190 march • Waukesha Art Crawl March 1, Waukesha 262-542-1522 • Klondike Days March 1-2, Eagle River 715-891-2679 • Door County Wine & Cheese Gala March 7, Sturgeon Bay 920-743-9015 • HMS Pinafore March 20, Madison 608-258-4141 • MapleFest March 29-30, Amery 800-310-5050

central canada central canada january • Winter Camp at Oak Hammock Marsh January 2-3, Stonewall 204-467-3300 • The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer January 17-19, Winnipeg 204-942-8898 • Manitoba Ag Days January 21-23, Brandon 204-729-2141 • Big Fun Fest January 22-26, Winnipeg 855-734-2489 february • Bon Soo Winter Carnival February 7-16, Sault Ste. Marie 705-759-3000 • Festival du Voyageur February 14-23, Winnipeg 204-237-7692 • 2014 Central Canada Outdoor Show February 21-23, Thunder Bay 807-624-2626 • Shadows of the Mind Film Festival February 26 – March 2, Sault Ste. Marie 705-759-0458 march • Sleeping Giant Loppet March 1, Thunder Bay 807-475-7081 • 5th Annual Cottage Country Show March 7-9, Winnipeg 204-888-6990 • Festival of Fools March 29 – April 6, Winnipeg 204-958-4730 • Royal Manitoba Winter Fair March 31 – April 5, Brandon 877-729-0001

wisconsin wisconsin calendar january • Candlelight Ski, Hike, and Snowshoe January 4, Baraboo 608-254-2333 • The Big Chill - Ice & Snow Festival January 10-12, Racine 262-634-6002 • Southern Fried Jazz January 15, Minocqua 715-356-9700 13th Annual Color the Wind Kite Festival –Clear Lake, IA

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