Symphony of Southern Sightseeing From the Gulf Coast to the Chesapeake Bay, and from Appalachian hollows to the bayous of Cajun Country, the American South is a vacationer’s paradise. Groups fulfill their travel dreams in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
M
any attractions revolve around Colonial history, Civil War lore and
mountain culture. Rural backroads lead to quiet pockets of natural beauty, while big cities like Atlanta, Richmond and Nashville explode
with cultural fireworks. Seaside retreats offer ocean breezes, a maritime ambi-
ence and delectable seafood. Many Southern states stretch from the mountains to the sea. Virginia, for example, encompasses the rugged terrain of the Shenandoah Valley and southwestern highlands as well as coastal communities like Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach. Civil War battlefields draw groups to places like Fredericksburg
MISSISSIPPI
34 June 2012
and Richmond, and Virginia’s Historic Triangle (Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown) abounds with reminders of America’s colonial past. West Virginia, nicknamed the Mountain State, offers some of the most glo-
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rious vistas in the Eastern United States. Groups especially love its country music shows and old-time excursion railroads. In coastal South Carolina, groups enjoy golf and high-energy entertainment in Myrtle Beach, while Hilton Head Island is a special place all its own. York County boasts attractions like Historic Brattonsville living history village and Native American lore at the Catawba Cultural Center. And Charleston is Southern charm at its best. North Carolina’s Outer Banks region is another seaside draw, as are its Blue Ridge Mountains to the west. The Tennessee Smokies boast scenic majesty, theme attractions and music theaters in towns like Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Gatlinburg. Music also makes the tour go ’round in Nashville and Memphis. In neighboring Kentucky, visit a thoroughbred
VIRGINIA
farm, sip a glass of bourbon and tour Louisville, home of the Kentucky Derby. If Georgia’s on your mind, soak up the historical splendor of Savannah, take in the urban amenities of Atlanta and bask
Center) keep groups engaged.
on the Golden Isles. More beaches await in Florida, Alabama
Arkansas, the Natural State, dazzles travelers with Ozark
and Mississippi. The Gulf Coast of Mississippi abounds with
Mountain splendor and unspoiled river valleys. Louisiana,
casinos, great seafood restaurants and shopping in quaint
another state with its own personality, tempts visitors with
old-town districts, while Tunica lures gaming enthusiasts to
Cajun and Creole dishes, stately plantation homes and great
Mississippi’s Delta Region. Alabama cities like Mobile, Birm-
cities such as New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport-
ingham and Huntsville (home of the U.S. Space & Rocket
Bossier City. LGT
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June 2012 35
EUREKA SPRINGS AND BENTONVILLE, ARKANSAS
DISCOVER EUREKA SPRINGS AND NORTHWEST ARKANSAS HIGHLIGHTS ■ Historic Tram Tour ■ Historic Downtown Eureka Springs ■ North Arkansas Railway ■ Great Passion Play ■ Thorncrown Chapel ■ Blue Spring Heritage Center ■ Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY After a hearty breakfast at our lodging Day property, we will board one of our openair trams for a narrated tour of our Historic District. There will be several stops along the way to get off and explore some of the popular landmarks of Eureka Springs. We will get off the tram in the downtown area for shopping and lunch on our own. We will also take a train ride along the Eureka Springs North Arkansas Railway. From here we will drive out to the grounds of the Great Passion Play to enjoy the activities there as well as see the play.
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We begin our day at the Razorback Gift Shop, then on to Thorncrown Chapel. While there we will hear about the history and mission. Next stop, Blue Spring Heritage Center, a designated stopping point along the Trail of Tears. After lunch, we will go to Keels Creek Winery for a tour and tasting. We’ll return to our lodging property to freshen up before dinner and a performance at one of Eureka Springs’ music shows. Day
OTHER ITINERARIES ■
Faith-based Tour
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Arts Tour
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Retail Therapy Tour
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History Tour
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After breakfast, we’ll go to the nation’s largest rescue facility for big cats, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. From there we’ll take a short, scenic drive to War Eagle Mill for lunch. Upon our return to Eureka Springs, you will have the rest of the afternoon to explore this historic, Victorian-era village on your own. A very special dinner will be prepared this evening, just for your group, by one of our awardwinning chefs. Day
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Following breakfast, we will take scenic Highway 62 to Bentonville, Arkansas. After a tour of the Walmart Visitors Center, located in the original 5 & 10 of Mr. Sam Walton, founder of Walmart, our group will visit the Native American Museum. The museum is divided into five different time periods that will guide us through the changing lives of the Native Americans as seen through their artifacts. Our final stop in Bentonville will be the recently opened Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. The Museum is a series of pavilions that house galleries, a restaurant, meeting and classroom spaces, and a glass-enclosed gathering hall all nestled around two creek-fed ponds. Day
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CONTACT: Eureka Springs CAPC ➤ Karen Pryor, CTIS www.eurekasprings.org P.O. Box 544, Eureka Springs, AR 72632 Phone: 479-253-7333 Email: karen@eurekasprings.org
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FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS
STILL WILD, STILL WEST Fort Smith Museum of History—150 years of Fort Smith history; learn the city’s role in the early frontier, Civil War and the area’s late 19th century lawlessness. Enjoy oldfashioned soda at the working drug store/soda fountain.
HIGHLIGHTS ■ Fort Smith National Historic Site ■ “The Medicine Show on Hanging Day” musical/ comedy
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■ Railway excursion through the Ozarks ■ Tour/tasting in Arkansas Wine Country ■ Chaffee Barbershop Museum ■ Bass Reeves Equestrian Statue ■ Ride our 1920s electric trolley or 1935 Ferris wheel
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY Afternoon: Miss Laura’s Visitor Center— Tour the former bordello, the first to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. With prior arrangements, “Miss Laura” will be in costume to greet and give the tour! Pre-arrange for refreshments of sarsaparilla and peanuts. Step-on guide can join group for driving tour of Historic District. Fort Smith National Historic Site—Tour Hangin’ Judge Isaac C. Parker’s Courtroom, the old jail known as “Hell on the Border,” and see replica of famed gallows where 79 men met their fate. Day
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Evening: Dinner—The Lighthouse Inn on the banks of the Arkansas River and enjoy Miss Laura’s Players in The Medicine Show on Hanging Day, an original musical/comedy in its 18th year of production. Step back into a colorful past, both novel and entertaining! Morning: Darby Home—Boyhood home of the founder of famed World War II “Darby’s Rangers,” restored to the early 1940s; contains lots of World War II memorabilia. A & M Railway—Excursion north through the beautiful Ozarks. One-way or roundtrip available. Box lunch can be pre-arranged. Day
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Take a Walk on the Wild West Side
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Fort Smith, Arkansas – The West Starts Here!
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The Real America: Indians, Art, Wine & Justice
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Morning: Fort Smith Art Center—Fine paintings, sculptures and art exhibits OR Farm Tour— Working farm in operation for over 60 years by three generations of a family. Learn about farming in the region and crops such as soybeans/rice/corn. Stroll through pecan groves; see honeybees at work. St. Scholastica – Tour the facility and get insight on life in a convent. Artwork by Sisters dating back to early 1900s. Electric Trolley—Nostalgic ride through downtown on a restored electric trolley (1926 Birney). Day
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Afternoon: “High Tea” at the Clayton House—Circa 1850s restored home of William Clayton, Judge Parker’s prosecuting attorney. Contains authentic Clayton family and period pieces. “High Tea”/tour must be pre-arranged. Return to hotel. Church Tours—First Lutheran and Immaculate Conception Church have beautiful stained glass windows and fascinating history. special section
Lunch: The Park at West End—Dine in restored rail car; ride a classic 1935 Ferris wheel (in the 1930s World’s Fair in San Diego); take in sights/sounds of an old-time calliope. Or Taliano’s Italian Restaurant – locally owned and operated, home is on the National Register of Historic Places with original chandeliers and stained glass. Chaffee Barbershop Museum—History of Fort Chaffee, built in 1941 to train World War II recruits. Restored barbershop where many recruits got their first ‘buzz” cut, including Elvis Presley in 1958! Arkansas Wine Country—Visit one of several wineries for tour/tasting followed by dinner at Wiederkehr’s Weinkeller Restaurant, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other activities available: • Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center; learn how “The Natural State” got its name. • Choctaw & Cherokee Casinos—Enjoy time at the slots!
CONTACT: Fort Smith CVB ➤ Carolyn Joyce www.fortsmith.org 2 North B St., Fort Smith, AR 72901 Phone: 479-783-888 or 800-637-1477 Email: tourism@fortsmith.org June 2012 37
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA
SAVANNAH, EST. 1733 Fantastic Tybee Island: Just 20 minutes from Savannah lies Tybee Island, a uniquely charmed island that offers a change of pace and taste. While there, take your group to the Tybee Light Station. Dating back to 1773, the lighthouse is one of America’s most complete historic light stations.
HIGHLIGHTS ■ The nation’s largest urban historic district famous for an abundance of squares and parks ■ River Street with over 100 restored cotton warehouses, restaurants, galleries and shops
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■ Informative and fun tours offered throughout the Historic District ■ Nighttime activities that include riverboat cruises, ghost tours and live musical theater ■ Outstanding dining options and culinary programs ■ Unique Civil War tours and experiences ■ Magnificent historical homes and mansions
OTHER ITINERARIES ■
Cherry Blossoms to Azaleas
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Savannah’s Southern Christmas
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Ladies of Leisure Girlfriends Getaway
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DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY Savannah Welcome Center/History Museum: The Savannah History Museum showcases the city’s history from its founding to the present day. The museum is home to exhibits that include Forrest Gump’s bench, one of Johnny Mercer’s Oscar Awards and a carriage owned by the family of Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low. Take a Tour: Get to know Savannah by experiencing a city tour, either on our period-style trolleys or with one of our highly trained step-on guides. The tour lasts about two hours and will help your group get better acquainted with our genteel Southern beauty. Eat, Drink, and Be Merry: Savannah offers all types of casual and upscale dining options. We can help you determine which restaurants are particularly group-friendly. Day
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Riverboat Tour: Explore the Savannah River’s natural beauty on the Savannah Riverboat. This two-hour excursion shows you the city from a unique perspective. You can also take a Culinary Lunch Cruise that includes a cooking demonstration followed by a lunch buffet and sightseeing cruise. Amazing Museums: Visit one of many museums that feature everything from our nautical and railroad history, to modern art, to beautiful statues and paintings. Day
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Savannah’s African American Heritage
38 June 2012
African American History: Take a tour that focuses on our rich black heritage. Highlights include a church that was built by slave labor and served as part of the Underground Railroad. We’re also home to the state’s oldest continuous school for newly freed slaves as well as a modern museum chronicling the civil rights struggle in Savannah. Military Might: From its beginning, Savannah has been fortified to protect its residents and strategic port. Today our eight forts stand as un-garrisoned but fascinating reminders of our military history as well as striking memorials to our country’s struggles to remain free. Fright Night: Discover why Savannah has repeatedly been named “America’s Most Haunted City”! There are numerous touring options to choose from, making this a great evening event for your group that’s entertaining, fun and informative, no matter the age. Day
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Visit a Historic Home: Savannah’s past is told in the many house museums that populate the area. Your group will enjoy this immersion into the lifestyles of our most famous founding fathers, exploring their period homes, possessions and history. Civil War Experience: Let an experienced guide show your group the role Savannah played and the fascinating story of how she managed to avoid the ravages of war. It’s Showtime!: Your group’s final night in Savannah is sure to be a memorable one as they experience the city’s live musical theater. From dinner theater productions to Broadway-style extravaganzas, the entertainment will have your group smiling, laughing, singing and tapping their toes to the well-known songs of the past and present. Day
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CONTACT: Visit Savannah ➤ Mindy Shea www.visitsavannah.com 101 E. Bay St., Savannah, GA 31401 Phone: 912-644-6419 Email: mshea@savannahvisit.com LeisureGroupTravel.com
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NORFOLK, VIRGINIA
COASTAL CULINARY EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS ■ Hermitage Foundation Museum ■ Culinary Institute of Virginia – Casual Gourmet Cooking Class ■ Enjoy a delicious ice cream cone at Doumar’s Cones and Barbecue ■ Rowena’s pound cake factory ■ Granby Street food tour by Coastal Food Tours ■ Chrysler Museum of Art Glass Studio ■ Culinary demonstration and tram tour at Norfolk Botanical Garden
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY Start your culinary journey with a delicious ice cream cone at Doumar’s Cones and Barbecue. It was Abe Doumar who introduced the waffle cone to the world at a souvenir stand at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Tour the Hermitage Foundation Museum, an early 20th century historic house museum with a worldwide art collection and contemporary exhibition galleries, surrounded by 12 acres of formal gardens and natural woodlands. End the evening with the Culinary Institute of Virginia’s Casual Gourmet Cooking Class. The classes are designed to be very hands-on, so be prepared to participate! All equipment and ingredients for the class will be provided, along with an apron that will be yours to keep. Day
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Tour Rowena’s pound cake factory, visiting the magical world of this jam & jelly factory on a behind-the-scenes tour. In operation for more than 25 years, Rowena’s produces wonderful pound cakes, jams and special sauces. Explore the Victorian era with tea in the garden at the Hunter House Victorian Museum, built in 1894 as the family home of James Wilson Hunter, his wife Lizzie Ayer Barnes Hunter and children James Wilson, Jr., Harriett Cornelia and Eloise Dexter. Get fired up at with a demonstration of glass blowing at the Chrysler Museum of Art Glass Studio. The museum holds one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of glass in the world, with more than Day
OTHER ITINERARIES ■
Holidays in the City
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Norfolk Harborfest – tall ship maritime festival
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Rediscover Your Freedom – Virginia International Tattoo
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The Art of Chocolate – Virginia’s Chocolate Festival
40 June 2012
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10,000 glass objects spanning 3,000 years. The glass studio is adjacent to the museum in a modern, 7,000square-foot facility, a state-of-the-art space equipped to accommodate aspiring and master artists alike. Sample the best of downtown Norfolk with Coastal Food Tours’ “Walking Food Tour,” which highlights a Norfolk-themed menu as you eat your way through downtown Norfolk! Coastal Food Tours of Virginia brings together history, architecture and cuisine in a variety of different venues and neighborhoods.
Board Spirit of Norfolk for a Champagne Brunch to experience the most vibrant and entertaining dining cruise. End your tour with a culinary demonstration and tram tour at Norfolk Botanical Garden. The garden includes 155 acres of colorful landscapes, unusual flowers, mature forests and seasonal plantings and features one of the largest collections of azaleas, camellias, roses and rhododendrons on the East Coast. Demonstrations range from learning how to grow an herb garden to wine pairings. Day
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CONTACT: VisitNorfolk ➤ Melissa Hopper www.visitnorfolktoday.com 232 E. Main St., Norfolk, VA 23510 Phone: 800-368-3097 Email: mhopper@visitnorfolktoday.com LeisureGroupTravel.com
RICHMOND REGION, VIRGINIA
400 YEARS OF HISTORY AND BEYOND Meet your step-on guide for a tour along Monument Avenue, the first street in the United States to become a National Historic Landmark. This grand avenue features stunning historic homes and statues memorializing five Confederate leaders, as well as tennis champion and philanthropist Arthur Ashe Jr. Journey to Henricus Historical Park and explore the recreated site of the New World’s second successful English settlement. Next up is Agecroft Hall, a Tudor mansion built in England in the late 15th century and later dismantled and rebuilt in Richmond. Enjoy lunch and shopping in Carytown. A veritable “Mile of Style,” Carytown is known for its variety of one-of-a-kind boutiques and restaurants. Stroll along the Canal Walk, where four centuries of history are interpreted through monuments and exhibits. Or, take a narrated canal cruise on a charming bateau boat. Next, head to the Virginia Holocaust Museum and learn about the lives of Holocaust survivors through their stories of the Kovno Ghetto and Dachau concentration camp. Day
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HIGHLIGHTS ■ Visit the Thomas Jefferson-designed Virginia State Capitol ■ Awaken your senses at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden ■ Experience the inspirational speech of Patrick Henry ■ Enjoy lunch and shopping in Carytown
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY Tour the Virginia State Capitol. Designed by Thomas Jefferson, this neo-classical marvel features a hidden dome, pre-historic fossils in its marble floors and the Virginia Hall of Presidents. Next, head to the Valentine Richmond History Center, which focuses on urban and social history, using its collections of decorative and industrial arts, textiles and photographs. Step back in time on the cobblestone streets of Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom in downtown Richmond for great dining options, including local favorites Bottom’s Up Pizza, The Hard Shell, Sine Irish Pub and The Tobacco Company. After lunch, visit the John Marshall House and Garden, an outstanding example of a Federal-style home that boasts a rich collection of family-owned furnishings and memorabilia. Your next stop is the Museum & White House of the Confederacy. The White House, a National Historic Landmark, has been carefully restored to its wartime elegance as Confederate President Jefferson Davis’ executive mansion. The museum is home to the most comprehensive collection of military, political and domestic artifacts associated with the Confederacy. Late afternoon brings us to St. John’s Church, where Patrick Henry gave his famous, “give me liberty or give me death” speech. Enjoy a Civil War Dinner. The year is 1862. You have just arrived in the new nation’s capital where you are greeted and begin a lively discussion of the day’s events. Spirits are high, food is plentiful and the music is upbeat. Day
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OTHER ITINERARIES ■
Gardens, Grandeur and Glamour
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Wine, Dine or Do It Yourself
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Footprints in Time: The African-American Story
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Visit the Virginia War Memorial, a memorial dedicated to the fallen soldiers of Virginia. A World War II veteran guides you through the memorial. Next, explore Historic Jackson Ward, home to the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia and Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church. After lunch, awaken your senses at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Every season in the garden is spectacular. Day
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CONTACT: Richmond Metropolitan CVB ➤ Janie Lawson, CTIS www.tourrichmondva.com 401 N. Third St., Richmond, VA 23219 Phone: 804-783-7409 Email: jlawson@richmondva.org LeisureGroupTravel.com
PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE
SHOWTIME IN THE SMOKIES Morning - Start your day with a step-on guide tour of the most visited national park in the United States, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This three-hour tour will give your group a look at its awe-inspiring beauty. Day
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HIGHLIGHTS ■ Music theaters ■ Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Afternoon - Have lunch at the Pottery House Café for soups, salads, sandwiches and spuds in the Old Mill Historic district! A matinee performance at the Country Tonite Theatre delivers the best mix of country classics and country hits of today. After dinner, go on down the road where you’ll find the Smoky Mountain Opry, big stage, big cast, big talent wrapped into one big show.
■ Museums ■ Dinner shows ■ Dollywood ■ Specialty shopping
Morning - Visit our newest attraction, the Hollywood Wax Museum – The newest and largest in the nation! Take time to visit the Three Bears General Store for that perfect Smoky Mountain souvenir and see live bears too! Day
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■ Special events
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY Afternoon - Upon arrival in town, the towering ship-shaped museum attraction, Titanic Museum Attraction, is anchored and ready for boarding. Twenty galleries with priceless Titanic artifacts, the grand staircase, and the chill of an iceberg will have your group in awe. Day
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Mountains and Music
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Winterfest Magic
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Making Memories Together
Evening - The Smith Family Dinner Theater offers a wonderful variety of music and fun by hometown entertainers, The Smith Boys. A southern cooked meal rounds out the show. After dinner, the Tennessee Shindig is the place to go. A show that will bring back the memories of days gone by! Morning - After a hearty breakfast at Wood Grill Buffet, it’s off to Dollywood. Whether you come in the spring for Festival of Nations, summer for KidsFest, fall for National Gospel & Harvest Celebration or for Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival, Dollywood has great entertainment, master craftsmen, and thrilling rides. Day
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Evening - It’s feudin’ fun at the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud. Become part of the longest running feud in history as they settle their difference mountain-style or settle the feud between the North and the South at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. It’s the Smokies’ Most Fun Place to Eat in the Smokies! Morning - Today begins with Country Jamboree Breakfast show for a hearty meal and the harmonious gospel sounds of the Blackwoods. Shopping at Walden’s Landing and the Incredible Christmas Place with a lunch included at the Partridge and Pear Restaurant. Explore the Historic District of the Old Mill and the shops surrounding Patriot Park. Day
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Evening – Solve the mystery at the Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show, you’ll laugh ‘til you die! This itinerary is also a perfect fit to combine with any of our many festivals that are held throughout the year.
CONTACT: Pigeon Forge Dept. of Tourism Evening – Enjoy a delicious dinner and show at the Lumberjack Feud, the Smokies’ rowdiest good time dinner show!
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➤ Joy McNealy www.pigeonforgetours.com 2450 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868 Phone: 800-285-7557 Email: groupsales@mypigeonforge.com June 2012 43
CORINTH, MISSISSIPPI AND SHILOH, TENNESSEE
SPIRIT OF FIRE AND STRENGTH OF STEEL crossroads that thrust Corinth into the national spotlight over 150 years ago. From the Museum, we will continue to C&D Jarnagin Company where we will have an opportunity to examine the craftsmanship of this leading outfitter of Civil War reenactment uniforms and supplies. Then, we will embark on a Downtown Civil War Walking Tour (which can also be incorporated into a driving tour) with brief stops in the historic business and residential districts. A behind-the-scenes tour of the Verandah/Curlee House, which is currently closed to public, is offered. Inside the house, Special Order #8 was given for the launch of the Battle of Shiloh. As an afternoon treat, a visit to Borroum’s Drug Store has been added. Opened by a Confederate veteran in 1865, Borroum’s is Mississippi’s oldest, continuously familyoperated drugstore. An old-fashioned soda fountain is a bonus featuring cherry colas and chocolate malts. While at Borroum’s, view the Confederate monument on Court Square dedicated to Col. William Rogers, the hero of the Battle of Corinth.
HIGHLIGHTS ■ Stand at the 16 most important square feet in the Confederacy ■ See the place where the Battle of Shiloh was planned ■ Taste the delights found at Mississippi’s oldest drug store and soda fountain ■ Walk the path of early freedom with former slaves ■ View the new interpretive video at the Shiloh National Battlefield ■ Step into the uniform of a Civil War soldier ■ Find your “place of peace” at Shiloh
Evening: Experience Corinth’s many culinary delights at a number of locally-owned restaurants specializing in barbeque, fried catfish or down-home comfort food.
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DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY Corinth, Mississippi Morning: Start the day at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center, a National Park Service site, where we will view short films on the Battles of Shiloh and Corinth. A ranger-led story of the Center’s water feature will follow with free time afterward to explore the facility. A step-on guide will join the party, and it is off to Battery F, one example of Corinth’s Civil War earthwork system, considered to be the best preserved in the nation. At the next stop, the Corinth Contraband Camp, we will walk the path of early freedom that many African-Americans experienced before the end of the Civil War. Next, we will pause at the Corinth National Cemetery, the final resting place for over 5,000 soldiers. Day
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Soothing the Soul – Girlfriend Getaway
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Get Down and Dirty – Garden Tour
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A Journey into the Comfortable – Culinary Tour
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The Birthplace of Freedom – African-American Tour
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Shiloh, Tennessee Morning: We will get an early start with complimentary breakfast at the host hotel where a guide will be on hand for a tour of the Shiloh National Military Park. As we make our way into the park, either a ranger or professional guide will join the tour at the Visitors Center, where the National Park Service is featuring a new, comprehensive video on the Battle. After viewing the video, we will be treated to an in-depth view of the pivotal point of the battle including stops at the Hornet’s Nest, Peach Orchard, Bloody Pond, Albert Sidney Johnston Death Site and Pittsburg Landing. Day
Lunch: Catfish, hushpuppies and sweet tea abound as we cap off the tour with lunch at Hagy’s Catfish Hotel, a historic Tennessee riverfront restaurant just yards from the Shiloh Battlefield.
Lunch: We will be dining at the Pittsburg Landing Grille located on the porch of the 1870s Generals Quarters Inn.
CONTACT: Corinth Area CVB
Afternoon: We will continue at the Crossroads Museum at the Depot. The Museum features railroad and Civil War artifacts and sits at the site of the historic
➤ Kristy White www.corinth.net 215 N. Fillmore St., Corinth, MS 38834 Phone: 662-287-8300 Email: tourism@corinth.net
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RIVER PARISHES, LOUISIANA
NEW ORLEANS PLANTATION COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS ■ Historic plantations with demonstrations ■ Conveniently located between New Orleans and Baton Rouge ■ Enjoy authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine ■ Unique shopping and arts venues
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY
■ Experience a taste of New Orleans
Travel Through Time Begin your tour in Vacherie at Oak Alley Plantation, one of the world’s most photographed plantations with its alley of 300year-old oak trees and Civil War history. Spend a little time shopping Oak Alley’s vast gift shop on the grounds. Nearby St. Joseph Plantation is a working Creole sugar plantation with tours provided by descendants of Joseph Waguespack who acquired the property in 1877. After a full morning of touring, cross the river at Hwy. 641 and stop for lunch at Nobile’s Restaurant. Nobile’s was founded in 1895 during the logging boom and still serves authentic Louisiana dishes in an historic atmosphere. There are several historic churches in the area to tour before heading east to Garyville, where the opulence of San Francisco Plantation with its vivid colors and intricate architecture will stand in stark contrast to the more modest Creole homes. Leave time for shopping at Roussel’s Antiques in LaPlace or a Cajun Pride Swamp Tour before dinner at Frenier Landing Restaurant & Oyster Bar. LaPlace-area hotels will provide comfortable accommodations for your group. Day
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Touring and Swamp Tours Take I-10 to Darrow for a tour of Houmas House Plantation & Gardens, stopping off at its lavish gift shop. Then take I-10 to Exit 220 and head to tours at Ormond Plantation and Destrehan Plantation. Ormond is a West Indies-style plantation, and Destrehan is the oldest documented plantation home in the lower Mississippi Valley and boasts skilled artisans and displays of the original Louisiana Purchase documents. Ormond Plantation serves lunch during the weekday, or Zydeco’s in Boutte is also a good option for groups. Day
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Churches and Cemeteries
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Outdoor Adventures
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An exhilarating Swamp Adventures or Airboat Tours by Arthur Matherne will round out the afternoon. Dinner at Mario’s Cypress Café and another night’s accommodations in the area will leave you refreshed for one more day of touring. African American Heritage Explore our African American heritage. Laura: A Creole Plantation has tours based upon Laura’s detailed memoirs of life in Creole Louisiana in 1805 and the interaction between the slaves and her family. This plantation is also noted as the place where the tales of Br’er Rabbit were first recorded. A wide variety of gifts, including Laura’s memoirs are available in the gift shop. Stop for lunch at B&C Seafood Market & Cajun Restaurant, a quaint spot known for its mouth-watering, down-home Cajun and Creole dishes. Evergreen Plantation in Edgard has the most intact plantation complex in the South with 37 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, including 22 slave cabins. Both Evergreen and Laura: A Creole Plantation are featured on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail because of their dedication to preserving the true stories of slaves, as well as their contributions to art, history and Louisiana culture. Then cross the Mississippi to Reserve to visit Our Lady of Grace Church. Historic Riverlands Church, across the Mississippi River in Reserve, was recently added to the African American Heritage Trail as the caretakers of Our Lady of Grace sanctuary, the first Catholic church in the area built for African American parishioners. Day
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CONTACT: River Parishes Tourist Commission ➤ Kimmie Carlos www.neworleansplantationcountry.com 2900 Highway 51, LaPlace, LA 70068 Phone: 985-359-2783, 866-204-7782 Email: sales@neworleansplantationcountry.com June 2012 47