Savannah
SOUTH Symphony of Southern Sightseeing rom 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.
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New Orleans
North Carolina 30 June 2009
Many 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 ambience 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 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 glorious 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 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 on the Golden Isles. More beaches await in Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. The Gulf Coast of Mississippi abounds with casinos, great seafood restaurants and shopping in quaint old-town districts, while Tunica lures gaming enthusiasts to Mississippi’s Delta Region. Alabama cities like Mobile, Birmingham and Huntsville (home of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center) keep groups engaged. Arkansas, the Natural State, dazzles travelers with Ozark Mountain splendor and unspoiled river valleys. Louisiana, another state with its own personality, tempts visitors with Cajun and Creole dishes, stately plantation homes and great cities such as New Orleans, Baton Rouge and ShreveportBossier City. LGT
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Best of Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Discover 60 miles of spectacular beaches • Savor the freshest Carolina coastal cuisine • Enjoy six award-winning live entertainment theaters • Challenge your game on world-class championship golf courses • Unwind in the country’s finest outdoor collection of sculptures
➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY • Dinner and one of our six live theaters: Alabama Theatre, The Carolina Opry, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show, Legends in Concert, Medieval Times or The Palace Theatre.
DAY 1: Arrive in Myrtle Beach • Check in at host hotel. • Savor the delectable dishes from Myrtle Beach’s finest choice of restaurants that offer group rates. • Catch live entertainment at one of Myrtle Beach’s six renowned theaters. • Return to hotel and settle in for an evening of rest and peace.
DAY 2: Myrtle Beach Area • Breakfast at host hotel. • Visit Brookgreen Gardens and its new Lowcountry Center that depicts the history of the Lowcountry from its Native American beginnings to its slave era and beyond; don’t miss the one-man show that traces the history of the Gullah people from Africa to South Carolina’s Lowcountry. • Buffet or boxed lunch at Brookgreen Gardens. • Hopsewee Plantation, a National Historic Landmark on the North Santee River, is a preservation rather than a restoration and has never been allowed to fall into decay. Only five families have owned it, although it was built almost 40 years before the Revolutionary War. • Return to Myrtle Beach for a dinner and show.
DAY 3: Myrtle Beach • “Breakfast with the Sharks” at Ripley’s Aquarium, with breakfast buffet, a fun “marine class,” aquarium tour and the surprise of your group’s name displayed on an underwater card by one of the divers. • Browsing and lunch on own at Broadway at The Beach. • IMAX 3D Theatre Myrtle Beach. • Return to your hotel.
DAY 4: Myrtle Beach Day of options: • Capt. Dave’s Dockside. Serving the finest seafood & steaks for over 30 years. Waterfront dining with scenic views. • Divine Dining Group. Choose from over 20 area restaurants for your tour group dinner. • Giant Crab Gourmet Seafood Buffet. Over 120 items at this allyou-can-eat buffet guarantees you won’t go home hungry. • House of Blues Myrtle Beach. Parties large and small will enjoy live music and Delta-inspired cuisine. • Original Benjamin's Calabash Seafood offers a spectacular 170item buffet, plus one of the largest collections of nautical museum pieces and large ship models in the Southeast. • Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. A mecca for Parrot Heads or anyone else who wants to have a good time in the ultimate tropical setting. Options include the Tiki Dining Room, Euphoria Pirate Ship and Light House Dining. • Planet Hollywood. From families and school groups to the ultimate movie buff, Planet Hollywood sets the stage to draw guests into the glamorous world of film and television. • Market Common. A place where you can experience exceptional shopping and dining in a beautifully designed village setting. • Ripley’s Aquarium offers hourly dive shows, thousands of colorful fish and sharks, and an underwater moving glide path. • Broadway at the Beach. Experience 350 acres of shops, restaurants, nightlife and attractions. • Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Enjoy minor league baseball action. • SunCruz Casino Boat. Escape on a five-hour, Vegas-style gaming cruise.
CONTACT: Myrtle Beach Area CVB
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Danna Lilly • www.MyrtleBeachGroups.com 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Phone: 1-800-488-8998 • Email: Danna.Lilly@VisitMyrtleBeach.com
Visit GroupTravelDirectory.com for more Myrtle Beach itinerary ideas
32 June 2009
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Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth & Virginia Beach, Virginia
Set Sail to Coastal Virginia ➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Virginia Air & Space Center offers over 100 hands-on exhibits • Discover artifacts from USS Monitor at The Mariners’ Museum • The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame showcases 20 sports • Experience more than 150 seafaring exhibits at Nauticus • Voted one America’s most beautiful boardwalks: Virginia Beach oceanfront
➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1:
DAY 3:
PM: Arrive in Norfolk just in time to board the Victory Rover for a tour of Norfolk Naval Base, the largest Naval Installation in the world. Following your cruise you will head to the MacArthur Center Mall for a round-the-world chocolate tasting event. Dinner tonight will be at the Freemason Abbey. Following dinner enjoy a walk through the streets of Norfolk for the Ghosts and Sea Legends Tour.
AM: Following a great breakfast in the hotel you will depart for the Casemate Museum in Hampton. This active military installation was famed during the Civil War as the "Freedom Fort" by blacks escaping from slavery. Next we will take flight to the Virginia Air & Space Center, the birthplace of America's space program and the official visitor center for NASA Langley Research Center. Lunch today will be at the Grey Goose Restaurant.
DAY 2: AM: After enjoying breakfast in the hotel, you will head to Old Town Portsmouth. First stop is the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. This museum honors Virginia athletes and their contributions to the world of sports. You can shoot baskets, bike a mountain on a simulator and climb inside a real NASCAR race car. Next we will take a historic tour through the streets of Old Town with its founder, Colonel Crawford. Lunch and antique shopping rounds out your morning. PM: This afternoon we head to Virginia Beach and the Cape Henry Lighthouse where you are welcome to climb to the top or simply enjoy the history and the majestic overlook. Next we head under the sea and behind the scenes at the Virginia Aquarium. After undergoing extensive expansion this past year, the aquarium is a top destination in Virginia. You have the opportunity to go behind the scenes to see how the tanks are maintained, the food is prepared and the animals are cared for. Dinner tonight will be on the Virginia Beach oceanfront.
PM: Now we head to the sea as we visit The Mariners’ Museum for a behind-the-scenes tour. As one of the largest and most comprehensive maritime history museums in the world, The Mariners’ illustrates the spirit of seafaring adventure through a renowned and diverse collection of maritime artifacts, including figureheads, ship models, and small craft from around the world. Next we will enjoy a wine reception at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center. Dinner tonight will be at the Boxwood Inn, where we will enjoy a genuine Chesapeake Bay Seafood Feast. Tonight’s entertainment will be “Those Fabulous Fifties.” From poodle skirts and pompadours to drive-ins and ducktails, this will be a funfilled night with the top down in your ’57 Chevy convertible.
DAY 4: AM: After your final breakfast in the hotel, you will head to the Virginia Living Museum. You will explore Virginia's natural heritage from the mountains to the sea with live exhibits that look back at you. You will also enjoy a behind-the scenes tour and the all new planetarium.
CONTACT: Catch A Wave – All In One Receptive Services
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Christy Lucas • www.all-in-one-tours.com 2756 Alameda Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 Phone: 888-283-3141 • Email: clucas@all-in-one-tours.com
➤ Taste of Virginia ➤ Military Traditions-A Celebration of Freedom
34 June 2009
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Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory Presents
Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown November & December
Packages from $249 Tour Highlights: • Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown exhibit at Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory • Afternoon of Reindeer Racing at the Kentucky Derby Museum • “It's A Wonderful Life" at the Derby Dinner Playhouse • Choice of admission to: Frazier International History Museum or Glassworks Studio Tour • Two Nights First Class Lodging • Two Dinners • Two Breakfasts • All Taxes & Tips on these services • Luggage Handling • One Free With Every 16 Paid
www.sluggermuseum.com 877-775-8443
UFS
Exhibit organized by Charles M. Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa, CA
www.ustours.biz 888-393-8687
A Brave New World: History & American Heritage Tour
Chesapeake, Virginia
➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Tour through the mysterious “Lost Colony” of Roanoke combines history, art and drama • Convenient location in the heart of the Hampton Roads region • Excursions to Virginia’s Historic Triangle: Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown • Old Cape Henry Lighthouse - First lighthouse authorized by U.S. Congress • Informative and fun cruise through Hampton Roads Harbor
➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: “Lose Yourself” Your journey through history starts with a southward trip to Roanoke Island, where the first English explorers stepped ashore in 1584. You learned about the “Lost Colony” of Roanoke in school, but nothing compares to a firsthand look at the site of the most mysterious disappearance in American history. Visit the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and learn about Roanoke Island’s earliest inhabitants. Take a trip in time in the Elizabethan Gardens and view a reproduced early English garden. Head to Roanoke Island Festival Park and see a replica 16th-century ship with costumed re-enactors. Take in a performance of The Lost Colony, a symphonic outdoor drama at the Waterside Theater that tells of 117 English settlers who vanished from Roanoke Island. Maybe you'll have your own theory to the enigmatic disappearance of the Lost Colony before the day is through!
DAY 2: “Get Settled” Start your day by viewing the First Landing Cross, erected by the first permanent English settlers in gratitude to God and affirmation of England's claim to the site on the shore of what is today Virginia Beach. Salty dogs can explore the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse and Museum. Built in 1791-92, the picturesque structure was the first lighthouse authorized by Congress. Climb the 191 steps to the top and smell the sea and feel the sky over Cape Henry and the Chesapeake Bay. Landlubbers will be charmed by the quaint Adam Thoroughgood House and Gardens. The small brick farmhouse was built in the 1680s on land granted by the British crown. Finish the day with the Hampton Roads Harbor Cruise with views of Fort Norfolk, Norfolk International Terminals and Naval Station Norfolk.
DAY 3: “The Future May Learn from the Past" Cap off your journey through the annals of America with a taste of living history in Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown—Virginia’s Historic Triangle. Immerse in 17th-century life and trace the colonists’ path to freedom as an onboard historical interpreter provides background on the historic area. Tour Jamestown, where the first permanent English settlers arrived in 1607. Experience Colonial Williamsburg, where the ideas of independence and revolution took form. Discover Yorktown, where the surrender of Cornwallis’s army prompted the end of the Revolutionary War and the beginning of a new nation conceived in liberty. Visit Chesapeake, Va., and learn why history and travel go hand in hand. Few places have a historical and environmental legacy like that of Chesapeake, and even fewer provide modern travelers with proximity to the sites that made our nation what it is today. With easy access to preserved historical sites and authentic, awe-inspiring museums, we strive to educate visitors about Virginia’s role in the creation of our fledgling nation. Come and experience all we have to offer in Chesapeake and the surrounding area: outdoor sports galore, easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, a vibrant musical and cultural scene, and picturesque strolls in a green and beautifully preserved environment.
CONTACT: Chesapeake Conventions & Tourism
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Susan Drewery • www.visitchesapeake.com 860 Greenbrier Circle, Suite 101, Chesapeake, VA 23320 Phone: 888-889-5551 • Email: sdrewery@cityofchesapeake.net
➤ Southern Hospitality ➤ Get Wild ➤ Visit www.visitchesapeake.com/group_tour/itineraries/ for more details
36 June 2009
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IF VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS, WELCOME TO THE HEART OF THE VIRGINIA WATERFRONT. It’s easy to love Norfolk, the heart of Virginia’s waterfront. Hotels, nightlife, shopping, live performances and sumptuous dining are all right here. Norfolk is brimming with new energy and fun. Let comfort be your guide in Norfolk, Virginia. Sail Into Savings on the Norfolk Waterfront in 2009. Visit our website for more information.
visitnorfolktoday.com | 1-800-368-3097 *Located between Williamsburg and Virginia Beach The heart of the Virginia Waterfront.
Autumn Colors
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Dollywood – The Smoky Mountain Family Adventure • Tour of Great Smoky Mountains National Park with entertaining and educational step-on guide • Theaters – Comedy, Variety, Country and Bluegrass • Dinner Shows – Variety • Shopping – Specialty and Outlet
➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Arrive in Pigeon Forge and celebrate with us the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival. Enjoy the splendid colors of fall at every turn along the parkway as you arrive to check in to one of our many group-friendly hotels. For dinner, your group will love the Old Mill Restaurant. The Old Mill was built in 1830, and you can take a guided tour and browse the general store. After a big ol’ Southern dinner, take your group to one of our spectacular shows such as the Comedy Barn Theater, with its family-friendly comedians, ventriloquists, magicians and barnyard animals, OR Country Tonite Theater, which offers highenergy entertainment, dancing and humor. (D)
DAY 2:
award-winning Blackwood Quartet gets your day started off right with gospel, country and comedy. It’s on to Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s very own theme park. The park features live music shows, handmade crafts and rides for all ages. Dinner this evening is at Fiddler Feast Tennessee Shindig supper show, where old-fashioned Southern cooking, mountain charm and bluegrass music blend in perfect harmony, or choose Hoot ‘n’ Holler dinner show at WonderWorks. Sit down for an Italian feast while enjoying this vaudeville-style musical production. For this evening’s entertainment, take your group to The Miracle Theater, where the curtains rise with the dawning of creation as the fingerprint of Christ is illustrated throughout human history. Or your group can step back in time with a performance of a musical show at Memories Theater. (B,D)
DAY 4:
Breakfast this morning is at the hotel with a deluxe continental breakfast or perhaps at Mama’s Farmhouse. Enjoy this morning with a step-on guide and tour America’s most visited national park. This Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tour will show your group awe-inspiring beauty. Enjoy the afternoon shopping the many outlet malls and specialty shops such as Walden’s Landing or Belz Outlet. This evening your group can enjoy dinner shows like Black Bear Jamboree, with its lavish Broadway-style productions, or Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show. Want more action? Your group can head to the Magic Beyond Belief Theater starring Terry Evanswood, who will keep you on the edge of your seat, or the Smith Family Theater, starring Charlie, Jim and Charlie Bob Smith. (B,D)
Enjoy a pancake breakfast this morning at FlapJack’s or Log Cabin Pancake House before heading out to Dollywood to experience the National Gospel & Harvest Celebration. This afternoon you are on your own to ride the Pigeon Forge Fun Time Trolleys to your favorite shopping or entertainment destination. Choose dinner this evening from fine restaurants such as Corky’s Ribs & BBQ, Pottery House Cafe and Grille, Tony Roma’s, Golden Corral or Great American Steak & Buffet Company. Your entertainment this evening should include the Smoky Mountain Jubilee, the Smokies’ longestrunning show, or Patty Waszak Show, the ultimate variety show. (B,D)
DAY 3:
DAY 5:
Enjoy breakfast at the Blackwoods Morning Variety Show as the
Depart Pigeon Forge with memories that will last a lifetime.
CONTACT: Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Joy L. McNealy, CTIS • www.pigeonforgetours.com PO Box 1390, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868 Phone: 800-285-7557 • Email: jmcnealy@mypigeonforge.com
➤ Wilderness Wildlife Week ➤ Saddle Up!
38 June 2009
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400 Years of History & Beyond!
Richmond, Virginia
➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Narrated canal cruise of Richmond • Experience life in Richmond during the Civil War • Enjoy a mile of eclectic shops and restaurants in Carytown • See the Holocaust through the eyes of a survivor • Relive Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty" speech at St. John's Church
➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Richmond • The Virginia State Capitol, designed by Thomas Jefferson, ranks as the second oldest working capitol in the United States, having been in continuous use since 1788. Displayed in the Rotunda is a magnificent life-size statue of George Washington. Allow 1 hour. • Valentine Richmond History Center showcases decorative and industrial arts, costumes and textiles. The museum includes the Edward Valentine sculpture studio and 1812 Wickham House. Allow 2 hours. • Lunch in historic Shockoe Slip • John Marshall House: The great Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court built this house in 1790 and made it his home for 45 years. Allow 1 hour. • White House of the Confederacy: This National Historic Landmark has been restored to its wartime elegance as Jefferson Davis’ executive mansion. Allow 1 hour. • St. John’s Church: On March 23, 1775, in the presence of Washington, Jefferson and other members of the Second Virginia Convention, the torch of liberty was kindled by the words of Patrick Henry: “Give me liberty…or give me death!” (Reenactment of the convention may be arranged.) Allow 1 hour. • Choose a Civil War or other themed dinner or attend a dinner theater.
DAY 2: Richmond • Begin the day with a driving tour of Richmond and its famous Monument Avenue, the only avenue in America designated as a National Historic Landmark. • Voyage to Virginia-Agecroft Hall-Henricus: The 17th century comes alive when the simplicity of Henricus Historical Park meets the elegance of Agecroft Hall. Henricus, the second settlement after Jamestown, is where Pocahontas met her husband, John Rolfe. Allow 3 hours. • Stop in Carytown for lunch and shop along the one-mile stretch of eclectic boutiques.
• Kanawha Canal and Riverfront: Take a cruise on the canal designed by George Washington. • The Virginia Holocaust Museum: Learn the story of one family that endured the Holocaust. Meet a Holocaust survivor. • Dinner at a historical or chain buffet restaurant.
DAY 3: Richmond • Historic Jackson Ward was once known as the “Harlem of the South.” A visit includes Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, where lunch can be arranged. Allow 2 hours. • Virginia War Memorial is dedicated to soldiers from World War II and the Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars. A WWII veteran can provide an introduction, and your group may present a wreath. • Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden boasts over a million blooms in the spring. Horticultural demonstrations are available to groups. (Lunch can be arranged in the tea house or main restaurant.) • Return to the hotel to freshen up for the theater. Richmond has four theater groups just waiting to entertain you. Hanover Tavern offers a dinner-and-theater package.
DAY 4: Richmond Leave Richmond for a scenic drive through Goochland, which is beautiful farm and horse country. Visit an organic farm or horse farm. Have lunch at the Edible Gardens restaurant.
CONTACT: Richmond Metropolitan CVB
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Janie Lawson, Tourism Sales Manager • www.VisitRichmondVa.com 410 North 3rd Street. Richmond, VA 23219 Phone: 800-370-9004 or Direct: 804-783-7409 • Email: jlawson@RichmondVa.org
➤ Civil War Central: Headquarters, Heroes and Haunts ➤ Richmond: The African-American Story
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June 2009 39
Explore The Rocket City
Huntsville, Alabama
➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • U.S. Space & Rocket Center • Historic Huntsville Depot • Twickenham Historic District • Alabama Constitution Village • Huntsville Botanical Garden
➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Arrive in Huntsville. Prepare to be “space-napped.” Representatives from the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau will greet your group at a location where your driver will stop for them to board the motorcoach under the pretense of “kidnapping” your group. The group will be taken to our Visitor Center for a special welcome and photos will be taken of individuals behind a cutout of an astronaut. Explore Space: Alabama’s top tourist attraction, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, home of U.S. Space Camp®, offers visitors a look at the history of space aviation as well as a glimpse into the future. Its Davidson Center for Space Exploration is home to one of only three remaining Saturn V moon rockets. Phantoms of the Depot: Walk up the creaking steps and down the shadowy hall of the Historic Huntsville Depot on a ghostly lantern tour and hear about sightings and actual readings taken by paranormal experts. Enjoy a spirited dinner in the lobby. (D)
DAY 2:
It’s Not Just a Place to Shop! Experience Southern traditions and shop for treasures at Huntsville’s Interior Marketplace. The unique shopping venue, located in a 1920s farmhouse and quaint old country church, houses boutiques and a gourmet cafe. Enjoy cooking demonstrations, fashion shows and seasonal presentations on entertaining and decorating. Lunch is available at Cafe Michael. Alabama’s Birthplace: Hear the whir of the spinning wheel...smell the enticing aroma of freshly baked bread being prepared over an open fire…and visit with villagers busy with their daily tasks. Alabama Constitution Village dates back to 1819 and is the site where 44 delegates gathered to forge the way for Alabama's statehood. Harrison Brothers Hardware Shop: The oldest operating hardware store in Alabama was founded in 1879 as a tobacco store and moved to its present location in 1897. Antique biscuit jars brim with old-fashioned candies. Cotton throws, marbles by the scoop, cast-iron cookware and oak rocking chairs share space with garden gadgets and bird feeders. Goods nestled up high are reached from tall rolling ladders.
Breakfast at the hotel The Past Preserved for the Future: Enjoy intriguing stories about early merchants, bankers and attorneys who built the fashionable brick homes in the Twickenham Historic District, Alabama’s largest district of antebellum homes. (Step-on-guide) Historic Weeden House Museum: Built in 1819, the Weeden House was home to 19th century poet and artist Maria Howard Weeden. Poetry will be recited in the dialect of the servants and songs will be sung that will warm your heart.
Picture Perfect is a hands-on paint station for young and old alike where users can create artwork on a large screen. Check out the Huntsville Museum of Arts’ latest interactive feature in the Educational Gallery. What’s Growing On? At the Huntsville Botanical Garden, enjoy the Nature Center, Children's Garden complex and largest seasonal butterfly house in the nation. Dinner at one of Huntsville/Madison County’s unique dining establishments. (B,L,D)
CONTACT: Huntsville/Madison County CVB
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Pam Williams, Tourism Sales Manager • www.huntsville.org 500 Church St., Ste. 1, Huntsville, AL 35801 Phone: 256-551-2204 • Email: pam@huntsville.org
➤ Out of This World ➤ Between The Mountains and The Lakes
40 June 2009
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Naturally New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Breakfast of beignets and café au lait at Café du Monde • Louisiana cooking class • River Road Plantation Country and Cajun swamp tour • Jazz brunch in the French Quarter • Dinner and entertainment at a Cajun music restaurant or jazz at Preservation Hall
➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: AM – Breakfast: Start your day with a cup of café au lait, usually accompanied by beignets. This Creole version of a doughnut (without a hole) is deep-fried and dusted with powdered sugar. Afterwards, meet your guide for a sightseeing tour of New Orleans. The tour will encompass the entire city from the French Quarter to above-ground cemeteries, beautiful City Park, Lake Pontchartrain, the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar, Garden District, Warehouse/Arts District and Central Business District. Lunch – Try one of our unique cooking schools where you can learn how to make traditional Cajun and Creole dishes such as gumbo, jambalaya and pralines. You not only learn how to make these wonderful dishes but get to eat what the chef creates right in front of you! After lunch the group may want to take a ride aboard a Mississippi River paddlewheeler or shop along our riverfront. You may want to tour the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, IMAX, National World War II Museum, or the newly opened Audubon Insectarium while you are in the area. Evening – Tonight dine at one of our fabulous restaurants before heading out to Bourbon Street for an evening filled with live entertainment on every corner. Or take in a set of hot jazz at Preservation Hall.
DAY 2:
many plantation homes. You may want to stop at a local restaurant or enjoy a Southern-style meal at the home itself. Before heading back towards town, you will enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Pontchartrain. Evening – Tonight you may want to have the evening free to explore the city’s charm or you may want to take the group for a foot stompin’ two steppin’ evening at one of our Cajun music restaurants. Dance instructors will teach you how to do steps like the “Cajun Waltz” while you dine on Cajun specialties and listen to live Cajun music.
DAY 3: AM – Start the day with a Jazz Courtyard Brunch at one of the many fine dining establishments in the French Quarter. Afterwards you can stroll the antique shops and galleries along Royal Street before stopping for some last-minute finds at the Flea Market. PM – If you are feeling lucky, visit one of our casinos that add to the 24-hour excitement of a city that never sleeps!
After breakfast, your local step-on guide will take you outside of New Orleans for an authentic Cajun swamp tour where you will see alligators, birds, snakes and much, much more! Afterwards, you will travel back in time as you make your way down River Road to one of our
CONTACT: New Orleans Metropolitan CVB
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Lisa M. Holland, Tourism Sales Manager • www.neworleanscvb.com 2020 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130 Phone: 800-748-8695, ext. 5053 • Email: lholland@neworleanscvb.com
➤ New Orleans African-American Heritage Tour
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June 2009 41
The Mississippi Delta: The Land of Kings
Tunica, Clarksdale and Indianola, Mississippi, and Memphis, Tennessee
➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Accommodations, dining and casino gaming in Tunica • Graceland, Sun Records and Beale Street in Memphis • Clarksdale’s Delta Blues Museum and Ground Zero Blues Club • B.B. King Museum in Indianola • National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis
➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY Just down the road in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, there is a special place that connects you to the legends, history and excitement of Southern Kings.
DAY 1: Tunica Check into your luxurious Tunica Casino Resort Hotel. Your group may enjoy any of the nine casino resorts with 24/7 gaming action in the South’s Casino Capital. Dinner recommendations: Paula Deen’s Buffet at Harrah’s Casino Resort (Y’all hungry?) or the Holywood Cafe, made famous in the song “Walking in Memphis” and home of the fried dill pickle.
Peabody Hotel. Witness the tradition of the famous Peabody Marching Ducks. Every day at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., a red carpet is unrolled and the ducks march through crowds of admiring spectators to the tune of John Philip Sousa's King Cotton March. National Civil Rights Museum. Located at the Lorraine Motel, the assassination site of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the museum chronicles the legacy of the American civil rights movevement. Return to Tunica for the evening, enjoy dinner at a casino resort or one of the local favorites. End the night with some fast-paced casino gaming.
DAY 2: Tunica and Memphis Options
DAY 3: Tunica – Clarksdale - Indianola
Tunica: Tunica RiverPark Museum. Aquariums, interactive exhibits and dioramas reveal the legends and life of the Mississippi River. Voted the Southeast Travel Attraction of the Year. Tunica Queen Riverboat. Sightseeing cruises on the Mississippi River. Tunica Museum. Don’t miss Dr. Dick’s humorous and entertaining presentation on the history of Tunica and “King Cotton,” the crop that made the Mississippi Delta famous.
Enjoy breakfast at one of the spectacular casino buffets or the Blue and White Cafe, a mainstay on Hwy. 61 since 1937. Head south down historic Highway 61 to Clarksdale and on to Indianola. From the cotton fields, street corners and juke joints of the Mississippi Delta came a new kind of music – the blues. Considered by many to be the only truly indigenous American music, this form that has influenced musicians worldwide is deeply rooted in Delta soil. In Clarksdale, visit the internationally acclaimed Delta Blues Museum or Hopson Plantation. The Delta Blues Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the blues. Displays include one of B.B. King's "Lucille" guitars, harmonicas once owned by Sonny Boy Williams II and the log cabin that Muddy Waters lived in at the Stovall Plantation. This is blues heaven. Enjoy lunch at the Ground Zero Restaurant, co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman.
Memphis: Graceland. Experience life as Elvis did at his estate, Graceland, with an audio guided tour. Located just north of Tunica. Lunch – many choices Sightseeing Tour of Memphis may include: Sun Studio. Guided tour through the Birthplace of Rock ′n Roll. Hear outtakes from sessions, touch Elvis′ first microphone and hear the history of the studio that launched Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, B.B. King and many more.
Depart Clarksdale, continuing down Highway 61 and over to Indianola, birthplace of B.B. King and home of the new B.B. King Museum and Interpretive Center. The museum explores King’s 60-plus-year career through objects from his life and work. Return to Tunica for dinner.
CONTACT: Tunica Convention and Visitors Bureau
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Bill Canter • www.tunicamiss.com PO Box 2739, Tunica, MS 38767 Phone: 888-488 6422 • Email: bcanter@tunicamiss.com
Visit GroupTravelDirectory.com for more Tunica itinerary ideas
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Shall We Gather at the River
Rock Hill/York County, South Carolina
➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Billy Graham Library • NarroWay Productions, family dinner theater • Jungle Aviation and Radio Service • Catawba Indian Nation • Historic Brattonsville, film location for Mel Gibson’s epic The Patriot
➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: With an afternoon arrival, begin the York County experience at Historic Brattonsville, one of the film sites of Mel Gibson’s epic The Patriot. Brattonsville is a living history village and Revolutionary War battlefield site featuring historic structures and programs tracing South Carolina life from 1750s through the 1850s. Take a walking tour with costumed interpreters and learn about the lifestyles and religious life of early backcountry settlers, including the African-American religious experience. Save time to peruse the gift shop. After a visit to Historic Brattonsville, a step-on guide will take you back in time with a driving tour of western York County that focuses on the history and culture of the rural South. Your drive will include tours of historic churches and cemeteries, and a stop at the Museum of Western York County, where you will enjoy an authentic Southern tea served by Ladies of the Historical Society. As the day closes, you will visit the Catawba Cultural Center. The center is located on the Catawba Indian Reservation and along the historic Catawba River. Your evening will include a Native American meal and the story of “The Creation” as told by “The People of the River.” You will also experience storytelling, a Catawba language presentation, pottery demonstration by Catawba potters, and drumming and dancing by tribal members. (L,D)
DAY 2: After breakfast, begin the day at JAARS, formally called the Jungle Aviation and Radio Service. JAARS provides technical support and resources to help organizations speed Bible translation for all people; visitors are introduced to JAARS’ unique role in Bible translation through videos, interactive presentations and a tour of the campus. A visit to JAARS also includes the Museum of the Alphabet and MexicoCardenas Museum. The Museum of the Alphabet traces the history of
alphabets and other writing systems. The Mexico-Cardenas Museum displays artifacts, costumes, photographs and folk art that illustrate early translation and cross-cultural work in Mexico. The Billy Graham Library is the next must-see. A flowing exhibit invites you to follow One Man’s Journey from the pastures and gravel roads of North Carolina; to “big tents” and arenas in America’s largest cities; to stadiums, televisions and radios across the globe. Displays of historic backdrops alternate with multimedia theaters showing milestones of Dr. Graham’s lifelong mission. At the library you will eat at the Graham Brothers Dairy Bar. If visiting in December, you can tour Samaritan’s Purse and volunteer with Operation Christmas Child. Dinner and entertainment for the evening will be at NarroWay Productions. The Gospel According to Tennessee is the newest NarroWay show; set in 1926, this fast-paced musical dinner show will take you to East Tennessee, where the fun never ends. “Supper’s on the cook stove, so pull up a chair and sit a spell while singing old Southern classics.” (B,L,D)
DAY 3: Experience York County’s natural beauty at Anne Springs Close Greenway, River Park or Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. God’s bounty is also plentiful at local farms, where you can pick your own produce or shop at local farm stands. Before leaving for home, a visit to Glencairn Garden is a must. An array of colors, textures and shapes decorates this strolling garden, where you will enjoy a picnic lunch and entertainment. (B,L)
CONTACT: Rock Hill/York County CVB
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Margaret Wallace, Director of Sales • www.visityorkcounty.com 452 S. Anderson Rd., Rock Hill, SC 29730 Phone: 800-866-5200 • Email: mwallace@visityorkcounty.com
➤ Visit GroupTravelDirectory.com for more Rock Hill itinerary ideas
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June 2009 43
Senior Class Goes First Class
Virginia Beach, Virginia
➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS
• Get up-close and personal with F/A-18 Hornets • Catch a ride on a dolphin- or whale-watching excursion • Explore the historic lighthouses at Cape Henry • Get to know the harbor seals at the Virginia Aquarium
➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Explore the shoreline AM: After breakfast at Pocahontas Pancake House, it’s back to nature at the environmentally-focused interactive Chesapeake Bay Center. First Landing State Park showcases the landing of the first English settlers in 1607, and offers sea kayaking, a wet lab and marine education. PM: Lunch at Bubba’s or Lynnhaven Fish House, then climb the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse. Spend the afternoon on the Boardwalk with a stop at the Old Coast Guard Station for “Salty Sea Stories.” Pi-zerria at 33rd Street is one of the best pizza joints in town, but save room for a cone as you visit the busiest Dairy Queen in the world on 16th Street.
DAY 2: Thrill to jets and dolphins AM: Follow breakfast with a tour of Naval Air Station Oceana Master Jet Base for a heart-racing, up-close experience with F/A-18 Hornets. PM: Lunch at the Officer’s Club before you take off on a Dolphin Cruise Tour onboard the Rudee Flipper with Virginia Aquarium naturalists. Enjoy a hearty buffet meal of coastal fare at Captain George’s Seafood.
PM: Explore the ocean’s secrets at Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center and 3D IMAX® Theater. Finish the day with a show at Little Theater of Virginia Beach or Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, and a crowd-pleasing dinner at Stella Gourmet Pizzeria, where you can make your own pie.
DAY 4: Drive across the bay AM: As you leave the beach, enjoy the scenic route north on Route 13 across one of the seven man-made wonders of the world, the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel. The 17.5-mile span leads to Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Stop for lunch at the Sea Gull Pier Restaurant, known for the largest flounder entrée around and their “big fish sandwiches.” ALL-DAY FUN. Spend a full day exploring one of these options: • Busch Gardens Williamsburg • Colonial Williamsburg • Ocean Breeze Waterpark
DAY 3: An eye-opening, mind-expanding day AM: Visit the Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.) to learn of renowned dream interpreter and visionary Edgar Cayce, and his views on holistic healing. Visit the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia for significant works.
CONTACT: Virginia Beach Visitor Center
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ James Coggin, Group Tourism Sales Manager • www.vbgrouptours.com 2100 Parks Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23451 Phone: 800-700-7702 • Email: jcoggin@vbgov.com
➤ Girls Getaway: Girls Just Want To Have Fun ➤ Get Green! An Eco-Friendly Getaway
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Savannah, Est. 1733
Savannah, Georgia
➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • A unique city layout with an abundance of squares and parks • River Street with over 100 restored cotton warehouses, restaurants, art galleries and shops • Informative and fun tours offered through the Historic District • Nighttime activities that include river boat cruises and live musical theater • Outstanding dining options including The Lady and Sons restaurant, home of famous Southern chef Paula Deen
DAY 3:
➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: 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 2: 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 might even spy playful dolphins swimming along side! Tasty Treats: Go behind the scenes to see the “masters at work” creating some of the most delicious candies and cookies in the South. 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.
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 4: 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. Savannah Souvenirs: Your group will enjoy spending their last afternoon in Savannah looking for that perfect signature Savannah souvenir. The city has a multitude of trendy shops and boutiques that are sure to have something for everyone. 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. The two-hour production will have your group smiling, laughing, singing and tapping their toes to the melodies of well-known songs of the past and present.
CONTACT: Savannah Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Mindy Shea • www.savannahvisit.com 101 E. Bay St., Suite 1, Savannah, GA 31401 Phone: 912-644-6419 • Email: mshea@savannahvisit.com
➤ Sensational Savannah… A Women’s Getaway
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June 2009 45
Discover Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Harbour Town Lighthouse in Sea Pines Resort • Heyward House Historic Center in Old Town Bluffton • Lowcountry Garden Tour • The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina • Nature Tours: Dolphin Cruise and Loggerhead Turtle Beach Walk
➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Hilton Head Island Morning: The Chamber of Commerce Official Welcome Center & Coastal Discovery Museum is the perfect place to begin our introduction to Hilton Head Island. Afternoon: Discover Hilton Head Island with one of many tours departing from the Welcome Center. Professionally trained guides will trace the Island's antebellum roots, the role the Island played in the Civil War, the Island’s unique Gullah culture and conclude with the Island's modern day development. Evening: Enjoy a sunset cruise aboard the Vagabond out of Harbour Town in Sea Pines Resort. Then dine marina side at The Crazy Crab restaurant under our famous lighthouse.
DAY 2: Old Town Bluffton
DAY 3: Hilton Head Island Morning: The Coastal Discovery Museum’s Beach/Turtle Walk offers a one-and-a-half-hour tour of the Island's magnificent dune-lined beaches with a trained naturalist.
Morning: Lowcountry Garden Tour. Afternoon: Spend the day in Old Town Bluffton, starting at the Heyward House Historic Welcome Center, and then stroll along Calhoun Street and experience the art galleries and eclectic boutiques along the way. Visit the historic Church of the Cross which overlooks the May River. Enjoy a Lowcountry lunch at Myrtle’s Restaurant located in Old Town Bluffton.
Afternoon: Lunch at any one of our indoor/outdoor Palmetto Bay Marina restaurants and then set out on a Dolphin Watch Cruise of local waters. This tour offers an opportunity to view playful bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat. Evening: Enjoy dinner at Marley’s Restaurant, then head over to The Jazz Corner for a night of blues.
Evening: Dine at any one of our Shelter Cove Harbour restaurants and then enjoy a Broadway musical at the nearby Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. Enjoy a delightful performance by one of South Carolina's largest theater production companies.
CONTACT: Hilton Head Island Visitor & Convention Bureau
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Brenda Ciapanna • www.hiltonheadisland.org PO Box 5647, Hilton Head Island, SC 29938 Phone: 843-341-8368 • Email: grouptour@hiltonheadisland.org
➤ Discover Gullah Heritage
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Biloxi, Gulfport, Ocean Springs, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Three Days of Discovery ➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Your choice of maritime excursions on the Gulf of Mexico • Beauvoir, last home of the only president of the Confederacy • Ohr-O’Keefe and Walter Anderson Museums of Art, Smithsonian affiliates • Old Town areas, boutique shopping and local craftsmen • 24-hour gaming with headline entertainment at Vegas-style casinos
➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Savor the Flavor of Gulf Coast Culture Enjoy an excursion aboard the Biloxi Shrimp Trip. For 70 minutes, enjoy tales of shrimping, fishing and Biloxi history. Cross the street to see the new Hurricane Katrina Memorial built by Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Spend some time at the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art to experience the creations of George Ohr, our very own “Mad Potter.” Don’t miss the Pleasant Reed Interpretive Center, a replica of the original house that former slave Pleasant Reed built in 1887. Become a “foodie” for the afternoon with a culinary demonstration or Southern tea offered by one of our local chefs. Visit Beauvoir, The Jefferson Davis Home circa 1852, last home of the President of the Confederacy and the place where he penned his memoirs. If the Gulf of Mexico beckons, relax on a sail aboard the Biloxi Schooners, replicas of the oyster schooners used from the late 1800s to the early 1900s or ride with Ship Island Excursions aboard the Pan American Clipper. Sailing from the Gulfport Harbor, watch for dolphins as you cruise to Ship Island, home of Fort Massachusetts and some of our most beautiful beaches. Dance and dine on their new sunset cruise. After dark enjoy the shows, entertainers and gaming at our coastal casino resorts.
DAY 2: Old Town and the Real McCoys
Don’t miss a visit to the Walter Anderson Museum of Art to enjoy the distinctive works of this renowned artist. For a truly unforgettable experience, meet the real McCoys! Let Captain Lynn with McCoy’s River and March Tours take you on the Pascagoula River, one of the most pristine river swamps in America and the last waterway of its size in the USA that is unimpeded by any artificial structure. Greet some gators at the Gulf Coast Gator Ranch, the oldest gator farm in Mississippi.
DAY 3: From the Bay to Beyond the Milky Way Looking for someplace special? Spend the day in the Bay. After a beautiful Gulf View drive west, you will cross the Bay of St. Louis into a shopping and dining paradise. Mississippi’s West Coast is home to more than 200 resident artists who create fine and folk pieces exhibited in galleries that will take your breath away. Visit St. Rose de Lima, an AfricanAmerican-based Catholic church that holds a truly magnificent surprise! While riding through this historic town, see firsthand its post-Katrina rebirth. The historic L & N Train Depot, new home to the Hancock County’s CVB, is a convenient rest and information stop. If you’re intrigued by outer space, blast off to StennisSphere and discover why America comes to NASA’s Stennis Space Center prior to going into space. Before you begin your journey into space, you will be taken to the Launch Pad to prepare for your mission, then on to a narrated tour through the nation’s largest rocket test complex where space shuttles’ main engines are tested.
Travel east to Old Town Ocean Springs. Spend the morning visiting the many boutiques, galleries and restaurants of this quaint artisan town.
CONTACT: Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB Services
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Janet Harrington, Sales Manager, Group Tour/Leisure • www.gulfcoast.org PO Box 6128, Gulfport, MS 39506 Phone: 888-467-4853, ext. 228 • Email: janeth@gulfcoast.org
Visit GroupTravelDirectory.com for more Mississippi Gulf Coast itinerary ideas
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June 2009 47
Campaign for Corinth
Corinth, Mississippi
➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center • Crossroads Museum in the Historic Depot • Most pristine, preserved Civil War earthworks • Verandah-Curlee House, where orders for the Battle of Shiloh were signed • Try on a Civil War uniform at one of the nation’s largest suppliers of re-enactor gear • Enjoy an old-fashioned soda while viewing Civil War relics at Borroum’s Drug Store
➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Historic Railroad Crossroads & Crossroads Museum: The Crossroads Museum is the hub of area history and has an extensive collection of local Civil War relics. We will also visit the C&D Jarnigan Store, one of the nation’s premier suppliers of reproduction uniforms and accessories for both the Revolutionary and Civil wars. Verandah/Curlee House: The only antebellum home open to the public, built by one of the founders of Corinth, played a significant role in the area’s Civil War history. The orders for the Confederate attack at Shiloh were drafted in the house. Lunch at Borroum’s Drug Store: A Confederate veteran opened in 1865 what is now Mississippi’s oldest, continuous family-operated drugstore. An old-fashioned soda fountain is a bonus with cherry Cokes and chocolate shakes. While at Borroum’s, we may view the Confederate monument on Court Square dedicated to Col. William Rogers, the hero of the Battle of Corinth.
Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center: No visit to Corinth would be complete without seeing the Interpretive Center, a National Park Service site. The Center features videos of the Battles of Shiloh and Corinth and an educational water feature. End the day at one of several restaurants in downtown Corinth: Then stroll along the tree-lined streets or enjoy performances at the Corinth Theatre Arts, Pickin’on the Square, the Crossroads Arena or the Coliseum Civic Center, depending upon the date of the visit. (L,D)
Driving Tour of Civil War Corinth: Stops include the Corinth National Cemetery, the Contraband Camp, and the sites of Battery Powell, Generals’ Headquarters and Battery F. Beauregard Line: One of the most pristine lines of earthworks in the nation. A short hike is required.
CONTACT: Corinth Area CVB
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Kristy White • www.corinth.net 215 N. Fillmore St., Corinth, MS 38834 Phone: 662-287-8300 • Email: tourism@corinth.net
➤ Birthplace of Freedom ➤ Feast for the Senses
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Historic Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, Virginia
➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Original George Washington family homes • Charming Old Town Fredericksburg – a shopper’s delight and restaurants to suit any palate • Four Civil War battlefields • Classic Broadway musicals at Riverside Dinner Theater • Wine tastings and food pairing demonstrations
➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: George Washington influenced not only Fredericksburg’s history, but also the new nation he helped form. At Ferry Farm you’ll see the site of Washington’s boyhood home before journeying to the home he purchased for his mother, the Mary Washington House, and his sister’s home, Kenmore, known for its beautiful plasterwork. His brother, Charles, sold his home and it later became the Rising Sun Tavern, remaining today as a lively interpretive site with costumed 18th century tavern wenches. Lunch can be enjoyed on your own in Old Town or at any of a wide variety of group-welcoming restaurants. Spend the evening at Potomac Point Winery learning about and sampling the award-winning wines and the food that is paired with them.
DAY 2: Strategically located midway between the capital of the Confederacy in Richmond and the U. S. capital in Washington, D. C., Fredericksburg was the scene of four of the most devastating battles of the Civil War. A local guide will join you as you visit Chatham Manor, a Georgian plantation home that served as a vital Federal headquarters, communications center and hospital. Visitor centers at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville feature museum exhibits, videos and short walking tours that tell the story of the four battlefields in the region. Enjoy evening entertainment at Riverside Dinner Theater, which possesses state-of-the-art facilities and seats 452 guests. Riverside boasts gourmet cuisine, a choice of four entrees served at your table and a commitment to classic Broadway musicals.
DAY 3: There are many unique sites in the area that have an ambience all their own. Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont was the home of this American Impressionist artist. Your senses will delight in not only the wonderful artwork and furnishings, but also the gardens on the 27-acre estate. No visit to the area would be complete without some free time for shopping in Old Town Fredericksburg. After lunch on your own in one of the independently owned restaurants, spend time browsing the galleries, antique shops, boutiques and craft stores that line the brick sidewalks, a portion of the 40-block National Historic District. After lunch visit Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center housed in two historic buildings and discover thru the eyes of local residents the region’s rich and varied past. Or perhaps you need medical treatment. Although Dr. Mercer may not be in at the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, his apprentice will be certain to have a treatment for whatever ails you. Your group will depart the Fredericksburg region with many fond memories and an appreciation for one of the most historic cities in America. We welcome you to experience it for yourself.
CONTACT: Fredericksburg Regional Tourism Partnership
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Lura Hill, Manager Tourism Sales • www.VisitFred.com 706 Caroline St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Phone: 540-372-1216/866-405-3046 • Email: lhill@fredericksburgva.gov
➤ Art, Romance, Mystery, Fashion—Immerse Yourself ➤ Of Wine and Roses
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June 2009 49
New Orleans Plantation Country
River Parishes, Louisiana
➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Historic plantations and demonstrations • Conveniently situated between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana • Breathtaking views • Antique shopping and wine tasting • Experience a taste of New Orleans
➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Journey into the Past Your journey into New Orleans Plantation Country begins in the heart of Vacherie, Louisiana, where picturesque day tours will escort you into the charm and elegance of historic plantations. Take a glimpse into Creole history at Laura: A Creole Plantation, where the stories of Compare Lapin, known in English as the legendary “Br’er Rabbit,” were captured. Discover the history of the sugar cane industry from its beginning in 1795, through the years when sugar was white gold to the present day while touring St. Joseph Plantation. Walk down the alley of 200-year-old oak trees framing the view of the majestic Oak Alley Plantation. Enjoy lunch at Nobile’s Restaurant, whose long history of hospitality dates back to 1894. The beautiful Victorian mahogany bar that greets restaurant customers and the interesting collectibles bring back the feeling of those days when the cypress loggers raised their glasses and enjoyed a respite from their labor. Catch a glimpse of the setting sun on a pontoon boat ride around beautiful Lac Des Allemands with Pleasure Bend Nature Tours.
DAY 3: Taste of New Orleans Put on your walking shoes for a day in New Orleans, but before exiting Plantation Country stop off at Destrehan Plantation. Learn of the many changes this majestic house has seen over the last two centuries and participate in historic demonstrations like open hearth cooking, wood crafting, African American herbal remedies, indigo dyeing, candle making or bousillage. In New Orleans enjoy a walking tour of the city to work up your appetite for a jazz brunch at the Court of Two Sisters. Enjoy an afternoon free to explore the historic French Quarter or one of the city’s many attractions: National World War II Museum, Audubon Insectarium, Aquarium of the Americas or IMAX Theatre – just to name a few. Complete your day with an evening Dinner Jazz Cruise or Dinner & Jazz at the Palm Court Jazz Cafe.
DAY 2: Old Town Charm As the sun rises and dries the morning dew, begin your day taking in the beauty of San Francisco Plantation, known for its hand-painted ceilings and faux marble finishings. Enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Pontchartrain while having a relaxing lunch at Frenier’s Landing. Follow the winding road to downtown Ponchatoula, where a small Antique Shopping Village with over 40 shops awaits you. Grab a sweet strawberry treat at Berry Patch Cafe while watching the locals stroll through town. If antiquing is not your interest, continue to Independence for a tour and wine tasting at Amato’s Winery, where Louisiana strawberries are transformed into a sweet treat. Return to your hotel and freshen up for dinner at Bull’s Corner in LaPlace.
CONTACT: River Parishes Tourist Commission
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Jay Tusa • www.NewOrleansPlantationCountry.com 2900 Highway 51, LaPlace, LA 70068 Phone: 985-359-2562 or 866-204-7782 • Email: sales@neworleansplantationcountry.com
➤ Plantation Country Festival Trail ➤ Christmas Plantation Country Style
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Culinary Delights and Blues Heritage
Greenwood, Mississippi
➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Culinary treats including Delta hot tamales, barbecue or soul food from homegrown restaurants • Learn about cooking at the Viking Cooking School with demonstrations or hands-on lessons from expert instructors and notable chefs • Experience the history of the blues
➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Beginning where rolling hills meet lush, flat lands, Greenwood is in the heart of the Mississippi Delta. Its history – as striking as its landscape – continues to fascinate generations of group travelers. Begin your day at The Alluvian Hotel on Howard Street, a cosmopolitan, boutique hotel of a caliber normally reserved for large cities. With 45 rooms and five luxury suites, this hotel redefines Delta elegance. After touring the Alluvian, the trip continues with a tour of the Viking Range plant where a full line of Viking major appliances and culinary products is designed and manufactured and sold around the world. The next stop is the Viking Cooking School where cooks of all experience levels...from beginner to world-famous master chefs...come to teach or learn with the best. Lunch is served at the Crystal Grill, a Greenwood institution that has been in operation for a century. The Crystal serves a wide variety – from fried chicken to Southern vegetables, Gulf seafood to hot tamales – to folks from all walks of life. The afternoon is free for shopping on Howard Street in historic downtown Greenwood. Howard Street offers Mississippi-made gourmet foods, pottery and art, antique and estate jewelry, crystal and china, fine men and women’s clothing , home furnishings, shoes, custom framing, and more.
orabilia of other Delta bluesmen. At Rolling Fork, begin your trek up the famous Highway 61. This is the time to put on your favorite blues songs and feel the magic. A cotton field outside of Leland was the birthplace of Willie Foster in 1921. In downtown Indianola you can see the corner of Church and 2nd Street, where B.B. King played in the early '40s and left his handprints in the sidewalk. Not too far from this site is Club Ebony, one of the oldest and best known juke joints in the state. Since 1945, Club Ebony has hosted such musical icons as Count Basie, Ray Charles, James Brown, Ike Turner, Little Milton, Willie Clayton, Bobby Bland, Howlin' Wolf and B.B. King. Travel north to Ruleville, home of Jimmy Rogers (1924-1997). If you turn west on Highway 8 at Ruleville, you'll see Dockery Farms. Some say this is where the blues as we know it came alive. From here, travel to Merigold and Po' Monkey's Lounge, one of the last surviving rural jukes.Around evening, pay a visit to Clarksdale, home of the Delta Blues Museum and other significant blues sites, such as the Riverside Hotel, and, of course, the infamous crossroads of Highways 61 and 49, where legend says Robert Johnson traded his soul to the devil for his musical abilities.
DAY 2: Years ago, self-taught musicians emerged from across the Delta to shape and mold America’s only indigenous art form – the blues. Artists such as Charley Patton, Muddy Waters, Luther “Guitar Jr.” Johnson, Willie Foster and B.B. King have their roots here. Start the day by visiting the Greenwood Blues Heritage Museum and Gallery. Here you can learn the complete story of Robert Johnson, as well as the stories and mem-
CONTACT: Greenwood Convention & Visitors Bureau
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Paige Hunt • www.greenwoodms.org 111 E. Market Street, Greenwood, MS 38935 Phone: 800-748-9064 • Email: info@gcvb.com
➤ Cotton, Catfish and Culture: Visit Cottonlandia ➤ Living the Blues: See the Birthplace of the Blues
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June 2009 51
Gaming & Playing in Louisiana’s Other Side: Shreveport-Bossier City
ShreveportBossier City, Louisiana
➤➤ HIGHLIGHTS • Test Lady Luck at our Vegas-style casinos and racetrack • Stand on the stage where Elvis got his start • Shop till you drop at Louisiana Boardwalk • View the world’s second largest collection of Mardi Gras costumes at the Ark-La-Tex Mardi Gras Museum • Savor the cuisine of Shreveport-Bossier City, where spicy crawfish meets tangy barbecue
➤➤ DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Discover the unexpected in Shreveport-Bossier: Louisiana’s Other Side. Located in the northwest corner, Shreveport-Bossier blends spicy Louisiana flair with East Texas flavor. Shreveport-Bossier City is the place where steak sauce meets hot sauce! Start your tour with dinner at group-friendly Ralph & Kacoo’s. Enjoy a variety of Cajun cuisines, Gulf Coast seafood, shrimp, crab, crawfish platters, charbroiled fish and steaks. After you eat your fill, head over to one of our five Vegas-Style riverboat casinos. Whether you love a good slot machine or enjoy a good table game such as Black Jack, Big Six or Roulette, you'll find excitement here. Our list of fun spots includes: Horseshoe Hotel & Casino, Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino, DiamondJack’s Casino Resort, Eldorado Casino Resort, Boomtown Casino, and Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, a horse track and casino.
DAY 2: Start your day at the Municipal Auditorium, home of the Louisiana Hayride, a live radio broadcast from 1948-1960. Tour the museum where Elvis’ career really started. Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Jim Reeves, Kitty Wells, and Slim Whitman are just a few that performed. Also view over 1,000 rare photos and memorabilia. Take your picture with a life-size bronze statue of “The King”, which stands outside. Next, head over to the Multicultural Center of the South, which features colorful exhibits of authentic art, crafts, furniture, and artifacts of African, Mexican, Native American, Greek, Scottish, Asian, Indian, and other cultures of Shreveport-Bossier, North Louisiana, and the South.
tion in Louisiana. Explore the more than 60 outlet stores and restaurants in the Boardwalk. Motorcoach parking is available. Get a true taste of Louisiana culture and history at the Mardi Gras in the Ark-La-Tex Mardi Gras Museum. Enjoy a fascinating display of the history of Mardi Gras in Shreveport-Bossier. Exhibits include floats, Mardi Gras royalty costumes, and all the trappings of Mardi Gras festivities. After enjoying a refreshing rest at the hotel, get ready for another night of fabulous food and exciting casino action. Dine at one of the mouth-watering casino buffets, or choose Don’s Seafood, a Shreveport favorite.
DAY 3: Get the inside scoop with a Shreveport-Bossier expert. Tour the area with step-on guide Jan Pettiet, who will point out attractions like casinos, Red River District, Sci-Port Discovery Center, the Millennium Moon Mega Mural, Spirit of the Red River Cruise, Spring Street Historical Museum and Barnwell Garden and Art Center. Hear stories of Shreveport-Bossier’s colorful past and present. Before you head home, stop for lunch at Julie Anne’s Bakery. Delicious sandwiches and soups will hit the spot, but don’t leave without a taste of their famous King Cake, a Mardi Gras favorite available year-round. We’re so happy that you’re considering visiting Louisiana’s Other Side. So let your hair down! Come and experience all we have to offer in Shreveport-Bossier City and the surrounding area. It’s our sincere hope that while you’re here visiting Louisiana’s Other Side, you discover yours too.
Ready for lunch? The Louisiana Boardwalk, situated on the Red River in Bossier City, is the largest outlet, lifestyle, dining and entertainment destina-
CONTACT: Shreveport-Bossier CTB
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Erica Howard, Tourism Sales Manager • www.shreveport-bossier.org 629 Spring Street, Shreveport, LA 71101 Phone: 800-551-8682 ext. 104 • Email: ehoward@sbctb.org
➤ Galleries & Gardens in Louisiana's Other Side: Shreveport-Bossier City ➤ Mardi Gras Bash in Shreveport-Bossier: Louisiana’s Other Side
52 June 2009
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