GATORS, GARDENS, GUSHERS & GREAT FOOD
Beaumont, Texas
HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Gator Country Adventure Park – see and touch live
alligators, dine on authentic Cajun cuisine ➤ Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center was
just named among the 10 Greenest EcoProjects in the World ➤ Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum – watch
world’s only replica gusher blow 100 feet in the sky, just like in 1901 ➤ Spindletop Steakhouse – Take a culinary tour in
Beaumont’s historic downtown
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Treat yourself to a scrumptious breakfast at Rao’s Bakery & Coffee Cafe, where you’ll find freshly brewed coffee and piping hot croissants and breakfast burritos. Take a short drive over to Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum, where you’ll step back in time to witness Beaumont’s rich oil heritage as you watch the world’s only working replica gusher blow water hundreds of feet into Beaumont’s blue sky. Follow the history of the "Cradle of the Petroleum Age" with a tour of the Texas Energy Museum and experience the fascinating world of oil exploration and refining! Round out your tour of Downtown Beaumont with a trip to a couple of our other intriguing museums: the Art Museum of Southeast Texas and the Fire Museum of Texas. Don’t forget dinner at the legendary Crockett Street Entertainment District!
DAY 2: Rekindle your sense of wonder at Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, located just minutes from Beaumont. Observe nesting birds in Shangri La’s Ruby Lake through a state-of-the-art bird blind. Explore more than 300 species of plants in one of the most Earth-friendly projects in the world.
After a busy day, relax at Spindletop Steakhouse on historic Crockett Street, where the tantalizing menu items will have your mouth watering.
DAY 3: Start the day by reconnecting with nature at the Big Thicket National Preserve as you slice through the waters of Village Creek in a canoe. Enjoy great Texas BBQ at Willy Ray’s, where you’ll find an array of enticing sides to go along with their famous BBQ. Be inspired at St. Anthony's Cathedral Basilica, one of Beaumont’s many unique and historic places of worship on the Beaumont Faith Trail. Feed your adventurous spirit at Gator Country—Texas’ only alligator theme park. Have a hands-on experience by helping feed LIVE gators and take home a picture to prove it! View educational demonstrations and see the jaw dropping half-ton alligator, lovingly named “Big Al.” End your day on a high note by grooving to the music of a local bayou band and feasting on Gator Country’s famous Cajun cuisine.
See history come alive in any of our three historic homes: the John Jay French House, the Chambers House and the McFaddin-Ward House.
CONTACT: Beaumont Convention & Visitors Bureau
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Elizabeth Eddins, Director of Tourism • www.beaumontcvb.com 505 Willow St., Beaumont, TX 77701 Phone: 866-822-0245 • Email: eeddins@ci.beaumont.tx.us
➤ The Faith Trail ➤ Nature Trail
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RIDE THE RAILS OF SCENIC COLORADO
Manitou Springs, Cañon City, Cripple Creek, Alamosa
HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Ascend 14,115 feet to the summit of Pikes Peak on
The Cog Railway ➤ Sample mineral waters, 2,000 years in the making ➤ Take a train along the Arkansas River with the
Royal Gorge Bridge 1,000 ft. above ➤ Ride a narrow gauge between the historic mining
towns of Cripple Creek and Victor ➤ Climb aboard the longest and highest steam-operated
train in the country
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Manitou Springs We first grab a bite for breakfast on one of the charming patio restaurants of historic Manitou Springs. The Cliff House Inn offers four-diamond dining with treats such as Grand Marnier French toast. We then arrive at the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the highest cog in the world, which treks up Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain – to the 14,115-foot summit. This 8.9mile trip lasts just over three hours including a 45-minute stop at the top. We’ll have a chance to see native wildlife such as bighorn sheep and yellow-bellied marmots, and we’ll grab some tasty homemade doughnuts at The Summit House. The trip runs year-round and will ascend as far as weather permits. Once back down the mountain, we can shop the great boutiques in town and sample the tasty mineral springs.
DAY 2: Cañon City We start the day with a short drive from Colorado Springs to nearby Cañon City, CO where an adventure on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad awaits. Whether it is a lunch, dinner or wine train, the views alongside the waters of the Arkansas River and the steep geological walls forming the vast Royal Gorge are breathtaking. The train travels under the impressive Royal Gorge Bridge, nearly 1,000 feet above, making it the highest suspension bridge in North America. If we want a full day of adventure, we can even do a “Raft and Rail” package or a “Ride and Rail” package that combines rafting or horseback riding with the train excursion. To add a little more “Wild West,” we’ll stop by Buckskin Joe Frontier Town & Railway to see a gunfight and ride the Royal Gorge Scenic Railway. Our next stop will be the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey for a few of
their famous selections before we head back. For dinner, we’ll dine at a restaurant on Tejon Street in historic downtown Colorado Springs.
DAY 3: Cripple Creek - Alamosa The Victor & Cripple Creek Narrow Gauge Railroad offers us a ride through the gold mining era of the 1890s! This steam locomotive picks up speed and covers a span of four miles through the historic gold mining district of Cripple Creek and Victor, where the world’s greatest gold camp existed between 1890 and 1910. During those years it was home to 50,000 residents who pulled out more than 22,400,000 ounces of gold. The train runs mid-May through mid-October. Several stops are included along the way for photos and points of interest, including a deserted mining town, before returning to Cripple Creek. Now that we’ve acquired a taste for the Gold Rush days, we’ll take the 1,000-foot trip underground at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine. Next we’ll head over to Alamosa to ride the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad, which has history all along its rails. It is the longest and highest steam-operated train and is a joint effort between Colorado and New Mexico. Various routes are offered and in celebration of its 40th anniversary, special discounts are available.
CONTACT: Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Betty Jo Cardona • www.VisitCOS.com 515 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903 Phone: 719-685-7629 • Email: BettyJo@VisitCOS.com
➤ Hidden Gems to Explore in the Pikes Peak Region ➤ Colorado Springs: City of Churches and Their Architecture
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GRAPEVINE - AGED TO PERFECTION
™
Grapevine, Fort Worth, Dallas, Texas
HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Centrally located in the Dallas/Fort Worth region, Grapevine's
vintage charm offers the perfect hub for area tours! ➤ Enjoy vineyard tours and wine tasting at eight unique
winery tasting rooms ➤ Hop aboard the 1896 steam engine "Puffy" on the
Grapevine Vintage Railroad ➤ Experience local artisan demonstrations, including glass
blowing, bronze sculpting and blacksmithing ➤ Plan an excursion to the Fort Worth Stockyards,
Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza and Southfork Ranch
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Grapevine Let us introduce your group to Grapevine’s history and heritage at the Grapevine Cotton Belt Railroad, Historic District and Historical Museum. Here, you will also experience artisan demonstrations such as glassblowing at Vetro Glass Blowing Gallery & Studio. Next, shop and sightsee in beautifully restored ca. 1900 buildings in Historic Downtown Grapevine, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Shops and boutiques offer unique treasures and one-of-a-kind finds. Enjoy public art, like the “Coming Home,” “The Sidewalk Judge” and the “Nightwatchman,” that celebrate characters and events that shaped Grapevine’s spirit. Lunch can be enjoyed on their own at any number of family-owned eateries in Historic Downtown Grapevine. This afternoon, follow the Grapevine Wine Trail! Tour several of the winery tasting rooms and learn about grape growing and winemaking in Texas as you savor the flavor of Texas wines! Dinner may be arranged at a winery, complete with entertainment, or at any one of a variety of steakhouses and group-friendly restaurants. For additional entertainment, try your skills with the Gaylord Texan Resort’s Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. [B,D]
DAY 2: Grapevine / Fort Worth Start your day with mega-shopping at Grapevine Mills mall. Grapevine Mills offers “shoppertainment” with over 200 stores, amusement centers and themed restaurants. This afternoon, ride the rails of nostalgia when you experience the Grapevine Vintage Railroad! The train operates a seasonal schedule round-trip excursion from Grapevine to the Fort Worth Stockyards. At the Fort Worth Stockyards,
see a Texas Longhorn cattle drive, shop Stockyards Station and visit the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame before your return trip to Grapevine. Dinner tonight may be arranged at a variety of Grapevine restaurants. After dinner, enjoy world class musical performances at the Grapevine Opry! Every Saturday night experience the finest country music revue and special theme evenings at the Historic Palace Theatre on Main Street in Grapevine. [B,D]
DAY 3: Dallas Your day starts with a visit to The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, also known as the JFK Memorial Museum. Most people remember exactly where they were the fateful day John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas. At this museum you can view minute-by-minute accounts of what happened on that tragic day. Next stop, the Dallas Museum of Art, offering a collection that includes American masterpieces, contemporary art, European and impressionist art, and special temporary exhibits on display throughout the year. Lunch can be arranged for your group at the Dallas Museum of Art. This afternoon, head over to the Dallas Arboretum, a 66-acre arboretum and botanical garden showcasing perennial fragrant gardens, towering trees and lush lawns. Cap off your visit to Dallas with a visit to Southfork Ranch, also known as the home of J.R. Ewing and his family on the hit television series “Dallas.” Here your group will receive a guided tour of this famous ranch, followed by an evening chuckwagon supper. [B,L,D]
CONTACT: Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Grapevine Tourism Department • www.GrapevineTexasUSA.com One Liberty Park Plaza, Grapevine, TX 76051 Phone: 817-410-3184 • Email: Tourism@GrapevineTexasUSA.com
➤ Grapevine Wine Trail ➤ Christmas Capital of Texas
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BEST OF THE NORTHWEST HISTORY AND SCENERY
Vancouver, Washington
HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument ➤ Fort Vancouver National Historic Site ➤ Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area ➤ Lewis & Clark Trail to the Pacific Ocean ➤ Portland, Oregon Gardens & Nature
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Photo: Donnelly-Austin Photography
Tour Mount St. Helens and learn about the May 18, 1980 eruption that forever changed the landscape of this famous mountain and captivated the attention of our nation and the world. This world-class natural attraction offers year-round scenic and wildlife viewing as well as educational visitor centers to help visitors comprehend the dramatic events of 1980 and the recovery that has followed. This year marks the 30th anniversary and commemorative events are scheduled throughout the year and new awe-inspiring exhibits are being unveiled.
DAY 2: Northwest History in Vancouver, WA Take a guided tour of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Established in 1825, it was the Pacific Northwest headquarters of the British-based Hudson’s Bay Company and their extensive fur trading empire. Visit Pearson Air Museum, located at one of the oldest continually operating airfields in the United States, to learn about aviation history and view airplanes from pre-WWII. Tour Officers Row and the General George C. Marshall House built in 1886 for the commander of Vancouver Barracks and named for its famous resident who resided there from 1936 to 1938. Lunch at the historic Grant House.
360-degree views of the magnificent Columbia River Gorge. Then tour the Bonneville Dam with historical exhibits and an underwater fish viewing station. Stop and explore Multnomah Falls, the second highest year-round waterfall in the United States.
DAY 4: Lewis & Clark Trail and the Pacific Ocean You’ll find pristine beaches and spectacular scenery on the Pacific Coast, which is only a 90-minute drive from Vancouver. On the way, take a four-mile auto tour of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, home to many species of spring and fall migrating birds. Stretch your legs at the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for White-Tailed Deer. Viewing platforms allow you to see deer and elk species first described for science by Lewis & Clark. Visit the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment State Park with exhibits interpreting Lewis & Clark’s experience at the mouth of the Columbia River. In the seaside town of Long Beach, spend a few hours exploring the International Kite Museum, Marshall’s Free Museum, Cranberry Museum and the historic town of Oysterville.
DAY 5: Portland, Oregon Gardens & Nature DAY 3: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Take a free tour of the famous Pendleton Woolen Mill to see firsthand the state-of-the-art dye house and the spinning, weaving, and finishing of the distinctive Indian motif blankets. At the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center, view over 11,000 square feet of exhibits that interpret the area’s cultural and natural history. Cross the Columbia River into Oregon and take a scenic river cruise on the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler, a triple-decker paddle wheeler, for
Cross the Columbia River into Portland and visit several unique gardens in Washington Park starting with the 5.5-acre Japanese Garden with its authentic Japanese-style buildings, tranquil gardens and ponds. Just next door is the Portland Rose Garden with 550 varieties of roses in a spectacle of color. The nearby Hoyt Arboretum is a 187-acre living museum of trees and plants from all over the world.
CONTACT: Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Debbie Picard • www.VisitVancouverUSA.com 101 East 8th Street, Suite 240, Vancouver WA 98660 Phone: 877-600-0800 • Email: dpicard@VisitVancouverUSA.com
➤ History Comes Alive in Vancouver USA ➤ Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Loop Tour
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TUCSON HIGHLIGHTS
Tucson, Arizona
HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Saguaro National Park ➤ Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum ➤ Old Tucson Studios ➤ Sabino Canyon ➤ DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun ➤ Pima Air & Space Museum
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY This itinerary showcases some of the finest attractions that the metropolitan Tucson area has to offer. Enjoy our stunning desert setting at Saguaro National Park, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Sabino Canyon. Relive the excitement of many old Western movies at Old Tucson Studios. Discover our creative side at DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun and learn about our military history at Pima Air & Space Museum. As you’ll discover, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Tucson!
DAY 1: Take a drive-through tour of Saguaro National Park West and get a breathtaking view of thousands of saguaros, the giants of the desert. Break for lunch and a tour at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, which tells the unique story of the Sonoran Desert region. More than 300 species of live animals and 1,400 species of plants indigenous to the Sonoran Desert are exhibited in naturalistic habitats. Stop at Old Tucson Studios, the famous movie location and theme park. Take a step back in time and enjoy watching a simulated gunfight and saloon show. Or visit the International Wildlife Museum, a worldclass natural history museum, where you get a close-up view of more than 400 different species of preserved insects, mammals and birds from around the world. The museum features a variety of hands-on exhibits and interactive displays for all ages. For the evening, dine at one of Tucson's many steakhouses; some even offer authentic Western entertainment.
DAY 2:
through some of the most camera-worthy scenery in the Tucson area. Head west to DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, built to showcase the unique Southwestern art of Ettore "Ted" DeGrazia. The gallery is a unique adobe construction with beautiful decorative features and contains rooms exhibiting DeGrazia originals on subjects such as Padre Kino, Cabeza de Vaca and Yaqui Easter. Break for lunch at La Encantada and experience an upscale outdoor specialty shopping center that celebrates the splendor of Old World Spanish traditions alongside modern sophistication. It features plazas, fine dining, and the trendiest national and local retailers. Drive south to the Pima Air & Space Museum, where more than 250 aircraft are on display, representative of America's aviation history. This impressive aircraft collection ranges from the first (a replica of the Wright flyer) to the ultimate flying machine, the famous SR-71A Blackbird. Dine at a Tucson Originals restaurant, an organization of many of Tucson's best independent fine dining, casual and neighborhood restaurants preserving Tucson's culinary sense of place by encouraging the support of local establishments.
Enjoy the views at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, a true desert oasis. The narrated ground-tram ride lasts 45 minutes and travels
CONTACT: Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Judy Wood, Tourism Sales Manager • www.visittucson.org 100 S. Church Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701 Phone: 520-770-2148 • Email: jwood@visitTucson.org
➤ A Birder's Paradise ➤ Stellar Views: Astronomy
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COLORADO’S HIGH MOUNTAIN RAILROADS
Denver, Grand Junction and Colorado Springs, Colorado & New Mexico
HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Six Train Rides including the Silverton & Durango
plus the Cumbres & Toltec ➤ High Mountain Jeep Tour ➤ Denver City Tour ➤ Manitou Cliff Dwellings & Garden of the Gods Park ➤ Six Breakfasts, Two Lunches and Three Dinners
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Arrive in Denver, CO. Check into hotel for a two-night stay. Dinner tonight will be on own. famous scenic Toltec Gorge Valley to Alamosa just in time for dinner on own. We will be staying overnight in Alamosa.
DAY 2: Start with a Denver City Tour. See the sights and sounds of the “Mile High City.” Next is a ride on the Georgetown Scenic Railroad. This old-time steam locomotive will chug its way up the canyon, hauling your train past the remains of several gold and silver mines between Georgetown and Silver Plume. Tour the Lebanon Silver Mine, taking you 500 feet into a mine tunnel bored in the 1870s. Return to Denver for dinner at a local restaurant.
DAY 3: Ride the high mountain cliffs and hanging mining trails on a three-hour Jeep Tour over Corkscrew Pass into the Red Mountains. A wonderful picnic lunch will be included today. Your next stop is a ride on the Silverton-Durango Railroad. This steam locomotive travels along the Animas River from Durango to Silverton, winding through spectacular canyons in the remote wilderness of San Juan National Forest. Travel to Pagosa Springs, CO for an overnight stay.
DAY 4: Travel to Chamas, NM and ride the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad, a 64mile, fully operational steam railroad jointly owned by Colorado and New Mexico. Discover spectacular scenery and an unspoiled landscape as well as the historic railroad structures preserved on the line. You will stop in Osier for a hot lunch included with the ride and make your way to Antonito, CO. You will then change trains at Antonito Station and ride the Toltec Limited through the spectacular and
DAY 5: Enjoy a morning ride on either the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad or Royal Gorge Route Railroad. The Rio Grande winds through colorful foothills to cliff-sided mountains, while the Royal Gorge travels along the tumbling waters of the legendary Arkansas River deep within the granite cliffs of the Royal Gorge. Next, travel to Colorado Springs, where we will be staying two nights. Tour the Garden of the Gods Park, a Registered National Natural Landmark in Colorado Springs, and experience the Native American culture. Dinner this evening will be at Guiseppe's Old Depot Restaurant.
DAY 6: Tour the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. Located at the foot of Pikes Peak, these mountain dwellings are a rare historical treasure. Preserved under a protective red sandstone overhang, the authentic Anasazi cliff dwellings were built more than 700 years ago. The afternoon features a roundtrip ride on Pikes Peak Cog Railroad. This 8.9-mile ride travels along Ruxton Creek in Englemann Canyon. Conductors like to point out the various "faces" and shapes that can be seen, with a bit of imagination, in the giant boulders. Dinner tonight will be at the Flying W Ranch. Enjoy a real chuckwagon dinner and be entertained by the Flying W Wranglers.
DAY 7: Depart for home.
CONTACT: US TOURS
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Bob Cline • www.ustours.biz 2819 Murdoch Ave., Parkersburg, WV 26101 Phone: 888-393-8687 • Email: bob@ustours.biz
➤ Almost Heaven West Virginia ➤ The Palmetto-Low Country Train
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CHEYENNE FULL DAY ITINERARY
Cheyenne, Wyoming
HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Historic Attractions ➤ Trolley Tour ➤ Bison Ranch ➤ Western Shopping ➤ Western Entertainment
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Go downtown to the newly restored Cheyenne Depot. A National Historic Landmark, the depot has been restored to its original glory and is once again a center of activity in the community. Tour the art deco lobby and visit the Cheyenne Depot Museum, which chronicles the railroad and its relationship to Cheyenne. In the depot, purchase tickets for the Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley (307-778-3133), which provides a 90-minute overview of the community, its history, and attractions. The tour includes stops at various attractions, allowing riders to disembark for the attraction, and then reboard the next trolley 90 minutes later. Stops include the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum (307-778-7290), Nelson Museum of the West (307-635-7670), Wyoming State Museum (307-777-7022), Historic Governors’ Mansion (307-7777878), Wyoming Capitol and Cheyenne Botanic Gardens (307637-6458). (Trolley drivers are available as step-on guides for motorcoaches.)
(1.2 million lbs.) It was designed especially for the rugged Cheyenne to Ogden, Utah run. End your day watching the Western skits and escapades of the Cheyenne Gunslingers at 6:00 pm in downtown Cheyenne (JuneJuly). Then enjoy the Bit-O-Wyo Horsebarn Dinner Theater in the beautiful mountains west of town (May-Aug). Or catch the Old-Fashioned Melodrama (307-638-6543) at the Historic Atlas Theater, where you can cheer the hero and hiss the villain (July).
Upon returning to downtown, spend some time at a couple of true Western stores. Try the Wrangler (307-634-3048) for jeans, boots, hats, and other Western apparel or Wyoming Home (307-638-2222) for its unique Western furniture and artwork. Or catch a ride on the free downtown carriage rides. Head south nine miles to the Terry Bison Ranch (307-634-4171) for a horseback ride or a train ride into the middle of the bison herd that calls the ranch home. Back in town, be sure to check out Big Boy 4004, the world’s largest steam locomotive
CONTACT: Visit Cheyenne
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Darren Rudloff • www.cheyenne.org 1 Depot Sq., 121 W. 15th St., Ste. 202, Cheyenne, WY 82001 Phone: 800-426-5009 or 307-778-3133 • Email: darren@cheyenne.org
➤ Frontier Days ➤ Downtown Cheyenne
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Destination: Yosemite/Mariposa County, California
CORRIDORS OF SPRING COLOR HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Shopping in Historic Downtown Mariposa ➤ Mariposa Brewing Company Tour and Tasting ➤ Mariposa Gold Rush History Center and Museum ➤ Yosemite National Park Tour ➤ Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Historic Mariposa Receiving its name from the thousands of butterflies that arrive every spring, Mariposa County comes alive with a stunning array of not just butterflies but also the colorful wildflowers they love to visit. Travel through the San Joaquin Valley on Hwy. 99 and exit in Merced, taking Hwy. 140 to enjoy the climb into the foothills where the flowers are in breathtaking full bloom. Afternoon: Arrive in Mariposa in time for lunch in Historic Downtown Mariposa.
Afternoon: Group buffet lunch served in the Garden Terrace. Menu: Rainbow trout and grilled chicken breast ($15.00 inclusive, escort & driver complimentary). Free time to explore the Ansel Adams Gallery, Indian Museum, Yosemite Cemetery, Indian Cultural Exhibit and Historical Post Office, plus shopping for Yosemite souvenirs. Check-in at Yosemite Lodge at the Falls.
Visit the California State Mining and Mineral Museum. Then stroll across the parking lot for a tasting and tour at Mariposa Brewing Company. Next tour the Mariposa County Courthouse and Old Jail House, then the Mariposa Gold Rush History Center and Museum. Hotel check-in followed by free time for shopping in antique shops, art galleries and boutiques in Historic Downtown Mariposa. Evening: Dinner – option of a fine dining experience with a wine pairing from one of our local wineries or a more casual experience at a downtown restaurant.
DAY 2: Yosemite Valley
DAY 3: Yosemite Valley Morning: Breakfast at your hotel and free time for shopping and a stroll before boarding your motorcoach. Depart the Yosemite Valley on the Hwy. 41 corridor. Stop by Inspiration Point (aka Tunnel View) for a stunning overview on your way out. At Wawona Pioneer History Center walk through a covered bridge for a self-guided tour of an era gone by. Look for the deer grazing on the only golf course in a national park. Then it’s “all aboard” the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad for a one-hour narrated steam train excursion over rails used for logging at the turn of the 20th century.
Morning: After breakfast at your hotel, depart for the wonders of Yosemite. Enjoy the drive along scenic Hwy. 140, “The All Season Motor Coach Highway” that follows the Merced River, known for its Class 3-4 whitewater rafting in late spring and summer.
Afternoon: An outdoor barbecue awaits your return to the station. Take time to walk through the Thornberry Museum, try your hand at gold panning, visit the bookstore and don’t forget to pick up a few souvenirs in the Ticket Office Gift Shop.
Continue to the Yosemite Valley floor. As winter recedes, the park comes to life in dramatic fashion. Roaring waterfalls are at their peak. We suggest the 2-Hour Narrated Valley Tour or possibly contracting with a step-on guide for a complete overview of Yosemite and its wonders.
Please note: If you are traveling from Southern California, you may want to reverse this itinerary and spend your first night in Yosemite Valley at Yosemite Lodge and spend the second night in Historic Mariposa.
CONTACT: Yosemite/Mariposa County Tourism Bureau
OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:
➤ Jeffrey Hentz • www.homeofyosemite.com P.O. Box 967, Mariposa, CA 95338 Phone: 209-742-4567 • Email: jeffh@homeofyosemite.com
➤ Fall in Yosemite/Mariposa County ➤ Winter in Yosemite/Mariposa County
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