From a tour of Jefferson’s Monticello to dinner at the Eiffel Tower and a boat ride on the Mekong River, savor the sights, sounds, and flavors of some of the world’s greatest destinations.
Vol. 34, No. 2 April 2024
Editorial & Advertising Office
621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527
P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 info@ptmgroups.com
Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk jeff@ptmgroups.com
Chief Editor – Jason Paha jason@ptmgroups.com
Senior Editor – Randy Mink randy@ptmgroups.com
Director, Design & Production – Lisa Hede lisa@ptmgroups.com
Graphic Designer – Romeo Alcantara
Production Coordinator – Kelsey Ledford kelsey@ptmgroups.com
Content Development Specialist – Tyler Drag tyler@ptmgroups.com
When Ferris Bueller’s Day Off debuted in theaters in 1986, the country, and 11-year-old Jason Paha, was captivated by the antics of a high achieving slacker.
Little did I know, 38 years later, one of the seminal lines in the film that was lost on me then resonates daily in 2024.
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
As life moves faster by the minute and the tumultuous world storms around us, travelers are looking to the past for tranquility and authenticity.
Midwest – Cheryl Rash
P 563.613.3068 • F 815.225.5274 cheryl@ptmgroups.com
East – Diane Meglino P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 diane@ptmgroups.com
West – Tom Tobiason P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 tom@ptmgroups.com
Thus, history and heritage tours are seeing a boom in 2024. After all, what could be more authentic than the ancient city of Cuenca, Spain (which dates back to the eighth century), Yellowstone National Park (the world’s first national park) or Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site (the largest pre-Columbian site north of Mexico)? All of these, and much more, are featured in this month’s History and Heritage edition of Leisure Group Travel
LGT also takes you aboard a vintage Pullman railroad car, providing an in-depth look at how this delightful form of transportation still thrives in the present day.
Speaking of delightful travel, LGT spotlights the famed Amadeus River Cruises, showing why it offers five-star luxury at an excellent value. Not to be outdone, our 2024 Scenic Rail Guide features some of the finest railways in the country that will take your group on an unforgettable journey.
Finally, this month’s edition also sports the Virginia Group Tour Guide and the Illinois Group Tour Planner, showcasing the most captivating attractions across both states. So, be a righteous dude/dudette and check out this edition of LGT. You’ll adore it.
Take a journey to some unforgettable destinations
BY CHERISSA BANAG21 Exploring the Midwest’s Indigenous Heritage
Pay a visit to the Midwest and see first-hand the rich tapestry of Native American culture
BY STEPHANIE STOTT58 Southern Itinerary Guide
70 East Coast Museums Where African American Stories Come Alive
We highlight museums across the East Coast that offer immersive experiences into the rich tapestry of African American history and culture
BY STEPHANIE STOTTINT’L
105 Hitting the Heights in Cuenca
Medieval splendor dazzles visitors to this charmer in the Castilla-La Mancha region of central Spain
BY RANDY MINK
The Voyages Cruise Guide taps into that enthusiasm with detailed profiles about some of the top cruises in the country.
leisuregrouptravel.com/ voyages-cruise-guide
EXCLUSIVE ON LeisureGroupTravel.com
• Communing with the Past in Toledo, Spain
• Bucket List Experiences to Enjoy in Como, Italy
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North Dakota’s legendary people, like Lewis and Clark, Sakakawea, Sitting Bull and places like Theodore Roosevelt National Park have a story as fascinating today as it was 200 years ago. Visit the Northern Plains with its historic Native American Indian Villages and frontier army forts standing ready to greet you. Come, explore today!
Two family travel experts clear up misconceptions about luxury travel and offer their top exclusive history and heritage trips personalized to your group
By Heather DaleWelcome to the epitome of group indulgence—luxury travel, where the word ‘luxury’ takes on a new meaning. No longer are luxurious trips all about lavish accommodation and upscale prices. Groups can set out on unforgettable, exclusive getaways that cater to them without busting the budget balloon.
In a world where experiences reign supreme, a luxury jaunt with your nearest and dearest transcends mere exploration—it becomes a nurturing escape. To understand more about this emerging travel trend, we spoke to two experts who curate luxury trips and other excursions for groups. They’ll answer burning questions about luxury travel and how they create memorable vacations for families, including heritage and history-focused expeditions for meaningful cultural experiences.
Luxury Travel According to the Experts
“Luxury can mean different things to different people,” says Shirley Rourke, vice president of Groups Only, Goway Travel. Shirley is a dynamo in curating group trips to far-flung places and does so with the utmost thoughtful planning consideration. This is where Goway Groups Only helps travelers make their dreams come true, offering trips to 115 countries worldwide, including exclusive tours.
Shirley explains, “Our ability to customize a trip to the specific needs of an individual group allows us to get to know the travelers and design the right itinerary for them because what seems luxurious to this specific group might differ from the wider consensus.”
Luxury travel for groups offers many compelling advantages, making it an excellent idea for those seeking a heightened and personalized experience. If you’re asking yourself if luxury travel is a good fit for your group, consider what the mavens of group travel have to say.
Steve Born is the chief marketing officer of Avalon Waterways, a Globus Family of Brands. He agrees that luxury means something different to everyone, but a “high price tag is an outdated notion of luxury travel.” Sure, our minds may automatically determine what a luxury trip will cost. But Steve explains how this isn’t the case these days.
“Today’s luxury travel is about the experience delivered, not the price-point. It’s about feeling welcome, feeling taken care of, garnering access to special and memorable experiences that inspire travelers long after they’ve returned home.”
When it comes to the price tag of a luxurious trip, Shirley agrees that “a big misconception is that luxury costs the same in all destinations as it does at home.”
She says, “This isn’t true at all. In fact, some countries have some amazing luxury travel experiences that are available at a fraction of the price of equivalent services back home.”
Globus is a leading travel company specializing in one-of-a-kind group experiences. They provide exclusive history and heritage-focused trips for groups paired with all the luxurious amenities one could think of.
Steve reveals, “Beyond the guidebooks. Beyond the ordinary. Beyond words. Touring the world with Globus delivers to travelers the stories behind the sights, connecting people with places. That includes history, heritage and everything in between. And when travelers have the
opportunity to immerse themselves in new cultures, they come home as better versions of themselves, feeling more connected to the world.
“We do this with our unparalleled, no-one-does-it-like-this Choice Touring vacations. On Globus’ Choice Tours, we invite travelers to follow their passions with a choice of included excursions on two or three days of every tour. It’s a new, ‘you’ way to enjoy the world while on tour,” he explains.
Over the years, Shirley has curated many luxury tours focusing on celebrating milestones. To craft a successful group trip, she knows it’s important to work closely with her travelers. She understands that experience and commitment to the luxe travel market are vital, and Goway Groups Only prides itself on individualized service that “really taps into the interests of the specific group.”
She states, “The beauty of working with Goway Groups Only is that every trip is customized to the specific needs of the individual group, so we don’t have to fit a group into a cookie-cutter luxury experience. Rather, we can tailor the experience to their definition of luxury in the destination they want to explore.”
This style of travel often involves meticulously planning and executing logistical details such as accommodation, transportation and activities. Unique to luxury travel, such activities include private
tours, back-stage access and exclusive culinary experiences, to name a few. These recreations usually go above and beyond standard tourist offerings to create a one-of-a-kind, elevated journey. In essence, the trend combines the best elements of opulence, convenience and customization for a refined and unforgettable experience.
“Touring by nature offers travelers great luxury. There’s no planning, just playing. Front-row parking at the world’s must-see sights with backstage access and insider stories, thanks to expert tour directors and local guides. And because we take care of the ‘how’ for Globus travelers, they can focus on the ‘wow,’” said Steve.
He adds, “On a tour, you’re never alone. You’re led by expert guides who work with on-the-ground operations teams who are in the know about everything from the best route to get to a must-see landmark to places to avoid.”
Shirley insists, “Goway Groups Only goes beyond accommodation when providing luxury service to include private touring in high-quality vehicles, private guides, and exclusive travel experiences, such as expert-selected dining and behind-the-scenes access to landmarks and famous locales, all delivered with exceptional service.”
Goway Groups Only also works closely with trusted partners to ensure quality trips and customer satisfaction. Together, they craft personalized itineraries and unparalleled experiences for the ultimate luxury getaway.
Offering 5-star luxury at a great value, this highly experienced Austria-based operator specializes in groups and wants to work with yours. Its U.S. office in the Chicagoland area is staffed by group specialists ready to help with inquiries, bookings and custom arrangements
By Randy Mink
River cruising in Europe continues to be a hot ticket with American travelers, and the demand does not appear to be slowing anytime soon. Every year brings new ships, new itineraries and sold-out sailings.
Savvy group tour organizers have latched onto the trend and introduced their clients to this relaxing mode of travel. The joy of having to unpack only once makes these one- and two-week journeys the most stress-free kind of European vacation. After a morning or afternoon of sightseeing in Cologne or Vienna or Budapest, how nice it is to come back “home” to familiar surroundings and a friendly staff waiting to greet and serve you.
Offering a carefree experience all wrapped up in a neat little bow, river cruising delivers a laid-back, kaleidoscopic adventure that no land tour can match. New discoveries unfold every day as you drift merrily along, sailing past castles on the Rhine, windmills in Holland or vineyards carpeting the slopes in Austria’s idyllic Wachau Valley. And as these sleek white vessels often dock in the center of town, tourist highlights lie just steps from the gangway.
Group planners who are new to river cruising—and those looking for
fresh options—are taking a close look at Amadeus River Cruises. Lesser known to American audiences than other lines, this family-owned Austrian company—to the surprise of many on our side of the Atlantic— has been operating on Europe’s great waterways for more than 40 years. In fact, it was the first to offer overnight river cruises on the Continent, starting with the Danube.
Having hosted travelers in its own backyard for decades, Amadeus has earned a reputation for offering a superior product honed to perfection by travel experts who know Europe best.
Though Amadeus has been around a while, the company boasts one of the youngest fleets on the rivers of Europe and continually invests in upgrades. It has introduced a brandnew ship every year since 2016. The newest entry is the 158-guest Amadeus Nova, which makes her debut later this spring. Equipped with the latest in passenger comforts and green technologies, the Amadeus Nova represents the company’s nextgeneration vessels. She will be sailing on the Rhine and Danube rivers.
The 17 ships in Amadeus’ modern fleet differ little from each other,
The line’s newest ship is the 158-guest Amadeus Nova. Equipped with the latest in passenger comforts and green technologies, she will be sailing on the Rhine and Danube rivers this spring.
Amadeus guests can expect generously proportioned outside cabins (starting at 172 square feet), most with a French balcony or panoramic drop-down window. Suites have a walk-out balcony. Connecting staterooms are available on the Nova and five other ships. Most staterooms include these amenities:
• Choice of bed configuration: double or twin bed
• Walk-in wardrobe
•Flat-screen television
•Individual climate control
• Bathroom with walk-in shower
• Hair dryer
• Direct dial telephone
• In-room safe
• Mini-bar
Drop-down windows are a popular stateroom feature.
a fact that makes the line appealing to group planners. As Executive Vice President Marcus Leskovar likes to say, Amadeus is “easy to learn, easy to sell.”
He explains, “All our vessels follow the same layout, design and features –if you know and understand one vessel you can confidently sell all of them.”
“All our ships feature an elegant contemporary European design,” Leskovar says. “The Amadeus Nova, like most of our vessels, is 443 feet in length and 37.5 feet wide, which is the maximum size for being able to navigate through locks and underneath bridges on the Rhine, Main and Danube waterways.”
Public areas on the Amadeus Nova and her fleetmates include the Panorama Restaurant, Panorama Bar and Lounge, Amadeus Club (coffee and tea available 24 hours a day), and Cafe Vienna for Viennese coffee specialties
and confections. The Bar and Lounge, open all day for beverage service, provides the setting for early-riser and mid-morning continental breakfasts, a light lunch buffet and evening musical entertainment. With floor-to-ceiling windows offering expansive views, “Panorama” accurately describes the restaurant and bar. In front of the bar, the glass-shielded River Terrace is the perfect place to sip a drink and watch the scenery parade by.
In the elegant restaurant, a full breakfast buffet and multi-course lunches and dinners are a real highlight of cruising with Amadeus. Dishing up true tastes of Europe, chefs demonstrate their culinary artistry in preparing authentic dishes that reflect the cuisine of areas visited. This could be it’s German sauerbraten, Austrian wiener schnitzel or Hungarian goulash. Every meal is prepared with high-quality regional ingredients, much of which are locally sourced. Menus reflect the flavors of the season and take advantage of the best available market offerings.
The Nova’s Sun Deck has open areas, lounge chairs and awnings for shade, a bar, golf putting green, giant chess board, shuffleboard court and heated pool. Other facilities are a fitness room, massage room, hair salon and gift shop. Wi-Fi is available, and the ship is equipped with an elevator.
Groups have the option of including shore excursions in the cruise price or making their own on-shore arrangements. The unbundling of shore tours gives them the freedom to choose.
“Shore excursions are not automatically included in our cruise prices but available in different packages for clients that want to add them,” Leskovar said. “That means that passengers don’t have
to pay for excursions they are not interested in, and group operators have the opportunity to customize their program and book/create their own excursions if they desire to do so.”
All guided excursions employ a digital audio system that makes it easy for even stragglers to hear every word of the tour guide’s commentary loud and clear. For independent exploration, passengers have complimentary use of bicycles (e-bikes on the Rhine and Danube).
Amadeus can enhance the group experience in several ways. Groups, for example, can add open bar packages, custom receptions and dinner packages, customized shore excursions, entertainment options, airport ground transportation, and pre- or post-cruise hotel, excursion and transportation arrangements. Also, the ship’s public rooms can be transformed into meeting spaces.
Leskovar said, “The majority of our business is charter and group business and we are a specialist that works mainly with group leaders and tour operators. Some of the reasons that make us so attractive for groups is our relative brand neutrality, outstanding value and pricing that makes it easy to incorporate our product in a package, and our flexibility to work with groups as we offer different ways to book space.”
One way is a 90-day agreement that will guarantee cabins for the first three months of the promotional period. A deposit (10% of the cabin price) is only required for the confirmed passengers as they sign up, so there is no up-front money required on the part of the tour organizer. And there is no limit to how many empty cabins can be returned, with no penalty.
“The second type of group agreement we offer is our standard group
agreement that will secure the cabins in the group block up to 120 days prior to arrival with only a 10% deposit (based on the whole group block) and final payment at 120 days prior,” Leskovar said. “With this option, up to 50% of the cabins can be returned without penalty (up to 120 days prior to departure).”
The all-inclusive pricing includes port taxes, gratuities and other fees.
As Amadeus cruises are marketed around the world, the clientele is truly international. This gives Americans a chance to get acquainted with people from homelands as diverse as Japan, Australia and South America, not to mention all corners of Europe. But the common language spoken on board is English, and Americans account for about 50 percent of guests.
Onboard enrichment programs include lectures and cooking demonstrations. Some evenings feature cultural performances by local music and dance groups.
Amadeus River Cruises in 2024 will offer 19 itineraries in 13 countries. Cruises range from 5 to 16 days. Destinations include:
• Rhine, Main and Moselle Rivers
• Saar and Moselle Rivers (tributaries of the Moselle and Rhine, respectively)
• Danube River
• French Rivers (Rhone, Saone, Seine)
• Dutch and Belgian Waterways
Group travel organizers wishing more information on Amadeus River Cruises may call the company’s U.S. office in suburban Chicago toll-free at 844-4626727, email the sales team at sales@ amadeus-rivercruises.com or visit www.amadeus-rivercruises.com
Groups aiming to savor a relaxing, scenic ride through the many diverse landscapes the United States has to offer will cherish the 2024 Scenic Rail Guide. Each of these railways will take your group on a journey unlike any they have experienced before. Groups can enjoy the country’s beauty through one of its oldest, and most relaxing, modes of transportation.
For more information about the great railways listed in this guide, scan this QR code!
Anchorage, AK
The Alaska Railroad provides year-round rail transportation throughout Southcentral and Interior Alaska, traversing along dramatic coastlines, pristine river valleys, expansive alpine forests and traversing the Chugach Mountains and Alaska Range. Explore some of Alaska’s most loved destinations including Kenai Fjords National Park, Denali National Park, Spencer Glacier (only accessible by rail), Seward, Anchorage (including a depot at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport), Talkeetna, and Fairbanks. The Alaska Railroad’s onboard environment is perfect for group members to relax and interact with one another, our tour packages and itineraries keep groups together and ensure the trip is positively memorable. Onboard dining, outdoor viewing platforms to take in the fresh air and narration by local guides provide a unique and comfortable travel experience. Each year Alaska Railroad transports 500,000 passengers in style and comfort, where passengers can choose between our GoldStar service or Adventure Class and guests can expect world-class customer service on every ride.
For information about the Alaska Railroad, becoming a partner or education opportunities, visit alaskarailroad.com/ travel-trade today.
Step back in time aboard a vintage World War ll-era diesel train excursion in New York State. Arcade & Attica Railroad is an authentic short line railroad with the distinction of being one of the last “common carriers” — running freight and passenger trains weekly. Your journey aboard the Arcade & Attica Railroad begins before you board the train. As you enter the historic station, you’re surrounded by the history of railroading in America. Then you embark on a scenic journey through the countryside and farmlands that have remained virtually unchanged since the line was originally laid in the 1880s. Throughout the year, special excursions are offered. Regular excursions run every weekend from Memorial Day Weekend until the last full weekend of September. (www.aarailroad.com)
The Bluegrass Scenic Railroad and Museum operates a picturesque 11-mile, 90-minute train ride Saturdays through the rolling central Kentucky countryside past thoroughbred horse farms to the Kentucky river. Airconditioned first-class cars and exciting open-air cars are available. In addition to
train rides every Saturday, the museum maintains an outdoor collection of historic railroad locomotives and railcars and an indoor museum of railroad artifacts. The museum, model train layouts, and gift shop are open noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. (bluegrassrailroad.com)
Antonito, CO and Chama, NM
Chugging along at 12 miles an hour, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad isn’t in a hurry. And that’s a good thing when you’re traveling off the grid through spectacular scenery that ranges from alpine meadows and rocky gorges to deep forests of evergreens.
Covering 64 miles and crossing between the two states 11 times, C&T is also the longest steam railroad on the continent as well as the highest, climbing almost two miles above sea level.
For their full, half-day and express excursions, riders can board in either Chama, New Mexico, or Antonito, Colorado. For the full-day trips, riders return to their cars by the railroad’s bus. Passengers also have an option when it comes to deciding which of the meticulously restored cars to ride in. But whether they opt for the Parlor, Deluxe or Coach car, the stunning scenery is the same. Unless, that is, they head to the all-passenger, open-air Gondola, which provides unobstructed views and even better photo opportunities. Depending on the car, breakfast or lunch is included, with snacks and a full bar part of the onboard concessions. And should you have a question about the history, legends or lore of this region and the railroad, the onboard docents are more than happy to help. (www.cumbrestoltec.com)
Come see what you’ve been missing! Built in the 1880’s the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad will take you on a 64-mile track of untouched history. This unforgettable journey is a photographer's dream come true. Don’t miss your chance to see the breathtaking views of alpine meadows, dense forests, and deep canyons. Climb aboard, sit back and enjoy the splendor of nature's beauty. Group rates are available.
We’ve all seen those old movies like Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest, where the debonair and somewhat wry Mr. Thornhill (played by Cary Grant) finds beautiful secret agent Eve Kendall (played by Eva Marie Saint) while traveling from New York to Chicago on the famous 20th Century Limited. Intrigue and romance are in store as they meet and eat in the dining car and later retire to Ms. Kendall’s comfortable Pullman bedroom. Including a scene where Thornhill is “folded” into the upper berth. You too can be treated to those same accommodations, albeit without the intrigue and high drama of Hitchcock’s players, on some very special cars that have been lovingly restored and returned to service.
Many of today’s heritage passenger railcar owners and enthusiasts belong to one or both of the two primary organizations that support restoration, maintenance and operation of these unique pieces of America’s transportation history. The Railroad Passenger Car Alliance and the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners create a networking environment and enable those interested in keeping these historic railcars alive and in operation for newer generations of travel enthusiasts to enjoy.
Of course, in most cases, these privately-owned cars could not operate without an ongoing and positive relationship with the National Railroad Passenger Corporation better known
BY BILL GRAYas Amtrak. Amtrak sets the rules for Standard Maintenance Practices, Safety and Inspection Requirements to ensure the cars are appropriately maintained and inspected so as to be safe to operate attached to regular or special Amtrak trains at speeds up to 110 miles per hour.
Many travelers are beginning to recognize of the benefit of train travel from city-center to city-center with no need to be concerned about long wait lines, bad weather, low clouds, turbulent skies, cramped seating, etc. and Boeing’s ongoing “quality escapes.”
The other trend is that the
environmentally conscious amongst us seem to be re-discovering eco-friendly passenger rail.
Can you picture yourself enveloped in a 1950s time capsule with ArtDeco or Streamlined-Moderne design appointments in your Pullman car as you sit back, relax and enjoy a chef-prepared meal in a comfortable dining room? Or maybe you dream about having a wonderful night’s sleep in a cozy Pullman berth (bed) as the beautiful American landscape rolls past your picture window as the rhythm of the rails gently rocks you to sleep. Thanks to the dedicated owners of these heritage railcars, you too can have a fully immersive experience as your Pullman car travels along a coastal plain, or glides over rivers and crosses through beautiful mountain scenery like Glacier National Park on the Empire Builder.
Enjoy the vistas as you ride the California Zephyr from Denver through the front range of the Rocky Mountains with multiple tunnels including the 6.2-milelong Moffat Tunnel that passes under the Western Continental Divide at 9,239 feet above sea level before continuing west through the spectacular red rocks of the Glenwood Canyon to Salt Lake City and then follow the historic route taken by Robert Louis Stevenson as you ascend the Sierra Nevada range and gaze down upon Donner Lake.
You can enjoy the pleasures of Pullman Travel today. There are around 30 cars presently Amtrak-certified and available for charter on the Amtrak network.
One way is to charter one (or more) cars with your family or friends for a tailored trip by contacting individual car owners or trade associations. Alternatively, you may be able to participate in a public trip as advertised through the car owner/operators
associations or the owners.
Arrangements can be made with an individual car owner, or multiple car owners to match your need for types of cars and the need for sleeping accommodations, meal service and drink service.
Prices vary based on the route distance, meal service and other factors. Charter prices range between $5,000 and $25,000 per car, per day depending primarily on distance traveled.
Amtrak publishes information on which origin and destination stations are available for private car travel (amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/ dotcom/english/public/documents/ privatecars/Amtrak-Private-CarGuidelines-011724.pdf)
The car owners and operators support a number of jobs here in the United States. Owners provide critical financial support for the railcar shops that restore and maintain these cars. This includes annual Amtrak inspections and other Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) required inspections.
Car owners also contract with highly skilled personnel who provide Onboard Services and booking services. This includes Chefs, Attendants, Porters and Tour Operators.
Clearly, car owners are cheerleaders for a robust Amtrak network and fully support the expansion of the network to reach more tourism opportunities throughout the U.S.
Finally, Private Car owners and operators provide a “green” tourism opportunity to introduce International Travelers to the beautiful sights here in America.
To see America up close, we encourage you to come ride the Rails in Pullman Comfort.
Sleeping Cars provide overnight accommodations for between 10 and 32 passengers.
Sleeper Lounge Cars provide a combination of bedrooms and lounge or dining space and typically have an onboard galley or kitchen for food preparation
Observation Cars have end facing windows and are able to operate at the rear position on the train to provide 180-degree viewing of the scenery to the sides and rear of the train. Some Sleeper Lounge cars and some Dome Cars are also Observation Cars.
Office Cars (or Business Cars) were designed for use by railroad officials and dignitaries, and later used by political candidates for “Whistle Stop Campaigns”. These cars have a “porch” referred to as an “open platform” often with ornate brass railing on the end of the car. A sitting room or lounge is usually located next to the platform with end facing windows (so it’s an Observation Car). These cars have a dining room near the forward section of the car which is separated from the lounge by 4 or 5 bedrooms. At the very front of the car is located a pantry/ kitchen with crew sleeping quarters.
Dome Cars were created to provide a panoramic view from a glass enclosed raised section of roof at the middle of the car. In some cases, the upper-level dome runs nearly the full length of the car with a lower floor underneath serving as kitchen or housing mechanical service and bathroom facilities. Some Dome Cars are also Sleepers and include the benefits of a sleeping car on the lower level with seating in the Dome for scenic viewing.
Black history museums aren’t just repositories of artifacts, they are vibrant testaments to resilience and innovation.
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum recreates the look, sounds and feel of the game’s storied past. Video presentations and memorabilia in the 10,000-square-foot multimedia exhibit chronicle the history and heroes of the leagues. (nlbm.com)
The Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum in Detroit captures the history of the exceptional aviators known as the Tuskegee Airmen – the first all African American fighter pilot squadron. (tuskegeemuseum.org)
The DuSable Museum features diverse holdings that number more than 15,000 pieces and include paintings, sculpture, print works and historical memorabilia. Special exhibitions, workshops and lectures are featured to highlight works by particular artists, historical events or collections on loan from individuals or institutions. (dusablemuseum.org)
Are you eager to expand your knowledge of Native American culture? From Minnesota to Kansas and beyond, we’ve compiled a list of must-see destinations to enrich yourself in Indigenous heritage across the Midwest
Explore more than 2,000 acres of history at the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. This sprawling pre-Columbian settlement was home to thousands of Indigenous families in what is now Collinsville, Illinois. The Cahokia Mounds is deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a key cultural spot. While the museum is currently closed for renovations, the mounds offer plenty to discover.
A visit to Cahokia gives each visitor an astonishing view of these man-made structures–with “Monks Mound” being the largest of all. Follow its staircase to its 100-foot crest and survey the lands around you. Guided tours are available by request, and the grounds are open from sunup to sundown daily.
Found a perfect spot to read on your travels? Why not pair it with the perfect book? Support an independently owned bookstore when you shop at Birchbark Books & Native Arts. Located in a cozy downtown scene in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Birchbark is entirely Native owned. Owner and author Louise Erdich carefully selects every book on the shelves–most are specially ordered and feature Native American authors. The
shop also features a generous collection of local Indigenous artwork.
Immerse yourself in Native American history at the Mid-America All-Indian Museum in Wichita, Kansas. Explore the life of one of the museum’s founders, Tsate Kongia, in the permanent exhibit “Walking in Two Worlds, the Life of Blackbeard Bosin.” His paintings and illustrations capture vivid, fluid figures amongst sprawling landscapes.
Exhibits at the Mid-America museum rotate throughout the year, displaying a vast collection of over 3,000 artifacts from watercolors to sculpture. The discoveries aren’t limited to just the museum, however. Breathtaking prairie flowers sprout just a few steps away at the Outdoor Learning Center. Medicinal plants grow there as well, including bee hives (and yes, you can purchase honey to take home with you in the gift shop). Before you head back inside, though, make sure to check out The Keeper Plaza–though it’ll be hard to miss. “The Keeper of the Plains,” a 44-foot-tall steel statue, stands proudly at the bank of the Arkansas River.
Founded by the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the Red Cliff Fish
Company in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, is a community powerhouse. The area actively pursues sustainability: fishing responsibly while honoring the past and thinking of the generations to come. Their Fish Market is open to the public Monday to Friday, with both frozen and fresh fish to choose from. Roe, trout, filets, smoked herring, fish dip, and more are available depending on the season. A nearby gift shop features Red Cliff Fish merchandise like hats and t-shirts, and art by local tribe members.
Another towering and captivating sculpture, “Dignity of Earth and Sky” represents Lakota and Dakota history. With the Missouri River as its backdrop near Chamberlain, South Dakota, this incredible piece of art has captivated thousands since its creation in 2016. Its stance–a woman with a blanket draped around her shoulders and arms stretched toward the sky, is both powerful and elegant. Its construction is impressive, too, consisting of stainless steel down to the blue-toned patches on the quilt. Artist Dale Lamphere was the mastermind behind the project and made it easy to notice even at a distance, since it stands at 50 feet tall.
When planning a trip, remember that it is the hands-on encounters that make your adventure memorable. You might find it interesting to read about a locale’s treasured history or watch a sporting event at a sparkling athletic arena, but the experiences you can touch are the ones you ultimately feel the most. This is the biggest reason why North Dakota is such a fulfilling travel destination: from sampling and making pirogues to digging for fossils and touching animal pelts, it is full of top-notch, interactive attractions that will leave you wanting more.
Theodore Roosevelt came to the Dakota Territory to hunt bison in 1883, and this area has not been the same since. Named after the Rough Rider president who helped shape American history, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of North Dakota’s most exceptional offerings. Looking for things to do once you arrive on the scenic lands? Take a drive: the South Unit’s awe-inspiring route starts and ends in Medora and takes just two hours; the North Unit’s drive is a bit shorter, rolling across the badlands before climbing up the historic River Bend Overlook. But Roosevelt National Park isn’t just great because of its scenic paths.
3.65-square-mile park on the Canada-U.S. border—awaits. This renowned attraction features 150,000 flowers, each of which is planted afresh every year.
Our last stop is a park you should absolutely include in your trip itinerary, given its vitality in celebrating and preserving Scandinavian heritage. The Scandinavian Heritage Park is situated in the Upper Brooklyn neighborhood of Minot, a city in North Dakota’s northcentral region. The main attractions are replicas and artifacts from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland.
Deanne Cunningham
When you are done rough-riding around Teddy Roosevelt’s namesake park, the International Peace Garden—a
701-328-2502
decunningham@nd.gov
www.ndtourism.com/grouptravel
Central Illinois is brimming with a storied past waiting to be discovered — and in the Jacksonville area, these legends are more than just tall tales. Hear harrowing accounts of those escaping slavery on the Underground Railroad at sites like Woodlawn Farm and the ongoing fight for equality at the African American History Museum. Stand in the presence of our frontier origins at the Governor Duncan Mansion. Step through our history at the Jacksonville Area Museum and see how our most creative minds blossom under a Second Empire-style roof at the David Strawn Art Gallery. Plus, shop and nosh your way through shops, boutiques, and restaurants full of uncommon finds and delectable flavors. No matter how you define a successful trip for your group, creating new experiences comes as easily as discovering a bit of the past.
• jacksonvilleil.org
Take a road trip like no other through the only place in America where the Mother Road of Route 66 meets the Great River Road. Meet a giant pink elephant, dine at historic roadside cafes, take a walk through haunted hotels and mansions and relax with a glass of locally crafted wine beside the Mighty Mississippi River.
Your one-of-a-kind road trip adventure begins at RiversandRoutes.com.
On behalf of the Illinois Office of Tourism, I look forward to welcoming you and your group to the Land of Lincoln! Whether you’re a repeat visitor or it’s your first time in Illinois, there’s always something new to discover.
As the Deputy Director of Tourism, I’m reminded daily that our state truly is the Middle of Everything. There’s something for everyone and so many incredible attractions for you and your group to experience. We have 64 State Parks, 7 Scenic Byways, 6 State Forests, three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and one National Forest all waiting to be explored. And that’s just the beginning!
Illinois rolled out the red carpet for more than 111 million visitors in 2022, with expenditures reaching $44 billion—an increase of $12 billion from 2021. A key industry for our great state, travelers generated a total economic impact of $78 billion in 2022 and supported 270,600 jobs. In the motorcoach industry, Illinois welcomes more than 4 million group tour visitors who generate over $3 billion in total economic impact each year.
We’re proud to showcase our many and varied offerings from all regions of the state. Chicago is a world-class city with award-winning restaurants, hotels, architecture, museums, and shopping, but the adventures don’t stop there. Illinois is also home to quaint small towns and unique communities, endless great outdoor experiences and scenic beauty, rich presidential history, classic Americana along historic Route 66, more than a hundred wineries and so much more.
Our Tour Illinois members are ready to assist as you plan a not-to-be-forgotten excursion. Visit TourIllinois.com to start your planning today. I would also invite you to get even more inspiration for your visit at EnjoyIllinois.com
With eyes cast toward 2026, Illinois is gearing up to celebrate the centennial of America’s most famous highway
Since its official commissioning on November 11, 1926, Route 66 has captured the imagination of adventureminded travelers. With the highway’s 100th anniversary coming up in two years, communities in Illinois and the other seven states along its path will be planning special events and polishing up their attractions for road trippers from around the world.
A pop culture icon immortalized in literature, music, TV shows, movies and other art forms, Route 66 symbolized freedom of the road for generations of travelers in the 20th century. Mom-andpop diners, drive-ins, kitschy roadside curiosities, cozy motels and friendly filling stations characterized this linear corridor that stretched some 2,400 miles between Lake Michigan in Chicago and the Pacific shores of California.
Charting a diagonal course through the country’s heartland, Route 66 was called the “Mother Road” and “Main Street of America,” Though it was replaced by superhighways decades ago, Historic Route 66 signs on local roads remind today’s motorists of its allure. You’ll see these brown-and-white markers in urban and rural areas all along Illinois’ 300 miles of Route 66.
In Joliet, less than an hour from downtown Chicago, new Route 66 exhibits at the Joliet Area Historical Museum and The First Hundred Miles Welcome Center provide a good introduction to the Mother Road and its first 100 miles. Nearby is the Rialto Square Theatre, an architectural jewel designed in 1926 as a vaudeville and movie palace and now a popular performing arts center featuring nationally known acts. The museum arranges tours of the castle-like Old Joliet Prison, a widely photographed site along Route 66 and filming location of the classic movie The Blues Brothers.
In Pontiac, about 60 miles southwest of Joliet, Mother Road enthusiasts flock to the free-admission Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum, a repository of memorabilia celebrating the people and businesses that served motorists on the historic highway. Upstairs, visitors will find rooms with exhibits on 1940s nostalgia, Civil War music and the Titanic, plus the Livingston County War Museum .
Outdoors, visitors to the museum complex pose for photos in front of the giant Route 66 shield mural emblazoning the back wall of the 1900 building, once the city hall. Downtown Pontiac is decorated with 23 other artist-designed murals, including some dedicated to Route 66.
Classic car buffs in Pontiac will find much to their liking at the Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum , which displays vintage Pontiac-brand cars and some of the Pontiac Buggy Company’s high-end Oakland models produced in the late 1920s and early ’30s.
The place of pilgrimage for Route 66 fans in Bloomington-Normal is Ryburn Place Formerly Sprague’s Super Service, the 1931 Tudor-Revival landmark survives as the largest of the few remaining two-story gas stations left on the old thoroughfare; the owner’s family and an attendant lived upstairs. The restored building functions today as a gift shop/information center.
In the Logan County town of Atlanta, the new American Giants Museum tells the story of the 20-foot-tall “Muffler Man” statues that once towered over automotive and other highway businesses. Exhibits in the replica of a 1960s Texaco gas station enlighten visitors about the California
company that made them, International Fiberglass. Outside, the museum is expected to have six of these rescued and restored advertising characters in time for the Route 66 centennial in 2026; at press time there was one in place.
Atlanta is the perfect place for the giants museum, as the town’s main landmark for many years has been the Bunyon Giant , a 19-foot-tall fiberglass man holding a hot dog. Known locally as Tall Paul, he once stood at Bunyon’s, a hot dog stand in Cicero, Illinois.
Lincoln, the seat of Logan County, hosts several photo-worthy Route 66 attractions. Railsplitter Covered Wagon is the largest covered wagon in the world, as recognized by the Guinness World Book of Records. Built in 2001, it typifies the kind of oversized attention-getters found on old Route 66. Sitting in the driver’s seat is a 12-foot-tall statue of Abraham Lincoln as he might have appeared when traveling around the state as a circuit lawyer.
Photo opportunities in Lincoln also include the Tropics Restaurant Neon Sign , a magnificent replica complete with palm tree. Recalling a beloved institution that operated from 1950 until closing in 1997, the sign is best seen in the evening.
The Mill Museum and Gift Shop on 66 , also in Lincoln, occupies a former restaurant that resembles a Dutch windmill. It has exhibits on the old Blue Mill restaurant, built in 1929, and two other bygone eateries that served Route 66 travelers.
Springfield, the state capital, also is gearing up for the Route 66 anniversary.
“Springfield has been preparing for the Route 66 Centennial since 2019, starting with a master interpretive plan and moving to action phases where we are completing projects like the Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience and re-opening Shea’s Gas Station & Museum,” said Scott
Dahl, director, Visit Springfield. “Tourism records will be shattered in 2026, led by international travelers exploring the Mother Road, North America hosting the FIFA World Cup and our nation turning 250 years old.”
Centennial festivities in Springfield will culminate with the 25th annual International Route 66 Mother Road Festival , set for September 25-27, 2026. It will feature a car show with hundreds of entries, music, food, celebrity guests and a Miss Route 66 Contest.
The capital city’s newest Mother Road attraction is the Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience, an outdoor walkthrough exhibit with little red sheds highlighting businesses and attractions, past and present, in 92 Illinois communities. The garden courtyard brims with replicas of billboards and neon signs that once advertised motels, a drive-in movie theater and other places along the fabled ribbon of roadway.
Nostalgia lovers also flock to Motorheads Bar & Grill , a restaurant that occupies a former Stuckey’s travel stop on four acres of land. Its dining area, entertainment dome and free indooroutdoor museum overflow with vintage advertising and automotive-themed memorabilia—irresistible eye candy for car guys, Route 66 fans and collectors of vintage signs. Motorheads’ biggest claim to fame is the world’s largest Route 66 shield, a 32-foot-tall sign fabricated and installed in 2020 by Ace Sign Company on Stuckey’s
original 60-foot-tall poles.
The Motorheads collection includes cars, motorcycles, gas pumps, Coke machines, restaurant menus, telephone booths, a soda fountain, barber shop, you name it. Some of the automotive-related items were bought at auction in 2015 from Shea’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum, a Texaco and later Marathon filling station that owners Bill and Helen Shea transformed into a museum, a popular Springfield attraction from 1995 until Bill’s death in 2013.
Thanks to a Route 66 grant from the state, Shea’s museum, near the Illinois State Fairgrounds, is being reborn and will reopen in 2024.
Springfield’s best-known eatery from Route 66 days is Cozy Dog Drive In , a fastfood joint packed with mementos, articles clippings and old signs. It was founded in the late 1940s by Ed Waldmire Jr., who introduced the Cozy Dog, the name he gave his cornmeal-battered hot dog on a stick, and is still owned by the same family.
The final leg of Historic Route 66 meanders 100 or so miles through southwestern Illinois, ending at the Mississippi River.
History and architecture buffs will go crazy in Carlinville, notable for Carlinville Historic Square with its collection of specialty shops in painstakingly restored 19th century buildings.
Henry’s Ra66it Ranch in Staunton, though it didn’t exist before the mid-1990s, maintains the traditions of the Mother Road with a curious mix that includes live rabbits in pens, Volkswagen Rabbits, and other car and truck memorabilia.
Litchfield takes pride in the Ariston Cafe, a fine restaurant that’s been around since 1924. The nearby Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center salutes local businesses that flourished the roadway’s heyday.
In Livingston, a giant pink elephant visible from I-55, plus other larger-than-life sculptures, beckons wayfarers to Pink Elephant Antique Mall, housed in a former high school. Next door is the 1950s-style Twistee Treat Diner, whose whimsical ice cream cone-shaped building whets your appetite for burgers, fries and ice cream creations.
At the Mississippi River in Madison, the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge was built in 1929 as part of Route 66. Featuring a 30-degree turn midway across, the onemile span today serves as one of the world’s longest bicycle and pedestrian bridges. IL
Creativity is in all of us, no matter the form it takes. But what drives people to let out their inner artists and share their passions with others? Some respond to craftiness as a callingan expression of their soul that provides joy and satisfaction.
The result? Brilliant makers produce, share and educate, all while bringing their communities closer.
The proven success of the Illinois Made—Discover Local program radiates through one-of-a-kind food and beverage products, artisanal crafts, and creations made by talented Illinoisians.
Sit down and have a cup of gourmet coffee at Trolley Depot Coffee & Tea Co. in Galena where “inspiration was and still is good coffee and good conversation!”
Owner/operators Joy and Corey Heller roast delicious, small-batch, flavorful brews using ethically sustained beans. They work closely with their importer to select high-quality and single-origin ingredients.
Joy explains, “We are not trying to make a commercial grade product, but rather focusing on amplifying the nuances of the region and growing conditions.” She adds, “We endeavor to educate our customers on the difference between commodity and specialty coffee and show how selecting better farming and production practices keeps the organic properties alive.”
Becoming an Illinois Maker in the winter of 2023, Joy and Corey continue inviting guests to experience a true social gathering space where the aromatic scents of java float through the air.
“People can sit and watch us roast while they enjoy bottomless brewed coffee. Most days, you’ll find us talking to customers, roasting, filling online orders, doing inventory and paying bills. Just typical business,” she assures.
When it comes to what makes T.D. Coffee & Tea Co. worthy of holding Illinois Made status, the pair says, “We aren’t trying to chase trends or make ourselves stand out. We just believe in an excellent product served in a loving way.”
The aptly named Scratch Brewing Company, located in the Southern Illinois town of Ava, is owned by Marika Josephson and her business partner Aaron Kleidon.
“We started on a shoestring budget, building the brewery ourselves by hand on a slightly flat, slightly cleared piece of land in the middle of the woods,” Marika recalls. Starting out as home brewers with a passion for local resources and tradition, they continued to build slowly in hopes of reaching a wider audience. Appealing to an array of palates, Marika and Aaron knew they had to utilize natural amenities to craft supremely Southern Illinois brews.
“Our beer seems unusual to a modern palate but a lot of the ingredients we use have a long history in beer making – a history that has largely been forgotten.”
Continuing to highlight the unique flavors of Southern Illinois is Glaciers End comprised of a farm in Johnston City and a specialty food store in downtown Marion. Owners Derek and Libby Ervin grow everything they make, and what they don’t grow they source from local farmers.
“We are a farm-to-shelf, specialty food operation. We grow and utilize domestic as well as wild ingredients (Elderberry, Sumac, Blackberry, Mulberry, Goji, Aronia, Shagbark Hickory, Honeysuckle, flowers, herbs, hot peppers and vegetables for pickling).”
Libby explains, “We draw heavily from past traditions and techniques. We grow and make things the way our grandparents made them.
“They did it with care for the land, attention to detail and without using harmful chemicals and ingredients.”
Loren Buchmeier, owner of Crozehead Cooperage Co. in Monee, recounts the moment that changed his life path from an urban police officer and Iraq combat veteran suffering from PTSD to a craft cooper.
“One day, between domestic violence calls, as I sped across the city with lights and sirens and intense anxiety, I recalled the tour guide at the Jameson Distillery when I was on leave from Bosnia in January ’08.” According to the guide, coopers were few and far between in the art that dates back to ancient Celt and Hallstatt cultures in Southern Germany. Intrigue grabbed hold, and Loren was on the path to a new career.
Crozehead Cooperage Co. has been on the coveted Illinois Made list since 2023 and, unbeknownst to Loren, he was surprised to be honored by Scott Rude of the Chicago Southland CVB. Today, Loren continues to craft the absolute best in spirits using ancient and time-honored European techniques and tools. Guests can have a Celtic experience with delicious flavors seasoned in white oak barrels and made with the highest standards.
A visit to Lambs Farm in Lake County will not disappoint. This nonprofit organization, located in Libertyville, continues to help people with disabilities meaningfully connect with others around them.
Marisa Rademaker is the Associate Director of Marketing and Communications, and she shares how Lambs Farm went from a small pet shop in Chicago in 1961 to the thriving, equal-opportunity establishment it is today.
Starting with just 12 employees and moving locations in 1965, Lambs Farm now serves more than 280 adults with developmental disabilities and hosts several small businesses.
Out of necessity, Matt Riggs, owner of Riggs Beer Company in Urbana, began utilizing the family farm to grow specialty crops in order to survive another generation of family farming in Eastern Illinois. Steering away from traditional soy crops, it was time to try their hands at growing ingredients to produce beer. In fact, during their first eight years in business, they used more than 120 tons of homegrown brewing grains making them one of Illinois’ leading farm-to-glass breweries.
Matt explains, “We brew our beers in an all-natural, slow, traditional way. We use old-world techniques and ingredients because we take pride in the fact that by using only grain, water, hops, and yeast we can make great beer.” He adds, “We’re proud to brew with barley, wheat, and corn that we grow on our family’s 5th-generation farm.”
Visitors are invited to the tap room and outdoor beer garden where mature trees shade traditional beer garden tables and benches. Feel the connection between the landscape of swaying wheat fields and the glass of beer it ultimately became, all while supporting local agricultural workers and growers.
Although Matt’s success is visible when you step through the doors, he advises, “It very well might take all of your effort, focus, and money to start your own business. Be prepared to make sacrifices in other areas of your life in order to achieve your goal.” He adds, “But if you work hard and have a bit of luck, you might be able to build something that’s extremely fulfilling.”
In Downtown Springfield, Illinois, maker Josh Flanders knows a thing or two about bringing communities and their businesses
together for the better. He also knows a lot about brewing delicious beer. As the co-owner of Buzz Bomb Brewing Co., a microbrewery and taproom, he says it’s all about reaching out to your neighbors and working collectively for the good of the community and its visitors. A surefire way to make the Illinois Makers list is by providing unique, locally crafted goods that speak to the region they come from while building a closer community.
Josh recalls, “We were added in November of 2023 and to say we were ecstatic is an understatement. We take great pride in the beer we make and to be highlighted as an Illinois Maker worth knowing and visiting, it was just wow!”
As part of a historical reenactment group, Josh says he and his partners dabbled in mead-making realizing it wasn’t their forte. After attempting to brew their own beer at home, success struck, and they continued their journey into the local homebrew club. At first, they laughed off people’s praises about their great-tasting home brews.
He reminisces, “That changed when we attended the local Springfield Oyster & Beer Festival with the Prairie Schooners group, and people we didn’t know were telling us how great our beer was. After that, we reached out to the local Small Business Development Center, wrote up a business plan, and the rest is history!”
There are a number of other Illinois Makers who grace this list and give groups more reasons to plan a trip here. On your next visit to Illinois, be sure to check out these amazing artists, creators and makers who carry on the state’s culture. You can find the Illinois Made Guide on the Illinois Made website. IL
Forget the traditional tourist traps. The Chicagoland area and its surrounding suburbs hold a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be discovered by your group. Whether you are history buffs yearning for museums, nature enthusiasts craving fresh air, foodies seeking culinary delights or thrill-seekers chasing adrenaline rushes, this region offers something for everyone.
Embark on a scavenger hunt to discover the vibrant murals hidden throughout the city, each with its own story to tell. Downtown Aurora has more than 50 public art installations, from the Aurora Transportation Center to the Santori Public Library. Highlights include Bunnie Reiss’ whimsical natural landscape painted on the west wall of the Fox River Trail underpass at New York Street, Ruben Aguirre’s abstract piece at Broadway and Benton, the streetscape on LaSalle by Joshua Schultz, and Sam Cervantes’ angelic wings on the wall of La France Bakery at Galena and Broadway.
Groups can also explore the scenic trails of Aurora’s parks and nature preserves. Blackberry Farm, Phillips Park and Aurora West Park offer diverse landscapes for hiking, biking or simply enjoying a peaceful moment surrounded by nature.
Located just outside of Chicago, the eight communities of Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village, Itasca, Rolling Meadows, Roselle, Schaumburg, Streamwood and Wood Dale call this region home. Be ready to discover hidden gems, bite into a diverse list of restaurants and submerge yourself in worldclass shopping.
Delve into the rich history of Arlington Heights at the Arlington Historical Society Museum. Learn about the village’s founding, its development through the years and the interesting lives of its residents.
Enjoy a fun-filled dining experience at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament in Schaumburg. Watch jousting knights, skilled falconers and talented equestrians perform while you enjoy a delicious four-course meal.
Add more Illinois architecture knowledge to your experience with a visit to the House Museum parkland in the heart of DeKalb, the museum campus includes seven historic structures, including the 1879 Ellwood Mansion and 1899 Ellwood-Nehring House, four gardens and 6,000 square feet of exhibit space.
DuPage County offers a variety of hidden gems beyond Cantigny.
Immerse yourself in the tranquility of Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve Hike along scenic trails leading to a cascading waterfall, a hidden gem within the preserve. Breathe in the fresh air and lose yourself in the beauty of nature.
Step back in time to the Peabody Estate Hall, a Tudor revival-style mansion, once owned by coal baron F.S. Peabody. Witness restoration in progress at this nationally registered historic building by renowned architect Benjamin Marshall.
Pay a visit to the Wheaton, which offer beauty and tranquility for all to enjoy. Experience them at your own pace and be sure to return throughout the
seasons – the display gardens receive new plant material every spring, summer and fall.
Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace boasts a loyal following due to its excellence and status in the Chicagoland theatre scene. The proscenium-style theatre is perfectly sized, so every seat is easily one of the best seats in the house, drawing you in to the performance and advancing your experience as a patron.
Nestled alongside the Fox River, Elgin boasts a blend of natural beauty and historic charm.
Visit the Elgin Public Museum and immerse yourself in the city’s rich history through interactive exhibits, artifacts and engaging storytelling. Explore Native American settlements, early pioneer life, and the city’s industrial development.
Housed in an 1856 landmark building, the Elgin History Museum features permanent exhibits including artifacts from the Elgin National Watch Co. and Elgin Road Race memorabilia.
McHenry County is full of recreational opportunities, from its family-friendly trails to festivals and live-entertainment spots.
Delve into the rich history of McHenry County at the McHenry County Historical Society Museum through interactive exhibits, artifacts and engaging storytelling. Discover the stories of Native American settlements, early pioneers and the region’s industrial development.
Located in Crystal Lake, the Raue Center for the Arts is a restored 1920s vaudeville theater with red stall seats holding a comedy club and kids’ workshops.
The Woodstock on Film and on the Stage Mural and Sculpture Garden features Woodstock’s cultural legends including Orson Welles, Chester Gould, Bill Murray, Geraldine Page, Paul Newman and many more. Visitors flock to Woodstock to revel in all things Groundhog Day the movie.
100 miles west of Chicago resides the rolling hills, old growth forests and pristine rivers of Northwest Illinois. With its quaint
cabins and bed and breakfasts, it’s the perfect weekend getaway in Illinois. Every mile is steeped in history, surrounded by outdoor beauty and dotted with charming villages.
Step back in time at historic Lyons Public Library & Museum, which houses a unique collection of artifacts related to local history, including a Victorian dollhouse and a Civil War exhibit.
In the fall of 2014, 30 bison were relocated to the Nachusa Grasslands, where they safely roam thousands of fenced-in acres. Consisting of 4,100 acres of restored, remnant prairie, Nachusa Grasslands is home to 180 species of birds, more than 700 native plant species and the aforementioned herd of bison.
For an up-close view of an iconic home created by one of the world’s most influential architects, head 58 miles southwest of Chicago where you’ll find the Edith Farnsworth House in Plano. Designed by Mies van der Rohe, the home represents the fullest expression of modernist ideals that had begun in Europe but was finished in Plano.
Another great option is to travel northwest to the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, one of the top Japanese gardens in North America. This 12-acre oasis features two gardens, a pond-strolling garden and a contemporary Garden of Reflection. Enjoy a show at the Coronado Performing Arts Center. This iconic venue has hosted artists, shows and concerts since 1927. Discover contemporary and modern art from around the world at the Rockford Art Museum, featuring diverse exhibits and educational programs. Continue west on Highway 20 and exit the interstate to discover the gems of Freeport. Little Cubs Field will bring out the kid in any age as you have the opportunity to hit one over the ivy. Take the short drive from the field to Krape Park to enjoy the new mini golf course, paddle boats, antique carousel, miles of hiking paths and ample equipment to play. If you enjoy learning about important events in U.S. history, check out the landmark change set in motion at Lincoln-Douglas Debate Square. IL
Chicago, and its surrounding cities, offers something for everyone in your group. History buffs can delve into museums, nature enthusiasts can explore parks and gardens, foodies can indulge in diverse cuisines and thrill-seekers can find heartpounding activities. Here are some lesser-known attractions that groups of all ages will love.
The Chicago Riverwalk is a 1.25-mile path that runs alongside the famous Chicago River. The Riverwalk is filled with excellent establishments offering stunning views of the city and fabulous food and beverages. Some of the standouts include Beat Kitchen, City Winery and The Northman
Constructed more than 100 years ago, the Chicago Cultural Center reflects the best of Chicago. Hundreds of thousands of visitors enter the center every year, making it one of the most visited attractions in the city.
The stunning landmark building is home to two magnificent stained-glass domes, as well as free music, dance and theater events, films, lectures, art exhibitions and family events.
Embark on a vibrant adventure with Chicago Detours, a tour operator whose mural tours delve into the city’s diverse neighborhoods and artistic expressions.
Bordering Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago, Chicago’s North Shore features a lakefront full of treasures and hidden gems.
The only Baha’i House of Worship in North America in Wilmette is an architectural marvel and symbol of unity.
The Charles Gates Dawes House in Evanston is a National Historic Landmark and home to the 30th Vice President of the United States and showcases life in a lakefront mansion at the turn of the century.
Unique to the North Shore is the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, boasting 27 display gardens situated on 385-acres.
The Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie is the largest in the Midwest and features an interactive Survivor Experience. The Halim Time and Glass Museum in Skokie houses over 1,100-time pieces and over 80 stained glass pieces of art in a one-of-akind collection.
While in Skokie, visit the Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park. This picturesque park runs for two miles and displays more than 60 sculptures by artists of local, national, and international reputation.
Just 30 minutes beyond the city limits of Chicago rests the 60 south/southwest suburbs known as the Chicago Southland. This area offers hundreds of festivals and
events, 40,000 acres of luscious forestry, 600 holes of top-rated golf, iconic historic downtown shopping districts and some of the best restaurants, breweries and distilleries in the Chicagoland area.
Lotton Art Glass Gallery & Studios in Crete creates hand-blown, one-of-akind works of fine glass art. They create hand-blown vases, bowls, sculptures, paperweights, perfume bottles, lamps, pendant lighting and chandeliers. Meet the world famous Lotton family and tour the gallery and studio.
Homewood Bat Co. manufactures and sells professional-grade wood baseball bats made from ash, yellow birch and maple. Homewood Bat Co. welcomes visitors to witness its commitment to crafting exceptional bats with advanced technology and unsurpassed attention to detail at its state-of-the-art facility.
Established in 2015, Crozehead Cooperage in Monee is one of 26 cooperages in the United States and the only cooperage in Illinois. Crozehead offers tours of the cooperage where guests can witness traditional hand coopering demonstrations.
Stellwagen Farm showcases the agricultural heritage of Orland Park and includes a farmhouse and outbuildings. Programs, events and history tours are offered throughout the year.
Heritage Corridor Destinations is the home of The First Hundred Miles of Route 66, the charming I&M Canal Towns and the magnificent Starved Rock Country.
There are many great stops on Route 66, from the Route 66 Welcome Center at the Joliet Area Historical Museum to the 20 Walldog murals that embrace the city of Pontiac. Don’t miss local favorites like the two-cell jail in Gardner and the Polk-a-Dot Drive-in in Braidwood.
A mid-1800s architectural wonder helped make Chicago the city it is today, the 96mile Illinois & Michigan Canal (I&M Canal) connected the Great Lakes in Chicago to the Illinois River at LaSalle-Peru. This “highway” allowed for many cities along the Canal to come to life. W
ith restaurants like Tallgrass Restaurant in Lockport and Nick’s Tavern in Lemont, boutique shops like Betty’s in Morris and Weeta’s Boutique in Ottawa, a visit to the I&M Canal is certainly an experience to remember.
Thirty-five miles southwest of Chicago, Joliet is a city steeped in history, including the Old Joliet Prison, which once housed famous criminals and now offers tours of its castle-guard towers. Groups can visit the Joliet Historical Society to learn about the prison’s history. Groups can also pay a visit to Sue Regis Glass Art , where you can get a hands-on experience of the centuries-old craft.
The quaint Kankakee County Museum complex features a historic schoolhouse and exhibits dedicated to local heritage. Learn about the region’s rich history, from its Native American roots to its industrial boom. Enjoy live performances, from musicals and plays to dance recitals and concerts, at the historic Kankakee Theatre.
Fifty-six miles northwest of downtown Chicago lies Volo Bog State Natural Area, home to the only open water quaking bog in Illinois. Formed in an ancient glacial kettle hole lake, Volo Bog features a floating mat of sphagnum moss, cattails and sedges surrounding the open pool of water in the center of the bog.
Embark on a self-guided brewery tour along the Lake County Libations Trail Sample beers from local breweries and enjoy the camaraderie of the craft beer scene.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s first home and studio (1889-1909) was the birthplace of an architectural revolution. Over a century old, the National Historic Landmark is nestled on a beautiful tree-lined street in the heart of Oak Park. Wright used his home to explore design concepts that contained the seeds of his architectural philosophy. In his adjacent studio, Wright and his associates developed a new American architecture – the Prairie style.
After visiting the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, look at more of Wrightdesigned structures within the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District, a federally designated historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Place. The district is something of a treasure trove of modern architecture, boasting 23 buildings designed or remodeled by Wright.
Commissioned by the congregation of Oak Park Unity Church in 1905, Wright’s Unity Temple is the greatest public building of the architect’s Chicago years. The last surviving Wright-designed Prairie style public building, Unity Temple is both a National Historic Landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Experience the thrill of skydiving without ever leaving the ground at iFLY Indoor Skydiving. This state-of-the-art facility uses powerful wind tunnels to simulate the feeling of freefall, perfect for both beginners and experienced skydivers.
Learn about the history of aviation at the Rosemont Aviation Museum. Explore a collection of vintage aircraft, learn about the pioneers of flight, and even climb aboard a real Boeing 727.
An excellent outdoor destination is the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center in Willow Springs. This interpretive center features sustainable design, a sensory garden, live native animals, exhibits about local natural history, a nature play area and an accessible trail. Over 3 1/2 miles of walking trails are available. IL
Few destinations in the Midwest can rival the beauty of Illinois’ Great Rivers Country. This picturesque region is named for the Mississippi and Illinois rivers that carve through its rolling hills and bluffs, creating stunning natural landscapes. Visitors can enjoy a scenic drive along the Great River Road, hike or bike through lush forests or go kayaking or canoeing on the rivers for a truly immersive experience.
Great Rivers Country is dotted with charming small towns, each with its own unique character and appeal. Great Rivers Country is also a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Here are some of the best water adventures you can find in this region:
Perched on the banks of the Mississippi River, Alton stretches into the surrounding bluffs with restaurants and shops offering incredible views of the river. The downtown shopping district offers a wide range of retail delights from artistic hand-thrown pottery to antiques, clothing shops and more.
Nestled along the majestic Mississippi and the serene Galena River, Galena Country offers an aquatic escape for adventurers and leisure seekers alike. At Chestnut Mountain Resort, embrace the thrill of snow sports with a river view that takes your breath away.
For a gentler pace, Nuts Outdoors provides kayak and paddleboard rentals for a tranquil journey on the Galena River or ride electric bikes along the scenic trail to the Mississippi. Dock and dine at Millennium Bar & Grill in East Dubuque, where the marina meets mouthwatering river fare and refreshing drinks to enjoy.
With 23 city parks, visitors can enjoy a public beach, water park, and miles of wooded biking, walking, and even horse trails. Lake Storey Beach offers a slew of opportunities to have fun on the water as visitors can rent a kayak, paddleboat, canoe, or john boat right at the beach.
Groups can also enjoy a leisurely stroll (or a brisk run or ride) on the Lake Storey biking, walking, and hiking trails.
This 33-mile stretch of roadway is the
only place in the country where the mighty Mississippi comes together with the historic Missouri and Illinois rivers. And it happens to also be one of the most scenic road trips around, offering amazing yearround views from the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge to the newly opened Grafton SkyTour . Few sights in the Great Rivers & Routes region, or anywhere, are as majestic as the stretch of the Great River Road between Alton and Grafton.
On one side is the powerful and everchanging Mississippi River, a reminder of the region’s history as a riverboat hub. On the other are the limestone bluffs draped with a curtain of trees.
Pay a visit to Pere Marquette State Park , the largest state park in Illinois. Miles of trails ranging from beginner to advanced weave through the park offering scenic views and glimpses of wildlife. With nearly 8,000 acres of scenic beauty, Pere Marquette is one of the most picturesque and beautiful locations on the Illinois River
Enjoy the river up-close on the Hakuna Matata , a 49-passenger tour boat that takes groups on an adventure on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers
The Quad Cities straddles the Mississippi River and features a host of lakes, ponds,
dams, and more. Here are some of the top water activities in the Quad Cities:
The 750-passenger Celebration Belle Riverboat offers guided tours, lunch and dinner options all while taking in the scenic views along the Mississippi River. You have a lot of options to choose from: themed excursions, musical entertainment, overnight packages, narrated tours. The choices run as short as an hour or two to multi-day adventures.
The Tiki Tavern is launching from Princeton, Iowa, for the first time this summer.
Made in the QC, the tiki-bar boat looks exactly like a floating tiki bar and comes with a host, state of the art sound system, and troughs filled with ice for your drinks. You can books seats on an existing public cruise or rent the boat for your party.
Travel on the open-air Channel Cat Water Taxi around the Quad Cities via the river.
The Channel Cat docks at Ben Butterworth Parkway—Celebration Pier and John Deere Commons Landing in Moline, Isle Casino Hotel in Bettendorf, Iowa, and at Foot of Mound Street near the Village of East Davenport in Davenport, Iowa. The daily ticket is for unlimited use on the day of purchase.
Another great Quad Cities option is the Riverboat Twilight , which offers
sightseeing and one and two-day cruises. The two-day trip includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks (both days), overnight lodging, entry to the National Mississippi River Museum and live entertainment onboard.
The beauty and accessibility of Lake George in Rock Island County in Illinois City should not be missed. And it’s easy to get on the water. You can rent a variety of watercrafts: small two-person pontoon boats, kayaks, canoes and party barges. We recommend camping in the area and making a fun multi-day adventure.
Backwater Gamblers in Rock Island is a free waterski show presented twice weekly on the Rock River.
The Quincy Park District consists of 28 parks, a 27-hole golf course, 12 playgrounds and two swimming pools, encompassing more than 900 acres.
Moorman Park features a lake for fishing and paddle boats as well as baseball fields, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, a disc golf course, an archery range and a one-mile path for walking/jogging. Paddleboat rentals are located in this same area on Moorman Lake.
Chester, a historic city lying beside the Mississippi River, has a plethora of thrilling opportunities for exploration across the area.
Take pictures with your favorite Popeye characters as you explore the city on the Popeye Character Trail . Once you’ve finished the 21-character route, head to The St. Nicholas Landmark and drink a freshly brewed craft beer while taking in the view of the Mississippi River
If you have anyone in your life who is interested in history, make the trip to Illinois’ first capital, Kaskaskia Island . Visit the historic Kaskaskia Bell State Memorial .
This monument covers the brick building that houses the bell from 1741 gifted by King Louis XV, of France, for the Catholic Church of the Illinois Country.
Fort de Chartres historic monument lies five miles outside of Prairie Du Rocher, right along the Mississippi. At this historical site, the final four French forts known as “de Chartres” were located.
You can’t go wrong with Fort de Chartres whether you’re a history buff or just want to spend an interesting day out with your family or friends. IL
Southern Illinois is full of fine local experiences, thrilling outdoor activities, exceptional shopping and fascinating art and history. making it an ideal destination for small group trips and girlfriend getaways. Here are some of the best small group adventures in the Trails to Adventure region.
The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail is an enjoyable expedition through the hills of Southern Illinois. Consisting of 11 wineries scattered along a clearly mapped 40-mile trail, each one presents its unique style and methods of winemaking. Renovated golf courses, scenic walks and elegant lodging options are just a few of the additional benefits available nearby. Plus, not far from the trail lie specialty shops, eateries and art galleries. Grab your girlfriends and unwind in
the hills of Southern Illinois. For January and February, the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail provides great incentives to visit, with its passport program. Enjoy savoring wines and saving big with great discounts on wine, merchandise, food and more.
With your purchase of a winery passport, you will receive discounts at each of the member wineries and a chance to win wonderful prizes along the trail. Passports are available for sale at www.shawneewinetrail.com
Right outside Shawnee Hills National Forest is the beloved Scratch Brewing Company in Ava. Nestled in the woods and known for its great atmosphere and noteworthy homemade beer, the farmhouse brewery also offers guests menu food items made from local
Enjoy
ingredients. Bring cash as credit cards are not accepted here and check their website for opening hours.
An excellent location for an outing with friends is the nationally recognized Kokopelli Golf Course in Marion. The property prides itself on a prestigious 18-hole course, interactive golf simulator, and fancy restaurant and lounge called The Turn. Just a short drive away is Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, featuring 650 slot machines, table games, a hotel and a restaurant.
Because of its enthralling log cabin village, Kinmundy provides a delightful trip back in time. Wandering around the village’s winding roads, visitors may examine each restored building and learn about pioneer life in rural Illinois. Kinmundy’s log cabin town, with its nostalgic atmosphere and rich history, makes an ideal backdrop for a short trip, with opportunities for exploration and a sense of connection to the area’s past around every turn.
Swing through Bluffs on a Canopy Tour. Partake in a thrilling outdoor and eco-
friendly adventure during your time in the Shawnee Hills region. Book a canopy tour through Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour in Makanda and soar through the sky like the bald eagles that call this area home. Choose between one of their two tours offering a mix of zip line runs, suspension bridges, short hikes and aerial bridges.
Go Horseback Riding in Grafton. Allow seasoned guides from Pere Marquette Stables to accompany you on a 45-minute journey through two-and-a-half miles of picturesque river and hilly landscapes, with the chance to see typical Midwest wildlife such as white-tailed deer, turkeys, red-tailed hawks, songbirds and more. 35-minute hayrides are also available.
Rent a Boat on the Lake of Egypt. Grab your sunscreen and spend the day out of the beautiful Lake of Egypt, located six miles south of Marion. With over 90 miles of shoreline, this activity is perfect for groups of up to 12 who want to sit back and have the freedom to explore the lake on their own. Located down the road from Marion, Weiner Rides makes renting pontoon boats easy.
Camp in Shawnee Hills National Forest. Fully immerse yourself in Shawnee Hills National Forest through camping. Home
to a variety of species and terrains, the forest consists of 15 campgrounds perfect for small groups. A popular site includes the Pharaoh Campground because of its proximity to the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, which features an hourlong hike through old sandstone cliffs and formations.
Glamp in the Shawnee Hills National Forest. Groups looking for a more relaxing way to enjoy the outdoors should check out Shawnee Hills Glamping Dome for a memorable retreat in the National Forest. Designed for comfort and tranquility, this dome offers guests a luxurious camping experience while maintaining a connection with nature through unmatchable panoramic views.
Participate in a Petting Zoo. Adventurers are drawn to Nashville, Illinois’ Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo. This 170-year-old family farm spans acres of gorgeous countryside. With a wide variety of animals housed on the expansive grounds, guests may get an up close and personal tour of the animal kingdom. There are more than 200 animals that live at Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo.
Savor the Carlyle Lake Wine Trail. Carlyle invites adventurers with its unique blend of natural beauty and culinary delights. Nestled along the shores of
Carlyle Lake , the largest man-made lake in Illinois, outdoor enthusiasts can indulge in a myriad of water activities, from boating and fishing to kayaking and swimming. After a day of exploration, the nearby Carlyle Lake Wine Trail offers a perfect opportunity to unwind and savor the flavors of local wineries.
Kayak or Paddleboard around Cedar Lake. Located in Jackson County sits Cedar Lake, a lovable lake within the Shawnee Hills National Forest. Self-serve kayak and paddleboard rentals can be found near the Cedar Lake boat ramp. All guests need to do is download the rent.fun app, select what they want to rent, enjoy their time on the water and then return the rentals.
Shop on Main Street in Anna. Grab your girlfriends and head to Main Street. The street is home to a considerable number of superb boutiques including Kenz Boutique, Farmer’s Daughter Boutique and Enchanted Gardens. At the heart of it all is Annabelle Market, which features more than 10,000 square feet filled with striking boutique, antique and handcrafted items. Home to over 40 individual vendors, the market caters to a diverse range of tastes and preferences, ensuring there’s something special for everyone.
Head to the Makanda Boardwalk. The Makanda Boardwalk is a sequence of shops sitting along a charmingly rustic boardwalk, famous for their homemade goods and relaxed atmosphere. The Makanda Trading Company and the Day Shift are just two of the many stores to visit.
Explore Murals in Marion. Crafted by both local and internationally recognized artists, the Marion Mural District has dozens of beautiful murals scattered throughout the compact city. Take a stroll while learning about the themes and significance of these remarkable pieces of art found on buildings and in alleyways. In the mural district, groups will discover a diverse array of restaurants, vibrant nightlife and distinctive shops.
Roam around Cedarhurst Center For the Arts. This stellar art institute in Mount Vernon is open year-round, applauding everything from visual and performing
arts to large sculptures. The 80-acre property also highlights a stunning outdoor environment and exciting special events.
Visit the Jefferson County Historical Village in Mount Vernon. Step back in time with a visit to the J efferson County Historical Village , an outdoor museum portraying life from the inception of the county. A 19th-century log house, church, jail, school, print shop and more can be toured.
Discover Metropolis. In the selfproclaimed hometown of Superman, the Super Museum showcases a vast collection of Superman-themed items, including over 20,000 comics, toys and shirts. Down the block on Market Street stands the World’s Largest Superman Statue at 15 feet tall. While in the area, groups can also go scuba diving at Mermet Springs , walk around Fort Massac State Park , Illinois’ first state park and eat delicious peaches at Remer’s Orchard. IL
From pumpkin patches to petting zoos, there’s something for everyone in the agricultural heartland of Illinois.
By Tinder KielyThe Land of Lincoln boasts more than just its political legacy; it offers rural landscapes and experiences waiting to be discovered. One such facet of Illinois’ charm is its growing agritourism scene, where farms open their gates to visitors, inviting them to immerse themselves in the agricultural lifestyle and enjoy farm-fresh produce, scenic backdrops and genuine hospitality.
The Great Pumpkin Patch in Arthur is a family-owned farm with over 300 varieties of pumpkins, squash and gourds from over 20 countries around the world. Visitors can experience the harvest season with beautiful surroundings in the heart of Amish Country. Pumpkins aren’t all this place has to offer as guests can experience detailed mum displays known as “quilts,” corn mazes, farm animals, scenic wagon rides and numerous places to eat and drink.
Nestled in the picturesque countryside of Normal, Illinois, Rader Family Farms is a sprawling agritourism destination that offers an array of seasonal activities for visitors of all ages. From pumpkin patches and corn mazes in the fall to sunflower fields and baby animals in the summer, the farm provides a year-round escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Just a short drive from Rader Family Farms lies another gem of Illinois’ agritourism landscape: Ropp Cheese. Situated in the quaint town of Normal, this familyowned creamery has been producing artisanal cheeses since 1863, using timehonored techniques passed down through generations. At Ropp Cheese, visitors can witness the cheesemaking process firsthand—from milking the cows to aging the cheeses in temperature-controlled caves. Guided tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at the craftsmanship and dedication that goes into each batch of cheese.
Epiphany Farms feels strongly about the value of understanding the source of your food, which is why the team offers tours of their 70-acre working farm during the growing season. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the regenerative and chemical-free agricultural practices
that Epiphany Farms uses to provide food to local restaurants and its CSA members.
Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch is a family-run farm that’s been feeding people since 1873, and now grows dozens of varieties of apples alongside a pumpkin patch just waiting to be picked in the fall. If you don’t have time to pick your own, their large country store offers the opportunity to shop for these and much more, including specialty food and gift items, fresh apple cider, baked goods and delicious homemade honey. A visit here would not be complete if you didn’t also stop at their corn maze, goat petting zoo and the Monkey Cafe.
Visit Illinois’ first farmstead cheesemaking facility located just north of Champaign, at Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery . Here, you can learn about their “Animal Welfare Approved” goat dairy, sample awardwinning varieties of artisan goat cheese and their unique goat milk gelato. During open hours, you can roam the grounds, meet the goats and visit the farm store. Group tours and tastings are also available.
Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch in Rantoul allows visitors a totally unique experience: visit a herd of authentic Alaskan reindeer. Take a tour and get the opportunity to meet these friendly animals and if you’re brave, you can even give one a kiss.
Just a 15-minute drive west from Danville is Sleepy Creek Vineyards. The folks at Sleepy Creek grow their own grapes on 10-acres of vineyard and ferment all 13 of their wine varieties on site. Schedule a tour or come by for a tasting, and leave with a bottle.
Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch is a family-run farm that’s been open since 1873.
Explore rural farm life on the Illinois Grand Prairie in 1860 when you visit Homestead Prairie Farm , located in southwest Decatur. Free weekend tours are available June-October at this living museum. After you immerse yourself in the history of the farmhouse, you can tour the beautiful trails and ponds located in the nearby Rock Springs Conservation Area.
Try some wine when in Effingham at Tuscan Hills Winery , a romantic setting designed to give an old-world Tuscan feel. The European-esque winery offers daily tastings, frequent live music shows and a comfortable on-site restaurant serving artisan pizzas, flatbreads and more.
Marcoot Creamery in Greenville invites guests to experience the true spirit of farming and is a shining example of agricultural excellence. This family-run creamery provides a special chance to
BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL AREA
CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
VisitBN.org / 309.665.0033
observe the craftsmanship that goes into making artisan cheeses and farm-fresh dairy products. A visit to Marcoot Creamery, which offers guided tours, interactive experiences, and a quaint farm store with its delicious creations, is sure to be an informative tribute to the rich tradition of American agriculture.
Just 10 minutes from Marcoot Creamery, The Rolling Lawns Farm creation of The Milk House entices guests with a blend of rustic charm and mouthwatering delicacies. This family-run farm, tucked away among lush pastures, is a haven of expansive pastures. When visiting, make sure to stop by the Milk House which serves delicious, freshly made ice cream and dairy products.
Visit Woodlawn Farm, located just five miles east of Jacksonville, and learn about its significant history. This farm was an important stop on the Underground Railroad for runaway slaves seeking shelter. Woodlawn Farm is now a living history museum complete with its own farm and allows guests to immerse themselves in mid-1800s farm life. Another quality stop is Bland Family Farm , a regenerative farm in Jacksonville, that serves high quality organic meat, eggs, and produce.
Logan County’s own Gail’s Pumpkin Patch offers a seasonal pumpkin paradise with over 60 species of gourds, squash and pumpkins— many are even edible! For only a quarter, children can enjoy feeding the goats, watching the chickens and petting the rabbits. After you’re done, grab some homemade apple cider donuts for the drive back.
Southfork Homestead Pumpkin Patch is a beautiful place for anyone looking for the ultimate fall experience. This familyrun pumpkin patch can be found away within the natural charm of the countryside in Paris and has plenty to offer guests of all ages. Harvest season enriches every moment, from riding hayrides through beautiful scenery to navigating the vast fields of pumpkins in search of the ideal pumpkin. Southfork Homestead Pumpkin Patch, with its attractions including corn mazes, petting zoos, and seasonal delights, promises a day full of fun, adventure, and treasured memories set against the backdrop of rustic beauty.
Fon Du Lac Farm Park is a wonderful destination in East Peoria for families with young children. The Farm Park includes a 1920’s farm museum, a petting zoo with farm animals that you can feed and a red barn with a silo slide for kids to play in.
If you find yourself in Shelbyville, consider taking a stop at the Tower of Baa . This peculiar tower may look like a standalone castle turret, but no humans live here; instead the tower is inhabited by goats! The Tower of Baa the largest goat tower in the world and gives Dave Johnsons’ Saneen goats shade and a place to climb like they would normally get in their native home of Switzerland.
Springfield’s premier equine experience, Riverside Stables , invites groups of all skill levels to take a riding lesson on one of their majestic horses. Or you can simply take a trail ride with an experienced guide and
leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind for a while.
Jubilee Farm is located just west of Springfield, on a stunning 164-acre piece of land. Explore the grounds and visit the llamas and alpacas or sit on a bench and watch things grow at their gardens and orchard. Since 1853, Springfield has been home to the Illinois State Fair , one of the oldest state fairs in the country. Each year, the Illinois Department of Agriculture showcases the Land of Lincoln’s diverse and extensive farm culture with animal shows and other exhibits.
The 2024 Illinois State Fair takes place August 8-18, but you can visit the fairground year-round at the The Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience , a self-guided tour highlighting businesses in 92 communities along the Illinois stretch of historic Route 66.
Vintage billboards, a drive-in movie theater, Legends Neon Sign Park and a tribute to Illinois’s muffler men make up a large part of the experience.
When sustainability is as important as production, alternative energy sources are top priority. In the northwest corner of Illinois, Stephenson County is home to several opportunities to learn about several forms of alternative energy. Tour Adkins Energy to learn about the uses of biodiesel and methanol and then travel 10 miles north to learn about and view the 100-megawatt High Point Solar Farm and 67-turbine EcoGrove Wind Farm that are co-located on the same property.
Discover the lovely world of flowers and botanical marvels at Wild Child Flower Farm in Sumner. This charming farm is nestled in the hills of Illinois, producing an array of colors and scents while preserving heirloom varieties and an array of wildflowers. In addition to taking part in interactive activities such as picking your own bouquet, visitors are welcome to stroll across the fields and take in the beauty of nature’s abundance. IL
Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
43 West Galena Blvd. Aurora, IL 60506-4129 630-256-3190 enjoyaurora.com
Chicago’s North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau
8833 Gross Point Road, Suite 307 Skokie, IL 60077 847-763-0011 visitchicagonorthshore.com
Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau 19900 Governors Drive, Suite 200 Olympia Fields, IL 60461-1057 708-895-8200 or 888-895-8233 visitchicagosouthland. com
Choose Chicago 301 E. Cermak Road Chicago, IL 60616 312-567-8500 choosechicago.com
DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau 2500 N Annie Glidden Road Community Outreach Building Suite F DeKalb, IL 60115 815-756-1336 dekalbcountycvb.com
DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau
915 Harger Road, Suite 120 Oak Brook, IL 60523 630-575-8070 or 800-232-0502 discoverdupage.com
Elgin Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
60 S. Grove Avenue, 1st Floor Elgin, IL 60120 847-695-7540 or 800-217-5362 exploreelginarea.com
Greater Freeport Partnership (serves Stephenson County)
110 West Main St. Freeport, IL 61032 815-233-1357
greaterfreeport.com
Heritage Corridor Destinations
2701 Black Road, Ste. 201 Joliet, IL 60435 844-944-2282 hcdestinations.com
Kankakee County
Convention and Visitors Bureau
275 E Court St. #102 Kankakee, IL 60901 815-935-7390 or 800-747-4837 visitkankakeecounty.com
Lake County, Illinois
Convention and Visitors Bureau
5465 W. Grand Avenue, Suite 100 Gurnee, IL 60031 847-662-2700 800-525-3699 visitlakecounty.org
Meet Chicago Northwest 1933 N. Meacham Road, Suite 210 Schaumburg, IL 60173 847-490-1010 or 800-847-4849 chicagonorthwest.com
Naturally McHenry County, Illinois 11879 E. Main Street Huntley, IL 60142 815-893-6280 naturallymchenrycounty.com
Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau 102 N. Main Street Rockford, IL 61101 815-963-8111 800-521-0849 gorockford.com
Rosemont Convention Bureau 9301 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue Rosemont, IL 60018-5201 847-823-2100 rosemont.com
VisitNW Illinois 201 N. Franklin Avenue Polo, Illinois 61064 815-946-2108 visitnorthwestillinois.com
Visit Oak Park 1033 South Blvd Oak Park, IL 60302 708-524-7800 visitoakpark.com
Discover Downstate Illinois
4387 N. Illinois St., Suite 200 Swansea, IL 62226 618-257-1488
www.downstateil.org
Galena Country Tourism
101 Bouthillier St. Galena, IL 61036
815-776-9200 visitgalena.org
Galesburg Tourism & Visitors Bureau
2163 E. Main St. Galesburg, IL 61401
309-343-2485 experiencegalesburg.com
Great Rivers & Routes
111 4th Street, Suite 115 Alton, IL 62002
618-465-6676 Riversandroutes.com
Henry County Tourism Bureau
224 W. Third Street
Kewanee, IL 61443
309-761-8473 https://visithenryil.com/
Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
456 Fulton, Suite 300 Peoria, IL 61602
309-676-0303 or 800-747-0302 enjoypeoria.com
Quincy Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
532 Gardner Expressway Quincy, IL 62301
217-214-3700 or 800-978-4748 seequincy.com
Visit Quad Cities - Moline Visitor Center
1601 River Drive, Suite 110 Moline, IL 61265-1472
309-736-6820
800-747-7800 visitquadcities.com
Visit Unforgettable ForgottoniaMacomb Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
120 E. Calhoun St. Macomb, IL 61455
309-833-1315 visitforgottonia.com
Bloomington-Normal Area
Convention and Visitors Bureau
101 S. Madison St. Bloomington, IL 61701 309-665-0033 visitbn.org
Danville Area Visitors’ Bureau
100 W Main Street, Room 146
Danville, IL 61832
217-442-2096 or 800-383-4286 visitdanvillearea.com
Decatur Area
Convention and Visitors Bureau
202 E. North Street
Decatur, IL 62523-1129 217-423-7000 or 800-331-4479 decaturcvb.com
Discover Downstate Illinois 4387 N. Illinois St., Suite 200 Swansea, IL 62226 618-257-1488
www.downstateil.org
Experience Champaign Urbana 17 E. Taylor St. Champaign, IL 61820 217-351-4133 or 800-369-6151 experiencecu.org
Jacksonville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau 310 E. State St. Jacksonville, IL 62650-2030 217-243-5678 or 800-593-5678
jacksonvilleil.org
Logan County Tourism Bureau 101 N. Chicago St. Lincoln, IL 62656 217-732-8687
destinationlogancountyil.com
Shelbyville Illinois
315 E. Main Street Shelbyville, IL 62565 217-774-2244 or 800-874-3529 shelbyvilleillinois.net
Visit Effingham 201 E. Jefferson Ave. Effingham, IL 62401 217-342-5310 or 800-772-0750 visiteffinghamil.com
Visit Springfield Illinois 109 N. 7th Street Springfield, IL 62701 217-789-2360 or 800-545-7300 visitspringfieldillinois.com
Discover Downstate Illinois 4387 N. Illinois St., Suite 200 Swansea, IL 62226 618-257-1488 www.downstateil.org
Explore Carbondale 200 S. Illinois Avenue Carbondale, IL 62901 618-529-5302 explorecarbondale.com
Mt. Vernon, IL Tourism 123 S. 10th St. Suite 503
Mt. Vernon, IL 62864-0049 618-242-3151 enjoymtvernon.com
Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau Cottage #1 1000 N Main St. Anna, IL 62906-0378 618-833-9928 or 800-248-4373 southernmostillinois.com
visitSI 1602 Sioux Drive Marion, IL 62959 618-997-3690 or 800-433-7399 visitsi.com
In Lake County, you find four spectacular seasons of beauty, history, refreshment and joy. And we’ll partner with you to create the perfect tour your customers will be talking about long after they get home. Contact our group tour specialist, Jayne Nordstrom at Jayne@LakeCounty.org or call 847-662-2700 Find helpful planning resources at VisitLakeCounty.org/touritineraries-list
Chicago Botanic Garden
From Robber’s Cave to speedy cars, unique stops make this capital city a must-visit
Lincoln, Nebraska is home to several wonderful hidden treasures. The following spots bring you to some of these alluring attractions.
The cave evokes a unique blend of Utah’s wavy rocks in the Moab desert, and the dry, underground
earthiness of Cairo’s pyramid tombs. The beautiful 5,000-foot sandstone cave has something for everyone, particularly geology enthusiasts, history buffs, and those seeking a stunning photo opportunity.
Lincoln’s Speedway Motors Museum lets you enter the world of dragsters, NASCAR, and luxury racecars, moving you through time as you observe the development of racing and speed engines throughout American history.
Speedway Motors Museum
Nature enthusiasts, athletes, and dog owners come together on Lincoln’s trails. Popular trails include Rock Island Trail, which takes you directly through the city, connecting on one end to the University of Nebraska campus.
VISIT LINCOLN
Chris Whitney, (402) 436-2376
cwhitney@lcoc.com
www.lincoln.org/leisuretravel
Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska is a historic destination that has helped at-risk children for more than 100 years
When Father Edward J. Flanagan purchased the Overlook Farm in 1921, it became the new, permanent site of Boys Town. Over the decades that followed, schools, churches and homes were built, and tens of thousands of young lives were transformed. When you visit the Village of Boys Town, a National Historic Landmark District, you’ll get an unforgettable glimpse into the history of an organization that has given new hope to so many at-risk children for over 100 years.
Whether Omaha is your travel destination or a scheduled stopover, make the Village of Boys Town part of your itinerary. Stretch your legs and stroll around our historic campus. Our Village is a true American treasure that will leave a lasting impression. Discover Boys Town today!
BOYS TOWN
800-625-1400
boystown.org/discover
Groups can tour Capricorn’s discography through a digital record bin interactive inside Capricorn Studios and Museum.
The South is ripe with a historic soundtrack heard in music studios in the region that birthed jazz, blues and Rock ’n’ Roll.
Sun Studio houses priceless memorabilia from music icons like Johnny Cash and B.B. King. Take a 40-minute guided studio tour and absorb the spirits of the past. (sunstudio.com)
Since 1969, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio has been hosting some of the most beloved music artists in the world. Walk among the spaces where Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan and Rod Stewart recorded chart-topping hits. (muscleshoalssoundstudio.org)
This studio was created by Capricorn Records to capture the hotbed of music coming from the South. Capricorn was the launching point for Southern Rock pioneers like the Allman Brothers Band and the Marshall Tucker Band. (visitmacon. org/music/capricorn-studios)
The South is bursting with charm, history and natural beauty, making it an ideal destination for group adventures. Whether you’re a band of foodies craving soulful cuisine or a crew of outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure, the South caters to all interests. To help navigate this treasure trove of experiences, Leisure Group Travel has curated a collection of informative itineraries. These expertly crafted plans showcase the best attractions and activities, ensuring your group has an unforgettable southern escape.
Discover the birthplace of blues music while savoring southern soul food when you visit Mississippi. Whether you’re a music lover, foodie or history buff, you’re sure to find a memorable attraction in the Magnolia State.
Karen Matlock, Group Trade Manager kmatlock@mississippi.org
601-359-3528
visitmississippi.org
Connie Cossar, Group Tour/ International ccossar@mississippi.org
601-359-9262
visitmississippi.org
The largest importer and grower of bonsai in the United States can be found just a 20 minute drive South from downtown Memphis. Brussel’s Bonsai Nursery , located in Desoto County, Mississippi, contains over 175,000 square feet of greenhouse space dedicated to bonsai. Next, drive to Hernando and explore the Blues Markers along the Mississippi Blues Trail . Take your time soaking in the rich musical history dedicated to artists like Gus Cannon, Jim Jackson, Robert Wilkins, Big Walter Horton, The Dickinson Family, Memphis Minnie, and Mississippi Joe Callicott.
Indulge in authentic southern barbecue at Memphis Barbecue in Desoto County. Your tastebuds will discover exactly why they’ve won over 10 World Championship Barbecue competitions. Taste the culinary culture of the American South for dinner at the iconic Hollywood Café. Overnight in Tunica at one of the casino hotels and spend your evening trying your luck at the several gaming options available.
Rivaling Route 66 as the most famous road in America, hop on Highway 61, widely known as the Blues Highway and head towards Clarksdale. Explore the world-famous Delta Blues Museum and exhibits showcasing the historical impact of blues music. This museum even features a wax figure of Muddy Waters
alongside the Muddywood guitar.
Groups looking for the “real deal” can find local Mississippi musicians carrying on the legacy of Delta Blues at both the Ground Zero Blues Club and Red’s Lounge , local juke joints known for their live authentic blues music.
Make time for a stop at the iconic Crossroads sign , symbolizing the legendary intersection where Robert Johnson allegedly sold his soul to the devil in exchange for musical talent. Made famous by Bobbie Gentry and her “Ode to Billy Joe,” the Tallahatchie River Bridge is a must-visit landmark when visiting Mississippi. Dive into the significant history of the bridge and the mysterious tragedy that drove Gentry to write and record the song.
Visit the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi , the first Grammy Museum allowed outside of Los Angeles. Exhibits pay tribute to the state’s Grammy nominated artists, songwriters, and award winners.
Located in Indianola, historic Club Ebony has showcased several talented musicians including B.B. King. After purchasing the club in 2008, King transferred ownership to the B.B. King Museum to ensure the club’s preservation. Grab a bite to eat at Club Ebony and follow up by visiting the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, a perfect destination for groups to experience the rich cultural heritage found in Mississippi.
As the capital city of Louisiana, Baton Rouge is the heart and soul of the state’s eclectic culture. With over 300 years of history, Baton Rouge has a colorful story to tell, which can be tasted through our culinary offerings, seen through the picturesque views of the Mississippi River, historical landmarks and vibrant culture.
VISIT BATON ROUGE
Geraldine Bordelon, CMP, Director of Destination Sales & Experience
225-382-3587
Geraldine@visitbatonrouge.com
www.visitbatonrouge.com
Arrive in downtown Baton Rouge and start your visit at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol , where you’ll travel through the state’s storied political history. Head over to the spot where all of Louisiana comes together at Capitol Park Museum . See how the entire state celebrates Mardi Gras, discover the difference between Cajun and Creole, feast your eyes upon a massive shrimp boat and lose yourself in Louisiana’s music.
The Louisiana State Capitol is a 34-story art deco-style structure standing proud as the nation’s tallest capitol building. Get a view of the entire city and the mighty Mississippi River from the 27th floor observation deck. Check in to a group-friendly hotel. With options in each region of the city, your options are endless and range from staying close to the action in walkable downtown or in other parts of the city, all motorcoach friendly.
After dinner, follow the lively sounds coming down Third Street . Stop in at The Vintage for a sweet treat and champagne or grab a craft beer at The River Room
Enjoy a full hot breakfast buffet at The Kingfish Grill , named after Huey P., the Kingfish himself.
Begin your day underneath the historic oak trees on Louisiana State University’s campus, where you can see where football champions
have played with a tour of Tiger Stadium , one of the largest college football stadiums in the country, and shop for merchandise to rep your new favorite team next door at the LSU SportShop.
Take a mid-day break at Perkins Rowe , where you can choose from different restaurants for lunch and get some shopping in at this multientertainment destination. Travel back in time and experience the lifestyles and lifeways of Louisiana’s rural people at the LSU Rural Life Museum . Feast on all the local flavors at Drusilla Seafood Restaurant , which has been serving up an extensive menu of fried, boiled, broiled, and blackened seafood dishes for over 40 years. This local favorite has plenty of private rooms and is also a favorite among tour groups.
Head to Milford’s on Third for a deli-style breakfast, complete with bagels and schmears, breakfast sandwiches, burritos, coffee and more.
Before you head out to your next destination, take the morning to explore the rest of the walkable downtown area. Stroll through Baton Rouge’s oldest neighborhood, Spanish Town, where pink flamingos represent the eclectic and eccentric culture, before heading back to North Boulevard Town Square, where the options are endless.
Get a view of the Mississippi River by walking along the levee or pick up a little Louisiana lagniappe at Baton Rouge Area Souvenir Shop (B.R.A.S.S., for short).
Real Louisiana food goes beyond Cajun and Creole - it’s got a little bit of everything. And if real Louisiana food is what you’re looking for, you won’t find fare with that kind of flair anywhere other than Baton Rouge – Louisiana’s Capital City.
VisitBatonRouge.com/Restaurants
From leisurely days spent lounging by the ocean to experiencing the area’s natural wonders and lively entertainment, your visit to Myrtle Beach will transform into a special memory filled with laughter, adventure and relaxation.
On your first morning visiting Myrtle Beach, familiarize yourself with Broadway at the Beach . Spanning over 350 acres, this vibrant destination has a variety of specialty shops, unique dining, lively entertainment and hasslefree parking, catering to visitors of all ages.
morning by taking a self-guided tour of the gardens and observe over 2,000 sculptures, the largest collection in America.
Sandy Haines
843-916-7248, sandy.haines@visitmyrtlebeach.com
VisitMyrtleBeach.com/Groups
Grab lunch at the newest family-friendly restaurant in Myrtle Beach, The Hangout Indulge in seasonal seafood dishes alongside a selection of burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and appetizers while you enjoy live music on the dual indoor and outdoor stages. Head over to Ripley’s Aquarium and start your afternoon aquatic adventure. Immerse yourself among thousands of aquatic species with interactive hands-on exhibits and face-to-face animal encounters. Find dinner at The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood . Choose from 11 unique dining rooms each with their own theme and indulge in the freshest locally sourced seafood provided by the Atlantic Ocean. An exciting evening awaits you after dinner with a worldfamous live tribute show at Legends in Concert Paying tribute to musicians from Elvis, Tina Turner and Jimmy Buffet to Taylor Swift, Frank Sinatra, Shania Twain and many more, this is a must-see show when visiting Myrtle Beach.
Nestled in the coastal beauty of South Carolina, Brookgreen Gardens effortlessly blends art, nature and history. Enjoy a relaxing
Situated along the Marshwalk, enjoy stunning waterfront views while eating lunch at Drunken Jack’s Restaurant & Lounge . An afternoon at Duplin Winery is a must when visiting Myrtle Beach. Famous for America’s favorite muscadine wine, the interactive experiences showcase the creation of their award-winning wines made from muscadine grapes.
On your final day visiting Myrtle Beach, take a leisurely morning stroll along the 1.2 mile long Boardwalk . Newly renovated with colorful boards made of recycled plastic, the Boardwalk promises durability for years to come. Overload your senses by breathing in the salty air, soak in the warm sun and admire the layers of color that unfold as the sand meets the ocean that blends with the blue sky.
Make your way along the Boardwalk to Riptydz Oceanfront Grille , a pet-friendly restaurant and beach bar. With three separate dining areas and a rooftop bar, this casual open-air space is perfect for those looking for a leisurely lunch with ocean views. After lunch visit The Market Common . Formerly an Air Force Base, historical markers throughout the area share the stories of heroes and former military buildings. The area now consists of boutique shops, meticulous landscaping, musicfilled streets, fountains and playgrounds.
In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, your group has no shortage of activities to help them reconnect and bond. Sixty miles of beaches, 90 golf courses, 2,000 restaurants, botanical gardens, plus live theater and music every night of the week is just scratching the surface. There’s no better place to get together than The Beach.
60 miles of beaches and endless off-beach activities.
From
resorts to villas – ideal accommodations to suit any group.
A TOUR PLANNER’S GUIDE TO HISTORY THAT CHANGED THE WORLD.
you.
Birmingham’s Civil Rights District has been named a National Monument. Bring your guests to visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute – a comprehensive telling of the struggle for Civil Rights, Kelly Ingram Park – where protesters and police clashed, and the 16th Street Baptist Church, where four little girls were killed in 1963. Walk where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and many other brave men and women stood their ground in the fight for the rights of all Americans. Birmingham’s history is this country’s history.
We look forward to sharing it with you.
These attractions put Myrtle Beach’s rich history on display
With its 60 miles of sandy beaches, mild subtropical weather and events and activities that please a variety of tastes, South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach is an ideal spot for groups to visit any time of the year. Myrtle Beach also boasts a rich heritage and these three attractions showcase the city’s fascinating history.
Charlie’s Place functioned as a gathering spot and performance venue for several Black performers, such as Dizzy Gillespie, Little Richard, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, and countless others.
Charlie’s Place was a prominent African American nightclub while simultaneously being a small hotel; the owners were Charlie Fitzgerald and his wife Sarah. Before integration, Black artists were not allowed to perform at white venues and use hotel facilities. But at Charlie’s Place, they could perform, stay the night, and enjoy a meal.
Tours are available on Tuesdays and Fridays.
The Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B Chapin Art Museum was first opened in June of 1997, but the idea for creating the museum first came into existence 13 years earlier by a group of visionaries in Myrtle Beach. In 1975, the Villa was scheduled for demolition. As a result, a campaign was made to save Springmaid Villa, but the building’s survival was dependent on its relocation. The museum is dedicated to being one of the finest visual arts museums in the Carolinas.
Before the Air Force Base’s land was donated to the Air Force for construction of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base (BRAC 1991), the land had many previous purposes. In 1943, it was the Myrtle Beach Army Air Field. By 1945, the base was used for support for special activities and recruitment. Then, by 1947, the property was given to the city of Myrtle Beach to repurpose it as a municipal airport. In 1954, the city donated the land to the Air Force and it was remodeled for a modern Air Force base. The 3,936-acre former Air Force Base is now home to The Market
Common and surrounding neighborhoods, with thousands of new homes, a dozen parks, walking trails and sporting facilities.
Sandy Haines, 843-916-7248, sandy.haines@visitmyrtlebeach.com
VisitMyrtleBeach.com/Groups
Explore three captivating museums in Baton Rouge, offering fabulous journeys into the city’s rich and storied past
Baton Rouge is a city that’s ripe with history just waiting to be uncovered.
Though history is etched into nearly every square foot of the city, Baton Rouge offers some truly incredible museums that offer an immersive and experiential window into the past.
While there are dozens of worthwhile museums, this selection of three is sure to make any history buff’s list of must-see historical sites in the Capital City.
Formerly the hub of all political activity in Louisiana’s Capital, the OId State Capitol building now serves as a museum dedicated to the rich history of the city and state as a whole. It’s a true architectural treasure, with its Gothic style emulating a castle as it sits just off the banks of the Mississippi River. Since its construction in 1847, it’s stood firm in the face of war, fire, political scandal, and more.
Located in the heart of downtown Baton Rouge, this incredible museum is home to two of Louisiana’s most poignant and unique exhibits. These permanent installations highlight the nationally significant pieces of Louisiana’s history and the uniqueness of Louisiana’s culture. Every visit to this museum leaves guests with a greater understanding of the diverse culture, history and industry that has made Baton Rouge as a city, and Louisiana as a state, such an incredibly unique place.
Take a trip back to the 19th-century when you visit one of the most immersive experiences in Baton Rouge. As you wander the gardens at the Rural Life Museum, you meander through buildings that are emblematic of a simpler time, and one that is integral to what made Louisiana the state it is today. This unique and true-to-life experience showcases what life was truly like back in rural 19th-century Louisiana. Louisiana has a rich history that can be felt in its culture today. From the food you eat to the people you meet, all of it was built by the history on display in these incredible museums.
Geraldine Bordelon, CMP, 225-382-3587
Geraldine@visitbatonrouge.com www.visitbatonrouge.com
Settlement’s Paspahegh Town depicts traditional Powhatan cultural activities.
Unlike traditional museums with static displays, Indigenous living history museums offer a dynamic and immersive experience.
At Jamestown Settlement, a re-creation of Paspahegh Town is based on archaeological findings at a nearby site along the James River, and oral tradition from federally recognized tribes. (jyfmuseums. org/visit/jamestown-settlement/ living-history/paspahegh-town)
Live like settlers by entering a traditional wetu Wampanoag home, where an American Indian talks about hunting, fishing, and the culture of the people who lived along the coast before the Mayflower arrived. (plimoth.org)
This authentic working village offers hands-on activities and classes to teach visitors about the Native American way of life. You’ll experience what life was like in a Cherokee village during the 1760s. (cherokeehistorical.org)
This coastal destination has some amazing art attractions
More than just casinos and Boardwalk, Atlantic City has a powerful arts and music presence, a wealth of marine history, and endless local events to fill up any visitor’s itinerary. This coastal destination can bring you on a wine tour one day to a comedy show later that night. And, although saltwater taffy is known to hold the throne as AC’s beloved sweet treat, you will also find some of the best lemon meringue pie. Here are some of the must-sees in this Southern Jersey hotspot.
Standing at 171 feet, you won’t walk into history … you’ll walk up history in the Absecon Lighthouse. Take 228 stairs up to the year 1855, when the Lighthouse was built, then take in the incredible view of the Atlantic coast atop. Registered as a National Historic Place, this structure can be enjoyed both day and night: book a group tour during daylight hours, then watch its beams after sunset, as the lens is still lit every evening for the public. Although the Lighthouse itself is an iconic attraction, the multi-million-dollar restoration it underwent in the late 1990s provides additional activities, including a replica of the lightkeeper’s room in the tower, a museum rich with local maritime history, and a gift shop.
Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall Pipe Organ. With over 33,000 pipes, this instrument holds four Guinness World Records, and can be watched and heard every weekday for half-hour concerts, as well as tours May through August.
Noyes is not your average art center. Laid back gallery spaces with an industrial vibe, quirky studios where you can watch local artists at work, and funky shops that sell art, jewelry, books, and gifts from the artists, comprise this colorful location in the heart of Atlantic City’s Arts District. Owned and operated by Stockton University, a highlight of the Noyes Arts Garage is their African American Heritage Museum. Special exhibits tell stories of the African American experience through quilting, ceramics, wood carvings, and painting.
Arguably the most unexpected bragging right that Atlantic City holds, is being home to the largest pipe organ in the world: the
Heather Colache, 609-318-6097, heatherc@visitatlanticcity.com, www.visitatlanticcity.com/group-travel
We highlight museums across the East Coast that offer immersive experiences into the rich tapestry of African American history and culture •
By Stephanie StottLooking to expand your knowledge of African American icons or celebrate the successes of the community? From Washington, D.C. to New York City, we’ve highlighted these museums across the East Coast that dive deep into African American culture.
The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., is a Mecca for most history buffs. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is no exception. Spread over six floors, the exhibits are as sobering as they are transformative. The Cultural Expressions exhibit explores aspects like the power of artistry and dance, while Changing America traces the end of the Civil Rights era to current day movements like Black Lives Matter. (nmaahc.si.edu)
Stand with those who fought for freedom at The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum in Baltimore. What started as a small assortment in 1980 has transformed into a detailed collection of icons, like Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and other notable figures that grace the museum floor. The struggles and triumphs are captured from ancient Africa to modern day, from a detailed depiction of the slave trade to President Barrack Obama’s historic election. (greatblacksinwax.org)
Whether you are an avid sports fan or casual watcher, you’ve heard his name. The Jackie Robinson Museum in New York City chronicles the life of this legendary man. View timepoints in Robinson’s life through up-close artifacts, from Dodgers jackets and bats to autographed trading cards. Read letters from eager fans over the years, and explore the impact made not just on the sports industry but through Robinson’s humanitarian efforts through the NAACP. (jackierobinsonmuseum.org)
The Louis Armstrong House Museum in New York City is a must-see for music-lovers and those curious about the man behind
that trumpet. In fact, Armstrong’s gold-plated trumpet is on display in “Satchmo’s Stuff.” As you stroll inside Armstrong’s abode, you’ll find 86 scrapbooks, 650 tapes, 5,000 photographs, and other snapshots sure to give you a better understanding of the life of this legend. Guided tours last around an hour and include access to the permanent exhibition “Here to Stay,” which includes in-depth looks at Armstrong artifacts. (louisarmstronghouse.org)
Frederick Douglass devoted his life to the pursuit of freedom and equal treatment for all. After teaching himself to read and write, he escaped from slavery and gained fame as a gifted orator and author. His home, located in Washington, DC, is a National Historic Landmark. Cedar Hill contains Douglass’s library, where he penned his autobiography, a parlor, where he entertained guests, and other carefully preserved rooms. (nps. gov/frdo/index.htm)
With Harriet Tubman’s efforts, the Underground Railroad delivered enslaved people to better livelihoods and opportunities. As you make your way down the Tubman Byway in Maryland, you’ll trace their path. From Maryland to Pennsylvania, this driving trail highlights 45 notable stops along the way. The trail begins at Long Wharf Park, where men, women, and children were sold into slavery. The Tubman visitor center sheds more light on the struggle Tubman and other enslaved people faced, including the intricacies of the Underground movement. (harriettubmanbyway.org/bywaymap-driving-guide)
Capturing the Spirit of 1776
Virginia takes center stage with patriotic events as America prepares for its big birthday bash in 2026
Fredericksburg’s Civil Rights Trail Virginia’s Scenic Railway
The Virginia Tourism Corporation and our statewide tourism partners invite you and your groups to tour Virginia! We are excited to share with you, in this guide, a few of the many reasons your groups will love touring in Virginia. Like fun opportunities to get off the motorcoach and tour via train or by foot on a walking tour. One tour you’ll want to include in your itinerary is the Fredericksburg Civil Rights Trail, which was recently added to the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. Virginia is the epicenter for American Revolution 250th Commemoration tours with not-to-miss special events in 2025, 2026 and beyond.
Virginia is easily accessible, no matter your chosen mode of transportation. Travel along major highway systems or scenic byways. Tour via the passenger rail services of Amtrak or perhaps a fly-drive combination utilizing one of our nine commercial airports with major and low-cost carrier service.
Once you arrive, your groups will discover our unparalleled history and heritage, cultural and performing arts, outdoor adventures and scenic vistas, music and artesian trails, culinary and craft beverages to customize an unforgettable tour experience! Customer service, quality tours and partners with years of experience are why groups come back year after year.
We look forward to welcoming your groups to Virginia. For personal assistance, contact me at jjohnson@virginia.org or visit Virginia.org/ groups for information and resources for planning exciting group tour experiences.
Joni Johnson Director of Domestic Sales & Marketing Virginia Tourism Corporation
Happy travels, Learn
Communities throughout the nation are gearing up to celebrate America250, a series of special events and exhibitions heralding the 250th anniversary, or semiquincentennial, of our country’s birth in 1776.
It’s no surprise that Virginia, the first, largest and most prosperous of the British colonies in America, is playing a key role in the observation of this milestone. The Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) has been busy coordinating plans since 2020. Its national honorary chairperson is prominent Virginian and renowned business leader Carly Fiorina.
“Virginia has played this incredibly central, pivotal role in the founding of our nation and everything that’s
happened since,” said Fiorina, board chair of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. “It makes sense for Virginia to take the lead on this commemoration. After all, Virginia’s history is America’s story.”
The commission has released an extensive calendar of events leading up to July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Multiple towns and historical attractions this fall will observe the Lafayette Grand Tour 200th Anniversary, which commemorates the 1824-1825 U.S. tour made by France’s Major General Marquis de Lafayette on his return to the country for which he helped gain independence. He was feted in 24 states with parades, balls and other festivities. Lafayette bicentennial
events will take place in Fredericksburg, Yorktown, Loudoun County, Charlottesville (Monticello), Fairfax County (Mount Vernon) and other locations. The Fredericksburg Area Museum just unveiled the exhibition Lafayette’s World: Revolutionary Ideals and the Limits of Freedom.
From November 7-10, 2024 in Yorktown, historical reenactments, ship tours, a maritime market, concerts and other events will commemorate the Yorktown Tea Party, a less famous cousin of the Boston Tea Party but equally “steeped” in history. On November 7, 1774, rebellious colonists stormed the waterfront, climbed aboard the ship Virginia and emptied two half chests of tea into the York River. Similar protests against British taxation
Colonial Williamsburg Photo courtesy of Colonial Williamsburg Foundationand lack of colonial representation in Parliament occurred in other colonies.
“It’s crucial to remember that the Boston Tea Party was not an isolated incident,” said Michael Steen, director of education of the Watermen’s Museum and chair of the Yorktown Tea Party 250th Anniversary Planning Committee.
As one of the three points in Virginia’s Historic Triangle, Yorktown—along with Williamsburg and Jamestown— promises to be a focus of VA250 celebrations for the next two years. Perennially popular with group tours, it is home to the highly regarded American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown Settlement, two other premier living history museums, also will appear in many Virginia itineraries, as will Historic Jamestowne museum
and archaeological excavation site and Yorktown Battlefield, a National Park Service unit.
With Norfolk as host city, a national signature event will be Sail250 For seven days in mid-June 2026, communities in the Hampton Roads and Chesapeake Bay region will welcome 4,000 officers, cadets and crew from an international fleet of 55 tall ships and military vessels.
Another national signature event in Norfolk will be the Virginia International Tattoo at Scope Arena in April of 2025 and 2026. The 2025 spectacle, featuring military and civilian bands, bagpipers, fife and drum corps and drill teams from seven nations, will salute the 250th anniversary of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps. The Tattoo in 2026 will be a rousing,
emotion-filled celebration of freedom in tribute to America’s 250th anniversary.
A signature VA250 exhibition will run from March 22, 2025 to January 4, 2026 at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture in Richmond, the state capital. Titled Give Me Liberty: Virginia and the Forging of a Nation, it intends to inspire appreciation for the actions of iconic and ordinary individuals who brought about a model of democratic government that would change the world. The opening coincides with the 250th anniversary of Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech.
For more information on VA250 programs, visit www.va250.org
Suggested group itineraries can be found at www.virginia.org/grouptours/va250 1
Exploring the contributions of Black residents is now included in the U.S. Civil Rights Trail
By Dave BodleThe Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed in 1865 forever abolishing slavery. If the former Confederate states like Virginia were to regain federal representation, they needed to ratify the Thirteenth Amendment. The timeline for the Fredericksburg Civil Rights Trail begins in 1865 and continues to the present. As is the history of our country, freedom is a work in progress.
Enough cannot be said about the partnership between the City of Fredericksburg and University of Mary Washington. The authors of the trail’s narrative are Victoria Matthews (City of Fredericksburg Economic Development and Tourism) and Chris Williams (University of Mary Washington’s James Farmer Multicultural Center). The University Geography Department and Historic Preservation Department students and faculty made significant contributions developing the story maps, collecting oral histories and archival information.
There are two parts to the Fredericksburg Civil Rights Trail, which was recently added to the national collection of landmarks that make up the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. Part 1 is a 2.5-mile walking tour through Fredericksburg’s historic downtown. Begin at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center where you can pick up a walking tour map and The Negro Motorist Green Book, used during segregation from 1936 through 1968. There are 12 stops on Part 1 of the Civil Rights Trail. Part 2 also begins at the Visitor Center and continues with four stops on the campus of University of Mary Washington with .5 miles of walking and the remaining two stops accessed by 1.9 miles driving.
Large groups preferring to walk Part 1 can be divided making the experience more manageable. The Civil Rights Trail is not chronological. If a
windshield tour is preferred, a guide can be provided and the route adjusted.
Shiloh Baptist Church pastors and numerous Black citizens of the congregation were critical in the struggle for social justice. Reverend George Dixon was highly respected and one of 24 Blacks attending the Virginia Constitutional Convention in 1868, enfranchising freedmen, reform local government and establish a statewide system of free, public education. Reverend B.H. Hester was a strong
advocate of education. The church dedicated money for the region’s only school for Black students where he served as teacher and coach.
Dr. Philip Y. Wyatt, Sr. was a dentist and member of Reverend Hester’s congregation. His commitment to the fight for civil rights in Virginia got him elected president of the NCAAP’s Virginia State Conference in 1953. He co-chaired the Fredericksburg Biracial Commission and was a member of the Virginia State Advisory Committee to the U.S, Commission on Civil Rights. You’ll find more of his story on Part 2 of the tour. In July of 1960, the church served as a training site for students preparing for the segregated lunch counter and movie theater sit-ins
that would take place in downtown Fredericksburg. Dealing with physical and verbal abuse by white residents was the focus of their training.
This was the site enslaved and free Black people were laid to rest from the 1800s and early 1900s. It was not unusual for Black cemeteries to be moved to make room for development. The Fredericksburg cemetery was no exception.
The cemetery became the site for a new high school. In 1920 the all-white Murray School was built. It served as Fredericksburg’s white high school until 1952 and as an elementary and middle school through 1979.
Removing the bodies from their resting place and building a segregated school on that space is tragic. However, the story of one student’s experience during desegregation is captivating. Robert Christian, still a resident of Fredericksburg, remembers the hostility he encountered as a Black student when the Murray School was first desegregated. Entering the classroom, he recalls the kids whispering and the teacher directing him to sit in the back of the class. One thing Robert says he’ll never forget is the lunch room. Sitting at the lunch table everyone got up and moved when he arrived. An uncle had talked to young Robert explaining he’d be called names, but not to talk back.
The bus station was located on the site where the fire department building now stands. The bus station segregated the establishment with “White” and “Colored” facilities. On the site is a Virginia State Historical Marker
dedicated to the Freedom Riders. The Freedom Riders were orchestrated by civil rights activists, Dr. James Farmer.
The purpose was to challenge segregation of interstate travel. The Fredericksburg bus station was the first stop. On May 4, 1961 a group of 13 Freedom Riders arrived and entered the bus station without incident.
Accompanying Farmer were James Peck, Genevieve Hughes, Joe Perkins, Walter Bergman, Frances Bergman, Albert Bigelow, Jimmy McDonald, Ed Blankenheim, Hank Thomas, Charles Person, Reverend Benjamin Elton Cox and John Lewis.
Although the group encountered no hostility in Fredericksburg as their journey south continued, they faced huge resistance and shameful atrocities from white people and the Ku Klux Klan.
Much of this story deals with the desegregation of Mary Washington College. In 1954 the U.S Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Brown v. Board of Education that statesanctioned segregation of public schools was a violation of the 14th amendment. By extension this applied to colleges and universities, but it was not until ten years later that the college’s Board of Visitors formally approved a desegregation policy.
After being rejected from the University of Virginia’s pre-med program, Venus Jones was accepted at Mary Washington College (now University of Mary Washington) as the second Black residential student.
During her time at the college she was one of five Black female students.
In 1968, she graduated with a Chemistry degree and four years later graduated from the University of Virginia medical school. The only Black woman to graduate she did her medical internship with the Native American population in Phoenix, Arizona. Joining the United States Air Force, she later became a consultant for the United States Surgeon General.
The year was 1950 and the WalkerGrant High School graduating class wanted to use the Community Center that was customarily used by whites. Advised by Dr. Philip Wyatt, Sr, senior class president James Walker accompanied by R.C. Ellison, the school’s PTA president, approached the city. Permission was initially refused, but later allowed with the condition that students and attendees enter and exit through a side door near the rear of the building.
James Walker declared he would rather receive his diploma on the sidewalk and with Dr. Wyatt and Mrs. Ellison a protest plan was organized. The 27 students in their caps and gowns were joined by almost 300 additional protesters on commencement day. They held large signs saying, “These doors are closed to us,” sang and heard Dr. Wyatt deliver a speech that the students were “learning at the outset that life is filled with problems.”
For additional information and group scheduling call Victoria Matthews at 540-372-1216, or email vamatthews@ fredericksburgva.gov. Additional information can be found online at fxbg.com/civil-rights-trail 1
Explore the rich tapestry of Fredericksburg, Virginia, where history whispers from charming streets and echoes through battlefields. This 3-day itinerary immerses you in the life of George Washington, the devastation of the Civil War, and the ongoing pursuit of social justice.
Get to know George Washington by visiting the homes of his mother, Mary Washington, and his sister, Betty Washington Lewis, both of whom called Fredericksburg home.
Visit the Mary Washington House ; Purchased by Washington for his mother in 1772, this home is a simple frame house where she spent her last 17 years. Her English-style garden has been restored and the house contains some of her prized personal possessions as well as many fine period pieces. Next, explore Historic Kenmore , the elegant historic Georgian-style brick mansion of George Washington’s sister, Betty, and her patriot husband, Colonel Fielding Lewis.
Victoria A. Matthews
540-372-1216
vamatthews@fredericksburgva.gov www.FXBG.com
At midday, enjoy lunch in Downtown Fredericksburg . Visit the 40-block historic district with brick lined sidewalks, boutiques, specialty and antiques shops, art galleries and chef owned/independent restaurants. Visit A. Smith Bowman Distillery , Virginia’s oldest distillery. Winner of multiple awards for their spirits, groups to the area can experience a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the production of hand-crafted spirits.
The Fredericksburg region was the scene of four of the most devastating battles of the Civil War. Nearly 110,000 casualties occurred in the Battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House.
During the war, possession of the city changed hands seven times.
Visit the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center and take a guided walking tour along Sunken Road. The walk includes dwellings standing during the battle, a monument to the humanitarian acts of a Confederate soldier, and the National Cemetery where 15,000 Union soldiers are buried. Next, stop at Chatham Manor . Chatham was an important Federal headquarters and communication center during the Battle of Fredericksburg. It was also a hospital where Walt Whitman and Clara Barton assisted the surgeons.
Today, delve into Fredericksburg’s diverse history of activism and the ongoing journey toward social justice.
Begin your day with a guided tour of the Fredericksburg Civil Rights Trail , now a part of the United States Civil Rights Trail. This trail tells the stories of the local Civil Rights movement and highlights the role of Black residents in the city’s history. Created through a partnership between the City of Fredericksburg and the University of Mary Washington’s James Farmer Multicultural Center, this trail includes sites where Black people created educational, housing, and business opportunities in the midst of Jim Crow era segregation, as well as buildings where people protested racial segregation in the 1950s and 1960s.
With the addition of two historic, elegant passenger cars, Virginia Scenic Railway accommodates groups of up to 78 passengers.
By Dave BodleOn the legendary Virginia Scenic Railway, groups can enjoy the modernized ambiance of beautifully renovated passenger cars and enjoy a delicious meal as they glide through some of Virginia’s amazing scenery, including the legendary Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
“During our first full year of operation, we experienced tremendous interest in these Shenandoah Valley sightseeing excursions. We responded by growing our operations, and have now doubled our capacity for 2024. With our larger trains, we’re excited to partner with group tour operators for the first time and to share our love of Virginia’s railroad heritage.” - Steve Powell, President Virginia Scenic Railway
This original 1950s Budd stainlesssteel passenger car features custombuilt tables made of cherry wood paneling. Ample windows line the sides of the car, ensuring that no matter where you choose to sit, the scenic landscape unfolds before your eyes. This passenger car offers a total of 34 seats, in a mix
of two top and four top configurations. The Arvonia includes a unisex restroom and is climate controlled. This car once served as the pub lounge on the Montrealer, an overnight passenger train between Washington, D.C. and Montreal.
This carriage was built by the Budd Company in 1948 and welcomes passengers with an inviting atmosphere
and a nostalgic ambiance including vintage luggage racks. Large windows line the walls, allowing panoramic views of the picturesque landscapes outside. The Augusta offers a seating capacity of 44 seats in a mix of two-top and fourtop configurations. The Augusta includes two private restrooms and is climatecontrolled. This car was once in service on the California Zephyr, which connects Chicago to San Francisco.
Departing from Staunton, Virginia, the Alleghany Special is a three-hour round-trip excursion that takes you through the Shenandoah Valley. Once known as the “Breadbasket of the Confederacy” you’ll pass beautiful working farms and rural landscapes that are perfect photo opportunities. Departs Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Running east from Staunton, the Blue Ridge Flyer features stunning mountain views and the nearly one-mile long Blue Ridge Tunnel. You’ll be awed by the turns that were created around rock cut-outs. Great photo opportunities are there at every turn. The three-hour excursion departs Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
Dining onboard is a special experience. Sit back and enjoy the ride on either the Alleghany Special or Blue Ridge Flyer while dining on a memorable meal. Your excursion ticket includes an entrée, dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage served in a complimentary souvenir glass. Main courses for the lunch train and dinner train are available online. You’ll need to place your order when making your reservation. For an additional cost, guests can now enjoy Staunton’s Ox-Eye Vineyard 2021 Lemberger dry red, or 2021 Chardonnay dry white. For the craft beer enthusiast Charlottesville’s Starr Hill Brewery offer Ramble on Juicy IPA. Begin planning online at virginiascenicrailway.com, email virginiascenicrailway@buckinghambranch. com, or call 434-391-9772. For all there is to see and do in charming Staunton check out visitstaunton.com, call Jessica Williams at 540-332-3865, or email williamsjb@ci.staunton.va.us 1
“Sightseeing by train attracts visitors seeking new experiences and also adds a bit of nostalgic adventure. The Railway’s blend of history, natural beauty, and leisure has quickly become a notable draw for Staunton tourism, and we look forward to opening up this experience to the group tour market in 2024 and beyond.”
— Jessica Williams, sales & marketing manager, Visit Staunton
Visit FXVA.com to plan your trip.
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Exciting events and openings are happening statewide
There are always big happenings in Virginia and this year is no different. From museum expansions to hotel openings, the Old Dominion State has an exciting 2024 on tap. Here are some of the top events and openings this year.
The Crooked Road Music Heritage Trail is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024 with special concerts, programs, and square dances across Southwest Virginia throughout the year. The Crooked Road is also joining in the celebration of the Carter Family Fold’s 50th Anniversary. (thecrookedroadva.com)
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden kicks off its 40th anniversary in 2024 with a year-long celebration featuring exquisite horticultural displays, art exhibits, community events, live music and more, including: Contemporary American multi-disciplinary artist Kyle Epps as an artist-in-residence from April-September 2024. Epps’ work will explore the landscape and history of the Garden. (lewisginter.org)
Caesars Virginia, a $650 million premier destination resort casino, is coming to Danville in late 2024. Property plans include a 320-room hotel and a world-class casino gaming floor with more than 1,300 slots, 85 live table games, 24 electronic table games, a WSOP poker room and a Caesars
Sportsbook. In addition, the resort will feature a full-service spa, pool, highquality bars and restaurants, a 2,500seat state-of-the-art live entertainment theater and more than 50,000 square feet of meeting and convention space. (caesars.com/caesars-virginia)
With a projected opening in Summer 2024, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol will feature a 300room hotel, five restaurants, four bars and lounges, new entertainment options, wedding and convention facilities, top-notch retailers, and an indoor and outdoor concert venue. The casino will feature 1,500 slots, 55 tables, and a sportsbook. (hardrockhotelcasinobristol.com)
In 2023, the Norfolk Botanical Garden began construction on The Garden of Tomorrow –the largest expansion in the Garden’s history. The Garden of Tomorrow includes the Brock Parking Garden, Brock Entry Pavilion and the two-story 26,000 ft. Perry Conservatory featuring a second-story Skywalk. The Perry Conservatory will house and protect the most threatened plants around the world. It is expected to be ready in 2025. (norfolkbotanicalgarden.org)
The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) Professional Disc Golf World Championships are coming to Lynchburg, August 21-25, 2024. (pdga.com)
Opened in September 2023, Sweet Run State Park is Virginia’s newest state park, an 844-acre greenspace nestled between the Blue Ridge and Short Hill mountains in far western Loudoun County. The park features 11 miles of hiking trails, nine miles of equestrian trails, two streams, dense forest and a rugged stretch of the worldfamous Appalachian Trail. (dcr.virginia. gov/state-parks/sweet-run)
The Rose Gaming Resort, a $400 million gaming and entertainment complex destination, will be located alongside I-95 in Dumfries. Along with exciting gaming action, The Rose Gaming Resort will include a luxury hotel, eight bars and restaurants, a cultural venue, a space for meetings and events, and over 80 acres of green space. (therosegamingresort.com)
Fun times await visitors to Virginia as new attractions are arriving daily.
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s newly renovated and expanded facility offers a variety of immersive experiences with interactive exhibits, kids’ play areas, touch pools, an observable veterinary care center, interactive water quality lab and more. After a $28.9 million renovation and expansion, the South Building features more than a dozen new species of animals. (virginiaaquarium.com)
2024 marks the 50th anniversary
for the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival. Celebrate the 50th Annual Boardwalk Weekend, September 27-29, with concerts scattered along 30+ blocks of the boardwalk, an Art & Craft Show with 200+ vendors, magnificent sand sculptures created by world-renowned international sculptors, an 8k race, a grand parade, and more. (neptunefestival.com)
The Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the independence of the United States in the Commonwealth of Virginia, one of the former colonies and future states,
where much of this history took place. The celebrations run through 2024 and the 250th anniversary of American Independence in 2026. (va250.org)
After recently breaking ground on a $4.3 million expansion to its 23-acre campus, the Virginia Living Museum is constructing a 5,000-square-foot Wild Care Center along the museum’s outdoor boardwalk trail. The Care Center will create a literal window into the world of veterinary and preventative animal care, nutrition, and the connection between humans and the environment. It is expected to open during the summer of 2024. (thevlm.org) 1
The Military Aviation Museum is home to one of the world’s largest collections of flying vintage military aircraft.
From exploring the skies to delving into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, discover a destination that combines adventure and knowledge in an unforgettable way. Our immersive experiences provide a perfect blend of education and excitement for students and educators alike.
Norfolk’s cruise port is gearing up to welcome more passengers than ever before.
Starting in February 2025, Carnival Cruise Line’s 3,875-passenger Carnival Sunshine will begin sailing out of Virginia’s fourth-largest city yearround, offering a departure each week from the downtown waterfront next to Nauticus maritime museum. She will offer trips to the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Eastern Caribbean.
In preparation for the influx, Half Moone Cruise Center, Virginia’s only cruise ship terminal, is closed this year to Carnival ships while it undergoes $12 million in enhancements. Upgrades will include an inclined walkway for debarking passengers, additional seating for guests waiting to board and an improved ground transportation design. (Even while the terminal is being upgraded, ships of other lines doing East Coast itineraries will be docking there this year.)
Carnival Cruise Line has been sailing from Norfolk since 2002, and in 2023 the Carnival Magic operated a six-
month cruise schedule from May to October. A total of 250,000 cruise passenger visits last year made it the busiest cruise season in the city’s history.
Structural improvements made at the cruise terminal in 2020 paved the way for larger ships coming to Norfolk’s sparkling waterfront, a lively area filled with green parks, shopping malls and restaurants.
The Carnival expansion “is a game-changer for our community and positions Norfolk as a major destination for visitors from across the country,” says Stephen E. Kirkland, president and CEO of Nauticus, which operates the cruise terminal. “We will see visitors flying in and out of town for these sailings, further expanding the economic benefits these cruises provide to Norfolk and the Hampton Roads region.”
Nauticus, one of the East Coast’s leading maritime museums, features live science demonstrations, 3-D movies, and hands-on exhibits that
explore the naval, economic and natural power of the sea. Berthed next door is the historic Battleship Wisconsin, where guests can walk the decks of the mighty vessel used in World War II, the Korean War and Operation Desert Storm.
Narrated harbor cruises on the Victory Rover, another visitor favorite, afford views of Naval Station Norfolk and its aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines and guided missile carriers. Also from the downtown waterfront, lovers of colonial history can take a ferry to the Old Towne Historic District in Portsmouth. The area known as Virginia’s Historic
Triangle, home to Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, will be a magnet for Carnival Sunshine passengers arranging pre- and post-cruise stays in Norfolk. It’s always been a favorite for shore excursions offered by cruise ships in town for the day.
For example, passengers on Princess Cruises’ “American Heritage” itinerary, a 10- or 11-day spring or fall roundtrip from New York, may opt for an all-day excursion to Colonial Williamsburg or one to Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Other tour choices for guests of the 2,200-passenger
Island Princess include a Norfolk city highlights tour and one that combines Norfolk Botanical Garden with the boardwalk and Old Cape Henry Lighthouse in Virginia Beach.
Princess Cruises’ 14-day “Canada and Colonial America,” operating in spring and fall between Quebec City and Fort Lauderdale, also makes a stop in Norfolk, which is centrally located on the mid-Atlantic Coast.
Not all cruise guests in Virginia are sailing on mega-ships, though. American Cruise Lines, the largest small ship and river cruise operator in the U.S., has an 11-day “American Revolution Cruise” that devotes
two days to Norfolk. The new series operates roundtrip from Washington, D.C. in spring and fall on the 170-passenger American Constitution or 100-passenger American Glory. Among the many excursion options are a Victory Rover harbor cruise, Norfolk Botanical Garden, Chrysler Museum of Art & Douglas MacArthur Memorial, and the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach. The cruise also visits Yorktown for tours of Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown.
Other cruise lines that visit Norfolk from time to time include Viking, Holland America, Norwegian, Regent and Oceania. 1
Learn all about Virginia’s art, history and culinary offerings on these fabulous tours
Listening to authentic, entertaining stories told by a local guide expands your group’s knowledge of many Virginia communities you visit. There are so many advantages to a walking tour. Your group can venture through narrow streets, they don’t need to fight for the best seat on the bus and they’ll get some exercise while seeing the sights. Here are just four examples.
Once the best kept secret on I-95, Richmond has morphed into a great destination for packaged group travel. The city’s museums tell the story of the Commonwealth and nation’s history. There’s always something blooming in its wonderful gardens and the culinary scene is nothing short of fabulous. Then there’s world-class art, both indoors and outside.
Mending Walls is a collaboration of 32 talented artists creating 16 communityengaged murals aimed at advancing social justice. They’re connecting community members and visitors from different backgrounds to engage in conversations of understanding. The best route for a group is the downtown walking tour led by an artist with intimate knowledge of the murals. Groups should allow two hours for the tour that covers 1.5 miles and requires a minimum of 10 guests. One artist can accommodate up to 25 people. Larger groups will need to be split. There is a fee that covers the artist and small administrative costs. Learn more about Mending Walls RVA at mendingwallsrva.com, or reach out to schedule your group experience at mendingwallsrva@gmail.com.
Just across the Potomac River from our nation’s capital sits Alexandria. With
its rich history and unspoiled 18th and 19th century architecture, it’s perfect for walkable tours. Manumission Tour Company is bringing the legacy of Africans and African Americans in Alexandria through guided cultural and heritage tours. Manumission is defined as the act of freeing or the state of being freed from slavery, servitude, etc. Led by their local guide, groups travel the streets of Old Town Alexandria to hear little known stories of people and events. The 90-minute “Freedom’s Fight in Alexandria” walking tour takes visitors through the streets of Old Town. Participants gain insight into Alexandria’s pre-Civil War history of urban slavery and highlights the stories of runaway slaves, free African Americans and a pharmacist who questioned the “peculiar institution” of slavery. Another 90-minute guided tour is “Duke Street Black History” that follows the Duke Street corridor in Old Town Alexandria. Sites will connect you with the early Alexandria slave trade. You’ll visit the site of the Franklin & Armfield Office, the largest and most powerful slave traders. Entry into the Freedom House Museum is separate from the tour. The tour continues at the former Bruin Slave Jail site and connects your group to the early African American faith at Shiloh Baptist Church and the Alexandria National Cemetery. A third option is the “Stills Underground Railroad” Walking Tour. Another 90-minute guided tour following the King Street corridor and based on an 1872 non-fiction by abolitionist William Still, “The Underground Railroad.” The stories of escaped slaves and the sites they are associated with are highlighted. Manumission Tour Company fits groups of 25-30 quite nicely, but are no stranger to larger groups. Having handled student groups of up to 300, they are adapting at breaking up into smaller groups and
Mending Walls is a collaboration of 32 talented artists creating 16 community-engaged murals aimed at advancing social justice.
staggering their tour with each its own guide. Learn more at manumissiontours. com, or call 703-719-2150.
There are so many ways to fill your days when visiting Williamsburg. Enjoy rides, amusements and entertainment, or zipline high above the treetops. Delve into our nation’s history spanning more than four centuries, including archeological digs, historical reenactments and gallery exhibits from art to history. Treat your palate with a tasty craft beer, or enjoy a tasting at one of the storied Virginia vineyards. It’s only natural that with all the history surrounding the Williamsburg area that the 2nd oldest ghost tour in the United States would be a popular evening choice.
Established in 1892, “The Ghost Tour” offers a variety of experiences, each led by a knowledgeable guide. “The Original Ghost of Williamsburg Candlelight Walking Tour” is a journey through the city’s history and folklore. It’s 90 minutes of narrative connecting the listener to the past along with some ghostly entertainment. This is an unforgettable experience that seamlessly blends the
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supernatural with history. If you’re serious about your ghost experience, join a seasoned paranormal investigator on a two-hour walk, “The Extreme Ghosts of Williamsburg Candlelight Walking Tour.” You’ll work with paranormal investigation equipment, while learning about different techniques and experiments. This walk is best suited for smaller groups.
history and heritage to an exciting art and culture scene. Performance venues keep an annual calendar full of entertainment. Local artisan centers share the Bluegrass roots of the region, while there are amazing wineries and breweries to enjoy. If outdoor adventure is your group’s thing, you’ll be delighted to know that Blue Ridge Outdoors was awarded 2023 Top Adventure Towns winner. Before departing the region do make time for a visit to the Roanoke Star & Overlook. It’s a photo opportunity your group will remember.
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MAY 3-5, 2024
DECEMBER 12-14, 2024
Join the Ghost Tour for “The Yorktown Hallowed Ground Candlelight Walking Tour,” a guided 90-minute journey through the dark streets of historic Yorktown. More than 230 years after the siege that effectively ended the American Revolution, locals still report hearing musket and cannon fire. “The Murder Tour and Pub Crawl” is popular with adult groups taking you through the dark streets and Williamsburg’s infamous crimes. Your ticket does include one drink. “The Lingering Spirits of the Williamsburg Winery Tour” is offered on select Mondays to limited size groups. The two-hour tour is a wine tasting along with a blend of ghost and paranormal stories that include the on-site Wedmore Hotel and Wine Cellar. October features the “Boos and Booz Haunted Pub Crawl,” while December brings “The Williamsburg Christmas Spirits Candlelight Walking Tour” and “The Williamsburg Winery Spirits of Christmas: A Journey through the Ages.”
Begin planning at theghosttour.com, or send a message from the website. Groups can call or text 757-707-7144, or 757-936-1201. Ideal group size is 33 with a guide. Larger groups can be staggered.
Roanoke and Virginia’s Blue Ridge have so many group-friendly things to see and do, from its railroad
Led by a passionate local tour guide the “Roanoke Downtown Food, History & Culture Tour” is a wonderful blend of food, local history, landmarks, culture and fun. Your journey will visit local eateries that feature delicious tastings. Along the way and backalleys you’ll discover some hidden gems and landmarks that are part of the city’s lively history. Enjoy six food tasting locations in the downtown historic district. These locally owned restaurants will serve delicious samplings that together are enough for a generous meal. The food is the primary feature of the tour, but architectural information, historical facts and local culture combine for a special tour experience.
The tour lasts about three hours with walking at a moderate pace. Aside from regular tour dates listed in the online calendar, private tours can be arranged for a maximum of 14 participants.
Tours begin at 11 a.m. at the Hotel Roanoke lobby. Although limited in the number of participants, the tour is an ideal option when combined with other tour alternatives, i.e. outdoor, railroad history or, art experiences.
Visit online at roanokefoodtours. com, or reach out via e-mail at info@ TourRoanoke.com, or 540-309-1781. 1
Centrally located in Coastal Virginia, Newport News is the ideal location for your group to drop anchor. The name “Newportes Newes” dates back to 1619. The most widely accepted folktale is that the city is the namesake of Capt. Christopher Newport, commander of the Susan Constant, part of the fleet that landed on Jamestown Island in 1607.
Desiree McDaniel Tourism Manager
Department of Communications –Tourism Division
757-926-1425 (o) 757-936-0957 (c) mcdanieldc@nnva.gov www.newport-news.org
Day 1 actually begins about 18 miles northwest of Newport News at Jamestown Settlement, where it all began! Historical interpreters interact with visitors at outdoor re-creations of a Powhatan Indian village, replicas of the three ships that sailed from England to Virginia in 1607, and a circa 1610 colonial fort. Inside the main building, the Jamestown Settlement galleries provide a setting for one of the most varied collections of objects relating to the nation’s beginnings in 17th-century Virginia. After checking into your hotel at the Newport News Marriott at City Center, take a short walk to Saté, where southern American roots meet Asian sizzle! It’s one of the newest restaurants in trendy City Center at Oyster Point. Afterward, enjoy an evening stroll around City Center’s beautiful 5-acre fountain, and don’t forget to grab some dessert from City Center Ice Cream!
Constructed in 1769 for the Harwood family, Historic Endview is one of the last remaining colonial buildings in Newport News. The Georgianstyle house is located close to the route taken by the Continental Army and Virginia militia on their advance to the 1781 battle that ended the Revolutionary War. Lee Hall Mansion is an Italianate residence built in 1859 by prominent planter, Richard Decatur Lee, for his family. Only three years after the house’s completion, the Lees fled their home as the Peninsula became one of the
first battlegrounds of the Civil War. At Lee Hall Depot you will learn the story of one of Newport News’ founding fathers, Collis P. Huntington. In the late 1850s, Huntington was part of the Big Four who formed the Central Pacific Railroad company to create the western link of America’s First Transcontinental Railroad. Afterward, sit back and relax on your motorcoach as we continue with a driving tour of Newport News’ Southeast Community, also known as “The Yard” district. Newport News has been focusing on the revitalization of its downtown area, branding it as “The Yard District” in a nod to Newport News Shipyard.
Check out of the Newport News Marriott at City Center after having a bite to eat in nearby Cure coffee shop, known for its craft coffee and made-from-scratch baked goods. Now it’s time to tour The Mariners’ Museum and Park, along with the USS Monitor Center!
The Mariners’ Museum is one of the largest and most prestigious maritime museums in the world, with more than 35,000 maritime artifacts, including ship models and historic paintings. A must-see while inside are the miniature ships of August F. Crabtree.
Depart for a safe trip home with the knowledge that Newport News Tourism will walk you through all the steps of planning and booking a successful trip to our city! We’ll provide marketing materials, coordinate guest speakers, assist in tour itineraries, provide welcome bags, plus more.
Immerse yourself in the history of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, including homes of three Founding Fathers and a colonial era tavern, a wide variety of cuisine and top wineries. Add stops at amazing museums, cultural centers and art exhibitions for a memorable visit.
CHARLOTTESVILLE ALBEMARLE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
Teresa Lamb
sales@visitcharlottesville.org (434) 972-4138
www.visitcharlottesville.org
Charlottesville and Albemarle County are home to world-renowned historic sites, including the homes of three of the country’s Founding Fathers. Visit Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home, and the University of Virginia, both of which are a single UNESCO World Heritage site. Jefferson was the third president of the United States, author of the Declaration of Independence and the founder of the University of Virginia. Hundreds of thousands of visitors tour Monticello each year and learn about Jefferson’s legacy and complicated history.
Michie Tavern is a great spot to enjoy lunch and a tour on your way to or from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Located just half a mile from Monticello, this historic tavern dates to 1784, giving visitors a glimpse into the past and the chance to enjoy an 18th Century, Southern dining experience. Michie Tavern’s popular lunch buffet features southern fried chicken, hickory-smoked pork barbecue, mashed potatoes, black-eyed peas, buttermilk biscuits, cornbread and more. Lunch is served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If you save room for dessert, don’t miss out on the delicious peach cobbler.
Not far from Monticello and Michie Tavern is James Monroe’s Highland, the home of another U.S. President and Founding Father. Highland was purchased by Monroe in 1793 and home to the Monroe family for nearly 25 years. This historical site was acquired by the College of William and Mary (Monroe’s alma mater) in 1974 and today they host events, offer daily tours, and have a great museum shop.
Enjoy dinner at the Dairy Market, a new group food destination located in the historic Monticello Dairy Building. Located in Downtown Charlottesville, not far from the University of Virginia, the space is home to 18 merchant stalls of varying cuisines, a brewery, restaurant, bar, and several retail shops.
Your group will start the day with a walking tour of the historic Grounds of the University of Virginia See and learn more about the Lawn, the Rotunda and UVA’s Memorial to Enslaved Laborers. This memorial honors the 4,000 to 5,000 enslaved people who lived and worked at UVA between 1817 and 1865.
The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center is an important place where your group can explore a permanent art exhibit, a rotating contemporary art gallery, and a robust calendar of events. These exhibitions and events highlight Charlottesville and Albemarle County’s African American history and culture of the African diaspora.
The nearby Downtown Mall is a historic, pedestrian mall that is a great spot to enjoy lunch, shop and stroll. Many restaurants offer outdoor dining and groups will be able to choose from a variety of cuisines and price points.
The Charlottesville area was recently named Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Region of the Year and features 40+ wineries on the Monticello Wine Trail. Experts at one of our regional wine tour companies will plan a customized route suited to your group’s interests and safely transport you from winery to winery.
With scenic views, serene gardens, live entertainment, an outback adventure, and American history Wytheville, Virginia offers everything a traveler is searching for.
Begin your journey by traveling along the National Scenic Byway through J efferson National Forest to the top of the mountain. At an elevation of 3,045 feet, you’ll find Big Walker Lookout , “Where only the birds see more.” This is the oldest and highest privately owned attraction in Virginia. With a 100-foot observation tower and swinging bridge, the Lookout offers captivating views.
Mary Jo Babbitt
276-223-3447
mjbabbitt@wytheville.org
www.visitwytheville.com
At your next stop, discover the legacy of First Lady Mrs. Wilson. As one of only eight historic sites across the country dedicated to the interpretation of a First Lady, the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace is a must-see museum while in Wytheville. This museum tells the story of the important role Edith Bolling Wilson played in the White House at a pivotal moment during World War I.
End your first day with an evening at Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre , Virginia’s only all-musical theater. Serving American and German style cuisine, enjoy a four-course meal followed by a Broadway-caliber musical.
Spend the morning at the Thomas J. Boyd Museum . Named after the “Father of Wytheville,” Thomas Jefferson Boyd was an attorney, town mayor, hotel builder, and Virginia Legislator. The museum features exhibits and artifacts of the area including early mining, military history, and communications. The
exhibit, “A Summer Without Children,” tells the story of the 1950 polio epidemic and how Wytheville had the highest number of cases per capita in the country.
An exotic adventure awaits your afternoon. Take a ride on the wild side as you safari through the “outback” at Fort Chiswell Animal Park. Home to over 200 animals, get up close and personal with species from six different continents.
Enjoy dinner before the night’s entertainment at Graze On Main. Located inside the Bolling Wilson Hotel, this award-winning restaurant offers a casual yet elegant environment while you savor delicious southern fare with a twist.
Wrap up your evening attending a performance at the Millwald Theatre . The theater originally opened in 1928 as a vaudeville and “moving picture” house.
On your final day, make a stop at Beagle Ridge Herb Farm . Nestled in a valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this beautiful lavender farm sits on a 210-acre retreat. Spend the day enjoying the outdoors while viewing a variety of plants and formal display gardens, take an herbal craft class, or simply enjoy a cup of herbal tea. Southwest Virginia’s only walk-through butterfly house, Flying Flowers , is located at the retreat and will delight the senses of all ages.
Before heading home, stop for lunch at the coziest spot in town. Both a bottle shop and wine bar, Petals Wine Bar offers quality wines and craft beers from around the world.
Teeming with art galleries, live performance venues, and a not-to-bemissed dining scene, this creative community is a feast for the senses.
Staunton’s celebrated Main Street appears to have sprung to life from a Norman Rockwell painting with its striking variety of architectural styles.
Staunton is one of the oldest cities west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Step back in time at the living-history Frontier Culture Museum to learn about the daily life of the region’s earliest settlers.
Next, discover the life and legacy of the country’s 28th president in the city where he was born at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum . An exclusive ‘Behind-theScenes” guide tour provides a fuller picture of his complex life and legacy.
Love nostalgic rail journeys? Set aside three hours to relax and sightsee aboard the Virginia Scenic Railway , round-trip excursions depart twice daily (Thursday-Sunday).
Jessica B. Williams
Sales & Marketing Manager
540-332-3865
williamsjb@ci.staunton.va.us www.visitstaunton.com
Shakespeare is serious fun at the American Shakespeare Center . So is the Blackfriars Playhouse Tour , where you’ll go on-stage, behind the stage, and even under the stage as guides tell the story of England’s first indoor theater and describe how the staging conditions of 17th-century London shaped the works of Shakespeare and his fellow playwrights.
Art enthusiasts are invited to step inside Gothic-Revival Trinity Episcopal Church and marvel at 12 Tiffany stained glass windows, which date from 1898-1936. Contemporary artworks are produced daily via live glassblowing demonstrations at Sunspots Studios Interested in acquiring original works from regional artists? The CoArt Gallery and the
R.R. Smith Center for History & Art display some of the best. The Depot Grille is a popular restaurant housed in a historic train station. The restaurant offers a unique dining experience with a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The Depot Grille is known for its delicious American cuisine, featuring a variety of dishes ranging from steaks and seafood to sandwiches and salads.
For something truly memorable, opt for a masterclass in cheese and wine in a beautifully restored tasting room. Ballerino Creamery’s head cheesemaker Louella Hill and master vintner John Kiers of Ox-Eye Vineyards join forces to help you taste your way through the Valley’s freshest flavors.
Pick up a copy of the self-guided walking tour and get acquainted with Staunton’s preservation success; six historic districts are independently listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Refresh yourself at the Ciders From Mars taproom, where you can enjoy a full flight or a single glass of their flagship Hellas Dry Cider. It’s made with a blend of modern and heirloom apples, grown locally. BLU Point Seafood Co. showcases lobster rolls and seafood baskets, as well as catches straight from the Chesapeake Bay such as rockfish, blue crab, and oysters. Private dining areas can accommodate groups of up to 80 people. Gorgeous mountain scenery surrounds Staunton. Two national parks, Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway are close by and make an easy destination for sunset views.
Love,
Planning a group trip to a neon sign museum can be a dazzling adventure. These museums offer a vibrant snapshot of design history and pop culture.
Displaying more than 250 retired signs of casinos and businesses from all over town, the Neon Museum in Las Vegas offers a peek into old Vegas. (neonmuseum.org)
The National Neon Sign Museum in The Dalles provides historical, social, and cultural relevance through the exhibition of more than 20,000 square feet of electrifying signs, ephemera, and interactive displays that date from the late 1800s through the 1960s. (nationalneonsignmuseum.org)
The Museum of Neon Art in Glendale is the only museum in the world devoted exclusively to art in electric media, exhibiting electric and kinetic fine art and outstanding examples of historic neon signs, for over three decades. (neonmona.org)
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the American West and explore the region’s most captivating UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From ancient Native American civilizations to stunning natural wonders, this adventure takes you on a historical and cultural odyssey.
Known as the world’s first national park, Yellowstone offers guests a variety of breathtaking experiences. As an introductory point, groups can enjoy a magnificent time at the lake, with a scenic view of a body of water that spans across
hundreds of square miles. Depending on the time of year you decide to visit, you can expect crystal blue waters or an icy expanse. In addition, guests can spot wildlife in their natural habitat, much different from what is seen in the zoo, providing valuable insight into witnessing their natural interactions and behaviors.
The Grand Canyon was formed by the erosive action of the Colorado River. The national park is 277 miles long, with the deepest part of the canyon reaching 6,000 feet. As a group trip, guests can embark on a guided tour. The activities
include enjoying a rafting expedition along the Colorado River, bicycle tours, bus tours, touring the park with local guides, mule trips, guided hikes, picturesque helicopter tours, and trail rides harnessing a horse or mule.
In the heart of California lies Yosemite National Park. This park is known for its waterfalls, granite cliffs, crystal-clear streams, groves, and biodiversity. As a group trip, depending on what time of year you decide to travel, activities for adventurers include rafting, cycling, and rock climbing. For those who came to enjoy
the gorgeous scenery and have a more relaxed time, they can partake in hikes and tours, with tours including stargazing, historic tours, nature exploration, and bus tours. These tours talk about the celestial objects that fill the night sky, the park’s rich historical and cultural heritage, the national park’s diverse ecosystems, and an overview of the scenic beauty that surrounds the place.
Habitat to the world’s tallest trees is Redwood National and State Parks, standing more than 370 feet in height. The park comes with 200 miles of trails, along with a park system allowing for scenic drives.
Among those trails, groups can venture on hikes, horseback rides, camps, and bike
rides. As your group explores the wonders of these majestic forests and bodies of waters, keep an eye out for the diverse set of creatures that roam the place, such as banana slugs and gray whales.
To travel back in time through the enriched cultural heritage of 26 Pueblos and Tribes is through Mesa Verde National Park. Groups can indulge in these fun-filled activities, such as hiking, becoming a junior ranger, star gazing, camping, viewing a cultural dance, being present at an evening program, and going on a cliff tour. Along with a variety of places to explore, such as a museum and a walk through the forest, this national park has something for travelers of all ages.
Nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs effortlessly blends natural beauty with rich history
Colorado Springs, Olympic City USA, offers activities, lodging and tours that are versatile for groups of any size. With more than 55 nearby attractions and stunning mountain views, it’s easy to pack an itinerary with days of adventure.
Now registered as a National Natural Landmark, the history of Garden of the Gods Park dates to before humans walked the Earth. Dive into the geological history and Native American heritage of the park through state-of-the-art interactive exhibits located within The Visitor Center. Reserve a Step-On-Guide for an informative and enjoyable group tour. A trained Colorado naturalist “steps on” your Motorcoach tour bus, giving valuable insight on this geological wonder.
Dedicated to inspiring new generations of leaders and innovators, The National Museum of World War II Aviation honors the past by building the future. Situated adjacent to Colorado Springs Airport, this hidden gem offers a unique glimpse into the pivotal role aviation played during one of the most significant chapters in modern history. Visitors gain the rare opportunity to experience the war through the eyes of the men and women who lived it and discover how events led to the creation of the aircraft that won the war.
Experience the timeless charm of the American West at the Flying W Ranch, where cowboy culture comes to life. Less than a 30-minute drive from the Colorado Springs Airport, this historic ranch is a unique and memorable place for a variety of group events. Host anywhere from 20-900 people utilizing their indoor event venues or from 20-6,000 people outdoors during the warm summer months. From horseback riding and rodeos to axe throwing, archery and over 20 more western-themed crafts and performances, the Flying W Ranch provides diverse activities that will engage guests at your group event.
Juliet Jacoby
719-685-7625
juliet@visitcos.com
www.visitcos.com
Savor miles of exploration and top-notch attractions in Santa Fe, New Mexico
With more than a dozen museums, national parks and monuments, Santa Fe County offers a sprawling expanse devoted to the region’s unique history, arts and culture. Whether you are interested in learning about the ancient Pueblo people, the Spanish Colonial era, the region’s mining history or its Wild West days, you will discover even more than you anticipated in an impressive array of fascinating attractions.
Your Santa Fe adventure might begin with a trip to the Poeh Museum and Cultural Center, located conveniently off of U.S. Route 84 and boasting a massive repository of permanent artifacts and programs. The museum is dedicated to the culture and arts of the Puebloan peoples, Native Americans who populated much of the northern part of New Mexico. There are roughly 600 historical artifacts, from paintings, jewelry and pottery to textiles and sculptures. One final impressive fact about the Poeh Museum: in an effort to encourage the development of local talent, it provides free studio space to any Native American artist.
What better way to understand local culture than by trekking around a historic rancho that is now a living history museum called El Rancho de las Golondrinas? Attractions don’t get much more authentic than this. Located on 500 acres in La
Ciénega, the farming valley south of Santa Fe, Las Golondrinas shows guests what life was like during the period of Spanish rule over the southwestern portion of North America.
Pecos National Historical Park is another necessary stop on your adventure through Santa Fe. Operated by the National Park Service, this New Mexico marvel is a cultural crossroads through which hunters, gatherers, traders, missionaries, immigrants, soldiers, ranchers and other travelers passed. When you step on the grounds of Pecos, you are walking amid history, tracing the steps of ancient peoples who lived on the land long, long before modernday New Mexicans.
SANTA FE COUNTY TOURISM info@santafenmtrue.com www.santafenmtrue.com
Learn about your roots on these genealogical tours.
These tour operators specialize in trips for those wishing to explore their family roots.
Walk in the footsteps of your forefathers on custom-designed Personal Heritage Journeys in Italy, Ireland, Japan and across the globe. (kensingtontours.com/travel-ideas/ personal-heritage-journeys)
On the one-week Irish Research Tour, participants get help from the experts at the Irish Family History Centre in Dublin. (familytreetours.com)
Why spend just a month celebrating Hispanic heritage when you can keep the festivities going 365 days a year? Immerse yourself in Hispanic culture on one of these exciting tours. (goaheadtours.com/travel-styles/ hispanic-heritage-tours)
WWith ancient buildings stacked on a steep promontory at the meeting of two deep river gorges, Cuenca projects a dramatic profile, one different from any other city in Spain. Because it’s not on the traditional tour circuit, this somewhat isolated
medieval gem, about two hours southeast of Madrid, is off the radar of most North American travelers, a fact that just adds to its beguiling appeal.
In Cuenca it’s all about the heights. Think vertical. Looking up or gazing down, you’ll find yourself constantly taking in the views.
Traipsing around narrow meandering streets and passageways, you’ll encounter one vantage point after another that provides a fresh new slant on cliff-clinging houses high above the gorges. There’s a new vista at every turn.
Those afraid of heights get nervous crossing San Pablo footbridge, a wooden plank walkway that spans the Huecar River 200 feet below. But it’s a major attraction in itself, an Instagrammable spot for sure. If you’re staying at Parador de Cuenca, as our group was, the bridge is the most direct way of getting to the core of the enchanting Ciudad Alta, or Old City. We crossed it several times a day, often wondering how many people it could hold at one time. (For details on Parador de Cuenca, a monastery-turned-hotel, visit www. leisuregrouptravel.com/parador-de-cuenca-in-spain .)
From the bridge you have the best view of Cuenca’s most emblematic attraction—the Hanging Houses, or Casas Colgadas. The wooden balconies of this trio of 14th century dwellings jut out over a sheer cliff. Appearing to defy gravity, the buildings seem about to topple off their perch and into the abyss. You can actually stand on one of the cantilevered balconies if you visit the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art or gourmet restaurant Casas Colgadas Jesus Segura, both tenants of the Hanging Houses. Some art lovers prefer the
Antonio Perez Foundation, a museum of modern art housed within a former Carmelite convent, another cliff-hugger.
In medieval times, why did many builders push to the precipice? The answer: real estate was scarce atop the escarpment and every square foot counted. Because land was at a premium, some houses were built eight to 12 stories high. Constructed of wood and adobe, these “skyscrapers,” many of them painted in bright colors today, were among the tallest buildings in Europe until the introduction of reinforced concrete in the 20th century. At its economic peak in the 15th century, the crowded old quarter had a population of 17,000. Now the number is 2,000.
Cuenca does not have a long checklist of must-see sights, which suits me just fine. I’m happy just wandering and getting lost in the medieval lanes, soaking up all the history that crosses my path—and taking picture after picture. The refreshing lack of tourists in Cuenca makes it even more delightful.
The heart of this UNESCO World Heritage city is the Plaza Mayor, which spreads in a linear fashion from the Cathedral of Cuenca, passing through the arch of the town hall. Outdoor cafes lend a lively air, and the red tram departs from the square for a tour of the Old City, an ideal option for those who want to avoid tackling the steep inclines on foot.
While Spain has better known churches, the Cathedral of Nuestra Senora de Gracia is truly impressive and worth a look inside. Largely built between 1156 and 1256, it was the first Gothic church on the Iberian peninsula. Statuary, paintings, expanses of marble and lavishly adorned chapels reflected the city’s wealth in medieval days. The two pipe organs date from the 18th century. Our group heard their melodious sounds while seated in the ornately carved wooden choir stalls during an evening concert.
If you haven’t had enough in the way of heights after taking in the panoramas from all angles and crossing the footbridge a number of times, consider a zipline ride or go rock climbing. On a short walk from Parador de Cuenca, I came upon harnessed men and women scaling vertical walls and people of all ages whooshing across the valley on a sturdy cable. And on two mornings I saw hot air balloons high in the sky.
I wasn’t adventurous enough to pursue those options but wished I’d had time to hike the path that zigzags up to the giant mountaintop statue of Christ, Cerro del Socorro. The two-mile trail is marked by 14 Stations of the Cross. The statue is illuminated at night, as is the entire rock face of medieval Cuenca, a romantic vision that lingers long after your visit to this fascinating city off the beaten path.
EXPERIENCE SANTA FE COUNTY
Outdoor Adventures
Pecos National Historical Park
Bandelier National Monument
Hyde Memorial State Park
Cerrillos Hills State Park
World-Class Cuisine
Authentic Southwestern Flavors
James Beard Award Winners
Fascinating Arts & Culture
El Rancho de las Golondrinas
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
Meow Wolf
Historical Canyon Road
Santa Fe Opera
Sky Railway Scenic Train
