2023 December Leisure Group Travel

Indiana Group Tour Planner

Ӏ America250 Ӏ Beach and Mountain Showcases

DECEMBER 2023

A DAWNING OF A NEW

Packaged Travel Industry Group travel is again a hot ticket

+

INSIDE

Titans of Tourism

Leaders provide their insight on the state of the industry

2024 Travel Trade Shows

LGT has all the information you need regarding the country's most important shows

Group Travel Destinations

New and exciting developments are taking place in 2024 and beyond

Digital Edition Brought To You By

A Premier Travel Media publication • LeisureGroupTravel.com

Scan this QR code to learn more about destinations in this magazine.

Bring on the world.

New Year, New Adventures Wondering what travel destinations will be hot in 2024? We at G Adventures have a few ideas!

Even if your travelers have been to Egypt and Morocco before, we bet they haven’t seen these amazing destinations through the G Adventures lens. Our trips focus on community: both the communities we visit and the community of travelers that our trips create. Because when communities are strengthened, bridges are created and divides begin to narrow. And isn’t that what travel is all about?

Adventures bound to make your passport smile.

Highlights of Morocco 15 days | Casablanca to Marrakech Travel Style: Classic Highlights: • Wander through ancient medinas and Roman ruins • Ride a camel into the Sahara • Spend a night in a mountain gîte Wonders of Egypt and the Nile 12 days | Cairo to Cairo Travel Style: Classic Highlights: • Visit some of the most revered wonders of the ancient world with a certified Egyptologist • Marvel at the Pyramids of Giza and the temples of Abu Simbel • Savour a traditional Nubian dinner in a local village

Want to learn more?

Contact your Private Groups team at groups@gadventures.com or 866 925 1796

Morocco Journey 9 days | Casablanca to Marrakech Travel Style: National Geographic Journeys Highlights: • Roam ancient markets • Explore parts of the desert • Peer out over the Atlas Mountains Highlights of Egypt 14 days | Cairo to Cairo Travel Style: Classic Highlights: • Explore ancient temples and monuments • Gaze at the pyramids and mysterious Sphinx • Journey down the Nile on a felucca

TravelSouthDakota.com

Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center

Arrowwood Cedar Shore Resort

Experience history, culture and nature’s beauty. Stroll through McCrory Gardens, gaze at an original Harvey Dunn painting at the South Dakota Art Museum and step back in time at the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum.

Arrowwood Cedar Shore is a full-service resort tucked in the bluffs of the Missouri River in Oacoma. With stunning views of open waters and ample on-site outdoor recreation opportunities, Arrowwood is a year-round destination.

800-798-3452 | AktaLakota.StJo.org

605-234-6376 | ArrowwoodCedarShore.com

Brookings

Terry Redlin Art Center

Perched on the banks of the Missouri River, this facility is home to more than 14,000 square feet of art, artifacts, and educational displays the depict the proud heritage of the Lakota people. Free admission.

Three galleries feature more than 165 original oil paintings

by American’s favorite artist, Terry Redlin. There’s no greater Americana scenes than Redlin’s paintings, in part inspired by the rural landscape of his childhood life in Watertown.

Open year-round and admission is free.

605-692-7444 | VisitBrookingsSD.com

877-873-3546 | RedlinArt.com

Wall Drug Store

Watertown

Experience America’s #1 roadside attraction. Between the free attractions, shopping, dining and photo-ops, there’s truly something for everyone. Located off I-90 and 8 miles north of Badlands National Park.

The Redlin Art Center is only the beginning. Explore beautiful Lake Kampeska, the Goss Opera House, Bramble Park Zoo, and a downtown loaded with art, history, and charm. Located on I-29.

605-279-2175 | WallDrug.com

605-753-0282 | VisitWatertownSD.com

Vol. 33, No. 6 December 2023

CONTENTS 20

ON THE COVER:

Myrtle Beach is known for beautiful beaches and a huge selection of options to keep your group entertained.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT MYRTLE BEACH

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG FOUNDATION

Celebrate America’s upcoming birthday by visiting Colonial Williamsburg.

SPECIAL SECTION 27

INDIANA GROUP TOUR PLANNER

The Hoosier State is a sublime place to enjoy activities and attractions, both indoor and outdoor.

FEATURES

10

Titans of Tourism Six association leaders share insights on their organizations and how travel trends are affecting the tourism industry

20

America250 The country is gearing up for its semiquincentennial and a big burst of patriotism

BY RANDY MINK

22

2024 Travel Trade Shows Unleashed Travel trade shows promise to bring innovative insights and creative collaborations to help decode the future of travel

BY HEATHER DALE

4

DECEMBER 2023

<< www.LeisureGroupTravel.com

COLUMNS 5

ON MY MIND

BY JASON PAHA

Vol. 33, No. 6 December 2023

ON MY MIND

Editorial & Advertising Office 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527 P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 info@ptmgroups.com

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Senior Editor – Randy Mink randy@ptmgroups.com Director, Design & Production – Lisa Hede lisa@ptmgroups.com

Production Coordinator – Kelsey Ledford

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Leisure Group Travel (ISSN-1531-1406)

is published bi-monthly by Premier Travel Media, 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406, Willowbrook, IL 60527. The magazine is distributed free of charge to qualified tour operators, travel agents, group leaders, bank travel clubs and other travel organizations. Other travel-related suppliers may subscribe at the reduced rate of $12.00 per year. The regular sub scrip tion price for all others is $18.00 per year.

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Heading into 2024 on a High Note

W

ith 2023 mostly in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look forward and assess what 2024 has in store for the travel industry.

Before we do that though, let’s pat ourselves on our collective backs because we’ve made it through another year. And we didn’t just survive these past 12 months, many of us thrived.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s 2023 Economic Impact Research, it’s estimated world tourism hit $9.5 trillion this year, just 5% below the 2019 level when travel was at its highest peak. The 2024 year looks even brighter as the U.S. Travel Association predicts domestic leisure travel is expected to return to pre-pandemic trends in 2024.

This year-end issue of Leisure Group Travel shines a spotlight on the whitehot tourism industry with our annual Titans of Tourism series. This year’s piece features six leaders sharing their insights on the changes and trends within their organizations and how they affect our industry at large.

LGT also debuts our Showtime in 2024 story, which highlights the best travel trade shows in 2024. This valuable guide for tour planners shares important details about each of the major shows that will take place across the country in the coming year.

Fans of the Hoosier State can rejoice because the Indiana 2024 Group Tour Planner has returned. This year’s edition showcases Indiana’s many wonderful attractions and features itineraries that blanket the entire state.

Finally, this issue sports the latest edition of Group Travel Destinations, our annual compendium of domestic tour destinations that tour guides find invaluable. GTD showcases the newest group-friendly attractions, restaurants and experiences from across the country and brings them to you in an easy to digest format. There’s a wealth of quality information in this issue. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it.

It’s going to be another good year.

Jason Paha Chief Editor

Learning more about destinations featured in our magazine is easy with Just use your Camera app to scan this QR code. Then tap the screen to open a link to our digital reader service card. Click Submit and your request is immediately sent to that supplier.

www.LeisureGroupTravel.com << DECEMBER 2023

5

FAITH AND LIBERTY DISCOVERY CENTER

58

CHICK-FIL-A COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

49

GROUP TRAVEL DESTINATIONS 49 Northeast/ Mid-Atlantic

Groups eager to enjoy the

splendors of Mother Nature will discover a panoply of scenic eye-poppers and invigorating activities in this region.

58 Southeast

From the Blue Ridge, Great

Smoky and Ozark Mountains to the Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico beaches, there’s so much to experience.

66 Southwest

The American Southwest boasts

AMELIA EARHART HANGAR MUSEUM SPHERE ENTERTAINMENT

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DECEMBER 2023

2024 MISSOURI TOUR GUIDE

No matter where your interests lie, you’re sure to find it in the Show-Me State. leisuregrouptravel.com/ missouri-group-tour-guide

striking desert landscapes, Native American history and photogenic mountain ranges that groups will want to integrate into their itineraries.

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75

TRENDING ONLINE

68 Midwest

Full of hearty American cities,

the Midwest is also awash with stunning natural landscapes that rival any in the country.

EXCLUSIVE ON

LeisureGroupTravel.com

75 West

With a multitude of national

parks and a variety of natural wonders, the West is one of the most scenic regions on earth.

• Making Memories, Not Hangovers: Tips for Planning Sober Group Trips • New York Shines Bright with Christmas Lights

79 Frontier/ Mountain West

Spanning the plains of eastern

Scan to start getting our e-newsletter and update your subscription

<< www.LeisureGroupTravel.com

Colorado to the craggy peaks of Utah, this region is filled with natural splendors for groups of all ages to enjoy.

SHOWCASE

Groups headed to New Jersey will find plenty of sand, water and sun-soaked fun

I

n Atlantic City, the allure of summertime fun and vibrant group activities unfolds amidst seasonally hot temperatures and brilliant sunshine. Beyond the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk, this coveted East Coast beach town offers a spectrum of experiences that cater to diverse tastes.

COCKTAILS, NIGHTLIFE AND GOOD VIBES Atlantic City is known for its entertainment and exciting nightlife. Immerse in the city’s evocative side at Premier Nightclub or Boogie Nights at the Tropicana where disco vibes and premium cocktails transport groups through the decades.

The Pool After Dark’s aquatic nightclub promises unforgettable summer nights.

SUNBATHING OPPORTUNITIES For those seeking the sun’s embrace, free sandy playgrounds like Atlantic City Beach. Escape the ordinary on an Atlantic City Cruise or Tiki Boat, sipping cocktails at sea. Alternatively, revel in the sun-kissed luxury of casino resort pools like Borgata’s Outdoor Pool and Beer Garden.

HISTORIC STEEL PIER As the sun dips below the horizon, the historic Steel Pier comes alive – a historic icon boasting rides, city views from the Steel Pier Wheel, and numerous dining and shopping options. The Pier features over 20 rides and attractions

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DECEMBER 2023

<< www.LeisureGroupTravel.com

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF VISIT ATLANTIC CITY

Summertime Fun in Atlantic City

Photos: Atlantic City Steel Pier (above), Atlantic City Cruises (left) and Atlantic City Boardwalk (below).

for all ages. Shopping and dining are plentiful with many restaurants and shops to explore.

SURFING ATLANTIC CITY Believe it or not, southern Jersey is a hotspot for surfing as Atlantic City has three fabulous beaches designated for surfing. And the locals know where to find the best waves. With blowing southwest winds, surfers converge at “South,” on South Carolina Ave., and winter-favorite “Crystals,” located on New Hampshire Ave. Whether you’re dancing the night away under the stars, basking on sun-soaked beaches, or riding the waves, make every moment count. Pack your sunscreen for an unforgettable Atlantic City getaway.

ATLANTIC CITY GROUP TOURS Heather Colache, 609-318-6097, heatherc@visitatlanticcity.com, www.visitatlanticcity.com/group-travel

A PICTURE TELLS A STORY, MAKE YOURS AN

ADVENTURE IN ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY

#W or ldFamousB oa rdwalk

#DeluxeRoomAccomodat ions

#SandyBeaches

#AwardW inning

Dining

#TaxFreeShopping

Explore the excitement of Atlantic City, New Jersey!

To book your Atlantic City Escape contact Heather Colache at 609.318.6097 or hcolache@meetac.com and get ready to have some fun.

Meet AC received funding through a grant from the NJ Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.

TourAtlanticCity.com

INDUSTRY FORECAST

TOURISM

2 T I TA N S O F 2

I

n an industry filled with entrepreneurs, creative operators and talented marketers, there are a few who not only keep their finger on the pulse of the travel business but also are a driving force behind the heartbeat of their niche. These Titans of Tourism help guide and shape our industry in numerous ways, from supervising

associations and building communities, to developing innovative tools and creative applications for existing practices. Leisure Group Travel has sought out six such Titans and asked them to share with us their insight on the changes and trends within their organizations and how it affects our industry at large.

THIS YEAR’S TITANS:

2 MALIA ASFOUR

Managing Director, Jordan Tourism Board North America; Chair of the Board of Directors, Tourism Cares Malia Asfour, Managing Director of the Jordan Tourism Board in North America (JTBNA), began handling tourism for the Jordanian government in the U.S. as tourism attaché in Washington in 1995.

She was a key participant in creating the country’s first tourism office in North America, which was launched in 1997.

2 DAVID CHAPMAN

Director General, WYSE Travel Confederation As Director General of WYSE Travel Confederation, David has led the Amsterdam-based team in representing and advocating the youth, student and educational travel industry. During his tenure as Director General, WYSE Travel Confederation has expanded upon its legacy of producing essential market research and industry events.

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DECEMBER 2023

2 TERRY DALE

President and CEO, US Tour Operators Association Terry was named President of the U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA) in January 2011. On January 31, 2013, he also assumed the additional role of Chief Executive Officer for the association. Among his responsibilities at USTOA are developing the association’s strategic marketing initiatives, managing the association’s government advocacy on issues affecting tour operators and working with other leaders to identify mutual challenges and opportunities.

2 TIM FLORS

Chief Customer Officer at Groups360 Groups360 was founded in 2014 with the goal of simplifying and transforming the ways meetings are booked.

Groups360’s management team has decades of experience in the meetings and events industry and provides the right mix of technology and experienced advisors.

<< www.LeisureGroupTravel.com

2 GEOFF FREEMAN

President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association Geoff is the leading advocate for the $1.1 trillion U.S. travel and hospitality industry. In this role, Geoff is charged with ensuring the industry’s full recovery from the pandemic, positioning the industry to seize emerging opportunities in a postpandemic market environment and further establishing travel as a vital economic force in the United States.

2 SCOTT MICHAEL

President and CEO of the United Motorcoach Association Prior to joining UMA in 2021, Scott was President & CEO of the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA). Like the motorcoach industry, the moving industry consists of thousands of smaller, family businesses, where their passion for their work was magnified by the deep connection they felt to their company.

How Meaningful Travel Helps Drive Sustainable Tourism

BY MALIA ASFOUR

I

n 2018, the Jordan Tourism Board, North America hosted The Meaningful Travel Summit with Tourism Cares, bringing together key travel influencers from across Canada and the U.S. The purpose of the summit was to create a tourism experience where local communities can benefit from tourism dollars and where we could help disperse visitors to less traveled locations throughout the country. This is when the concept of the “Meaningful Travel Map of Jordan” was born.

I believe sustainable tourism development is key to ensuring resilience for our industry, our economy, and our future. Jordan is committed toward a carbon-neutral and more socially resilient and regenerative tourism economy – including new business models through digitalization. This provides a way to ensure a fair distribution of tourism benefits as economic recovery through the visitor economy is key to our development as a global destination.

As many global destinations are doing, we need to look at the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a guideline as we start to build back our tourism economies.

We are being careful not to accelerate to get numbers but to focus on slow and steady growth so that we do not exacerbate issues of over-tourism and lean into mass tourism models.

Through the launch of the Meaningful Travel Map, we linked to the newly created Jordan Trail, identified social enterprises that would benefit from the tourism

economy, and began to create itineraries.

The Tourism Cares Summit provided us with the opportunity to test out those itineraries with industry experts.

For example, after a visit to Petra, visitors can create meals with a local kitchen or learn how to weave baskets and rugs while socializing with local community members. Farm to table meals and cultural exchanges are abundant along the trail. The connections and learning relationships we experienced through this initial launch were incredible for both the traveler and host and continue today. And the economic impact has grown to be enormous.

Here are just a few of the benefits that have occurred since we launch the Meaningful Travel Map a few short years ago: • New daycares having been opened in the region, allowing more women to work and earn money.

• Computers have been purchased so that students have a place to study.

• Children are learning new skills including how to reuse and recycle materials used in cultural exchanges.

• And thanks to the popularity of the Jordan Trail and media attention regarding the Meaningful Travel

“

I believe sustainable tourism development is key to ensuring resilience for our industry, our economy, and our future.

”

Map, over 70 local villages are now benefiting from hikers exploring the country in a very sustainable way.

It is powerful when you see how tourism can be a force for good, and immediately experience the return on investment. In creating this map, we also created educational opportunities for the social enterprises that filter into the local communities. These education centers around sustainability use the UN Sustainable Development goals as a guideline specifically looking at employment for women, environment, and climate. The map also offers the traveler an experience and a connection that is authentic and rare to find in travel today.

Looking to the future for Jordan Tourism, our resilience will depend on distribution not only on tourism dollars but also continuing to disperse tourism throughout the destination so that more Jordanians experience the benefits of a growing visitor economy. It will depend on continuing to be creative with our itineraries to keep bottlenecks from happening and digitalization to ensure that numbers are captured to ensure the balance between conservation and nature is sustained.

The Meaningful Travel Map of Jordan is just one example of a sustainable tourism initiative that can drive economic well-being for local communities. It is an example we are very proud of in Jordan and are pleased to see other countries emulate this experience.

For us this is the way forward as we build a sustainable and regenerative tourism industry for our country.

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For more information, visit visitjordan.com

www.LeisureGroupTravel.com << DECEMBER 2023

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INDUSTRY FORECAST

The Resilient and Dynamic Power of Youth Travel

BY DAVID CHAPMAN

T

he last few years have been challenging for travel and tourism and youth travel was no exception.

However, we can proudly once again say that the youth market is a dynamic and resilient space within international travel, tourism and education.

WYSE Travel Confederation has championed international youth travel for decades.

Even when times are tough, the young keep traveling.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated a simple caveat: the borders must be open. Globally, travelers aged 15 to 29 make a significant contribution to the travel industry, representing 23% of international arrivals and EUR 330+ billion in tourism receipts annually. Their absence was felt by destinations around the world during the pandemic. With future growth in key youth cohorts in emerging economies, and a post-COVID rebound evident in advanced economies, the power of the youth travel market is poised to hold steady, if not increase, as a contributor to the global travel and tourism economy.

As the global association for international youth, student and educational travel specialists, WYSE monitors and analyses the youth travel market. WYSE research has identified the unique characteristics that make this market more valuable than one might assume. Not only does the international youth traveler on average stay longer and spend more than a typical tourist, there is also multiplying potential for social and economic impact. Longer stays attract

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DECEMBER 2023

visiting family and friends who also spend in the destination. The benefits of cultural immersion are multi-faceted, altering self-awareness and cultural understanding.

Youth generate high-impact travel that combines formal and informal learning, cultural awareness, adventure and fun.

In 2023, the fifth edition of our once-every-five-years study of international youth travel, New Horizons, indicated many of the key aspects of youth travel remain intact post-COVID. There are also evident changes. Here are trends we’ve identified and how we interpret them as we move into 2024.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH TRIP Globally between 2002 and 2023 the average spend on an international youth trip has more than doubled, even though the average length of stay has decreased.

During that time, use of travel agents decreased, though there was a small uptick

“

Not only does the international youth traveler on average stay longer and spend more than a typical tourist, there is also multiplying potential for social and economic impact.

<< www.LeisureGroupTravel.com

”

in 2023. Looking ahead, it could potentially rise modestly as emerging markets pursue educational travel with the assistance of specialist agents.

IN-DESTINATION ACTIVITIES Spend on in-destination activities as a proportion of the total international youth trip spend increased from 9% in 2017 to 13% in 2023, in line with growth of the “experience economy.” Enjoying cafes/restaurants, day tours/excursions and shopping remain among the most popular activities for international youth trips. However, in 2023 visiting nightclubs returned to the top 10 activities for young international travelers. The uptick in nightlife activities of an international trip is perhaps part of the post-pandemic travel experience rebound.

YOUTH TRAVEL MOTIVATIONS Exploring other cultures, experiencing everyday life in other places and increasing one’s knowledge are among the top motivations for young people to travel abroad. In 2023 young travelers indicated that helping people and relaxing to avoid stress became more important to them as international travel motivations. In line with increased awareness of health and wellness, the desire to help others while travelling is admirable. This is perhaps an opportunity for operators to connect young travellers with local social impact projects.

More insights on international youth travel to come from New Horizons and WYSE Travel Confederation in 2024.

2

For more information, visit www.wysetc.org

Charting a Course Toward a Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Future

BY TERRY DALE

L

ooking back at the recent past and ahead to the future, I’m both awed and humbled by the resiliency of the travel and tourism industry. Clearly, the “right to travel” has become woven into our lives in deep and meaningful ways. As we reemerged from the pandemic, environmental and societal issues from overcrowding to conservation have become increasingly critical to the travel experience and highlight the need for our industry to align with initiatives for a sustainable and responsible future.

Which is why as we celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, USTOA committed to looking “50 Years Forward.” Under this umbrella earlier this year, we introduced the USTOA Sustainability Policy to all Active and Associate Members marking a significant achievement in our ongoing dedication.

The policy embodies a promise from our membership to chart a course toward a responsible and sustainable future for tourism. The tireless efforts of the Sustainability Committee, led by USTOA’s Global Social Impact Manager, have paved the way for an ambitious yet feasible roadmap to bring us closer to our goals.

The USTOA Sustainability Policy is complemented by the USTOA Responsible Travel Promise, a document that serves as a collective commitment to support USTOA’s responsible travel mission. It is designed to inspire members to be proactive and implement sustainability plans within their own companies that

align with our organizations as a whole.

This policy lays out comprehensive goals that seek to secure a responsible future for the travel and tourism sector and highlights economic growth, environmental preservation, and social well-being.

The introduction of these initiatives marks a defining moment in our association’s history. It represents a commitment to responsible travel and a dedication to leaving a positive and lasting impact on the world of travel and tourism. The policy is not just a set of guidelines, but a call to action for all our members.

USTOA also held its second Sustainability is Responsibility (SIR) Summit in Tromsø and Svalbard, Norway this past April.

Tourism Cares with Norway Meaningful Travel Summit brought together industry professionals, government officials, and

“

As we reemerged from the pandemic, environmental and societal issues from overcrowding to conservation have become increasingly critical to the travel experience and highlight the need for our industry to align with initiatives for a sustainable and responsible future.

”

nonprofit organizations came to discuss tourism practices and how to promote responsible travel through learning sessions and local experiences.

Looking ahead, USTOA’s SIR Summit in Singapore in 2024 promises to continue the important dialogue on sustainability, providing valuable insights and best practices for our members.

Another USTOA initiative is the Future Lights of the Tour Industry which celebrates individuals who are champions of sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts withing their own companies.

The 2023 Future Lights are Julie Higgins, sustainability officer at Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, and Mikey Sadowski, vice president of global communications at Intrepid Travel.

Both Julie and Mikey have helped lead their companies toward a more responsible and equitable future and we tip our hats off to their achievements.

I am profoundly inspired by the travel community’s dedication to forging a more sustainable and equitable future in tourism.

Witnessing our member’s collective commitment to responsible practices, environmental stewardship, and social inclusion fills me with optimism for the years to come.

The travel and tour industry’s ongoing efforts to minimize its ecological footprint, support local communities, and champion diversity and inclusion are not only commendable but serve as a source of motivation to a brighter tomorrow.

2

For more information, visit ustoa.com

www.LeisureGroupTravel.com << DECEMBER 2023

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INDUSTRY FORECAST

The Future of Group Travel Planning Is Now

BY TIM FLORS

I

n the early stages of online travel platforms, hoteliers expressed reservations about showcasing their rooms online. They leaned toward traditional methods: potential guests calling to book accommodations or event space directly. Now, with the proliferation of digital convenience, the idea of calling a hotel for a single room booking seems antiquated.

Yet, a significant sector – group hotel reservations – lagged behind in this digital transformation. Given the intricacies of group bookings, hotels feared a loss of control. But change is in the air. Platforms like GroupSync are pioneering a centralized approach to group, meeting, and event bookings.

While large-scale events have specific, multifaceted requirements, there’s a noticeable rise among smaller corporate and leisure groups that favor streamlined processes. This trend is apparent within the SMERFE sector: Social, Military, Education, Religious, Fraternal, and Ethnic groups. To them, swift and straightforward booking procedures are invaluable. To illustrate the magnitude, consider the sports and team travel niche. According to Sports ETA, individual sports travelers’ overnight stays surged by 86.0% YoY in 2021, culminating in 66.5 million room nights. Impressively, this resilient segment persisted even amidst pandemic challenges.

Such leisure group coordinators anticipate the convenience that individual travelers have grown accustomed to. With many of these bookings for personal events,

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DECEMBER 2023

24/7 reservation capabilities are paramount, eliminating the constraints of standard office hours or prolonged proposal waits.

Insights from GroupSync reveal: • 37% of organizers prefer to book beyond typical business hours.

• A significant 74% of all bookings encompass fewer than 25 peak rooms.

• 89% of bookings peak with fewer than 50 rooms.

On average, these planners are securing around 13 rooms. They desire immediate booking access, complemented by current hotel visuals and information.

Herein lies the crux: these coordinators are driven by convenience and the confidence that their hotel choice aligns with their group’s needs.

While these smaller groups are substantial in number, it’s worth noting the significance of larger group bookings. Hotels have historically pursued larger groups with zeal. Though they account for roughly 20% of transactions, they contribute a whopping

“

With advancements like instant group bookings and the sustained allure of larger group revenues, both leisure group coordinators and hoteliers stand to benefit immensely from this digital revolution.

<< www.LeisureGroupTravel.com

”

80% of the revenue. This disproportionate revenue share underscores the critical role these big groups play in the hotel industry’s profitability.

Other progressive trends in online group bookings encompass: • Narrowed Booking Windows: Owing to factors like pandemic repercussions and economic shifts, planners are showing a propensity to finalize bookings closer to the event dates.

• Compact, Regular Meetings: These often localized meetings underline the burgeoning appeal of airport hotels as prime venues. With the remote work paradigm, it’s feasible for teams to fly in, conduct their meeting, and depart, all with utmost efficiency.

• AI Integration in Group Booking: Innovators like GroupSync are harnessing AI’s potential to refine the user journey, from personalized hotel suggestions to a more intuitive search and booking procedure.

GroupSync’s Instant Booking feature has been instrumental in propelling these trends in the past year. With their expanding marketplace, the end of Q1 2024 anticipates GroupSync offering instant bookings in 30,000 hotels, in addition to the existing 200,000 accessible via RFP. In summation, the group travel sector is undergoing a pivotal shift. With advancements like instant group bookings and the sustained allure of larger group revenues, both leisure group coordinators and hoteliers stand to benefit immensely from this digital revolution.

2

For more information, visit groups360.com

A Look Ahead: To Increase Travel, Improve the Travel Process

BY GEOFF FREEMAN

A

s many have experienced lately, air travel in America is not working as well as it should.

Air travel is safer than ever, but it is often slow, inefficient and unpredictable. In fact, the latest quarterly survey from U.S. Travel Association and Ipsos revealed that nearly two-thirds of recent air travelers find the experience the same or worse than going to the DMV.

CURRENT STATE OF TRAVEL Traveler frustrations are understandable.

It can take over two hours to clear Customs at key gateways, in extreme cases.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wait times are inconsistent, and the security screening experience has not evolved for the majority of passengers in the last 20 years.

And before international travelers even get to the airport, top U.S. inbound source markets are waiting more than 400 days on average to get a visitor visa interview.

U.S. citizens are waiting 8-11 weeks for passports, and it takes 4-6 months to get into the Global Entry program.

This is not the experience travelers deserve, but there are steps the federal government can take to build a stronger, more efficient travel industry.

CAUSES Travel in America was not always so challenged; this is not just a hangover from the COVID era.

The current state of travel is the result of

years of federal underinvestment in travel.

For example, there are 1,200 fewer air traffic controllers than a decade ago.

Customs and Border Protection is 1,700 officers short of demand, resulting in long lines at Customs for arriving passengers. Nearly six in 10 recent air travelers (59%) say as a result of advances in security technology, it is time for the government to reassess certain security measures.

COST OF TRAVEL INEFFICIENCIES The survey also revealed a significant cost due to these travel inefficiencies.

On average, air travelers are avoiding two trips in the next year due to air travel hassles. This equates to 27 million trips avoided and $71 billion in losses for the U.S. economy over the next year, including $4.5 billion in lost tax revenue.

Top reasons are the likelihood of flight delays or cancellations and airport process hassles—issues that arise, in part, due to government inefficiencies.

These avoided trips would come at a time when overall travel demand is normalizing after the post-pandemic surge. Domestic leisure travel—which led the industry’s overall recovery—shows modest rates of

“

I believe sustainable tourism development is key to ensuring resilience for our industry, our economy, and our future.

”

growth of 2% in 2023 and 2024, according to the U.S. Travel Association’s forecast.

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES If the federal government can get it right, half of air travelers said they would travel more in the next six months if the travel experience improved. The government should focus on two key areas to improve the air travel system.

First, we need a long-term Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill and permanent leadership in the form of an agency administrator. The air travel experience is not going to get better until there are significant and sustained investments in the FAA. There was a shortterm patch to keep the agency funded but Congress must now move forward the new investments in earnest.

Second, the U.S. must take a more active role in learning from best practices among our competitors and keep improving the travel experience at every step of the process to help the United States better compete for and win more global travelers.

Travel is vital to the American economy, but the system needs to work. The pandemic stole the ability to travel, thus travelers were willing to put up with hassles. That is no longer the case. Today, the experience matters more than it did a year or two ago, and travelers are making more rational decisions.

But if the federal government can roll up its sleeves and focus on working with the private sector to improve the experience and efficiency of the air travel system, it will pay economic dividends into the future.

2

For more information, visit www.ustravel.org

www.LeisureGroupTravel.com << DECEMBER 2023

15

INDUSTRY FORECAST

Motorcoach Industry Bouncing Back Nicely

BY SCOTT MICHAEL

T

he private sector motorcoach industry lost nearly one-half of its companies during the pandemic, according to the Department of Transportation data for U.S. for-hire motorcoach companies. The survivors were typically better managed, perhaps a little stronger financially, but more importantly had strong networks, including associations, to stay informed about critical government support opportunities like PPP loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loans, Main Street Lending Program, and CERTS grants where a massive industry effort generated a $2 billion bailout.

The motorcoach industry that emerged post-COVID is vibrant and more adept at pivoting to meet customer needs and finding ways to manage scarce vehicle and driver resources. With less capacity, the demand for coaches is impacting charter and tour rates. Drivers, support staff, fuel, and even new vehicles all cost more post-COVID. Current buyers of motorcoach services learned the lessons from 2022 of tight capacity and are now booking motorcoach services sometimes as much as a year earlier. Additionally, with tight capacity in 2022, many buyers of charter services cast their net broader only to find they booked their trip with a broker. In general, brokers do not own and maintain motorcoaches, nor do they hire or train drivers.

PARTNERS MEAN RELATIONSHIPS Knowing who your partners are is even more important in today’s world, and building relationships remains key.

Tour organizers can start with their

16

DECEMBER 2023

existing networks when looking for recommendations for a motorcoach company, as most motorcoach companies have built their own networks of people they trust.

Other tools to find a reputable motorcoach company include looking for their affiliation with a state/ regional and national association or turning to UMA’s lead service - BusRates.com that enables buyers to send a request to multiple companies in a market with one click.

AN EYE TO THE FUTURE In the next few years, we see the industry continuing to stabilize as companies adjust to the new competitive environment in their communities, as the labor market calms down, and the supply chain challenges continue to improve.

It seems counterintuitive with all the companies and vehicles that have left the market, but the supply of pre-owned motorcoaches that usually helps start new companies is unusually low right now.

Manufacturers have been unable keep up with demand for new motorcoaches, which has put added pressure on the pre-owned market for those looking to expand and for new entrants.

“

SUMMARY

The modern motorcoach industry provides green, safe transportation to nearly 600 million passenger trips annually in charter, tour, and scheduled service.

<< www.LeisureGroupTravel.com

We do expect more competitors eventually, but there is another factor impacting longterm planning for motorcoach companies: environmental regulations of emissions.

With California leading the way, a collection of like-minded states and the Federal EPA are imposing an escalating series of limits on various pollutants. UMA and others are working to ensure that motorcoaches can continue to serve customers across the country, and to educate about the impact of proposed regulations.

Motorcoaches are already the greenest form of travel as clean diesel technology dramatically reduced emissions. In a recent study entitled, “Getting There Greener,” the Union of Concerned Scientists found that motorcoaches offered “the smallest footprint of any mode for people traveling alone or with a companion.” It’s plain and simple: buses are the low-carbon travel champ. Every person that chooses motorcoach travel instead of driving alone reduces his or her carbon dioxide emissions by an average of 85%.

New technologies are on the horizon to further reduce carbon emissions. These include battery electric motorcoaches for limited range, while hydrogen fuel cell electric motorcoaches may become the logical choice for long-distance travel.

”

The modern motorcoach industry provides green, safe transportation to nearly 600 million passenger trips annually in charter, tour, and scheduled service.

Book your trip early with a reputable motorcoach company and avoid brokers.

Develop a relationship of trust that will likely serve you both for many years.

2

For more information, visit uma.org.

GET A BETTER VIEW Subscribers to InSite from Leisure Group Travel are treated to an array of online exclusive articles, insight from our editorial team and industry professionals.

Join 10,000 of your industry colleagues by subscribing to InSite!

Scan the QR code to subscribe or visit leisuregrouptravel.com

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America250

M

The country is gearing up for its semiquincentennial and a big burst of patriotism • BY RANDY MINK

any Americans are totally unaware of it, but a major national celebration is on the horizon.

Expected to boost tourism, America250 comprises a series of special events and museum exhibitions that honor our nation’s founding. The red-letter day will be July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, but events will take place months before and after.

Many are already comparing America250 to the country’s bicentennial bash in 1976, a star-spangled commemoration that, for those old enough to remember, evokes memories bathed in red, white and blue. Besides the national semiquincentennial commission (composed of private citizens and public officials), 38 states so far have established their own commissions.

Representatives from those state bodies and from various

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DECEMBER 2023

historical and cultural institutions will gather next March at Colonial Williamsburg for America250’s second annual planning session. (The inaugural meeting was held there last March.)

Williamsburg makes a logical meeting place, as the national commission mirrors the 18th century committees of correspondence, groups through which the British American colonies began to communicate and coordinate action as they faced Parliamentary taxation and threats to their rights as Englishmen.

As home to the original 13 colonies, the Eastern Seaboard as a whole naturally will be a prime focus of semiquincentennial festivities and observances, with Virginia— the first, largest and most prosperous colony—in a starring role.

One signature event will be Sail250 Virginia (June

<< www.LeisureGroupTravel.com

12-14 and June 19-22, 2026), which will feature an international fleet of tall ships and military vessels in Norfolk and other ports.

In Richmond, the 250th anniversary of Patrick Henry’s rousing “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech will be celebrated at St. John’s Church on March 23, 2025, followed by the grand opening of the Give Me Liberty exhibition at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.

The countdown to 2026 has begun.

Leisure Group Travel will honor this event with a series of America250 special sections beginning in June 2024.

For more information, log on to www.america250.org and www.va250.org.

America250 comprises a series of special events that will honor our nation’s founding.

Discover

TIMELESS MOMENTS

AT THE WORLD'S LARGEST AMERICAN HISTORY MUSEUM.

Bring the past to life with a Colonial Williamsburg experience.

Take a tour. Enjoy an interactive evening program. Dine at an 18th-century tavern. Visit our two world-class art museums.

Relax and play at our award-winning spa, golf club, tennis club, and four pools. At the end of the day, retire to one of our five hotels, just steps away from the Historic Area. Spending time together has never been easier.

Discounts available for groups of 15 or more.

BOOK YOUR GETAWAY TODAY For more information, please call 1.800.228.8878 or email groupsales@cwf.org.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TRAVEL ALLIANCE PARTNERS

Expand your business opportunities at the annual Travel Alliance Partners (TAP) Conference.

2024 TRAVEL TRADE SHOWS UNLEASHED: A GUIDE FOR TOUR PLANNERS

I

Travel trade shows throughout 2024 promise to bring innovative insights and creative collaborations to help decode the future of travel • BY HEATHER DALE

n the dynamic realm of travel, 2024 boasts a constellation of trade shows expected to shift the industry paradigm. As we stand on the cusp of innovation, these events emerge as the epicenters for

22

DECEMBER 2023

industry leaders and peers to engage with and learn from one another.

From mind-blowing new AI technologies to sustainable practices shaping future exploration, the upcoming events are poised to be

<< www.LeisureGroupTravel.com

incredibly transformative. Take a journey through the corridors of industry knowledge, make new connections and discover where new synergies and impactful narratives will help define the trajectory and future of travel.

GROUP TOUR? BRING IT TO 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.

Scan to plan your event.

VisitMyrtleBeach.com/Groups

2024 TRAVEL TRADE SHOWS UNLEASHED

ABA Marketplace 2024 ▶ IN ATTENDANCE:

This conference is an excellent way for motorcoach and tour operators, as well as travel industry suppliers, to kick off the new year.

▶ SHOW DETAILS:

This appointment-based show highlights four key elements of what ABA Marketplace offers: • The most qualified business opportunities • Highest ROI • Strategic, high-quality education • Invaluable network These will assist tour operators and industry suppliers in getting a great return on their investment.

Vetted business opportunities for itinerary solutions are offered to attendees with one-on-one professional appointments.

Additionally, quality tour products are provided to buy and sell. They also offer quality seminars led by top national speakers and industry professionals, lending to a highquality education. Furthermore, ABA Marketplace provides an invaluable network and opportunities to develop business relationships with fellow tourism colleagues.

▶ LOCATION:

ABA Marketplace 2024 will be held at the Music City Center in, you guessed it, Nashville, Tennessee. Music City Center is an impressive 2.1 millionsquare-foot convention center located in the heart of Downtown Nashville.

▶ EVENT DATE:

Saturday, January 13 – Tuesday, January 16, 2024 Register early for your place at the conference, as the event is an appointment-based show. Registration and pricing information can be found on their website (marketplace.buses. org/registration/registration-pricing/).

24

DECEMBER 2023

IITA 2024 Summit ▶ IN ATTENDANCE:

Attendees include inbound tour operators, buyers, DMOs and hotels, attractions, activities, transportation, and restaurants.

▶ SHOW DETAILS:

The 2024 summit will begin with a welcome reception where inbound tourism colleagues can introduce themselves and mingle.

Events are scheduled throughout the four-day conference. These include breakout sessions, speed networking appointments and multiple specialized forums. In addition, breakfasts and luncheons fill portions of the conference followed by a closing reception, dinner and a dance.

▶ LOCATION:

The event will be held at the Renasant Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee. In fact, it is conveniently located a skywalk away from your lodging at the Sheraton Hotel Downtown close to popular Beale Street.

▶ EVENT DATE :

Sunday, February 11 – Wednesday, February 14, 2024 Find out more at inboundtravel. org/summit/event-schedule.

“Our Summit is an intimate gathering of those involved in international inbound travel to the U.S. While the business conducted is important, the main attraction is really our robust education program focused on the most timely and relevant topics, like recovery progress, sustainability, and emerging – and re-emerging – markets.”

<< www.LeisureGroupTravel.com

– Lisa Simon, CEO/Executive Director

Heritage Clubs | Peer Group Chicago 2024 ▶ IN ATTENDANCE:

The annual group travel trade show is a must-attend event for travel industry partners and bank club directors. Partners like destinations, suppliers and travel or bank vendors who market to bank clubs have opportunities to connect with and learn from fellow colleagues.

▶ SHOW DETAILS:

“Navigating the future of bank travel” is the motto of Heritage Clubs International, a top bank marketing organization in North America. They offer members exclusive educational programs, networking events and cutting-edge resources.

Bankers can engage in insightful sessions uncovering strategies for financial industry banking relationships.

Networking opportunities and customized solutions help banks with specific needs and future growth. Partners in attendance will have exclusive access to Bank Travel Club directors who are seeking new attractions and destinations. One-onone appointments between directors and partners are guaranteed.

▶ LOCATION:

Chicago is the symbol of unity and resilience, so it’s no wonder why Heritage Clubs is holding its Peer Group Conference 2024 in the Windy City.

You won’t have to go far when you step off the plane at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. The conference is at the renowned Hilton O’Hare Hotel, conveniently located right in the airport.

▶ EVENT DATE :

Monday, February 26 – Friday, March 1, 2024 For more information, visit www.heritageclubs.com/ PeerGroup2024 today.

Circle Wisconsin Midwest Marketplace ▶ IN ATTENDANCE:

Tour Operators, Travel Planners and Suppliers from across the United States and Canada will be in attendance at the annual Midwest Marketplace.

▶ SHOW DETAILS:

Since 2014, this annual event has been a go-to industry event for creating unforgettable itineraries for groups. Tour operators and planners interested in touring the Midwest region will have opportunities to network with regional group-friendly suppliers.

During three appointment sessions, tour operators can mingle with over 90 groupfriendly suppliers from the Midwest. Additionally, suppliers from around the Midwest states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and North and South Dakota will attend and meet with more than 35 planners and operators in 6-minute appointments.

Additionally, tour operators and planners can join the Post Marketplace FAM Tour of the Lake Winnebago region after the conference comes to a close.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to create unforgettable memories for your groups.

▶ LOCATION:

Midwest Marketplace will be held at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

▶ EVENT DATE :

Sunday, April 14 – Monday, April 16, 2024 Visit midwestmarketplace.org for details.

Accent Travel Network | Accent West Conference ▶ IN ATTENDANCE:

Tour operators and suppliers from around the country will gather together to collaborate and grow their businesses.

▶ SHOW DETAILS:

Kick off the annual Accent Travel Network’s West Conference with a tour of the host city of Branson, Missouri, on an exciting FAM Tour. Afterward, enjoy a Welcome Reception followed by two days of conference events. Begin with a keynote speaker and a panel discussion. Next, the floor opens up for one of the most anticipated travel trade shows of 2024. Other activities include brainstorming sessions between operators and suppliers. There will also be opportunities to create itineraries with

the help of fellow colleagues. Dinner and entertainment cap off the evening with presentations of itineraries and a best practices session concluding the Accent West Conference.

▶ LOCATION:

Branson, Missouri is the host city in 2024 at the Hilton Branson Convention Center.

It is conveniently located across the street from Branson Landing full of shops and restaurants and 15 minutes from the Titanic Museum.

▶ EVENT DATE :

Monday, May 6 – Friday, May 10, 2024 Find out more at accenttravelnetwork. com/accent-west.

2024 TRAVEL TRADE SHOWS UNLEASHED

TAP Tap Dance By Break the Ice Media ▶ IN ATTENDANCE:

TAP partners and tour operators will attend with suppliers from around the country in a two-day, all-access event.

▶ SHOW DETAILS:

Expand your business opportunities at the annual Travel Alliance Partners (TAP) Conference in Southern Indiana. A distinctive facet of TAP Dance lies in its innovative approach to orchestrating supplier meetings with TAP tour operators. Each supplier attendee is thoughtfully assigned to regional groups, comprising 3-4 industry peers. Meetings last 25 minutes with engaging and focused discussions with TAP tour operator partners.

▶ LOCATION:

The conference will be held at the Sheraton Louisville Riverside Hotel in Jeffersonville, conveniently located just across the bridge from Louisville.

It’s also close to many area attractions including Fourth Street Live and Waterfront Park.

▶ EVENT DATE :

Sunday, June 9 – Tuesday, June 11, 2024 For more information, visit www.tapintotravel.com/events/ tap-dance.

“Many attendees tell us that this conference is a highlight each year as it is a perfect blend of productive business discussions, relationship-building fun and an opportunity to experience the best of our host region.”

– Lisa Doerner, Executive Director

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DECEMBER 2023

ATTA AdventureELEVATE North America 2024 ▶ IN ATTENDANCE:

Tour guides and operators, travel advisors, destination marketing and management professionals, travel media representatives and accommodation providers will be in attendance.

▶ SHOW DETAILS:

Meet with experienced business and media professionals who can assist in promoting and selling your adventure travel experiences. Collaborate with fellow operators and ATTA members during three hours of dedicated meetings. Additionally, up to 17 sessions offer the chance to connect with potential business partners.

Navigate the ATTA Marketplace with your ATTA Compass, which allows you to create a profile and indicate your preferred meet-and-greet. Your pre-matched conference schedule of appointments means that everything is tailored to you and your business.

▶ LOCATION:

Explore Asheville, North Carolina, during a stay at the Renaissance Ashville, a AAA, three-diamond hotel in the Historic Downtown.

Enjoy comfortable suites with breathtaking expansive mountain views and popular nearby attractions. Shaped and nurtured by nature, Asheville sets itself apart as a premier adventure travel destination thanks to its combination of stunning natural beauty, vibrant arts and music and award-winning restaurants and beauty.

▶ EVENT DATE :

Tuesday, June 11 – Thursday, June 13, 2024 Go to events.adventuretravel. biz/adventureelevate/northamerica-2024 for more details.

<< www.LeisureGroupTravel.com

Arival 360 | San Diego ▶ IN ATTENDANCE:

Solutions-focused creators and sellers of tours, activities, attractions and in-destination experiences.

▶ SHOW DETAILS:

Join Arival 360 in San Diego for an “out-of-the-box” approach to traditional travel conferences.

Arival is focused on helping you learn how to expand your business, join a franchise and grow direct bookings from industry leaders.

Ascertain insights into new AI technology and tools that are transforming the in-destination experiences sector.

This is the only travel trade show by and for the in-destination experiences industry. Therefore, they understand exactly how to help you propel your business forward. Topics covered include mastering dynamic pricing strategies and digital marketing.

Others include sustainability in travel and DEI. Keynote speeches, from industry professionals, technical workshops and peer-topeer exchange panels round out the conference.

▶ LOCATION:

The host hotel, Town and Country Resort is centrally located in Mission Valley, close to luxury shopping, golf, world-class beaches and attractions. San Diego not only features pristine weather and incredible natural beauty, it also features a wealth of attractions that appeal to visitors of all ages.

▶ EVENT DATE :

Monday, September 30 – Thursday, October 3, 2024 For more information, visit arival. travel/event/2024-san-diego today.

2024 GROUP

TO U R P L A N

NER

Here, Basketball is More Than Just a Sport

The 2024 Solar Eclipse The best places to see the astronomical phenomenon

Experience Hoosier Hysteria

SALUTING INDIANA HEROES AND HISTORY Marshal your troops to these patriotic places

Indiana 2024 Group Tour Planner 2024 GROUP

TOUR PLAN

NER

Contents

Learn more about Indiana’s group travel opportunities!

Editorial & Advertising Office Premier Travel Media 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527 P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 advertising@ptmgroups.com Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk jeff@ptmgroups.com

FEATURES

Chief Editor – Jason Paha jason@ptmgroups.com Senior Editor – Randy Mink randy@ptmgroups.com

32 Indiana Military Sites Salute Our

Director, Design & Production – Lisa Hede lisa@ptmgroups.com

Heroes and History

Marshal your troops to these patriotic places

Business Development Manager – Cheryl Rash , cheryl@ptmgroups.com

36 Head to Indiana for the 2024 Solar Eclipse

The best places throughout the state to see the astronomical phenomenon

40 To Indiana, Basketball is More

Production Coordinator – Kelsey Ledford kelsey@ptmgroups.com Content Development Specialist – Tyler Drag tyler@ptmgroups.com Published in Partnership with the Indiana Destination Development Corporation One North Capitol, Suite 600 Indianapolis, IN 46204 P 317.234.8860 VisitIn@VisitIndiana.com

Than Just a Sport

Experience the home of basketball through captivating attractions and become immersed in the hysteria of Hoosier hoops

SAMPLE ITINERARIES

The publisher accepts unsolicited editorial matter, as well as advertising, but assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or contributors. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, but the publisher makes no warranty that listings are free of error. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited photos, slides or manuscripts.

43 North-to-South Indiana Itinerary Sampling the Best of Indiana From Top to Bottom

Indiana Group Tour Planner is published

by Premier Travel Media, 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406, Willowbrook, IL 60527. The magazine is distributed free of charge to qualified tour operators, travel agents, group leaders, bank travel clubs and other travel organizations.

44 East-to-West Indiana Itinerary

Shopping, Baseball & Amish Experiences in Northern Indiana

All itineraries are samples and can be customized to fit your group’s needs.

Send Address Change to: Premier Travel Media 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527

Thank you to our Advertising Partners

A

Elkhart County CVB

45

Harrison County CVB

29

LaGrange County CVB

46

Shrine of Christ’s Passion

42

SoIN Tourism

38

Southshore CVB

39

Visit Fort Wayne

37

Visit French Lick/West Baden

31

Whitewater Valley Railroad

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publication

All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher.

2024 GROUP

TOUR PLANN

Here, Basketball is More Than Just a Sport

ER

The 2024 Solar Eclipse The best places to see the astronomical phenomenon

Experience Hoosier Hysteria

SALUTING INDIANA HEROES AND HISTORY Marshal your troops to these patriotic places

ON THE COVER: FRENCH LICK

28 ■

2024 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER

INDIANA FACTS Population:

Statewide: 6.8 million Indianapolis: 871,449 (also the state capital) Fort Wayne: 269,621 Evansville: 114,957 South Bend: 103,006 Carmel: 102,571 Fishers: 104,701

Getting Here by Air

Indianapolis International Airport (IND): Served by Air Canada, Alaska, Allegiant, American, Contour, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit, United South Bend International Airport (SBN): Served by Allegiant, American, Delta, United Evansville Regional Airport (EVV): Served by Allegiant, American, Delta, United Fort Wayne International Airport: (FWA): Served by Allegiant, American, Delta

Getting Here by Rail

Amtrak stations in Connersville (COI), Crawfordsville (CRF), Dyer (DYE), Elkhart (EKH), Hammond-Whiting (HMI), Indianapolis (IND), Lafayette (LAF), Michigan City (MCI), Rensselaer (REN), South Bend (SOB), Waterloo (WTI)

Average Temperatures

by Season: North – Spring 71, Summer 81, Fall 63, Winter 31 Central – Spring 73 Summer 84, Fall 65, Winter 36 South – Spring 77, Summer 88, Fall 70, Winter 41 Schwabenblitz/Bigstock.com

30 ■

2024 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER

FAMILY FUN AWAITS

Let’s Make Memories

812-936-3418 | vflwb.com | #MyFrenchLick |

INDIANAPOLIS MEMORIAL TOUR Visit Indy

INDIANA MILITARY SITES SALUTE OUR

HEROES AND HISTORY

I

Marshal your troops to these patriotic places

Indiana abounds with monuments and historical sites that honor the brave warriors who valiantly have served our country, from the American Revolution and 20th century world wars to Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Scattered throughout the state, military heritage attractions range from museums and memorials to battlefield parks, reconstructed forts

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2024 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER

By Randy Mink

and even a well-preserved ship.

Indianapolis, the state capital, maintains more acreage dedicated to honoring veterans than any other U.S. city, and only Washington, D.C. has more monuments dedicated to those who fought in military conflicts.

In the heart of downtown Indianapolis, the Indiana War Memorial (IWM) Plaza Historic District includes

the free-admission Indiana War Memorial Museum, a magnificent neoclassical treasure house of military artifacts; three parks, four fountains; and 25 acres of monuments, statues and sculptures.

The district’s most prominent property is the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, the towering centerpiece of Monument Circle, a busy traffic

roundabout at the intersection of Market and Meridian streets and the very hub of downtown Indianapolis.

You can climb the 330 steps (or take the elevator) to the observation deck of the imposing structure completed in 1902 to honor Hoosiers who served in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, Frontier Wars and Spanish-American War. The lower level’s museum spotlights Indiana’s involvement in the Civil War. On the five-block-long plaza two blocks north of Monument Circle, the American Legion Mall features the Indiana World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War memorials as well as the national headquarters of the American Legion, the largest wartime veterans’ organization in the world.

A few blocks away from the plaza, on the Central Canal in White River State Park, the USS Indianapolis CA 35 Memorial recognizes those who died on the last U.S. ship to sink in World War II. Created in the shape of the cruiser itself, the gray-and-black granite memorial has the story of the sinking etched on one side and, on the other, the names of all of those who served. Of the approximately 1,200 sailors on board, only 317 survived.

A fan favorite at the IWM museum is the USS Indianapolis Gallery, which features military firearms and uniforms, an AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter and hundreds of other artifacts, photos and documents. Don’t miss the museum’s awe-inspiring, 110-foot-tall Shrine Room, which contains 24 beautiful stainedglass windows.

The one-acre Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial, also on the canal, consists of 27 curved glass walls paying tribute to more than 3,400 Medal of Honor recipients representing 15 different conflicts. Every day at dusk, a sound system plays recorded stories of medal winners or the conflicts in which they fought.

The “Fort” in Fort Wayne, Indiana’s second-largest city, comes from the succession of frontier military forts that were constructed in the 18th and early 19th centuries at the spot where the St. Marys and St. Joseph rivers join to form the Maumee. Downtown, near the site of the last fort, stands the Old Fort, an impressive replica of the wooden post built in 1815-1816 and decommissioned soon after. The grounds are open to explore daily; living history demonstrations and reenactments are scheduled on select weekends.

A few blocks from the Old Fort, in Freimann Square, is another good photo op—an equestrian statue of General “Mad” Anthony Wayne, the Revolutionary War hero for whom the city is named. After Wayne’s 1794 victory at Fallen Timbers in the Northwest Indian

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL IN INDIANAPOLIS

War against Native Americans and their British allies, he established the first American fort at the three rivers, thus founding the settlement of Fort Wayne

HISTORIC OLD FORT IN FORT WAYNE

2024 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER

■ 33

the same year.

In West Lafayette, learn about a famous battle at the Tippecanoe Battlefield & Museum. It was on this site in 1811 that U. S. forces fought Chief Tecumseh’s Native American confederation and launched William Henry Harrison, then governor of the Indiana territory, to national fame and eventually the presidency. In the 1840 election in which Harrison teamed up with running mate John Tyler, the slogan “Tippecanoe & Tyler Too” became one of the most famous electioneering catch-phrases in American history.

Saluting the brave men and women who have served in America’s wars, the Indiana Military Museum in Vincennes boasts one of the country’s most comprehensive collections of U.S. military memorabilia.

In the main building, some members in

34 ■

2024 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER

TIPPECANOE BATTLEFIELD IN BATTLE GROUND

your group may gravitate to the Civil War, while others will want to focus on World War I or II. Among the oldest artifacts are muskets dating back to the period between the American Revolution and War of 1812. The succession of glassed-

in exhibits progresses chronologically, ending up with the Korean, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Besides glass cases crammed with memorabilia—from weapons, helmets and gas masks to medals, newspaper clippings and magazine covers—there are tanks, jeeps, bicycles, motorcycles and other vehicles in the middle of the room. Vintage patriotic, recruiting and War Bonds posters, along with flags foreign and domestic, festoon the walls.

World War II buffs are impressed with the uniforms belonging to Generals Patton and Eisenhower. Ike’s uniform, tailor-made in London, was worn during the week of the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Other reminders of D-Day include a paratrooper’s jacket and bits and pieces found in the sands of Omaha Beach, including shrapnel, spent ammunition and a fighting knife.

Another heroic stand, the Battle of Iwo Jima, is remembered with a captured Japanese rifle and tray of sand from the island. Also see goggles used by pilots who dropped atomic bombs on Nagasaki and items from Nazi Germany such as a formal napkin and bit of the fireplace from Hitler’s Berchtesgaden retreat.

The “Women at War” exhibit recognizes pilots, nurses and those employed in factories on the home front during World War II. Displayed are the coveralls, goggles, shoes, drill, lunch box and clip-on ID badge of one of the many female workers who helped build the Navy’s LSTs (Landing Ship Tanks) at the Evansville (Indiana) Shipyard. Inside the case is a “Rosie the Riveter” poster. The domestic scene is also highlighted in a display of WWII-era toys—tanks, boats, planes—that had to be made of wood or cardboard because metal was needed for the war effort.

A newer building showcases large vehicles in a series of dioramas, from World War II to the present day. Outdoors, visitors can get a taste of trench warfare, often used as a symbol of World War I, by walking through a set of replica trenches from the period. Also displayed outdoors are military aircraft, tanks and artillery.

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, another Vincennes attraction, honors an American military hero on the site of a British fort captured during a crucial struggle against Great Britain during the Revolutionary War, a campaign that wrested the western territories from British control. The visitor center offers exhibits and a dramatic 30-minute film on Clark (a Virginian) and his citizen militia, while a granite memorial (the largest Greek Revival building outside of Washington. D.C.) boasts an impressive rotunda with a bronze statue of the general and murals depicting events that changed the course of history. Situated on the banks of the Wabash River, the shrine is one

INDIANA MILITARY MUSEUM IN VINCENNES

of only three National Park Service sites in Indiana.

The historic southern Indiana town of Corydon, the first capital of Indiana, saw the only Civil War battle fought in Indiana. Battle of Corydon Memorial Park recalls the July 9, 1863 battle in which the locally mustered Harrison County Home Guard of about 450 men faced more than 2,400 Confederate regulars under the command of Gen. John Hunt Morgan. After winning the battle, Morgan received word of Gen. Robert E. Lee’s defeat a few days earlier at Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. A cabin on the grounds illustrates life at the time. A battle re-enactment takes places each July.

Also in Corydon, Harrison County Discovery Center has a 360-degree multimedia presentation that puts you right in the middle of the Civil War battle, one of only two fought north of the Mason-Dixon Line (the other being Gettysburg).

Moored in the Ohio River city of Evansville, the USS LST-325 Ship Memorial serves as a museum and shrine to those men who served on

GEORGE ROGERS CLARK NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK IN VINCENNES

LST (Landing Ship, Tank) amphibious vessels, which were used during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars to transport battle-ready personnel, supplies and vehicles, particularly tanks, to enemy shores. The last full operational landing ship tank in existence, it participated in the 1944 invasion of Normandy and went on to serve in the Pacific theater and Korean War. For more information, check out visitindiana.com/military

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INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK Adam Asar

HEAD TO INDIANA FOR THE

2024 SOLAR ECLIPSE

T

The best places throughout the state to see the astronomical phenomenon

The Hoosier state of Indiana is anticipating an influx of millions of visitors on April 8, 2024, the date of the total eclipse of the sun. This rare, yet fascinating occurrence will be an unforgettable experience in history.

The path of totality will run from Texas to Maine, making Indiana a perfect state to witness the 2024

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2024 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER

By Sophia Divagno solar eclipse. The central and southern locations listed below fall under the path of totality, where complete darkness will occur for several minutes, compared to the northern locations that will be able to witness a partial eclipse but won’t have 100 percent visibility.

The partial eclipse is calculated to be visible beginning at 1:30 p.m. and

3 p.m. for the full eclipse. Here are some destinations across the state where visitors can best enjoy the eclipse.

NORTHERN INDIANA

Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana Dunes covers 15,000 acres of land adjacent to Lake Michigan and

offers a variety of recreational activities like hiking, camping and swimming.

The park is famous for its massive sand dunes caused by thousands of years of wind and water erosion, making it a unique site to view the eclipse.

Berne

Named after the capital of Switzerland, this cute town located 35 miles south of Fort Wayne, was established in 1852 by Swiss Immigrants. The Swiss Heritage Village and Museum, a massive Clock Tower, and the beautiful Mennonite church are just a few of the noticeable spotlights the small rural town is home to. Not only does Berne make a great day trip, but it also serves as a picturesque location to witness the solar eclipse.

DeKalb

Indianapolis

The capital city of Indiana is perfect for the 2024 solar eclipse as it sits within the path of totality and provides visitors with a tremendous number of things to do. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be one of the three locations working closely with NASA and will have expert employees onsite to respond to questions. More lively events celebrating this rare occurrence include food trucks at White River State Park, live performances at Conner Prairie, and seeing how the animals react at the Indianapolis Zoo.

Morgan County

Lying between Indianapolis and Bloomington, Morgan County’s combination of hills and flat lands is the result of being the stoppage point

for glaciers during the ice age. Morgan County Fairgrounds, nearby parks, and more locations to come will serve as prime spots to observe the upcoming solar eclipse. While there, enjoy the outdoors at Hunter’s Honey Farm, eat and drink at Cedar Creek Winery, and check out an antique store in the area.

SOUTHERN INDIANA

Vincennes & Knox County

The counties of Vincennes & Knox will be hosting an official countdown event as they are expected to be home to the lengthiest and darkest viewing experience within the state of Indiana for the 2024 solar eclipse.

Complete darkness is expected to occur for a long four minutes and five seconds. The event will offer the

Sitting in the upper right corner of the state, DeKalb County gets a heap of visitors for its yearly classic car showcases and several riveting auto museums. Fine wineries, festivals, and shopping also make it a perfect place to stop, relax, and watch the eclipse.

CENTRAL INDIANA

Muncie

The BSU Charles W Brown Planetarium is collaborating with the city of Muncie to coordinate a handful of prime viewing sites throughout the city. Although the plan is still being developed, Muncie is expected to be an exceptional location to view the astronomical event. Currently, the city is working to build a website that will provide a great amount of information about the eclipse and related activities.

While there, make sure to check out the David Owsley Museum of Art at Ball State University or walk around the beautiful Minnetrista Museum & Gardens.

2024 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER

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opportunity to gather alongside local businesses, community groups, and more. Inside this small city, you may also find the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park and Indiana Military Museum.

INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY Visit Indy

Evansville

Looking to go somewhere loaded with pre-planned activities surrounding the event? The city is planning on collaborating with a prominent artist/astronomer and also ordering a mass amount of eclipse glasses for attendees. The city features recreational parks alongside the river, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, and exceptional shopping and dining options. Or walk around the Evansville Museum and learn more about the solar system in their planetarium.

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2024 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER

Bloomington

Situated among rolling hills, green forests, and calm lakes, Bloomington is also home to Indiana University, one of the oldest and largest public universities in the US. Visitors can take a stroll around the grand campus or

partake in outdoor activities such as fishing, swimming, and boating. Or visit the dainty yet lively town full of boutiques and restaurants. Located in the dead center of the path of totality, Bloomington is a superior place to be for this moment in history.

Indiana Dunes National Park

Albanese Candy Factory ChicagoLand Popcorn • World’s best gummies • Gold Label chocolates • Premium roasted nuts

• More than 250 unique and classic flavors • Free tastings

Breweries, Wineries and Distilleries

Fair Oaks Farms

• 20+ breweries • 10+ wineries • Four distilleries • Samples and facility tours

• Barn-inspired hotel • 3D/4D movie • Birthing barn • Interactive and educational • Robotic dairy • Pig adventure • Farmhouse Restaurant • Crop Adventure Center

Bison Viewing Area

• More than 90 bison • Prairie of Kankakee Sands

Museum at Lassen’s Resort

• Historical, imaginative exhibits • Steamboat rides on Cedar Lake

Shrine of Christ’s Passion • Our Lady of Guadalupe Plaza • 40 life-size bronze sculptures • Large gift shoppe • Handicap accessible - golf carts available

Plan your itinerary

To learn more about these attractions... call Candace Nowak at 219-301-7753 cnowak@southshorecva.com

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COOK HALL ON THE CAMPUS OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY

TO INDIANA, BASKETBALL IS

MORE THAN JUST A SPORT Experience the home of basketball through captivating attractions and become immersed in Hoosier Hysteria

T

The history of basketball is deeply engrained in the culture of Indiana.

The state’s affection for the sport began in the early 1900s when a young man observed a version of basketball and introduced it to a YMCA in Crawfordsville, where it became quite popular.

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2024 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER

By Sophia Divagno Indiana’s passion for basketball is often referred to as Hoosier Hysteria, a term that connotes an environment full of excitement surrounding the game. The love for the sport is reflected by dedicated fan bases behind high school, college, and professional basketball teams. Even Dr. James

Naismith, the inventor of basketball, noted the state’s affinity for the sport after checking it out for himself.

Indiana has demonstrated that there’s just as much passion in high school basketball as professional basketball.

The state’s competitive high school basketball tournament commenced in

1911. It holds a significant place within Indiana’s sporting culture, especially for smaller, rural schools, as it only requires a minimum of five players to form a team, meaning these schools can compete against bigger city and suburban ones.

High school student-athletes have gotten the opportunity to play in front of over 40,000 spectators as the final games typically sell out Gainbridge Fieldhouse Stadium in Indianapolis. Today, Indiana is home to some of the largest high school basketball gymnasiums in the country and sends an incredible number of young players to the National Basketball Association (NBA) in comparison to other states its size.

Numerous renowned basketball players have emerged from Indiana, including the Boston Celtics’ small forward and NBA legend Larry Bird. Bird grew up in French Lick, where he steered his high school to the state sectional championship before playing for Indiana State University and Indiana University Bloomington. Oscar Robertson, nicknamed “Big O,” who played outside of Indianapolis, is another Indiana icon.

The point guard secured multiple awards during his time in the NBA. Attractions surrounding basketball culture are widespread throughout the state, from rural towns to the capital city of Indianapolis.

The Indiana Pacers, the state’s beloved professional basketball team, competes in the Eastern League of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Fans, spectators and visitors cheer them on at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Grab a fresh-made pretzel, watch the halftime show and enjoy the game!

Located in Knightstown, Indiana, Hoosier Gym is featured in Hoosiers, the 1986 film inspired by the true story of the Milan High School basketball team that won the state championship in 1954. Still in use, the gym was the home court of the movie’s Hickory Huskers.

HINKLE FIELDHOUSE, HOME TO BUTLER BASKETBALL

Constructed in 1928, Hinkle Fieldhouse at Butler University in Indianapolis was named after the school’s legendary coach and athletic director, Paul “Tony” Hinkle. Like the Hoosier Gym, Hinkle Fieldhouse gained fame from Hoosier. It is home to the Butler Bulldogs men and women’s basketball teams. Preservation efforts have kept it in its original condition.

A place of significance to Indiana’s basketball enthusiasts, it is one of the oldest arenas in the country.

NCAA Hall of Champions, a museum and shrine, showcases the best collegiate athletes in various sports and the values they embody—teamwork, discipline, and academic and athletic excellence. The museum is conveniently located in downtown Indianapolis’ White River State Park, near the city’s zoo and Indiana State Museum.

The Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, also in the White River State Park Cultural District, currently has two exhibitions surrounding basketball. The Chuck Taylor All Star exhibit takes you through the life of a lesser known basketball star and loyal Hoosier whose name is

THE MILAN ‘54 MUSEUM HIGHLIGHTS THE 1954 MILAN BASKETBALL TEAM THAT SHOCKED THE STATE AND WON THE TITLE.

on the iconic Converse All Star athletic shoe. The exhibit continues through January 27, 2025. The other, Going Pro, Basketball Origins in Indiana, consists of momentous photographs that tell the story of historic games, players and teams. Visitors have until the end of February 2024 to check it out.

In Terre Haute, you can’t miss the 15foot statue of Larry Bird on the corner of 8th and Cherry streets. The bronze sculpture depicts Bird, in his No. 33 jersey, shooting from afar. It’s a great photo opportunity.

2024 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER

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BEST PUBLIC GARDEN & OUTDOOR EXHIBIT BEST PLACE TO VOLUNTEER BEST GIFT BOUTIQUE

NEW

TAKE THE JOURNEY

Our half-mile interactive prayer trail.

MOSES & MOUNT SINAI

Witness Moses deliver the 10 Commandments.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE PLAZA Put yourself in Juan Diego’s shoes.

THE GIFT SHOPPE

A 12,000 sq. ft Gift Shoppe featuring gifts for all ocassions.

OUR LADY OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM A 33’ tall, serene, stainless steel monument.

THE FAMILY PLAZA

A beautiful new outdoor plaza and gift shop.

THE SANCTITY OF LIFE SHRINE

In loving memory of the innocent victims of abortion.

THE SUMMIT ROOM

Perfect for any banquet or conference room needs.

NORTH-TO-SOUTH

INDIANA ITINERARY

Sampling the Best of Indiana From Top to Bottom

DAY ONE ▸Begin your tour at Fair Oaks

Farms, a popular agritourism stop just off I-65. The sprawling complex includes themed barns like Dairy Adventure (where guests can witness a live cow birth) and Pig Adventure (see newborn piglets up close). For lunch, enjoy the COWfé’s famous grilled cheese sandwich with Fair Oaks chocolate milk or dine at the Farmhouse Restaurant.

Continue south on I-65 to Lafayette/West Lafayette, home to Purdue University and Tippecanoe Battlefield & Museum. The famous 1811 battle saw William Henry Harrison’s U.S. forces emerge victorious over Chief Tecumseh’s Native American confederation.

Conclude your day with a visit to Samara, an exceptionally preserved Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home.

DAY TWO ▸Your first stop in Indiana’s capital

city is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum for a look at one of the world’s best collections of race cars and antique vehicles.

Explore the speedway’s grounds (home to the Indianapolis 500) on a narrated bus ride around the famed 2.5-mile track, visiting the media center, Pagoda, victory platform and Gasoline Alley Suite.

Spend the afternoon touring the boutiques and galleries of Massachusetts Avenue, a cultural

BEEF AND BOARDS DINNER THEATRE IN INDIANAPOLIS

district with easy pedestrian accessibility and a rich arts history. Or schedule a visit to the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indiana State Museum or Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. Another option is Conner Prairie in Fishers, a recreated 19th century pioneer village.

Spend your evening at Indianapolis’ Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, a group favorite that offers Broadwaycaliber shows and a buffet featuring its signature beef. Upcoming musicals include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, The King and I, The Wizard of Oz and Million Dollar Quartet.

DAY THREE ▸Travel south to Columbus, a

paradise for fans of architecture

and design. Tours from the visitor center focus on homes, churches and other buildings designed by some of the world’s most celebrated architects. Columbus also takes pride in its public murals. And don’t miss Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor and Museum, a beautifully restored relic of yesteryear, complete with melodious sounds emanating from the 1908 self-playing organ.

Head to French Lick and the French Lick West Baden Museum, which tells the area’s resort, circus and baseball history. Then tour the West Baden Springs Hotel. Called the Eighth Wonder of the World when it opened in 1902, it sports a cavernous circular atrium. Or view some 35 types of exotic animals on a drive-thru safari at nearby Wilstem Wildlife Park.

2024 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER

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EAST-TO-WEST

INDIANA ITINERARY

Shopping, Baseball & Amish Experiences in Northern Indiana

DAY ONE ▸Begin your adventure in Fort

Wayne, Indiana’s second-largest city. Devote your morning to Sweetwater, one of the world’s largest purveyors of music and audio gear. Its campus includes an instrument store, recording studios and performance spaces.

For lunch, choices abound at Union Street Market, the new food hall at Electric Works, an ambitious redevelopment of the former GE factory.

In the afternoon, visit the nationally acclaimed Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, a treat for all ages. Then explore the indoor and outdoor gardens at Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, a horticultural oasis FOUR WINDS FIELD IN SOUTH BEND

44 ■

2024 INDIANA TOUR PLANNER

in the heart of downtown.

If the team is in town, spend the evening at Parkview Field (adjacent to the conservatory), where minor league baseball’s Fort Wayne TinCaps play from April to September.

DAY TWO ▸Head northwest to Amish

Country for bargain-hunting at the Shipshewana Flea Market.

Packed with hundreds of vendors, it’s the largest such outdoor market in the Midwest. Next to the flea market are two prime shopping destinations—Yoder’s Meat & Cheese Co. and a two-level indoor mall, Yoder’s Red Barn Shoppes.

In the afternoon, browse the specialty shops in downtown

Shipshewana and then peruse exhibits spotlighting the Amish people’s history in America at the Menno-Hof Amish-Mennonite Information Center.

Tonight in Shipshewana features the Amish-style buffet at Blue Gate Restaurant & Theatre, followed by a play with Amish or Mennonite themes.

DAY THREE ▸Your day in South Bend begins

with a visit to the Studebaker National Museum and its priceless collection of antique vehicles.

Connected to the Studebaker repository is The History Museum, a treasure house of local history.

The campus also includes the 1896 Oliver Mansion, perhaps the most opulent Gilded Age home in Indiana.

In the afternoon, go behind the scenes and sample the goodies during a factory tour at South Bend Chocolate Company. Next, a guided tour of the University of Notre Dame includes the beautiful Basilica of the Sacred Heart, a church famed for its 19th century French stained-glass windows.

The university bookstore has every kind of Notre Dame logo gear imaginable.

This evening, tempt your luck at South Bend’s Four Winds Casino or, in season, catch a South Bend Cubs minor league baseball game at Four Winds Field.

Shipshewana VISIT TOUR SHOP EAT STAY

Indiana Amish Country Christmas

AMISH HOME-STYLE COOKING

UNIQUE SHOPPING

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

ENDLESS STOCKING STUFFERS

Contact Judy McConnell for Group Holiday Fun! Judy@lagrangecountycvb.org 260-768-4008 w w w.V i s i t S h i p s h ew a n a . o r g /g r o u p s

2024

Great Ideas For Groups,

Coast-to-Coast!

A Premier Travel Media publication

6

Hundreds of Things To Do REGIONS

CONTENTS REGIONS 49 Northeast/Mid-Atlantic 58 Southeast 66 Southwest 68 Midwest 75 West

Photo courtesy of Aquarium at the Boardwalk

79 Frontier/Mountain West

Aquarium at the Boardwalk in Branson, Missouri

COVER PHOTO (iStock.com/scibak)

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GROUP TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

WELCOME TO GROUP TRAVEL DESTINATIONS! As 2024 approaches and the group travel industry continues its robust recovery from the pandemic, destinations across the country are feeling optimistic.

And with good reason. The U.S. Travel Association recently provided an encouraging outlook for the future of domestic leisure travel in the United States. According to its research, it’s expected domestic leisure travel will return to pre-pandemic trends in 2024.

Which makes sense. Signs of recovery are all around us. New hotels from value to luxury are opening in droves and cities and national parks are being inundated by visitors.

This issue of GTD highlights that and more as we feature a host of new and on-the-horizon groupfriendly attractions, restaurants and experiences.

Our editors have scoured the nation to uncover fresh experiences for motorcoach groups of all ages and interests, and we’re proud to highlight six regions across the country.

Regardless of whether you want to hike along the picturesque coast of the Pacific Northwest or relax on the sandy beaches of Virginia, there are terrific activities from coast to coast for groups to enjoy.

Another considerable draw is America’s worldclass cities. In this edition, we not only profile several outdoor destinations, we also visit major metropolises and profile the engaging museums, delicious restaurants and walkable cultural districts that attract millions of visitors a year.

We hope Group Travel Destinations will be a helpful companion as you plan your unforgettable 2024 adventure and we look forward to bringing our Leisure Group Travel readers more of the freshest industry news and location profiles for years to come.

Happy Traveling, Jason Paha Chief Editor

NORTHEAST/ MID-ATLANTIC

Experience New York like you've never seen before with RiseNY.

Photo courtesy of RiseNY

Groups eager to get outdoors and enjoy the splendors of Mother Nature will discover a panoply of scenic eye-poppers and invigorating activities in America’s diverse Mid-Atlantic region. From the beaches of coastal Delaware to the Adirondack Mountains of New York, fun-filled adventures await your travelers. Places like Allegheny National Forest in northwestern Pennsylvania and the mountains of western Maryland beckon those seeking to escape the urban frenzy, but plenty of natural beauty and recreational opportunities also can be found in the countryside right outside of Washington, D.C.

GROUP TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

49

NORTHEAST / MID-ATLANTIC

CONNECTICUT MASHANTUCKET - Foxwoods Resort Casino, the premier resort casino in the Northeast, recently unveiled a new gaming area in the heart of the resort.

Located in the Grand Pequot Concourse, Pequot Woodlands Casino has over 430 new slot machines, a 40-seat slot bar named Truth Searcher, 24 table games, a new High Limit Slot room with 130 state-of-the-art machines and a public bar. The new casino boasts an elevated, modern look that seamlessly incorporates Pequot-inspired designs and symbols, creating a unique forest-like atmosphere with wood-wrapped pillars, cloud-like structures and a custom-designed carpet that mimics light refracting through trees. Nestled alongside the new casino is a new restaurant, Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen. An all-new Great Wolf Lodge is set to open at Foxwoods in 2025.

>> foxwoods.com

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WASHINGTON, D.C. - The exhibition Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment will run from September 8, 2024 to January 19, 2025 at the National Gallery of Art. Gallery-goers will discover the origins of the French art movement in a new look at the radical 1874 exhibition considered the birth of modern painting.

A presentation of 130 works includes a rare reunion of many of the paintings featured in that now-legendary exhibition.

On display will be works by Paul Cezanne, Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro and PierreAuguste Renoir. >> nga.gov Star Power: Photographs from Hollywood’s Golden Era by George Hurrell opens March 1, 2024 at the National Portrait Gallery and runs through January 5, 2025. Widely regarded as the preeminent Hollywood portrait photographer of the 1930s and 1940s,

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GROUP TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

Hurrell created definitive, timeless images of filmdom’s most glamorous figures, from Joan Crawford and Clark Gable to Spencer Tracy and Greta Garbo. >> npg.si.edu The new Capital Jewish Museum juxtaposes the story of Jewish Washington with exhibits on the American Jewish community’s history of activism and the struggle for civil rights and racial justice for all Americans. The museum, located at 3rd and F Streets NW and with a terrace affording views of the U.S. Capitol, features three floors of exhibition galleries with interactive tables, film, historic photographs and artifacts. It incorporates the 1876 Adas Israel synagogue, which was moved to its new location and restored to reflect its original condition. >>

capitaljewishmuseum.org

The National Museum of Women in the Arts, the world’s first museum solely dedicated to championing women artists, just reopened after undergoing a two-year, $67.5 million renovation, which included enlarged gallery space.

Located at 1250 New York Avenue, NW, the 1908 Classical Revival structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A new orientation gallery in the Great Hall welcomes visitors, introduces the museum’s mission and tells stories of women artists. >> nmwa.org When it opens to the general public in 2024, the new National Museum of American Diplomacy will be the first museum to give visitors access to the untold stories of how diplomacy has been instrumental to America’s success as a nation and how it continues to influence our lives today. Located in the U.S. Department of State’s Harry S. Truman Building, the museum will highlight the power of peaceful negotiations and diplomatic ventures for Americans at home and explore the paths to becoming a diplomat. The Discover Diplomacy Hall introduces visitors to the principles of

Showcase: RiseNY NEW YORK, NY — Embark on a three-part journey that lifts and connects you to New York City’s most famous sites and moments.

Start with a captivating film by award-winning documentarian Ric Burns, explore museumstyle galleries that transport you through the city’s expansive pop-culture evolution.

Then, fly over the iconic skyline on a soaring ride that suspends you 30 feet in the air!

Full motion seats let you dip, turn and soar, while wind, mist, and scents heighten the experience. Get ready to fall in love with New York all over again.

This interactive, educational & thrilling journey will get visitors out of their seats and into the sky all while learning how NYC rose to prominence globally from past to present! >> www.riseny.co

NORTHEAST / MID-ATLANTIC

Showcase: American Revolution PHILADELPHIA, PA — Located just two blocks from Independence Hall, the Museum of

the American Revolution tells the story of our nation’s founding through artifacts, theater experiences, digital displays and hands-on activities. On a chronological journey from the roots of conflict in the 1760s through the creation of the American republic, visitors learn about the rise of the armed resistance to British taxation, the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, the long years of warfare and the Revolution’s continuing relevance. The museum’s inclusive approach explores the personal stories of the diverse range of individuals who were part of establishing the nation, including laborers, farmers, seamen, women, native people, and free and enslaved people of African descent. Highlights include Washington’s War Tent film, Independence Gallery, Oneida Nation Gallery, and The War at Sea Gallery. >> www.amrevmuseum.org

diplomacy. The Art of Diplomacy Hall invites visitors to develop their diplomatic skills through exhibits and interactive experiences. >> diplomacy.state.gov The new U.S. Park Police Horse Stables and Education Center, near the Lincoln Memorial, invites the public, for the first time, to meet the horses and learn about their history on the National Mall. The project also created a permanent and accessible pathway, known as a “Path of Hope,” to better connect the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial to the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool. >> nationalmall.org/

contents/horse-stables

MARYLAND COLUMBIA - The 2024 playbill of Broadway musicals at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, a group tour standby for more than 40 years, begins with A Chorus Line, set for January 12-March 10. It will be followed by Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, March 15-June 16; Jersey Boys, June 21-September 1; The Addams Family, September 6-November10; and The Sound of Music, November 15-January 12, 2025. 9 to 5 The Musical, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, begins the 2025 season. The in-the-round theater offers buffet-style dining, and no seat is more than 30 feet from the stage. >> tobysdinnertheatre.com BALTIMORE - The Walk at Warner Street master plan has transformed a previously underutilized industrial zone into an energetic and walkable entertainment district bridging MGM’s Horseshoe Casino and M&T Bank Stadium. The district, a 10-minute walk from Oriole Park at Camden Yards and other Inner Harbor attractions, includes a Paramount music hall, Topgolf facility, Yards Social Bar and over 34,000 square feet of retail space.

>> hrretail.com/properties/warner-street GROUP TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

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NORTHEAST / MID-ATLANTIC

A new vessel has been added to City Cruises’ Baltimore fleet. The Majesty is a three-level yacht with an atrium connecting the first and second dining decks, with two refreshing outside decks including a third-level skydeck.

>> cityexperiences.com/baltimore

Lexington Market, Baltimore’s flagship public market and the oldest in America at 240 years old, has reopened after a $45 million revitalization.

>> lexingtonmarket.com

ANNAPOLIS - A $40 million overhaul of Annapolis City Dock will transform the popular waterfront area into a new park, with completion expected in 2024.

The Annapolis Maritime Museum offers new exhibits that provide a hightech, high-touch gallery divided into three thematic sections: Bay Health, Oyster Economy and Annapolis Waters.

>> amaritime.org

MASSACHUSETTS BOSTON - View Boston, a worldclass observatory offering panoramic views of Boston and beyond, has opened at Prudential Center. Boston’s only observatory occupies the top three floors of the Prudential Tower. It features immersive experiential exhibits and a bistro on the 50th floor, an indoor/ outdoor cocktail lounge and 360-degree outdoor viewing deck on the 51st floor, and double-height (24-foot) indoor viewing space on the 52nd floor.

>> viewboston.com

Connecting 17 Boston neighborhoods from the Neponset River Reservation to Bunker Hill Monument, the new Walking City Trail is a 27-mile hiking path through some of Boston’s most scenically immersive parks, urban wilds, gardens and residential neighborhoods.

>> bostontrails.org

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GROUP TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

Showcase: Brewery Tours PENNSYLVANIA AND MARYLAND — A Crafty American Story. The rise of the craft

beer industry is a story of America, overflowing with tales of revolution, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Join Brewery Tours’ knowledgeable and experienced Beer Guides as they share this great American story, while leading guests on educational craft beer tastings and exclusive brewhouse tours where guests learn about the craft beer making process from the brewers and much more.

Brewery Tours’ craft beer experiences are available throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland. They will create a memorable excursion for your group, be a part of a larger agenda, or a meal stop along the way.

Whether you’re a craft beer aficionado, novice, or someone who just wants to learn more about craft beer, Brewery Tours is for you! >> UltimateCraftBeerExperience.com

NORTHEAST / MID-ATLANTIC

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Showcase: Hagley Museum and Library WILMINGTON, DE— Step back in time at this historic site, once home to five generations of the du

Pont family and its thriving business.

Located on 235 acres along the banks of the Brandywine River in Wilmington, Delaware, Hagley Museum and Library is a sprawling indoor-outdoor, must-see experience spanning hundreds of years of history. It is here that five generations of du Pont family members lived — in the beautiful Georgian-style home as well as the surrounding site of buildings and gardens — since its completion in 1803.

The first DuPont black powder was made at Hagley in 1804. Group tours are available seven days a week during most of the year, with free, on-site motorcoach parking. >> www.hagley.org

MOULTONBOROUGH - The New Hampshire Boat Museum is undergoing a major expansion and soon will be a landmark attraction in the Lakes Region. On both the lower and upper floors, interactive exhibits on boating, lake history and ecology will share the museum’s collection on a grand scale.

The museum is less than a mile from Center Harbor’s town docks on Lake Winnipesaukee to the west, Squam Lake to the north and Lake Kanasatka to the east. >> nhbm.org

NEW JERSEY ATLANTIC CITY - New developments continue to unfold in Atlantic City.

Showboat Hotel’s new $100 million waterpark features 11 slides, a surf simulator and first-of-its-kind nightlife entertainment exclusively for adults.

Showboat also recently unveiled New Jersey’s largest arcade, Lucky Snake, which includes a massive game arcade, indoor electric go-kart track, rock climbing and indoor venues for live entertainment. Spiegelworld’s The Hook and Superfrico are now open at Caesars Atlantic City. The newly restored 1929 Warner Theatre is home to the splashy production The Hook. Featuring a cast of comedians, acrobats and circus performers from nine countries spanning four continents, the 75-minute show is an adults-only homage to Atlantic City’s golden age of live entertainment.

The venue also houses Spiegelworld’s Italian-American psychedelic restaurant, Superfrico, alongside four cocktail bars.

NEW YORK COOPERSTOWN - The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s exhibit The Souls of the Game: Voices of Black Baseball

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will honor the history of Black baseball and celebrate its impact on the game and on our country. It will replace Ideals and Injustices, the current exhibit about the history of Black baseball. In addition to the new exhibit, more stories of Black baseball will be incorporated into other exhibits throughout the museum.

>> baseballhall.org

NEW YORK CITY - A new cultural center spotlighting the life and legacy of jazz musician Louis Armstrong has opened across the street from the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Queens.

Called the Louis Armstrong Center, it includes an interactive, state-of-the-art exhibition with photographs, sheet music, recordings and other memorabilia, plus a 75-seat performance venue.

>> louisarmstronghouse.org

LaGuardia Airport is undergoing an $8 billion transformation to a single, structurally unified main terminal with better transportation access and firstclass passenger amenities—the first complete rebuild of a U.S. airport in over 25 years. Terminal B was aptly named the best new airport terminal in the world, based on a global customer survey by the international transport rating organization Skytrax. All remaining construction is slated for completion in 2024. >> laguardiaairport.com Groups looking for new shows on Broadway will find plenty of choices in 2024. Days of Wine and Roses, a musical adaptation of the 1962 movie about a loving marriage destroyed by alcoholism, begins a 16-week run on January 6. Water for Elephants, a 20th century circus drama set to music, begins performances February 24, while the first performance of The Outsiders is March 16. The Wiz returns to Broadway March 29, and a revival of Cabaret also is set for spring 2024.

Major League Soccer’s New York City Football Club will build the city’s first

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Showcase: Pennsylvania's Americana Region READING & BERKS COUNTY, PA — Get curious about group travel to Reading & Berks County,

Pennsylvania's Americana Region. Holiday visits to Colebrookdale Railroad* and Koziar's Christmas Village* will delight young and old travelers alike. Start the new year with itineraries around Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles* and GoggleWorks Center for the Arts. In spring, honor the greatest generation at MAAM's World II Weekend*. The annual event brings a bygone era to life with vintage War Birds, re-enactors, and more. A summer staple, the Kutztown Folk Festival* celebrates our PA Dutch culture with demonstrations, craftspeople, quilts, and food! Come fall, Reading Liederkranz's Oktoberfest* is a must for fun-loving groups. There's no need to rush your stay; the award-winning DoubleTree by Hilton Reading* will cater to your group's every need, guaranteeing many happy returns. >> www.visitpaamericana.com * ABA Best of the Best Winner

NORTHEAST / MID-ATLANTIC

Showcase: George Mason’s Gunston Hall MASON NECK, VA —Sometimes referred to as the “Forgotten Founder,” George Mason often

gets overshadowed by his neighbor, George Washington. An architect of the American Revolution and a leading proponent of both limiting government tyranny and protecting citizens’ rights, Mason (1725-1792) was the author of the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights, one of the main authors of the Virginia Constitution and he co-authored with George Washington, the 1774 Fairfax Resolves. He played a significant role in the 1787 Constitutional Convention and was one of the three delegates who did not sign the new Constitution because it did not contain a Bill of Rights.

After the Constitutional Convention, he spent his time lobbying for a Bill of Rights and died just over nine months after the U.S. Bill of Rights was passed on December 15, 1791. He was a friend to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison as well as other early American founding fathers.

At the Fairfax County, Virginia historic home and 1-acre garden of Mason and his family, the story of this bold thinker is front and center in our exhibit Revolutionary Rights. Built between 1755-1759, Gunston Hall is a magnificent 18th-century Georgian home surrounded by some 550+ (at one time it included 5,500 acres) of grounds along the Potomac River and is dedicated to preserving the story of those who lived there through active archaeology and educational programs. Gunston Hall was designed by Architect William Buckland and the carvings were made by Master Carver William Bernard Sears.

25 minutes from Washington, DC | 15 minutes from Mt Vernon >> gunstonhall.org

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professional soccer stadium. Located in Willets Point, Queens, the 25,000-seat stadium, to debut in 2027, will be part of a larger mixed-use development including a 250-room hotel, affordable housing, a school, public space and retail.

>> willetspointqueens.com

Perelman Performing Arts Center, the cultural cornerstone and final public element of the World Trade Center site, has opened in Lower Manhattan. Housing three theaters in a cube-shaped building wrapped in marble tiles, it presents a large variety of productions, from theater and dance to opera and film. pacnyc.org The first visitor center within the National Park System dedicated to LGBTQ+ history will open in Manhattan’s West Village in 2024. The Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center will explore the history of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising and will be located at a storefront in Greenwich Village, next door to the historic Stonewall Inn.

>> nps.gov/ston

PENNSYLVANIA LANCASTER - Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, a favorite with groups touring Amish Country, kicks off its 2024 season with Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, January 19-February 17, and The Addams Family, February 23-March 30. Next are Ragtime The Musical, April 5-May 12; The Full Monty, May 17-June 22; The Sound of Music, June 28-August 10; Jersey Boys, August 16-September 28; Hairspray, October 4-November 2; and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, November 8-December 29. >> dutchapple.com PHILADELPHIA - The Franklin Institute just unveiled its newest core exhibit, Wondrous Space, an immersive journey through the marvels of space exploration.

Kick-starting the museum’s

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Showcase: Faith and Liberty Discovery Center PHILADELPHIA, PA —A new immersive museum has opened in Philadelphia, loaded with high-

tech interactive exhibits perfect for groups. Faith and Liberty Discovery Center on Independence Mall welcomed its first visitors in May 2021, offering exciting stories about America’s diverse history. The center invites visitors to explore the relationship between faith and liberty in America from its founding through today by illuminating the influence of the Bible on several prominent people at key historical and personal moments. The center employs groundbreaking technology to help visitors engage with stories through film, interactive media, imagery, artifacts, discussion and reflection. >> www.faithandliberty.org

NORTHEAST / MID-ATLANTIC

Showcase: National Constitution Center PHILADELPHIA, PA — The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together

people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. Visit the museum for an immersive field trip and discover rare artifacts and interactive showcases inspired by the U.S. Constitution. The National Constitution Center is the first and only museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution. Through interactive exhibits, rare artifacts, and live theater, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages. Narrated by a live actor, Freedom Rising is a multimedia theater-in-the-round performance that sets the stage for the National Constitution Center visitor experience. >> constitutioncenter.org

bicentennial in 2024, the two-story, $8.5 million exhibit aims to feed curiosity about what lies beyond and inspire excitement for future advancements—from a return to the moon to groundbreaking travel to Mars. Wondrous Space is the first of six new exhibits that will replace the Institute’s 12 existing ones over the next several years and be larger in scale and more future-focused. Exhibit themes include space, the human body, earth systems, the built environment, advanced machines and robotics, and computer science. >> fi.edu

VIRGINIA FREDERICKSBURG - Riverside Center for the Performing Arts begins 2024 with Jersey Boys (January 17-March 24) and They’re Playing Our Song (April 2-May 12).

Next are The Wizard of Oz, May 22-July 14; Clue on Stage, July 24-September 8; Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, September 18-November 10; and Riverside Christmas Spectacular, November 20-December 29. >> riversidedt.com RICHMOND - The exhibition Julia Child: A Recipe for Life, scheduled for March 16-September 2, 2024 at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, explores Child’s tenacious spirit and how she transformed American cuisine and food culture. Visitors will journey through her life as she explored the world and discovered her sense of curiosity including the moment that ignited her love for French cuisine and inspired her career. Child’s passion for teaching is explored through her meticulous process of recipe development for Mastering the Art of French Cooking and The French Chef, culminating with her legacy of inspiring chefs of all levels.

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SOUTHEAST

Photo courtesy of the College Football Hall of Fame

From the Blue Ridge, Great Smoky and Ozark Mountains to the Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico beaches, there’s so much to experience. Regardless of your recreational fitness, there are state and national parks that provide hiking and biking trails. Take in the picturesque scenery, wildflowers, birds and animals at your own pace. Keep those new walking shoes clean on a paved path, or get your best hiking boots dirty. Either way you’ll enjoy the mountains. If water sports are more your group’s thing, you’ll find a plethora of lakes, rivers, streams and brooks in every state. And there’s even more at the coast, including boating, kayaking, canoeing, fresh and saltwater fishing and even shrimping.

The College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta showcases some of the greatest players to ever play the game.

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ALABAMA MOBILE — This past summer marked the opening of Africatown Heritage House, a community building that houses Clotilda: The Exhibition and shares the long-untold story of the last known slave ship to arrive in the United States. Under the cover of night in the summer of 1860, a ship carrying 110 Africans slipped into Mobile Bay. The Clotilda, the last known U.S. slave ship, made its illegal voyage 52 years after the international slave trade had been outlawed. >> clotilda.com

ARKANSAS On April 8, 2024, The Great North American Eclipse is coming, and Arkansas is a great place to enjoy the historic event. Two-thirds of the state will be in the path of totality from southwest to northeast, including a range of larger cities including Jonesboro, Little Rock and Hot Springs. You don’t have to wait until the eclipse to visit Hot Springs’ Gangster Museum of America (tgmoa.com) and its expanded 10,000-square-feet museum, which features six different areas, ranging from the Capone Gallery to the Casino Gallery.

FLORIDA ORLANDO — The Fringe Theatre Festival, the longest arts showcase of its kind in the U.S., has expanded its offerings by expanding into a year-round physical space. Located in downtown Orlando, Fringe Artspace is a 9,100-square-foot venue offering two performing arts space with programming that features a mix of traditional theater and concerts, as well as unique pop-up workshops, readings and artistic exploration. >> orlandofringe.

org/artspace

Located half a mile from Disney Springs with free shuttle service to all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks, the new

Drury Plaza Orlando Hotel features 604 guestrooms and some 17,000-square-feet of meeting place. Additional amenities include a resort-style saltwater pool, an arcade, a marketplace and several on-site dining options, all included with no resort fee. >> druryhotels.com/locations/orlando-

fl/drury-plaza-hotel-orlando

GEORGIA ATLANTA — In Atlanta, six new hotels from Midtown to Historic Bucksport and even more upcoming openings have taken place. The new Chattahoochee Food Works is now open in Atlanta’s Upper Westside and features 31 vendors in its 26,000-square-foot food hall (chattahoocheefoodworks.com).

Politan Row in Colony Square is a talent-driven food hall offering 11 food options, a cocktail bar and a hidden cocktail lounge (atlanta. politanrow.com). Georgia Aquarium (georgiaaquarium.org), the largest in the Western Hemisphere, got larger with a redesigned entry and new shark exhibit.

Showcase: Bellingrath Gardens & Home

THEODORE, AL — Bellingrath Gardens & Home

is proud to announce our 2023 Garden Tourism Award from the International Garden Tourism Network, recognizing us as a “Gardens of the World Worth Traveling For in 2024.” Join us this holiday season for our celebrated Magic Christmas in Lights event, where we transform our enchanting gardens into a winter wonderland with over three million lights. Take a mesmerizing stroll through illuminated pathways, soak in the spirit of the season, and create cherished memories with your loved ones. From November to January, our gardens come alive with holiday magic, making this an extraordinary family tradition.

Experience the enchantment and international acclaim at Bellingrath's Magic Christmas in Lights – an opportunity you won't want to miss. >> bellingrath. org/experiences/events/magic-christmas/

KENTUCKY Bourbon-lovers, this one’s for you. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour recently added four new distilleries to its beloved experience. Created in 2012 to more easily allow bourbon and whiskey fans to discover the many new distilleries scattered around the Bluegrass State, the trail’s newest stops include two in Northern Kentucky and two in Lexington: August Distillery, Fresh Bourbon Distilling Co., Pensive Distilling Co. and Registered Distillery One. The trail now includes 28 craft distilleries that highlight the boutique distilling movement. >> distillerytrail.com/

Nov. 24 - Jan. 3

bellingrath.org 251.973.2217

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LOUISIANA Nine Louisiana Civil Rights Trail stops have been recognized on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. Three Louisiana Byways have received prestigious designations by the Federal Highway Administration.

Bayou Teche Byway and Boom or Bust Byway were designated National Scenic Byways. >> civilrightstrail.com NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans has new hotels, cultural attractions, and restaurants and the return of major events. The Backstreet Cultural Museum has reopened in a new location (backstreetmuseum.org). Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience is now open. >> msjestore.org

MISSISSIPPI BILOXI — Paradise Pier is a new amusement at Margaritaville Resort Biloxi, which features 15 rides and attractions, including a 180-footobservation wheel, Rolling Thunder roller coaster, Hit the Deck pirate ship attraction and Saltwater Stables, a two-story merry-go-round.

>> paradisepierbiloxi.com

NORTH CAROLINA RALEIGH — The most complete fossils of a Tyrannosaurus rex and a Triceratops ever unearthed make their debut at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in 2024. Excavated at a Montana ranch, the dinosaurs will be displayed as they were found: locked together as if dueling at the time of their death. Named “Dueling Dinosaurs,” the exhibit, which will become a permanent one, coincides with the building of a state-of-the-art research center, SECU Dinolab, where visitors can view and meet the scientists looking to uncover these buried secrets.

>> Duelingdinosaurs.org

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Showcase: Ancient Lore Village KNOXVILLE, TN — Cradled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains outside of Knoxville,

Tennessee, is a utopian world steeped in whimsical allure. Ancient Lore Village, a boutique resort and magical retreat, creates real-life fairytales and fantasy group experiences. But the story goes much deeper than that.

Once upon a time, Tom Boyd set out on a campaign trail through Tennessee and encountered many diverse people. He also ascertained hatred and intolerance among them. Boyd wrote about it to change people's misconceptions, creating diverse realms and characters that coexist harmoniously. His story, "Bokee's Trek: Outcasts to Inner Earth," is brought to life at Ancient Lore Village to promote a place where only good exists while bringing people together in celebration.

Now a thriving reality in Knoxville, TN, Ancient Lore Village is a one-of-a-kind destination created from Boyd's literary vision. The magical venue hosts various events, including fairytale weddings, executive retreats, private parties, group tours, special celebrations, among others. The enchanting Village goes beyond mere hospitality; it is a living embodiment of Boyd's dream and a testament to goodwill.

Ancient Lore Village's ethos revolves around this idea, creating an ambiance that transcends conventional resorts. Groups can stay at the Village, participate in immersive tours and enjoy exquisite food and ethereal amenities.

Choose from luxury overnight accommodations like fancifully themed rooms, magical tree houses, and underground homes. On-site amenities include a 40-foot cascading waterfall, an archery and axethrowing range, and an outdoor game yard featuring oversized lawn games. In addition, explore miles of walking trails, picnic and firepit areas, a fireside bar and more. Feast on delicious cuisine prepared

by Village chefs, which can be enjoyed in a variety of beautiful dining locations.

Disconnect from the chaos of life and reconnect with old friends and new at Ancient Lore Village in beautiful Knoxville, TN. >> www.ancientlorevillage.com

SOUTHEAST

SOUTH CAROLINA CHARLESTON — The new International African American Museum features nine galleries and 12 permanent exhibitions sharing how enslaved Africans and free blacks shaped economic, political and cultural development. The African Ancestors Memorial Garden reflects on the historic significance of Gadsden’s Wharf, one of the Charleston docks where enslaved Africans entered.

>> Iaamuseum.org

MYRTLE BEACH — Myrtle Beach has introduced the new Myrtle Beach Arts & Gallery Trail covering 14 unique communities of outstanding museums, galleries and art filled attractions like Brookgreen Gardens. >> Visitmyrtlebeach.

com/artstrail

Scheduled to open in 2024, Surfworks is South Carolina’s first surf and adventure park. The park’s Wavegarden Cove Surf Lagoon will generate up to 1,000 waves per hour between 2 and 6 feet in height. Additionally, there will be an Adventure Lagoon complete with pool, slip ‘n slide, pool climbing wall and diving platform. >> surfworks.com/myrtle-beach

TENNESSEE Franklin saw the opening of the FirstBank Amphitheater and Southhall Farms with an inn, cabins a dining experience and spa (firstbankamphitheater.com).

Pigeon Forge welcomed Guy Fieri’s Downtown Flavortown restaurant and experience, which features 43,000 square feet of food and fun (downtownflavortown.com). Pigeon Force Snow is one of the newest attractions to the Great Smoky Mountains area. It’s America’s first indoor snow park and features a huge hillside of snow tube runs and a snow play area. >> pigeonforgesnow.com

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Showcase: Chick-Fil-a College Football Hall of Fame ATLANTA, GA — The Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame is an interactive museum

and Hall of Fame dedicated to celebrating the traditions, preserving the history and honoring the greatest of college football in the United States. Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, the Hall serves a prominent entertainment destination for visitors of all ages.

Guests engage with a wide range of interactive exhibits uniquely combined with priceless historical artifacts that show­case the passion and excitement of over 150 years of college football.

From “Fight Song Karaoke” and “Virtual Face Painting” to a Microsoft Xbox Gaming Lounge and 4K ultra high-definition theater, visitors are completely immersed in the game day experience and the Hall uses RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology personalizing the experience for each guest. After getting pumped up during the tour of the attraction, guests can walk the Hall of Fame immortalizing the legends of the game and then head down to the indoor playing field to test their own football skills with passing, kicking and agility drills.

The Hall of Fame is conveniently situated near other popular attractions, hotels, and restaurants.

A visit can easily be incorporated into a broader itinerary that explores the vibrant culture and attractions of the city. Unlike attending live football games, which are seasonal, the Hall of Fame is open year-round—making it a versatile addition to tour itineraries, regardless of the time of year.

Groups who visit the College Football Hall of Fame will leave with a memorable, inspirational and entertaining experience for all ages. Admission includes a broad range of digital takeaways, making it a must-see addition to group itineraries. Discounted admission rates for groups are available.

For more information, visit their website at www.cfbhall.com or contact the Group Sales department at groups@cfbhall.com. Call them directly at (404) 880-4845. >> www.cfbhall.com

MAKE YOUR VISIT

LEGENDARY Play like a legend. Immerse yourself in must-see exhibits with content personalized to your favorite

team, historical artifacts, a three-story helmet wall and the inspirational Hall of Fame rotunda that memorializes college football legends. Become part of the tradition that pays tribute to the history and heritage of the game. Book now by emailing groups@cfbhall.com or call 404-880-4845.

SHOWCASE

Holiday Magic Myrtle Beach is the place to be during the holidays with festive shows and events

W

ith its 60 miles of stunning sandy beaches, mild subtropical weather, and events and activities to please a variety of tastes, South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach is an ideal spot for groups to visit any time of the year. But during the holiday season, Myrtle Beach goes above and beyond when it comes to special festive events, making this popular beach destination a must-visit spot even more. Here, we spotlight a few of those events to add to your holiday travel list, whether or not you’ve been naughty or nice. Season’s greetings, indeed.

WINTER WONDERLAND AT THE BEACH Winter Wonderland at The Beach transforms the Boardwalk in downtown Myrtle Beach into a sparkling holiday dreamland, filled with holiday magic and twinkling lights. This beautiful walk-through light show includes areas themed with different types of lights, some beach-themed and others more classically themed. Local businesses get into the holiday spirit as well, decorating their exteriors. The light display is free, and the brand-new Family Fun Zone features s’mores stations, street curling and a snow angel yard.

HOLIDAY SHOWS Myrtle Beach’s love for the holidays can also be found in the many family-friendly live theater productions taking place around town, ranging from ice shows to light shows to traditional variety shows. At The Alabama Theatre enjoy “The South’s Grandest Christmas Show,” an annual production that features beautiful scenery, exquisite costumes and incredible special effects. Over at The Carolina Opry, “The Christmas Show of the South” has been entertaining theater goers for some 38 years with its beloved show. At the “Christmas Show” at Pirates Voyage, travel along with Captain Scrooge as he discovers the true meaning of Christmas along with a comical castaway and her sea lion friend. Magic and illusion are the focus at the Charles Bach Wonders Theatre with their “The Wonders of Christmas—A

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Photos: Night of a Thousand Candles (above), Winter Wonderland (left) Carolina Opry Theater (below).

Holiday Magic Spectacular.” And if nights in shining armor is on your holiday wish-list, Medieval Times is happy to oblige with a castle decorated in full Christmas regalia to accompany the pageantry, jousting and multicourse feast.

NIGHTS OF A THOUSAND CANDLES AT BROOKGREEN GARDENS Named the “Best Christmas Lights in South Carolina”

by Travel+Leisure magazine, this beloved holiday event features more than 2,7000 hand-lit candles and millions of sparkling lights decorating the already stunning gardens of Brookgreen. Stroll the paths with a warm cup of cider in hand and the sounds of live holiday music and carolers in the background as you take in this spectacular light show, which starts at the end of November and runs through the entire month of December.

VISIT MYRTLE BEACH Sandy Haines, 843-916-7248, sandy.haines@visitmyrtlebeach.com VisitMyrtleBeach.com/Groups

SHOWCASE

Adventures Await

Inspire miles of smiles for your group in Pigeon Forge

T

ucked in at the foothills of the majestic Great Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge offers the perfect backdrop for any tour group with more than 90 unique attractions conveniently located in one beautiful eastern Tennessee mountain town. Stunning views, vibrant shows, eclectic shopping, one-of-a-kind attractions, down-home cooking, arts, crafts and so much more make Pigeon Forge a destination to remember.

Like its namesake, Dollywood Parks & Resorts is full of wonderful surprises. Spread out over 160 acres, the theme park offers more than 50 world-class rides, delicious dining options, entertainment and friendly awardwinning service. Just a short walk away, The Island in Pigeon Forge offers over 70 shops, restaurants, rides and experiences. Showcased by The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, a 200-foot-high observation area, and a multimillion dollar show fountain, The Island is a destination

favorite of both locals and visitors alike. The Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge is a celebration of the ship, passengers and crew, offering visitors the opportunity to experience what it was like to walk the hallways, parlors, cabins and Grand Staircase of the Titantic surrounded by more than 400 artifacts directly from the ship and its passengers. No matter the season, Pigeon Forge offers visitors an adventure of a lifetime.

The Pigeon Forge Parkway

PIGEON FORGE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM Mike Gwinn, (865) 453-8574 mike.gwinn@cityofpigeonforgetn.gov, PigeonForgeTours.com

Drive to the Smokies for mountains of fun.

SHOWS DOLLYWOOD MUSEUMS UNIQUE

DINING SHOPPING MOUNTAIN VIEWS

1-800-285-7557 PigeonForgeTours.com

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The American Southwest boasts striking desert landscapes, Native American history and photogenic mountain ranges that groups will want to integrate into their itineraries. Diverse landscapes include the Gulf Coast beaches of Galveston, Rocky Mountain retreats of Taos and lush prairies of central Oklahoma. Group-friendly national parks in this region include the iconic Grand Canyon (which features hiking trails of various lengths), White Sands National Park (an eerie finegrained desert where visitors can “sled” on undulating dunes) and the cave superstructures in Carlsbad Caverns. And let's not forget Nevada, which sports eye-catching outdoor destinations like Red Rock Canyon and the Ruby Mountains. Nevada, as you probably know, is also home to one of the world’s most popular destinations: Las Vegas, the city that never sleeps.

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Photo courtesy of VAI Resort

SOUTHWEST

VAI Resort

SOUTHWEST

ARIZONA PEORIA — Arizona Broadway Theatre in Peoria has announced its schedule of dinner-and-a show musicals for 2023.

Kicking off the year is On the Town, Jan. 19-Feb. 22; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (March 8-April 14); A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (May 3-June 1); Disney’s The Little Mermaid (June 21-Aug. 4); and Clue: The Musical, Aug. 23-Sept.

22. >> azbroadway.org GLENDALE — Opening in 2024, the adjacent VAI Resort will feature white sand beaches and a six-acre swimming pool set among exotic green palm trees in the vast Arizona desert. Konos Island channels the vibe of Mykonos, Ibiza and Tulum on the largest man-made party island in the world complete with a sky bar 130 feet in the air. Retail therapy will be available too with luxury shops and boutiques. Up the luxe experience (literally!) in VAI Resort’s landmark tethered hot air balloon which can accommodate up to 30 guests to take in the stunning views. Relax at the spa and wellness center before heading to one of the 12 restaurants and bars. >> vairesort.

com/resort.htm

TUCSON — After being closed for two years, Old Tucson (formerly Old Tucson Studios) re-opened its doors to the public in 2023. The Western town’s legacy is rooted in its 1890-themed buildings, which have served as the backdrop for movies such as Three Amigos, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, El Dorado and Tombstone, plus hundreds of commercials, music videos and television shows.

NEW MEXICO ALBUQUERQUE — The soon-to-open $12 million West Central Route 66 Visitors Center includes an outdoor amphitheater, museum, taproom and banquet facility.

Albuquerque is home to the longest urban stretch of Route 66, the iconic “Mother Road” that spanned more than 2,400 miles and eight states during the golden age of automobile travel. >> wccdg.org Construction continues at Albuquerque’s Avanyu Plaza, located across the street from the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Owned by the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, the business and cultural corridor is being transformed into a vibrant new neighborhood with office tenants, lodging, retail operations and food service. >> avanyuplaza.com

will house the National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth’s Historic Southside neighborhood. The impetus behind the $70 million project is Opal Lee, 94, a Fort Worth resident and activist who had long advocated for making Juneteenth a federal holiday.

The day had been celebrated in Texas for many years to commemorate June 19, 1865, when Texas slaves learned of their freedom following the Civil War. A grand opening is planned for mid-2025 for the 50,000-square-foot cultural center that will host lectures, events and performances.

OKLAHOMA

>> nationaljuneteenthmuseum.org

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Chickasaw Nation recently unveiled plans for a resort-style development to be located adjacent to the newly opened First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City.

Situated along the Oklahoma River near downtown, OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark will be a $300+ million tourist destination with a riverfront hotel, spa, outdoor adventure lagoon, amphitheater, indoor waterpark, restaurants, and retail outlets. The project is scheduled to open in 2025. >> okanaresort.com At the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, Oklahoma’s most popular cultural attraction, the recently debuted Expedition Africa features the zoo’s largest habitat expansion to date.

Located in the heart of the park, the 12-acre project provides guests with more immersive wildlife experiences and larger habitats for animals native to the African continent including giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, ostrich, meerkats, African painted dog, cheetah and lemurs. >> okczoo.org

DALLAS — Broadway Dallas’ 2024 series of shows at Music Hall at Fair Park and Winspear Opera House starts with Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Jan. 23-Feb. 4. Upcoming shows include Beetlejuice, Feb. 20-March 3; Girl From the North Country, April 9-21; Hamilton, May 8-June 9; Hairspray, June 18-30; and Funny Girl, Aug. 6-18.

TEXAS FORTH WORTH — Construction will begin soon on a two-story building that

>> dallas.broadway.com

AUSTIN — A number of new hotels are in the works in Austin. Those looking for a budget stay will find a welcome home at the CitizenM (citizenm.com), which will make its Texas debut in March 2024 with a new 17-story, 344-room hotel that’s less than a mile from the Austin Convention Center that includes a rooftop pool and the brand’s inherent cool vibe.

Located in one of Austin’s original landmark estates, Goodall Wooten House, Hotel Ella (hotelella.com) is a chic boutique hotel that effortlessly combines modern amenities with a rich history.

A $100 million in ongoing improvements will include adding a rooftop garden, fine dining, and cigar, scotch and wine bars.

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Full of hearty American cities, the Midwest is also awash with stunning natural landscapes that rival any in the country. A visit to northern Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, for example, will bring you up-close to more than 300 waterfalls, while winter enthusiasts can venture to smaller locales like Munising and Miner Falls for top-notch ice climbing. Speaking of chilly weather, Minnesota and Wisconsin are winter havens, but they are also spectacular states to visit when the temperature rises. Minnesota is home to more than 4,000 miles of paved bike trails, 11,000 lakes and 500 golf courses while Wisconsin’s scenic wonders include waterfalls, caves, towering cliffs and distinctive rock formations.

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Photo courtesy of Celebration River Cruises

MIDWEST

Celebration River Cruises in Moline, Illinois

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ILLINOIS CHICAGO — From August 19-22, The Windy City will play host to the Democratic National Convention, which will take place at the United Center.

Chicago native Minyon Moore, co-chair of the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee, has been named convention chair.

>> demconvention.com

The recently opened St. Regis Chicago is a shimmering homage to sky and water.

Designed by award-winning architect Jeanne Gang, the 101-story building has changed Chicago’s iconic skyline. It is now the third tallest building in Chicago, the 10th tallest in the United States, and the tallest building in the world designed by a female. The hotel’s backyard, Millennium Park, is a six-acre botanical green space featuring a children’s play park, dog park, and attractive ornamental and water gardens. >> marriott.com The Obama Presidential Center, now under construction in Jackson Park on the South Side of Chicago, is expected to open in late 2025. The campus will feature museum exhibits on the 44th U.S. president, a public plaza, children’s play area, Great Lawn and a Sky Room that will offer panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the downtown skyline. >> obama.org GURNEE — The Midwest’s tallest pendulum thrill ride, Sky Striker, will debut I spring 2024 at Six Flags Great America. Towering at 17 stories tall, the swinging disk will reach speeds up to 75 miles per hour as it glides back and forth, higher and higher to give riders a breathtaking view of the park’s skyline.

>> sixflags.com/greatamerica

IOWA CEDAR RAPIDS — Educating more than 30,000 people each year, the African American Museum of Iowa (AAMI),

celebrating its 30th anniversary, is the only statewide museum devoted to preserving, exhibiting and teaching African American history and culture. An extensive $5 million renovation project is in progress and will feature a new and welcoming façade that complements the community aesthetic, a redesigned lobby and main level with added accessibility and a vapor barrier to improve the environment for exhibits. >> blackiowa.org BETTENDORF — Experience three levels of cutting-edge interactive golf in climate-controlled hitting bays at Iron Tee Golf when it opens in spring 2024.

Powered by the advanced TrackMan tracking technology, the venue includes 58 bays, chef-inspired food options, and multiple bar and lounge areas.

The facility will also include a 10,000-square-foot state-of-the-art video gaming space with an immersive virtual reality platform. >> golfirontee.com

KANSAS ATCHISON — The Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum opened in 2023 at the Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport in Atchison. Exhibits spotlight the pioneer aviator’s childhood in Atchison and her fame as a flying ace who became the first woman to wing her way across the Atlantic. On display will be the world’s last remaining Lockheed Electra 10-E, an aircraft identical to the one Earhart piloted on the flight where she went missing in the South Pacific in 1937. Fourteen, interactive, immersive STEM exhibits take visitors through Earhart’s adventurous life.

>> ameliaearharthangarmuseum.org

INDIANA INDIANAPOLIS — The historic Stutz Building, a 110-year-old former auto

manufacturing site in downtown Indy, is undergoing a major transformation.

Spanning a 3.8-acre, seven-building complex, the space is becoming the home of restaurant and retail tenants, including an outpost of a beloved local bakery, a restaurant from an awardwinning chef, plant shops, artist galleries, a retail incubator and more. A boutique car museum showcases rare classic cars like the Stutz Bearcat and Black Hawk alongside Indianapolis automotive history. >> thestutz.com This year marks the first full year the Madam Walker Legacy Center will have opened their doors to the public for events celebrating cultural diversity, rich heritage and cultural traditions, primarily through art from the African American perspective after a $15 million renovation. Madam CJ Walker is America’s first self-made female millionaire who made her fortune from selling her hair care product in 1910.

>> madamwalkerlegacycenter.com

MICHIGAN FRANKENMUTH — A major expansion is underway at Bavarian Inn Lodge, one of the biggest Bavarianthemed resorts in the U.S. When completed in the fall of 2024, the $80 million project will make Bavarian Inn Lodge Michigan’s largest indoor water park and family entertainment center at more than 140,000 square feet of family fun. The project will add 20+ new attractions, including a number of water slides, wave pool and adult swim-up bar. >> bavarianinn.com/the-

bavarian-inn-experience

MISSOURI ST. LOUIS — The new St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum just opened in Creve Coeur. On display

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are artifacts from victims of the Nazi regime’s systemic murder of millions of European Jews and others. Videos provide accounts from survivors and liberators. >> stlholocaustmuseum.org The Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, the country’s oldest such garden in continuous operation, recently unveiled a new visitor center, the centerpiece of its $100 million Gateway to the Garden campaign. >> missouribotanicalgarden.org

OHIO PORT CLINTON — Lonz Mansion, once home to George Lonz who operated what was one of the largest wineries in the country, will undergo a $5 million restoration. Built in 1906, the house sits within Middle Bass Island State Park and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources hopes to bring the house back to its former glory. The state has already invested millions in the park, which comprises 124 acres at the southern end of the Middle Bass Island, a 40-minute ferry ride from Ohio’s mainland. The island is also a short boat ride from its much busier cousin, South Bass Island, home to the bustling town of Put-in-Bay. Completion is slated for 2024.

WISCONSIN WISCONSIN DELLS — The Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park is the country’s tallest waterslide, called The Rise of Icarus, with a planned summer 2024 opening. The upcoming outdoor 145-foot-tall waterslide isn’t the only new addition to the park. Mt. Olympus will also be adding a major new outdoor children’s water play area for 2024.

The cost of these new outdoor water attractions is estimated at $8 million.

>> mtolympuspark.com

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Showcase: St. Louis ST. LOUIS, MO — Explore the beautiful sound of blues music. St. Louis has a rich history with

blues music – it’s always been one of the world’s top five indigenous blues music cities.Visit The National Blues Museum to preserve the historical significance of the Blues as the foundation of modern American Music, celebrate the genre’s various styles and recognize musicians who have created, sustained and advanced the art form. St. Louis is an integral part of the long history of the music that helped shape the nation.

Visit one of the best cities for tasty BBQ. Travelers will love St. Louis BBQ as a combination of many styles and cultures of cooking. You can taste the soul in every bite. Across the city, BBQ joints of national and international acclaim can be found on every corner. The out-of-this world flavors have drawn local and national figures including awards and visits from comedians, professional athletes, musicians, fashion designers and more. Bring your appetite – you’ll need it.

No trip to St. Louis is complete without a visit to Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Catch an exciting Major League Baseball game and cheer on the 11-time World Series Champions.

Right across the street from Busch Stadium, is Ballpark Village, a seven city-block, 10-acre entertainment plaza. Highlights include Cardinals Nation – a venue that combines a Cards-themed restaurant, rooftop deck with views inside the stadium, and the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum, considered the best baseball museum outside of Cooperstown. A Budweiser Brewhouse, complete with beer garden and displays on St. Louis’ brewing history, anchors the project. Bally Sports Live! offers a lively sports-centric audio-visual experience year-round. Also included are shops, additional restaurants, a co-working space and state-of-the-art fitness center. >> explorestlouis.com

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Showcase: Lincoln LINCOLN, NE — Visit Lincoln will put together a tour that will keep you entertained and thinking about the next stop on your itinerary and enjoying time well spent.

Explore Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket

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District where trendy boutiques, mouthwatering cuisine and cozy corner coffee shops line the brick streets. Grab a cup of joe from one of our favorite local coffee shops before uncovering what makes the Haymarket the

place to be and discover in Lincoln.

It won’t take long to discover why Lincoln was named the happiest city in America—it’s the people who help make our city one to enjoy and keep coming back to. Be sure to embrace a little peace and quiet with the breathtaking views only a vineyard can provide, as you enjoy sampling Nebraska wines in the tasting room at Deer Springs Winery.

As the sun sets on day in Lincoln, join the Branched Oak Observatory astronomer to view the night sky the way it was intended—away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Once the day is done, settle your group in for the night at one of Lincoln’s unique hotels where friendly staff are eager to ensure your stay is a memorable one. >> www.lincoln.org/leisuretravel

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Showcase: Celebration River Cruises ~The Celebration Belle MOLINE, IL — Cruise the Mississippi

Showcase: Rabbit Run Theater MADISON, OH — Historic Rabbit Run Theater, with its quaint surroundings, has been an

entertainment mainstay in Northeast Ohio for generations. Its charm and pastoral setting irresistibly draw patrons every summer.

Rabbit Run is located in the heart of the Grand River Valley Wine District near the shores of Lake Erie in picturesque Madison, OH, and is one of the few original barn theaters still in operation, offering blockbuster musicals, comedies and dramas. Several pre-show winetasting/dinner theater packages are available with area wineries and attractions, including Grand River Cellars, The Winery at Springhill and the Steele Mansion.

We are known for our group amenities, including the services of a group hostess, as well as complimentary cookies offered to groups during intermission. Call 440-428-5913 for more information. >> rabbitrun.org

River aboard the group friendly and classic Celebration Belle.

Family owned, the Celebration Belle is a 750-passenger riverboat offering several fabulous cruise options: Lunch, Dinner, Daylong Cruises Quad Cities to Dubuque, IA, Music Themed Cruises including: Classic Oldies, Hits of the Decades, Tribute to Piano Men, Jazz, Fall Foliage & many more! Fall Cruises Dubuque, IA to Prairie du Chien, WI. Come hungry!

All food is freshly prepared onboard along with fabulous entertainment!

Ask Susan for sample itineraries and tour planning assistance. >> www.celebrationbelle.com

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SHOWCASE

The Best of Historic Corydon Southern Indiana’s Small-Town Jewel

C

orydon, a small historic town in Southern Indiana’s Harrison County, is chock full of

adventures for everyone from foodies and families to outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs.

Take a self-paced walking tour of the historic first Hoosier State capital and peruse scenic Downtown Corydon with many unique shops and restaurants to discover. Numerous trails at O’Bannon Woods State Park and other parks afford epic hiking and biking while Southern Indiana’s natural caverns capture the curiosities of all. Specifically, get a birds-eye view from the zipline, go for an underground boat ride and glimpse Ice Age bones at Indiana Caverns, the state’s longest cave.

Main Street Corydon’s Spring Wine Walk

Annual festivals pepper the community calendar with events showcasing local artisans and musicians. Free weekly concerts downtown plus musical performances at local wineries are testaments to Corydon’s love for their tightknit town. Shop and drink wine at the annual Main Street Corydon's Spring Wine Walk.

Small-town charm and a warm and welcoming community are just a fraction of what makes Historic Corydon a must-visit.

HARRISON COUNTY CVB Stacy Pirtle, (812) 734-0065 stacyp@thisisindiana.com, www.thisisindiana.org

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Unmatched natural beauty awaits groups wise enough to venture to the Western region of the country. With a multitude of national parks and a variety of natural wonders, the West is one of the most scenic regions on earth. California alone is home to nine of the country’s 62 national parks, including rugged Joshua Tree (populated by vast stands of Joshua trees); majestic Sequoia (which boasts some of the world’s tallest trees); and the granddaddy of them all: Yosemite, internationally renowned for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, glaciers and incredible sightlines. Not to be outdone, Alaska boasts eight national parks that accompany its wide array of spectacular natural wonders that include snow-capped glaciers, crystal blue waters, exotic wildlife and even volatile volcanoes.

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Photo courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

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Oval Office at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California

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CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES — For its fifth edition, Frieze Los Angeles will return to the Santa Monica Airport, inside a bespoke tent designed by Kulapat Yantrasast’s WHY studio. From Feb. 29-March 3, some 100 galleries will be featured at the annual international event, along with the various restaurant pop-ups and activations for which the cutting-edge art gathering is known. Frieze is the world’s leading platform for modern and contemporary art, dedicated to artists, galleries, collectors and art lovers alike.

>> frieze.com/fairs/frieze-los-angeles

SANTA BARBARA — If high-flying adventure (literally!) is on your to-do list, Highline Adventure’s new-on-the-scene zip line trail is for you. Get a bird’s eye view of the Santa Ynez Valley as you soar through the skies over a mile and half of cables. Learn about the breathtaking landscape and local history of the area as well. Tours last between 1.5 and 2 hours with a maximum of eight guests per tour.

12,000-year-old water source that has been instrumental in shaping the Palm Springs area. The new cultural plaza will include The Spa at Séc-he which honors the tribe’s rich history as the guardian of this healing mineral water. >> visionaguacaliente.com/

culturalplaza

MONTANA Montana’s newest state park, Milltown State Park features nearly 635 acres of terrain and several miles of river frontage. Abundant outdoor opportunities and a rich cultural heritage converge at the newly restored confluence of the Clark Fork and Blackfoot Rivers. The Milltown State Park Overlook offers a panoramic view of the rivers and features interpretive displays and picnic tables. There are three miles of hiking trail that lead from the Overlook down to the Clark Fork River and its floodplain trails. >> Fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/

milltown

>> highlineadventures.com

NEVADA

SAN DIEGO — SeaWorld San Diego’s highly anticipated roller coaster, Arctic Rescue, opened in 2023. The longest and fastest straddle coaster on the West Coast invites guests to hop on a snowmobile and launch at up to 40 mph on a chilly adventure as they race through the unpredictable arctic climate to help animals in danger. >> seaworld.com/san-

LAS VEGAS — Opened in late September, The Sphere at The Venetian Resort is a spherical music and entertainment arena and is one of the most dramatic additions to the Las Vegas Strip. A massive dome next to the hotel, the sphere stands 336 feet tall and 516 feet wide and is wrapped in panels of video screens to display images and is the largest and highest-resolution LED screen in the world. The $2.3 billion LED orb is used primarily to host concerts, including a residency by U2 until the end of this year; award shows; and cinema and sport events. The interior is nearly as impressive with its own video wall and capacity for up to 20,000 guests with 23 suites across the third and fifth floors. The Sphere Experience show, which debuted in October, starts with

diego/rides/arctic-rescue

PALM SPRINGS — The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has broken ground on the 5.8-acre Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza in downtown Palm Springs. The site opened this past November and will include a new museum that will celebrate the history, culture and modern times of the tribe. The iconic intersection is home to the Agua Caliente Hot Mineral Spring, a

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Aura, their real-life humanoid robot, who takes visitors on a tour into the future of technology. The Experience continues with a commissioned film by acclaimed director Darren Aronofsky.

Specially priced group tickets available.

>> Thespherevegas.com

Located in Arts District south, Atomic Range is a 100,000-square-foot golf entertainment complex scheduled to open in December that features more than 100 driving bays, 10 putting bays and six bars over four floors.

The 12,000-square-foot Astrocade mixed-use lounge has large screens for watching a game. Atomic Range hosts next-generation golf technology with an immersive experience through games play for guests. >>

Fontainebleaulasvegas.com

RENO — The Nevada Museum of Art in Reno, the state’s only accredited art museum, is undergoing a $60 million expansion that will be completed in early 2025. The three-story, 50,000-squarefoot addition will include exhibition space, an Education and Research Center allowing expansion of programs for school groups, an expanded library, an architectural and art bookshop, a restaurant with Tiffany-style stainedglass windows and a rooftop sculpture garden with mountain and skyline views. Note: The museum is open during construction with upcoming exhibits including April Bey: Atlantica, The Gilda Region and Guillermo Bert: The Journey.

>> nevadaart.org

OREGON MCMINNWILLE (WILLAMETTE VALLEY) — Relais & Chateaux, a global collection of luxury boutique hotels, resorts and restaurants, recently opened Tributary Hotel. Located in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the intimate hotel is

housed in a 100-year-old building that has been meticulously restored and features suites elegantly furnished suites, including marble bathrooms with soaking tubs. At the hotel’s restaurant Okta, chef Matthew Lightner creates a unique dining experience utilizing the flavors of the Pacific Northwest. >> tributaryhotel.com

WASHINGTON YAKIMA — Hanging 10 will soon be a thing in the Pacific Northwest with the arrival of Barreled. Scheduled for a spring 2024 opening, Barreled will feature the WaveGarden Cove, a recent technological breakthrough in artificial wave technology. The park’s most anticipated attraction will allow surfers of all levels to enjoy a variety of wave options—from slow rolling “Malibu” to a six-foot barrel with air sections. Lessons and classes will be available, as well as an onsite bar and restaurant selling craft beverages from the region and a retail shop for surfcentric needs. >> surfbarreled.com

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway PALM SPRINGS, CA — The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway—the world’s largest

rotating tram car—travels over two-and-one-half miles along the cliffs of Chino Canyon, transporting visitors to the pristine wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Area. During this ten-minute journey, tram cars rotate slowly, offering spectacular vistas of the valley below.

At the Tram’s Mountain Station—elevation 8,516 feet and 30 degrees cooler than the desert floor— dine in two restaurants, enjoy viewpoints, hike over 50 miles of trails, watch two documentary films or visit the natural history museum. Overnight camping available with advance reservation.

In the winter (snow conditions permitting), enjoy snowshoeing or cross-county skiing in an Alpine wonderland. Meeting and banquet space is available for private events of up to 275 people. >> www.pstramway.com

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN — The first development of a five-year, $100 million redevelopment project is open at Crystal Mountain. Mountain Commons, a 25,000-square-foot open-concept lodge provides a central space for eating, drinking and gathering to enjoy the mountains. The first level will act as a central hub for guests to start the day right with a café and retail area.

The second floor provides more dining options, including a pizzeria and a smokehouse bar and grill, and an outdoor snow beach with firepits and patio dining options. Also open is Discovery Meadow along the beautiful Silver Creek. The new aerial ropes course features a series of challenges, including rope bridges, barrel crossings and treetop ladders, all with varying degrees of difficulty.

>> crystalmountainresort.com

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Showcase: Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum SIMI VALLEY, CA — Perched atop a hill with sweeping views of the

southland, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum is one of California’s most beautiful and unique destinations. This iconic landmark is more than just a museum - it is a journey through history. Where else in California can visitors walk onboard an actual Air Force One aircraft that flew seven U.S. presidents, touch an authentic piece of the Berlin Wall, or lay a hand on a real steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center after 9-11?

The Reagan Museum boasts a stunning collection of artifacts, interactive exhibits, and even a full-scale replica of the Oval Office. Visitors step aboard and tour through Air Force One 27000 and Marine One to learn how President Reagan changed the face of global diplomacy. Beyond the extraordinary displays, the Reagan Museum offers an opportunity for visitors to truly understand the impact that President Reagan had on our nation and the world.

Visitors may also enjoy the Museum’s outdoor grounds, where you can stroll through replicas of the White House Rose Garden and West Lawn, and reflect at President and Mrs. Reagan’s memorial site.

World class special exhibits rotate through the Library a few times per year. >> www.reaganlibrary.com

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"Salmon Runner" by artist Heather Wall, SculptureWalk Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, SD

Photo courtesy of Travel South Dakota

Spanning the plains of eastern Colorado to the craggy peaks of Utah, the Mountain West region is filled with natural splendors for groups of all ages to enjoy. Many of America’s iconic national parks await your exploration in this region, and many can accommodate large parties with discounted lodging, motorcoach parking and ADA accessibility. Popular destinations include Glacier National Park (which encompasses over one million acres filled with crystal-clear lakes and moraine valleys), Arches National Park (a surreal landscape of sandstone formations) and Dinosaur National Monument (home to over 800 paleontology excavation sites).

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COLORADO ESTES PARK - Alcor, a pioneering organization in the field of cryonics, just opened the International Cryonics Museum. This groundbreaking initiative is a result of a partnership between Alcor and the historic Stanley Hotel, following the generous donation of “Grandpa” Bredo Morstøl’s remains by his family to Alcor. Morstøl, who was frozen at the time of his death in 1989 in Nederland, Colorado, has achieved notoriety as the patron saint of Frozen Dead Guy Days, a lively celebration held in Estes Park for the first time in spring 2023 after many years in nearby Nederland (and set for March 15-17 in 2024). The museum is located in the Stanley’s historic Ice House, a building that once stored ice harvested from the property’s adjoining pond in 1909. The chunks of ice were later used in the coolers that became famous through Stephen King’s classic novel The Shining, which was inspired by the author’s visit to the hotel. >>

stanleyhotel.com

DENVER - Built in 1982, the 40-yearold 16th Street Mall is undergoing a major restoration. With completion expected in 2024, the project will reconfigure the Mall’s layout to create wider sidewalks, a new amenity zone and center-running Free Mall Ride shuttle service. The renovation will also replace and expand the existing tree canopy, creating a refreshing green space in the center of the city. The project includes plans for interactive elements, along with new collections of site furnishings to help encourage more people to engage in a fun and vibrant environment along Denver’s version of a Main Street. >> denvergov.org The new Museum of Illusions on the 16th Street Mall offers an intriguing

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visual, sensory and educational experience with illusions ranging from tried-and-true classics to the neverbefore seen. Guests enjoy more than 80 visual and educational exhibits featuring holograms, stereograms, optical illusions and immersive rooms that are designed to tease the senses and trick the mind. The interactive installations can be experienced through a prebooked guided tour or explored at your own pace. >> moidenver.com The 2024 calendar for the Buell Theatre in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts will include Jesus Christ Superstar, January 23-28; Chicago, January 30-February 4; Message in a Bottle, a dance show based on the songs of Sting, February 13-25; MJ, the Michael Jackson musical, April 10-28; Company, May 22-June 2; and Wicked, June 24-August 25. >> artscomplex.com

NEBRASKA OMAHA - Kiewit Luminarium science museum has opened on Omaha’s riverfront, offering open-ended explorations of natural phenomena focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). It features more than 120 interactive exhibits, many of which reflect the history and culture of Omaha, the city’s connection to construction, agricultural and financial industries (Omaha is home to the global headquarters of Berkshire Hathaway), and its relationship to the Missouri River.

>> kiewitluminarium.org

Kiewit Luminarium is part of The RiverFront, a $325 million transformational development that includes three existing parks. Features include a performance pavilion, sculpture garden, interactive water features, a skate ribbon, event lawns, an urban

beach and destination playgrounds.

Construction has begun on the 44-story Mutual of Omaha Tower in the heart of downtown. The stunning $433 million glass tower will provide a picturesque backdrop to the newly redeveloped Gene Leahy Mall. Highlighting the structure will be an inviting street-level lobby featuring conference space as well as an “experience center” spotlighting the Fortune 500 company’s history, brand and impact on customers and the community. Upon its completion in 2026, the 677 ft.-tall tower will be the tallest building in a multi-state region including Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Wyoming and the Dakotas.

The Niobrara Scenic River, nestled in the heart of Nebraska’s pristine wilderness near Valentine, was recently honored with the esteemed Quiet Trail award by Quiet Parks International. The recognition signifies the exceptional natural soundscape that envelops the river corridor, offering a haven of pure serenity largely undisturbed by manmade noise. Visitors to the Niobrara region can enjoy a variety of activities, including kayaking, canoeing, hiking and wildlife viewing. >> nps.gov/niob

NORTH DAKOTA DUNSEITH - The International Peace Garden on the Canadian border has a newly expanded conservatory that provides more exhibit space for one of the world’s largest indoor collections of succulents and cacti, including rare and endangered species from all over the globe. Directly across from the Sunken Garden, the building also houses a horticulture library, restaurant, and gift shop. Other Peace Garden highlights include the Peace Chapel, 9/11 Memorial, Flower Clock (18 feet

in diameter), Carillon Bell Tower, picnic areas, and hiking and biking trails.

>> peacegarden.com

MEDORA - Construction has begun on the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, near Medora and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. A grand opening is set for July 4, 2026. The 26th U.S. president lived and ranched in North Dakota after the death of both his wife and mother on February 14, 1884, and he returned to the area almost every year until his death in 1919. The site is on land purchased by the Roosevelt family from the U.S. Forest Service, which was founded in 1905 during Roosevelt’s administration.

His Elkhorn Ranch is now part of the national park, the only one named for a person. >> trlibrary.com

WYOMING CASPER - The 2024 International Roundup (IRU) tourism trade show, set for April 19-22 in Casper, will bring in international travel planners and tour operators from seven overseas markets that specialize in selling customized travel itineraries through the five-state region of Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota— collectively branded overseas as The Great American West. The 2024 IRU event will be hosted by Visit Casper in partnership with the Wyoming Office of Tourism and The Great American West. More than 100 regional suppliers and 40 international tour operators (from the United Kingdom, Germany, Benelux, France, Italy, Australia and Nordic countries) are expected to attend the multiday event that includes over 2,600 pre-scheduled appointments with destination representatives.

>> internationalroundup.com

Showcase: Sioux Falls SIOUX FALLS, SD — Bring your next tour to a different destination: Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

As South Dakota’s largest city, Sioux Falls is packed with cultural attractions, familyfriendly activities, a rich history and unexpected experiences around every corner.

Something you can’t find anywhere else is Falls Park, home to a majestic waterfall flowing over sparkling pink quartzite rock. Falls Park is the city’s top attraction, featuring 123 acres of green space, waterfalls and historic buildings along the Big Sioux River. The incredible falls see an average of 7,400 gallons of water drop 100 feet over the falls each second. Visitors can view the falls and skyline of this picturesque city from an outdoor observation deck that also offers 360-degree views of the river.

Stroll through the downtown area to see more than 60 sculptures along the SculptureWalk, which includes the stainless-steel Arc of Dreams sculpture that spans the Big Sioux River, and watch a live performance at the indoor Washington Pavilion or the Levitt at the Falls outdoor amphitheater. Visitors will find intriguing things to learn about at the USGS EROS Data Center (a national archive of remote sensing data), BronzeAge Art Casting (where you can replicate art in bronze) and Good Earth State Park (South Dakota’s newest state park).

Sioux Falls also features top-notch agricultural exploration options on the outskirts of town. The city has more than 34 miles of paved trails that are perfect for biking and walking. Your group can stroll from the downtown area to several city parks.

There are a wide variety of restaurants in Sioux Falls that feature well-known chefs, locally sourced ingredients and plenty of space to accommodate groups. Pick up CH Patisserie treats to-go, home of famous macarons made by top chef’s desserts winner, Chris Hanmer. Sanaa’s Gourmet Mediterranean, offers Middle Eastern cuisine with gluten-free and vegetarian options, from chef Sanaa Aborezk, a James Beard award finalist. Advanced reservations should be made to enjoy the most seamless dining experience for your group. >> experiencesiouxfalls.com/tour GROUP TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

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Wonders Await in South Dakota From the splendor of the outdoors and all it offers to bustling towns, South Dakota aims to please

O

ften referred to as “the land of infinite variety,” South Dakota offers incredible natural beauty, along with attractions and places to discover no matter what area of the state you visit.

Here, we explore three of the state’s not-to-be-missed outdoor adventures.

MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL Of all the memorable U.S. monuments, perhaps none is as iconic as Mount Rushmore, where the 60-foot faces of four great American presidents—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln—are carved into the granite face of the Black Hills near Keystone, South Dakota.

Representing the birth, growth, development and preservation of this country, Mount Rushmore National Memorial was started in 1927 and ended in 1941. Open yearround, the park includes a half-mile walking trail, museum, gift shop and dining room.

CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL Honoring all Indigenous people, Crazy Horse Memorial is located in the heart of the Black Hills of western South Dakota. The world’s largest mountain carving in progress, Crazy Horse is a depiction of the great Lakota warrior and when completed will be 641 feet long and 563 feet high. It stands as a reminder of the importance of reconciliation, respecting differences, embracing diversity, striving for unity, and appreciating life’s deeper meaning as it has always been represented in Native American cultural values.

The Museums of Crazy Horse Memorial feature exhibits and engaging experiences for visitors of all ages in the discovery of Indigenous history and contemporary life.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF TRAVEL SOUTH DAKOTA AND CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION (MONUMENT)

SHOWCASE

Photos: Crazy Horse Memorial (above), Mount Rushmore (left) Needles Highway in Custer State Park (below).

NEEDLES HIGHWAY IN CUSTER STATE PARK Filled with spectacular vistas of pine and spruce forests, meadows surrounded by birch and aspen, and rugged granite mountains, Custer State Park’s Needles Highway packs a lot of punch into its mere 14 miles. Located in the rocky landscape of southwest South Dakota and part of Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, it’s an adrenaline-filled adventure that never fails to uplift those who experience it. Named after the needlelike granite formations that seem to magically appear along the route, Needles Highway was carefully planned by former South Dakota Governor Peter Norbeck, who marked the entire course on foot and by horseback. Construction was completed in 1922. Some of the area’s other standouts include Sylvan Lake, which has served as a beautiful backdrop for films and weddings alike; Cathedral Spires Trail, a modern 1.6-mile trail; Needle’s Eye, an iconic formation; and Needle’s Eye Tunnel, a distinct formation in the granite.

TRAVEL SOUTH DAKOTA Calley Geigle, 605-773-3301 calley.geigle@travelsouthdakota.com toursdakota.com

This is a Hoosier

holiday

There’s no better place to enjoy the magic of the seasons than Corydon and Harrison County, IN. To learn more – visit ThisIsIndiana.org/group-travel