Vol. 7 | 2015
YOUR GUIDE TO CULTURAL & HERITAGE TRAVEL AND THE LEADING MUSEUM STORES
AMERICA’S BYWAYS See page 8
FINE INNS & FINE WINES See page 20
Every year, America is host to
156 million domestic and international
arts & culture travelers
They stay longer and spend more money than other travelers.
They are right in your backyard...
100,000
5,000
50
U.S. NONPROFIT ARTS DESTINATIONS
LOCAL ARTS AGENCY NETWORKS
STATE ARTS AGENCY HUBS
Americans for the Arts is the national organization tying it all together. Get Connected Today. www.AmericansForTheArts.org
New Orleans
Plantation Country
Find Your Place in Time
ew Orleans Plantation Country is home to some of the most beautiful and famous plantation homes in the country, but it is their fascinating differences that make each worthy of a visit. When you visit these ten magnificent plantations, you’ll hear real stories about the people who lived here—English sugar barons, Creole women, slaves and soldiers. You’ll see artifacts and touch history—from the grand ballrooms to the impoverished slave cabins. Swamp tours, mouth-watering cuisine, and a feast of festivals also weave their magic into your adventure. Along the Great River Road Scenic Byway between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, this unforgettable journey offers a unique look into the past. Visit slave cabins at Evergreen Plantation or Laura: A Creole Plantation, where the “Tales of Br’er Rabbit”
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originated. See the legendary alley of 300-year old oaks and talk to “the Colonel” about the War Between the States at Oak Alley Plantation. Houmas House Plantation and Gardens features breathtaking gardens and sumptuous dining. Destrehan Plantation and San Francisco Plantation provide excellent educational tours with regular crafting demonstrations. Ormond Plantation features unique West Indies architecture, Poché Plantation is the state’s only RV resort and St. Joseph Plantation is still a working sugar plantation. Whitney Plantation
opens soon as the Museum of the History of Slavery in Louisiana. Go from grandeur to the great outdoors with an exhilarating tour into mysterious swamps. Knowledgeable, fearless guides will show off the wetlands, including Louisiana alligators. You’ll savor world-renowned Louisiana cuisine. From mom-and-pop local eateries to five-star fine dining, a delicious culinary adventure is as much of the experience as these attractions. Festivals throughout the year offer additional opportunities to experience celebrations of food, music and culture. Wherever your journey in New Orleans Plantation Country takes you, storytellers will captivate you, and you’ll leave with your own tales to tell! New Orleans Plantation Country: VisitNOPC.com The Cultural Traveler 2015 | 3
Vol. 7 | 2015
Contents Americans for the Arts .................. 2
WELCOME WILLKOMMEN ¡BIENVENIDO! ようこそ！
BIENVENUE BEM-VINDO!
New Orleans Plantations .............. 3 The Getty ...................................... 5 Vermont Byways ....................... 6–7 National Byways ....................... 8–9 St. Augustine/ St. Johns, Florida .............................. 10–11 America’s Leading Museum Stores ............................. 12 & 26 Greater Miami, Florida ................ 13 Savannah, Georgia................ 14–15 Hilton Head Island, South Carolina ................... 16–17
The American Alliance of Museums is committed to championing cultural and heritage travel. It expands horizons, encourages creativity and contributes to our educational journey. It also encourages travelers to explore and be inspired by the stories told by museums throughout our country. Our museums welcome over 850 million visitors annually. (That is more than those attending sporting events or theme parks!) The American Alliance of Museums supports and strengthens these museums through advocacy and education. We are an essential resource to our country’s museums from A to Z—art museums to zoos and all those who work for the success of museums—to make a broader impact. To learn more about AAM, visit AAM-US.org. We are proud to join with Americans for the Arts and the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council in presenting The Cultural Traveler. This guide serves as a rich resource of unique and inspirational travel experiences.
North Carolina....................... 18–19
— Ford W. Bell, President American Alliance of Museums
Fine Inns & Fine Wines ......... 20–21 Chicago’s North Shore, Illinois ............................... 22–23 Indianapolis Museum of Art . 24–25 The Henry Ford, Michigan........... 27 Bloomington, Minnesota ....... 28–29 Colorado Byways, Breweries & Wineries ................................. 30 Denver, Colorado ........................ 31 Loveland, Colorado ............... 32–33 Durango, Colorado....................... 34
When we go on a journey, we connect—with the landscape we explore, the people we meet, the food we eat, the art that inspires us and the world we see around us. It’s the authentic connection to a community that travelers want to experience. It is why arts and culture tourists stay an average of three nights longer at their destinations than their traditional tourist counterparts—and that equals more dollars and increased visitation for your community. Arts and culture organizations are a part of what connect us all, and Americans for the Arts is the organization that champions and provides support for those organizations. Won’t you join us on our journey to experience, celebrate, support and explore all the truly unique arts and culture experiences America has to offer? Start at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.
Colorado Springs, Colorado ........ 35
— Robert L. Lynch, President & CEO Americans for the Arts
Chickasaw Country, Oklahoma .... 36 Chicago Cruises .......................... 37 Santa Monica, California............. 37 Visit Stockton, California ............ 38 Pasadena, California ................... 39 Travel Portland, Oregon ........ 40–41 Tour Packages ...................... 42–43 Houston Convention Center District .............................. 44–45 Nevada ................................. 46–47 Travel Planner....................... 48–50 Atlanta, Georgia .......................... 51 Visit Rochester, New York .......... 52 Publisher and Cover credits, see page 50
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e are pleased and proud to present to you the seventh annual edition of The Cultural Traveler on behalf of our travel partners, museums, attractions and destinations. A special thank you to the American Alliance of Museums and Americans for the Arts for their support of the guide. Both of these associations are strong proponents of encouraging cultural travel and Sheila Armstrong & Rosemary appreciate that visitors are a mainstay in insuring the success of their McCormick tour Monet’s member organizations. Gardens at Giverny. The Cultural Traveler is the only publication that exclusively showcases cultural travel in the U.S. We hope you will be inspired to visit some of these destinations featured in this guide and will make plans to experience their unique offerings in the near future. To help you do so, we suggest that you check out the convenient Travel Planner section of the guide on pages 48–49 to discover even more about the rich travel experiences these destinations have to offer and to design your own customized itinerary. In addition, visit TheCulturalTraveler.com to read and/or download a copy of The Cultural Traveler and to see the unique Cultural Traveler packages for you to experience. Also on the website, you can conveniently search by destination and/or topic all of the cultural and heritage destinations featured in past issues of The Cultural Traveler.
— Sheila Armstrong & Rosemary McCormick Co-Publishers/Editors, The Cultural Traveler 843-341-6392; CulturalTraveler@aol.com TheCulturalTraveler.com ShopAmericaTours.com 4 | The Cultural Traveler 2015
Find Something They’ll Love at the Getty Store Find unique gifts for everyone on your list, from artisan jewelry and hand-blown vases to awardwinning arts publications and elegant scarves and ties. The Children’s Shop is sure to inspire the younger set with hands-on activity kits, toys that encourage creative play, and beautifully
©2014 J. Paul Getty Trust
illustrated books for all ages.
Exploring Vermont’s Byways
Woodstock Middle Bridge 1969
ne of the best ways to experience Vermont is to travel the roadways that hug the mountains and meet in the valleys. These are the roads that take travelers through Vermont’s forests and farmland to centuries-old villages and towns that today are vibrant hubs of culture, community, commerce and recreation. Vermont’s 10 designated byways range in length from 14 miles to over 400 miles, and they are located throughout Vermont. Explorations can range from an afternoon or a week to an entire summer. Whatever the mode of transportation—car, motorcycle, vintage automobile or bicycle—touring provides visitors with front-row access to experiencing the intersection of the land, history and community. Museums, art galleries, antique and curio
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shops pop up everywhere. Iconic Vermont dairy farms, along with small-scale farms tied to the state’s vibrant farm-to-plate scene, sell their products at roadside stands. An amazing network of state parks and trailheads to swimming holes, waterfalls, hikes and valley views provide easy access to Vermont’s stunning natural features. Side excursions unearth the sublime—top-notch music festivals and outdoor events, and the delightfully down-to-earth—church suppers, flea markets, historical society museums and vibrant library programs. Each byway offers themed itineraries that are perfect for jumpstarting a byway exploration. Developed by people who live and work along the byways, the itineraries are like getting advice from the locals.
Carving Studio and Sculpture Center
Brattleboro Music Center
For foodies and thirsty travelers, Chews & Brews recommends farmers markets, artisanal cheese makers, breweries, wineries and distilleries. For those inspired by the artistic and extraordinary, Arts & Culture reveals Vermont’s embrace of all things creative with galleries, museums, studios and performing arts venues. The state’s rich legacy
Farmers Market
of historic resources is as diverse as it is engaging. History & Heritage recommends everything from a 12,000-year-old Native American site and an operating 19th century farm museum, to explorations of the stories revealed in historic villages and towns. For physical pursuits from mild to wild, Outdoor Recreation highlights year round activities,
whether they be in snow or air, or on mountain, land or water. Many Vermonters refer to their state as one big town—wherever they go, they know someone or have connections with the place they are visiting. Vermont is a warm and engaging place, and the byways transport visitors to the heart of things. Plan a trip soon. VermontVacation.com
V E R MO N T vacation packages Start planning your trip today at VermontVacation.com
Great American Road Trip! The National Scenic Byways he National Scenic Byways Program is the vision of the Federal Highway Administration to “create a distinctive collection of American roads, their stories and treasured places.” There are 150 designated byways in 46 states, designated by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. These are based on archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities. Byways preserve, protect, interpret and promote the intrinsic qualities and resources on America’s most treasured roads. The mission of byways is to create unique travel experiences and enhance the local quality of life. This program is founded upon the strength of the leaders for individual Byways. It is a voluntary grassroots program. We salute these dedicated leaders for their time and commitment to preserving and nurturing these treasured corridors for the benefit of us all.
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Byways.org
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General Store, Hackberry, Arizona
Here are just a few of the remarkable byways that represent the depth and breadth of some of America’s byways, spanning across state lines to tell the American story in their individual, intrinsic way. Click in your seat belt, roll down your window, lighten up on the gas pedal and be prepared to stop and wonder on the side roads of America.
Historic Route 66 Arizona, California, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma We begin with the Historic Route 66— where it all began. They call it the “Mother Road,” and Illinois is where it all began in 1926. This road gave birth to service stations, motels, diners, neon signs and roadside “kitsch” to entertain travelers on their journeys. The charm, the history and the atmosphere that make up “The Mother Road” bring travelers from all over the world to experience America the way it should be experienced—down a stretch of highway where “anything goes” is literal. From the majestic skyline of Chicago to the mighty Mississippi River to the Santa Monica, California coast, you’ll discover the legendary people and places that give travelers their “kicks” on Route 66.
Underground Railroad and a key battleground during the Civil War. This early corridor was the literal “roadbed” for the creation of our country and American ideals.
Explore the long and intriguing occupation of the Four Corners region by Native American peoples. Travel through the archaeological heartland of America while crossing the beautiful and diverse landscapes of the Colorado Plateau. World-renowned Mesa Verde National Park, Monument Valley Tribal Park and Four Corners Monument are highlights on the trail.
Great River Road Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Wisconsin Throughout history, the Mississippi River influenced many lives: the Dakota, Chippewa and Hopewell cultures; early French voyagers; Oak Alley African-Americans seeking freedom on the Underground Railroad; and many more. Through its charming river towns and metropolitan cities, historic sites and cultural artifacts, today’s Great River Road still links resources, people and history.
COURTESY OF GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK
Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway Colorado and Utah
A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway Florida This byway lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway on a narrow barrier island with breathtaking views. The environment supports a variety of wildlife, including 50 endangered species. History aficionados will enjoy touring St. Augustine, the oldest continually-occupied European settlement in the United States.
Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine
PHOTO BY A. E. CRANE
Mesa Verde National Park
Journey Through Hallowed Ground Byway Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia The 180-mile Journey Through Hallowed Ground byway corridor from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to Monticello, Virginia, is “Where America Happened.” It is said that this three-state route, spanning Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, holds more historic sites than any other in the U.S. This was an active transportation route during the Revolutionary War, a critical transition zone for the
Gettysburg Monument
Multnomah Falls
Historic Columbia River Highway Oregon Travel to magnificent overlooks that provide views of the Columbia River and waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls. Springtime has magnificent wildflower displays, including many endemic plants. The Columbia River formed the last leg of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and was part of the early route of the Oregon Trail. Are we there yet? The Cultural Traveler 2015 | 9
Congratulations
St. Augustine! The Nation’s Oldest City Celebrates its 450th Anniversary t. Augustine is celebrating its 450th anniversary with a year of celebrations of its arts, culture and heritage that have been de-
SGSDESIGNANDART.COM
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veloped over these past 450 years. Tapestry: The Cultural Threads of First America is the signature St. Augustine 450th anniversary’s com-
memoration exhibition. It showcases the story of how three intertwining cultures—Hispanic, African and Native American—came together to form the foundation of the American culture and create the blended society of today’s St. Augustine. The exhibit telling the 450 years of St. Augustine’s history can be seen at the Visitor Center, April 4–October 4, 2015. The exhibit begins with the arrival of Don Pedro Menéndez to St. Augustine in 1565. He brought 800 colonists to settle the New World in the name of Spain. It was an ambitious attempt at colonization and became the foundation for the most enduring settlement in the United States.
The arts scene dates back to the 19th century, when New England artists and wealthy tourists came to the area bringing their spirit of expressive freedom and arts appreciation. Meander through the St. Augustine Historic SGSDesignAndArt.com District to explore five centuries of architecture and history, with eclectic art galleries, music concerts, opera, theater, dance and celebrations year-round. Nearby, upscale Ponte Vedra is home to the PGA Tour headquarters and its regal history, as well as the unique Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. St. Augustine’s beaches offer a laidback vibe, unspoiled beaches and seafood, all with a colorful artistic flair. SGSDESIGNANDART.COM
Onboard were Africans and Hispanics. When they stepped off the ship into the first permanent colony in the United States, they became African-Americans and HispanicAmericans. Their arrival was the beginning of both the African-American experience and the Latino-American experience in the New World. Native Americans were named so by Europeans and became this for the first time. The settlement at the Indian village of Seloy with the intermingling of Hispanics, Africans and Native Americans, was the very genesis of the American culture that characterizes our nation today. Archaeologists have confirmed the original settlement on the grounds of the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. Just north of the city is Ft. Mose, the first free Black settlement in the U.S. It is now a Florida State Park. While Jamestown Settlement, founded in 1607, and Plymouth Plantation are widely attributed as the beginnings of this nation, it was instead the Spanish Colonial settlement of St. Augustine and the extensive territory of La Florida that served as the model for subsequent colonial efforts by many countries. This was indeed the very foundation for the cultural and historical development of the nation. St. Augustine was the first America.
VISUAL ARTS From modern galleries and exclusive exhibits to the designs of its historic cathedrals, the visual arts of St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra offer an endless feast for the eyes—and the imagination. PERFORMING ARTS Professional theater, classical concerts and a state-of-the-art performance venue, the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, all offer vibrant performances. LITERARY ARTS Florida’s Historic Coast is a haven for authors, poets and writers. Literary events, book festivals, readings, workshops and more honor the history of the written word. FESTIVALS From photography and arts and crafts to seafood and sunsets, there’s a festival for whatever you love about St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and its beaches. LIVING HISTORY Re-enactments, celebrations and interactive activities put you right in the middle of 450 years of history. Dedicated historians and re-enactors provide a glimpse of life from every era of the coast’s colorful history. MANY CULTURES Timucuan. Spanish. French. British. African. Minorcan. Seminole. Swiss. In its 450-year history, Florida’s Historic Coast has been home to an especially diverse array of peoples—and they’ve all left their mark here. Experience the story of St. Augustine’s cultures through architecture, food, music, art, archaeology and more. Visit St. Augustine and St. Johns County, Florida, and create your own journey at HistoricCoastCulture.com.
The Cultural Traveler 2015 | 11
America’s Leading
Museum Stores Denver Art Museum Denver, Colorado The Shops at the Denver Art Museum feature artistic products that encourage visitors to continue the creative experience at home. Delightful and innovative gifts include jewelry, home décor, textiles, notecards, art books, prints, toys, puzzles and activity kits inspired by the museum’s collection and art from around the world. DenverArtMuseum.org
High Museum Shop
Atlanta, Georgia The High Museum of Art and contemporary designer Molly Hatch have teamed up to create an exclusive collection of products for the Museum Shop at the High. The collection is inspired by the recent Molly
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Hatch acquisition Physic Garden, now on view at the High. High.org
Indianapolis Museum of Art Museum Store Indianapolis, Indiana The IMA Museum Store features merchandise inspired by the museum’s permanent collection and special exhibitions. Browse a thoughtfully curated selection
of printed reproductions, home décor, design objects, jewelry, textiles and stationery, as well as a comprehensive selection of art-related books and museum publications. Shop online anytime at IMAMuseum.org. continued on page 26
In my neighborhood, art is everywhere and inspires everything. You can find it on the walls and doors. You can buy it in the galleries. You can taste it at our hip restaurants, coffee shops, and local breweries. You can even admire it at a hair salon. I’m Mali, check out my Wynwood video guide and learn about other cool neighborhoods at ItSoMiami.com
WYNWOOD – IT’S SO MIAMI® ©Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau – The Official Destination Sales & Marketing Organization for Greater Miami and the Beaches. CS 01572
Telfair Academy
Savannah iscover Savannah’s rich past. This city offers many historic attractions including pre-Civil War era Mercer-Williams House, a museum honoring the World War IIera Mighty Eighth Air Force and the Juliette Gordon Low House where the Girl Scouts of America began. Tune in to world class music. Two events, the legendary Savannah Music Fest and newer Savannah VOICE Festival, bring the finest musicians to town each year. The Music Festival is one of the most distinctive crossgenre music festivals in the world,
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Rich History Natural Beauty Eclectic Architecture Romantic Ambiance
while the VOICE Festival offers opera experiences unrivaled for its talent. Try new tastes in an old town. New restaurants are all the rage this year. Celebrity Chef Hugh Acheson added The Florence to Savannah’s thriving culinary scene which has also produced new hotspots The Collins Quarter, Pacci Italian Kitchen + Bar and The Grey. Foodies should also check out the third annual Savannah Food & Wine Festival in November for tastings, events, dinners and more. Explore the artistic side of Savannah. Premiering in October
2015, the Jepson Center of Telfair Museums is one of three museums in the country to house the special Monet & American Impressionism exhibit. Other museums, galleries and the influence of SCAD throughout the city make Savannah an art-lover’s paradise. Get spooked on a ghost tour. Test your bravery on a haunted ghost tour through Savannah, which has been called “America’s most haunted city.” Some of our spirits are sad, some sassy, some friendly and some scary. According to local legend, they’re all around us. VisitSavannah.com
Jepson
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Hilton Head Island
& The Lowcountry’s Colorful Colonial Past
ilton Head Island is a colorful island resort community with a warm, relaxed attitude and unique southern charm. Its spectacular natural beauty with sparkling blue waters, lush greenery, magnificent live oak trees and bright sun-blessed days create a rainbow of scenic inspiration. The Island’s Spaniards in the New World, Circa population and visitors are 1521 equally as diverse and inspirational, hailing from not only the 50 states, but from diverse countries around the world. It is not unusual to hear a variety of foreign languages being spoken on the Island today as they have been for over 450 years. The first confirmed visitors to Hilton Head Island were actually international visitors from Spain. In 1521, Francisco Cordillo led a Spanish expedition to Hilton Head and initiated European contact with local tribes. A French Connection with the Island began in 1562 when French explorer Jean Ribault representing Admiral Gaspart de Coligny, a leader in the Huguenot Protestant
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movement, sailed into Port Royal Sound. Today, the Island’s most popular park at Coligny Beach, and its retail village, Coligny, maintain that French connection for the Island. Many other names of local sites, churches and roads echo Hilton Head Island’s Spanish heritage, including Cordillo Parkway. More than 40 years before the English settled at Jamestown in Virginia, the Spanish established a town and fort on the shores of Port Royal Sound in Beaufort County, S.C. Santa Elena was located on the present day military grounds at Parris Island, which is the deepest natural port in the Southeastern United States. It became the first major European settlement in 1566 and colonial capital in 1569 of what is now the United States. Hilton Head Island’s strong English connection began in 1663 when English sea captain William Hilton explored the Carolina coast. Sailing The Adventure from Barbados into Port Royal Sound, Captain Hilton sighted the Island’s oak treed headland and promptly claimed the Island for the British crown, naming it “Hilton’s Head.” In 1698, Hilton Head began its Irish connection when John Bayley of Ireland took title to 16,200 acres. 24 years
later, his son appointed Alexander Trench to be the first real estate agent. The Island was referred to then as Trench’s Island. One of the more inspiring chapters in Hilton Head Island’s history occurred over 150 years ago when hundreds of slaves began a new life of freedom there. In 1862, General Ormsby Mitchel established the town of Mitchelville. It was the first selfgoverned freedmen’s village in the United States. Today, many of the descendants of West Africans who settled along the southeastern coast are preserving their culture, known as the Gullah Heritage. This culture is considered to be the purest form of African culture still alive among African Americans and represents more than a quarter million people. The Beaufort County’s Gullah Consortium and its member organizations strive to preserve this sea-island lifestyle, including its system of beliefs, customs, artforms, foodways and language practices. To accomplish that, members of the Mitchelville Preservation Project and the entire Gullah community are working diligently to replicate and
William Hilton’s ship The Adventure
preserve Mitchelville and the Gullah story. To learn more about the Mitchelville Freedom Park project and the Gullah Community of Hilton Head, visit HiltonHeadGullah.org. To learn more about Hilton Head Island, visit HiltonHeadIsland.org.
Take a History & Culinary Walking Tour of Hilton Head Island’s South End Savor the Lowcountry is a history and culinary walking tour of Hilton Head Island’s South End. It offers tastings from some of the Island’s best dining establishments and gourmet specialty shops, spiced with entertaining stories and interesting facts about the Island. For additional information and to book a tour: SavortheLowcountry.com The Cultural Traveler 2015 | 17
Fine Inns & Fine Wines any of today’s inns cater to those discerning travelers who select to stay in an inn that offers luxurious accommodations, inviting charm and gracious hospitality. They also want the properties they choose to include a sophisticated culinary experience paired with fine wines. “There are many inns which offer wine experiences,” says Jay Karen, CEO of Select Registry. “These inns cater to their guests’ interest in fine wines by offering wines from their local area or from their own extensive wine cellar.” Inns are also expanding their offerings to wine tastings, cooking classes and wine pairings with gourmet dinners. Many inns are rightfully proud of their wine cellars, some of which contain thousands of bottles. Some inns not only have an extensive wine cellar but are also on a winery property. Whether you are looking for a total wine experience or just a total relaxing interlude that includes wine, many inns across America not only offer unique charm and hospitality, but they also have excellent wines. Cheers!
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Inn at Black Star Farms Bed & Breakfast Suttons Bay, Michigan Black Star Farms is a unique agricultural destination that features two winery production facilities with tasting rooms, a distillery, inn and equestrian facility. The winery and distillery produce some of the most sought after and awarded Michigan wines and spirits. The luxurious inn is the perfect place to host private special events, including weddings, corporate retreats and family celebrations. Casual and upscale farmstead cuisines are available seasonally at 20 | The Cultural Traveler 2015
Hearth and Vine and the inn. Nearby, visit the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, voted the “Most Beautiful Place in America” by viewers of ABC’s Good Morning America. BlackStarFarms.com
The Villas at Gervasi Vineyard Canton, Ohio This Tuscan-inspired inn and gathering place is an upscale boutique hotel in the Village of the Gervasi Estate adjacent to the Gervasi Vineyard. Experience luxurious accommodations, casual Venetian-style dinners, food and wine pairings at the Crush House and tours of the winery. For a fun, inspiring and educational experience filled with delicious food and memorable wines, take a cooking and/or wine class taught by top-notch instructors at the Cucina Culinary and Wine Education Center. This is the ultimate Tuscan experience offering a memorable winery experience in Northeast Ohio. GervasiVineyard.com
Friends Lake Inn Chestertown, New York In the midst of the Adirondacks overlooking a small, pristine lake, the Friends Lake Inn offers luxury accommodations in a rustic country setting. This charming and intimate inn has a highly acclaimed restaurant that offers innovative New-American cuisine featuring the freshest local ingredients and creative seasonal
PHOTOS AT TOP (LEFT TO RIGHT) COURTESY OF: INN AT BLACK STAR FARMS BED & BREAKFAST; CARTER HOUSE INNS; BEECHWOOD INN; INN AT BLACK STAR FARMS BED & BREAKFAST.
Great Pairings
menus. Meals are complemented by a superior wine collection and served in the rustic elegance and warmth of a 19th century dining room or enjoyed as a more casual meal in the taproom featuring regional microbrews. The private wine cellar dining room is also available for small parties. FriendsLake.com
Gateways Inn Bed & Breakfast Lenox, Massachusetts There is a special elegance in the Gateways Inn Bed & Breakfast. The mansion has been converted into a timeless Berkshire B&B, infused with charm and hospitality. Visitors are pampered with luxurious guestrooms and an understated elegant dining experience in its restaurant and lounge that offer a distinctive mixture of ambiance and taste for the discerning. The inn’s extensive wine list has received the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. It also has an outstanding selection of single malt Scotch and Italian grappa to tempt you. GatewaysInn.com
Beechwood Inn Clayton, Georgia Beechwood Inn, Georgia’s Premier Wine Country Inn, is all about wine. Its restaurant is the only restaurant in Northeast Georgia with a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for its wine list. The inn’s Cellar is filled with unique varieties and rare wines which reflect the innkeepers’ world travels. They also make several wines from Georgia grapes. Guests can sample these at the “wine-thirty” receptions and enjoy them with the fine dining experiences of farm to table fare and monthly wine dinners in the inn’s inviting restaurant. It’s no wonder this inn is recognized for its wine expertise, gourmet offerings and warm hospitality. BeechwoodInn.ws
Carter House Inns Eureka, California The Carter House Inns are an enclave of three magnificent Victorians perched alongside Humboldt Bay in Old Town Eureka. The luxurious accommodations and
the sumptuous dining at its Restaurant 301 (considered among Northern California’s best restaurants) sets an indulgent tone for a visit to the giant redwood forests, rugged Pacific beaches and all the wonders of Northern California’s Redwood Coast. The accommodations and service are outstanding. The award-winning cuisine is prepared with local organic products and fresh herbs, greens and vegetables harvested daily from the inn’s extensive gardens. The inn also produces its own wine under the label Carter Cellars. CarterHouse.com
Youngberg Hill Vineyards and Inn Bed & Breakfast McMinnville, Oregon Oregon’s premier wine country estate and one of Wine Spectator’s favorite locations is set on a 50-acre hilltop surrounded by a 25year-old organic vineyard. Their passionate farmers and winemakers are thrilled to share, educate and talk wine. Their environmental respect and philosophy focus is key to how they craft their wines, care for their land and host their guests. They care for their wine and guests with this same respect and philosophy. Centrally located in the Willamette Valley with over 100 wineries and tasting rooms within a 20-minute drive. YoungbergHill.com
About Select Registry: Select Registry is a portfolio of more than 300 premier inns, bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels throughout North America. Each property must pass an unannounced, rigorous, 200-point quality assurance inspection to earn and maintain its membership in Select Registry. No other organization goes to such lengths to ensure that travelers receive exceptional service, unique and authentic lodging, and an unforgettable experience. SelectRegistry.com The Cultural Traveler 2015 | 21
Illinois Holocaust Museum
Illinois Holocaust Museum
Chicago’s
North Shore Downtown Evanston
ordering Chicago along Lake Michigan, Chicago’s North Shore is the most picturesque region in the metropolitan Chicago area. Boasting a scenic byway along the lakefront rich in natural beauty and homes and gardens of distinction,
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Chicago Botanic Garden
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the region is home to Northwestern University, Chicago Botanic Garden, the only Bahá’í House of Worship in the Western Hemisphere, the Illinois Holocaust Museum, the North Shore Center for Performing Arts in Skokie and the Charles Dawes Gates House, which houses the Evanston History Center. Chicago’s North Shore begins to the north of the city of Chicago in Evanston—a cosmopolitan city with unique stores and diverse cuisine nestled in the charm of a college town. Evanston is home to Light Opera Works, Next Theatre, Piven Theatre Workshop, Piccolo Theatre and Actors Gymnasium. Chicago’s North Shore is only 20 minutes from downtown Chicago, and its 20 lodging options offer a broad variety of accommodation options,
from five-star luxury to affordable rooms for the budget traveler. Famous chefs have honed their trade in some of Chicago’s North Shore award-winning restaurants. Outdoor dining options, along with dozens of boutiques providing unique gifts and finds, can be found along the treelined streets of downtown Evanston and Winnetka. For power-shoppers, the area boasts three major shopping centers: Westfield Old Orchard, the Glen Town Center and Northbrook Court. Of course, a visit to Lake Michigan is a must. Evanston’s lakefront is free of commercial enterprise and is perfect for walking, jogging, biking or sunbathing and swimming in the clear waters of the lake during the summer months. VisitChicagoNorthShore.com
Chicago’s North Shore
Bordering Chicago, along Lake Michigan
The most picturesque region in metropolitan Chicago can be found
Other area attractions include:
twenty minutes from the heart of the city along Lake Michigan on
Bahá’í House of Worship
Chicago’s North Shore. Our vibrant neighborhoods have their own
Illinois Holocaust Museum
great dining, hotels, culture, shopping, and history, and you are
Northwestern University
just minutes away from Chicago’s world- famous stores, music and museums via the famous “EL” — Chicago’s public transit train, or by commuter rail or car, making us a great base for a Chicago visit.
Frances Willard House Grosse Point Lighthouse Sheridan Road Lakefront Byway
Chicago Botanic Garden
Charles Gates Dawes House
A 385-acre living plant museum situated on nine islands featuring 26 display gardens and surrounded by four natural habitats
Home to Former U.S. Vice President Start of Daniel Burnham Architectural Walking Tour
www.visitchicagonorthshore.com Contact us: askme@cnscvb.com
LOVE by Robert Indiana
Indianapolis Museum of Art Collections & Dream Cars he Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) offers visitors a unique and immersive experience. The IMA, founded in 1883, has grown into an expansive 152-acre campus featuring the Oldfields— Lilly House & Gardens, including the Lilly House and Formal Gardens, The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres and its famous sculpture Funky Bones, immortalized in John Green’s novel The Fault in Our Stars. As one of the nation’s top 10 largest art collections highlighting over 54,000 works dating back over 5,000 years, the IMA is also home to Robert Indiana’s original LOVE Sculpture and the recently installed Five Brushstrokes by Roy Lichtenstein. After spending your
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whole day touring the collection and the grounds, get lost in the IMA Museum Store, shopping its fabulous gift and jewelry selection. Then treat yourself to a smooth cup of coffee in the IMA Café and enjoy the view of the Sutphin Fountain from a cozy seat. The IMA has a little something for everyone year-round. Just in time for the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” a new type of motor display is coming to Indianapolis. Dream Cars: Innovative Design, Visionary Ideas, a major
exhibition featuring rare concept cars from the early 1930s to the 21st century, will showcase some of the most unique vehicles ever created by top names like General Motors, Chrysler and Cadillac at the Indianapolis Museum of Art May 3–August 23, 2015. Along with conceptual drawings and scale models, the exhibition will explore the evolution of revolutionary automobile design that pushed the limits of the imagination and shaped the future of the industry.
General Motors Firebird I XP-21, 1953. Designed by Harley J. Earl, Robert F. “Bob” McLean and GM Styling Section staff. Courtesy of General Motors Heritage Center. Photo by Michael Furman.
If oil and gasoline don’t get your heart racing, perhaps the sight of the newly acquired Five Brushstrokes by the famed artist Roy Lichtenstein, installed on The Dudley and Mary Louise Sutphin Mall, might. This monumental, outdoor sculpture series evokes the movement and color of paint on canvas. The totem-like works suspend the artist’s sweeping brushstrokes in midair, balancing one on top of the other in a dynamic sculptural spectacle. This installation is a true engineering marvel. The next time you stop by the “Racing Capital of the World,” be sure to purchase your tickets for Dream Cars: Innovative Design, Visionary Ideas at IMAMuseum.org and enjoy the many splendors the Indianapolis Museum of Art has to offer.
Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923–1997), Five Brushstrokes, designed 1983–1984, fabricated 2012. Robert L. and Marjorie J. Mann Fund, Partial Gift of the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation, 2013.443A-E.4 © Roy Lichtenstein Foundation.
Oldfields-Lilly House (Front View)
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America’s Leading Museum Stores continued from page 12
The Ringling Museum
Sarasota, Florida The Ringling Museum Stores offer a wide range of gifts that delight and entertain. Choose from fine art books, exquisite jewelry and unique apparel inspired by the gardens and historic mansion, Ca’ d’Zan. Step right up for circus-related toys and memorabilia appealing to children of all ages. Ringling.org
Jepson Center for the Arts Savannah, Georgia Discover unique gifts that your friends and family will love! The Jepson Center Store offers licensed reproductions of the Bird Girl statue in several sizes, striking jewelry and objects that reflect world-class art exhibits. Shop all year round, and watch for the annual Cool Yule sale in December. Telfair.org
The Getty
Los Angeles,
California The Getty Stores offer a selection of unique gifts for everyone, including Getty Exclusives, a comprehensive selection of award-winning arts publications, children’s toys and kits, exhibition-related items, artisan jewelry, elegant apparel and handcrafted, decorative objects. Sign up to receive notifications of new arrivals, private sales and special offers at Getty.edu
The Henry Ford
Portland Art Museum Portland, Oregon Pick up a catalogue for special exhibitions and browse the eclectic selection of interesting gifts at this museum shop. The shop has one of the best selections of art books in the city and is open during museum hours. No museum admission is required to shop here. PortlandArtMuseum.org 26 | The Cultural Traveler 2015
Dearborn, Michigan The Henry Ford, a national treasure and cultural resource, features five uniquely diverse museum stores. As a destination where people connect with America’s history, gifts range from our handcrafted glass, pottery and tin made by artisans in Greenfield Village to toys that engage and inspire play for all ages. TheHenryFord.org
John F. Kennedy Limousine, Henry Ford Museum
Dymaxion House, Henry Ford Museum
The Henry Ford America’s Greatest History Destination mazing inventions, daring visionaries, and living traditions that span American history—and that’s just the start. Discover 200 acres of mind-blowing sights, sounds and sensations at The Henry Ford. A jaw-dropping gathering of everyday genius, Henry Ford Museum is a remarkable destination that lets you experience the breakthroughs big and small that have made our world what it is today. From racers to freedom riders, modular houses to microchips, these are the breakthroughs
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that have shaped our world. Greenfield Village brings the past to the present—see, hear and touch 300 years of American history. Go places in the car that changed America, the Model T, explore Thomas Edison’s lab, one of the greatest idea factories ever created, or take a ride on a real steam-powered locomotive. The Ford Rouge Factory Tour puts you at the center of modern manufacturing might. Named by USA Today as one of the top 10 places for innovation inspiration, this is where the trucks rule the road. A state-of-the-art
Model T Ride, Greenfield Village
The Ford Rouge Factory Tour
assembly floor puts Ford F150s together before your eyes. The immersive power of IMAX, The Henry Ford’s projection system, is regarded as the finest in the world for its unsurpassed size, sound, clarity and impact. See, hear and feel film like never before. Dreamers, doers, movers and makers come here for unforgettable experiences that make yesterday feel like today. Gain perspective, get inspired and make your own history at The Henry Ford. TheHenryFord.org. The Cultural Traveler 2015 | 27
Bloomington Minnesota hen planning a shopping getaway to a destination, Bloomington, Minnesota, is always top of mind, for shopping of course. But, Bloomington and Minneapolis/Saint Paul are so much more than the ultimate shopping destination—Bloomington is a dynamic mix of first-class attractions, vibrant
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restaurants and diverse hotel options, surrounded by natural beauty and Minnesota nice! Visit Mall of America, with its 520 stores, more than 50 restaurants and attractions unique to no other. Start your itinerary in Bloomington at Mall of America and round out your stay with visits to attractions not to be missed.
Get up to new heights inside Nickelodeon Universe® and their new Barnacle Blast Zip Line. Take flight on the longest indoor zip line in North America at 55’ above the 27 rides in the park. Make a day of exploring everything new in Mall of America, including the Barbie™ The Dreamhouse™ Experience attraction, highend stores and a Hard Rock® Café located in Nickelodeon Universe. Wilderness Inquiry will get you on a canoe and paddling on the Mississippi River within minutes of your departure from Mall of America. Adventure seekers will explore the Mighty Mississippi River up close and personal on a half-day guided canoe trip by paddling the Mississippi in a 24-foot cedar strip canoe. Be sure to be on the lookout for otters and beavers, again bountiful on the river banks, and the fishing is superb.
Three Rivers Park District has your paddling options fulfilled with their variety of canoeing, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding opportunities on one of the 10,000+ lakes in Minnesota. Get exercise and fresh air while you explore the shorelines and bays where motorized boats can’t go. Along the way, keep your eyes open for a variety of animals, including swans, turtles and beavers. It’s peaceful, it’s healthy and it’s fun for the whole family! Fort Snelling State Park and Minnehaha Falls are located in the heart of the Twin Cities and offer extensive hiking, bike and ski trails that link to Minnehaha Park and the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Canoe, play golf, swim in Snelling Lake or hike on Pike Island where the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers converge. Trails also allow visitors to hike up to the historic Fort Snel-
ling for a view of military life in the 1820s. With more theatre seats in the 30some theatre venues in the Twin Cities than New York and a shopping experience all in itself at Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota, will not disappoint! Find more in-
formation on the Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau website at BloomingtonMN.org, where you can also compare hotel rates and availability, explore getaway packages, detailed itineraries, events and popular The Big Ticket 3-day bundled attraction pass.
The Cultural Traveler 2015 | 29
Colorado Byways Breweries
and Wineries Steamworks, Durango
BY ANNE KLEIN
rom beer to wine, Colorado’s liquid treasures come in a variety of delightful styles; however, most start with pure Colorado water blended with magnificent homegrown bounty. The Colorado Brewers Guild coined “Colorado, the State of Craft Beer” to pay tribute to Colorado as the “epicenter” of American craft beer. More than 232 licensed breweries in this brewing hotbed are drawn here for the pure first-use water, brewing friendly laws, taprooms, a strong beer culture, in-state barley malting facilities and its tourism-driven economy. Colorado wine country offers unpretentious, unparalleled natural beauty; friendly locations and local bounty of fruits make the 110-plus producers and their tasting rooms a treat for wine connoisseurs and casual tasters. The 67-plus Colorado craft distillers are growing rapidly with handcrafted rums, vodkas, whiskeys, gins and liqueurs that may incorporate farm-fresh ingredients (like potatoes, peaches or honey), sustainable farming methods (like biodynamic farming) and of course, crisp snowmelt water. Across the state, tasting rooms can be “paired” with tour routes and some of Colorado’s most breath-taking historic and scenic byways. The scenic routes are peppered with wineries, distilleries, breweries and orchards. The 486-mile Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byways, the Western Slope, starring Grand Junction and Palisade, feature dry climate and high elevation along with the Colorado River, making this are the heart of Colorado wine county. Denver to Fort Collins weaves in and out of scenic byways, featuring tasting rooms from urban to majestic mountain backdrops along the way. Outside Denver you
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Ouraskyway
will find Trail Ridge Road and Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), North America’s highest paved through-road. Adjacent to RMNP is the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, which flows through Estes Park; and north out of Fort Collins is the Cache la Poudre Scenic Byway, which follows the Wild and Scenic Poudre River—one of the only rivers in the nation with this federal designation. Colorado Springs boasts a growing number of tasting rooms while the Arkansas River towns of Salida and Canon City house some of the state’s oldest wineries and tasting rooms winding in and out of Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway and the Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway. The San Juan Skyway is 236-mile loop—touted as “the most beautiful drive in America”—and the 116-mile Trail of the Ancients will take you all around the Four Corners Wine Trail, which starts in Durango and heads west to Cortez and the Four Corners area. Colorado’s unparalleled beauty and bounty lures up-andcoming wineries, distilleries and breweries along scenic routes. These are only a taste of what Colorado has to offer!
ABOUT COLORADO Colorado is a four-season destination offering unparalleled adventure and recreation, a thriving arts scene, rich cultural heritage, flavorful cuisine and renowned ski resorts. Breathtaking landscape boasts natural hot springs, headwaters of seven major rivers, 11 national parks/monuments and 58 mountains that top 14,000 feet. www.Colorado.com.
Ska Beer Garden, Durango
FIND INSPIRATION INSIDE AND OUT Denver is your destination for sensational art, world-class dining, craft breweries, and so much more. Soak in the rich artistic culture with monthly First Friday Art Walks or take a step back in time at the newly restored Union Station. The Mile High City’s 2015 calendar is packed with exciting events that are sure to inspire. Plan your getaway and find great deals at VISITDENVER.COM
DENVER 2015
NOW! CHERRY CREEK ARTS FESTIVAL Cherry Creek North July 3-5, 2015
BIENNIAL OF THE AMERICAS July 14-19, 2015
DENVER ARTS WEEK November 6-14, 2015
DENVER ART MUSEUM Acclaimed American Indian and Western art
MCA DENVER Contemporary art that inspires
CLYFFORD STILL MUSEUM Unique collection of this Abstract Expressionist
Loveland Museum/Gallery
World Class
Art & Culture
Loveland, Colorado ablo Picasso, Dale Chihuly, Ansel Adams and Georgia O’Keeffe represent just a small portion of the artists that have been featured at the Loveland Museum/Gallery. An accredited art and history museum founded in 1938, the Loveland Museum/ Gallery is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the city, while at the same time, bringing world-class art exhibitions to northern Colorado. With a single visit, guests can explore the traveling exhibitions featured in the galleries and discover Loveland’s unique history with a series of exhibits, including Mariano Medina’s homestead, the Great West Sugar Factory and Sweetheart City U.S.A. LovelandMuseumGallery.org
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Rialto Theater Center Built in 1920 as a silent movie theater, the beautifully restored Rialto Theater Center has played a starring role in shaping Loveland’s thriving performing arts community. Located in the heart of downtown, the 445-seat theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places Trigon by Mary Bates Neubauer and offers a variety of 32 | The Cultural Traveler 2015
unique events, including concerts with internationally acclaimed musicians, live theater, dance and silent movies accompanied by an orchestra. Newly expanded in 2012, the Rialto Theater Center embodies the perfect balance between the old and new with a modern tapas restaurant, fully equipped conference rooms and dramatic banquet and event facilities overlooking the heart of downtown Loveland. RialtoTheaterCenter.org
Art in Public Places Through vision, hard work and collaboration, Loveland has created a large and diverse public art collection that creates a sense of place and purpose. The community boasts over 380 individual works of art on public display within scenic sculpture parks, along roadways and adorning city buildings, parks and playgrounds. Artistic expression abounds, creating a rich tapestry that makes Loveland unique among Colorado communities. As the first Colorado municipality to adopt a one-percentfor-the-arts ordinance, Loveland’s Art in Public Places Program serves as a model for communities dedicated to supporting the arts. Private contributions by arts organizations, citizens and artists, have donated over 72 percent of the collection. VisitLovelandCO.com Rialto Theater Center
L OV E L A N D . C O LO R A D O
YOUR
Cultural ADVENTURE BEGINS
There’s a re reason ason Loveland, CO was named one of the top 5 small art ar cities in America…Loveland boasts over 380 individual works of ar art on public display displa within scenic sculpture parks, adorning city buildings buildings, parks and playgroun playgrounds. This culture of sculpture is solidified during the second weekend in August when wh Loveland hosts over 400 artists from around the world for Sculpture Show Weekend. Don’t miss the Annual Sculpture in the Park, worl We Loveland and Art in the Park. Create your own adventure Lo land Sculpture Invitational Invitat andd experience all that Loveland has to offer including our brewery and distillery tours, unique shoppin shopping districts, world class recreation, historic downtown, Center, Loveland Museum/Gallery and much more. Learn more at Rialto Theater Cent www.VisitLovelandCO.com/cultural and start planning your adventure today! www.VisitLovelan
CHEYENNE
LOVELAND COLORADO •
VisitLovelandCO.com/cultural • Visitors Center
FORT COLLINS
LOVELAND
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
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BOULDER
25
DENVER
•
970.667.3882
•
I-25 at US 34
•
Loveland Exit 257
Share hare your Loveland adventures! Use #LoveAdventure throughout 2015 for your chance to enter the Lovee Adventure Sweepstakes and vacation giveaway. vaca
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CASTLE ROCK
COLORADO SPRINGS
Denver International Airport
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Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad 888.687.2461 - www.durangotrain.com
Historic Strater Hotel 800.247.4431 - www.strater.com
Get your Free Travel Planner www.durango.org 866.631.7010
Colorado Springs and The Broadmoor Resort
Garden of the Gods Park
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
Explore, Experience & Enjoy the Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain Region ith endless outdoor activities and a rich arts and culture community, Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region will elevate your next Colorado itinerary. Start your day with a visit to Garden of the Gods Park, named #1 in the U.S.A. and #2 in the world by TripAdvisor®. The towering red rock formations will amaze and inspire.
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Broadmoor overview
Stop by the Visitor & Nature Center just outside the park to learn how the formations developed over millions of years. You can explore the park by car, bus, bike, on foot or on horseback. Once acclimated to the altitude, you can take the ultimate hiking challenge on the Manitou Incline. The Incline is a historic rail line first used for hauling maintenance materials and then as a tourist attraction. When it closed and the tracks were removed, the railroad ties became a 1-mile staircase with a 2,000-ft. vertical rise up the pineforested foothills of Pikes Peak— America’s Mountain. Once you’ve reverted back to your resting heart rate, take in the culture of the region at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. 2015 is the year of Georgia O’Keefe with an exhibit of 40
rarely seen works, June 27–September 23. You can also see the Birds of America: John James Audubon and Kevin Sloan exhibit March–May 2015. Then visit the new Penrose Heritage Museum, located on the grounds of The Broadmoor with free entry, featuring 31 horse-drawn carriages and 13 motorized vehicles. Open since 1918, The Broadmoor, a Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond resort, features Colorado’s only FiveStar, Five-Diamond restaurant, Penrose Room. Displays of western art from the owner’s personal collection grace the resort originally crafted in a style reminiscent of Italian Renaissance design. Enjoy golf, tennis and a host of activities, along with a Forbes FiveStar spa, salon and fitness center. VisitCOS.com. The Cultural Traveler 2015 | 35
Travel through a truly amazing cultural experience, enhanced by breathtaking outdoor wonders, galleries, museums, luxury hotels, and delicious eateries. It all awaits you in Chickasaw Country! www.ChickasawCountry.com
One World Famous Skyline. Two Great Tours. Groups Welcome
The Urban Adventure Cruise & Chicago by Night Cruise 90-Minute River & Lake Tours Available May - October • 312.332.1368 GroupTours@MercuryCruises.com MercuryCruises.com
The Official Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady 90-Minute River Architecture Tour Available April - November • 847.358.1330 CruiseChicago.com • GroupTours@architecture.org
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Portland, Oregon
Culture and Creativity PHOTO BY JAMIE FRANCIS
abound in this scenic city
Portland evening skyline
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Powell’s City of Books: From humble storefront beginnings in 1971, Powell’s has grown into a Portland landmark and one of the world’s great bookstores. Covering an entire city block on the border of downtown and the Pearl District, Powell’s contains more than 1.5 million books
in 3,500 different sections. Get a cup of coffee at the in-store coffee shop, grab a map to the nine color-coded rooms and lose yourself in the largest used and new bookstore on Earth. Monthly gallery walks: Once a month, Portland’s neighborhoods show off their distinct art offerings
Powell’s Books
TORSTEN KJELLSTRAND & TRAVEL PORTLAND
amously creative Portland has a wealth of offerings for art lovers, from elite galleries and established museums to Do-It-Yourself (DIY) artisan retailers and fascinating splashes of public art everywhere you look. Stop by these must-see destinations for a dose of uniquely Portland culture. Portland Art Museum: Find out why the oldest museum in the Northwest is internationally renowned for exciting art experiences. Tour the world and travel through history in the heart of downtown’s cultural district, taking in magnificent permanent collection galleries (featuring an extensive collection of Native American art), six stories of modern art and special exhibitions. Each Sunday features activities for families, and admission is free for children 17 and under.
JIM FULLAN & TRAVEL PORTLAND
during free gallery walks. First Thursday, a tradition since 1986, features new exhibits and refreshments at the many galleries and institutions of the Pearl District, Old Town Chinatown and Northwest Portland. The Alberta Arts District celebrates Last Thursday every month, but in the summer it becomes a rollicking street fair with live entertainment and craft vendors. Central Eastside galleries stay open late for Hump Day PDX (on the first Wednesday of the month) and Last Friday, while the shops and galleries of North Mississippi Avenue host Second Thursday. Lan Su Chinese Garden: An oasis in the city, this Ming dynasty-style urban oasis built by artisans from Portland’s sister city of Suzhou features covered walkways, bridges, pavilions and a richly planted landscape framing a picturesque lake. The garden’s teahouse serves light snacks and traditional teas, and Lan Su hosts many events, including a two-week Chinese New Year celebration, as well as summer concerts. Portland Japanese Garden: In the scenic hills above downtown, the Japanese Garden is a haven of tranquil beauty that’s been proclaimed one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. Encompassing 5.5 acres (2.2 hectare) and five separate garden styles, the garden includes meandering streams, intimate walkways and an unsurpassed view of Mount Hood. Museum of Contemporary Craft: One of Portland’s oldest cultural institutions, the Museum of Contemporary Craft, houses more than 1,000 craft objects, as well as curated exhibitions and a retail craft gallery that carries a rotating selection of finely crafted art and home goods like ceramic dishes, hand-blown glassware and turned wood bowls. Pittock Mansion: High in the West Hills of Portland, Pittock Mansion
soars 1,000 feet (304.8 m) above the city’s skyline. A century-old symbol of Portland’s dramatic transformation from a small lumber town to a bustling city, it’s an architectural wonder. With picture-perfect views of rivers, forests, bridges and mountaintops— and 23 storied rooms teeming with treasures—nowhere else offers a more breathtaking view or a more revealing glimpse of Portland’s past.
Portland Japanese Garden
Portland Saturday Market: Enjoy a distinctive experience at Portland Saturday Market, the nation’s largest weekly open-air arts and crafts market. Stroll down row upon row of unique creations made by the people who sell them, and enjoy live music and international snacks. Open Saturdays and Sundays, March–December. TravelPortland.com The Cultural Traveler 2015 | 41
The
Cultural Traveler Tours
Exceptional Experiences Coast to Coast TheCulturalTraveler.com
Farm to Table Northfield & Brookfield, Vermont Experience Vermont from three unique, yet closely entwined, destinations. First, tour Green Mountain Girls Farm where you can meet the animals, see the gardens and experience relational farming at its best. Cap off your visit with a piping-hot goat milk latte! Next, head to Fat Toad Farm and get to know the 54 goats that produce the milk, which is crafted into the ohso-delicious caramel sauces the farm is known for. Get a glimpse of all aspects of the caramel production, including a stop at the caramel tasting room and farm store where you will enjoy a special caramel treat made especially for you. Finish your Green Mountain day around a table at Ariel’s Restaurant, where a steadfast commitment to using Vermont’s best ingredients creates fine and imaginative food in an unmatched atmosphere.
Sons, and receive a VIP Pass for dinner or lunch at Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House. If you want to learn about the local cuisine, this is the tour for you!
Plantation Rendezvous New Orleans, Louisiana Travel back in time down Louisiana’s Great River Road for your rendezvous with two great southern plantations: the Oak Alley Plantation and Laura Plantation. Located on the Mississippi River between the historic cities of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, discover what it was like to live on a 19th-century plantation in the river region. Tour the Oak Alley Plantation, a classic antebellum home, called the “Grand Dame of the Great River Road.” Then visit Laura Plantation, a historic sugar plantation built in 1805. Allow plenty of time to tour the manor General Store, Hackberry, Arizona house, formal and kitchen gardens and slave quarters.
Savannah Cooks Savannah, Georgia Let Chef Joe Randall’s Cooking School put a little South in your mouth, and joy back into your kitchen. Chef Joe preaches the gospel of authentic Southern cuisine as he demonstrates basic southern cooking techniques and serves you the mouth-watering dishes he prepares. Then take a trolley tour to learn about Paula Deen’s “rags to riches” story, stop by her famous restaurant, Lady and 42 | The Cultural Traveler 2015
Pasadena’s Culinary & History Sampler Pasadena, California Learn about Pasadena’s extensive culinary offerings, colorful history, architectural gems and compelling charm. Explore the ethnically diverse cafés, restaurants and gourmet shops on colorful side streets and charming hidden courtyards on a walking tour of Old Pasadena with Melting Pot Food. Tastings range from authentic Mexican tortas to traditional Peruvian dishes, Italian gelato and exquisite chocolates.
Then discover the area’s significant architecture, including those designed by noted architects Frank Lloyd Wright and Greene & Greene aboard the Pasadena Tour Company’s private coach. See grand estates, movie locations, cultural landmarks and significant architecture, and hear the stories of famous residents such as the Huntingtons, Julia Child and George S. Patton.
The Big Ticket Bloomington, Minnesota THE BIG TICKET™ is the official Twin Cities three-day bundled attraction pass that gives visitors 30 percent savings on top Twin Cities attractions with added Bloomington and Mall of America discounts and values. Once your ticket has been scanned at the first attraction, you can visit each attraction one time within three days. The Big Ticket is valid at six attractions: Nickelodeon Universe® at Mall of America, SEA LIFE Minnesota®, Aquarium at Mall of America, Water Park of America, Minnesota Zoo, Great Clips® IMAX® Theatre at the Minnesota Zoo and the Science Museum of Minnesota. Oak Alley
Faneuil Hall Marketplace Boston, Massachusetts Located in the historic heart of Boston, Faneuil Hall Marketplace beckons visitors to walk through history and experience what has become New England’s #1 destination. This magical place in the center of Boston is like no other! It is as alive today as it was in 1742 when our nation’s fathers proclaimed it “The Cradle of Liberty.” Enjoy worldrenowned street performers. Browse and shop over 75 locally loved shops and specialty pushcarts. Smell and taste wonderfully diverse ethnic foods in the Quincy Market Colonnade— the largest international food hall in New England.
Monterey Bay Aquarium & Gilroy Premium Outlets Monterey, Felton & Gilroy, California The perfect family getaway! Your California coastal adventure includes a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a historic Roaring Camp Train Ride through majestic redwoods and a shopping spree at Gilroy Premium Outlets®. Explore the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s 200 amazing marine life exhibits. No-lines bonus with this package—you use the special group entrance. Enjoy California’s towering redwood trees as you ride the steam train to Bear Mountain or the beach train down the scenic San Lorenzo River. Then shop the Gilroy Premium Outlets®, the largest collection of Multnomah Falls designer and name brand outlets in
Gettysburg Monument
Northern California with 145 stores offering 25 to 65 percent off.
Key to the City Alexandria, Virginia The best way to unlock Alexandria’s rich history is with “The Key to the City,” a pass which grants visitors access into nine historic sites. From the nation’s first president to Alexandria’s co-founders, the Civil War to civil rights, walk amongst original 18th-century buildings, peruse ephemera once sacred to key historical characters and dive into a unique history remarkably preserved by a city dedicated to its past. Visit Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, Carlyle House Historic Park, Alexandria Black History Museum, Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site, Friendship Firehouse Museum, Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum and the Alexandria Archeology Museum.
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Houston Transforms
Convention Center District Lively Entertainment and Retail Destination for 2017 Super Bowl hen football fans from across the country descend on Houston for Super Bowl 2017, they will see a transformed Convention District. This 10-day event will provide the city the opportunity to secure a place in the hearts of visitors for years to come. In preparation, Houston’s Convention District is undergoing a major transformation. Houston First Corporation began construction on several fronts in the fall of 2014. A section of Avenida de las Americas, which stretches across the front of the George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB), will be transformed into a walkable, pe-
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destrian-friendly destination—a hot spot for shopping, dining and entertainment. Houston First is a local government corporation created by the City of Houston to manage the GRB, three performing arts theaters and other city-owned assets. Once complete, Avenida will be narrowed, with retail shops and restaurants added to the GRB’s ground floor. The GRB also will undergo extensive updates, including a dramatic new glass façade on the center bays and an inviting new central entrance. Scheduled for completion by March 2016, the project is designed by WHR Architects and managed by Griffin Partners.
Within walking distance will be the Nau Center for Texas Cultural Heritage, scheduled to open in the fall of 2016. The Nau Center will serve as a regional gateway for tourism with a 21st-century museum, showcasing the people, places and events of the region’s rich history. The Nau Center will tell the story of the 29 counties that comprise Southeast Texas through interactive exhibits that immerse students, educators, residents and visitors in the region’s history and culture. The Nau Center will be located between the GRB and Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros, in the heart of the Convention District. Visitors will also have the opportunity to stay in the brand new 1,000-room Marriott Marquis hotel, located catty-corner from the
GRB’s north end and just north of Discovery Green, the 12-acre park immediately west of the GRB. RIDA Development has begun construction on the hotel, which will include retail components on the ground floor and 60,000 square feet of amenity deck space overlooking Discovery Green. Upon its scheduled opening in September 2016, the Marriott Marquis will become the second connected convention headquarters hotel in the Convention District— bookended by the Hilton AmericasHouston, just south of the park and connected to the GRB’s south side. Also, beginning in 2016, the Greater Houston Partnership and HFC will share headquarters in a new 10-story office building with an attached 1,900-space parking garage, nestled between the GRB and the Nau Center. The sleek structure will have a glass façade and retail
space on the ground floor. HFC is currently seeking a developer to build a mid-sized hotel atop the building, which has been designed to accommodate approximately 400
rooms on 15 floors above the parking garage. For additional information, visit HoustonFirst.com and HoustonConventionCtr.com.
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Walking in the footsteps
Nevada’s Native People Valley of Fire State Park
U.S. Highway 93, Las Vegas to Ely ome of Nevada’s best-kept secrets are in the wide open, waiting to be stumbled upon, discovered and shared. Our history and culture runs deep in our veins, even while it lies in plain view on the surface. Where the ancestral Puebloans, Nevada’s first inhabitants, made their homes and hunted their food now lies the Lost City Museum, dedicated to the indigenous peoples of the Southwest. Travelers to southern Nevada need only venture an hour east of Las Vegas to walk in the footsteps of these Puebloans and learn about their lives, culture and contributions to the modern world.
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Cathedral Gorge State Park
Lost City Museum
The Lost City Museum was built in 1935 by the National Park Service to exhibit artifacts excavated from Pueblo Grande de Nevada, which was soon to be flooded by Lake Mead and the newly constructed Hoover Dam. While the museum tells the story of our American Indian ancestors, its very existence is a testament to the forced migration of people, water and land as immigrants moved farther West. The nearby Valley of Fire State
Park bears further witness to the lives of these people. Petroglyphs carved deep into the fiery sandstone reveal messages the meanings of which we can only ponder. Primitive carvings of bighorn sheep, rivers, swirls and shapes decorate the walls of the valley, urging visitors to guess what they may have meant 3,000 years ago and could mean today. Several millennia have passed, but the terrain that was once used to hunt food, hold ceremonies and
provide shelter has only sharpened its focus with a black “desert patina” that preserves the ancient sandstone. Walking through the park is like reaching through time and joining hands with our ancestors, scaling the same rocks, seeking the same shelter from the same searing summer sun and rejoicing in the same beauty of the Valley of Fire. Continuing north from Moapa— even the town’s name is taken from the native peoples—the Moapa Band of Paiutes, a treasure trove of ancient Indian rock art, can be found in the rocky hills along U.S. Highway 93. With some sturdy walking shoes and a pair of sharp eyes, one can discover petroglyphs in the area of the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge. These petroglyphs are immensely important to the history of Nevada and should be viewed with care and reverence. As visitors venture northward on
Valley of Fire State Park
Highway 93, they’ll see the terrain change as the elevation changes. Sandy plateaus covered in sagebrush and creosote give way to rolling hills punctuated with Joshua trees and yuccas. The yuccas become pinion pine and juniper trees as, at last, the lonely traveler reaches the scenic stretch of Highway 93 that is home to Cathedral Gorge State Park. Only two-and-a-half hours from Las Vegas, Cathedral Gorge feels like a universe away from the neon glitz and liquid motion of the city. Volcanic ash settled hundreds of feet thick and then through the wonder of millions of years of erosion and tectonics, great spires, bluffs and slot canyons were carved into the clay. Cathedral Gorge became home to the ancestral Puebloans, Southern Paiutes and Fremont Indians. In 1935, it became one of Nevada’s first state parks, awing visitors from around the world. Nevada’s native history fades as
one continues northward and the more recent mining history comes into the spotlight. Pioche, once known as the “deadliest town in the West,” is a shadow of its boomtown days only a century ago. Oh, but if the walls of the Overland Saloon could talk! The Million Dollar Courthouse, with its gallows and jail cell, could tell the stories of outlaws and gunslingers and millionaire miners. A final stop in Ely, a mere four hours from Las Vegas, caps this trek through Nevada’s native history. Landmarks with Shoshone names surround this ever-growing rural town. Mines dot the landscape, and railroad tracks cut through the hillsides. Time marches on, and industries flourish and fade. Modern life pulses in the hotel marquees and headlight-strewn highways. This is the living, breathing definition of why Nevada is A World Within: A State Apart. TravelNevada.com
Valley of Fire State Park
The Cultural Traveler 2015 | 47
TRAVEL PLANNER GEORGIA
CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles, CA 310-440-7300 Shop.Getty.edu See page 5
Denver, CO 800-233-6837 VisitDenver.com See page 31
Savannah, GA 877-SAVANNAH VisitSavannah.com See pages 14–15
INDIANA
Pasadena, CA 800-307-7977 VisitPasadena.com See page 39
Santa Monica, CA 800-544-5319 SantaMonica.com See page 37
Durango, CO 970-247-3500 Durango.org See page 34
Loveland, CO 970-667-3882 VisitLovelandCO.com See pages 32–33
FLORIDA Stockton, CA 877-778-6258 VisitStockton.org See page 38
Indianapolis, IN 317-923-1331 IMAMuseum.org See page 24–25
ILLINOIS
Chicago, IL 847-358-1330 CruiseChicago.com See page 37
St. Augustine, FL 904-808-7330 HistoricCoastCulture.com See pages 10–11
COLORADO
Colorado Springs, CO 719-685-7635 VisitCOS.com See page 35
Miami, FL 800-933-8448 MiamiandBeaches.com See page 13
Chicago, IL 312-332-1368 MercuryCruises.com See page 37
Chicago, IL 847-763-0011 VisitChicagoNorthShore.com See pages 22–23 48 | The Cultural Traveler 2015
TRAVEL PLANNER LOUISIANA
866-204-7782 VisitNOPC.com See page 3
MICHIGAN
NORTH CAROLINA
800-VISITNC VisitNC.com See pages 18–19
TEXAS
Houston, TX 713-853-8029 NauCenter.org See pages 44–45
OREGON In Partnership With
Dearborn, MI 800-835-5237 TheHenryFord.org See page 27
Portland, OR 877-678-5263 TravelPortland.com See pages 40–41
Houston, TX 713-853-8000 HoustonFirst.com See pages 44–45
OKLAHOMA
VERMONT
MINNESOTA
Bloomington, MN 800-346-4289 BloomingtonMN.org See pages 28–29
NEVADA
Oklahoma City, OK 800-593-3356 ChickasawCountry.com See page 36
WASHINGTON DC
SOUTH CAROLINA
800-NEVADA8 TravelNevada.com See pages 46–47
NEW YORK
800-VERMONT VermontVacation.com See pages 6–7
Hilton Head Island, SC 800-523-3373 HiltonHeadIsland.org See pages 16–17
Washington, D.C. 202-371-2830 AmericansForTheArts.org See page 2
Rochester, NY 800-677-7282 VisitRochester.com See page 52
The Cultural Traveler 2015 | 49
U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council Partners Marketing U.S. Cultural & Heritage Travel Experiences Worldwide Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau Atlanta.net
Houston First & The Nau Center HoustonFirst.com, NauCenter.org
Travel Portland TravelPortland.com
Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau BloomingtonMN.org
Indianapolis Museum of Art IMAMuseum.org
Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing VermontVacation.com
Chicago North Shore Convention & Visitors Bureau CNSCVB.com City of Loveland, CO Economic Development VisitLovelandCO.com Hilton Head Island/Bluffton Visitor & Conference Bureau HiltonHeadIsland.org Historic Shopping & Dining Attractions HistoricShoppingAndDining.com
Louisiana Tax Free Shopping LouisianaTaxFree.com Nevada Commission on Tourism TravelNevada.com
Visit Alexandria VisitAlexandriaVA.com Visit Laguna Beach VisitLagunaBeach.com
New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau NewOrleansCVB.com
Visit North Carolina VisitNC.com
St. Johns Cultural Council StJohnsCulture.com
Visit Sarasota VisitSarasota.com
The Henry Ford TheHenryFord.org
Visit Savannah VisitSavannah.com
The Cultural Traveler guide is published annually by the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council LLC and Shop America Alliance LLC.
Co-Publishers/Editors: Sheila Armstrong, CulturalTraveler@aol.com, 843-341-6392 Rosemary McCormick, ShopAmericaTours@aol.com, 707-224-3795 Contributing Writer: Anne Klein Account Executives: Liz Birdsall, liz@tbgroup.us
Design and Production: Skies America Publishing Company Sheri Cunningham–Senior Vice President Michelle Fandrey–Art Director Samantha Edington–Editor Cindy Pike–Production Manager © 2015 All rights reserved
Cover Photos: Clockwise from top left: Vermont’s Covered Bridges, pages 6–7; America’s Byways Route 66, pages 8–9; Savannah’s Chef Joseph Randall, The Cultural Traveler Tours, pages 42–43; Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park, pages 46–47; Indianapolis Museum of Art’s Love Sculpture, pages 24–25; Youngberg Hill Winery and Inn Bed & Breakfast, page 21.
50 | The Cultural Traveler 2015
Awe-Inspiring Arts & Culture in Atlanta, Georgia To learn more about Atlanta’s awe-inspiring cultural and heritage experiences, visit Atlanta.net.
Zoo Atlanta See Atlanta’s pride and joy—the only panda twins born in the U.S.—Mei Lun and Mei Huan.
The Margaret Mitchell House See the actual writing desk where Gone With the Wind was written.
Georgia Aquarium Be amazed and entertained at the world’s largest aquarium. World of Coca-Cola Tour Tour the multi-sensory, 4-D theater and sample 60 different beverages from around the world.
High Museum of Art Explore the museum’s celebrated collection of more than 14,000 works of art. Atlanta Botanical Garden
Atlanta History Center Visit the 1928 gracious Swan House and the Smith Family Farm, special features at the center.
Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War Museum Experience the sweeping panorama of the Battle of Atlanta and learn about the Civil War’s history.
CNN Studio Tour Go behind the scenes to see how this first global news network produces its shows.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum Experience “A Day in the Life of the President” and take a virtual trip with the Carters to fight disease and promote democracy around the world.
Take the 600foot Kendeda Canopy Walk for a beautiful aerial view of the garden.
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site Be inspired by the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the “International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.”
The Cultural Traveler 2015 | 51
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Ganondagan State Historic Site ● Downstairs Cabaret Theatre ● International Museum of Photography and Film
Museums Theatre Music
at George Eastman House ● Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse
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Historical Society & Museum ● WXXI Public
Broadcasting Council ● Genesee Country Village & Museum ● The Little Theater Film Society ● Geva Theatre Center ● Rochester Museum & Science Center and Strasenburgh Planetarium ● Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor ● Tinker Homestead ● Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival
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Memorial Art Gallery of the U of R ● Seneca Park Zoo ● Corning Museum of Glass ● Rochester Philharmonic
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Orchestra ● National Museum of Play at The Strong ● Artisan Works ● National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House ● Frederick Douglass and Underground Railroad Heritage Sites ●
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Hill Cumorah ● Mount Hope Cemetery
Eastman School of Music ● Blackfriars Theatre ● Rochester Arts and Cultural Council ● Garth Fagan Dance
Cultural Abundance ●
Corn Hill Navigation Foundation ● Landmark Society of Western New York ● ArtWalk Rochester ● Granger
Dance History Art
Homestead & Carriage Museum ● Rochester Broadway Theatre League ● ImageOut: Rochester LGBT Film & Video Festival ● Glenn Curtiss Museum ● Hochstein School of Music & Dance ● Rochester City Ballet ● Women’s Rights National Historical Park ● Nazareth College Arts Center ● AKWAABA-The Heritage Associates ● LeRoy Historical Society/Jell-O Gallery ● Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum ● Auburn’s Historical & Cultural Sites Commission-Harriet Tubman House ● National Women’s Hall of Fame ● Rockwell Museum of Western Art ●
JCC CenterStage
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1812 Bicentennial Peace Garden ● Cobblestone Museum ● Greentopia ● Roberts Cultural
Life Center ● Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus ● MuCC ● Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum ● Rochester Oratorio Society Theatre ROCS ● First Niagara Rochester Fringe Festival ● Antique Wireless Museum ● Finger Lakes Museum
• FINGER LAKES • ERIE CANAL CORRIDOR
• GENESEE VALLEY • SEAWAY TRAIL
. com 1.800.677.7282
® NYSDED, used w/permission.
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