Potomac Highlands Region, CIVIL WAR TRAILS TO MOUNTAIN RAILS West Virginia
HIGHLIGHTS
® Two Historic Rail Excursions
® Two Mountain Music Shows
® Regional Civil War Tour
® Victorian Tea & Civil War Impersonations
® A True West Virginia Mountain Experience
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1: Romney to Moorefield, WV
Our Mountain Highlands adventure begins in Romney, the oldest incorporated town in the state of West Virginia, the only state formed because of and during the Civil War. Romney reputedly changed hands 56 times during that war. Meet our Mountaineer Country Tours guide and hop on board Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad, which travels along the South Branch of the Potomac River. While we dine DAY 3: Davis to Elkins, WV onboard, watch for eagles swooping into the river. On a driving tour of historic Romney, see Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters, the first Travel through Parsons, where the first general died in battle during monument to the Confederacy, and West Virginia School for the the Civil War, arriving in Elkins, one of the region’s hottest group tour Blind. Then, it's on to a brief historical tour of Moorefield and check- destinations and home to American Mountain Theater. Experience in at South Branch Inn. A dinner of local flavor is followed by enter- America’s musical past with popular songs from the early 1900s through tainment at McCoy’s Grand Theater. today from the talented cast that includes three RCA recording artists. Then, board the legendary Cheat Mountain Salamander, one of DAY 2: Moorefield to Davis, WV four historic trains operated by Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, for a short rail jaunt to Historic Beverly to relive the Battle of Rich After breakfast, mosey on down to Southside Depot offering every- Mountain and be immersed in Civil War history in the town where thing from candles to antiques and fine art. Then, it's down through Stonewall Jackson's sister, a Union sympathizer, lived. Enjoy living his- the picturesque valley to Harper’s Old Country Store, a general tory portrayals, Appalachian storytelling or music. A Victorian tea country store serving generations continuously since 1902. View awaits us at Graceland Inn. The mansion, built in 1893, features the majestic Seneca Rocks, one of the best-known landmarks in West opulence of America’s Golden Age, from its two-story great hall to Virginia, where we may spy a daring rock climber scaling the cliffs. its oak-paneled billiard room, stone turrets and a gracious veranda Visit Seneca Rocks Discovery Center and learn about Native with panoramic view of the valley below. After checking in to Holiday Americans and rocky cliff formations before lunch at Seneca Caverns Inn Express, have a wonderful dinner at 1863 Tavern at Elkins Restaurant, located in scenic Germany Valley. Step beneath the earth Motor Lodge. Be treated to another Branson-style show at American into Seneca Caverns for an interactive and entertaining cavern tour Mountain Theater. specifically designed with seniors in mind. Afterwards, try your luck at panning for gems. Dinner and lodging is at Canaan Valley Resort, an oasis of natural beauty where the deer and black bear play. Laugh out loud when the Men of Accord barbershop quartet treats you to its comedy and harmonies. The group performed for Red Skelton's 82nd birthday party.
CONTACT: West Virginia Mountain Highlands ® For Travel Guide & Tour Map: West Virginia Mountain Highlands P.O. Box 1456, Elkins, WV 26241 1.877.WVA-MTNS (982.6867) • www.mountainhighlands.com
® For Group Tour Information: JoAnn Peterson, Mountaineer Country Tours Phone: 304-329-6330 • Email: [email protected]
LeisureGroupTravel.com June 2011 51 O melinda hughey South-Seeing by River & Rail
SOUTH Groups enjoy fine food aboard My Old Kentucky Dinner Train and Nashville’s General Jackson showboat.
hroughout the Southeast it’s “all River Street in downtown Savannah. The Collis P. Huntington Railroad Taboard” for touring with a twist as (savannahriverboat.com) Historical Society oversees the world- groups set sail with near-endless op- The General Jackson, America’s renowned New River Train excursions portunities to see the sights via river largest showboat, is back in action after through the New River Gorge in and rail. Nashville’s disastrous May 2010 southern West Virginia. As one of the Scenic railway excursions and sight- “Thousand Year Flood” that took the newest national parklands, the “Grand seeing cruises provide groups welcome boat out of commission for weeks af- Canyon of the East” along the New relief from “road routine,” allowing terward. Daily buffet lunch cruises fea- River is aglow in fall colors in mid to them to gain not only a refreshing per- ture musical entertainment with Steve late October. It is during this peak au- spective on their tour destination but Hall & Shotgun Red, while dinner fea- tumn foliage time that the train trav- access to sights that many times can’t tures the final season of Country Music erses the former Chesapeake & Ohio be experienced any other way. USA. (generaljackson.com) mainline from Huntington to Hinton, providing a front-row seat to some of CRUISE OPPORTUNITIES AND FROM RIVER TO RAIL the most spectacular scenery in the The Pickwick Belle is an authentic My Old Kentucky Dinner Train is country. New River Train excursions in paddlewheel riverboat cruising Pick- based in historic Bardstown, the second 2011 operate the weekends of Oct. 15- wick Lake between Florence, Ala. and oldest town in the state. Exceptional 16 and 22-23. Each trip is an all-day, Pickwick, Tenn. Various themed dining and spectacular scenery are the 300-mile-long roundtrip trek. Stops in cruises are offered for sightseeing, hallmarks of this excursion as the vin- St. Albans and Montgomery give pas- lunch or dinner. She can be chartered tage train cars make their way through sengers the option of three boarding for large groups. (pickwickbelle.com) 14,000-acre Bernheim Forest to Lime- locations. At Hinton a street fair is The Savannah River Queen and stone Springs Junction on the Jim Beam held each day with local food stands, Georgia Queen kick it up a notch American Outpost. (rjcorman.com) arts and crafts, entertainment, a rail- with their “Murder Afloat Mystery Tennessee Valley Railway in Chat- road museum and other attractions. Cruise,” “Gospel Dinner Cruise” and tanooga operates excursions year-round, (newrivertrain.com) LGT new “Haunts and Hags Tour” that ex- but is best known for its Autumn Leaf plores mystical legends surrounding Specials. Missionary Ridge Local trips ONLINE EXCLUSIVE the South Georgia Coast. Sightseeing, and the nearly full-day Chickamauga For more rail and cruise ideas meals and entertainment can be Turn trip are staged aboard vintage in the South, log on to http:/leisure- grouptravel.com/?p=23751 arranged on these boats moored on 1950s-era trains. (tvrail.com) Georgia Department of Economic Development
52 AprilJune 20112011 LeisureGroupTravel.com HISTORIC FREDERICKSBURG Fredericksburg, Virginia
HIGHLIGHTS
® Original George Washington family homes
® Charming Old Town Fredericksburg – a shopper’s delight and restaurants to suit any palate
® Four Civil War battlefields
® Classic Broadway musicals at Riverside Dinner Theater
® Wine tastings and food pairing demonstrations
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1:
George Washington influenced not only Fredericksburg’s history, but also the new nation he helped form. At Ferry Farm you’ll see the site of Washington’s boyhood home before journeying to the home he pur- chased for his mother, the Mary Washington House, and his sister’s home, Kenmore, known for its beautiful plasterwork. His brother, Charles, sold his home and it later became the Rising Sun Tavern, remaining today as a lively interpretive site with costumed 18th century tavern DAY 3: wenches. Lunch can be enjoyed on your own in Old Town or at any of a wide variety of group-welcoming restaurants. Spend the evening There are many unique sites in the area that have an ambience all their at Potomac Point Winery learning about and sampling the award- own. Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont was the home of this winning wines and the food that is paired with them. American Impressionist artist. Your senses will delight in not only the wonderful artwork and furnishings, but also the gardens on the 27-acre DAY 2: estate. No visit to the area would be complete without some free time for shopping in Old Town Fredericksburg. After lunch on your own in one Strategically located midway between the capital of the Confederacy of the independently owned restaurants, spend time browsing the in Richmond and the U. S. capital in Washington, D. C., Fredericksburg galleries, antique shops, boutiques and craft stores that line the brick was the scene of four of the most devastating battles of the Civil War. sidewalks, a portion of the 40-block National Historic District. After lunch A local guide will join you as you visit Chatham Manor, a Georgian visit Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center housed in two plantation home that served as a vital Federal headquarters, commu- historic buildings and discover thru the eyes of local residents the region’s nications center and hospital. Visitor centers at Fredericksburg and rich and varied past. Or perhaps you need medical treatment. Although Chancellorsville feature museum exhibits, videos and short walking Dr. Mercer may not be in at the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, his tours that tell the story of the four battlefields in the region. Enjoy apprentice will be certain to have a treatment for whatever ails you. evening entertainment at Riverside Dinner Theater, which possesses state-of-the-art facilities and seats 452 guests. Riverside boasts gourmet Your group will depart the Fredericksburg region with many fond memo- cuisine, a choice of four entrees served at your table and a commit- ries and an appreciation for one of the most historic cities in America. ment to classic Broadway musicals. We welcome you to experience it for yourself.
CONTACT: Fredericksburg Regional Tourism Partnership OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE: ® Lura Hill, Manager Tourism Sales • www.VisitFred.com ® Art, Romance, Mystery, Fashion—Immerse Yourself 706 Caroline St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401 ® Of Wine and Roses Phone: 540-372-1216/866-405-3046 • Email: [email protected]
LeisureGroupTravel.com June 2011 53 Corinth, Mississippi SPIRIT OF FIRE & STRENGTH OF STEEL and Shiloh, Tennessee
HIGHLIGHTS
® Stand at the 16 most important square feet of the Confederacy
® See the place where the Battle of Shiloh was planned
® Taste the delights found at Mississippi’s oldest family drug store/soda fountain.
® Walk the path of freedom with former slaves
® Find a “place of peace” at Shiloh
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1:
Morning: Start the day with a visit to the Alcorn County Welcome Center with a complimentary coffee break and rest stop. A step-on guide will then present the sights of Civil War Corinth: Crossroads Museum at the Depot, where the railroads crossed thrusting Corinth into the national spotlight in the 1860s and home to an impressive col- lection of local relics; C&D Jarnagin Company, a leading outfitter of tain is a bonus featuring cherry Cokes and chocolate malts. While at Civil War reenactment uniforms and supplies; Verandah Curlee House, Borroum’s, view the Confederate monument on Court Square dedicat- the site where Special Order #8 was given for the launch of the Battle ed to Col. William Rogers, the hero of the Battle of Corinth. of Shiloh; and Civil War Earthworks, the best preserved in the nation. Evening: Dine on the porch of the Generals’ Quarters Inn, an 1870s Lunch: So as not to miss a moment of Corinth’s history, we will be home in the heart of the historic downtown residential district. treated to lunch at the Weaver Center, a private dining facility trimmed with a fine, private collection of Civil War artifacts. DAY 2:
Afternoon: Corinth’s premier attraction, the Corinth Civil War Morning: We will get an early start with complimentary breakfast at Interpretive Center, a National Park Service site, is next on the list. It the host hotel where a guide will be on hand for a tour of Shiloh features interpretive films, interactive exhibits and a marvelous outdoor National Military Park. As we make our way into the park, either a courtyard and fountain. Ranger programs are also available. Then it is ranger or professional guide will join the tour at the Visitor’s Center to off to the Corinth Contraband Camp, the site of early freedom for give an in-depth view of the pivotal points of the battle including many African-Americans even before the Civil War ended. The group stops at the Hornet’s Nest, Peach Orchard, Bloody Pond, Albert will next be treated to a driving tour encompassing Corinth National Sidney Johnston Death Site and Pittsburg Landing. Cemetery, Antebellum Homes and Historic Businesses. As an after- noon treat, a visit to Borroum’s Drug Store has been added. Opened Lunch: Catfish, hushpuppies and sweet tea abound as the tour is by a Confederate veteran in 1865, Borroum’s is Mississippi’s oldest, capped off with lunch at Hagy’s Catfish Hotel, a historic Tennessee continuously family-operated drugstore. An old-fashioned soda foun- riverfront restaurant just yards from the Shiloh Battlefield.
CONTACT: Corinth Area Convention & Visitors Bureau OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE: ® Kristy White • www.corinth.net ® A Feast for the Senses 215 N. Fillmore St., Corinth, MS 38834 ® A Birthplace of Freedom Phone: 800-748-9048 • Email: [email protected]
54 June 2011 special section LeisureGroupTravel.com WHERE TRUE GRIT HAPPENED Fort Smith, Arkansas
HIGHLIGHTS
® Fort Smith National Historic Site ® “The Medicine Show on Hanging Day” musical/comedy ® Railway excursion through the Ozarks ® Tour/tasting in Arkansas Wine Country ® Chaffee Barbershop Museum DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1:
Afternoon: Miss Laura’s Visitor Center—Tour the former bordello, the first to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. With prior arrangements, “Miss Laura” will be in costume to greet and give DAY 3: the tour! Pre-arrange for refreshments of sarsaparilla and peanuts. Step- on guide can join group for driving tour of Historic District. Morning: Fort Smith Art Center—Fine paintings, sculptures and art exhibits or Farm Tour—Working farm in operation for over 60 years by Fort Smith National Historic Site—Tour Hangin’ Judge Isaac C. three generations of a family. Learn about farming in the region and Parker’s Courtroom, the old jail known as “Hell on the Border,” and see crops such as soybeans/rice/corn. Stroll through pecan groves; see replica of famed gallows where 79 men met their fate. honeybees at work.
Evening: Dinner—The Lighthouse Inn on the banks of the Arkansas St. Scholastica—Tour the facility and get insight on life in a convent. River and enjoy Miss Laura’s Players in The Medicine Show on Artwork by Sisters dating back to early 1900s. Hanging Day, an original musical/comedy in its 17th year of produc- tion. Step back into a colorful past, both novel and entertaining! Electric Trolley—Nostalgic ride through downtown on a restored electric trolley (1926 Birney). DAY 2: Lunch: The Park at West End—Dine in restored rail car; ride a clas- Morning: Darby Home—Boyhood home of the founder of famed sic 1935 Ferris wheel (in the 1930s World’s Fair in San Diego); take in World War II “Darby’s Rangers,” restored to the early 1940s; contains sights/sounds of an old-time calliope. lots of World War II memorabilia. OR Taliano’s Italian Restaurant—locally owned and operated, home is A & M Railway—Excursion north through the beautiful Ozarks. One- on the National Register of Historic Places with original chandeliers and way or roundtrip available. Box lunch can be pre-arranged. stained glass.
Afternoon: “High Tea” at the Clayton House—Circa 1850s Chaffee Barbershop Museum—History of Fort Chaffee, built in 1941 restored home of William Clayton, Judge Parker’s prosecuting attorney. to train World War II recruits. Restored barbershop where many recruits Contains authentic Clayton family and period pieces. “High Tea”/tour got their first ‘buzz” cut, including Elvis Presley in 1958! must be pre-arranged. Return to hotel. Arkansas Wine Country—Visit one of several wineries for tour/tasting Church Tours—First Lutheran and Immaculate Conception followed by dinner at Wiederkehr’s Weinkeller Restaurant, listed Church have beautiful stained glass windows and fascinating history. on the National Register of Historic Places.
Fort Smith Museum of History—150 years of Fort Smith history; Other activities available: learn the city’s role in the early frontier, Civil War and the area’s late • Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center; learn how 19th century lawlessness. Enjoy old-fashioned soda at the working “The Natural State” got its name. drug store/soda fountain. • Choctaw & Cherokee Casinos – Enjoy time at the slots!
CONTACT: Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE: ® Carolyn Joyce • www.fortsmith.org ® Take a Walk on the Wild West Side 2 North B St., Fort Smith, AR 72901 ® Fort Smith, Arkansas – The West Starts Here! Phone: 479-783-888 or 800-637-1477 • Email: [email protected] ® 6-night Itinerary – check in and see our entire area with hub-n-spoke tours
LeisureGroupTravel.com June 2011 55 EVER-NEW AND TIMELESS TRADITIONS Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
HIGHLIGHTS
® 7 Live Theaters
® Sharks to Shopping
® New SkyWheel
® New Pirates Voyage
® New WonderWorks
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1: Arrive in Myrtle Beach, SC
• Check in at host hotel DAY 3: Coastal South Carolina • Savor the delectable dishes from Myrtle Beach's finest choice of restaurants that offer group rates • Breakfast at host hotel
• Catch live entertainment at one of Myrtle Beach's renowned theaters • Stroll along the New Boardwalk
• Return to hotel and settle in for an evening of rest and peace • Ride the New SkyWheel
DAY 2: Myrtle Beach Area • Tour Broadway at the Beach
• Breakfast at host hotel • New WonderWorks (at Broadway at the Beach)
• Visit Brookgreen Gardens and its new Low Country Center that • Ripley’s Aquarium depicts the history of the Low Country from its Native American beginnings to its slave era and beyond; don't miss the entertaining • Lunch at local restaurant featuring Southern cuisine and informative one-man show of Gullah native and historian Ron Daise tracing the history of the Gullah people from Africa to South • Catch live entertainment at one of Myrtle Beach's New Shows Carolina's Low Country (New Butterfly House, seasonal) • Return to hotel; relax your weary bones and knotted muscles • Buffet or boxed lunch at Brookgreen Gardens
• Travel to Hopsewee Plantation for afternoon tea and tour DAY 4: Depart Myrtle Beach
• Shop along the coast for cultural arts and crafts including: quilts, • Breakfast at host hotel sweet grass baskets, dolls, wood carvings, collectibles and memora- bilia; also set up a craft class making sweet grass baskets or grass dolls • Depart from Myrtle Beach
• Return to Myrtle Beach for a dinner and show on the town
• Rest at your host hotel
CONTACT: Myrtle Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE: ® Sandy Haines • Visitmyrtlebeach.com ® Postcards & Sharks Tour 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 ® Yellow Ribbon Tour Phone: 843-916-7248 • Email: [email protected]
56 June 2011 special section LeisureGroupTravel.com NEW ORLEANS PLANTATION COUNTRY River Parishes, Louisiana
HIGHLIGHTS
® Historic plantations with demonstrations
® Conveniently located between New Orleans and Baton Rouge
® Enjoy authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine
® Unique shopping and arts venues
® Experience a taste of New Orleans
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1: Travel Through Time
Begin your tour in Vacherie at Oak Alley Plantation, one of the world’s DAY 3: African American Heritage most photographed plantations with its alley of 300-year-old oak trees and Civil War history. Spend a little time shopping Oak Alley’s vast gift Explore our African American heritage. Laura: A Creole Plantation shop on the grounds. Nearby St. Joseph Plantation is a working has tours based upon Laura’s detailed memoirs of life in Creole Creole sugar plantation with tours provided by descendants of Joseph Louisiana in 1805 and the interaction between the slaves and her fam- Waguespack who acquired the property in 1877. After a full morning ily. This plantation is also noted as the place where the tales of Br’er of touring, cross the river at Hwy. 641 and stop for lunch at Nobile’s Rabbit were first recorded. A wide variety of gifts, including Laura’s Restaurant. Nobile’s was founded in 1895 during the logging boom memoirs are available in the gift shop. Stop for lunch at B&C and still serves authentic Louisiana dishes in an historic atmosphere. Seafood Market & Cajun Restaurant, a quaint spot known for its There are several historic churches in the area to tour before heading mouth-watering, down-home Cajun and Creole dishes. Evergreen east to Garyville, where the opulence of San Francisco Plantation Plantation in Edgard has the most intact plantation complex in with its vivid colors and intricate architecture will stand in stark contrast the South with 37 buildings on the National Register of Historic to the more modest Creole homes. Leave time for shopping at Places, including 22 slave cabins. Both Evergreen and Laura: A Creole Roussel’s Antiques in LaPlace or a Cajun Pride Swamp Tour before Plantation are featured on the Louisiana African American Heritage dinner at Frenier Landing Restaurant & Oyster Bar. LaPlace-area Trail because of their dedication to preserving the true stories of hotels will provide comfortable accommodations for your group. slaves, as well as their contributions to art, history and Louisiana culture. Then cross the Mississippi to Reserve to visit Our Lady of DAY 2: Touring and Swamp Tours Grace Church. Then head toward New Orleans or Baton Rouge along the River Road or I-10. Take I-10 to Darrow for a tour of Houmas House Plantation & Gardens, stopping off at its lavish gift shop. Then take I-10 to Exit 220 and head to tours at Ormond Plantation and Destrehan Plantation. Ormond is a West Indies-style plantation, and Destrehan is the old- est documented plantation home in the lower Mississippi Valley and boasts skilled artisans and displays of the original Louisiana Purchase documents. Ormond Plantation serves lunch during the weekday, or Zydeco’s in Boutte is also a good option for groups. An exhilarating Swamp Adventures or Airboat Tours by Arthur Matherne will round out the afternoon. Dinner at Mario’s Cypress Café and another night’s accommodations in the area will leave you refreshed for one more day of touring.
CONTACT: River Parishes Tourist Commission OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE: ® Kimmie Carlos • www.NewOrleansPlantationCountry.com ® Churches and Cemeteries 2900 Highway 51, LaPlace, LA 70068 ® Outdoor Adventures Phone: 985-359-2783, 866-204-7782 • Email: [email protected]
LeisureGroupTravel.com June 2011 57 OPSAIL 2012 – INTERNATIONAL TALL SHIP FESTIVAL Norfolk, Virginia
HIGHLIGHTS
® Wednesday, June 6: Military Parade of Sails – Navy War Ship/Grey Hulls Noon to 4 p.m.
® Friday, June 8: Parade of Sails – International Tall Ships Noon to 2 p.m. in Downtown Norfolk
® Friday, June 8 through Monday, June 11: Opsail Festival is open with food, art and entertainment
® Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10: International Tall Ship Visits – 9 a.m. to noon
® Saturday, June 9: Wisconsin/Nauticus or Spirit of Norfolk Dinner and Fireworks – 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Afternoon: Take a bus tour of the world’s largest naval installation, DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY Naval Station Norfolk. A knowledgeable, active-duty Navy guide will board your motorcoach and give a narrated tour of the base. Tour Each year Norfolk celebrates nautical history by displaying tall ships the MacArthur Memorial and discover the life and career of a five- from all over the world, along with maritime events, children's activi- star General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur. Located in Downtown ties, local, regional and national entertainment, delicious food and a Norfolk’s restored 1850s City Hall, the complex contains a museum, spectacular fireworks display all along the downtown waterfront. theater and special exhibit galleries. Next year Norfolk expects over 20 International Tall Ships, 10 Military Evening: Dinner, Fireworks and Ships! Sit in style for the fireworks Grey Hulls and ships from around the world with Opsail 2012! on the tailfin of the Battleship Wisconsin. Before the fireworks, take a tour of Nauticus, the Battleship Wisconsin and Hampton Roads Naval DAY 1: Friday Museum. Nauticus is a fun and exciting interactive science and tech- nology center exploring the power of the sea. It features more than Afternoon: Come aboard the Spirit of Norfolk or the Victory Rover for 150 exhibits, films and exotic aquatic life. Hampton Roads Naval the Parade of Sails. Watch tall ships from around the world sail down Museum introduces you to over 200 years of naval history in Hampton the Elizabeth River in a spectacular two-hour parade. You will have the Roads. Located next to Nauticus is the Battleship Wisconsin, the best view of the harbor, with 700 boats and vessels to see, as well as largest and last battleship ever built by the U.S. Navy. Nauticus and more than 20 international tall ships. the Battleship Wisconsin are located right next to Town Point Park. End your tour with a wonderful dinner at Nauticus. Do not forget you can DAY 2: Saturday also jump aboard the Victory Rover or Spirit of Norfolk for the best seat in the house for the fireworks! Morning: Come explore an outdoor festival on the water at Opsail. Ships from countries around the world including Italy, Brazil, Ecuador, DAY 3: Sunday Spain and the Netherlands have been invited to Norfolk’s waterfront for this spectacular event. Enjoy live music and great food. Tall Ships Morning: Take a fun-filled boat ride or tram tour at Norfolk Botanical open for tours giving visitors the opportunity to explore the decks and Garden. Explore the waterways or stroll the gardens and discover a talk to international sailors. Special private tours of the Tall Ships are variety of plants from the cultivated to the wild. available for groups from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday and Sunday. Lunch: Stroll over to Granby Street, one block from Opsail. Experience over 30 locally-owned and -operated restaurants from American bistro to tapas to Mexican. Whatever your taste buds are, Granby will satisfy.
CONTACT: VisitNorfolk OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE: ® Melissa Hopper • www.VisitNorfolktoday.com ® Virginia International Tattoo 232 E. Main St., Norfolk VA 23510 ® Norfolk’s Annual Jazz Festival Phone: 800-368-3097 • Email: [email protected]
58 June 2011 special section LeisureGroupTravel.com SHOWTIME IN THE SMOKIES Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
HIGHLIGHTS
® Great Smoky Mountains National Park
® Dollywood
® Theaters & Dinner Shows
® Shopping
® Parkway Attractions
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1:
Afternoon: Upon arrival in town, the towering ship-shaped muse- um attraction, Titanic Museum Attraction, is anchored and ready for boarding. Twenty galleries with priceless Titanic artifacts, the grand staircase and the chill of an iceberg will have your group in awe. DAY 3: Evening: The Smith Family Dinner Theater offers a wonderful variety of music and fun by hometown entertainers, The Smith Boys. A Southern Morning: Start your day with a step-on guide tour of the most visited cooked meal rounds out the show. After dinner, the Tennessee Shindig national park in the United States, Great Smoky Mountains National is the place to go. A show that will bring back the memories of days Park. This three-hour tour will give your group a look at its awe-inspir- gone by! ing beauty!
Afternoon: Have lunch at the Pottery House Cafe for soups, salads, DAY 2: sandwiches and spuds in the Old Mill Historic district! A matinee performance at the Country Tonite Theatre delivers the best mix of Morning: After a hearty breakfast at Wood Grill Buffet, it’s off to country classics and country hits of today. Dollywood. Whether you come in the spring for Festival of Nations, summer for KidsFest, fall for National Gospel & Harvest Celebration Evening: It’s feudin’ fun at the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud. or for Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival, Dollywood has great enter- Become part of the longest-running feud in history as they settle their tainment, master craftsmen and thrilling rides. differences mountain-style OR settle the feud between the North and the South at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. It’s the Most Fun Evening: Enjoy a delicious dinner and show at the Lumberjack Feud, Place to Eat in the Smokies! the Smokies’ rowdiest good time dinner show! After dinner, go on down the road where you’ll find the Smoky Mountain Opry — big This itinerary is a perfect fit for any of our many festivals that are held stage, big cast, big talent wrapped into one big show! throughout the year!
CONTACT: Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE: ® Joy McNealy, CTIS • www.pigeonforgetours.com ® Winterfest Magic P.O. Box 1390, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868 ® Autumn Colors Phone: 800-285-7557 • Email: [email protected]
LeisureGroupTravel.com June 2011 59 Where time is not measured by a clock.
Where you bring luggage but lose baggage. Where every visit creates lasting memories
Motorcoach travelers know that Pigeon Forge is the perfect place to make memories. Could be because there’s so much to see and do here … shopping, shows, Dollywood® or the majestic beauty of our Smoky Mountains. Or it could be that warm welcome they receive, kind of like visiting an old friend. Whatever the reason, they know that every visit creates memories that will last a lifetime. PigeonForgeTours.com
1-800-285-7557
Where the GPS is always set to fun. EVENTS IN PIGEON FORGE TENNESSEE
JANUARY JULY Wilderness Wildlife Week™ Patriot Festival FEBRUARY AUGUST Saddle Up! Celebrate Freedom!™ MARCH OCTOBER A Mountain Quiltfest™ Harvestfest MAY NOVEMBER–FEBRUARY Dolly’s Homecoming Parade Winterfest
PigeonForgeTours.com 1-800 -285-7557 FORGING FREEDOM: AMERICAN CIVIL WAR AND EMANCIPATION 150TH Richmond, Virginia
HIGHLIGHTS ® Experience Richmond when our nation was at war
® Enjoy a narrated Canal Cruise
® See the largest collection of Confederate artifacts in the nation
® Drive along the nation’s only avenue designated a National Historic Landmark
® Visit sites that tell the stories of enslaved Africans
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1: Richmond
• Begin your day at the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar, which tells the national story of the Civil War through three DAY 3: Richmond perspectives: Union, Confederate and African American. • Continue to the Richmond National Battlefield Park and Civil War • Take a Canal Cruise on the canal designed by George Washington. Visitor Center, where a park ranger will orient you to the region’s sur- Don’t miss the Henry “Box” Brown exhibit along the canal. In 1849, rounding battlefields and introduce the story of Richmond during the Brown, a slave who worked in a Richmond tobacco factory, shipped Civil War. himself to Philadelphia in a box. • Explore the emancipation story at the Manchester Slave Trail. For • Visit the Chimborazo Medical Museum, the site of the largest 40 years prior to the Civil War, Richmond was the nation’s center for military hospital in the world from 1861-1865, where 76,000 patients the export of slaves. were treated. • An afternoon tour of Historic Shockoe Bottom brings you to cob- • Tour the Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church which was organized blestone streets, Lumpkin’s Jail Site and the Reconciliation Statue. by Rev. John Jasper, a former slave. Here lunch is available by • Attend an Emancipation-themed dinner. appointment. • Visit Jackson Ward, a 40-block neighborhood once known as the DAY 2: Richmond “Harlem of the South.” • Visit St. Paul’s Church, an elegant example of Greek Revival • Tour the Virginia State Capitol, meeting place of the Confederate architecture featuring Tiffany windows, and where Jefferson Davis Congress and where Gen. Robert E. Lee accepted his commission in received word from Gen. Lee to evacuate Richmond on April 2, 1865. the Confederate Army. • Enjoy dinner in a historical setting. • Visit the Museum and White House of the Confederacy, which houses the largest collection of Confederate artifacts in the nation, DAY 4: (Optional battlefield visits) and Jefferson Davis’ home. • After lunch, drive along Monument Avenue, the nation’s only avenue • Learn why the names of places such as Seven Pines, Petersburg, designated a National Historic Landmark. Most monuments are dedi- Gaines Mill, Cold Harbor and Malvern Hill are forever etched in cated to Confederate leaders. America’s memory by exploring some of the Richmond Region’s best • Enjoy a late afternoon visit to Hollywood Cemetery, the final resting known battlefields. Guided tours are available with a park ranger. place of Jefferson Davis, 25 Confederate generals, 18,000 Confederate dead and two U.S. Presidents. • Visit the Virginia Historical Society, whose headquarters was constructed as a shrine to the Confederate dead. An American Turning Point: The Civil War in Virginia relates personal experiences of Virginia’s free and enslaved men, women and children. • Attend an 1862 Confederate dinner. CONTACT: Richmond Metropolitan CVB OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE: ® Janie Lawson, CTIS, Tourism Sales Manager • www.VisitRichmondVa.com ® Footprints in Time: The African-American Story www.OnToRichmond.com • 401 N. 3rd St., Richmond, VA 23219 ® 400 Years of History & Beyond! Phone: 800-370-9004 or Direct: 804-783-7409 • Email: [email protected]
62 June 2011 special section LeisureGroupTravel.com York County, South Carolina and the GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN Charlotte, North Carolina region
HIGHLIGHTS
® Afternoon at a day spa
® Antique shops, outlet stores and shopping malls with stores such as Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus and White House/Black Market
® Tour of Glencairn Garden and master gardening class
® Float down the Catawba River or whitewater rafting at the U.S. National Whitewater Center
® Golf at one of York County’s premier golf courses
® Horseback riding at the Anne Springs Close Greenway
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1:
With an afternoon arrival, begin the York County experience with an out- Enjoy a tour of Glencairn Garden, an 11-acre garden displaying ing at a day spa…facial, massage, pedicure, and manicure. After unwind- nature’s finest colors, textures and shapes; visitors can also spend ing at a day spa, enjoy a wine and cheese reception at the hotel, and then some time improving their gardening skills with a master gardener top off the evening with dinner at a local restaurant. class. A trip to the York County area would not be complete without a NASCAR experience…visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame, ride on the DAY 2: track at Charlotte Motor Speedway and the Richard Petty Driving Experience. After breakfast, Day 2 is full of options…spend the day doing whatever seems fun! One option is to enjoy a relaxing float down the pristine And of course, no girlfriend getaway is complete without shopping. Catawba River. Bald eagles, deer, osprey and many other species call Spend time strolling through antique shops, outlet stores, and shopping the Catawba River home. And a picnic along the river is as good as it gets. malls with stores such as Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus and White If a more exciting water ride sounds more fun, the U.S. Whitewater House/Black Market. Center, home of the world’s largest re-circulating river, is the place to be. Novices and experts alike can enjoy flatwater or whitewater kayaking… The evening can be spent enjoying the arts at a Winthrop University rafting is also a part of this awesome experience. theater or dance production, a live musical performance at the Sylvia Theater in quaint downtown York or a show at the Blumenthal Other outdoor opportunities include golf at one of York County’s pre- Performing Arts Center in bustling Uptown Charlotte. mier golf courses. Hiking or horseback riding is also available at Anne Springs Close Greenway, a 2,300-acre greenway filled with spacious DAY 3: forests, rambling terrain, shimmering lakes and rolling pastures. And if fly- ing through the trees seems the thing to do, then Camp Canaan is the Sleep in and enjoy some girl coffee time. Then enjoy a delicious brunch place to be. A zip line canopy tour of this 100-acre island sends visitors at a local restaurant and return home refreshed and energized. zipping through 100-year-old oak trees and flying over the beautiful Catawba River.
CONTACT: Rock Hill/York County CVB OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE: ® Margaret Wallace • visityorkcounty.com ® Thrills & Spills 452 S. Anderson Rd., Rock Hill, SC 29730 ® Holiday Cheer Phone: 888-702-1320 • Email: [email protected]
LeisureGroupTravel.com June 2011 63 VICKSBURG: THE KEY TO THE SOUTH Vicksburg, Mississippi
HIGHLIGHTS
® Vicksburg National Military Park
® Old Court House Museum
® Vicksburg Battle Field Museum
® Biedenharn Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia
® Five Waterfront Casinos
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1:
Morning: Meet your licensed tour guide at the Vicksburg National Military Park’s Visitors Center and enjoy a film presentation that details the Campaign for Vicksburg. Continue through the 1,800-acre park, which features over 1,340 monuments that commemorate the campaign, defense and siege of Vicksburg in 1863. Visit the ironclad gunboat U.S.S. Cairo with its thousands of artifacts that had been submerged on the bottom of the Yazoo River for 102 years. Vicksburg National Cemetery embraces 116 acres and holds the remains of DAY 2: 17,000 Civil War Union soldiers, a number unmatched by any other national cemetery. Morning: The Vicksburg Riverfront murals by acclaimed artists Robert Dafford and Martha Ferris feature life-sized depictions of Lunch: Enjoy a delicious Southern-style lunch at the restaurant of your the history of Vicksburg. Just across the street, enjoy a leisurely stroll choice in one of our historic districts. through the Children’s Art Park at Catfish Row.
Afternoon: The Old Court House Museum will welcome you to Just up the bluff from the murals is the Biedenharn Museum of stroll through its 15,000 square feet of exhibition space and an entire Coca-Cola Memorabilia, where Coca-Cola was bottled for the first city block of lovely grounds. The 1858 structure is considered to be time in 1894. Those with a fascination for vintage dolls will surely want the city’s finest antebellum structure, and its exhibits showcase thou- to visit Yesterday’s Children Antique Doll and Toy Museum, which sands of artifacts from pre-Columbian implements to the contents of is home to one of the largest U.S. collections of rare 19th and 20th ladies’ wardrobes in the Costume Room, and, of course, a plethora of century French and German bisque dolls. fine artifacts from the Civil War. Lunch: Choose from one of many restaurants located throughout the Discover a host of tour homes for your enjoyment. Our tour homes historic district offering specialties that range from down-home deli- date from the early 1820s through the turn of the 20th century. For a cious to downright elegant. tour of antebellum Vicksburg, visit Cedar Grove Mansion, where cannonballs from Union gunboats are lodged in the floors and walls; Afternoon: Marvel at the majesty of Old Man River from one of our Anchuca Mansion, which was the home of Jefferson Davis’ brother scenic river overlooks high above the mighty Mississippi. Joseph; and Duff Green Mansion, which served as both a Union and Confederate hospital during the siege. Your tour of Vicksburg will not be complete without a visit to the Church of the Holy Trinity. View its 11 Tiffany stained-glass windows and the Evening: Vicksburg is home to five world-class waterfront casinos only known set of stained-glass windows honoring the deceased of where you find the excitement of gaming as well as lavish evening both the North and South. buffets.
CONTACT: Vicksburg Convention & Visitors Bureau ® Sherry Jones • www.visitvicksburg.com P.O. Box 110, Vicksburg, MS 39181 Phone: 601-636-9421 • Email: [email protected]
64 June 2011 special section LeisureGroupTravel.com
SAVANNAH, EST. 1733 Savannah, Georgia
HIGHLIGHTS
® A unique city layout with an abundance of squares and parks
® River Street with over 100 restored cotton warehouses, restaurants, art galleries and shops
® Informative and fun tours offered through the Historic District
® Nighttime activities that include riverboat cruises and live musical theater
® Outstanding dining options including The Lady and Sons restaurant, home of famous Southern chef Paula Deen
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 3: DAY 1: African-American History: Take a tour that focuses on our rich black heritage. Highlights include a church that was built by slave labor Savannah Welcome Center/History Museum: The Savannah History and served as part of the Underground Railroad. We’re also home Museum showcases the city’s history from its founding to the present to the state’s oldest continuous school for newly freed slaves as well day. The museum is home to exhibits that include Forrest Gump’s as a modern museum chronicling the civil rights struggle in Savannah. bench, one of Johnny Mercer’s Oscar Awards and a carriage owned Military Might: From its beginning, Savannah has been fortified to by the family of Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low. protect its residents and strategic port. Today our eight forts stand as Take a Tour: Get to know Savannah by experiencing a city tour, either un-garrisoned but fascinating reminders of our military history as well on our period-style trolleys or with one of our highly trained step-on as striking memorials to our country’s struggles to remain free. guides. The tour lasts about two hours and will help your group get Fright Night: Discover why Savannah has repeatedly been named better acquainted with our genteel Southern beauty. “America’s Most Haunted City!” There are numerous touring options to Eat, Drink and Be Merry: Savannah offers all types of casual and choose from, making this a great evening event for your group that’s upscale dining options. We can help you determine which restaurants entertaining, fun and informative, no matter the age. are particularly “group friendly!” DAY 4: DAY 2: Visit a Historic Home: Savannah’s past is told in the many house Riverboat Tour: Explore the Savannah River’s natural beauty on the museums that populate the area. Your group will enjoy this immersion Savannah Riverboat. This two-hour excursion shows you the city from into the lifestyles of our most famous founding fathers, exploring their a unique perspective. You might even spy playful dolphins swimming period homes, possessions and history. alongside! Savannah Souvenirs: Your group will enjoy spending their last after- Tasty Treats: Go behind the scenes to see the “masters at work” noon in Savannah looking for that perfect signature Savannah souvenir. creating some of the most delicious candies and cookies in the South. The city has a multitude of trendy shops and boutiques that are sure Fantastic Tybee Island: Just 20 minutes from Savannah lies Tybee to have something for everyone. Island, a uniquely charmed island that offers a change of pace and It’s Showtime!: Your group’s final night in Savannah is sure to be a taste. While there, take your group to the Tybee Light Station. Dating memorable one as they experience the city’s live musical theater. The back to 1773, the lighthouse is one of America’s most complete his- two-hour production will have your group smiling, laughing, singing toric light stations. and tapping their toes to the melodies of well-known songs of the past and present.
CONTACT: Savannah Area Convention & Visitors Bureau OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE: ® Mindy Shea • www.visitsavannah.com ® Ladies of Leisure Girlfriends Getaway 101 E. Bay St., Savannah, GA 31401 ® Savannah’s African-American Heritage Phone: 912-644-6419 • Email: [email protected]
66 June 2011 special section LeisureGroupTravel.com THE DELTA MUSEUM MILE Greenville-Washington County, Mississippi
HIGHLIGHTS ® Hebrew Union Temple History Museum
® Old #1 Firehouse Museum
® The Patriot
® 1927 Flood Museum
® The Birthplace of Kermit the Frog Museum
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: DAY 2:
Meet up with your Museum Coordinator and begin your journey Breakfast at one of our memorable breakfast places – Jim’s or Bucks. through time. This is the very soil where the blues was born. The HWY 61 Blues Begin at the 1927 Flood Museum. Greenville is the epicenter of one Museum chronicles the story of the Delta Blues through the music, folk of the worst natural disasters in history. The break in the levee here put art and artifacts of Little Milton, B.B. King, James “Son” Thomas and flood water over the roofs of houses 75 miles away. Tour this natural many more. phenomenon that changed landscapes, lives and politics in the oldest structure in downtown Greenville. Long before Miss Piggy karate-chopped her way into our hearts, Muppet creator Jim Henson was born in Greenville and played on the banks of Explore the impact of Greenville’s writers on Southern literature at Deer Creek. A visit to The Birthplace of Kermit the Frog Museum is Greenville Writers’ Exhibit at William Percy Memorial Library. filled with the creativity of Jim Henson and all his Muppet friends. Greenville is said to have produced more famous writers per capita than any city in the country. Lunch at Connie’s Kitchen in Leland, MS
Housed in the restored Miller Building, Greenville History Museum Enjoy a walking tour of Greenville’s Historical Cemeteries. From Holt provides a glimpse into Greenville’s history from the late 1800s to the Collier (Teddy Roosevelt’s hunting guide) to The Patriot (a mysterious 1970s. Memorabilia, artifacts, photos and news clippings take visitors knight), the cemeteries of Greenville have some of the most fascinating through each gripping day of the 1927 flood and give visitors a stories to tell. glimpse of how people lived, worked and played back in the day. Experience regional cuisine at one of our local eateries. Ride with the brave firefighters of history in this restored vintage (circa 1923) fire station at the Old #1 Firehouse Museum. DAY 3:
Lunch downtown Greenville Cypress Preserve is one of the last virgin cypress pre- serves in the U.S. This 16-acre preserve showcases magnificent 100- Gazing at the monolithic mounds at Winterville Mounds State Park, year-old cypresses. one can almost hear the tribal drums and chants of a civilization that thrived a thousand years ago. E.E. Bass Cultural Arts Center and the Armitage Herschell Carousel are housed in the same building. The E.E. Bass Cultural Arts Greenville Air Force Base Museum was an Army Flying School, Center holds seven exhibitions per year, and Delta Center Stage has which instructed thousands of U.S. airmen and women. The museum produced a subscription season of plays continuously for 29 years. tells their story from the darkest days of WWII through the Cold War. The Armitage Herschell Carousel is beautifully hand-painted and one of the two oldest working Armitage Herschell Dinner around town at one of our unique restaurants. carousels in the country.
CONTACT: Greenville-Washington County CVB OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE: ® Wesley D. Smith • www.visitgreenville.org ® A Day In The Delta 216 S. Walnut St., Greenville, MS 38701 ® Delta Man-Cation Phone: 800-467-3582 • Email: [email protected]
LeisureGroupTravel.com June 2011 67 Biloxi, Gulfport, Ocean Springs, Pascagoula, Bay THREE DAYS OF DISCOVERY St. Louis and Stennis Space Center, Mississippi
HIGHLIGHTS
® Ship Island Excursions – watch for dolphins as you catch a noon trip to the island, home of Ft. Massachusetts and beautiful beaches
® Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art – experience the creations of “Mad Potter” George Ohr and other coastal artists
® StennisSphere – discover outer space in a whole new interactive way
® Old Town Ocean Springs – unique boutiques, galleries and restaurants in a quaint artisan town atmosphere
® Biloxi Lighthouse – climb the restored lighthouse, an icon of the Coast DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY Afternoon: For a truly unforgettable experience, meet the real McCoys! DAY 1: Savor the Flavor of Gulf Coast Culture Let Captain Lynn with McCoy’s River and Marsh Tours take you on the Pascagoula River, one of the most pristine river swamps in America. Morning: Start off the day soaking in the Coast history and culture. Greet some gators at the Gulf Coast Gator Ranch, the oldest gator Experience the creations of “Mad Potter” George Ohr at the Ohr- farm in Mississippi. O’Keefe Museum of Art complex. Travel back in time at the Pleasant Reed Interpretive Center, a replica of the original house built by Night: On your way back through Ocean Springs, choose from a variety former slave Pleasant Reed in 1887. Stop by the Hurricane Katrina of excellent restaurants, bars and pubs, all within walking distance. Memorial built by Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Climb the restored Biloxi Lighthouse, icon of the Coast, built in 1848. Explore Beauvoir, DAY 3: From the Bay to Beyond the Milky Way circa 1852, last home of President of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis and the origin of his memoirs. You won’t want to miss a tour through the Morning: Spend the day in the Bay. Drive along Beach Boulevard and new Presidential Library at Beauvoir, scheduled to open late 2011. marvel at the beautiful tree sculptures that decorate our coastal high- way. After a beautiful drive west along the Gulf, cross the Bay of St. Afternoon: If the Gulf of Mexico beckons, catch a noon trip with Ship Louis into a shopping and dining paradise. Mississippi’s West Coast is Island Excursions from the Gulfport Harbor. Watch for dolphins as you home to more than 200 resident artists, creating the unique pieces cruise to Ship Island, home of Ft. Massachusetts and beautiful beaches. exhibited in local galleries. Visit St. Rose de Lima, a Catholic church Relax aboard the Biloxi Schooners, replicas of the oyster schooners with a magnificent surprise! Stop by the historic L & N Train Depot, used from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Take in tales of shrimping, home to Hancock County’s CVB, for a rest and visitor information. fishing and Biloxi history aboard the Biloxi Shrimping Trip and Biloxi Historic Tour. Become a “foodie” for the afternoon with a culinary Afternoon: Intrigued by outer space? Blast off to StennisSphere and demonstration or Southern tea offered by one of our local chefs. discover why America comes to NASA’s Stennis Space Center before going into space. Begin your journey at the Launch Pad to prepare for Night: Enjoy excellent restaurants, top-name entertainment and exciting your mission. Travel on to a narrated tour through the nation’s largest gaming at one of our first-class casino resorts. rocket test complex where space shuttles’ main engines were tested. Stand by for the opening of the new interactive science museum, DAY 2: Old Town and the Real McCoys Infinity, where visitors will explore our earth, oceans and space with a hands-on, activity-based format. Morning: Travel east to Old Town Ocean Springs. Visit the many boutiques and galleries of this quaint artisan town. Don’t miss the Night: On your way back, stop in revitalized Downtown Gulfport, Walter Anderson Museum of Art, home of the distinctive works of where restaurants, hot music spots and cozy bars are just steps away this renowned Coast artist. from one another.
CONTACT: Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE: ® Janet Harrington • www.gulfcoast.org ® Student and Family-Friendly Itinerary P.O. Box 6128, Gulfport, MS 39506 ® Eco-Tourism and Outdoor Adventures Itinerary Phone: 888-467-4853, ext. 228 • Email: [email protected]
68 June 2011 special section LeisureGroupTravel.com Add the Mississippi Gulf Coast to your next Deep South Tour and...RELAX!
You can relax when you plan a tour to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Where your tour options are many: Twenty-six miles of beaches, walkable bridges, glitzy casino resorts, headline entertainment, 24 hour gaming, fun-fi lled festivals, outdoor adventuring, coastal attractions, cruising, exciting museums, unique boutiques, artisan districts, and hidden galleries, shopping, Old Town strolling on tree-lined streets, fresh seafood and award winning dishes at group friendly restaurants, signature golf and fantastic charter boat fi shing.
And, help with your tour planning is a given: Customized itineraries, hotel lead service, referral service for step-on guides, group attractions, restaurants, special programs, digital imagery for your fl yers, online catalogs and local maps for your tour members along with genuine southern hospitality.
Call us about adding the Mississippi Gulf Coast to your tour schedule and plan to relax.
CONTACT: Janet HarringtonManager Leisure Sales & Group Travel Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB
Phone: 888-467-4853 Email: [email protected]
THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA: Tunica, Clarksdale and Indianola, THE LAND OF KINGS Mississippi, and Memphis, Tennessee
HIGHLIGHTS
® Accommodations, dining and casino gaming in Tunica
® Graceland, Sun Records and Beale Street in Memphis
® Clarksdale’s Delta Blues Museum and Ground Zero Blues Club
® B.B. King Museum in Indianola
® National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY
Just down the road in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, there is a spe- cial place that connects you to the legends, history and excitement of Peabody Hotel. Witness the tradition of the famous Peabody Marching Southern Kings. Ducks. Every day at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., a red carpet is unrolled and the ducks march through crowds of admiring spectators to the tune of John DAY 1: Tunica Philip Sousa's King Cotton March. National Civil Rights Museum. Located at the Lorraine Motel, the Check into your luxurious Tunica Casino Resort Hotel. Your group may assassination site of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the museum chronicles enjoy any of the nine casino resorts with 24/7 gaming action in the South’s the legacy of the American civil rights movevement. Casino Capital. Dinner recommendations: Paula Deen’s Buffet at Harrah’s Casino Resort (Y’all hungry?) or the Holywood Cafe, made famous in the Return to Tunica for the evening, enjoy dinner at a casino resort or one of song “Walking in Memphis” and home of the fried dill pickle. the local favorites. End the night with some fast-paced casino gaming.
DAY 2: Tunica and Memphis Options DAY 3: Tunica – Clarksdale – Indianola
Tunica: Enjoy breakfast at one of the spectacular casino buffets or the Blue and Tunica RiverPark Museum. Aquariums, interactive exhibits and dioramas White Cafe, a mainstay on Hwy. 61 since 1937. Head south down his- reveal the legends and life of the Mississippi River. Voted the Southeast toric Highway 61 to Clarksdale and on to Indianola. From the cotton Travel Attraction of the Year. fields, street corners and juke joints of the Mississippi Delta came a new Tunica Queen Riverboat. Sightseeing cruises on the Mississippi River. kind of music – the blues. Considered by many to be the only truly Tunica Museum. Don’t miss Dr. Dick’s humorous and entertaining pres- indigenous American music, this form that has influenced musicians entation on the history of Tunica and “King Cotton,” the crop that made worldwide is deeply rooted in Delta soil. In Clarksdale, visit the interna- the Mississippi Delta famous. tionally acclaimed Delta Blues Museum or Hopson Plantation. The Delta Blues Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation Memphis: of the blues. Displays include one of B.B. King's "Lucille" guitars, harmon- Graceland. Experience life as Elvis did at his estate, Graceland, with an icas once owned by Sonny Boy Williams II and the log cabin that Muddy audio guided tour. Located just north of Tunica. Waters lived in at the Stovall Plantation. This is blues heaven. Enjoy lunch at the Ground Zero Restaurant, co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman. Lunch – many choices Depart Clarksdale, continuing down Highway 61 and over to Indianola, Sightseeing Tour of Memphis may include: birthplace of B.B. King and home of the new B.B. King Museum and Sun Studio. Guided tour through the Birthplace of Rock ′n Roll. Hear Interpretive Center. The museum explores King’s 60-plus-year career outtakes from sessions, touch Elvis′ first microphone and hear the histo- through objects from his life and work. ry of the studio that launched Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, B.B. King and many more. Return to Tunica for dinner.
CONTACT: Tunica Travel OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE: ® Bill Canter • www.tunicatravel.com ® Visit GroupTravelDirectory.com for more PO Box 2739, Tunica, MS 38767 Tunica itinerary ideas Phone: 888-488-6422 • Email: [email protected]
70 June 2011 special section LeisureGroupTravel.com camera shy.
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