April 2017 Leisure Group Travel

LEISURE APRIL 2017

GROUP TRAVEL

Medieval Banquets Days of yore, knights to remember

4 Top

Aquariums

Watery wonderlands in the East

What’s Up Down South?

Newest attractions, exhibits, experiences Historic Theaters in the Heartland Vintage venues shine as performing arts centers

FEEDING GIRAFFES AT THE ZOO WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF OUR TOUR ‘TIL WE HIT THE DESSERT TRAY AT SCHMIDT’S Columbus ranked “Highest in Visitor Satisfaction in the Midwest”

Great tours are Made in Cbus. Pair a visit to the zoo Jack Hanna calls home with a cream puff at iconic Schmidt’s in historic German Village. As a leader in experiential tours, Columbus is a perfect fit for a group of any size (or taste)!

experiencecolumbus.com/tours

Columbus, OH received the highest numerical score among 8 cities in the Midwest in the J.D. Power 2016 Destination Experience Satisfaction Study, based on 26,124 total responses, measuring the experiences and perceptions of travelers who visited a top 50 U.S. destination, surveyed February-July 2016. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com

CONTENTS

39 April 2017 • Vol. 27, No. 2

Broadway musicals like Hairspray bring groups to the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, Illinois.

LEISURE GROUP TRAVEL

FEATURES

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TAKE 5 With Mike Grueninger, President, Grueninger Tours

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CURTAIN CALLS Our Guide to Theaters spotlights seven group-friendly venues

DESTINATIONS

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SOUTH

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EAST

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CENTRAL

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WEST

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INT’L

WHAT’S UP DOWN SOUTH? BY DAVE BODLE Check out the latest attractions, exhibits, events and experiences

4 TOP AQUARIUMS BY MILES DOBIS Underwater adventure and biological discoveries await groups

HISTORIC THEATERS IN THE HEARTLAND Vintage venues shine as performing arts centers

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DANIELLE GOLAB

CHUCKWAGON DINNER SHOWS BY SUE ARKO Cowboy music and great grub combine for a true Western experience

DAYS OF YORE, KNIGHTS TO REMEMBER BY RANDY MINK Eat, drink and be merry at medieval banquets in Britain and Ireland

COLUMNS 6

ON MY MIND

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ON TOUR

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JEFF GAYDUK

MARTY SARBEY DE SOUTO, CTC Blazin’ M Ranch

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2017 MINNESOTA GROUP & PACKAGED TRAVEL PLANNER o matter what your group is interested in, you will find plenty of experiences to keep them entertained in Minnesota.

This 74-page planner covers Minnesota in beautiful detail with articles including “Small Towns, Big Experiences in Southern Minnesota” and “Take a Walk in Prince’s Shoes.” Ten regional itineraries and essential contact information will provide actionable information for your next group adventure to the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

The Minnesota Group & Packaged Travel Planner is waiting for you at: bit.ly/2newo5L

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ONLY ON LEISUREGROUPTRAVEL.COM LOST YOUR FAVORITE ISSUE? e’ve got you covered with the newly released Magazine Archives on LeisureGroupTravel.com.

These easy-to-browse pages provide brief previews of the issue content and allow you to quickly and easily download any issue you like or go directly to the content online. Thus far, we have 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014 online, but we are working on adding previous years as well.

The pages can be accessed under the “Explore the Magazine” tab of the navigation menu on LeisureGroupTravel.com.

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et weekly digests of all the best online content with InSite, our free Friday e-newsletter, at: bit.ly/2nJBpje

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LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

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ON THE COVER: Virginia’s new American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. (Photo courtesy Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation)

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ON MY MIND

Vol. 27, No. 2 April 2017

By Jeffrey Gayduk

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

Our Team f you saw my kids’ extra-curricular schedule, you’d swear I was insane. I’ve been told an idle mind is the devil’s workshop, so my three spend their free time in the pool, at the school gym or the ballfield instead of in front of a screen. Swimming, scouts, soccer, baseball, hockey, volleyball, tae kwon do and golf – we keep em ̓ on their toes!

One of the perks of fatherhood is coaching my children’s extra-curricular activities. What I enjoy most about coaching is it allows me to see my sons or daughter up close, but outside the context of our family. To watch how they interact with other coaches and teammates, react under pressure, play goofy or serious.

You don’t get their version of events and circumstances, you live through them.

My No. 1 rule is that I never coach my kids differently than anyone else’s and live by the following mantra – play hard, have fun, no rants, no raves and, above all, be a good teammate.

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OUR TEAM Many of the same rules apply for the team I coach here at Leisure Group Travel and Premier Travel Media. I’m blessed to be surrounded by such a dedicated group of people who genuinely care about making a difference.

Managing editor Randy Mink skillfully guides our editorial with a keen eye for detail and a sharp pen. Recent University of Missouri School of Journalism graduate and budding staff writer Miles Dobis has honed his skills over the past 15 months and in the process has developed a flair for creative travel writing. Editorial coordinator Danielle Golab ensures all client itineraries are in order and

Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk jeff@ptmgroups.com

knocks out feature stories. Columnist Marty Sarbey de Souto has been offering advice and perspective on how to run better group travel programs since 2001. Dave Bodle serves up Southern regional content, thanks to his extensive contact network and often intense travel schedule.

The man putting all the puzzle pieces together for the past seven years is Rob Wyszkowski. Rob juggles multiple projects, tight deadlines and the myriad of photos, edits, ads and special requests while still managing to deliver this magazine and keep his sanity.

That’s not all. Throughout the year you’ll read contributions from nearly a dozen freelance columnists and feature writers who help shape Leisure Group Travel’s content.

We couldn’t do what we do without them.

Thanks to growing niche markets and custom publishing projects, our team keeps expanding. This past year we launched custom travel and sports guides for Indiana, Minnesota and Michigan, with an inaugural Colorado guide slated for this August. To feed this growth, a new editor joins our staff this month, while new business development, marketing and support staff have been added.

Like the travel industry, the publishing world continues to evolve. As you plot your next journey, know that our team is committed to helping you along the way.

Thanks for reading Leisure Group Travel.

Jeff Gayduk Publisher

Associate Publisher – Dave Bodle dave@ptmgroups.com

Managing Editor – Randy Mink randy@ptmgroups.com Staff Writer – Miles Dobis miles@ptmgroups.com Editorial Coordinator – Danielle Golab danielle@ptmgroups.com

Chief Development Officer – Lance Harrell lance@ptmgroups.com

Director, Design & Production – Robert Wyszkowski rob@ptmgroups.com

Vice President – Theresa O’Rourke theresa@ptmgroups.com

Regional Business Development Managers Ohio/Pennsylvania/West Virginia – Jonett Haberfield P 740.705.1873 • F 630.794.0652 jonett@ptmgroups.com

Mid-Atlantic/New England/ Wisconsin/Indiana/Kentucky – Ellen Klesta P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 ellen@ptmgroups.com

Southeast/West Coast – Cheryl Rash P 563.613.3068 • F 815.225.5274 cheryl@ptmgroups.com

Southeast – Eric Moore P 352.391.3314 eric@ptmgroups.com

Southwest – Dolores Ridout P 281.762.9546 dolores@ptmgroups.com The publisher accepts unsolicited editorial matter, as well as advertising, but assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or contributors. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, but the publisher makes no warranty that listings are free of error. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited photos, slides or manuscripts.

Leisure Group Travel (ISSN-1531-1406) is published bi-monthly by Premier Travel Media, 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406, Willowbrook, IL 60527. The magazine is distributed free of charge to qualified tour operators, travel agents, group leaders, bank travel clubs and other travel organizations.

Other travel-related suppliers may subscribe at the reduced rate of $12.00 per year. The regular subscription price for all others is $18.00 per year. Single copies are $4.95 each.

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

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publication

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

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ON TOUR

The Grand Canyon is high on the lists of international travelers visiting the U.S.

Give Receptive Travel a Try et’s say you’re doing well so far in offering an outgoing travel program.

This could be for your own group of friends you’ve put together, or it could be for preexisting organizations, schools, churches or other entities for whom you’ve prepared outgoing trips.

Perhaps what you’ve been doing so far has been one-day excursions to nearby points of interest, short weekend trips or maybe a cruise or two.

But whatever the product is and whoever your clientele may be to date, you’ve limited yourself to sending local U.S. clients outbound —away from home. You’ve never set up tours for foreign residents coming to the U.S. and traveling in your local area as part of an extended itinerary throughout the country— what is referred to in the travel/tourism industry as inbound or receptive travel.

Perhaps it’s time for you to review your thinking and attempt to balance your present or outgoing group business with some inbound business coming from other countries to see the U.S. Our country is a tremendously popular focus for foreigners, and many visitors from abroad come here year after year visiting different areas on each visit. According to the U.S. International Trade Commission,

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“international visitors spent on average $703 million a day on travel and tourism in the U.S. this past November alone.” That’s no small change and a market you might wish to target if you now have outgoing tourism under your belt.

WHERE TO BEGIN? You might start by assessing what is already being offered in or near your town.

Are there some particular sites—historic, culinary, theatrical, academic, sports-related— that would make for interesting itineraries you could design? What about farms, handicrafts, music, arts and crafts, and special events?

Find out if there is a nearby visitors center or convention bureau where you could offer your specialty tours to their inbound tour groups. Many towns have learned the financial value that inbound tourism can bring to their bottom line.

Ultimately, you may decide you want to design and operate the complete tour for an incoming international group. Or you may prefer to simply handle a one- or two-day package of your area that a larger, more experienced tour operator may purchase from you and incorporate into their overall itinerary.

National Park Service

Marty Sarbey de Souto, CTC

You might like to put together several different suggested itineraries that you could book for your area and write out a day-byday plan. Get group rates for the appropriate hotel properties you’d like to use. Check out daily rates for local charter buses or vans.

Get menus and meal prices from restaurants you’d like to use. Write down the prices of every item you plan to use in each of your itineraries: bellmen, waiters, entrance fees, meals, etc. Get NET rates and then add your markup (profit). Cost in at least one free trip for the incoming organization’s leader.

And if you plan to put on a professional guide speaking the language of the group, you’ll need to cost his/her trip and salary into the package as well.

PROMOTION How will you promote your company and its offerings? Is there a nearby convention and visitors bureau that can carry your offerings in their promotional literature? You may also want to start investigating attendance at world tourism conventions abroad, but that can get pricey.

A FEW CAVEATS • Start early enough. Most major tour operators are working on their product offerings and promotion a year in advance.

• Be sure you’ve covered the legalities, insurance, contracts with suppliers, cash flow to cover upfront publicity/promotion costs, advance hotel deposits, etc.

• Remember you may be dealing with non-English-speaking groups, so you may need to budget for translators or professional tour leaders who speak the language.

• Lastly, double check with a travel attorney as to what state requirements, if any, may be pertinent in terms of insurance coverage, handling of monies and the like.

Many states require that clients’ payments be held in escrow.

Go for it. It may open up a whole new world for you! LGT Marty is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) with a long history in the travel/tourism industry. She has been a tour operator, worldwide trip leader, college tourism instructor and textbook author. Her consulting firm is Sarbey Associates (sarbeyassociates.com).

>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

Mike Grueninger President, Grueninger Tours

Student Travel Power Player

ike Grueninger grew up in his family’s tour business. Indianapolisbased Grueninger Tours w as started by his parents in the 1950s and today with Mike at the helm, the company is a serious player in the adult and student markets. As the current president of the Student & Youth Travel Association ( SYTA), Mike has an inside perspective on student market developments and trends. Learn the secrets to his success in this edition of Take 5.

Leisure Group Travel: What is the history behind Grueninger Tours?

Mike Grueninger: My father came over as an exchange student from Germany in

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1953. He saw an opportunity to share Europe with some college students, so in 1954 he organized a tour of 32 students to explore Europe for 10 weeks for $800. That was his first venture into the business. It paid for his tuition, and of the 32 students one was Levy Jones. She spent 10 weeks in Europe and two years later she married my father.

He has seen every aspect of the industry.

He owned train cars in the 1960s and ran them to the World's Fair, in the ̓70s he chartered ships on the Great Lakes and in the ̓80s we owned motorcoaches. Man, I bless those motorcoach operators.

Mike Grueninger is the current president of the Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA).

LGT: When did you come into the business?

MG: I've grown up in it. I remember being seven years old on a motorcoach taking a high school marching band on a trip. After I graduated from Indiana University in ̓89 I spent two summers in Alaska, worked for Holland America Gray Line. It was a nice experience as a tour guide/bus driver. When I wasn’t in Alaska driving the bus, I was doing road shows with them around the country.

So that was a great experience to leave the family business and realize that no matter what size of company you have it's about the personal, and it's a service industry. >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

LGT: What led you to specialize in student groups?

MG: When I came back in ̓92 I really started working in the student sector, focusing on performing groups. I'm fascinated with the fine arts programs. The kids coming out, their work ethic, their intelligence level, everything about the fine arts programs.

Discipline is such a huge part of travel. Their group leaders have instilled this work ethic and respect, so when you're moving a large group you have their attention. It's a team. It makes life a lot easier and a better overall experience for the group when everyone's on the same page, playing by the same rules and respecting the procedures that are put in place.

LGT: Any destinations where Grueninger tends to be stronger than others?

MG: International is strong. For example, we have some groups going to Ireland. With how strong the dollar is, it's attractive, but the challenges we have is with airfare, trying to get group space with the airlines. That's the big challenge no matter what market.

Any student group that hasn't traveled internationally usually has doubts initially. Hawaii has been pretty popular for us recently; we take groups to the Pearl Harbor parade. The East Coast is still pretty strong, from DC to New York.

Many of these programs travel every year or every two years, so they have experienced the same destinations. What we’re finding more and more is that it's the group leader, what they are interested in doing that influences the destination. They might have their own bucket list.

LGT: Are trends the same in all parts of the country?

MG: Groups from the Midwest are going to weigh the pros and cons of flying and some of the hassles with that to taking a motorcoach. Some groups are telling us that because of the cost and ease factor they’re done with the popular destinations. A director will call us and say, "We want to travel in the spring, but we've done the ABC Amusement Park, what do you recommend?" That's where we go back and forth, sometimes domestic, sometimes international, sometimes even going up into Canada and getting the international experience without getting on a plane. Every director, teacher has a different expectation.

We've been pretty creative in what we've been able to do to give them an experience, provide value and not just go where the LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

We’ve been pretty creative in what we’ve been able to do to give them an experience, provide value and not just go where the amusement parks are.

Mike Grueninger President, Grueninger Tours

amusement parks are. What we often do is a combination, I see a lot more educational programs coupled with performing groups; they're tying in a lot of the education, more than just getting into a roller coaster ride. I think some of that is from the school board, some from the teacher wanting to offer these experiences for the kids.

LGT: What mid-market destinations do you see thriving?

MG: We took a group to the St. Patrick's Day's Parade in Savannah last year and tied it in to an Orlando trip. We did Nashville, Atlanta, Savannah and then down to Orlando, so they are able to get different experiences and march in an amusement park in Orlando.

They are able to find culture, history and fun.

LGT: This is such a competitive marketplace with 800-pound gorilla student operators competing with local travel agencies, tour operators and bus companies. Where's your advantage in the market?

MG: Relationships and service, treating people with respect and treating them fairly. We've been very successful in what we do because as a family business, we're not trying to hit a home run every time we have a program. It's more of hitting some singles and doubles. I know if we do a good job and treat people fairly from the beginning, then they're going to come back every year, two years, four years, it's a cycle. There's a lot of word-of-mouth in this industry when they find that you do a good job; the word spreads fast. You have to make sure you partner with reputable companies that are representing your best interests. LGT

Contact Grueninger Tours at: 317-581-1122, mike@grueningertours.com GoGMT.com

Mike’s father, Othmar Grueninger, is a native of Germany who founded the Indianapolis-based tour company in the 1950s.

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CURTAIN CALLS f you are looking for an evening slot to fill on your group itinerary, look no further.

Theaters are a classic addition to any itinerary. Whether your group is in the mood to see a Broadway show, be wined and dined or take a behind-the-scenes tour, these theaters get rave reviews.

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In A Tribute to the King, John Beardsley dazzles Nashville audiences with Elvis Presley hits.

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GUIDE TO THEATERS

A TRIBUTE TO THE KING Nashville, Tennessee his high-energy musical starring John Beardsley features six periods in Elvis Presley’s career.

With over 30 songs and five costume changes, it has thrilled audiences of all ages in Nashville, where he recorded over 300 songs. The legend lives on in Nashville’s first and only continuously running show.

A Tribute to the King is celebrating its 1,000th show this season. Shows are performed on Mondays and Thursdays, March through October. (thenashvilleking.com)

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FIRESIDE DINNER THEATRE Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin xperience the magic of The Fireside Dinner Theatre, Wisconsin’s #1 year-round motorcoach attraction. You’ll enjoy superb dining, beautiful gift shops and professional Broadway musicals in a state-of-the-art theater-in-the-round. Celebrating 53 years and three generations of Klopcic Family hospitality, the Fireside is a complete destination in itself or the perfect complement to any Wisconsin tour. Presenting seven performances weekly year-round, The Fireside is fully accessible to guests with disabilities. (firesidetheatre.com)

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DERBY DINNER PLAYHOUSE Clarksville, Indiana erby Dinner Playhouse takes pride in being one of the oldest and biggest dinner theaters in the country. More than three million people have visited the theater. Past productions have included Singin’ in the Rain, Cats and The Odd Couple. Eight mainstage shows run Tuesday through Sunday year-round. Groups will be fully wined and dined with Derby’s homestyle buffet that features classic American cuisine. Derby Dinner Playhouse is a group’s one-stop shop. Future shows include A Christmas Carol the Musical and Mamma Mia! (derbydinner.com)

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AMERICAN MUSIC THEATRE Lancaster, Pennsylvania he 1,600-seat American Music Theatre hosts more than 300 live performances each year, ranging from touring concerts to original shows and comedy acts. Original shows are written, directed and produced in-house, including the popular Christmas Show. The theater has welcomed Grammy, CMA, Tony and Oscar winners to the stage since opening in 1997. In 2017, the original show Vegas Legends captures the famous voices and energy of Las Vegas. (amtshows.com)

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GUIDE TO THEATERS

DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS Dallas, Texas ince the 1940s, Dallas Summer Musicals has been a well-known nonprofit that produces and presents Broadway theater. Performances are put on year-round at the Music Hall at Fair Park and include a diverse lineup to entertain audiences of all ages. Examples of past shows include Elf the Musical, Wicked, The Lion King and Million Dollar Quartet. Upcoming shows include The Bodyguard, White Christmas, The Color Purple and Les Miserables. (dallassummermusicals.org)

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TIBBITS OPERA HOUSE Coldwater, Michigan uilt in 1882, Tibbits is one of the oldest theaters in Michigan and is rich in history and ambiance. This intimate 499-seat theater hosts concerts, children’s programs, art exhibits and local events year-round. Every summer Tibbits holds a professional summer theater series. Upcoming shows this summer include The Cemetery Club, Damn Yankees, Footloose and The Fox on the Fairway. Group tours are available and are adaptable to fit your group’s interests. (tibbits.org)

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BLUE MAN PRODUCTIONS New York, Las Vegas, Boston, Chicago, Orlando, Berlin he company’s Blue Man Group show has been performed in more than 20 countries and seen by 35 million people since 1991. It combines technology, art and comedy to create a one-of-a-kind experience to appeal to all. The show is continuously adding new music, stores, instruments and technologies. Your group can find Blue Man Group at its permanent theaters in New York, Las Vegas, Boston, Chicago, Orlando and Berlin. The production also has a world tour. (blueman.com)

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BEEF & BOARDS DINNER THEATRE Indianapolis, Indiana o visit to Indy is complete without a stop at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. This unique destination offers dining and professional live entertainment – all in one location that’s easy to reach. The theater provides live Broadway shows in an intimate atmosphere. Upcoming shows include Ring of Fire, West Side Story and Ghost the Musical. Beef & Boards has proudly hosted groups of 20 to 450 for over 40 years. (beefandboards.com)

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THE HISTORIC SAVANNAH THEATRE Savannah, Georgia he Historic Savannah Theatre is celebrating its 15th anniversary entertaining audiences in Savannah’s beautiful historic district. Its high-energy music show with singers, dancers, comedians and a rockin' live band is rated "The #1 Entertainment in Savannah" by TripAdvisor, and was voted "Top 5 Favorite Theatre Shows in America" by NTA in 2013. Performances run year-round and are fun for groups of all ages, featuring pop music, rock and roll, Broadway, country and Christmas Spectacular in December. (savannahtheatre.com)

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A TRIBUTE TO THE KING THRU THE YEARS 1953-1977

In this fast-paced, high-energy show, John Beardsley sings 30 songs, has five costumes, tells you about six eras of The KING’s career, covering the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. Wynonna says, “You were AWESOME!” and Country Weekly says, “Check out John and his MUST SEE show!”

Call for tickets. Mondays and Thursdays March-October.

CELEBRATING OUR 1,000TH SHOW IN NASHVILLE!

(615) 758-0098 • www.thenashvilleking.com 2416 Music Valley Dr. • Nashville, TN 37214

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The new U.S. Freedom Center: The Boeing Center showcases military aircraft at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S UP

DOWNSOUTH? From bicentennials and roller coasters to new museums and entertainment venues, 2017 and beyond promises to be rich with new experiences 18

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Louisiana Office of Tourism

By Dave Bodle

LOUISIANA There are many new reasons to experience Louisiana. The Tabasco Factory on Avery Island has opened a new visitor center and an on-site restaurant offering Cajun cuisine and culture. Houma Area Geotour, the only official geocaching tour in Louisiana, takes you to scenic and historic locations. Delta LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel in Vinton has just completed the first stage of a $45million expansion project. Near Leesville the Museum of the New Liano Colony shares exhibits of the progressive cooperative.

New Orleans Steamboat Company is adding a 1,000-passenger sternwheeler for dinner cruises. The U.S. Freedom Pavilion: The

Boeing Center at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans is now open and showcases military weaponry and industrial production. Shreveport-Bossier City offers two culinary experiences for groups: a wine and chocolate pairing by a professional sommelier and Chef Harris’ “Us Up North” demonstration and Southern meal.

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MISSISSIPPI

Civil rights leader James Meredith

Recognized officially as the 20th state on Dec. 10, 1817, Mississippi extends the invitation to celebrate its history and culture in 2017. Events during the year-long Mississippi Bicentennial Celebration will include concerts and the “1817 Constitution and 20-Star Flag Tour.” The celebration culminates in December with the opening of both the Museum of Mississippi History and Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson. The former will share the state’s history from earliest times to the present, with displays including quilts made by slaves and prehistoric Native American artifacts. The civil rights museum examines the period of 1945 to 1976 as black Mississippians became leaders in the fight for civil and voting rights.

ALABAMA Alabama became the 22nd state on Dec. 14, 1819 and will celebrate its bicentennial for three years. The 2017 theme is Exploring Our Places. As if a three-year celebration isn’t enough, there’s plenty more happening. The legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studio has reopened after completing a $1-million renovation. Adjacent to the City of Foley’s sports complex, a new $500-million, 14-acre amusement park is being constructed. Mobile’s Mardi Gras traditions are celebrated in the new Mobile Mardi Gras Park featuring a collection of brightly colored statues.

North Alabama’s Muscle Shoals Sound Studio just completed a $1-million renovation.

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A RETREAT BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS AND THE RIVER IN DOWNTOWN GATLINBURG.

SPRING UP for a unique get a way where relaxation and recreation are a natural part of the scenery.

SPLASH DOWN in our large outdoor heated pool with slide. Open April to October.

HEAD OUT for some world class shopping

and delicious dining. With plenty of parking right outside your door and a trolley stop across the street, park once and don't give your car a second thought until you leave.

At the foot of the stunning Smoky Mountains, across the street from Ripley's Aquarium, in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, and just a short drive to all the fun and entertainment of Dollywood, the Greystone Lodge on the River is the ideal location for your next meeting, retreat or conference.

greystonelodgetn.com Call 800-451-9202 or groupsales@greystonelodgetn.com

NEW ROOMS!

SETTLE IN

to one of 240 rooms, including new family suites with a mini-kitchen and plenty of space for bunking up and bonding.

WAKE UP

every morning with our deluxe complimentary hot breakfast buffet complete with biscuits and gravy.

Family owned for over 50 years. We love where we are. We love what we do. And we love sharing it with you.

VIRGINIA The new American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, r eplacing the Yorktown Victory Center, combines new exhibits and outdoor living history. The film Liberty Fever pulls visitors into the world of Revolutionary America, and galleries present five major themes: The British Empire and America, The Changing Relationship â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Britain and North America, Revolution, The New Nation and The American People. Outdoors, visitors interact with historical interpreters at the Revolution-era farm and Continental Army encampment.

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American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

MISSOURI

St Louis, Missouri

Gateway Arch

After hosting NTA Travel Exchange and Travel South Showcase in 2017 first quarter, the Show Me State still has plenty to share.

Titanic Branson has introduced the Titanic Murder Mystery for groups. An elaborate dinner party is underway, but a short time later it’s sinking. A shot rings out and a ship’s officer is dead. At Branson’s Starlite Theatre, “Raiding the Country Vault” and “Raiding the Rock Vault” are both new for 2017. Showboat Branson Belle has a brand new concert cruise, “Country on the Lake.” Wonders of Wildlife National Aquarium and Museum opens in Springfield. Kansas City’s Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art will begin expansion this year, and St. Louis unveils the totally renovated Gateway Arch Museum.

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TENNESSEE New venues and important birthdays highlight an important year in the Volunteer State.

Elvis Presley’s Memphis at Graceland, a $45million, state-of-the-art entertainment complex, the largest and most significant expansion in Graceland history, opened in March. The Chattanooga Choo Choo complex is the new home of Songbirds Guitar Museum with its collection of vintage guitars, each with a story to tell.

In Nashville the Ryman Auditorium turns 125.

A premier concert venue and tourist attraction with five historic exhibits called the “Soul of Nashville,” Ryman Auditorium is a group favorite. In Chattanooga the beloved Moon Pie turns 100 this year. Don’t leave Tennessee without one.

Elvis Presley’s Memphis entertainment complex just opened at his Graceland mansion.

A LEGEND The legend of Johnny Cash was forged on the Arkansas delta. Come experience his childhood home in Dyess, arkansas. Get more information and plan your tour at arkansasgrouptravel.com or by calling 1-800-872-1259.

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Arkansas.com/cash

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ARKANSAS Art takes center stage in the Natural State.

The $70-million upgrade to Little Rockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Robinson Center, including acoustical and technological enhancements, renders it capable of hosting any Broadway production and celebrity attraction. In Fayetteville the Walton Arts Center kicked off its 25th anniversary season with a new atrium and updates to accommodations and technology at the Starr Theatre. New murals by world-renowned international artists will appear on the historic downtown walls of Fort Smith during Septemberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 10-day Festival of Murals.

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Festival of Murals, Fort Smith, Arkansas

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GEORGIA Keep Georgia on Your Mind with an eclectic mix of new additions to the tourism scene. In Atlanta the Fernbank Museum of Natural History has opened its 10-acre outdoor experience, WildWoods and Fernbank Forest. Elevated walkways provide astonishing views. Cedartown in Northwest Georgia is home to the newest Coca-Cola museum, Cedartown Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia.

At Granddaddy Mimmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Authentic Moonshine distillery, now open in Blairsville, tours detail how three simple ingredients combine to make one powerful beverage.

WildWoods is a new outdoor experience at Atlantaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fernbank Museum of Natural History.

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KENTUCKY It’s not all about good Kentucky bourbon, it just seems that way. Old Forester Distillery in Louisville is undergoing a $30-million renovation in two historic buildings; tours will be available in late 2017. Michter’s Micro-Distillery will open in historic buildings across from the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. Dueling Barrels Distillery will open in Pikesville this fall. Lux Row Distillers is coming to Bardstown, the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” A bourbon label, 1776 James E. Pepper is being revived in Lexington.

The International Bluegrass Music Center in Owensboro is undergoing a $15-million renovation.

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

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NORTH CAROLINA From outdoor adventure to arts and culture, North Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s small towns and big cities offer an array of tour experiences. In Raleigh the Gregg Museum of Art & Design reopens this summer with a collection that includes textiles, ceramics, photography and modern furniture. Mustangs and related memorabilia go on display this summer in Concord at the Mustang Ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Museum.

Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park opens in late summer with 31 wind-powered sculptures.

Carowinds theme park will be adding four new rides and a new WinterFest celebration.

Dirty Dancing, the film that made Lake Lure famous, will mark its 30th anniversary with a Dirty Dancing Festival Aug. 18-19.

LEISURE

GROUP TRAVEL

Looking Ahead To Our June Issue

Beach, Lakefront and Riverfront Destinations Sightseeing Cruises Faith-Based Travel Market

See our page-flip edition & past issues at

LeisureGroupTravel.com

We can help showcase your business to groups.

Call us at 630.794.0696 or email advertising@ptmgroups.com

Dirty Dancing Festival

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WEST VIRGINIA Like an army, groups move on their stomachs and West Virginia is ready with the newly published “101 Unique Places to Dine in West Virginia” guide. Locals share their culinary favorites from down-home country cookin’ to exquisite French cuisine. Group-friendly restaurants are not forgotten.

The Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown is listed in “101 Unique Places to Dine in West Virginia.”

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

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There’s so much new in the Sunshine State that you might need to add a few extra days to the itinerary. Later this spring Pensacola welcomes two 75-foot, double-decker, climate-controlled catamaran ferries to transport groups to Gulf Islands Seashore National Park on Santa Rosa Island. Lightner Museum in St. Augustine displays a collection of 36 authentic Victorian-era costumes and accessories from the acclaimed PBS drama Downton Abbey from Oct. 4, 2017 to Jan. 7, 2018. SeaWorld Orlando will introduce Kraken Virtual Reality Roller Coaster this summer. The new ride at Universal Orlando Resort, Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, is an NYC experience from skyscrapers to subways. Pandora: The World of Avatar will be the largest expansion of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Miss Fortune Falls at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park takes guests on a journey aboard treasure rafts. The Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science will open in a new Miami location with a stateof-the-art planetarium and interactive exhibits. Punta Gorda will be the home of Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens when it opens in September. LGT

Pandora: The World of Avatar

Disneys Animal Kingdom

FLORIDA

SeaWorld Orlando

Kraken Virtual Reality Roller Coaster, SeaWorld Orlando

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>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

iscover “The Real America” as you relive 200 years of history at the original gateway to the West. Retrace the footsteps of fearless deputy U.S. marshals and the infamous outlaws they brought to justice in Indian Territory. Explore the majesty of the Ozarks by train. Visit the renowned Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and uncover an international urbancontemporary street art scene. Experience the beauty of Arkansas Wine Country. Tour Fort Smith, Arkansas!

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Fort Smith, Arkansas

The Real America Day 1 Miss Laura’s Visitors Center: Tour the first former bordello listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “Miss Laura” will give a guided tour.

Fort Smith National Historic Site: Visit “hanging judge” Isaac C. Parker’s courtroom and walk along a portion of the Trail of Tears.

BBQ Dinner with Miss Laura’s Players: Enjoy delicious BBQ in the Riverfront Park Events Building overlooking the Arkansas River. Miss Laura’s Players will entertain with a comedic performance of “The Medicine Show on Hanging Day.”

Day 2 Farm tour: Learn about crops like soybeans, rice and corn. Stroll through pecan groves and observe honeybees.

Sequoyah’s Cabin: Tour the home of Sequoyah, who developed the Cherokee alphabet.

Lunch at The Restaurant of The Cherokee: Head to Tahlequah for a lunch with fried bread, drink and dessert.

Murrell Home: Tour the 1845 mansion of George Murrell, who married a niece of Cherokee Chief John Ross.

Cherokee Heritage Center: Tour the ancient village, Cherokee National Museum and Adams Corner Rural Village.

Back to Fort Smith for dinner.

Day 3

FORT SMITH CVB Carolyn A. Joyce, Tour and Travel Sales Director 800-637-1477 or 479-783-8888 tourism@fortsmith.org FortSmith.org

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

Fort Smith Driving Tour: Explore the awe-inspiring murals along Garrison Avenue and 22-block Belle Grove Historic District.

A & M Railroad Excursion: Ride through the majestic Ozark Mountains.

High Tea at The Clayton House: The restored 1850s home of William Henry Clayton, prosecuting attorney for Judge Parker, contains authentic family and period pieces.

Fort Smith Regional Art Museum: One of Northwest

Arkansas’ newest additions to the art community.

Dinner at Taliano’s: Housed in the James Sparks Home (1887), this Romanesque mansion features handcarved fireplaces and original chandeliers.

Day 4 Depart for Northwest Arkansas.

Driving tour of Fayetteville: A step-on guide will take you through Hog Country and home of the University of Arkansas; also includes Mount Sequoyah.

Terra Studios: See where the Bluebirds of Happiness are made, enjoy a glass-blowing demonstration, and explore the art park’s sculptures and fountains. Everyone leaves with a Bluebird of Happiness.

Tour and Lunch at Peel Mansion: A tour of the 1875 mansion and Heritage Garden is followed by a catered lunch in the home.

Walton 5 & 10 Center: Visit Sam Walton’s original variety store, tracing the origins of Wal-Mart.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art: Celebrate the spirit of American art and architecture.

Dinner: Enjoy dinner at The Catfish Hole before heading back to Fort Smith.

Day 5 Arkansas River Valley Nature Center: Exhibits focus on the area’s wide variety of plants and wildlife.

Chaffee Crossing Historic District: Visit the 1941 WWII training facility and restored barber shop where Elvis Presley received the “buzz cut heard around the world” after being drafted. Also visit the Chaffee Military and Vietnam Veteran m useums.

Mount Magazine: Enjoy lunch at the lodge as you look out over the beautiful scenery.

St. Mary’s Church & Arkansas Wine Country: Visit St. Mary’s Church, then experience Swedish wine making at Wiederkehr Wine Cellar. Followed by dinner at Wiederkehr Restaurant.

Return to Fort Smith.

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ome experience Fayetteville, North Carolina, a place where History, Heroes and a Hometown Feeling create the backdrop for a fun-filled, threeday adventure. Fayetteville, home of Fort Bragg and Pope Field, has a rich tradition of service to our country. Add the charm of Southern hospitality, and your group has the perfect recipe for a wonderful getaway.

Fayetteville, North Carolina

America’s Hometown – All-American Sampler Day 1 Hometown History & Local Highlights Arrive in Fayetteville early afternoon.

Your visit begins with a historic walking tour of downtown. You will see the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum to learn about the colonial transportation system that united the colonies. Next, you will visit the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry (F.I.L.I.) Armory to see a treasure trove of unique artifacts and collectibles. Then you will see a number of historic churches and discover the unique architecture in the city’s buildings. Included are stops at the Market House, Cool Springs Tavern and Liberty Point.

Check in to your hotel this afternoon.

A popular option for dinner is at Heritage Square, hosted by the Women’s Club of Fayetteville.

You will enjoy a catered dinner along with a colonialstyle tour and storytelling.

Day 2

FAYETTEVILLE AREA CVB Jessica Bennett 910-483-5311 • Jbennett@visitfayettevillenc.com

VisitFayettevilleNC.com

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Fort Bragg Experience & Museums

Begin your day with a guided tour of Fort Bragg, one of the U.S. Army’s most important installations.

You will see the headquarters of the famous Golden Knights Parachute team, tour the JFK Special Warfare Museum and visit the 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum. In addition, you will view a number of interactive sights involving our hometown heroes. Options for Fort Bragg Experiences include: • P arachute packing with aerial delivery and quartermaster riggers • G olden Knights video/Q&A/briefing session • Tour the 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum

For an authentic experience, include lunch for your group and dine on post with true American heroes.

This afternoon you will visit the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, which highlights the role of the U.S. Army’s Airborne and Special Operations force. Then travel to North Carolina Veterans Park, the first state park dedicated to all military veterans from each of the five service branches.

This evening include dinner at the Hilltop House, circa 1910. You will learn about the history of the house following dinner.

Day 3 1897 Poe House & Cape Fear Botanical Garden Begin your day with a tour of the 1897 Poe House, the home of an affluent Fayetteville businessman and his family. Here you discover innovations and changes that defined the turn of the 20th century.

Next, it’s off to the Cape Fear Botanical Garden.

Nestled on 77 acres, the garden boasts blooms year-round. You will experience more than 2,000 varieties of plants and specialty gardens. Enjoy a self-guided tour or explore the garden with a docent. Specialty garden tours available include: Flower Promenade, Urban Forest, Down to the River Hike, Heritage Farm Lift and Butterfly Stroll.

Enjoy lunch provided by the Garden’s Cafe Cart.

Depart Fayetteville early afternoon.

We wish you safe travels and welcome you back anytime to Fort Bragg and the communities of Cumberland County.

>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

EAST

REGION

Top 4 Aquariums Underwater adventure and biological discoveries await groups at these world-class attractions

By Miles Dobis

ranting access to a realm that humans rarely enter, aquariums expose visitors to the wonders beneath the waves and enlighten them on the ecosystems of Earth’s oceans and lakes. Ideal for groups, they provide a good balance between education and escape. These four attractions, with their interactive elements and displays of shimmering specimens, will add ripples of excitement to tour itineraries in the Northeast’s largest metro areas.

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NATIONAL AQUARIUM Baltimore The crown jewel of Baltimore’s redeveloped Inner Harbor district, the National Aquarium is an architectural wonder. Opened in 1981 atop the remains of an aging shipping pier, the angular glass structure contains tiers of tanks housing complex ecosystems for 17,000 animals.

The Baltimore institution has become one of the most esteemed marine biology research centers in the world, >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

Visitors to New Jersey’s Adventure Aquarium encounter 3,000-pound Nile hippos (left) and sand tiger sharks (above).

welcoming international researchers and conservationists.

There are three main areas for visitors to explore, each with interlocking animal habitats. An enormous glass cube with an angled roof, the Glass Pavilion houses Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes.

Made to resemble a river gorge and centered around a three-story waterfall, the exhibit focuses on the diverse biomes of the Land Down Under. Birdwatchers can spot laughing kookaburras and rainbow LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

lorikeet parrots in the aviary, while fans of reptiles will find death adders, frilled lizards and spiny-tailed monitors in the Outback exhibit.

The diamond-shaped Blue Wonders pavilion is home to most of the aquarium’s fish population, with five layers of tanks stacked directly on top of each other and viewable from a corkscrew ramp.

At the building’s base is Shark Alley, an area teeming with sawfish, sand tigers and nurse sharks, and above it lies the

Atlantic Coral Reef, which features eels, porcupine fish and bonnethead sharks. Other exhibits in Blue Wonders feature an octopus tank, species native to Maryland and Upland Tropical Rainforest, which resembles a sprawling Amazon riverbed. A short bridge brings groups to Pier 4, home to Dolphin Discovery. Here, visitors can interact with playful bottlenose dolphins and watch their feeding in the spacious Marine Mammal Pavilion. (aqua.org) April 2017

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New England Aquarium Boston Built atop the Central Wharf that juts into Boston Harbor, New England Aquarium has been educating groups on marine life and conservation for almost 60 years. In addition to its four levels of exhibits and IMAX screen, the aquarium collaborates with whale-watching cruise companies. From April to October, groups can sail 30 miles offshore to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, where humpback, finback and pilot whales surface. Helpful guides explain the history of this feeding ground and how to identify species, and school groups can learn about marine mammal conservation.

The aquarium’s centerpiece is the Giant Ocean Tank, a 200,000-gallon cylinder that recreates a Caribbean coral reef. Guests can peer through the exhibit’s 52 windows to spot barracudas, sharks and even a scuba diver. The reef is also home to the aquarium’s most famous resident, Myrtle the Turtle.

The 80-year-old sea turtle has lived at the

aquarium since 1970, and you can meet her up close with an exclusive Meet Myrtle animal encounter. At the base of the tank lies the popular penguin exhibit, where over 80 of the Antarctic birds gather on rocks that evoke their coastal home. Trainers are on-hand to help guests differentiate rockhoppers (with their famous yellow feathers) from African penguins (with their loud mating call), and explain the birds’ complex social systems.

Four floors of exhibits branch off from the central Giant Ocean Tank, including the Tropical Gallery (which houses scorpionfish and living coral), Temperate Gallery (home to rare Australian sea dragons and Goliath grouper) and Freshwater Gallery (where visitors can see piranhas, Atlantic salmon and anacondas). Groups with small children will want to experience Edge of the Sea, an exhibit resembling a New England tide pool where visitors are allowed to touch sea urchins, horseshoe crabs and aquatic snails. (neaq.org)

Guests can gently stroke Atlantic rays at the New England Aquarium’s Shark and Ray Touch Tank.

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New York Aquarium New York City The oldest continually operating aquarium in the United States neighbors Coney Island’s famous Luna Park. Visitors are granted views of the Atlantic and up-close encounters with marine mammals in the aquarium’s mix of indoor and outdoor enclosures.

New York Aquarium

Conservation Hall features four exhibits that guide visitors through aquatic environments of Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Glover’s Reef is modeled after a coral reef system off the coast of Belize, with Atlantic rays, eels and Cuban hogfish among the residents. The Pacific Ocean’s Coral Triangle recreates the Indonesian coast with its extensive anemone population, and groups can spot clownfish among the clusters.

Africa’s Great Lakes transports visitors to the freshwater communities of Tanzania, where fish such as the dwarf cichlids and yellow labido develop survival mechanisms to thrive in environments with thousands of species. The hall’s final exhibit is Brazil’s Flooded Forest, where the highlight is a school of intimidating piranhas.

In warmer months, visitors can watch walruses, seals and penguins at the Sea Cliffs exhibit, designed to resemble the rocky California coast. The outdoor Aquatheater features “Sea Lion Celebration,” a show where Pacific aquatic mammals perform acrobatic tricks and demonstrate hunting techniques with commentary from keepers.

The aquarium’s most popular attraction for children is Spongebob Squarepants 4-D, which combines the experience of a 3-D film with sensory effects built into the theater's seats and environment. As viewers help Spongebob and Patrick retrieve jellyfish in Bikini Bottom, they are subjected to effects that include water mist, a neck air blast, snow, bubbles, leg ticklers, scents and seat vibrations. (nyaquarium.com) >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

his group itinerary is ideal for the soft adventure and live entertainment lovers as it features Washington County, Maryland's recreation trails and the Western Maryland Blues Fest, which occurs annually the first full weekend in June.

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Hagerstown, Maryland Area

Views, Brews & Blues Fest Day 1 Lunch: Enjoy lunch on the deck at Buddy Lous Antiques in Hancock, overlooking C&O Canal National Park.

Afternoon: Pedal forward with bike rentals from C&O Canal Bicycle. Ride the C&O Canal Towpath east to the Western Maryland Rail Trail all the way to Fort Frederick, the only remaining stone fort from the French and Indian War. Evening: Head downtown to City Center for an evening of live entertainment on the first night of the Western Maryland Blues Fest. Enjoy dinner at one of the many group-friendly restaurants in the heart of Hagertown’s Arts and Entertainment District.

Day 2 Morning: Tour the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, a fee-free museum with renowned permanent exhibits and esteemed traveling exhibits as well as local history and art displays.

Lunch: Grab a bite to eat at The Grill at Runways, a friendly atmosphere with a front-row view of the Hagerstown Regional Airport runway.

Afternoon: Head back downtown to City Center and rock the night away to the rhythm of the blues!

Evening: Unwind with Antietam Brewery Civil War Inspired Beers with a craft beer and dinner pairing customized for your group.

Day 3 Morning: Begin your day in Sharpsburg with a guided tour at Antietam National Battlefield.

The Battle of Antietam resulted in the bloodiest day of combat in U.S. history. On September 17, 1862, just over 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after 12 hours of battle. Then, gather the troops for a journey home along Maryland’s scenic byways.

VISIT HAGERSTOWN Audrey Vargason, Director of Sales 888-257-2600 • audrey@visithagerstown.com

VisitHagerstown.com

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

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ADVENTURE AQUARIUM Camden, New Jersey An extensive renovation has brought popular new attractions, such as the Shark Bridge and KidZone, to complement perennial favorites like sea turtles and the tropical reef. Fifteen themed areas over two floors ensure groups will have plenty of undersea life to encounter. Visitors also get stunning views of the Philadelphia skyline across the river.

Wonderful for children, the aquarium is filled with tactile exhibits and opportunities for smaller visitors to interact with marine species. Guests can touch and feed the gentle residents of the Stingray Beach Club, home to elegant leopard whiprays and yellow stingrays. The cold-water Creature Feature resembles the Pacific Northwest coast and has starfish, anemones and spot prawns to touch.

Adventure Aquarium is the only aquarium in the world to feature hippos. Visitors to Hippo Haven will venture into a recreation of an African river and meet Button and Genny, two 3,000-pound Nile hippos that play with only a few inches of glass separating

Adventure Aquarium

them from onlookers. Penguin Island is home to a flock of African penguins, and groups can see them on dry land or swimming 20 feet below the island’s surface in a 17,000-gallon tank. (adventureaquarium.com) In addition to their exceptional displays,

all four aquariums offer group admission discounts and behind-the-scenes tours for those who wish to probe deeper into marine biology. These impressive dives into undersea life will certainly make a splash with any tour group. LGT

3 Spectacular Aquariums to Amaze Your Groups!

GATLINBURG

TORONTO

MYRTLE BEACH

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies 888-240-1358 ext. 2156 groupsales@ripleys.com

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada 877-773-1497 ext. 2642 groups@ripleysaquariumofcanada.com

Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach 843-916-0888 ext. 3237 mbsales@ripleys.com

Since 1997 Ripley’s Aquariums have thrilled millions of visitors in North America. Traveling on moving glide paths, visitors enter the ocean realm and come face to face with thousands of fascinating fish and sea creatures, everything from stingrays, sea turtles, jellyfish, octopuses, moray eels and sharks!

Ask about our special trade and group rates: BOOK YOUR GROUPS TODAY!

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CENTRAL

The Embassy Theatre, a former movie palace and vaudeville house dating from 1928, brings Broadway shows, top comedians and music acts to downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana.

REGION

Historic Theaters of the Heartland Vintage venues rich in history provide a diverse array of entertainment, from Broadway shows to comedy acts to concerts of all musical genres

By Danielle Golab

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

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he Midwest abounds with small theaters dating back to the 1920s and 1930s. Born as movie palaces in many cases, these restored venues have evolved into performing arts centers providing everything from a good laugh or captivating story to a chance to sing along with your favorite artists. Some provide behind-the-scenes tours that focus on the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history and architecture. Here are seven theaters that will make good additions to your group itineraries.

The exquisitely restored Paramount Theatre in Aurora, Illinois has produced such Broadway musicals as Les Miserables.

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EMBASSY THEATRE Fort Wayne, Indiana

PARAMOUNT THEATRE Aurora, Illinois

Since 1928 the Embassy Theatre has been captivating patrons with its historic charm and diverse show schedule. Previously known as the Emboyd Theatre, it was originally a movie palace and vaudeville house. A seven-story hotel housing 250 rooms enclosed two sides of the theater. When vaudeville was at the height of its popularity, the Emboyd featured acrobats, comedians, musicians and magicians. For a quarter of a century the theater featured the biggest stars of stage and screen, such as Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong and Doris Day. The theater became the Embassy when it was sold in 1952. After it was threatened by demolition in 1972, a group of volunteers banded together to raise $250,000 to save the building, with just two days to spare before the scheduled destruction. Throughout the years this community treasure has undergone countless renovations. Today, the theater hosts comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and Broadway productions such as Mamma Mia! (fwembassytheatre.org)

The Paramount Theatre has been a part of downtown Aurora since 1930. When owners of the Aurora Theater Company sought to build a new theater to accommodate the transition from silent to sound films, architects C.W. and George L. Rapp, known for their movie palace work, were commissioned to design it. They combined a Venetian theme with the trending Art Deco influence of the time. Although it catered mainly to movie goers, the theater also featured vaudeville, concerts, sing-a-longs and circus performances. After years of wear and tear, the theater started undergoing renovations in the 1970s. Over 300,000 visitors from all over the Chicagoland area visit the Paramount annually to be entertained by dance, comedy, music, childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s programs and community events. The Paramount takes pride in producing all of its own Broadway shows, which have included Sweeney Todd and Jesus Christ Superstar. Movies are shown every Monday.

Tours of the Paramount are available. (paramountaurora.com)

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Paul Bunyan Playhouse

PAUL BUNYAN PLAYHOUSE AND HISTORIC CHIEF THEATER Bemidji, Minnesota Located in downtown Bemidji, the Chief Theater provides year-round entertainment for an intimate audience of 315 guests.

The venue was originally built as a movie theater but is now utilized as a multi-purpose performing arts center. Authentic Art Deco interiors reflect the theaterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s colorful past.

Tapping into its history with movies, the Chief still offers movie nights. The Paul Bunyan Playhouse, the oldest professional summer stock company in Minnesota, is the resident production company here and attracts talent from around the country. The playhouse, created in 1951, moved to the Chief Theater in 1992. Productions such as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dracula, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast and Chicago have been performed by the playhouse cast.

The upcoming summer season will feature The Marvelous Wonderettes; Baskerville, A Sherlock Holmes Mystery; Schoolhouse Rock Live!; Almost, Maine; and Legally Blonde, The Musical. (thechieftheater.com)

Post Playhouse

ADLER THEATRE Davenport, Iowa Opened as the Radio Keith Orpheum in 1931, this theater became the largest movie house in Iowa. Art Deco elements of the time, such as gold-leaf ceilings, crystal light fixtures and black ebony, walnut and marble detail, have been preserved. In 1973 the theater closed as a movie house and was utilized only periodically for road shows and concerts. Eight years later it was bought and donated to the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, Inc. and was restored and renamed the Adler Theatre in 1986. It hosts Broadway shows, other theatrical productions and comedians. Musicals such as Annie and Rent have graced the Adler stage. Concerts have included artists like John Mellencamp and ZZ Top. (adlertheatre.com) 42

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POST PLAYHOUSE Fort Robinson State Park Crawford, Nebraska Post Playhouse is one of a kind, not only for its location but for its history as well.

The theater is located in Fort Robinson State Park in northwestern Nebraska. The park was a former military fort, the theater building a former quartermaster’s depot.

Performance professionals from all over the country come every summer for the Broadway musical series. This year’s lineup starts on June 2 and includes Shrek the Musical, Mamma Mia!, Crazy For You, Chicago and Young Frankenstein. (postplayhouse.com)

HUTCHINSON’S HISTORIC FOX THEATRE Hutchinson, Kansas The Historic Fox Theatre opened in the summer of 1931 as an impressive movie palace. It has one of the finest displays of Art Deco architecture in the Midwest. The theater closed in 1985 and was purchased in 1990.

It opened again in 1999 after undergoing a $4.5-million renovation, attracting artists like Art Garfunkel, Jeff Dunham and Blood, Sweat & Tears. Designated the “State Movie Palace of Kansas,” the Fox is on the National Register of Historic Places. Today it hosts orchestras, comedians like Jim Belushi and current movies. Behind-the-scenes tours are available. (hutchinsonfox.com)

RIPLEY’S AQUARIUMS Explore underwater worlds in Toronto, Myrtle Beach and Gatlinburg ost people know the name Ripley’s from the company’s popular museums, but Ripley’s also has spectacular aquariums, each with its own unique features.

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Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Gatlinburg, Tennessee There are more fish inside Ripley’s than there are people living in the town of Gatlinburg.

Venture into the Tropical Rainforest and come face-to-face with piranhas and poisonous dart frogs. Switch your attention from rivers to oceans at Ocean Realm where your group will find weedy scorpionfish, spotted garden eels and flounder. The Coral Reef features colorful clownfish, butterfly fish and the regal blue tang. Visit the new exhibit Touch a Jelly. Check out unique experiences like Waddle with the Penguins, Splash with the Rays and Sleep with the Sharks to make your visit unforgettable. (ripleyaquariums.com/gatlinburg)

Ripley’s Aquarium, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina There is plenty for your group to see at Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach. Get a hands-on experience at Ray Bay and touch the friendly stingrays. Feeling more adventurous?

If so, head over to Dangerous Reef, the home of sawfish, snappers, eels and sharks. Observe puzzling creatures like giant octopuses, sea anemones, jellyfish and weedy sea dragons at the Living Gallery. Groups can take a behindthe-scenes tour of the aquarium and learn about animal care and food preparation. (ripleyaquariums.com/myrtlebeach)

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, Toronto Home to North America’s longest underwater viewing tunnel, 16,000 aquatic animals and over 100 interactive opportunities, Ripley’s offers much to discover. Your group will venture through galleries such as Canadian Waters, Rainbow Reef, Dangerous Lagoon, Planet Jellies and Ray Bay, which showcase saltwater and freshwater environments around the world.

Get up close and personal with horseshoe crabs, sharks and stingrays at the three touch exhibits.

Get a one-of-a-kind experience with overnight programs like Sleep with the Sharks. (ripleyaquariums.com/canada)

LERNER THEATRE Elkhart, Indiana The Lerner Theatre opened in 1924 with 2,000 seats for vaudeville shows, concerts, theatrical revues and movies.

Several ownerships followed and for many years it was known as the ELCO. After the city of Elkhart purchased the decaying theater in 1990 with the intention of saving it, the ELCO Commission for Performing Arts was established to guide the $18-million renovation, which was completed in 2011.

The lobby of the Lerner doubles as an art gallery that displays the work of local artists thanks to the Midwest Museum of American Art of Elkhart. Upcoming shows include Singin’ in the Rain, The Little Mermaid and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Guided tours are available. (thelerner.com) LGT LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

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WE ST

REGION

CHUCKWAGON DINNER SHOWS Give your group a true Western experience, complete with cowboy entertainment and great grub

By Sue Arko he chuckwagon is a symbol of the rugged individualism and pioneer spirit of the American frontier.

Crews of cowhands lived in the open for months at a time, feeding and caring for young cowboys who were moving herds of cattle across the plains. These chuckwagons became the cowboys' home—for most, the only home they had. The chuckwagon and onboard cook supplied everything the cowboy needed, including meals, repairs to clothing

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and equipment, entertainment, medical help and moral support.

This romantic image of the West is alive and well today at chuckwagon dinner experiences from Wyoming to Texas. Each one is unique, but family-friendly entertainment and plenty of delicious food are constants throughout. Combining these entertaining attractions with the natural beauty of the West makes for a great itinerary. Here are some chuckwagon diners to consider.

Utah Groups visiting the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon or Zion will want to plan a lunch or dinner stop at Chuckwagon Cookouts, located on the grounds of Little Hollywood Movie Museum in Kanab. In addition to the chuckwagon experience, guests get a little movie culture from the area known as “Little Hollywood.” On site are original Western movie sets used in such films as Outlaw Josie Wales. >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

Catching a flying biscuit is part of the fun at the Western-style spread cooked up by Blazin’ M Ranch in Cottonwood, Arizona.

Chuckwagon Cookouts has offered food and fun for more than 20 years and since 2014 has given its traditional recipes healthy twists, using only coconut oil in preparing the potatoes, beans and cobbler, only gluten-free ingredients in the sauces and gravies, and only natural spices for the roast beef. The mouth-watering main course features Cedar River LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

Farms Natural Beef, hand-rubbed with a blend of ground pepper, salt, onion powder, savory, garlic powder, chili, mustard and cayenne, then slow roasted in a romertopf clay pot and served with homemade BBQ sauce and au jus.

The Willow Creek Band performs classic American music during dinner, which is followed by “How the West was Lost,” an audience participation show. (littlehollywoodmuseum.org/restaurant)

Arizona For tours going through Sedona, Cottonwood or Prescott, Blazin’ M Ranch is a must.

(It’s a perfect combination with the scenic Verde Canyon Railroad, just a few miles away). Upon arrival, belly up to the bar in the Western Saloon or enjoy authentic Western shopping in the village. Then the dinner bell rings and the feast begins – BBQ chicken and pork ribs with all the fixings, including baked potato, pinto beans, flying (tossed) biscuits April 2017

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UNIQUE LODGING

DINING

ADVENTURE TOURS

See Ranches, Canyons & Open Range Dallas’ Southfork Ranch—the world’s most famous ranch—delights guests with daily tours, exhibits, shopping and dining. Forever Resorts also invites you to book lodging, dining and adventure tours in our other destinations including Bryce Canyon, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Badlands and Big Bend National Parks.

Chisos Mountains Lodge, TX Badlands Inn, SD Big Bend Adventures & Resort, TX Parry Lodge/Denny’s Wigwam, UT The Lodge at Bryce Canyon, UT

Southfork Ranch, TX

Tours: 800.989.7800 Scenic Winter Safaris, WY

Tours: 888.734.8898

Lodging: 877.386.4383

ForeverResorts.com /travelforeverresorts Forever Resorts is an Authorized Concessioner of the National Park Service.

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and the signature prickly pear coleslaw. Caramel apple crisp a la mode is for dessert.

After dinner the Blazin’ M Cowboys entertain with their musical talents, cowboy poetry and humor. Otis, named Cornville’s most eligible bachelor since 1986, is a favorite as is the ranch’s most infamous occupant, the Ghost Rider.

Blazin’ M Ranch, located in Cottonwood, operates year-round, seven nights a week. (blazinm.com)

New Mexico Scenic Ruidoso is home to Flying J Ranch, a tourist favorite. The Chuckwagon Suppers and Western Show was established in 1982, and hosts James and Cindy Hobbs have served and performed for over 750,000 guests.

A typical evening at the ranch begins with strolling through Bonita City, an Old West town filled with gift shops. There is a pistol shoot where you can try your luck with a real .45 caliber pistol, pony rides for kids, gold panning, a blacksmith shop and a chapel.

Right before dinner a gunfight between Western wranglers breaks out in the center of town. Then it’s off to the dining hall for a delicious meal of beef brisket and grilled chicken, followed by an action-packed show filled with world-champion yodeling, amazing harmonies, fancy fiddling, hilarious comedy, banjo playing and guitar picking.

The ranch is open from Monday through Saturday between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Saturdays only through mid-October. (flyingjranch.com) Cowboy music, poetry and humor are part of the dinnertime festivities at Arizona’s Blazin’ M Ranch.

>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

Colorado

Texas

Located just outside Rocky Mountain National Park, Lazy B Chuckwagon and Western Show is an authentic Western heritage attraction with a longstanding tradition in the Estes Park community. The original Lazy B opened in the early 1960s and operated successfully for over 40 years before closing its doors in 2005. In May of 2017 the Lazy Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new home will be the Historic Elkhorn Lodge.

Inspired by the iconic movie cowboy, the Lazy B brings fresh energy to the solid traditions of the past. Wholesome family entertainment engages all ages through a two-hour journey of Western music from Bob Wills and Sons of the Pioneers to classic country favorites.

The show runs from Memorial Day weekend through Sept. 30, Tuesday through Saturday nights, with Sunday matinees. (lazybranchandwranglers.com)

Situated along historic Route 66, Abilene has been home to Ball Ranch Chuckwagon Supper & Original Western Stage Show since 1983. Performed in a big red barn, this family-owned and -operated dinner theater offers a chuckwagon supper followed by a fast-paced Western show.

True to the area, the meal consists of mesquite-cooked brisket, German sausage, boneless chicken breast, cowboy beans, potato salad, pickles, jalapeno peppers, hot biscuits and peach cobbler. Your group will be entertained by the Ball family, which has been singing together for over 25 years. The family has a tight, three-part harmony and a vast variety of songs, including some originals.

Ball Ranch Chuckwagon Supper & Original Western Stage Show operates on Saturday evenings from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with a special holiday show for groups in December. (theballranch.com) Wherever your Western tour itinerary may take you, partake in a chuckwagon dinner theater and capture the spirit that enabled cattlemen to master incredible hardships as they helped shape a new nation. Happy trails to youâ&#x20AC;Śuntil we meet again. LGT

Wyoming Groups can spend the morning touring Yellowstone National Park and enjoy the Cody Cattle Company dining/entertainment experience in the evening. An all-you-can-eat dinner buffet is served from 5:30 to 7:30

Little Hollywood

p.m. each evening. Ryan Martin and his Triple C Cowboys Band begin at 6:30, so groups can eat before or during the footstompin' show. The entertainment ends just in time to attend the Cody Nite Rodeo, which takes place every night from June through August.

The best value is the "Trifecta Ticket," which includes dinner, show and a ticket to the Cody Nite Rodeo at Stampede Park.

Dinner/show and show-only tickets can also be purchased.

The Cody Cattle Company dinner/show is available June 1 through Sept. 23. (thecodycattlecompany.com)

Cody Nite Rodeo

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

April 2017

47

INTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;L

By Randy Mink or period music, bawdy fun and a hearty meal, take your group back to the Middle Ages, to the days of kings and queens, lords and ladies, and knights in shining armor. Troubadours, court jesters and serving wenches are all part of the revelry staged at dinner attractions in castles and other historic buildings in the British Isles.

To enliven your next itinerary with doses of history, fantasy and sheer entertainment, here are a few places worth considering for a special night out.

F

THE MEDIEVAL BANQUET London This theatrical dinner experience is a permanent attraction located in the vaulted cellars of 200-yearold Ivory House at St. Katharine Dock, alongside the River Thames near the Tower of London. Guests have a raucous time singing, dancing and banging their firsts on the table as they cry for more food and drink. The four-course feast, with wine, ale and juice brought throughout the meal by dancing wenches, starts with vegetable soup and a platter of meat, pate and cheese with salad and pickled vegetables.

Then comes the roasted chicken with potatoes, followed by fruit pie topped with cream.

Festivities at The Medieval Banquet in London include swordfighting knights, musicians and other costumed entertainers.

Days of Yore, Knights to Remember 48

April 2017

>> LeisureGroupTravel.com

Entertainment at The Medieval Banquet might include sword-fighting knights, contortionists, acrobats, balladeers, minstrels, magicians, jugglers and tumblers. Music harks back to the medieval and Renaissance courts of Europe, covering periods from the 12th to 16th centuries.

Guests can dance with the cast and meet them afterwards for photos. To get in the spirit, some guests rent costumes to look the part, becoming lords, ladies, jesters or wenches for the party, which lasts over two hours and can accommodate 450. (medievalbanquet.com)

WARWICK CASTLE & KNIGHT’S VILLAGE Warwick, England

Perched on a cliff overlooking the Avon, the castle has two soaring towers bristling with battlements dating to the 1300s.

Guests can walk the ramparts, tour the lavish state rooms, view medieval weapons in the armory and stroll grounds patrolled by strutting peacocks. The eerie dungeon has wax creations of decaying bodies. “War of the Roses Live!,” a live-action show pitting the House of Lancaster and House of York in an epic battle for the English throne, features stunt horse riding, jousting and state-of-theart special effects.

Owned by Merlin Entertainments of Madame Tussauds wax museum fame, Warwick Castle is located nine miles northeast of Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. (warwick-castle.com)

At Warwick Castle, located on the River Avon in Shakespeare Country, groups can dine in the Undercroft with the Earl of Warwick at the Kingmaker’s Medieval Banquet. The earl (Richard Neville) was known as the Kingmaker during the 15th century War of the Roses. The meal starts with a sourdough loaf and a marinated lamb “steke” with mint yogurt dip, followed by beef and venison pie with garlic and rosemary roast potatoes and green vegetable. Dessert is an apple blondie with caramel sauce.

Eat, drink and be merry at medieval banquets in England, Wales and Ireland

The Medieval Banquet

COOMBE ABBEY HOTEL Binley, England

LeisureGroupTravel.com <<

Located in Warwickshire, not far from Warwick Castle, Coombe Abbey Hotel hosts Medieval Banquet Nights most Fridays and Saturdays of the year. Situated on 500 acres of parkland with formal gardens and surrounded by a moat, the four-star hotel occupies a 12th century Cistercian abbey.

Feast-goers, seated on long benches at tables illuminated by candlelight, are cast as local peasants and begin the evening as guests of the abbot and his provost. Enter the king’s commissioners, and before the horrified eyes of the peasants, they ransack the abbey of its treasures and banish the monks. The scene then shifts to 1595 as guests are now being hosted by the family that took over after dissolution of the monastery. In a dinner party presided over by Sir Robin, they’re plunged into a story that involves treachery and deceit, an outbreak of the plague and a country that needs men for the upcoming war.

The meal begins with mead (honey wine).

Next is a procession of hooded servers (“monks”) carrying bowls of steaming broth, Gregorian chants following in their wake.

Guests drink the soup and eat the quarter roasted chicken with their hands—there are no forks or spoons. An apple-and-apricot crumble with elderflower cream rounds out the meal, which comes with a one-third bottle of wine and three beakers of ale per person. Music and bawdiness accompany the themed meal, which has been running for more than 40 years. (coombeabbey.com) April 2017

49

CARDIFF CASTLE Cardiff, Wales

RUTHIN CASTLE HOTEL & SPA Ruthin, Wales

BUNRATTY CASTLE & FOLK PARK Bunratty, County Clare, Ireland

Surrounded by parklands in the heart of Wales’ capital city, Cardiff Castle offers a Welsh Banquet with costumed entertainers every month, except December, from Sunday through Thursday. Featuring traditional and contemporary songs in English and Welsh, the three-course meal starts with mead on arrival and includes a half bottle of wine per person. Then comes a bowl of lamb cawl, the stew-like national dish of Wales; supreme of chicken stuffed with cheese and cream sauce; and welsh cakes (little cakes flavored with spice and dried fruit, baked on a griddle and sprinkled with sugar) and honey cheesecake. According to the castle’s website, “you won’t be able to resist joining in the hwyl (Welsh for a stirring feeling of emotional motivation and energy).”

Banquets are held in the stone-vaulted, 15th century Undercroft or the Interpretive Center, with its blend of contemporary slate interiors and 4th century Roman walls.

Noted for its fairy-tale towers, picturesque Cardiff Castle was the site of a Roman fort before the Normans built their stronghold in 1091. It later became a Victorian-Gothic fantasy palace created in the 1860s for one of the world’s wealthiest men. Tours showcase opulent apartments adorned with gilding, elaborate wood carving, murals and stained glass. (cardiffcastle.com/welshbanquets)

Singing and dancing by the Ladies of the Court, along with the antics of a court jester, highlight a Medieval Feast modeled on those given by the Earl of Warwick in the 16th century. Located in the medieval town of Ruthin in North Wales, 22 miles west of Chester, England, the castle was the first in Britain to host a medieval banquet when it opened as a hotel 40 years ago. Banquets are held on weekends two or three times a month.

The evening starts with a tour that includes sections of the 13th century walls, dungeons, whipping pit and drowning pool.

Then guests assemble in the Presence Chamber for the partaking of bread and salt, age-old symbols of hospitality. Seated at candlelit tables, feast-goers eat with a dagger and their fingers. Accompanied by wine and mead, the menu includes vegetable broth with herb dumplings; platters of meat terrine and chicken; pork pie with chutney and pickles; two spit-roasted meats with accompaniments, salads and potatoes; and a selection of seasonal desserts including fruit pies with creamy custard. (ruthincastle.co.uk)

With nightly sittings at 5:30 and 8:45 p.m. year-round, Bunratty’s medieval banquet is world-famous. The evening starts with a reception featuring mead made from fermented honey, apple juice, clover and heather. At long, candlelit tables in the Great Hall, guests join the Earl of Thomond as they

Shannon Heritage

Bunratty Banquet

Cardiff Castle, a major attraction in the capital city of Wales, hosts a Welsh Banquet with traditional and contemporary Welsh songs.

Simon Winnall/VisitBritain

Cardiff Castle

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chow down on a four-course meal using their fingers. On the menu: spiced parsnip soup, spare ribs with honey and whiskey sauce, chicken with vegetables and baby roast potatoes, and apple and cinnamon crunch with Chantilly cream, plus wine, coffee and tea. After the feast, actors and musicians in medieval garb put on a show that includes songs by the Ladies of the Castle, accompanied by harp and fiddle.

Distinguished by four square towers, Bunratty Castle was built in 1460 and has been restored and decorated with 15th to 17th century furnishings. The Folk Park on the castle grounds, a re-creation of a 19th century village, is a living history museum with animal exhibits and demonstrations of candle making, bread baking, blacksmithing and thatching. Folk music sessions are held nightly from April to October. Bunratty lies 10 miles west of Limerick on the road to Shannon Airport. For details, contact Shannon Heritage at shannonheritage.com.

Shannon Heritage also offers medieval banquets at Knappogue Castle, 13 miles north of Bunratty, and Dunguaire Castle, a tiny storybook castle on the shores of Galway Bay. LGT >> LeisureGroupTravel.com

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