August 2026 Leisure Group Travel by Premier Travel Media

Itinerary Inspirations

Great American waterways are wowing groups

North Dakota Shines for Accent West

Medora is poised for a tourism breakthrough

WHERE THE MOTHER ROAD

Meetsthe River Road

Celebrate 100 years of road tripping in the only place in America where the Mother Road of Route 66 meets the scenic beauty of the Great River Road. Follow the neon signs to the It’s Electric Neon Sign Park, dine at historic Route 66 roadside cafes, take a walk through the river bluffs and prairies and relax with a glass of locally crafted wine beside the Mighty Mississippi River.

Your one-of-a-kind adventure begins at www.RiversandRoutes.com.

JASON PAHA

PHOTO BY RANDY MINK

ON MY MIND

Vol. 35, No. 1 February 2025

Editorial & Advertising Office

621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527

Editorial & Advertising Office 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406

Willowbrook, IL 60527

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Editorial & Advertising Office 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527

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Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk jeff@ptmgroups.com

Chief Editor – Jason Paha jason@ptmgroups.com

Senior Editor – Randy Mink randy@ptmgroups.com

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

Graphic Designer – Romeo Alcantara

Production Manager – Michael Caravette michael@ptmgroups.com

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

Graphic Designer – Romeo Alcantara

Graphic Designer – Liudmyla Domina

Production Coordinator – Kelsey Ledford kelsey@ptmgroups.com

Content Development Specialist – Tyler Drag tyler@ptmgroups.com

Content Development Specialist – Tyler Drag tyler@ptmgroups.com Vol. 35, No. 1 February 2025

Content Development Specialist – Tyler Drag tyler@ptmgroups.com

Project Coordinator – Theresa O’Rourke

Where History Inspires Travel

Let’s Party Like it’s 1776

MTemories from my early days on this planet are few and far between, but one of my strongest childhood remembrances is hearing my parents talking fondly about the United States Bicentennial in 1976.

Mhere’s something special about standing in a place where history transpired. Whether it’s walking the streets where our nation was founded, touring a near-perfectly preserved structure or experiencing a community that proudly celebrates its cultural heritage, these moments stick with us long after we return home.

Memories from my early days on this planet are few and far between, but one of my strongest childhood remembrances is hearing my parents talking fondly about the United States Bicentennial in 1976.

emories from my early days on this planet are few and far between, but one of my strongest childhood remembrances is hearing my parents talking fondly about the United States Bicentennial in 1976.

That’s why history and heritage travel continues to be one of the strongest segments in group tourism, and why our annual History & Heritage issue is one I always look forward to putting together.

For years, I envied those who participated in the activities associated with the Bicentennial. I admired the communal spirit and patriotism that accompanied such events as the Delaware crossing re-enactment and the Boston Oil Party. I longed for the days when a unified country saw its residents paint their mailboxes and fire hydrants red, white and blue.

Fast forward 50 years and those of us who missed the Bicentennial are in luck, because now it’s our turn to celebrate.

In this edition of Leisure Group Travel, you'll discover destinations that bring history to life. From iconic landmarks and fascinating museums to immersive attractions and charming historic downtowns, this issue is packed with ideas that will inspire tour operators and planners looking to create memorable experiences for their groups.

P 563.613.3068 • F 630.794.0652 theresa@ptmgroups.com

Project Coordinator – Theresa O’Rourke

theresa@ptmgroups.com

P 563.613.3068 • F 630.794.0652 theresa@ptmgroups.com

On July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the official start of the nation. The Semiquincentennial is expected to be the largest, most inspired celebration in the nation’s history. To honor these festivities, Rosie Rios, chair of America250, shares her thoughts on what lies ahead and where groups should consider taking a U-S-A-cation.

Southeast and Midwest – Cheryl Rash

P 563.613.3068 • F 630.794.0652 theresa@ptmgroups.com

P 563.613.3068 • F 815.225.5274 cheryl@ptmgroups.com

Southeast and Midwest – Cheryl Rash

FACES OF FOOD TOURISM

cheryl@ptmgroups.com

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East – Diane Meglino

Southeast and Midwest – Cheryl Rash P 563.613.3068 • F 815.225.5274 cheryl@ptmgroups.com

August LGT also features the debut of something I’m extremely excited about: our newlook original itineraries. These planner-friendly guides are designed specifically for tour operators, offering practical suggestions, local insights and ready-to-use ideas that save time while delivering fabulous travel experiences. The response has been tremendous, and we're committed to making these itineraries an even more valuable resource with every issue.

FACES OF FOOD TOURISM

East – Diane Meglino

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West – Tom Tobiason

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West Tom Tobiason

West – Tom Tobiason

P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 tom@ptmgroups.com

Send Address Change to:

Media 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406

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Another one of this issue’s highlights is our Pennsylvania Itinerary Guide, which showcases all the Keystone State has to offer. Of course, Pennsylvania is home to some of America's most important historic sites, but it's also filled with popular attractions and welcoming destinations that make it an easy choice for multi-day itineraries.

Traditionally, February is LGT’s culinary month, so we went behind the scenes and shined a spotlight on some of the brightest voices in the food industry with our Faces of Food Tourism profiles. LGT interviews some of the leading culinary minds and learns about some of the best practices they can share along with the latest food industry trends. Mississippi gets plenty of love this issue as venerable writer Dave Bodle explores this charming Southern state and tells how deep its musical roots run. Dave also explores Mississippi’s iconic trails that honor its impressive musical heritage.

Mississippi gets plenty of love this issue as venerable writer Dave Bodle explores this charming Southern state and tells how deep its musical roots run. Dave also explores Mississippi’s iconic trails that honor its impressive musical heritage.

You'll also find our annual Live Entertainment Guide inside, featuring some of the country's finest theaters and performance venues. Whether your groups are looking for Broadway-caliber productions, dinner theaters, concerts, or exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences, these venues continue to prove live entertainment is an essential ingredient in a successful tour.

Fans of religious travel will also appreciate this issue as LGT pays a visit to the holiest wonders in the world and highlights some of the best religious attractions for Bible study groups.

LGT even visits destinations like Michigan and Oklahoma, where we uncover some hidden gems and fresh ideas that can help you build stronger itineraries in these hearty middle-of-the-country states.

So, join us as we count down to 2026 and the many festivities that await us. The Semiquincentennial promises another chance to paint the town red, white and blue—only this time, with considerably more history to celebrate.

As always, thank you for making Leisure Group Travel part of your planning process. I hope this issue provides plenty of inspiration for your next great adventure.

Happy travels ,

Happy travels , Jason Paha Chief Editor

Learning

more about destinations featured in our magazine is easy with

Learning more about destinations featured in our magazine is easy with

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Making History Tours Come Alive

By Jason Paha

Top tour operators share the techniques they use to turn historical sites into unforgettable experiences.

Paris is a popular destination for groups.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BADASS TOURS PARIS

For many travelers, the word history conjures up painful memories of classroom lectures, textbooks and endless memorization of names and dates.

But ask successful tour operators how they keep their guests engaged on history and heritage tours and you’ll hear a different philosophy. According to some operators, history tours aren’t necessarily about history, they are about telling good stories.

And sometimes, they are even about turning a guest into a doomed French king.

“Today, Bob, you will be King Louis XVI,” said guide Mark Daly, of Badass Tours, when describing one of his favorite techniques. “You’re gonna have a rough day. (King Louis XVI was executed by guillotine in 1793.)”

That kind of humor and participation instantly changes the dynamic of a history and heritage tour. Guests stop feeling like listeners and become part of the story.

Tourpreneur community shares their thoughts

To get a sense of how tour operators keep history and heritage tours interesting, Leisure Group Travel queried the global Tourpreneur community on Facebook. Tourpreneur is the largest global community of tour and activity operators.

Among that group, guides repeatedly emphasized that travelers appreciate people far more than timelines.

“We've found that people connect with stories far more than dates and facts,” said Brandon Mimms, CMO at Tripshepherd & See Sight Tours. “When guests can relate historical events to real people, local culture, or places

they're standing in, engagement goes up dramatically.”

That ability to link the past to the present is increasingly important as heritage tourism grows in popularity. The challenge for tour operators is making those stories feel alive.

For Maria Oskroba, of Pierogi & More, the breakthrough came when she stopped relying solely on historical interpretation and started sharing her own family history.

“My family has lived in Warsaw for 100 years,” she explained. “I simply add some family stories about how my ancestors participated in historical events and even show pictures from the family album. At first, I felt uneasy about doing this, but then all my reviews mentioned it was the highlight of the tour.”

That sense of authenticity can transform a tour. Guests may forget the date a war started, but they remember hearing how a guide’s grandfather survived it.

Several operators said successful heritage tours also rely heavily on helping travelers see themselves in the story.

“I focus much of my work on humanizing people from the

past,” said Fayge Lillis of Offbeat Philly. “Through discussion, questions and storytelling, I encourage people to see themselves in historical events and then apply what they learn to the present day. I have also found that people really appreciate a deep knowledge of history. What a lot of guides get wrong is that it isn't about giving guests all the facts you know it's about using those facts to create real and interesting interpretations.”

Scooter Marriner, of Oakland Scenic Walking Tours, takes a similar approach by linking historical struggles to modern life.

“I link the historical with the contemporary. People in the past were dealing with many of the same issues we face today,” he said. “They struggled for security, meaning and comfort in their lives just as we do. What were their responses? What can their struggles and solutions help us to see in our lives?”

“People don't come to Greece for facts. They come because the myth makes them feel like they're in on some shared secret, give a moment of recognition and even

homecoming, validating their geeking,” said Maria Petrenko of Santorini by Maria. “The best local history tours don't fight that — they use it. I let guests start with the story they already want to believe, and then I show them the living thing underneath it. That's when history actually comes alive.”

Entertaining the guests

For many guides, making history relevant is more important than barraging guests with information. In fact, several operators argued that entertainment skills are just as important as historical expertise.

“Tour guides are entertainers, not historians,” said Daniel Morris, of Alaskan Sights and Bites.

That doesn’t mean accuracy isn’t important. Rather, it means guides should interpret history in ways that feel accessible.

Kaitlin Calogera, founder of A Tour of Her Own, described tours as a form of public history that allows guests to experience the past through food, music and art.

“Most people are used to classroom history like teachers, textbooks, dates, and names.

Having a group activity tends to enhance tour outings.

Tours are different because they are a form of public history which celebrates interesting places - making tours more approachable and less boring to everyday people,” Calogera said. “History becomes a feeling when it’s not lectured at you, but rather experienced together.”

Operators also stressed the importance of creating immersive sensory moments. Robert Brennan uses physical props, including a beaver pelt, whale ship prism light and carved whale tooth, to make stories tangible. Stanley O’Connor, of Isle of New York Tours, believes standing in historic spaces creates an emotional impact no classroom can replicate.

“History is sometimes just words on a page. But a history tour takes you to the exact spot it all happened,” O’Connor said. “And when you can touch, feel and see a historic space or item, it becomes real for you. Palpable. You'll never forget it.”

Connecting with the guests

The consensus among tour operators was clear: history is only boring when it feels distant.

“Ultimately, helping guests get excited to learn is all about connection,” said Trinidad Collier of Northern Epics. “Cool facts are only cool when people connect the dots in their heads and start to infer things about the destination themselves. When people feel like their guide truly cares about them, and they're having fun, they're able to take in the information and play with it better. First impressions matter. Guests don't often remember the first impression, but it creates the lens through which they'll view the rest of the tour and what they'll pay attention to.”

TURNING HISTORY INTO AN EXPERIENCE

By Randy Mink

Tour planners are capitalizing on America250 with engaging itineraries that transform the nation's past into unforgettable group adventures.

Bodie State Historic Site preserves this 1882 Methodist church and other weathered buildings in the largest unrestored ghost town from California’s Gold Rush era.

Randy Mink

Photo

Historical attractions have always been a staple in group itineraries, but America250 celebrations sweeping the nation have renewed interest in the nation’s past, sparking the imaginations of tour planners.

Savvy organizers are capitalizing on the semiquincentennial, marketing packages that shine a light on American history. Spotlighting chapters that run the gamut from colonial days to the not-so-distant past, they’ve found ways to make heritage travel fun as well as educational. Museums, monuments, memorials, historic homes, battlefields, special events … all can be part of a tour product that is both enlightening and entertaining.

History museums have gone beyond musty, dusty glass cases and text-heavy walls, though old-school repositories are still around. More museums these days are truly state-of-the-art, offering touchscreens and other hands-on features, video theaters, stunning dioramas, larger-than-life photos and chunks of text that are easy to digest.

In Philadelphia, the National Constitution Center brims with high-tech exhibits that bring to life our country’s guiding document. In a bowl-shaped theater with wraparound video walls, a 20-minute performance of “Freedom Rising” sets the stage for the museum experience as a live narrator and dramatic voiceovers, along with inspirational symphonic music and a multimedia display

of images, tell the story of the U.S. Constitution. In Signers’ Hall you can mingle with 42 life-size bronze statues of the Founding Fathers present at the Constitution’s signing on September 1, 1787.

MAKING THE MOST OF A MUSEUM VISIT

Many museums offer an orientation movie, a good choice for beginning a visit. The overview puts things in focus and sets the stage for exploring the galleries.

A group visit can be enhanced with a behind-the-scenes session, an option offered by some museums. At the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming, groups can book a private tour tailored to their interests and gain special access to artifacts not on display.

It’s wise to do some research ahead of time to scout out special museum features or check on temporary exhibitions that may be there during your visit.

For those who don’t mind noise and dark places, a must-do at Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum is “Caught in the Crossfire,” an immersive experience that puts guests in a typical home when gunfire, artillery shelling and chaos came to the doorsteps of Gettysburg residents in early July 1863.

At train museums, such as the Galveston Railroad Museum in Texas, National Transportation Museum in St. Louis and Georgia State Railroad Museum in Savannah, guests can ride in a vintage passenger car as well as view memorabilia and rolling stock.

OPEN-AIR MUSEUMS

Open-air museums make history come alive, as walking among a collection of antique-filled buildings can be an attractive alternative to perusing exhibits inside the four walls of a traditional museum. It adds an extra dimension to the experience.

Route 66 landmark in Gallup, New Mexico

Photo courtesy of New Mexico Department of Tourism

Civil War encampment in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Photo courtesy of Destination Gettysburg

“ The right itinerary makes history a lot more fun than book learning.

“

Costumed interpreters bring yesteryear to life at premier living history villages such as Indiana’s Conner Prairie, Virginia’s Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown Settlement, and Old Sturbridge Village and Plimoth Plantation in Massachusetts. The interaction with craftspeople and other town citizens makes for memorable visits.

At 19th century Shaker Villages in New Hampshire and Kentucky, guests get a genuine feel of how the industrious Christian communal group lived by peeking into their living quarters and work rooms. Other popular open-air museums include Old Trail Town, Cody, Wyoming; Old Cowtown Museum, Wichita, Kansas; and Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown, New York.

Ghost towns are a favorite with tour participants. Bodie State Historic Park, the site of California’s best Gold Rush-era ghost town, interprets what remains of a wild ’n’ wooly mining camp. On wide dirt paths, tourists pass weathered wooden houses and commercial buildings including a saloon, hotel and general store. They poke around a cemetery, inspect rusted vehicles and machinery, and peer through the windows of a schoolhouse, church and jail.

BATTLEFIELD RE-ENACTMENTS

To really engage travelers in military history, tour planners might schedule a battlefield stop on a weekend when a Revolutionary or Civil War re-enactment is being staged with rifles blazing and cannons booming. At Gettysburg National Military Park, tens of thousands of spectators attend the annual Battle of Gettysburg Re-enactment held around the Fourth of July. Guests can visit Union and Confederate camps, view artillery and cavalry demonstrations, and tour the farmhouse and barn that served as Confederate field hospitals. Each day ends in a full-scale battle scenario.

BEDDING DOWN WITH HISTORY

Travelers can immerse themselves in bygone days at a historic hotel or inn, an inviting alternative to a national chain property. Some antebellum mansions in the South double as museums and bed-andbreakfasts, lending a Gone With the Wind ambience. At the 1888 Copper King Mansion in Butte, Montana, overnight guests are free to explore the lavishly decorated public rooms at their leisure on a virtual trip back to Victorian times.

a ghost town

Hotel El Rancho in Gallup, New Mexico, lures nostalgia-seekers with rustic Western decor and movie lore from the days it served as a base camp for production crews during Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Classic lodges at national parks, such as Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone and Glacier, also evoke echoes from the past.

RECENT HISTORY ON DISPLAY

While many of America’s best-known museums focus on colonial days, pioneer life, wars and other long-ago chapters in the American saga, some chronicle events that gallery-goers may remember when the history was being made.

Presidential libraries are good examples. Touring the William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum in Little Rock takes many of us back to the 1990s. Even more recent happenings surface at the new Barack Obama Presidential Center, which just opened in Chicago after years of delays.

The Farmer’s Museum, Cooperstown, New York

Explore

at Bodie State Historic Site, near Bridgeport, California.

For a look at mid-20th century pop culture and the heyday of automobile travel, nothing beats reliving the glory days of Route 66, which is celebrating its centennnial this year. Dozens of museums and attractions in eight states provide a nostalgia trip for those who recall the romance of road travel before the soulless interstates took over.

Not-so-happy recent events are showcased at places like the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, which revives painful memories of the day Middle Eastern terrorists crashed planes into the World Trade Center, Pentagon and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

In the same vein, the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum captures the community spirit and resilience shown by Oklahomans as they grappled with their own tragedy, an event known as the Oklahoma City bombing. On-the-scene news reports, still photographs and artifacts chronicle the

devastation and carnage caused by a truck bomb that detonated outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995. It was the deadliest homegrown terrorist attack on U. S. soil, claiming 168 lives and injuring 850.

The dark side of history also is told at prisons turned museums, where visitors are regaled with chilling tales of escapes, riots, executions and life behind bars. Prominent examples are Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Old Montana Prison in Deer Lodge and Old Joliet Prison in Illinois. Everyone is fascinated by criminal behavior.

CRAFTING A WELL-BALANCED ITINERARY

The best itinerary combines historical sites with time for recreation and other activities—it’s not all history, history, history.

St. Augustine, Florida, for example, boasts 60-plus historic sites that could keep

travelers busy for more than a week. But the United States’ oldest European-settled city, founded in 1565 by adventurers from Spain, offers lighter diversions, like the beaches and alligator farm on Anastasia Island.

In the Rocky Mountains of Southwest Montana, old mining towns such as Butte, Philipsburg and Anaconda make great stopovers between Glacier and Yellowstone national parks, adding a historical element to a scenic road trip. You might schedule a sapphire mining session in charming little Philipsburg or an underground copper mine tour at World Museum of Mining in Butte.

The “living ghost town” of Virginia City and its companion attraction a mile away—the complex of restored pioneer buildings at Nevada City—claim the largest collection of Old West memorabilia outside of the Smithsonian. The Alder Gulch Shortline Railroad connects the two places.

The right itinerary makes history a lot more fun than book learning.

Where America’s Journey Begins

Home of Epic Group Getaways

Add Williamsburg to your group itinerary and experience a destination where history, culture, and adventure come together. From iconic attractions and exciting outdoor experiences to award-winning dining, there’s something for every group to enjoy.

What’s Happening in the Historic Triangle:

• Explore a year-round calendar of festivals, concerts, museum exhibits, waterfront events, and family-friendly activities.

• Experience new exhibits, special programming, and memorable events throughout the Historic Triangle.

• Take advantage of exclusive group packages and special offers.

Discover the wonders of the Historic Triangle and create an unforgettable group experience in Williamsburg.

Enjoy exploring and creating meaningful memories with an itinerary that blends America’s living history with scenic outdoor adventures, local flavors, and unique cultural attractions. From strolling charming streets and waterfronts to savoring regional cuisine, shopping local boutiques, and uncovering hidden gems, Williamsburg offers endless opportunities to create a customized experience that fits your group’s interests and pace.

VISIT WILLIAMSBURG

Brittany Alger brittany.alger@visitwilliamsburg.com (757) 920-3987 www.visitwilliamsburg.com/groups adventures, local local boutiques, and gems, Williamsburg interests and pace.

WILLIAMSBURG, VA

America’s Story in Williamsburg

DAY 1

America’s largest living history museum and a

Begin your visit at Colonial Williamsburg , America’s largest living history museum and a must-visit for groups seeking immersive historical adventures in Virginia. Visitors can stroll storied streets, take a carriage ride, sit in on a colonial court session, or watch a silversmith at work, each experience offering a vivid glimpse into 18th-century life. Historic Williamsburg blends world-class hospitality, convenient accessibility, distinctive venues, engaging experiences, and comprehensive destination support into one seamless experience.

and scenic walking trails provide an engaging look at the original English settlement. Then visit the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, where immersive exhibits, interactive galleries, live demonstrations, and a re-created Continental Army encampment bring the nation’s founding story to life.

distinctive venues, engaging experiences, and seamless experience.

WILLIAMSBURG, VA educational programming.

Spend time shopping in Williamsburg, where groups can browse charming boutiques, artisan shops, outlet stores, and historic retail experiences in Merchant Sqaure . Be sure to visit Williamsburg Premium Outlets , featuring more than 120 stores including Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, J.Crew, and Michael Kors, offering impressive savings for groups.

Another option is the Colin G. and Nancy N. Campbell Archaeology Center , featuring stateof-the-art archaeology labs, interactive exhibits, authentic artifacts, guided tours, and hands-on educational programming.

Enjoy dinner at Williamsburg Winery – Gabriel Archer Tavern, a European-inspired, full-service dining establishment offering a true farm-to-table experience that celebrates the flavors of Coastal Virginia and the bounty found throughout the Commonwealth.

End the day with dinner at one of Colonial Williamsburg Taverns, where period recipes, costumed servers, and live musical entertainment create a one-of-a-kind colonial dining experience.

DAY 2

impressive savings for groups. ,

Start the day at Jamestown Settlement , where visitors can explore the story of America’s first permanent English colony through immersive exhibits, re-created ships, a Powhatan village, and a colonial fort. Located near the original settlement site, the museum brings 17th-century Virginia to life.

Continue to Historic Jamestown

Continue to Historic Jamestown , where guided experiences, educational programming,

or a great rain plan, Wagster’s Magic Theatre

audience interaction in an intimate setting.

If you’re looking for evening entertainment or a great rain plan, Wagster’s Magic Theatre combines award-winning magic, comedy, and audience interaction in an intimate setting.

DAY 3

Spend the morning at Busch Gardens Williamsburg , Virginia’s premier theme park, where world-class roller coasters, award-winning entertainment, family attractions, dining, and seasonal festivals offer something for every visitor.

For lunch, DoG Street Pub offers private dining spaces, customizable group menus, and a welcoming atmosphere just steps from Colonial Williamsburg, making it an excellent choice for corporate dinners, associations, and incentive groups.

STEP INTO THE STORIES THAT SHAPED AMERICA

With the People, Places & Sounds That Defined a Nation

Some stories are best told through tastes, sounds, and traditions. Collette brings America’s history to life through immersive experiences rooted in culture and heritage. Hear the almost-forgotten language of the Gullah Geechee people. Sip bourbon in the heart of bluegrass country. Explore the cowboy spirit of the American West. This is the depth of discovery offered on a guided tour designed by travelers, for travelers.

To learn more about groups, visit collette.com/groups, call 844.445.5663, or contact your local Business Development Manager.

AMERICA’S MUSIC CITIES

New Orleans • Memphis • Oxford • Nashville 8 Days • 4 Cities

Journey through the cities that forged the way in jazz, blues, soul, and country music while discovering the people, movements, and moments that forever changed the nation.

• Spend 2 nights in New Orleans, 1 night in Oxford, 2 nights in Memphis, and 2 nights in Nashville

• 11 meals included: 7 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 2 Dinners

• Enjoy an optional Mississippi River cruise aboard an authentic steamboat while listening to live jazz

• Explore the French Quarter and experience New Orleans’ Creole heritage

• Trace Martin Luther King Jr.’s final march and visit the site of his historic “Mountaintop” speech

• Tour RCA Studio B, where Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, and Charley Pride once recorded

• Spend an evening at the famed Grand Ole Opry, Nashville’s most celebrated music venue

A JOURNEY THROUGH ARKANSAS HISTORY

Discover immersive museums, historic landmarks and living heritage sites that offer groups a deep connection

By Christopher D. Silbernagel

History comes to life in Arkansas, where nationally significant landmarks and immersive museums invite groups to experience its rich cultural heritage firsthand. Visitors can stand where the civil rights movement changed the course of history in 1957,

explore the legacy of a former U.S. President, discover the roots of American music and witness the traditions that have been passed down through generations. Each stop offers a deeper understanding of the people and the events that have defined the Natural State.

Explore a replica of the Oval Office at the William J. Clinton Library and Museum in Little Rock, Arkansas.

LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

An important civil rights movement occurred in the fall of 1957 at Little Rock Central High School, when nine African American children attended the formerly all-white school to significant protests, including resistance from then Arkansas Governor Orval E. Faubus. Known as the Little Rock Nine, this led to President Dwight D. Eisenhower sending federal troops to quell white mob violence and protect African American civil rights.

A visit to the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site will bring the experiences of those who lived it to life through ranger-led interpretive programs. These programs cover the desegregation crisis, including the Brown v. Board of Education decisions, and Little Rock Nine, including stories and personal accounts, including those of renowned civil rights activist and Arkansas native Daisy Bates. Program tour routes include stops at Little Rock Central High School grounds, Magnolia Mobil Station, the Commemorative Garden and the Elizabeth Eckford Bus Bench—named in honor of one of the Little Rock Nine students.

The ranger-led interpretive programs have a participant limit of 50 and require a reservation, which is recommended to be booked two months ahead. Reservations can be made for Tuesdays through Saturdays. There is also an additional self-guided walking program with accompanying audio and transcripts.

WILLIAM J. CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Named in honor of the 42nd President of the United States, the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum in Little Rock serves as an educational starting point for pioneering Arkansas civil rights and the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. Permanent exhibits showcase Clinton’s defense of affirmative action and the creation of the Office on Racial Issues, among many others.

Interactive stations at the site trace the effects of the Clinton administration’s policies, with indepth initiatives such as the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund and the New Markets program. Groups can review artifacts and documents that detail how federal legislation directly stimulated local economic growth by creating empowerment zones. Also on site are full-scale replicas of the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room, both of which demonstrate how specific legislative, economic and foreign crises were navigated. There are several types of group tours. For general tours, one is for adults with 20 or more participants and one is geared towards students. There is also a behind-the-scenes tour available, which brings visitors closer to the archives that preserve over 80 million pages of records and two million photo-

graphs. In addition to being able to see non-displayed artifacts, visitors can learn how the archival process functions.

HISTORIC ARKANSAS MUSEUM

Costumed exhibitors, interactive exhibits and hands-on elements play a crucial role in bringing the 19th century to life in the compact Historic Arkansas Museum. This museum holds large-scale “living history” events throughout the year, such as the Frontier Fourth celebration on Independence Day and the spring Territorial Fair. These events allow guests to experience games from that period, alongside traditional dancing, crafts and more.

Once per month on the third Saturday, groups can experience Living Craft Saturdays—an experiential

event that allows everyone to take on the role of an early resident. Interpreters will dress in period-style clothing to demonstrate crafts of the time, including printing in the Woodruff Print Shop, open-hearth cooking in the Brownlee House kitchen and other 19th-century trades.

Learn more about history, culture, arts and more with the museum guide.

OZARK FOLK CENTER STATE PARK

Located in Mountain View, Arkansas, Ozark Folk Center State Park is a living history site that is dedicated to keeping Southern Mountain traditions, music and pioneering crafts actively alive rather than simply having them on display. The Craft Village has over 20 working artisans who create and sell handmade goods, including blacksmiths, leathercrafters, weavers, quilters, potters and stained-glass artists. While paying a visit, your group may also see apprentices in training.

The Heritage Herb Garden allows visitors to learn about the native and medicinal plants used by the Ozark generations of the past and present. The layout consists of small, themed cottage gardens that are part of the overall layout of the Craft Village, with everything from cooking ingredients to plant-based clothing dyes being grown here.

Traditional music performances focus on music dating prior to the 1940s, with weekly square dances and music shows on offer.

JOHNNY CASH BOYHOOD HOME

Speaking of music, the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home in Dyess, Arkansas, is a pivotal historical site that preserves both the roots of American music and President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal era. Growing up in this five-room, government-built home, a young Cash experienced poverty, family tragedies and manual labor which shaped his songwriting. The home and the adjacent Historic Dyess Colony Administration Building allow visitors to see period-appropriate furnishings, including the original upright piano that Cash's mother played during his childhood.

The Dyess Colony that surrounds the home was the largest agricultural resettlement of its kind. It was originally established under the Works Progress Administration to provide land to unemployed and impoverished Americans. Today, the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

PLANTATION AGRICULTURE MUSEUM

Explore the Arkansas Delta’s agricultural systems through hands-on exhibits and preserved historic buildings at the Plantation Agriculture Museum in Scott. Located 20 miles southeast of Little Rock, this museum interprets the era of cotton farming from 1836 to World War II, accurately showcasing how mechanization, sharecropping and technology shaped the region.

The museum has plenty to learn about and experience firsthand, housing a preserved 1920s Continental Munger Gin, which is an automated, industrial cotton processing system, a tour of the restored Steele-Dortch Store and Seed Warehouse No. 5—listed on the National Register of Historic Places—and an expansive Historic Tractor Exhibit and massive steam traction engines to showcase how technology transitioned farmers away from more difficult labor. Staff host regular demonstrations of cotton ginning and water pumping, along with seasonal events like the Annual Antique Tractor and Engine Show in September.

HISTORY THAT INSPIRES

From the defining moments of the Little Rock Nine to the music, craftsmanship and agricultural traditions that shaped communities across the state, Arkansas offers groups a layered journey through American history. Each destination adds a different perspective, creating an itinerary that is educational and deeply engaging, inviting visitors to connect with the people and stories that continue to influence Arkansas.

Ozark Folk Center State Park.

EXPERIENCE THE STORIES

THAT SHAPED OKLAHOMA

Explore the museums, landmarks and cultural treasures that reveal the state's Native heritage and Western roots.

By Nicole Partis

For groups, these destinations offer more than sightseeing. Through guided tours, immersive exhibits, hands-on demonstrations, and interactive storytelling, visitors can connect with the cultures and communities that have helped define Oklahoma. Whether exploring the living traditions of Tribal Nations, stepping into the world of the American West, or tracing the paths of pioneers and travelers, visitors leave with a deeper understanding of Oklahoma and the stories that continue to define it.

FIRST AMERICANS MUSEUM

One of Oklahoma’s most dynamic cultural spaces, the First Americans Museum opens the door to the stories of the state’s 39 Tribal Nations in a way that feels engaging and deeply human. Rather than presenting history at a distance, the museum invites visitors into it through art, voices, and experiences that reflect both tradition and contemporary Native life.

Groups can take part in guided tours led by cultural interpreters, creating meaning-

ful storytelling experiences that connect tribal history to the present day. Hands-on demonstrations, workshops, and seasonal cultural programs add further layers of engagement, allowing visitors to experience Native culture as a living tradition rather than something confined to the past.

“

The museum invites visitors to experience Native culture as a living tradition rather than something confined to the past.

What distinguishes the experience is OKLA HOMMA, the museum’s signature exhibition, where the stories of all 39 Tribal Nations are shared through Native perspectives. Spanning immersive media, film, soundscapes, and interactive installations, the exhibition invites visitors of all ages to engage with Indigenous history through sight, sound, and touch. Together, these experiences reflect the museum’s commitment to Indigenous storytelling led by Native voices, offering visitors a deeper and more nuanced understanding of Oklahoma’s First Peoples.

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Photo by Mobilus in Mobili.

NATIONAL COWBOY & WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM

Step into the story of the American West at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, where immersive exhibits, Western art, and frontier settings bring history into focus. With more than 28,000 Western and Native American artworks and artifacts, the museum offers one of the most comprehensive collections of its kind in the country, alongside rotating exhibitions that highlight new perspectives on Western history and culture.

The museum also holds the world’s most extensive collection of American rodeo photographs, along with historic barbed wire, saddlery, and early rodeo trophies—offering a detailed look at the true evolution of the rodeo in the United States. Groups can step back in time and stroll through a replica turn-of-the-twentieth-century cattle town, Prosperity Junction, to experience the sights and atmosphere of the American West. Behind-the-scenes and curator-led tours offer additional opportunities to engage with the museum’s extensive collections and storytelling, creating an interactive and accessible experience for groups.

OKLAHOMA HISTORY CENTER

From the hardships of the Dust Bowl to the stories of migration, settlement, and statehood, Oklahoma's defining moments come to life through immersive exhibits and engaging storytelling at the Oklahoma History Center.

Experience Smithsonian-quality exhibits that bring to life the voices and visions of Oklahoma, exploring more than 50 topics and 2,000 artifacts that reflect the state’s rich, adventurous past. Groups move through immersive environments that simulate historical conditions, helping bring key moments in Oklahoma’s history into sharper focus.

Beyond the indoor exhibits, visitors can also step outside to explore the museum’s outdoor sculpture gardens, where largerthan-life artworks bring Oklahoma’s history and culture into an open-air setting. Together with interactive exhibits and thematic programming, the center transforms Oklahoma’s history into a great experience for all ages and allows visitors to gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges, achievements, and transformations that have defined the state.

Photo courtesy of Brian Bennett

OKLAHOMA ROUTE 66 MUSEUM

At the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, America’s most iconic highway comes to life through music, memorabilia, and sensory storytelling that transports visitors through the decades. From the struggles of the Dust Bowl, when families traveled the route in search of relief, to the optimism of the Big Band era and the rise of family road trips, the museum paints a vivid picture of life along Route 66 across generations. For groups, the museum serves as an excellent introduction to Route 66-themed itineraries across the state. Learn how the road came to be and the hard labor involved to make it a reality. Vintage automobiles, period music, neon signs, and immersive displays transport visitors through the golden age of American road travel. Walk-through exhibits, nostalgic storytelling, and photo opportunities create memorable moments while showcasing the highway’s lasting cultural impact. Rotating exhibitions add new perspectives, making it a dynamic and accessible stop for groups following the historic route.

WOOLAROC MUSEUM & WILDLIFE PRESERVE

FORT GIBSON HISTORIC SITE

Fort Gibson Historic Site offers visitors a firsthand look into Oklahoma’s frontier and military history through living-history events, reenactments, and educational programs that bring the past to life. Established in 1824 at a strategic crossroads along the Arkansas, Verdigris, and Grand Rivers, the fort played a pivotal role in westward expansion, river navigation, and relations between sovereign Native American tribes and the government.

Designated a National Historic Landmark, Fort Gibson preserves a complex history shaped by soldiers, settlers, and Native peoples. Today, visitors can explore original 19th-century buildings, reconstructed fort structures, and interpretive exhibits that help bring this layered history to life. Guided tours with costumed interpreters further immerse visitors and transform historical events into engaging, real-world experiences for groups of all kinds. Special events held throughout the year, often tied to seasonal themes, provide unique opportunities to connect with Oklahoma's military and cultural heritage while offering a glimpse into daily life on the frontier.

Set among the rolling hills of northeastern Oklahoma, Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve offers a unique blend of Western heritage, Native American culture, and the state's ranching and oil history. Spanning a 3,700-acre wildlife preserve, visitors can experience the beauty of nature up close, with opportunities to see bison, elk, Sika deer, Fallow deer, Himalayan tahr, and more roaming the landscape. Through its extensive collections and scenic grounds, visitors gain insight into the people, industries, and landscapes that helped shape Oklahoma’s identity.

The on-site 50,000-square-foot museum features a worldclass collection of art, artifacts, and aviation history, adding depth to the outdoor experience. The stories of Oklahoma’s ranching traditions, oil industry, and Native American cultures are woven throughout guided tours and interpretive experiences that connect visitors to the region’s landscape and heritage. Throughout the year, group-friendly festivals and special events provide additional opportunities for engagement, allowing travelers to experience both Oklahoma’s rich heritage and natural beauty in a single destination.

The combination of museum experiences, outdoor exploration, and wildlife viewing makes Woolaroc especially appealing for multigenerational groups and travelers with a variety of interests.

National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

Photo courtesy of Brian Bennett

Courtesy Chester County’s Brandywine Valley

Welcome to Pennsylvania!

We are a collaborative partnership of Destination Marketing Organizations and Visitors Bureaus from across the Commonwealth, working together to showcase the very best group travel experiences Pennsylvania has to offer. Throughout the year, you can connect with us in a variety of ways.

We try to participate in two coordinated sales missions where we can visit with you and your team in your office, away from the hustle and bustle of the tradeshow floor. Planned in advance, we pick a region and either as a full team of over 10 CVBs visit with you or divide and conquer into smaller groups to see as many of our tourism friends as possible. Sales Missions are a wonderful way to see us for more than 6 minutes and really get down to the nitty gritty of planning a trip!

You can also find a large group of us at the major industry trade shows, including ABA’s Annual Marketplace, National Tour Association’s Travel Exchange, Student & Youth Travel Association’s Annual Conference, Pennsylvania Bus Association’s Annual Meeting and Marketplace as well as many more. Whatever trade show or event you attend, there's a good chance you'll see some of us there, ready to connect and share new ideas.

Our mission is simple: to make planning your Pennsylvania group tour as easy and rewarding as possible. Whether you're creating a single-destination getaway or a multi-day journey across the state, our team is here to help build customized itineraries, connect you with attractions and accommodations, and uncover unique experiences that fit your group's interests. From charming small towns and scenic countryside to vibrant cities, historic landmarks, and world-class attractions, Pennsylvania offers something for every traveler. We look forward to partnering with you and helping you create memorable experiences across this amazing state.

Pennsylvania Group Tour Planner

Editorial & Advertising Office

Premier Travel Media 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527

P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 advertising@ptmgroups.com

Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk jeff@ptmgroups.com

Chief Editor Jason Paha, jason@ptmgroups.com

Senior Editor – Dave Bodle randy@ptmgroups.com

Design & Production Liudmyla Domina Oksana Terpak-Malenka

Production Coordinator Kelsey Ledford kelsey@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.

This Pennsylvania Guide was produced in cooperation with 12 Destination Marketing Organizations/Visitors Bureaus from across the state as featured on page 18 & 19.

Tyler Arboretum conserves its historic landmark and connects people with nature. Media.

Courtesy of Visit Delco

PENNSYLVANIA WELCOME CENTERS

The 14 Welcome Centers in the Keystone State are open seven days a week, including most holidays, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Knowledgeable staff are on-site and ready to assist.

SCENIC BYWAYS

Pennsylvania currently has four federally designated National Scenic Byways and one All-American Road (the highest national designation).

1 Great Lakes Seaway Trail

Runs along the Lake Erie shoreline through Erie County, featuring waterfront views, vineyards, lighthouses, and access to places like Presque Isle.

2 Journey Through Hallowed Ground Byway

A historic corridor stretching from Gettysburg south through several Mid-Atlantic states, connecting Revolutionary, Civil War, and presidential sites.

3 Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway

Known for rolling countryside, Revolutionary War history, estates, gardens, and cultural attractions in the Brandywine Valley.

4 Historic National Road — designated as an All-American Road

Follows the route of America’s first federally funded highway (U.S. Route 40) across southwestern Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania also has more than 20 additional state-designated scenic byways through the Pennsylvania Byways Program.

FLY IN

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is the state’s largest air hub, with nonstop arrivals from major U.S. cities plus international service from Europe, the Middle East, Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico. Current nonstop arrivals total roughly 130.

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) currently offers around 64 nonstop destinations, including direct international arrivals from cities such as London, Dublin, Toronto, Montreal, Cancun, and Punta Cana. Roughly 64 daily arrivals.

Smaller regional airports such as Lancaster Airport (LNS), Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), and Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) mainly focus on domestic arrivals, together roughly 60 daily.

Flight totals fluctuate seasonally as airlines add or remove routes, especially international leisure destinations.

ERIE, I-90 WEST

I-90 westbound, 1/2 mile west of PA/NY border, North East • 814-217-9600

MERCER, I-80 EAST

I-80 eastbound, 1/2 mile east of PA/OH border, West Middlesex • 724-981-6972

WASHINGTON, I-70 EAST

I-70 eastbound, 5 miles east of PA/WV border, Claysville • 724-663-5248

GREENE, I-79 NORTH

I-79 northbound, 5 miles north of PA/WV border, Mount Morris • 724-627-7331

FRANKLIN, I-81 NORTH

I-81 northbound, 1.5 miles north of PA/MD border • 717-597-8116

FULTON, I-70 WEST

I-70 westbound, 1/2 mile north of PA/MD border, Warfordsburg • 717-294-6275

YORK, I-83 NORTH

I-83 northbound, 2.5 miles north of PA/MD border, Shrewsbury • 717-235-6076

DELAWARE I-95 NORTH

I-95 northbound, 1/2 mile north of PA/DE border, Linwood • 610-485-8275

NORTHAMPTON, I-78 WEST

I-78 westbound, 1/2 mile west of PA/NJ border, Easton • 610-250-1866

PIKE, I-84

I-84, Exit 53, Matamoras • 570-491-4703

DELAWARE WATER GAP, I-80 WEST

I-80 Exit 310, Delaware Water Gap • 570-2341180

SUSQUEHANNA, I-81 SOUTH

26273 Route 11, Great Bend • 570-879-2283

TIOGA, ROUTE 15

Route 15 southbound, 7 miles south of PA/NY border, Tioga • 570-835-4999

KING OF PRUSSIA, I-276 WEST

King of Prussia Travel Plaza, PA Turnpike, Milepost 328.4, King of Prussia • 610-265-1745

ONLY-IN-PENNSYLVANIA

Experiences for Groups

EXPLORE INDUSTRIAL ICONS AND LIVING HERITAGE

ACROSS

WEST, CENTRAL AND EAST PENNSYLVANIA

By Dave Bodle

Pennsylvania delivers something increasingly valuable in group travel: experiences that can’t be replicated elsewhere. This is a state where industrial innovation, cultural heritage, and immersive storytelling intersect, creating meaningful, sellable moments for groups. From the steel-forged legacy of the west to the living traditions of Amish Country and the founding stories of the east, Pennsylvania offers planners a deep bench of distinctive, group-ready attractions.

Organized geographically, these experiences highlight how the state naturally lends itself to regional packaging, without requiring rigid itineraries, while still offering clear thematic cohesion.

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA: INNOVATION, INDUSTRY & REMEMBRANCE

Western Pennsylvania offers a powerful mix of modern history, industrial legacy, and cultural depth, which is ideal for groups seeking

meaningful, thought-provoking experiences.

A profound stop in the region is the Flight 93 National Memorial in the Laurel Highlands. This deeply moving site honors the passengers and crew of United Flight 93, offering a contemplative experience that resonates strongly with multigenerational groups. The memorial’s design encourages reflection, making it a cornerstone stop for heritage-focused itineraries.

In Pittsburgh, groups find one of the state’s richest concentrations of immersive attractions.

The Andy Warhol Museum, the largest museum in North America dedicated to a single artist, offers a deep dive into pop art and cultural influence, while the Senator John Heinz History Center brings Western Pennsylvania’s story to life as a Smithsonian-affiliated museum.

Beyond traditional museums, Pittsburgh excels in experiential touring. The Strip District is a sensory-rich district filled with international food vendors, specialty grocers, and local culture, perfect for free time or guided exploration. Architectural storytelling comes alive on the Pittsburgh Antique Skyscrapers Tour, where

groups learn how early wealth from steel and oil shaped America’s urban skyline.

Military history is powerfully represented at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, the largest memorial in the country dedicated to all branches of service. Meanwhile, culinary exploration becomes a group-friendly highlight with 'Burgh Bits & Bites Food Tours, blending storytelling with regional flavors.

Beyond Pittsburgh, niche experiences add depth. In Butler, the annual 2nd week in June Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival story is rooted in innovation, where the original Jeep was developed. An engaging stop for history and automotive enthusiasts. To the north, Erie connects groups to maritime heritage at the Erie Maritime Museum, where the story of the Great Lakes and naval history unfolds.

CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA: LIVING HERITAGE & ICONIC AMERICAN STORIES

Central Pennsylvania is where history becomes participatory. The region excels at immersive,

Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia.

hands-on experiences, which are particularly valuable for planners seeking engagement over observation.

In Lancaster, groups step into America’s oldest Amish settlement. Here, heritage is not preserved behind glass, it’s lived daily. Whether through a meal in an Amish home or a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch smorgasbord, the experience is both authentic and accessible. The renowned Sight & Sound Theatre adds another dimension, staging large-scale biblical productions that consistently draw group audiences.

The Hershey-Harrisburg region offers a different kind of American story—one built on entrepreneurship and legacy. The Hershey Story Museum on Chocolate Avenue (where there are HERSHEY'S Kisses-shaped streetlights!) tells the incredible story of not only Milton Hershey's iconic chocolate business, but also his work as a community builder and philanthropist. Hershey's Chocolate World delivers family-friendly fun with a free tour ride and other sweet, interactive experiences. Few places in the country offer the emotional and educational depth of Gettysburg. At Gettysburg National Military Park, groups walk the ground where the Civil War’s turning point unfolded. Complementing the battlefield, the Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum expands the narrative to include civilian experiences, adding dimension and humanity to the story.

For something entirely unexpected, Happy Valley offers Penn's Cave, the only all-water cavern tour in the United States. This natural attraction provides a relaxing yet memorable group experience, particularly appealing for mixed-interest itineraries.

Further north, Tioga County introduces groups to the Pine Creek Gorge, often called the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Experiencing it via Ole Covered Wagon Tours adds a nostalgic, interpretive layer that transforms a scenic stop into a storytelling experience.

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA: FOUNDING HISTORY, ARTS & CULTURAL DEPTH

Eastern Pennsylvania offers some of the most recognizable history in the United States, paired with artistic expression and refined cultural landscapes that resonate strongly with group audiences.

In Philadelphia, the Independence National Historical Park anchors the experience. Often

called the nation’s most historic square mile, it is where foundational American stories come to life. Nearby, Philadelphia's Magic Gardens offers a striking contrast, an immersive mosaic environment that showcases visionary art and creativity. The city’s layered history continues at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, a former prison turned interpretive site that explores justice and reform.

The Brandywine Valley in Chester County blends agricultural heritage with horticultural excellence. Known as the Mushroom Capital of the World, the region offers a unique agricultural narrative, while Longwood Gardens, frequently ranked among the best botanical gardens in the country, delivers a visually stunning, highly programmable experience for groups.

In Valley Forge, planners will find a compelling mix of historic and contemporary attractions, from Revolutionary War significance to new developments like immersive entertainment and culinary destinations including Eataly in King of Prussia. Nearby, the Stoogeum, the only museum dedicated to the Three Stooges, offers an unexpected, lighthearted stop that can differentiate an itinerary.

The Reading and Berks County region provides a strong sense of place through experiences like the Daniel Boone Homestead, the Barn Star Art Tour, and the iconic Reading Pagoda overlooking the city. Further north, Lackawanna County adds a touch of mystery with the Houdini Museum, while the Lehigh Valley appeals to music enthusiasts at the C.F. Martin Guitar Factory and Museum, where craftsmanship and American music history intersect.

In Bucks County, artisan heritage and colonial history come together. The Moravian Pottery and Tile Works showcases traditional craftsmanship, while Washington Crossing Historic Park brings a pivotal Revolutionary War moment to life. Nearby, Pennsbury Manor, the country estate of William Penn, offers an immersive look at colonial governance and daily life.

WHY PENNSYLVANIA WORKS FOR GROUPS

What makes Pennsylvania especially compelling for planners is its ability to deliver variety without sacrificing cohesion. Each region offers a distinct identity, yet all share a common strength: experiences that are immersive, authentic, and rooted in place.

For group travel planners, that translates into strong storytelling, flexible packaging, and high guest satisfaction. Whether the focus is history, culture, cuisine, or hands-on engagement, Pennsylvania consistently delivers experiences that feel both meaningful and memorable, exactly what today’s group travelers are looking for. PA

National Aviary, Pittsburgh.

Courtesy of Elliot Cramer

Historic Fonthill Castle was home to Henry Chapman Mercer and showplace for his tiles and prints.

Courtesy of Visit Bucks County

An Eastern Pennsylvania history tour for group travelers

REVOLUTIONARY ROADS & Industrial Legacies

Pennsylvania’s history is deeply woven into the story of America itself, making the Commonwealth one of the nation’s premier destinations for heritage and educational group travel. From the birthplace of American independence in Philadelphia to the coal mines that fueled the Industrial Revolution, Eastern Pennsylvania offers group tour planners a rich collection of immersive experiences tied together by colonial heritage, Revolutionary War landmarks, immigration stories, and industrial innovation. The region’s compact geography allows planners to easily combine iconic attractions, historic inns, museums, battlefield parks and cultural centers into a highly marketable itinerary that appeals to student groups, history enthusiasts, seniors and multigenerational travelers alike.

PHILADELPHIA: THE BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY

Philadelphia is a natural starting point for any Pennsylvania history tour, immersing visitors in the story of America’s founding. The centerpiece is Independence National Historical Park, home to Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed. Group travelers can walk the same cobblestone streets as the Founding Fathers while exploring nearby landmarks that shaped the nation’s earliest years.

Just steps away, the Museum of the American Revolution provides one of the country’s most engaging Revolutionary War experiences. Through immersive exhibits, artifacts, and personal stories, the museum offers valuable context for student and adult tour groups alike, helping visitors understand the human side of the Revolution.

Philadelphia also presents compelling opportunities to explore the nation’s complex history. As the museum of We the People, the National Constitution Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits.

Nearby, the African American Museum in Philadelphia highlights the achievements, struggles, and cultural contributions of African Americans throughout history. As the first institution funded and built by a major municipality specifically to preserve African American heritage, it adds an essential perspective to any heritage-focused itinerary.

Groups can also experience a different kind of Philadelphia history at McGillin’s Olde Ale House, the city’s oldest continuously operating tavern. Established in 1860, it offers travelers a lively atmosphere steeped in local tradition and serves as an ideal stop for casual group dining.

Another fascinating addition is the United States Mint, the first and largest coin-producing facility in the

nation. Self-guided tours give visitors a close-up look at coin production while tying into broader themes of American commerce and federal history.

DELAWARE COUNTY AND THE LEGACY OF WILLIAM PENN

Just southwest of Philadelphia, Delaware County offers a meaningful connection to Pennsylvania’s colonial beginnings. At William Penn’s Landing Site, visitors can reflect on the arrival of Pennsylvania founder William Penn in 1682 and the ideals of religious freedom and tolerance that shaped the colony’s development.

Visitors can expand the experience with stops at The Caleb Pusey House, one of Pennsylvania’s oldest English houses and home to a close associate of William Penn, or explore the colonial-era streets and waterfront history of Chester, the state’s first capital. Nature and history also come together at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, where visitors can learn about the region’s natural landscape and environmental heritage.

Though smaller in scale, this historically significant stop pairs naturally with attractions in Philadelphia, creating a seamless and enriching colonial history experience for student groups, tour travelers and heritage visitors alike

Independence Hall

Courtesy of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau

CHESTER COUNTY’S BRANDYWINE VALLEY: REVOLUTION AND RESISTANCE

The rolling countryside of Chester County’s Brandywine Valley combines Revolutionary War history with stories of freedom and industrial innovation. At Brandywine Battlefield Park, groups can explore the site of the largest single-day land battle of the American Revolution. Interpretive programs and guided tours help visitors understand General George Washington’s efforts to defend Philadelphia against British forces in 1777.

Nearby, the Kennett Underground Railroad Center shares the courageous stories of freedom seekers and abolitionists who operated along the Underground Railroad network in southeastern Pennsylvania. This attraction adds an important Civil Rights dimension to the itinerary and pairs naturally with Philadelphia’s African American history sites.

ented groups. Nearby, the Peter Wentz Farmstead provides another authentic glimpse into colonial life and served as Washington’s headquarters for a brief period before the Battle of Germantown.

Another important figure connected to Pennsylvania’s colonial era is honored at the Conrad Weiser Homestead. Weiser played a crucial role as a diplomat and interpreter between colonial settlers and Native American nations, helping maintain peace on the Pennsylvania frontier.

Groups traveling during early summer may also consider the WWII Weekend hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, one of the nation’s premier living history aviation events featuring aircraft demonstrations, reenactors and educational programming.

LACKAWANNA COUNTY: COAL, IMMIGRATION, AND INDUSTRIAL POWER

Industrial heritage also plays a significant role in the region. The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum explores the communities and workers that helped power America’s rise as an industrial nation through iron and steel production.

For a memorable dining experience, General Warren Inne offers groups the opportunity to dine in a beautifully preserved 1745 country inn that reflects the colonial character of the region.

VALLEY FORGE: ENDURANCE AND THE AMERICAN SPIRIT

A short drive from Philadelphia, Valley Forge National Historical Park remains one of the nation’s most symbolic Revolutionary War destinations. The winter encampment of George Washington’s Continental Army during 1777–1778 represents perseverance, sacrifice, and the determination that ultimately shaped America’s victory.

The expansive park offers guided tours, reconstructed soldier huts, monuments, and miles of scenic landscapes ideal for both educational and leisure-ori-

For groups seeking a lighter experience alongside the history, the American Treasure Tour Museum delivers a fun and eclectic collection of Americana, antiques, classic cars, and nostalgic artifacts that appeal to a broad range of travelers.

READING & BERKS COUNTY: PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN TRADITIONS AND FRONTIER HERITAGE

In Berks County history expands beyond the Revolution into frontier life, aviation history and Pennsylvania German culture. The Daniel Boone Homestead introduces visitors to the early life of the famed American frontiersman and offers insight into colonial settlement patterns in Pennsylvania.

The region’s strong German heritage is preserved at the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, where groups can learn about the customs, architecture, language and folk traditions that continue to influence the region today.

At the Berks County Heritage Center, travelers can further explore local history through restored buildings, galleries and interpretive exhibits tied to early industry and transportation.

Northeastern Pennsylvania tells the story of the Industrial Revolution through the lens of coal mining and immigrant labor. In Lackawanna County the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour takes visitors deep underground to experience the challenging conditions faced by miners whose labor fueled America’s factories, railroads and cities.

The nearby Anthracite Heritage Museum explores the lives of the immigrant communities that settled throughout the coal region, preserving stories of resilience, labor movements and ethnic traditions.

Groups can also discover another chapter of freedom history through Destination Freedom: Underground Railroad Walking Tour, which highlights abolitionist efforts and local Underground Railroad activity.

BUCKS COUNTY: COLONIAL ELEGANCE ALONG THE DELAWARE RIVER

Eastern Pennsylvania’s historical journey concludes beautifully in Bucks County, where colonial architecture and Revolutionary War history line the Delaware River. Pennsbury Manor, William Penn’s reconstructed estate, offers guided tours that immerse visitors in 17th-century colonial life and governance.

Nearby, Washington Crossing Historic Park commemorates George Washington’s daring Christmas night crossing of the Delaware River in 1776 — a turning point in the Revolutionary War that continues to capture the imagination of travelers.

Groups can round out the experience with dining at King George II Inn, one of the oldest inns in America, where colonial charm and riverside views create a memorable conclusion to an Eastern Pennsylvania historical tour.

For group travel planners, Eastern Pennsylvania delivers an exceptional combination of iconic American landmarks, immersive museums, preserved battlefields, industrial heritage attractions and authentic dining experiences. All are connected through the powerful story of America’s founding and growth. PA

Washington’s Crossing Re-enactment

A colorful distelfink greets visitors to the Berks County Heritage Center, a park and historic site for all to enjoy.

Photo courtesy of Visit Bucks County

Photo courtesy of Experience Reading & Berks County.

The Hershey Story presents through informative museum exhibits and interactive experiences the story of Milton S. Hershey.

PENNSYLVANIA’S

Historic Journey

AN ITINERARY THROUGH BATTLEFIELDS, PRESIDENTIAL HERITAGE & AMERICAN INNOVATION

Pennsylvania’s story is America’s story. From the clash of empires during the French and Indian War to the defining moments of the Civil War, from industrial breakthroughs that shaped the nation to solemn memorials honoring sacrifice and resilience, Pennsylvania offers group travelers an extraordinary historical journey. The state’s compact geography allows tour planners to seamlessly connect colonial landmarks, presidential homes, military museums, railroad engineering marvels and living history experiences into one compelling itinerary. Whether designed for heritage travelers, student groups, military history enthusiasts, or lifelong learners, these destinations combine immersive storytelling with walkable downtowns, scenic landscapes and memorable dining and cultural experiences that make Pennsylvania an ideal multi-day group tour destination.

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA: FRONTIERS, INDUSTRY & AMERICAN RESILIENCE

Western Pennsylvania provides a dramatic introduction to the nation’s earliest conflicts and industrial growth.

In the Laurel Highlands, groups can trace the origins of the French and Indian War at Fort Necessity National Battlefield, where a young George Washington experienced his first military engagement. Nearby, Fort Ligonier brings the colonial frontier to life with its reconstructed fortifications, galleries and demonstrations interpreting life during the 1750s.

The region also tells the story of early American industry and innovation. West Overton Village and Museum explores Pennsylvania’s whiskey-making heritage and the industrial village that grew around the distillery operations. The preserved village creates a fascinating look at 19th-century rural industry and entrepreneurship.

A more contemporary and emotional stop awaits at Flight 93 National Memorial. The memorial honors the passengers and crew who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, while commemorating their extraordinary courage. The visitor center and memorial landscape provide a deeply moving experience for groups and often become one of the most memorable stops on a Pennsylvania itinerary.

Continuing west toward Pittsburgh, history stretches back thousands of years at Meadowcroft

Rockshelter and Historic Village, recognized as the oldest site of human habitation in North America. Archaeological discoveries and recreated historic structures allow travelers to explore centuries of Native American and frontier life.

In downtown Pittsburgh, groups can immerse themselves in military and industrial history. Fort Pitt Museum interprets the strategic importance of the Forks of the Ohio during the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. Nearby, Heinz History Center offers expansive exhibits covering everything from sports and innovation to iconic artifacts such as the set from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”

The city’s industrial legacy comes alive through Rivers of Steel Heritage Tours, where groups can explore the steel industry’s influence on the nation through immersive guided experiences. Military history continues at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, the nation’s largest memorial dedicated solely to honoring all branches of the military.

Farther north in Butler County, Washington’s Trail 1753 follows George Washington’s dangerous frontier expedition through western Pennsylvania. Nearby, the

Photo courtesy

of Visit

Hersey & Harrisburg

Harmony Museum introduces visitors to one of America’s most significant religious communal societies.

Before leaving western Pennsylvania, groups can also experience one of the nation’s greatest railroad engineering feats at Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark in Blair County. Known as one of the world’s great engineering marvels, the curve remains an iconic symbol of Pennsylvania’s transportation and industrial heritage.

Nearby in Cambria County, the Johnstown Flood Museum recounts the devastating 1889 flood and the American Red Cross’s first major disaster relief effort, blending human tragedy with stories of perseverance and recovery.

CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA: PRESIDENTS, CIVIL WAR LEGACY & CULTURAL HERITAGE

As the itinerary moves eastward, Central Pennsylvania reveals a remarkable concentration of presidential history, Civil War landmarks, and cultural heritage experiences ideal for educational and heritage-based group tours.

Lancaster County offers some of the state’s most compelling historical experiences. Ephrata Cloister, founded in 1732, preserves the story of one of America’s earliest religious communities through original buildings and interpretive exhibits. Nearby, President James Buchanan's Wheatland gives groups an intimate look at the home and life of the nation’s 15th president.

Lancaster also provides an important opportunity to explore America’s evolving democratic ideals at The Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy, which examines abolition, civil rights and the powerful partnership between Stevens and Smith during one of the nation’s most transformative eras.

Just west in York County, the York County History Center interprets the region’s colonial and Revolutionary War significance, including the adoption of the Articles of Confederation. The nearby Indian Steps Museum showcases Native American artifacts and regional heritage along the Susquehanna River. Visit the home of William Goodridge who used his means to help others as a stationmaster along the Underground Railroad. Popular with groups the Northern Central Railway is a scenic train ride. It is the same railway that President Lincoln rode twice. First, to give the Gettysburg Address, and second, on the way to his funeral.

In the Hershey and Harrisburg region Pennsylvania’s political and cultural history takes center stage. The magnificent Pennsylvania State Capitol is widely considered one of the most ornate capitol buildings in America, making it a standout stop for architectural and civic-minded groups.

Civil War history is powerfully interpreted at The National Civil War Museum, which presents bal-

anced perspectives from both Union and Confederate viewpoints. Nearby, The Hershey Story Museum and Hershey Trolley Works allow travelers to discover how Milton Hershey built one of America’s most iconic company towns.

Farther north in Happy Valley, the Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum contains artifacts connected to nine generations of Christopher Columbus’s family, creating one of Pennsylvania’s most unexpected international historical treasures. Nearby, the historic town of Bellefonte charms visitors with Victorian architecture, walkable streets and beautifully preserved homes.

The Cumberland Valley deepens the military and freedom-history narrative. The U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center is one of the nation’s premier research and interpretive facilities dedicated to Army history. In Carlisle, groups can also visit the Molly Pitcher Grave and Memorial, honoring the legendary Revolutionary War heroine.

The region’s Journey the Underground Railroad Tour offers a meaningful exploration of the courageous individuals and networks that aided enslaved people seeking freedom before the Civil War.

GETTYSBURG: PENNSYLVANIA’S DEFINING HISTORIC EXPERIENCE

No Pennsylvania historical itinerary would be complete without Gettysburg, one of the nation’s most important heritage destinations. At Gettysburg National Military Park, groups can experience battlefield tours, museum exhibits, and the famous cyclorama painting that vividly interprets the pivotal Civil War battle.

Beyond the battlefield itself, Gettysburg offers immersive experiences that help travelers understand civilian life during wartime. The Shriver House Museum recreates the experiences of a family caught in the conflict, while Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum expands the story beyond military strategy to include the town’s broader historical significance.

Groups can continue the presidential connection at Eisenhower National Historic Site, the home and farm of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Finally, the historic Dobbin House Tavern combines colonial atmosphere, storytelling, and dining in Gettysburg’s oldest house, offering an ideal closing experience for history-focused tours.

For group travel planners, Pennsylvania delivers a rare combination of historical depth, geographic accessibility, educational value, and memorable visitor experiences. From frontier forts and presidential homes to railroad marvels and battlefield landscapes, the Commonwealth offers endless opportunities to craft engaging itineraries that connect travelers directly to the people, events and innovations that shaped America. PA

Rivers-of-Steel

Photo courtesy of Rivers-of-Steel

Carrie Blast Furnaces

PENNSYLVANIA

Arts, Gardens & Historic Charm

GROUP-FRIENDLY ITINERARY IDEAS ACROSS THE KEYSTONE STATE

Pennsylvania offers group travelers something increasingly difficult to find in one destination: authentic cultural depth paired with easy-to-package experiences. Across the state, planners can combine world-class gardens, immersive art experiences, living history attractions, and charming downtown districts into itineraries that feel both enriching and approachable. From the Pennsylvania Dutch traditions of Lancaster County to the artistic energy of Philadelphia and the architectural icons of Western Pennsylvania, the state delivers layered experiences that appeal to alumni groups, affinity travelers, garden clubs, lifelong learners, and multigenerational travelers alike. Organized regionally, these itinerary-building ideas help planners craft customized journeys that reveal Pennsylvania’s cultural soul while maintaining strong group appeal.

CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA: LIVING HERITAGE, GARDENS & AGRICULTURAL TRADITIONS

LANCASTER: PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH CULTURE COMES TO LIFE

Lancaster County remains one of Pennsylvania’s strongest cultural anchors for groups seeking authentic heritage

experiences. At Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, travelers step directly into Pennsylvania German history through a living history museum interpreting rural life from 1740 through 1940. Demonstrations, historic structures, and costumed interpreters create an immersive introduction to the traditions that shaped the region.

Groups can further explore Lancaster’s countryside through the Amish Farm and House bus tour experience, offering insight into Amish customs, farming traditions, and rural life. The region also delivers strong evening entertainment options thanks to Lancaster’s theater scene, making it easy for planners to blend education, culture, and leisure into one itinerary.

YORK & HERSHEY/HARRISBURG: MURALS, MANSIONS & GARDEN BEAUTY

York combines artistic expression with architectural history. The elegant Warehime-Myers Mansion, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, provides a glimpse into Gilded Age grandeur, while the colorful Royal Square Mural Park showcases York’s growing arts identity through large-scale public murals woven throughout downtown.

Nearby, the Hershey and Harrisburg region layers history, agriculture, and horticulture into a compelling group experience. Free guided visits to the Pennsylva-

nia State Capitol reveal one of the nation’s most artistically significant capitol buildings, often called a “palace of art” for its stained glass, murals, and marble interiors.

Groups can continue exploring the region’s heritage at Fort Hunter Mansion and Park to get a glimpse into Victorian life along the Susquehanna River before taking in a mural walk along 3rd Street from Midtown to Downtown.

Garden enthusiasts will find a natural highlight at Hershey Gardens, where 23 acres of seasonal blooms, themed gardens, and butterfly displays create an easy addition to spring and summer itineraries.

HAPPY VALLEY & CUMBERLAND VALLEY: CREATIVE COUNTRYSIDE EXPERIENCES

In Happy Valley, the Arboretum at Penn State offers groups beautifully designed gardens and walking paths within a collegiate atmosphere that works especially well for alumni and educational tours.

The neighboring Cumberland Valley region adds artisan-driven agricultural experiences ideal for specialty group itineraries. At Meadowbrooke Gourds, travelers discover handcrafted folk art inspired by Pennsylvania Dutch traditions. Culinary groups can enjoy interactive demonstrations at The Kitchen Shoppe and Cooking School, while Within You Laven-

Photo courtesy of Philadelphia CVB

Courtesy of the Philadelphia Convention

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

der Farm and Market delivers a relaxing sensory experience featuring lavender fields, artisan goods, and seasonal products.

GETTYSBURG: HISTORIC CHARM BEYOND THE BATTLEFIELD

While Gettysburg is best known for Civil War history, the destination also offers planners softer cultural experiences that complement traditional battlefield touring. The National Apple Harvest Festival, held during the first two full weekends of October, showcases Pennsylvania’s agricultural heritage through crafts, food, music, and apple-inspired traditions.

Groups can pair festival experiences with lunch at Mansion House 1757, a historic dining destination that adds colonial-era atmosphere to the itinerary.

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA: GARDENS, MUSEUMS & ARTISTIC EXPRESSION

DELAWARE COUNTY

The Philadelphia countryside forms the heart of America’s Garden Capital, making it especially attractive for garden clubs and cultural groups. In Delaware County travelers can explore celebrated landscapes including Chanticleer Garden, Tyler Arboretum and Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College.

Art lovers can continue to Brandywine Museum of Art, home to renowned American illustration and Wyeth family collections that connect deeply to the region’s artistic identity.

CHESTER COUNTY’S BRANDYWINE VALLEY & LONGWOOD GARDENS

No Pennsylvania garden itinerary feels complete without Longwood Gardens, one of the premier horticultural destinations in the United States. The gardens provide year-round appeal through expansive conservatories, fountains, meadows and seasonal displays that consistently resonate with group travelers.

Nearby, Woodlands at Phillips Mushroom Farms highlights Chester County’s agricultural heritage through mushroom-growing experiences unique to the region.

PHILADELPHIA: AMERICA’S MURAL CAPITAL

Philadelphia delivers one of the most diverse cultural experiences in the state. The annual Philadelphia Flower Show attracts garden enthusiasts from across the country as the world’s longest-running and largest indoor horticultural event.

Public art takes center stage through Mural Arts Philadelphia tours, introducing groups to the city’s extraordinary collection of more than 4,000 murals and community-driven storytelling.

Along Benjamin Franklin Parkway, planners can package visits to the Philadelphia Museum of Art,

Barnes Foundation, Rodin Museum and Calder Gardens into a highly marketable arts-focused itinerary. Additional itinerary highlights include Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center and Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, where mosaics, sculpture, and immersive artistry create memorable group experiences. For a signature finale groups can enjoy evening dining aboard Moshulu, the world’s oldest and largest four-masted tall ship still afloat, offering a uniquely Philadelphia experience along the watrfront.

VALLEY FORGE, READING & BUCKS COUNTY

Valley Forge National Historic Park’s Bryn Athyn Historic District blends extraordinary architecture, stained glass artistry, and gardens into a hidden gem ideal for cultural travelers.

In Reading and Berks County, the pioneering work of Rodale Institute connects groups to organic farming innovation, while GoggleWorks Center for the Arts and local barn star art tours celebrate Pennsylvania folk traditions and contemporary creativity.

signed homes, including the internationally recognized Fallingwater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consistently ranks among America’s most iconic works of architecture.

Pittsburgh combines industrial history with globally respected arts institutions. At the Andy Warhol Museum, groups can explore the largest museum in North America dedicated to a single artist. Nearby, the Carnegie Museum of Art and Carnegie Museum of Natural

Bucks County rounds out Eastern Pennsylvania with exceptional artistic heritage. Groups can explore the Michener Art Museum, tour Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum and discover the legacy of master tilemaker Henry Mercer through visits to Mercer Museum, Fonthill Castle, and Moravian Pottery & Tile Works. Literary travelers can also connect with the life and humanitarian legacy of Nobel Prize-winning author Pearl S. Buck at Pearl S. Buck House.

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA: ARCHITECTURE, INNOVATION & ARTISTIC LEGACY

LAUREL

HIGHLANDS & PITTSBURGH

Western Pennsylvania delivers some of the state’s most architecturally significant experiences. The Laurel Highlands region is home to four Frank Lloyd Wright-de-

History provide two world-class museum experiences under one ticket.

Garden-focused groups will appreciate Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, while the internationally themed Nationality Rooms at the University of Pittsburgh showcase the immigrant communities that shaped the city.

For memorable dining, The Church Brew Works transforms a former church into one of Pennsylvania’s most distinctive restaurants.

BUTLER COUNTY: AN UNEXPECTED CULTURAL DISCOVERY

North of Pittsburgh, The Maridon Museum offers an unexpected cultural experience through collections focused on Chinese and Japanese art, adding an international dimension to Western Pennsylvania itineraries. PA

Photo courtesy of Paul Weigman

Photo courtesy of Visit Hershey & Harrisburg

The Pennsylvania State Capitol, known as “A Palace of Art,” offers free tours daily.

Phipps Conservatory, Pittsburgh

PENNSYLVANIA Fall Foliage Tours

Pennsylvania's colors are a sight to behold in Autumn.

Stay & Play with These Day Trips

SCENIC AUTUMN ESCAPES, HARVEST FESTIVALS & HAUNTED ADVENTURES FOR GROUPS.

Pennsylvania in autumn is a sensory feast filled with crisp mountain air, blazing foliage, pumpkin patches, harvest festivals and charming small towns dressed in seasonal color. For group travel planners, the state offers an extraordinary variety of fall experiences that can stand alone as an autumn getaway or easily complement itineraries focused on history, culinary travel, railroads, outdoor adventure, or the paranormal. From ghost tours in historic towns to scenic train rides, pumpkin festivals, cider tastings and breathtaking mountain landscapes, Pennsylvania’s regional diversity makes it easy to create memorable fall itineraries packed with seasonal appeal.

CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA: HARVEST TRADITIONS, HAUNTED HISTORY & FAMILY FARMS

Lancaster County delivers classic Pennsylvania autumn charm with a mix of farmland beauty, culinary traditions, and seasonal entertainment. Groups can begin in Lancaster City with the popular Ghost Tours of Lancaster, where candlelit streets and centuries-old buildings create a perfect October atmosphere. Nearby, the Magic &

Wonder Dinner Theater offers a lively indoor experience ideal for motorcoach groups seeking evening entertainment. In Lititz, the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, America’s first commercial pretzel bakery, provides a delicious taste of Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Nearby Bube’s Brewery pairs dining with underground ghost tours in one of the region’s most intriguing historic buildings. Lancaster’s farmers markets also shine during fall harvest season with baked goods, pumpkins, apples, jams, and local crafts.

Just west in York County, Flinchbaugh’s Orchard & Farm Market becomes a centerpiece for apple picking, pumpkin displays, and seasonal treats. Nearby Wyndridge Farm combines scenic countryside dining with pumpkin spice cider and private group-friendly gathering spaces that work especially well for adult tours and culinary-focused itineraries.

In the Hershey and Harrisburg region, fall blends family fun with seasonal flavors. Hersheypark Halloween transforms the beloved park with themed attractions and spooky entertainment, while Hershey’s Chocolate World adds family-friendly Trick-or-Treat Trolley rides. Nearby Strites’ Orchard offers classic pumpkin

and apple picking experiences, and craft beer lovers can stop at Tröegs Independent Brewing for brewery tours and pumpkin-inspired seasonal brews.

Further north in Happy Valley, groups can experience the Punkin’ Chunkin’ Fall Festival, where pumpkin-launching competitions add unexpected excitement to autumn travel. The Arboretum at Penn State’s Pumpkin Fest brings together colorful displays, seasonal gardens and family-friendly activities perfect for multigenerational groups.

Cumberland Valley adds artisan craftsmanship and scenic dining to the itinerary. Meadowbrooke Gourds showcases beautifully hand-crafted hard-shell gourds transformed into seasonal artwork and décor. The region’s farmers markets are rich with fresh produce and baked specialties. Dockside Willies and Dukes Riverside Bar & Grille provide relaxing waterfront dining with beautiful autumn scenery along the Susquehanna River.

No Pennsylvania fall itinerary is complete without Gettysburg, where history and hauntings intertwine beneath colorful autumn leaves. Gettysburg Ghost Tours explore what is often called one of the most haunted places in America, making October an es-

Photo courtesy of Explore York

pecially popular time to visit. Nearby, the National Apple Harvest Festival at the South Mountain Fairgrounds in Biglerville celebrates Pennsylvania’s orchard traditions with crafts, food vendors, and live entertainment. At Hollabaugh’s Bros., Inc there are guided wagon tours of the farm, apple dumpling demos and everyone gets to take one home, and a fabulous farm market and gift shop. King’s Farmstead and Market adds another seasonal farm stop. The Barn Resort offers rustic farmhouse dining ideal for group meals after a day of touring.

For travelers seeking scenic wilderness, Tioga County delivers unforgettable fall color at the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Ole Covered Wagon Tours provides a relaxed and nostalgic way for groups to experience the vibrant foliage and mountain landscapes of northern Pennsylvania.

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA: HAUNTED LEGENDS, GARDENS & FALL FESTIVALS

Philadelphia offers one of the East Coast’s most atmospheric urban fall experiences. Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site becomes a major Halloween destination during Halloween Nights, combining theatrical scares with the haunting backdrop of the historic prison. Ghost Tours of Philadelphia lead groups through cobblestone streets filled with Revolutionary-era legends and paranormal tales.

Nearby Delaware County welcomes visitors to Linvilla Orchards’ famous Pumpkinland, where hayrides, pumpkins, baked goods, and seasonal décor create a classic autumn experience popular with families and tour groups alike.

Chester County’s Brandywine Valley pairs horticultural beauty with artistic seasonal traditions. Chadds Ford Historical Society hosts The Great Pumpkin Carve, featuring extraordinary giant pumpkin artwork illuminated after dark. Longwood Gardens dazzles visitors during its Autumn’s Colors season, highlighted by the popular Chrysanthemum Festival, where thousands of colorful blooms transform the conservatory into one of Pennsylvania’s premier fall displays.

Reading and Berks County add both mystery and scenery to the season. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary becomes one of North America’s premier viewing locations for the annual hawk migration. The Colebrookdale Railroad enhances the experience with scenic train rides through rolling autumn countryside.

Berks County offers a variety of group-friendly seasonal experiences. The Ghost Lantern Tours of Crystal Cave provide an atmospheric underground adventure filled with folklore and spooky storytelling, while the Hay Creek Festivals celebrate local arts, music, crafts, and heritage traditions. The Daniel Boone Homestead Fall Festival delivers colonial-era fun with artisan demonstrations, food, music and activities.

For travelers seeking thrills, Lackawanna County delivers some of Pennsylvania’s most intense Halloween

attractions. Reaper’s Revenge and Circle of Screams attract visitors from across the Mid-Atlantic. Lakeland Orchard & Cidery offers a more group-friendly atmosphere with train rides through a Halloween Light Show, apple cider, and seasonal treats.

In Bradford County, the Zippo/Case Museum offers a distinctive Americana stop where visitors can see the first Zippo lighter and explore the history of two iconic American brands.

Bucks County combines picturesque villages with quirky seasonal attractions. Peddler’s Village becomes especially charming during Scarecrows in the Village, where creative displays line the walkable shopping district. The Visual Arts Museum of Paranormal Antiquities (VAMPA) adds an unusual paranormal attraction for travel groups, while Fall Fest at Shady Brook Farm brings together hayrides, live entertainment, pumpkins, and seasonal food at the century-old family farm.

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA: MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPES, SCENIC RAILROADS & ELK COUNTRY

In Huntingdon County, Raystown Lake becomes a spectacular autumn destination. Groups can enjoy seasonal cruises aboard the Proud Mary Showboat, or scenic excursions on Lake Raystown Cruise tours while surrounded by mountain foliage reflected across the water.

Nearby Blair County is home to the Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark, one of the world’s great railroad engineering achievements. Fall foliage only enhances the dramatic mountain vistas and passing freight trains that make this site a favorite among rail enthusiasts.

The Laurel Highlands region offers some of Pennsylvania’s most iconic autumn scenery. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, becomes especially breathtaking amid peak foliage. Groups can pair architecture tours with dinner at Tree Tops Restaurant, known for scenic dining in the mountains. Fort Ligonier Days celebrates colonial history with parades, crafts, and reenactments, while Autumnfest at Seven Springs combines chairlift rides, artisan vendors, and mountain-top fall views.

Pittsburgh blends urban energy with seasonal traditions. Farmers markets throughout the city highlight regional produce and handmade goods, while the Duquesne Incline offers spectacular panoramic views of Pittsburgh’s three rivers framed by autumn color. Pittsburgh Ghost Tours reveal the city’s darker side after sunset, and the Pittsburgh Brewing Company showcases the city’s brewing heritage with tours and tastings. For thrill seekers Phantom Fall Fest at Kennywood combines roller coasters with Halloween-themed entertainment.

In Butler County, groups can enjoy a peaceful Preston’s Pearl Cruise at Moraine State Park aboard a two-story pontoon boat surrounded by colorful lakeside forests. The Hops, Grapes & Grains Tastemakers’ Tour adds local breweries, wineries, and distilleries to the autumn experience. Finally, Elk County offers one of Pennsylvania’s most unforgettable wildlife experiences. In Benezette, visitors gather each fall to observe majestic elk during mating season in the Elk Capital of Pennsylvania, a dramatic and uniquely Pennsylvanian finale to any autumn itinerary. PA

Berks County’s Colebrookdale Railroad in the fall.

Pumpkin Carve.

Photo courtesy of Colebrookdale Railroad.

Photo courtesy of Chester County’s Brandywine Valley

PENNSYLVANIA

Holiday Group Travel

There’s something magical about strolling the charming town of Ligonier lit up in holiday glow. his hallmark-style setting offers plenty of shops, cafes and activities to make your holiday trip bright, merry and memorable.

REGIONAL CHRISTMAS TRAILS FILLED WITH LIGHTS, MARKETS AND HISTORIC CHARM

Pennsylvania’s holiday appeal is strongest when its destinations are woven into easy-tosell regional experiences rather than presented as standalone attractions. Across the state, group travel planners can combine historic towns, dazzling light displays, Christmas markets, rail excursions and immersive seasonal traditions into compact touring routes that minimize drive time while maximizing holiday atmosphere. From western Pennsylvania’s nostalgic Christmas villages to eastern Pennsylvania’s world-class gardens and European-inspired markets, the state offers flexible winter itineraries ideal for motorcoach groups, multigenerational travelers and holiday-themed tours.

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA: CHRISTMAS CITIES, GARDENS & HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

BETHLEHEM, READING & BUCKS COUNTY

Eastern Pennsylvania’s holiday corridor combines some of the state’s most iconic Christmas attractions within easy touring distance.

Bethlehem anchors the region with its nationally recognized “Christmas City USA” identity. Historic Bethlehem’s live Advent calendar, Moravian traditions and Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem create one of the nation’s premier holiday market experiences.

Westward in Berks County, Koziar’s Christmas Village immerses visitors in millions of lights spread across decorated buildings and landscapes, while Holiday Lights at Gring’s Mill transforms the historic park into a sparkling seasonal display. Nearby, Christmas at Joanna celebrates Berks County’s colonial heritage with candlelight tours, crafts and living history demonstrations at Joanna Furnace.

The route continues naturally into Bucks County, where Byers’ Choice showcases its handcrafted Caroler figures beloved by collectors nationwide. Nearby, Peddler’s Village blends illuminated displays, boutique shopping and seasonal dining into a quintessential holiday village atmosphere.

PHILADELPHIA, BRANDYWINE VALLEY & VALLEY FORGE

Greater Philadelphia offers planners a sophisticated holiday route filled with markets, lights, gardens and historic estates.

In Center City Philadelphia, Christmas Village transforms LOVE Park and City Hall into an authentic German-style market filled with festive foods and artisan vendors. Nearby, LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo dazzles visitors with animal-themed displays featuring more than a million lights.

Southwest of the city, Longwood Gardens presents one of America’s most spectacular holiday horticultural displays, while the Brandywine Museum of Art charms visitors with its intricate Brandywine Railroad exhibit.

The itinerary can then loop back through the Valley Forge region, where Cairnwood Estate offers elegant holiday teas and tours, and the Narberth Dickens Festival recreates a Victorian streetscape filled with carolers and horse-drawn carriages. Nearby, Rose Tree Park Festival of Lights adds another festive evening attraction through its walk-through illuminated displays.

POCONO MOUNTAINS & LACKAWANNA COUNTY

Northeastern Pennsylvania combines snowy mountain scenery with nostalgic holiday traditions.

Jim Thorpe Olde Time Christmas transforms the historic railroad town into a Victorian Christmas postcard, while Skytop Lodge enchants visitors with Magic Wonderland celebrations and tree-lighting ceremonies.

Nearby in Scranton, Steamtown National Historic Site offers North Pole Limited train rides that combine historic railroading with festive storytelling, creating a memorable family-friendly finale to a northeastern Pennsylvania holiday itinerary.

Photo courtesy of Go Laurel Highlands

CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA: AMISH COUNTRY, SWEET TRADITIONS & VICTORIAN TOWNS

LANCASTER & YORK

Lancaster and York combine perfectly into a holiday route built around nostalgia, entertainment and shopping.

Lancaster County’s Pennsylvania Dutch heritage creates one of the state’s most authentic Christmas atmospheres. Groups can explore vintage holiday treasures at the National Christmas Center before attending the renowned seasonal production at American Music Theatre.

Just west, York expands the experience with largescale holiday lights and retail attractions. Bright Nights York fills evenings with millions of twinkling lights, while Christmas Tree Hill offers year-round holiday shopping that becomes especially popular during the Christmas season. The historic Warehime-Myers Mansion adds Victorian elegance with beautifully decorated Christmas trees and seasonal tours.

The close proximity between Lancaster and York allows planners to blend entertainment, shopping and illuminated attractions into a highly marketable holiday package.

HERSHEY, CUMBERLAND VALLEY & GETTYSBURG

South-central Pennsylvania creates one of the state’s strongest holiday touring regions thanks to its concentration of attractions and easy routing.

Hershey anchors the corridor with family-friendly holiday experiences. Hersheypark Christmas Candylane glows with millions of lights, rides and festive entertainment, while Hershey Sweet Lights provides a drive-through spectacular ideal for motorcoach groups. Nearby, Hershey’s Chocolate World adds seasonal fun through its shopping experience, Chocolate House display and Holly Jolly Trolley tours.

From Hershey, itineraries can branch into Cumberland Valley for more hands-on experiences. Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouses offers wreath and garland-making workshops, while Jubilee Cake Studio lets visitors create their own holiday desserts.

Gettysburg rounds out the route with Victorian charm and historic ambiance. Groups can enjoy seasonal excursions aboard the Gettysburg & Northern Railroad before relaxing with holiday tea service at The Gettysburg Academy Bed & Breakfast.

HAPPY VALLEY & TIOGA COUNTY

Central Pennsylvania’s northern holiday route delivers charming Victorian traditions and small-town atmosphere.

Bellefonte Victorian Christmas fills the town with winter markets, decorated streets and seasonal festivities that fit beautifully into relaxed itineraries.

Further north, Wellsboro’s Dickens of a Christmas transports visitors into a Victorian holiday scene complete with period costumes, horse-drawn carriages and historic downtown charm.

Together, the two destinations create a heritage-focused route ideal for travelers seeking authentic small-town celebrations.

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA: OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMASES & MOUNTAIN TRADITIONS

BEDFORD, LAUREL HIGHLANDS & LIGONIER

This western Pennsylvania route combines historic charm, mountain scenery and classic holiday nostalgia into an easy overnight or multi-day itinerary.

Groups can begin in Bedford at Old Bedford Village, where candlelit strolls through the historic village recreate a 19th-century Christmas atmosphere complete with interpreters and seasonal décor. Nearby, Omni Bedford Springs Resort adds upscale elegance with festive events, seasonal dining and elaborate gingerbread displays.

From Bedford, itineraries naturally continue west into the Laurel Highlands. Overly’s Country Christmas delivers one of the region’s most beloved light displays, pairing well with shopping and dining in

Traveling west toward Pittsburgh, groups can stop in Harmony for the acclaimed WeihnachtsMarkt at Harmony Museum, a German-inspired market frequently ranked among the nation’s best Christmas markets.

Pittsburgh itself offers planners multiple anchor attractions within a compact downtown setting. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden dazzles visitors with its immersive Dazzling Nights experience, while the Peoples Gas Holiday

nearby Ligonier. During the holidays, the historic town becomes especially picturesque with decorated storefronts and cozy restaurants ideal for group stops.

Together, these destinations create a strong blend of heritage tourism, winter scenery and nostalgic Christmas traditions.

INDIANA COUNTY, BUTLER & PITTSBURGH

Western Pennsylvania’s larger holiday corridor combines small-town Americana with major city attractions.

Indiana County anchors the route with the It’s a Wonderful Life Festival, celebrating hometown native Jimmy Stewart through parades, themed festivities and classic Christmas nostalgia. The county’s identity as the “Christmas Tree Capital of the WorldTM” adds an authentic agricultural and winter heritage component that groups can easily incorporate into touring.

Market and UPMC Rink at PPG Place create a festive urban core filled with lights, shopping and entertainment.

Groups can elevate the experience further with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker and dinner at Hyeholde Restaurant, whose Tudor-style architecture feels especially magical during the holidays.

Pennsylvania’s greatest strength as a holiday destination lies in the diversity and proximity of its experiences. Historic towns, illuminated gardens, Victorian festivals, Christmas markets and seasonal rail excursions can all be connected into efficient regional itineraries that balance entertainment, heritage and holiday charm. For group travel planners, the result is a collection of flexible touring routes that showcase the warmth and nostalgia of the season while making Pennsylvania one of the Northeast’s most rewarding holiday destinations. PA

Photo courtesy of Sarah Coker

Photo courtesy of Visit Delco

Dazzling lights are on display at Delaware County’s Rose Tree Park Festival of Lights.

PPG Place Ice-Skating

ITINERARY TRANSPORTATION

ALL ABOARD PENNSYLVANIA

A GROUP-FRIENDLY TRANSPORTATION HERITAGE JOURNEY THROUGH TRAINS, TROLLEYS, CRUISES & CLASSIC CARS

Pennsylvania’s transportation story helped build America. From steam locomotives climbing the Allegheny Mountains to paddlewheel riverboats, historic trolley lines, aviation pioneers and the birth of the Jeep, the Commonwealth offers one of the nation’s richest collections of transportation experiences for groups. Best of all, these attractions naturally connect with other popular itinerary themes including history, fall foliage, holidays, Americana, industrial heritage and cultural travel. For group planners Pennsylvania’s transportation attractions create a standalone journey, or an easy addition to broader itineraries, while offering immersive, memorable experiences across every region of the state.

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA: RAILROADS, RIVERBOATS & INDUSTRIAL INNOVATION

Begin in the western part of the state where transportation heritage is tied closely to America’s industrial rise.

In Huntingdon County, groups can experience one of the country’s most authentic rail preservation stories at East Broad Top Railroad, the nation’s oldest operating narrow-gauge railroad. Nearby, the Rockhill Trolley Museum allows visitors to ride beautifully restored electric trolleys while learning how public transit shaped communities decades ago. For groups looking to blend transportation with leisure travel, the Proud Mary Showboat offers scenic lunch and dinner cruises on Lake Raystown. Continue west into Blair County where railroad history becomes monumental. The Railroaders Memo-

rial Museum and nearby Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark tell the story of the engineering triumph that connected eastern markets with the expanding western frontier. Nearby, the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site preserves the first railroad system to cross the Allegheny Mountains. Seasonal excursions aboard the Everett Railroad Company add themed rides that are especially popular during fall and holiday seasons.

In the Laurel Highlands, the Lincoln Highway Experience Museum explores America’s first coast-tocoast highway and the rise of automobile tourism in the 1930s and 1940s. Interactive exhibits, vintage service station memorabilia and immersive displays help visitors understand how the highway transformed trav-

Historic rails, timeless views, unforgettable journey.

Photo courtesy of North Central Railway of York.

el, roadside commerce and family vacations across the United States. For group tours, the museum provides a nostalgic look at the golden age of road trips while connecting travelers to the broader story of Pennsylvania’s role in America’s transportation evolution.

Pittsburgh provides an ideal urban transportation hub for groups. Ride the historic Duquesne Incline and Monongahela Incline for panoramic city views while experiencing one of America’s oldest commuter transportation systems. Water-based touring comes alive aboard the Gateway Clipper Fleet, while Molly's Trolleys provides narrated city sightseeing tours. Just outside the city, the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum gives groups a hands-on look at early electric transportation.

Groups with automotive interests can add Butler County, home of the original Jeep. The annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival celebrates the birthplace of the Bantam Jeep, while the Preston's Pearl offers relaxing cruises on Lake Arthur.

CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA: AMERICA’S RAILROADING HEARTLAND

Central Pennsylvania delivers some of the Commonwealth’s strongest rail and automotive experiences, all within easy driving proximity for motorcoach groups.

Lancaster County anchors the region with the iconic Strasburg Rail Road, America’s oldest continuously operating railroad. Across the street, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania houses one of the nation’s premier collections of locomotives and rail cars. Nearby, Barry's Car Barn showcases classic American muscle cars from the 1950s through the 1970s.

York County pairs transportation with presidential history at the Northern Central Railway, where groups ride the same route Abraham Lincoln traveled in route to Gettysburg. Automotive enthusiasts also flock to York for the NSRA Street Rod Nationals East. A new, reimagined tour experience is opening later this year at the Harley-Davidson York Factory. The revitalized guest journey will also feature an all new onsite retail store. More details are coming soon – be sure to keep this in mind as you build your 2027 and 2028 group itineraries.

“

York County

pairs transportation with presidential history at the Northern

Delaware River. Automobile enthusiasts should not miss the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, home to one of the world’s great collections of racing sports cars. For memorable dining, the Moshulu offers dinner aboard the world’s oldest and largest four-masted tall ship still afloat.

Central Railway

Nearby Hershey and Harrisburg create a strong combination of rail, river and automobile attractions. The AACA Museum offers a sweeping look at America’s transportation evolution, while the Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad features scenic excursion rides. Groups can also cruise the Susquehanna River aboard the authentic paddle wheeler Pride of the Susquehanna. For specialty and affinity groups, Mecum Harrisburg has become a major collector-car event.

Southwest of Harrisburg, the Cumberland Valley appeals strongly to motorcoach groups interested in classic cars and rail history. Carlisle Car Shows attract enthusiasts nationwide, while the Rolls-Royce Foundation and Cumberland Valley Railroad Museum add unique niche experiences.

In Gettysburg transportation and military history come together through several distinctive attractions. The Eastern Museum of Motor Racing highlights Pennsylvania’s deep roots in American motor racing, while the Gettysburg Railway offers scenic excursions through the rolling countryside of Adams County. Nearby, the World War II American Experience showcases an impressive collection of restored military vehicles, including Sherman tanks, half-tracks, and Jeeps, bringing World War II history vividly to life.

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA: MARITIME HERITAGE, AVIATION & CLASSIC RAIL EXCURSIONS

Eastern Pennsylvania blends urban transportation history with scenic countryside rail experiences.

Philadelphia’s waterfront tells the story of America’s maritime rise at the Independence Seaport Museum, where groups can tour historic ships along the

West of Philadelphia, Chester County’s Brandywine Valley highlights aviation and rail innovation. The American Helicopter Museum & Education Center explores the region’s pioneering role in helicopter development, while the West Chester Railroad offers scenic heritage rail excursions.

Reading and Berks County may be one of Pennsylvania’s most underrated transportation destinations. Groups can ride the Colebrookdale Railroad through picturesque countryside, explore aviation history at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum and discover Pennsylvania-made vehicles at the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles. The Reading Railroad Heritage Museum and Gruber Wagon Works further connect groups to the state’s transportation craftsmanship.

Farther north, Scranton remains one of the state’s signature rail destinations. Steamtown National Historic Site immerses visitors in the steam era, while the Electric City Trolley Museum preserves the story of electric railway transportation.

The journey concludes in the Lehigh Valley and Bucks County. America On Wheels Museum explores the evolution of trucking, automobiles and highways, while the National Canal Museum highlights the canal systems that once powered commerce across the region. In Bucks County, the New Hope Railroad delivers one of Pennsylvania’s most scenic and group-friendly rail experiences, particularly during fall foliage and holiday seasons. Vintage railcars carry passengers along the Delaware River through the rolling countryside between New Hope and Lahaska, creating a nostalgic journey that blends history, scenery and small-town charm. Seasonal excursions, including popular holiday-themed rides, make the railroad an easy addition to itineraries focused on heritage travel, family reunion experiences and festive group tours. PA

Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum

The dream garage of any muscle head, Barry’s Car Barn, Intercourse, PA is home to a collection of American muscle cars from the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

Photo courtesy of Philadelphia CVB

Photo courtesy of Brian Donn

Margo DeRouchie

National Sales & Business Development Director

610-375-4085 ext. 1104

margo@experienceberks.com

https://www.experienceberks.com

ABA, PBA, NTA, GNEMA, OMCA, SYTA, MRN

Shannon Rinker, CTP

Group Tour Sales & Visitor Services Manager

shannonr@visitbuckscounty.com

215-639-0300 ext 232

https://www.visitbuckscounty.com

ABA, NTA, SYTA, PBA , GNEMA, MMA, VMA

Annie Jirapatnakul

Global Tourism Sales Manager, North America

Annie@discoverPHL.com 215-636-3405

https://www.discoverphl.com

ABA, NTA, SYTA, PBA, OMCA, Bus Carriers Federation (Quebec)

Courtney Babcock Director of Sales

484-840-7213 (O) 610-733-1846 (Cell)

Courtney@brandywinevalley.com www.brandywinevalley.com

PBA, ABA, NTA

Katie Paschall

National Sales & Business Development Director

kpaschall@visitdelcopa.com

610-565-3679 x106

www.visitdelco.com

ABA, SYTA, PBA

Audrey Bialas Director of Sales

audrey@hersheyharrisaburg.org 717-231-2993 (o) 717-836-9386 mobile www.hersheyharrisburg.org PBA, MMA, NTA, ABA, USTA, SYTA

East Bucks County

East

Visit Delco

East Brandywine Valley

Central Visit Hershey & Harrisburg

Nicole Young Group Tour Sales Manager

Nicole@yorkpa.org

717-852-9675 x110

www.yorkpa.org/groups

PBA, GNEMA, VMA, NCMA, MMA, ABA, SYTA, NTA

Julie Dautrich Tourism Sales Manager

jdautrich@discoverlancaster.com

info@discoverlancaster.com (800) 723-8824

www.discoverlancaster.com

ABA, NTA, OMCA, SYTA, PBA

Sandy Stewart Director of Sales

Sandy@DestinationGettysburg.com 717-338-3062

www.DestinationGettysburg.com

ABA, NTA, SYTA, PBA, MMA, VMA, OMCA, MRN, GNEMA

Patrick Bourque

Destination Sales Manager

patrick@visitcumberlandvalley.com

O: 717-240-7191

C: 717-315-7618

https://www.visitcumberlandvalley.com

ABA , SYTA

Amber Harkleroad, CSTP

Group Tour Sales Manager

amber.harkleroad@visitpittsburgh.com

412-400-5267

https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/plan-your-trip/ group-tour

ABA, NTA, PBA, SYTA

Part of Pittsburgh and its Countryside

Laura Argenbright

Senior Director of Creative strategy

laura@golaurelhighlands.com

724-238-5661 x 104 724-433-3923 mobile

www.GOLaurelHighlands.com

PBA and part of Pittsburgh and its Country Side Group Cohort

West

Visit Pittsburgh

West Go Laurel Highlands

Central Explore York

Central Visit Cumberland County

Central Discover Lancaster

Central Destination Gettysburg

Inspire your group with living history!

The lessons learned from Gettysburg’s dramatic history have had a profound impact on how we see our country — and ourselves. The hallowed battlefields and powerful memorials tell the American story in a way that nowhere else can — as an unfiltered, personal experience. There has never been a better time to bring your group to Gettysburg.

DestinationGettysburg.com/GroupTours/

PENNSYLVANIA

History isn’t watched

For decades, heritage tourism centered on observation. Travelers toured historic homes, walked battlefields, read interpretive signs, and listened to guides recount stories from the past. Today, however, group travelers increasingly seek something more engaging. They want to step into history, participate in it, and connect with it in meaningful ways.

Few states are better positioned to meet that demand than Pennsylvania.

The Keystone State offers an extraordinary collection of immersive experiences that transform history from a passive attraction into an active journey. Across the Commonwealth, visitors can meet craftspeople preserving centuries-old traditions, ride alongside expert storytellers through pivotal landscapes, explore industrial sites where modern America was forged, and participate in demonstrations that bring the past vividly to life.

For group travel planners, Pennsylvania presents a unique opportunity: the ability to build multi-day itineraries centered entirely on experiential heritage travel while combining iconic destinations with lesser-known discoveries that leave lasting impressions.

FROM SPECTATORS TO PARTICIPANTS

The evolution of heritage tourism reflects a broader trend throughout the travel industry. Modern

it’s experienced in Motion

in Pennsylvania,

By Dave Bodle

travelers want experiences that create emotional connections and memorable stories. They don't simply want to learn about history. They want to feel it.

Pennsylvania's diverse historical assets make it particularly effective at delivering these immersive encounters. From Colonial-era settlements and Civil War landmarks to industrial innovation and agricultural traditions, the state's attractions have embraced hands-on interpretation that encourages participation rather than observation.

The result is a statewide portfolio of experiences that appeal to student groups, lifelong learners, affinity travelers, military history enthusiasts, and cultural explorers alike.

LANCASTER COUNTY: LIVING HERITAGE IN ACTION

Few destinations embody immersive history more effectively than Lancaster County, where heritage remains an active part of daily life rather than a preserved relic of the past.

At Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, visitors encounter one of the nation's premier living-history museums dedicated to Pennsylvania German culture. Here, history unfolds through demonstrations rather than displays. Blacksmiths shape iron using traditional methods, craftspeople practice historic textile techniques, and interpreters showcase the agricultural traditions that helped define the region.

Groups aren't merely observing these activities. They engage directly with the stories, skills and customs that shaped generations of Pennsylvanians.

Nearby, Amish Farm and House offers valuable cultural context for understanding one of America's most distinctive communities. Guided experiences help visitors learn about Amish beliefs, traditions, and daily life while fostering appreciation and respect for a culture that continues to thrive in the modern world.

For planners, Lancaster's appeal extends beyond its attractions. The region's well-developed tourism infrastructure, abundant dining options, and motorcoach-friendly facilities make it one of Pennsylvania's easiest destinations to package and sell.

GETTYSBURG: STORIES THAT MOVE PEOPLE

History becomes especially powerful when storytelling transforms landscapes into living narratives. That dynamic is on full display at Gettysburg

A ranger-guided tour of the Gettysburg National Military Park is an experience that touches both youth and adult groups. Courtesy of Destination Gettysburg.

Courtesy of Destination Gettysburg

National Military Park, where interpretation has evolved far beyond traditional battlefield touring.

One of Gettysburg's most popular group experiences involves licensed battlefield guides boarding motorcoaches and narrating events in real time as visitors move across the historic terrain. The combination of expert storytelling and physical immersion allows travelers to better understand the decisions, sacrifices, and human experiences that unfolded during one of America's defining conflicts.

Beyond the battlefield itself, living-history encampments, reenactments and interactive museum exhibits provide additional layers of engagement. Evening ghost tours and storytelling walks add a different dimension, blending history, folklore and local tradition into memorable after-hours experiences.

For many groups, Gettysburg becomes far more than a history lesson. It becomes an emotional journey that sparks reflection, discussion, and deeper understanding.

COLONIAL CRAFTSMANSHIP AND COMMUNITY

Pennsylvania's immersive heritage experiences extend well beyond its best-known destinations. Tucked into Lancaster County, Ephrata Cloister offers a fascinating glimpse into one of colonial America's most unusual religious communities.

Rather than focusing solely on buildings and artifacts, the site brings early communal life into

focus through demonstrations of music, printing, craftsmanship, and daily routines. Costumed interpreters help visitors understand the values and traditions that shaped the community while creating opportunities for personal interaction.

For planners seeking distinctive experiences that go beyond standard heritage attractions, Ephrata Cloister delivers authenticity and intimacy. The smaller scale often allows visitors to engage more deeply with interpreters and gain a richer understanding of the people who once called the community home.

DISCOVERING PENNSYLVANIA'S HIDDEN GEMS

While Pennsylvania's marquee destinations often receive the spotlight, some of the state's most rewarding immersive experiences can be found off the beaten path.

At Drake Well Museum and Park/Titusville, visitors discover the birthplace of the modern petroleum industry. Demonstrations of early drilling technology and recreated historical environments illustrate how a single innovation transformed both Pennsylvania and the world.

Farther south, the Somerset Historical Center/ Somerset invites groups to experience rural history through agricultural demonstrations, frontier crafts, and seasonal living-history events. Visitors encounter a slower-paced but deeply engaging form of heritage tourism that encourages exploration, participation and conversation.

These smaller destinations often become surprise highlights for groups because they offer highly personal experiences and meaningful interaction with interpreters, artisans, and local experts.

BUILDING ITINERARIES THAT CREATE MEMORIES

For group travel planners, Pennsylvania's greatest strength lies not in any single attraction but in the ability to connect multiple immersive experiences into cohesive, marketable itineraries.

A tour might combine Lancaster County's living traditions with Gettysburg's powerful storytelling. Another could link Pittsburgh's industrial heritage with Titusville's innovation history. Rural sites, cultural experiences, and iconic landmarks can be blended into journeys that appeal to a wide range of interests and demographics.

Most importantly, these experiences align with what today's travelers increasingly value: authenticity, participation, and personal connection.

The future of heritage tourism belongs to destinations that invite visitors to do more than observe. Pennsylvania has embraced that shift by transforming history into something travelers can touch, hear, taste, and experience firsthand.

For groups seeking meaningful travel in the years beyond America 250, the Commonwealth offers a compelling promise: history isn't sitting behind glass. It's waiting to be experienced.

State 48: Why Medora, North Dakota, Just Got a Lot More Interesting

By Jeff Gayduk

I'll be honest. When North Dakota came up as stop number 48 on my quest to visit all 50 states, I was looking for a good excuse to get there. After all, people who track these things know that North Dakota is reliably one of the last states checked off the list. You don’t travel through there to get to many places; there's no coastal pull, no “gotta see this before I croak” hook.

So, when I heard about the Accent West trade show coming to the western part of the state, I immediately had my reason to click off No. 48. I'd heard about the Medora Musical and figured it would be nice. Theodore Roosevelt National Park was on the itinerary. That’s impressive. What I didn't expect was to leave thinking I'd just witnessed a tourism transformation in progress.

The Presidential Library That Becomes the Landscape

I’m a sucker for a good hard hat tour, and our visit to the soon-tobe-open library moved the needle in a big way. Designed by Snøhetta, the architecture firm behind some of the world's most celebrated cultural buildings, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library sits on 93 acres of Badlands terrain, adjacent to the south unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

The 96,000-square-foot structure is built into a butte rather than planted on top of one. Rammed-earth walls and a mass timber rain screen pull materials and palette directly from the surrounding landscape. A living roof, planted with dozens of native plants, allows visitors to walk above the building and look out across some of the most untouched terrain in the American West.

Hosted by the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation and the newly opened Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (separate entities), Accent attendees included tour operators, group leaders, hotels, attractions, and destination marketing professionals. We stayed right in the heart of Medora at the iconic Rough Riders Hotel, easily walkable in a town with roughly 150 year-round residents.

Amy McCann, of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation, described it accurately: “You see the building and how it connects with the earth and nature. It just becomes this awe-inspiring location. Even today, every time I go out there and see how it just seems like a shadow on the landscape — that’s exactly what we wanted.”

She’s not overselling it. Standing on those grounds in a hard hat and safety glasses, with construction crews still working against a fixed July 4th deadline, that description holds. The building doesn’t announce itself as the new Obama Presidential Library does; it emerges from the landscape. The walking pathway around the grounds is open to anyone; guests don’t need a ticket to experience the extraordinary scenery.

The Numbers Behind It

The total project budget is $450 million. Approximately $280 million covers the building and pathways; $70 million covers exhibits; the remainder funds operations and pre-opening costs. Notably, this is a privately driven project with only about 11% of the budget publicly funded.

When asked about first-year visitor projections, McCann was measured but confident: “Would we have 400,000 people come through in a year? We think so.” For context, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which sits at the library’s doorstep, already draws well over half a million visitors annually.

What’s Inside the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library?

Inside, visitors will find immersive galleries and artifacts tracing Roosevelt’s life from his early years as a sickly New York boy to his transformation in the North Dakota Badlands to his presidency and conservation legacy. The experience is designed to push visitors back outside as part of the storytelling, with the surrounding landscape treated as exhibit space.

The library also features a first-of-its-kind digital library, a café with ingredients sourced from the living roof, cooking classes, and direct trail access. The Maah Daah Hey Trail — a renowned multi-use route through the Badlands — runs through the site. As library leadership has noted, this will be the only presidential library in the country that you can hike, bike, or ride a horse to.

Zero Water. Zero Waste. Zero Energy.

The building is pursuing the Living Building Challenge, considered the most rigorous green building standard in existence, one that goes well beyond LEED Platinum. McCann explained the distinction: “Not everyone is familiar with the Living Building Challenge. It’s not just the building in the moment that it is built, it is the building beyond that. After a year, after two years, are we still doing what we said we were doing?”

The standard demands zero water consumption, zero waste, and zero net energy use, verified not just at building completion but over time. Carbon soil samples were taken before construction began; they’ll be retaken post-opening to measure whether the project has sequestered more carbon than it displaced. Directly echoing Roosevelt’s own conservation ethos, this building is designed to give back more than it takes.

For groups that want to offer travelers more than beautiful scenery and good food, this is a story worth telling.

The Infrastructure Is Already Here

Key to all of this is the ability to pair your visit to the library with the Medora Musical. I wasn’t able to catch a performance as we were here off-season, but we toured the amphitheater, which is literally carved into the side of a Badlands gulch. With more than 2,800 seats, each summer, more than 100,000 guests experience a Western music revue with live horses, a replica of the Medora town, and a fireworks finale, all set against an open-sky Badlands backdrop at sunset. We got to

experience a delightful pitchfork fondue supper, served onside, and I’ve already made a mental note to come back in the summer when both the Musical and the library are fully operational.

For local lodging, the Rough Riders Hotel is beautifully restored and already operating year-round. It provides boutique-caliber lodging in a town that feels genuinely Western. Medora’s new Hotel 1883 came online July 2, 2026, with 100 rooms, positioned close to the library site. Between the two properties, along with gift shops, restaurants, and a championship golf course, there are plenty of options for a group visit.

The Gateway Effect

The Black Hills of South Dakota have long anchored domestic group travel itineraries in the northern plains region with Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, and Deadwood all top draws. Extending those itineraries into the North Dakota Badlands has historically been a harder sell. That’s changing.

McCann acknowledged the geography directly: “Right now, our reach is primarily North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota. We’ve been working pretty hard to grow that, and it is definitely going to change. We anticipate drawing a little bit of a different type of visitor than what we’re used to.”

A library of this ambition also unlocks the broader North Dakota tourism story: the drive-worthy Badlands, Bismarck’s history, and the quiet rural charm of a genuinely overlooked American state. For tour operators building itineraries in the northern plains, the routing logic just got a lot more compelling.

My Advice for Tour Operators: Get This on Your Radar

The window to get ahead of this is open. Medora is equipped to handle group travel. The foundation has a dedicated group sales operation, and two quality hotels bring meaningful room inventory right at the moment demand begins to spike.

North Dakota has always been there. It has something that will make your clients believe you when you tell them it’s worth the trip.

Group rates for the Medora Musical (20+ travelers) are available through medora.com. For group travel inquiries, contact the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation directly @ trlibrary.com.

GREAT AMERICAN WATERWAYS

America's waterways have long served as the lifeblood of travel, commerce and culture, and today they continue to inspire group adventures.

In this edition of Leisure Group Travel’s Itinerary Inspirations, we're highlighting four destinations where rivers, scenic byways and historic corridors create memorable experiences for every type of traveler. From the legendary Mississippi River in Winona to the iconic Route 66 charm of Pulaski County, the riverfront communities of Great Rivers & Routes and the rich history found along Illinois' Heritage Corridor, these readyto-use itineraries are packed with ideas tour operators can put to work immediately. Whether your group is looking for outdoor adventure, small-town charm, history or scenic beauty, these Great American Waterways itineraries provide plenty of inspiration for your next tour.

Celebrate 100 years of road trip adventures in the only place in America where the Mother Road of Route 66 meets the scenic beauty of the Great River Road in southwest Illinois. This is a land of roadside giants, historic cafes and quirky group friendly attractions. Relax along the scenic Mississippi River bluffs and prairies and meet the folks who bring the region to life.

GREAT RIVERS & ROUTES

Lindsey Laird llaird@riversandroutes.com (618) 465-6676 www.riversandroutes.com

GREAT RIVERS AND ROUTES

Mother Road Meets the River Road

DAY 1

Journey along the Last 100 Miles of Route 66 in southwest Illinois (Virden to Collinsville). Pay a visit to the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center in Litchfield.

Next, dine at group-friendly Ariston Café in Litchfield – the café has served as a roadside diner on the Mother Road for more than 100 years.

Then, stop at Pink Elephant Antique Mall, home to the oversized giant Pink Elephant; an expansive antique store; Mother Road Fudge-N-Candy Store and Twistee Treat Diner.

Another great stop is the West End Service Station in Edwardsville – a newly refurbished service station that now serves as a museum and Route 66 Welcome Center.

A delicious dinner option is Bella Milano in Edwardsville.

Overnight in Edwardsville. There are plenty of top-notch lodging including Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Inn, and TownPlace Suites.

DAY 2

Start your day with a tasty breakfast at Twisted Biscuit Brunch Co. in Edwardsville

Continue on Route 66 to Granite City and make a stop at It’s Electric Neon Sign Park. See the ghost neon signs that once lined Route 66 in Granite City. Continue on to Collinsville, where you will see the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle Water Tower

Your next stop will be at the legendary Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Center. Cahokia Mounds is the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico and one

of the most important archaeological landscapes in North America.

Enjoy lunch at The Press House, a group-friendly restaurant with a private dining area.

Following lunch, enjoy a tour and tasting at Old Herald Brewery & Distillery

Overnight in Collinsville, which features a number of excellent group-friendly properties including: Doubletree Inn, Hampton Inn and Drury Inn.

DAY 3

Travel to Hartford and visit the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site. visit the place where Lewis & Clark started their journey to map the western U.S. Guided tours are available and reservations for tours is required for large groups.

Next, stop at the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower. Located one mile from the state historic site, you can take a guided tour of the Tower’s three viewing platforms.

Another popular stop is the National Great Rivers Museum & Melvin Price Locks & Dam.

Afterward, have lunch in Alton at the Old Bakery Beer Company. Reservations are recommended for large groups at this certified organic brewery.

Next, travel on the River Road between Alton and Grafton to the historic Village of Elsah, located in the bluffs on the Byway. The nearby Village of Elsah Museum offers a glimpse into daily life along the Mississippi River in the 1800s.

The confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers is also home to the riverfront community of Grafton. The newly opened Grafton SkyTour takes groups from Grafton’s Main Street 300 feet high to the river bluffs on an open-air chair lift or gondola ride.

A peaceful float trip down flowing, spring-fed waters is a signature experience in Pulaski County. But this corner of the Ozarks is more than just fun days on the water — witness the history of America’s most famous highway with a collection of Route 66 attractions.

VISIT PULASKI COUNTY

Katie Dreadfulwater

email@pulaskicountyusa.com

573-336-6355

www.visitpulaskicounty.org

PULASKI COUNTY, MO

Where Route 66 Meets the Rivers

DAY 1

Cruise down the Mother Road into the heart of the Ozarks and arrive at one of the most unique attractions on the entire 2,448-mile road — Uranus Fudge Factory & General Store , an entertainment complex offering delicious fudge and cheekier humor. Explore the Sideshow Museum — featuring more than 100 weird and bizarre exhibits.

Immerse in the fascinating history of the U.S. Armed Forces at the John B. Mahaffey Museum Complex at Fort Leonard Wood , featuring three Army museums in one expansive complex: the U.S. Army Military Police Corps Regimental Museum, the U.S. Army Engineer Museum, and the U.S. Army Chemical Corps Museum.

For dinner, grab a bite at Route 66 Taco & Wing Company , featuring a menu of delicious, savory, and creative tacos ranging from traditional street tacos to innovative twists like the Bayou gator taco and the Nashville hot chicken taco.

Wrap up your day in Saint Robert with a visit to Route 66 Neon Park , featuring a collection of authentic neon signs that once stood over Missouri’s portion of the Mother Road.

DAY 2

Embark on the float trip of your choice, from the wide and swift Gasconade River to the meandering Big Piney River , both waterways provide a relaxing yet exciting adventure. Choose your vessel — inner tube, canoe, kayak, or paddle board — and drift peacefully

downstream, periodically dipping your toes in the cool, refreshing waters. Prefer a more active outing? The Big Piney and Gasconade have both been cited as some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the country; cast a line in search of your next fishing story.

DAY 3

Head back out on the Mother Road and stop by the Birthplace of the Byway, Waynesville. Explore a historic downtown district teeming with nostalgia beginning with a photo in front of the 8-foot Route 66 Shield in front of the 1903 Courthouse Museum , one of two period courthouses on Missouri’s portion of the Mother Road. Peruse masterful outdoor paintings by muralist Ray Harvey and locals, then schedule a tour of the Old Stagecoach Stop , featuring a rich history that includes a role as a central stop on the Wire Road, a Civil War hospital, and lodging for soldiers during the construction of Fort Leonard Wood.

After lunch at Hopper’s Pub, head out to Laughlin Park on the west side of town, home to the National Park Service Trail of Tears Memorial , featuring a walking trail with storyboards illustrating the tragic tale of Native Americans forced to migrate across the country. While there, catch a glimpse of Roubidoux Spring, a second-magnitude freshwater spring with an average output of 37 million gallons of water per day. For dinner, treat yourself to the spicy and savory flavors of Mu Bahn Thai , featuring a menu of delicious Thai favorites along with sweet treats and refreshing sips.

Where Everyone Enjoys a Group

Project.

Embark on a memorable expedition with your group in Pulaski County, MO, where cool, clear waterways oﬀer the perfect spot to unwind and ﬂoat peacefully downstream. But this corner of the Ozarks is more than just days on the water — witness the 100-year history of America’s most famous highway with a collection of Route 66 attractions.

For group travel planning resources and a list of outﬁtters, visit pulaskicountyusa.com/groups.

GASCONADE RIVER RICHLAND, MO

Minnesota's Great River Road:

THREE DAYS OF SCENIC WONDERS, RIVER TOWNS & THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI MEMORIES

Winona, Minnesota offers groups breathtaking Mississippi River scenery, rich history, and unique cultural attractions. Explore the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, discover the city's stained-glass heritage, shop at the historic Watkins General Store, and watch for more on the soon-to-open Minnesota Masterpiece Hall.

DAY 1

Marine Art Museum and More

Morning/Lunch: At the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, groups enjoy a seamless experience with docent-led tours through six galleries of world-class, water-inspired art. Motorcoach parking, easy drop-off access, spacious galleries, the scenic Waterbar Cafe overlooking the Mississippi River, and six acres of native gardens make it an ideal group stop.

Afternoon: Explore downtown Winona with a guided tour from the Winona County Historical Society through 13 blocks listed on

Is This Itinerary Right For Your Group?

Ideal Demographic: Active adult travelers, women’s travel groups, cultural and heritage travelers

Size Bottleneck: No restrictions

Mobility: Mostly accessible with a few exceptions

Peak Window: Fall foliage season

Booking Lead Time: 3-6 months in advance

the National Register of Historic Places. Along the way, admire the historic architecture and stained glass of WNB Financial and Merchants Bank. Continue to the iconic Watkins General Store & Museum, where guests can discover a piece of Winona’s local history through unique displays and products.

Evening: Dinner at Signatures Restaurant pairs locally inspired cuisine with panoramic bluff views in a welcoming setting designed for groups.

Flexible private dining spaces, outdoor patio seating, signed memorabilia—including a surprise Elvis sighting—and a private mixology class create a memorable end to the day.

Today's Highlight: Discover Winona’s architectural legacy through its historic downtown district, featuring preserved storefronts, civic buildings, and cultural landmarks that showcase the city’s rich river heritage.

DAY 2

An Up-Close Eagle Encounter

Morning: Experience the majesty of our nation’s bird at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN, set along the scenic Mississippi River. Home to live Bald Eagles on exhibit daily, the Center offers an unforgettable, up-close encounter with these iconic raptors through engaging educational programs.

Lunch: Tap into your inner child at LARK Toys in Kellogg, a whimsical destination featuring a hand-carved carousel, mini golf, café, bookstore, resident llamas, antique toy-filled hallways, and a curated selection of toys, games, candy, and gifts that delight visitors of all ages.

Afternoon: Tour Willet Stained Glass Studio and step inside a working studio where centuries-old craft meets world-renowned artistry. Founded as Hauser Art Glass in 1946, the studio has created and restored stained glass featured in more than 15,000 buildings worldwide—including the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

Evening: River City Grill offers groups a relaxed dining experience with a diverse menu of American favorites, friendly service, and ample space to gather for a memorable meal.

Today's Highlight: Take in sweeping views of the Mississippi River Valley from Garvin Heights Overlook, where limestone bluffs, winding waterways, and the city below create an unforgettable Driftless Region photo opportunity.

DAY 3

A Cruise on the Mighty Mississippi

Morning: Located just off Hwy 61, groups can enjoy a private tour with the owner of Remlinger Collector Car Museum. Jim Remlinger brings the collection to life through stories of Midwest drag racing history, featuring vintage race cars, rare go-karts, antique bicycles, and nostalgic Main Street displays.

Lunch: Enjoy a relaxed meal at Wellington’s Pub & Grill, offering a welcoming atmosphere and classic favorites before continuing the day’s adventures.

Afternoon: Your Winona experience would not be complete without a cruise along the mighty Mississippi River aboard the Winona Tour Boat. Captain Aaron and his co-captain and son River share stories of the Upper Mississippi River Valley while guests spot wildlife and experience Winona’s unique boathouse community.

Late Afternoon: End your visit with a stop at Bloedow Bakery, a beloved local tradition serving handmade donuts, pastries, and sweet treats since 1924.

Today's Highlight: Experience the Mississippi River from a new perspective aboard the Winona Tour Boat, where history, wildlife, and river culture come together for an unforgettable group experience.

Kate Carlson Executive Director

Visit Winona

kcarlson@visitwinona.com (507) 452-0735 www.visitwinona.com

Scan to access the complete group leader resource including pre-written sales copy, alternative attraction options, and logistics built specifically for motorcoach groups.

Starved Rock Country:

A THREE-DAY ITINERARY DESIGNED FOR ACTIVE GROUPS

Pay a visit to Starved Rock Country in LaSalle County, Illinois, where charming heritage communities and scenic nature views await you. Explore beautiful limestone bluffs by foot, bike, or boat at four state parks, then head to the I&M Canal towns to experience the best in Midwest hospitality.

DAY 1

Explore the Beautiful Outdoors

Morning: Starved Rock State Park is an excellent destination for groups because it offers something for everyone. With miles of scenic hiking trails, breathtaking sandstone canyons, and stunning views of the Illinois River, visitors can explore the park together while enjoying the beauty of nature. Whether it's a school field trip, family reunion, corporate outing, or community organization, groups can choose activities that match their interests and fitness levels.

Is This Itinerary Right For Your Group?

Ideal Demographic: Active Adult Travelers, Women’s Travel Groups

Mobility: Mixed

Peak Window: Summer, Fall Foliage Season

Booking Lead Time: 3-6 months in advance

Afternoon: Matthiessen State Park is an excellent destination for groups looking to experience the beauty of Illinois' outdoors, especially when nearby Starved Rock State Park is especially busy. Known for its striking rock formations, winding canyons, waterfalls, and scenic hiking trails, the park offers a quieter atmosphere while providing many of the same breathtaking natural features.

Evening: For dinner, visit the Starved Rock Lodge Restaurant, a large venue, located inside the state park which makes it easy to transition from hiking to meal time and features a variety of delicious food options.

Today's Highlight: See Starved Rock from a different perspective aboard a Starved Rock Trolley Tour. With a variety of sightseeing options and customizable itineraries, the trolley makes it easy for groups to experience the area's scenic beauty and local history while giving everyone a chance to relax between outdoor adventures.

DAY 2

Quaint Shops and a Historic Mansion

Morning: The Reddick Mansion in Ottawa is historically important and architecturally unique. The mansion anchors Washington Square, the site of the first Lincoln-Douglas Debate. In 1855, this lovely 22-room Italianate mansion was possibly the most expensive and ornate private home built in Illinois before the Civil War.

Mid-day: Locally-owned shops, restaurants, and cafes line the streets of downtown Ottawa. Grab a bite and browse the shops, then stroll through Washington Square Park, home of the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates. The historic Reddick Mansion overlooks the park, allowing visitors to step back into Ottawa's past.

Late Afternoon: Lock 16 Cafe & Visitor Center offers a welcoming place to relax and refuel with delicious, scratch-made meals and snacks along with made-to-order hot and cold beverages. Whether you’re enjoying a leisurely lunch with friends or grabbing a quick bite, the café’s cozy atmosphere and friendly service make it a memorable part of your day.

Today's Highlight: Awesome Ottawa Tours is another fabulous way to explore Ottawa. Tom of Awesome Ottawa Tours is excellent at

customizing a variety of regional tours to each group's interests For lunch, enjoy a visit to the Lock 16 Café in downtown LaSalle.

DAY 3

Take a Ride on an Authentic Riverboat

Morning: With her deep green coloring and hand-crafted interiors, The Sainte Genevieve Riverboat is an authentic sternwheel riverboat that greets guests looking for a fresh riverboating experience. Guests depart from downtown Ottawa and cruise by Buffalo Rock State Park or near the Marseilles Lock and Dam to take in the views of the picturesque riverside. Come aboard and enjoy an ever-changing variety of food offerings from some favorite local markets and restaurants. Aboard is an enclosed dining area serving catered food curated from local restaurants, a stocked cocktail bar, and an expansive top deck with a 360 view of the Illinois River.

Mid-day: Filled with a rich history and built on tradition, downtown Utica is home to fabulous shops, wonderful people and amazing things to see. Spend the afternoon on Mill Street and discover mom-and-pop restaurants, shops, wineries, breweries, and more. Mill Street offers open air dining from May-October. Just across the street, the Mill Street Markets feature 12 tiny brick-and-mortar shops that offer everything from custom hats and apparel to crystals, pickles, candy, and more.

Late Afternoon: Discover the Hegeler Carus Mansion, an 1876 Second Empire masterpiece and National Landmark by architect W. W. Boyington. With seven levels, 57 rooms, and 24,000 square feet. For lunch, visit Fire on Fifth in Peru. This brick oven pizza establishment is located inside the historic Westclox building.

Kate Gillmann

Tourism Manager

Heritage Corridor Destinations

kate@hcdestinations.com www.hcdestinations.com

Scan to access the complete group leader resource including pre-written sales copy, alternative attraction options, and logistics built specifically for motorcoach groups.

Discover the rich history, natural beauty and vibrant cultures surrounding Lake Huron on this unforgettable seven-day journey. From historic waterfront towns and legendary shipwrecks to Indigenous experiences, island escapes and scenic cruises, each stop offers a unique glimpse into one of the Great Lakes’ most captivating regions.

Follow this QR code for extended details on this itinerary and the contact information of the 12 passionate, professional Michigan experts who love their destinations.

Circle Lake Huron Heritage Tour

DAY 1

Arrive at 10 a.m. and begin your tour at Pride and Country , Michigan’s largest village of specialty shops just east of Saginaw. Browse unique stores housed in historic buildings and enjoy lunch on your own before departing for Bay City.

Arrive in Bay City mid-afternoon for a visit to the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum aboard the USS Edson. This Vietnam-era destroyer, similar to vessels once built in Bay City, was among the most active ships of its era.

Check in at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bay City Riverfront, conveniently located along the waterfront and Bay City Riverwalk.

Dinner is at H2O’s Waterside Grill , known for seafood, steaks and waterfront views.

This evening, board the Princess Wenonah for a scenic cruise on the Saginaw River and Bay, offering beautiful views of the region’s natural landscapes.

DAY 2

After breakfast and checkout, meet a local step-on guide for a tour of Bay City. Learn about the city’s lumber heritage, the notorious Hell’s Half Mile district and the historic mansions along Center Avenue.

Travel north to Alpena.

Upon arrival, at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center a pizza and salad lunch will be served. Discover Thunder Bay National

Marine Sanctuary’s famous Shipwreck Alley Interactive exhibits, artifacts and a replica schooner tell the story of more than 200 shipwrecks preserved within the sanctuary.

Continue the experience aboard the glass-bottom vessel Lady Michigan , offering a close-up look at several underwater wrecks without getting wet.

Later, arrive at Thunder Bay Resort for an overnight stay. This evening, enjoy the resort’s signature Elk Viewing Carriage Ride. A horsedrawn carriage carries guests through the forest to the Elk Antler Log Cabin, where a gourmet dinner is served beside a roaring fireplace. The experience includes wildlife viewing, regional wines and Northern Michigan hospitality.

DAY 3

After breakfast, depart for Mackinaw City and meet your step-on guide for a narrated journey across the Mackinac Bridge. Learn about the history and engineering of the iconic “Big Mac.”

Board the ferry to Mackinac Island. Famous for its Victorian architecture, horse-drawn carriages and world-famous fudge, the island offers numerous activities. Guests may visit Fort Mackinac, bike the scenic shoreline road, explore Arch Rock or relax at the Grand Hotel. Lunch is on your own.

Return by ferry in the late afternoon and check into a group-friendly waterfront hotel in St. Ignace .

MICHIGAN

Dinner is served at Mackinac Grille & Patio Bar overlooking the harbor.

DAY 4

Breakfast and checkout precede a short drive to Sault Ste. Marie for the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours.

This narrated boat tour provides an up-close look at one of the world’s busiest waterways. Guests experience the lock system firsthand while viewing freighters, historic landmarks and both Canadian and U.S. shorelines.

Enjoy lunch on your own in downtown Sault Ste. Marie before crossing into Ontario and continuing to Manitoulin Island .

A brief stop at the Blind River Visitor Information Centre breaks up the journey.

Arrive in Little Current and check into the Manitoulin Hotel & Conference Centre. Dinner is served at the hotel’s North46 Restaurant overlooking the North Channel.

DAY 5

Following breakfast, begin the Unceded Journey Tour at 2 O’clock Lookout in Wiikwemkoong.

The first stop is Buzwah Lookout, on Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, site of the 1836 treaty discussions that shaped Manitoulin Island’s history. Continue to the James Mishibinijima Art Gallery to explore the work of one of Canada’s most celebrated Anishinaabe artists.

The tour then visits the Holy Cross Mission Ruins, among Northern Ontario’s oldest Catholic mission sites and early residential school locations.

At Bebamikawe Memorial Trail, learn about the seven-clan system and traditional Anishinaabe governance.

A hands-on culinary experience follows, featuring traditional foods prepared over an open fire. Options may include venison, trout and locally gathered ingredients.

In the afternoon, visit the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation for exhibits, arts programming and cultural interpretation. Guests also tour the distinctive Immaculate Conception Church, which blends Anishinaabe and Catholic traditions.

This evening, enjoy a North Channel Sunset Dinner Cruise featuring local entertainment, regional cuisine and spectacular views of the La Cloche Mountains and surrounding islands.

DAY 6

After breakfast, depart for South Baymouth and board the MS ChiCheemaun ferry to Tobermory.

Known as the “Big Canoe,” the vessel provides a scenic crossing of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. The voyage transforms what would otherwise be a lengthy drive into a relaxing mini-cruise featuring panoramic water views, Indigenous art displays and onboard dining.

Upon arrival in Tobermory, continue to Port Huron with a rest stop en route.

Check into the waterfront DoubleTree by Hilton Port Huron before enjoying a stroll along Thomas Edison Parkway, where freighters regularly pass along the St. Clair River.

Dinner tonight is at your hotel, Freighter’s Eatery & Taproom with a locally sourced, scratch made, seasonal menu with views of the St. Clair River. A variety of entrees are available on the group menu. There is also a buffet menu for groups Enjoy a restful evening.

DAY 7

After breakfast, visit Big Dreams Ranch for its popular “Coffee with the Kangaroos” experience. Guests enjoy close encounters with kangaroos, capybaras, Highland cows, sloth and other animals.

Return to Port Huron for a creative workshop at the Foundry Center Participants can choose from a variety of hands-on activities including pottery painting, mosaics, stained glass and seasonal art projects.

Lunch at one of Port Huron’s most unique dining experiences at the Wrigley Center . Gather around for an interactive Chef’s Table demonstration where talented chefs prepare your meal before your eyes. Tour operators can choose from multiple demonstration options while learning culinary tips and techniques. Enhance the experience with an on-site tasting featuring locally crafted Michigan wines.

GET NEW TRAVEL IDEAS IN A SNAP!

1. Open the Camera app on your mobile phone.

2. Hold your phone so that the QR code below appears in the viewfinder in the camera app until it recognizes the QR code.

3. Tap the screen to open a link to our digital reader service card. Click Submit and your request is immediately sent to that supplier.

Live Theater Guide

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 have something for everyone.

For more information about the great theaters listed in this guide, scan this QR code!

2026 LIVE THEATER GUIDE

DISNEY ON BROADWAY

New York, NY

Discover the magic of Disney on Broadway with THE LION KING and ALADDIN in New York City! Disney Group Sales is your go-to source to easily secure group tickets and unlock incredible perks for your purchase, such as no booking fees, exciting merchandise offers, and flexible payments.

Get ready for show-stopping magic! ALADDIN on Broadway continues its amazing legacy of granting wishes, boasting over 80 dazzling special effects and more than 300 breathtaking costumes. Then, journey to the Pridelands and witness the truly extraordinary art and majesty of THE LION KING on Broadway, playing at the Minskoff Theatre in the bustling heart

of Times Square. Each of these iconic productions promises a truly unforgettable experience for your group.

Ready to dive even deeper into this mesmerizing world of Broadway? Your group can truly enhance their experience by participating in a Disney on Broadway Workshop! You can choose from a variety of workshops including Movement & Music, Spotlight on Singing, Spotlight on Dancing, Business of Show Business, or The Art of Puppetry. These engaging 90-minute workshops are passionately led by Disney Teaching Artists and serve as a perfect, inspiring addition to any trip.

Looking to connect with cast members and ask the questions you’ve always been

wondering? We’re thrilled to offer special cast Q&As that can be added on. Following the performance, your group can enjoy a 15-minute facilitated conversation directly with cast members! Available select dates and performances.

If a trip to NYC isn’t on your agenda right now, fear not! You can still explore the magic of Disney on Broadway with our North America touring productions – THE LION KING and BEAUTY & THE BEAST. With more than 50 cities lined up, the magic may be closer than you realize.

Connect directly with our Disney Group Sales Team at 212-703-1040, DTG. booking@disneygroupsales.com or by visiting www.DisneyGroupSales.com.

WHERE GROUPS GATHER AND STARS SHINE

Memories are better shared. Disney Group Sales is your direct source for Broadway group tickets and unforgettable experiences. From THE LION KING and ALADDIN on Broadway to VIP packages, educational workshops, and behind-

the-scenes tours, we help groups create memories that last a lifetime. Group ticketing support is also available for select seasonal experiences and North American touring productions, including BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE LION KING and beyond.

Meet Our Group Sales Manager Heather West, Senior Manager | booking@disneygroupsales.com | (800) 439-9000/(212) 703-1040

TAKE CENTER STAGE AT BARTER THEATRE

Open since 1933, Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA, is one of the longest-running professional theaters in the country. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it offers world-class entertainment with a yearly lineup of large musicals, classic tales, new Appalachian works, and more.

WHAT WE OFFER

Group rates up to 50% off single ticket prices

Complimentary tickets for group leaders and drivers

Behind-the-scenes tours, actor-led talk-backs, and workshops

Customized itineraries and lodging assistance

Bus parking, loading zones, and dedicated group services

PLAN YOUR GROUP VISIT TO BARTER THEATRE

For Group Sales: (276) 619-5406

groups@bartertheatre.com www.bartertheatre.com

2026 LIVE THEATER GUIDE

THE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT CAPITAL OF MISSOURI Branson, Missouri

Branson, Missouri proudly holds the title of the Live Entertainment Capital of Missouri and has earned national recognition as one of America’s premier entertainment destinations. With more than 100 live shows across over 30 theaters, Branson delivers an unmatched variety of performances, including music, comedy, theater, dance, and family-friendly productions.

Among the city’s most celebrated attractions is Sight & Sound Theatres, known for its spectacular productions that bring Bible stories to life through elaborate sets, live animals, original music, and stunning special effects. Productions such as David captivate audiences in a 2,000-seat auditorium where immersive staging extends beyond the stage and into the audience, creating a truly memorable experience.

Branson is also famous for its talented family entertainment acts. Groups such as SIX, The Petersens, The Haygoods, The

Hughes Brothers, and The Duttons have become synonymous with the destination’s rich musical heritage, and these families understand how music brings people together.

Beyond the theaters, Branson offers a wide range of attractions that complement its entertainment scene. Visitors can explore Silver Dollar City, an award-winning theme park featuring thrilling rides, artisan demonstrations, and live performances throughout the year. Outdoor recreation, unique shopping, museums, dining, and the scenic beauty of the Ozark Mountains provide even more reasons to visit.

By combining world-class performances, family-friendly attractions, and authentic Ozarks hospitality, Branson continues to create unforgettable experiences for visitors of all ages. Whether attending a live show, exploring local attractions, or enjoying the area’s natural beauty, travelers quickly discover why Branson remains one of the nation’s favorite entertainment destinations.

For more information visit www.explorebranson.com.

WHERE GROUPS GATHER AND STARS SHINE

Located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, Branson, Missouri is one of the premier vacation destinations in the central United States. Branson is known for its spectacular live music shows and variety acts.

Sight & Sound Theatres have been bringing Bible stories to life on stage for over 40 years. Currently playing on the Branson stage is David, a heartwarming story brought to life with spectacular special effects, massive sets, and live animals. Meet Our Group Sales Manager Joslyn Schott, Assistant Director of Leisure Group Sales | jschott@bransoncvb.com |

2026 LIVE THEATER GUIDE

CONTEMPORARY & CLASSICS COMBINE FOR EXCITING SEASONS

Oklahoma!, West Side Story, The Sound of Music—these are the shows many people immediately associate with dinner theatre. But as Bob Dylan famously sang, “The times they are a-changin.”

Alook at the upcoming seasons of National Dinner Theatre Association (NDTA) members reveals an exciting blend of classic favorites and contemporary hits. Alongside beloved musicals, audiences will find productions such as Pretty Woman, The Play That Goes Wrong, and Frozen. More and more, theatergoers are looking for recent Broadway and touring productions closer to home, and NDTA theatres are responding. As performance rights become available, shows like Ain’t Too Proud, Les Misérables, and Mean Girls are finding their way into dinner theatre seasons across the country.

“This season we bridge generations of musical theatre, pairing timeless classics with bold new

favorites,” says Jalyn Webb, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Candlelight (CO). “Five shows, one season—a celebration of where musical theatre has been, and where it’s headed. We poll our audiences and continue to see Golden Age classics and newer Broadway hits requested in equal measure.”

Derby Dinner Playhouse (IN) has been at the forefront of adding newer titles to its season for more than a decade. While the theatre has a strong subscription base, group audiences have embraced the newer productions. “Our audiences will always have a love for the classics, but they’re also excited to experience stories they may not have seen before,” says Kyrin Knopp, Human Resources & Payroll Manager. “Shows like The Cottage, Come From Away, and Bright Star

have allowed us to introduce fresh material while still delivering the high-quality entertainment our patrons expect.”

Alternative programming is also attracting new audiences. At Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse (IL), patrons have enthusiastically embraced productions with a little more edge. “We’ve found there are audiences that enjoy something a bit edgier on stage,” says Brett Hitchcock, Vice President of Circa ’21. “Our dinner theatre seats 330, while our second theatre, The Speakeasy, seats 120. Audiences loved our productions of Kinky Boots and The Full Monty on the mainstage, as well as Stephen King’s Misery and Rocky Horror Show in our second theatre. These shows aren’t for everyone, but there’s definitely a growing audience for them.”

Photo Courtesy: Bright Star, Candlelight. RGB Photography

Many NDTA members are also expanding beyond traditional theatre productions. Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (MN) complements its main stage productions with two additional entertainment venues: a dedicated concert space presenting a year-round lineup of tribute and original artists, and an improv comedy club offering performances every weekend. Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre (FL) presents intimate productions in its second venue, Off Broadway Palm, featuring shows such as The Great American Trailer Park Musical. Many additional members schedule concerts and special events on their main stages throughout the year.

Whether it’s the highlight of a multi-day tour or the perfect destination for a one-day getaway, dinner theatre continues to offer its signature combination of live entertainment, dining, and hospitality—now with an even broader variety of productions to choose from each season.

To find an NDTA member theatre near you, visit nationaldinnertheatreassociation.org

Photo Courtesy:

NATIONAL DINNER THEATRE ASSOCIATION MEMBERS

• Arizona Broadway Theatre (AZ) azbroadway.org

• Silver Star Theater (AZ) silverstartheater.com

• Murry’s Dinner Playhouse (AR) murrysdp.com

• The Candlelight (CO) coloradocandlelight.com

• Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre (FL) broadwaypalm.com

• Suncoast Broadway Dinner Theatre (FL) suncoastbroadway.com

• Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse (IL) circa21.com

• Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre (IN) beefandboards.com

• Derby Dinner Playhouse (IN) derbydinner.com

• Toby’s Dinner Theatre (MD) tobysdinnertheatre.com

• Washington County Playhouse (MD) washingtoncountyplayhouse.com

• Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre (MD) wayoffbroadway.com

• Cornwell’s Dinner Theatre (MI) turkeyville.com

• Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (MN) chanhassendt.com

• La Comedia Dinner Theatre (OH) lacomedia.com

• Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre (PA) dutchapple.com

• Pines Dinner Theatre (PA) pinesdinnertheatre.com

• Desert Star Playhouse (UT) desertstarplayhouse.com

• Riverside Center for the Performing Arts (VA) riversidedt.com

• Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre (VA) wohlfahrthaus.com

• The Fireside (WI) firesidetheatre.com

• Jackson Hole Playhouse (WY) jacksonholeplayhouse.com

Come From Away, Derby Dinner Playhouse

2026 LIVE THEATER GUIDE

ENJOY A UNIQUE “TASTE OF BROADWAY” AT LA COMEDIA!

Since 1975, La Comedia has delivered a unique dining and live theatre experience to millions of guests.

One of the largest dinner theatres in the country, producing all shows in-house with national talent and elaborate sets.

A “Taste of Broadway” buffet featuring carved meats, fish, pastas, vegetables, house specialties, breads, and dessert.

Signature salad starter, plus coffee, tea, and full-service bar with specialty show drinks.

Group rates for 15+ include meal, show, and tax; every 26th guest is free. Motorcoach-friendly with large parking and driver admission included.

Located between Dayton and Cincinnati, Southwest Ohio’s signature dinner theatre experience.

For Group Sales: groupsales@lacomedia.com (800) 677-9505 www.lacomedia.com

PART DINNER. PART BROADWAY. ALL ENTERTAINMENT.

LOUISVILLE!

ENJOY AN UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT OF LIVE THEATRE AND DINING JUST MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN

Experience Broadway musicals, comedies, and Children’s Theatre in an intimate, in-the-round setting.

Savor a freshly prepared home-style buffet featuring Classic American cuisine, a salad bar, and complimentary beverages. Group rates available for 20 or more guests, with dinner, show, tax, and gratuity included.

Free motorcoach parking, wheelchair accessibility, and special recognition for your group during the pre-show.

Open year-round with performances Tuesday through Sunday, including weekday and Sunday matinees.

For Group Sales: groups@derbydinner.com (812) 288-2632 ext. 113 www.derbydinner.com

EXPERIENCE AWARDWINNING DINNER THEATRE

Celebrate 40 years of unforgettable entertainment at one of USA Today’s 10 Best Dinner Theatres. With locations in Lancaster, PA, and Fort Myers, FL, enjoy a lavish buffet followed by spectacular Broadway-style productions featuring national performers, dazzling costumes, elaborate sets, and a live orchestra. Groups enjoy a day full of memorable experiences at an exceptional value.

WHAT WE OFFER

Bountiful buffets including salad bar, hot entrées, and desserts

Award-winning Broadway-style shows and tribute concerts

Group rates include meal, show, tax, and gratuity

Complimentary tickets for group escorts and motorcoach drivers

Exclusive group experiences, education workshops, and cast Q&As

GROUP SALES CONTACTS

MLease@DutchApple.com 717.898.1900 ext 102 www.dutchapple.com

Holly@BroadwayPalm.com 239.278.4422 ext 127 www.broadwaypalm.com

2026

Riverside Center Where Stories Come to Life

Discover unforgettable performances at Riverside Center, where Broadway-quality productions, exceptional dining, and spectacular live entertainment come together in one remarkable experience. Located in Stafford, Virginia, just off I-95 and minutes from Washington, D.C., Riverside Center has delighted audiences for more than 25 years. Whether your group is looking for a full dinner-and-show experience or a performance only, Riverside Center offers flexible options, outstanding service, and memorable experiences that keep guests coming back.

WHAT WE OFFER

Broadway-quality musicals and live theatrical productions

Three-course tableside dining with entrée choices and optional upgrades

Dinner-and-show packages with taxes and gratuity included Accessible venue with weekday, evening, and matinee performances

Group experiences including actor talkbacks and backstage tours

PLAN YOUR GROUP VISIT TO RIVERSIDE CENTER

For Group Sales: Alyssa Fleming groupsales@riversidedt.com (540) 681-1226 www.riversidedt.com 95 Riverside Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA, 22406

Minnesota’s Premier Dinner Theatre Experience

For more than 50 years, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres has delighted audiences with exceptional live entertainment, outstanding dining, and genuine Minnesota hospitality. Located just outside Minneapolis, guests are welcomed by an emcee before enjoying tableside service in one of three unique theatres.

WHAT WE OFFER

Group rates available for parties of 12 or more

Three theatres featuring Broadway musicals, concerts, and comedy

Tableside dining with entrée selection included in every group ticket

Free motorcoach parking and accessible facilities

Flexible reservation and payment options, including early seat reservations

Dedicated group sales support with promotional resources for tour leaders

PLAN YOUR VISIT TO CHANHASSEN DINNER THEATRES

For Group Sales: groupsales@chanhassendt.com 952-934-1547 www.chanhassendt.com

Wisconsin’s Premier Dinner Theatre

For 60 years, The Fireside Theatre has welcomed groups with award-winning Broadway musicals, exceptional dining, and warm Klopcic Family hospitality. Located in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, this intimate theatre-in-the-round combines professional live performances with memorable meals and outstanding service to create an unforgettable experience.

WHAT WE OFFER

Groups of 13 or more save $18 per person off individual ticket prices

Complimentary tickets for qualifying group leaders and complimentary meals for motorcoach drivers

Free on-site motorcoach parking and fully accessible facilities

Flexible dining options, including buffets and plated meals

Marketing materials, on-coach welcomes, and cookies for the ride home

Dedicated group sales assistance from reservation through departure PLAN YOUR GROUP VISIT TO RIVERSIDE CENTER

For Group Sales: Franki Elmore groupsales@firesidetheatre.com 920-563-9505 www.firesidetheatre.com

DINNER THEATRE

The Lehigh Valley’s Signature Dinner Theatre

Nestled in Pennsylvania’s scenic Lehigh Valley, the Pines Dinner Theatre combines exceptional dining with professional live entertainment for an unforgettable group experience. Enjoy made-from-scratch cuisine served tableside before taking in a Broadway-style production performed by talented professionals in an intimate theatre where every seat is a great seat. Known for its warm hospitality and attentive service, the Pines is a favorite destination for motorcoach tours, group outings, and special occasions.

WHAT WE OFFER

Professional Broadway-style productions in an intimate theatre

Made-from-scratch meals served tableside with dessert and beverages

Group rates available for 12 or more guests

Free motorcoach parking and a fully ADA-accessible venue

Friendly service and memorable group experiences

PLAN YOUR GROUP VISIT TO THE PINES DINNER THEATRE

For Group Sales: Amber Blatt amber@pinesdinnertheatre.com (610) 433-2333 www.pinesdinnertheatre.com

Broadway’s Magic comes to the Midwest

Experience Broadway-quality entertainment at one of the nation’s most successful professional dinner theatres. Located in Indianapolis, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre has entertained more than 7 million guests with unforgettable productions, freshly prepared buffet dining, and exceptional service since 1973. Whether you’re planning a motorcoach tour, senior outing, or group celebration, Beef & Boards offers an all-in-one experience that makes every visit memorable.

WHAT WE OFFER

Broadway-quality musicals performed by professional Equity talent

Freshly prepared buffet dinner with select beverages included Discounted rates for groups of 20 or more

Free motorcoach parking and an accessible theatre

Pre-show welcomes and optional actor talkbacks

PLAN YOUR GROUP VISIT TO BEEF & BOARDS DINNER THEATRE

For Group Sales: groups@beefandboards.com (317) 876-0503 www.beefandboards.com

Photo: Chad Griffith

Celebrate the Arts in Durham Region

From historic theatres to modern entertainment destinations, Durham Region offers an exciting mix of live performances, cultural attractions, and unique event spaces. Groups can enjoy concerts, theatre productions, comedy, film screenings, and special events at venues throughout the region, many paired with nearby dining, gaming, and hotel accommodations. Whether you’re planning a motorcoach tour, social outing, or corporate event, Durham Region delivers memorable entertainment experiences year-round.

WHAT WE OFFER

Historic theatres and contemporary entertainment venues

Concerts, live theatre, comedy, films, and cultural events

Group-friendly experiences for tours, social outings, and corporate events

Dining, gaming, and hotel accommodations near many venues

Year-round performances by local and international artists

PLAN YOUR GROUP VISIT TO DURHAM REGION

For Group Sales: Eileen Kennedy eileen.kennedy@durham.ca 289-927-7119 www.durham.ca

The journeys I missed,

the adventures I found

Growing up in central Pennsylvania, my family wasn't what you'd call adventurous travelers. We took a few memorable vacations, but travel wasn't about discovering the unknown. It was about tradition. Like many families, our idea of a getaway often meant a trip to Gettysburg or Colonial Williamsburg and when I became a parent, I found myself taking my own children to those same historic destinations.

It wasn't until much later that I realized how much of the world had been waiting just beyond our familiar routes.

Over the years, life took me to Kansas City, central New Jersey, Baltimore and Detroit. Each move introduced me to places that deserved far more exploration than I ever gave them at the time. I lived among remarkable destinations without fully appreciating what was in my own backyard.

HOW TOURISM CHANGED MY LIFE

By Dave Bodle

and why group travel matters

That realization came into focus recently while producing Leisure Group Travel's latest Michigan itinerary. Working alongside passionate destination marketing organizations and tourism partners, I discovered experiences I never knew existed despite having once called Michigan home. Scenic coastlines, charming downtowns, outdoor adventures and cultural treasures reminded me that travel isn't always about going farther, sometimes it's about looking closer.

Today, after more than four decades in the tourism industry, most of them dedicated to packaged group travel, I've been fortunate to experience destinations across much of the United States and several countries abroad. I'm only a handful of states away from visiting all 50, and I've enjoyed travel experiences that my younger self never could have imagined.

Yet I occasionally find myself thinking about those missed opportunities. What hidden gems did I drive past? What festivals, museums, small towns and scenic byways did I overlook because I simply didn't know they were there?

Perhaps that's why I remain so passionate about telling travel stories today. Every itinerary we publish, every destination we highlight and every group tour we inspire represents an opportunity for someone else to discover what I once missed.

Travel has taught me that adventure doesn't begin when you board an airplane. It begins the moment you're willing to see a destination with fresh eyes. If sharing these stories encourages even one group to explore a place they might otherwise have passed by, then every mile of my own journey has been worthwhile.