South by Rail

melinda hughey

SOUTH

❖

South-Seeing by River & Rail

Groups enjoy fine food aboard My Old Kentucky Dinner Train and Nashville’s General Jackson showboat.

hroughout the Southeast it’s “all aboard” for touring with a twist as groups set sail with near-endless opportunities to see the sights via river and rail.

Scenic railway excursions and sightseeing cruises provide groups welcome relief from “road routine,” allowing them to gain not only a refreshing perspective on their tour destination but access to sights that many times can’t be experienced any other way.

T

River Street in downtown Savannah. (savannahriverboat.com) The General Jackson, America’s largest showboat, is back in action after Nashville’s disastrous May 2010 “Thousand Year Flood” that took the boat out of commission for weeks afterward. Daily buffet lunch cruises feature musical entertainment with Steve Hall & Shotgun Red, while dinner features the final season of Country Music USA. (generaljackson.com)

CRUISE OPPORTUNITIES The Pickwick Belle is an authentic paddlewheel riverboat cruising Pickwick Lake between Florence, Ala. and Pickwick, Tenn. Various themed cruises are offered for sightseeing, lunch or dinner. She can be chartered for large groups. (pickwickbelle.com) The Savannah River Queen and Georgia Queen kick it up a notch with their “Murder Afloat Mystery Cruise,” “Gospel Dinner Cruise” and new “Haunts and Hags Tour” that explores mystical legends surrounding the South Georgia Coast. Sightseeing, meals and entertainment can be arranged on these boats moored on

AND FROM RIVER TO RAIL My Old Kentucky Dinner Train is based in historic Bardstown, the second oldest town in the state. Exceptional dining and spectacular scenery are the hallmarks of this excursion as the vintage train cars make their way through 14,000-acre Bernheim Forest to Limestone Springs Junction on the Jim Beam American Outpost. (rjcorman.com) Tennessee Valley Railway in Chattanooga operates excursions year-round, but is best known for its Autumn Leaf Specials. Missionary Ridge Local trips and the nearly full-day Chickamauga Turn trip are staged aboard vintage 1950s-era trains. (tvrail.com)

The Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society oversees the worldrenowned New River Train excursions through the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia. As one of the newest national parklands, the “Grand Canyon of the East” along the New River is aglow in fall colors in mid to late October. It is during this peak autumn foliage time that the train traverses the former Chesapeake & Ohio mainline from Huntington to Hinton, providing a front-row seat to some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. New River Train excursions in 2011 operate the weekends of Oct. 1516 and 22-23. Each trip is an all-day, 300-mile-long roundtrip trek. Stops in St. Albans and Montgomery give passengers the option of three boarding locations. At Hinton a street fair is held each day with local food stands, arts and crafts, entertainment, a railroad museum and other attractions. (newrivertrain.com) LGT

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE For more rail and cruise ideas in the South, log on to http:/leisuregrouptravel.com/?p=23751

Georgia Department of Economic Development

52 April June 2011 2011

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HISTORIC FREDERICKSBURG

Fredericksburg, Virginia

HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Original George Washington family homes ➤ Charming Old Town Fredericksburg – a shopper’s delight

and restaurants to suit any palate ➤ Four Civil War battlefields ➤ Classic Broadway musicals at Riverside Dinner Theater ➤ Wine tastings and food pairing demonstrations

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: George Washington influenced not only Fredericksburg’s history, but also the new nation he helped form. At Ferry Farm you’ll see the site of Washington’s boyhood home before journeying to the home he purchased for his mother, the Mary Washington House, and his sister’s home, Kenmore, known for its beautiful plasterwork. His brother, Charles, sold his home and it later became the Rising Sun Tavern, remaining today as a lively interpretive site with costumed 18th century tavern wenches. Lunch can be enjoyed on your own in Old Town or at any of a wide variety of group-welcoming restaurants. Spend the evening at Potomac Point Winery learning about and sampling the awardwinning wines and the food that is paired with them.

DAY 2: Strategically located midway between the capital of the Confederacy in Richmond and the U. S. capital in Washington, D. C., Fredericksburg was the scene of four of the most devastating battles of the Civil War. A local guide will join you as you visit Chatham Manor, a Georgian plantation home that served as a vital Federal headquarters, communications center and hospital. Visitor centers at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville feature museum exhibits, videos and short walking tours that tell the story of the four battlefields in the region. Enjoy evening entertainment at Riverside Dinner Theater, which possesses state-of-the-art facilities and seats 452 guests. Riverside boasts gourmet cuisine, a choice of four entrees served at your table and a commitment to classic Broadway musicals.

DAY 3: There are many unique sites in the area that have an ambience all their own. Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont was the home of this American Impressionist artist. Your senses will delight in not only the wonderful artwork and furnishings, but also the gardens on the 27-acre estate. No visit to the area would be complete without some free time for shopping in Old Town Fredericksburg. After lunch on your own in one of the independently owned restaurants, spend time browsing the galleries, antique shops, boutiques and craft stores that line the brick sidewalks, a portion of the 40-block National Historic District. After lunch visit Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center housed in two historic buildings and discover thru the eyes of local residents the region’s rich and varied past. Or perhaps you need medical treatment. Although Dr. Mercer may not be in at the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, his apprentice will be certain to have a treatment for whatever ails you.

Your group will depart the Fredericksburg region with many fond memories and an appreciation for one of the most historic cities in America.

We welcome you to experience it for yourself.

CONTACT: Fredericksburg Regional Tourism Partnership

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Lura Hill, Manager Tourism Sales • www.VisitFred.com 706 Caroline St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Phone: 540-372-1216/866-405-3046 • Email: lhill@fredericksburgva.gov

➤ Art, Romance, Mystery, Fashion—Immerse Yourself ➤ Of Wine and Roses

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SPIRIT OF FIRE & STRENGTH OF STEEL

Corinth, Mississippi and Shiloh, Tennessee

HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Stand at the 16 most important square feet

of the Confederacy ➤ See the place where the Battle of Shiloh was planned ➤ Taste the delights found at Mississippi’s oldest

family drug store/soda fountain. ➤ Walk the path of freedom with former slaves ➤ Find a “place of peace” at Shiloh

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Morning: Start the day with a visit to the Alcorn County Welcome Center with a complimentary coffee break and rest stop. A step-on guide will then present the sights of Civil War Corinth: Crossroads Museum at the Depot, where the railroads crossed thrusting Corinth into the national spotlight in the 1860s and home to an impressive collection of local relics; C&D Jarnagin Company, a leading outfitter of Civil War reenactment uniforms and supplies; Verandah Curlee House, the site where Special Order #8 was given for the launch of the Battle of Shiloh; and Civil War Earthworks, the best preserved in the nation.

Lunch: So as not to miss a moment of Corinth’s history, we will be treated to lunch at the Weaver Center, a private dining facility trimmed with a fine, private collection of Civil War artifacts.

Afternoon: Corinth’s premier attraction, the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center, a National Park Service site, is next on the list. It features interpretive films, interactive exhibits and a marvelous outdoor courtyard and fountain. Ranger programs are also available. Then it is off to the Corinth Contraband Camp, the site of early freedom for many African-Americans even before the Civil War ended. The group will next be treated to a driving tour encompassing Corinth National Cemetery, Antebellum Homes and Historic Businesses. As an afternoon treat, a visit to Borroum’s Drug Store has been added. Opened by a Confederate veteran in 1865, Borroum’s is Mississippi’s oldest, continuously family-operated drugstore. An old-fashioned soda foun-

tain is a bonus featuring cherry Cokes and chocolate malts. While at Borroum’s, view the Confederate monument on Court Square dedicated to Col. William Rogers, the hero of the Battle of Corinth.

Evening: Dine on the porch of the Generals’ Quarters Inn, an 1870s home in the heart of the historic downtown residential district.

DAY 2: Morning: We will get an early start with complimentary breakfast at the host hotel where a guide will be on hand for a tour of Shiloh National Military Park. As we make our way into the park, either a ranger or professional guide will join the tour at the Visitor’s Center to give an in-depth view of the pivotal points of the battle including stops at the Hornet’s Nest, Peach Orchard, Bloody Pond, Albert Sidney Johnston Death Site and Pittsburg Landing.

Lunch: Catfish, hushpuppies and sweet tea abound as the tour is capped off with lunch at Hagy’s Catfish Hotel, a historic Tennessee riverfront restaurant just yards from the Shiloh Battlefield.

CONTACT: Corinth Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Kristy White • www.corinth.net 215 N. Fillmore St., Corinth, MS 38834 Phone: 800-748-9048 • Email: tourism@corinth.net

➤ A Feast for the Senses ➤ A Birthplace of Freedom

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WHERE TRUE GRIT HAPPENED

Fort Smith, Arkansas

HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Fort Smith National Historic Site ➤ “The Medicine Show on Hanging Day” musical/comedy ➤ Railway excursion through the Ozarks ➤ Tour/tasting in Arkansas Wine Country ➤ Chaffee Barbershop Museum

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Afternoon: Miss Laura’s Visitor Center—Tour the former bordello, the first to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. With prior arrangements, “Miss Laura” will be in costume to greet and give the tour! Pre-arrange for refreshments of sarsaparilla and peanuts. Stepon guide can join group for driving tour of Historic District.

Fort Smith National Historic Site—Tour Hangin’ Judge Isaac C. Parker’s Courtroom, the old jail known as “Hell on the Border,” and see replica of famed gallows where 79 men met their fate.

Evening: Dinner—The Lighthouse Inn on the banks of the Arkansas River and enjoy Miss Laura’s Players in The Medicine Show on Hanging Day, an original musical/comedy in its 17th year of production. Step back into a colorful past, both novel and entertaining!

DAY 3: Morning: Fort Smith Art Center—Fine paintings, sculptures and art exhibits or Farm Tour—Working farm in operation for over 60 years by three generations of a family. Learn about farming in the region and crops such as soybeans/rice/corn. Stroll through pecan groves; see honeybees at work.

St. Scholastica—Tour the facility and get insight on life in a convent.

Artwork by Sisters dating back to early 1900s.

Electric Trolley—Nostalgic ride through downtown on a restored electric trolley (1926 Birney).

DAY 2: Morning: Darby Home—Boyhood home of the founder of famed World War II “Darby’s Rangers,” restored to the early 1940s; contains lots of World War II memorabilia.

A & M Railway—Excursion north through the beautiful Ozarks. Oneway or roundtrip available. Box lunch can be pre-arranged.

Afternoon: “High Tea” at the Clayton House—Circa 1850s restored home of William Clayton, Judge Parker’s prosecuting attorney.

Contains authentic Clayton family and period pieces. “High Tea”/tour must be pre-arranged. Return to hotel.

Lunch: The Park at West End—Dine in restored rail car; ride a classic 1935 Ferris wheel (in the 1930s World’s Fair in San Diego); take in sights/sounds of an old-time calliope.

OR Taliano’s Italian Restaurant—locally owned and operated, home is on the National Register of Historic Places with original chandeliers and stained glass.

Chaffee Barbershop Museum—History of Fort Chaffee, built in 1941 to train World War II recruits. Restored barbershop where many recruits got their first ‘buzz” cut, including Elvis Presley in 1958!

Church Tours—First Lutheran and Immaculate Conception Church have beautiful stained glass windows and fascinating history.

Arkansas Wine Country—Visit one of several wineries for tour/tasting followed by dinner at Wiederkehr’s Weinkeller Restaurant, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Fort Smith Museum of History—150 years of Fort Smith history; learn the city’s role in the early frontier, Civil War and the area’s late 19th century lawlessness. Enjoy old-fashioned soda at the working drug store/soda fountain.

Other activities available: • Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center; learn how “The Natural State” got its name.

• Choctaw & Cherokee Casinos – Enjoy time at the slots!

CONTACT: Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Carolyn Joyce • www.fortsmith.org 2 North B St., Fort Smith, AR 72901 Phone: 479-783-888 or 800-637-1477 • Email: tourism@fortsmith.org

➤ Take a Walk on the Wild West Side ➤ Fort Smith, Arkansas – The West Starts Here! ➤ 6-night Itinerary – check in and see our entire area with hub-n-spoke tours

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EVER-NEW AND TIMELESS TRADITIONS

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

HIGHLIGHTS ➤ 7 Live Theaters ➤ Sharks to Shopping ➤ New SkyWheel ➤ New Pirates Voyage ➤ New WonderWorks

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Arrive in Myrtle Beach, SC • Check in at host hotel

DAY 3: Coastal South Carolina • Savor the delectable dishes from Myrtle Beach's finest choice of restaurants that offer group rates

• Breakfast at host hotel

• Catch live entertainment at one of Myrtle Beach's renowned theaters

• Stroll along the New Boardwalk

• Return to hotel and settle in for an evening of rest and peace

• Ride the New SkyWheel

DAY 2: Myrtle Beach Area

• Tour Broadway at the Beach

• Breakfast at host hotel

• New WonderWorks (at Broadway at the Beach)

• Visit Brookgreen Gardens and its new Low Country Center that depicts the history of the Low Country from its Native American beginnings to its slave era and beyond; don't miss the entertaining and informative one-man show of Gullah native and historian Ron Daise tracing the history of the Gullah people from Africa to South Carolina's Low Country (New Butterfly House, seasonal)

• Ripley’s Aquarium • Lunch at local restaurant featuring Southern cuisine • Catch live entertainment at one of Myrtle Beach's New Shows • Return to hotel; relax your weary bones and knotted muscles

• Buffet or boxed lunch at Brookgreen Gardens

DAY 4: Depart Myrtle Beach

• Travel to Hopsewee Plantation for afternoon tea and tour • Shop along the coast for cultural arts and crafts including: quilts, sweet grass baskets, dolls, wood carvings, collectibles and memorabilia; also set up a craft class making sweet grass baskets or grass dolls

• Breakfast at host hotel • Depart from Myrtle Beach

• Return to Myrtle Beach for a dinner and show on the town • Rest at your host hotel

CONTACT: Myrtle Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Sandy Haines • Visitmyrtlebeach.com 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Phone: 843-916-7248 • Email: sandy.haines@visitmyrtlebeach.com

➤ Postcards & Sharks Tour ➤ Yellow Ribbon Tour

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NEW ORLEANS PLANTATION COUNTRY

River Parishes, Louisiana

HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Historic plantations with demonstrations ➤ Conveniently located between New Orleans and

Baton Rouge ➤ Enjoy authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine ➤ Unique shopping and arts venues ➤ Experience a taste of New Orleans

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Travel Through Time Begin your tour in Vacherie at Oak Alley Plantation, one of the world’s most photographed plantations with its alley of 300-year-old oak trees and Civil War history. Spend a little time shopping Oak Alley’s vast gift shop on the grounds. Nearby St. Joseph Plantation is a working Creole sugar plantation with tours provided by descendants of Joseph Waguespack who acquired the property in 1877. After a full morning of touring, cross the river at Hwy. 641 and stop for lunch at Nobile’s Restaurant. Nobile’s was founded in 1895 during the logging boom and still serves authentic Louisiana dishes in an historic atmosphere.

There are several historic churches in the area to tour before heading east to Garyville, where the opulence of San Francisco Plantation with its vivid colors and intricate architecture will stand in stark contrast to the more modest Creole homes. Leave time for shopping at Roussel’s Antiques in LaPlace or a Cajun Pride Swamp Tour before dinner at Frenier Landing Restaurant & Oyster Bar. LaPlace-area hotels will provide comfortable accommodations for your group.

DAY 2: Touring and Swamp Tours

DAY 3: African American Heritage Explore our African American heritage. Laura: A Creole Plantation has tours based upon Laura’s detailed memoirs of life in Creole Louisiana in 1805 and the interaction between the slaves and her family. This plantation is also noted as the place where the tales of Br’er Rabbit were first recorded. A wide variety of gifts, including Laura’s memoirs are available in the gift shop. Stop for lunch at B&C Seafood Market & Cajun Restaurant, a quaint spot known for its mouth-watering, down-home Cajun and Creole dishes. Evergreen Plantation in Edgard has the most intact plantation complex in the South with 37 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, including 22 slave cabins. Both Evergreen and Laura: A Creole Plantation are featured on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail because of their dedication to preserving the true stories of slaves, as well as their contributions to art, history and Louisiana culture. Then cross the Mississippi to Reserve to visit Our Lady of Grace Church. Then head toward New Orleans or Baton Rouge along the River Road or I-10.

Take I-10 to Darrow for a tour of Houmas House Plantation & Gardens, stopping off at its lavish gift shop. Then take I-10 to Exit 220 and head to tours at Ormond Plantation and Destrehan Plantation.

Ormond is a West Indies-style plantation, and Destrehan is the oldest documented plantation home in the lower Mississippi Valley and boasts skilled artisans and displays of the original Louisiana Purchase documents. Ormond Plantation serves lunch during the weekday, or Zydeco’s in Boutte is also a good option for groups.

An exhilarating Swamp Adventures or Airboat Tours by Arthur Matherne will round out the afternoon. Dinner at Mario’s Cypress Café and another night’s accommodations in the area will leave you refreshed for one more day of touring.

CONTACT: River Parishes Tourist Commission

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Kimmie Carlos • www.NewOrleansPlantationCountry.com 2900 Highway 51, LaPlace, LA 70068 Phone: 985-359-2783, 866-204-7782 • Email: Sales@NewOrleansPlantationCountry.com

➤ Churches and Cemeteries ➤ Outdoor Adventures

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OPSAIL 2012 – INTERNATIONAL TALL SHIP FESTIVAL

Norfolk, Virginia

HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Wednesday, June 6:

Military Parade of Sails – Navy War Ship/Grey Hulls Noon to 4 p.m. ➤ Friday, June 8: Parade of Sails – International Tall Ships

Noon to 2 p.m. in Downtown Norfolk ➤ Friday, June 8 through Monday, June 11:

Opsail Festival is open with food, art and entertainment ➤ Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10:

International Tall Ship Visits – 9 a.m. to noon ➤ Saturday, June 9: Wisconsin/Nauticus or Spirit of Norfolk

Dinner and Fireworks – 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY Each year Norfolk celebrates nautical history by displaying tall ships from all over the world, along with maritime events, children's activities, local, regional and national entertainment, delicious food and a spectacular fireworks display all along the downtown waterfront.

Next year Norfolk expects over 20 International Tall Ships, 10 Military Grey Hulls and ships from around the world with Opsail 2012!

DAY 1: Friday Afternoon: Come aboard the Spirit of Norfolk or the Victory Rover for the Parade of Sails. Watch tall ships from around the world sail down the Elizabeth River in a spectacular two-hour parade. You will have the best view of the harbor, with 700 boats and vessels to see, as well as more than 20 international tall ships.

DAY 2: Saturday Morning: Come explore an outdoor festival on the water at Opsail.

Ships from countries around the world including Italy, Brazil, Ecuador, Spain and the Netherlands have been invited to Norfolk’s waterfront for this spectacular event. Enjoy live music and great food. Tall Ships open for tours giving visitors the opportunity to explore the decks and talk to international sailors. Special private tours of the Tall Ships are available for groups from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday and Sunday.

Lunch: Stroll over to Granby Street, one block from Opsail. Experience over 30 locally-owned and -operated restaurants from American bistro to tapas to Mexican. Whatever your taste buds are, Granby will satisfy.

Afternoon: Take a bus tour of the world’s largest naval installation, Naval Station Norfolk. A knowledgeable, active-duty Navy guide will board your motorcoach and give a narrated tour of the base. Tour the MacArthur Memorial and discover the life and career of a fivestar General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur. Located in Downtown Norfolk’s restored 1850s City Hall, the complex contains a museum, theater and special exhibit galleries.

Evening: Dinner, Fireworks and Ships! Sit in style for the fireworks on the tailfin of the Battleship Wisconsin. Before the fireworks, take a tour of Nauticus, the Battleship Wisconsin and Hampton Roads Naval Museum. Nauticus is a fun and exciting interactive science and technology center exploring the power of the sea. It features more than 150 exhibits, films and exotic aquatic life. Hampton Roads Naval Museum introduces you to over 200 years of naval history in Hampton Roads. Located next to Nauticus is the Battleship Wisconsin, the largest and last battleship ever built by the U.S. Navy. Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin are located right next to Town Point Park. End your tour with a wonderful dinner at Nauticus. Do not forget you can also jump aboard the Victory Rover or Spirit of Norfolk for the best seat in the house for the fireworks!

DAY 3: Sunday Morning: Take a fun-filled boat ride or tram tour at Norfolk Botanical Garden. Explore the waterways or stroll the gardens and discover a variety of plants from the cultivated to the wild.

CONTACT: VisitNorfolk

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Melissa Hopper • www.VisitNorfolktoday.com 232 E. Main St., Norfolk VA 23510 Phone: 800-368-3097 • Email: mhopper@norfolkcvb.com

➤ Virginia International Tattoo ➤ Norfolk’s Annual Jazz Festival

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SHOWTIME IN THE SMOKIES

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Great Smoky Mountains National Park ➤ Dollywood ➤ Theaters & Dinner Shows ➤ Shopping ➤ Parkway Attractions

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Afternoon: Upon arrival in town, the towering ship-shaped museum attraction, Titanic Museum Attraction, is anchored and ready for boarding. Twenty galleries with priceless Titanic artifacts, the grand staircase and the chill of an iceberg will have your group in awe.

DAY 3: Evening: The Smith Family Dinner Theater offers a wonderful variety of music and fun by hometown entertainers, The Smith Boys. A Southern cooked meal rounds out the show. After dinner, the Tennessee Shindig is the place to go. A show that will bring back the memories of days gone by!

DAY 2: Morning: After a hearty breakfast at Wood Grill Buffet, it’s off to Dollywood. Whether you come in the spring for Festival of Nations, summer for KidsFest, fall for National Gospel & Harvest Celebration or for Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival, Dollywood has great entertainment, master craftsmen and thrilling rides.

Evening: Enjoy a delicious dinner and show at the Lumberjack Feud, the Smokies’ rowdiest good time dinner show! After dinner, go on down the road where you’ll find the Smoky Mountain Opry — big stage, big cast, big talent wrapped into one big show!

Morning: Start your day with a step-on guide tour of the most visited national park in the United States, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This three-hour tour will give your group a look at its awe-inspiring beauty!

Afternoon: Have lunch at the Pottery House Cafe for soups, salads, sandwiches and spuds in the Old Mill Historic district! A matinee performance at the Country Tonite Theatre delivers the best mix of country classics and country hits of today.

Evening: It’s feudin’ fun at the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud.

Become part of the longest-running feud in history as they settle their differences mountain-style OR settle the feud between the North and the South at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. It’s the Most Fun Place to Eat in the Smokies!

This itinerary is a perfect fit for any of our many festivals that are held throughout the year!

CONTACT: Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Joy McNealy, CTIS • www.pigeonforgetours.com P.O. Box 1390, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868 Phone: 800-285-7557 • Email: jmcnealy@mypigeonforge.com

➤ Winterfest Magic ➤ Autumn Colors

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Where time is not W measured by a clock.

Where W here you bring luggage but lose baggage.

Where every visit creates lasting memories Motorcoach travelers know that Pigeon Forge is the perfect place to make memories. Could be because there’s so much to see and do here … shopping, shows, Dollywood ® or the majestic beauty of our Smoky Mountains. Or it could be that warm welcome they receive, kind of like visiting an old friend. Whatever the reason, they know that every visit creates memories that will last a lifetime.

PigeonForgeTours.com 1-800-285-7557

Where W here the GPS isis always set to fun.

EVENTS IN

PIGEON FORGE TENNESSEE

JANUARY

Wilderness Wildlife Week™ FEBRUARY

Saddle Up! MARCH

A Mountain Quiltfest™ MAY

Dolly’s Homecoming Parade

PigeonForgeTours.com

J U LY

Patriot Festival AU G U ST

Celebrate Freedom!™ O CTO B ER

Harvestfest NOV EM B ER–FEB RUA RY

Winterfest

1-800-285-7557

FORGING FREEDOM: AMERICAN CIVIL WAR AND EMANCIPATION 150TH

Richmond, Virginia

HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Experience Richmond when our nation was at war ➤ Enjoy a narrated Canal Cruise ➤ See the largest collection of Confederate artifacts

in the nation ➤ Drive along the nation’s only avenue designated a

National Historic Landmark ➤ Visit sites that tell the stories of enslaved Africans

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Richmond • Begin your day at the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar, which tells the national story of the Civil War through three perspectives: Union, Confederate and African American.

• Continue to the Richmond National Battlefield Park and Civil War Visitor Center, where a park ranger will orient you to the region’s surrounding battlefields and introduce the story of Richmond during the Civil War. • Explore the emancipation story at the Manchester Slave Trail. For 40 years prior to the Civil War, Richmond was the nation’s center for the export of slaves.

• An afternoon tour of Historic Shockoe Bottom brings you to cobblestone streets, Lumpkin’s Jail Site and the Reconciliation Statue.

• Attend an Emancipation-themed dinner.

DAY 2: Richmond • Tour the Virginia State Capitol, meeting place of the Confederate Congress and where Gen. Robert E. Lee accepted his commission in the Confederate Army.

• Visit the Museum and White House of the Confederacy, which houses the largest collection of Confederate artifacts in the nation, and Jefferson Davis’ home.

• After lunch, drive along Monument Avenue, the nation’s only avenue designated a National Historic Landmark. Most monuments are dedicated to Confederate leaders.

• Enjoy a late afternoon visit to Hollywood Cemetery, the final resting place of Jefferson Davis, 25 Confederate generals, 18,000 Confederate dead and two U.S. Presidents.

• Visit the Virginia Historical Society, whose headquarters was constructed as a shrine to the Confederate dead. An American Turning Point: The Civil War in Virginia relates personal experiences of Virginia’s free and enslaved men, women and children.

• Attend an 1862 Confederate dinner.

DAY 3: Richmond • Take a Canal Cruise on the canal designed by George Washington.

Don’t miss the Henry “Box” Brown exhibit along the canal. In 1849, Brown, a slave who worked in a Richmond tobacco factory, shipped himself to Philadelphia in a box.

• Visit the Chimborazo Medical Museum, the site of the largest military hospital in the world from 1861-1865, where 76,000 patients were treated.

• Tour the Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church which was organized

by Rev. John Jasper, a former slave. Here lunch is available by appointment.

• Visit Jackson Ward, a 40-block neighborhood once known as the “Harlem of the South.”

• Visit St. Paul’s Church, an elegant example of Greek Revival architecture featuring Tiffany windows, and where Jefferson Davis received word from Gen. Lee to evacuate Richmond on April 2, 1865.

• Enjoy dinner in a historical setting.

DAY 4: (Optional battlefield visits) • Learn why the names of places such as Seven Pines, Petersburg, Gaines Mill, Cold Harbor and Malvern Hill are forever etched in America’s memory by exploring some of the Richmond Region’s best known battlefields. Guided tours are available with a park ranger.

CONTACT: Richmond Metropolitan CVB

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Janie Lawson, CTIS, Tourism Sales Manager • www.VisitRichmondVa.com www.OnToRichmond.com • 401 N. 3rd St., Richmond, VA 23219 Phone: 800-370-9004 or Direct: 804-783-7409 • Email: jlawson@richmondva.org

➤ Footprints in Time: The African-American Story ➤ 400 Years of History & Beyond!

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York County, South Carolina and the Charlotte, North Carolina region

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Afternoon at a day spa ➤ Antique shops, outlet stores and shopping malls with

stores such as Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus and White House/Black Market ➤ Tour of Glencairn Garden and master gardening class ➤ Float down the Catawba River or whitewater rafting at the

U.S. National Whitewater Center ➤ Golf at one of York County’s premier golf courses ➤ Horseback riding at the Anne Springs Close Greenway

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: With an afternoon arrival, begin the York County experience with an outing at a day spa…facial, massage, pedicure, and manicure. After unwinding at a day spa, enjoy a wine and cheese reception at the hotel, and then top off the evening with dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 2: After breakfast, Day 2 is full of options…spend the day doing whatever seems fun! One option is to enjoy a relaxing float down the pristine Catawba River. Bald eagles, deer, osprey and many other species call the Catawba River home. And a picnic along the river is as good as it gets.

If a more exciting water ride sounds more fun, the U.S. Whitewater Center, home of the world’s largest re-circulating river, is the place to be.

Novices and experts alike can enjoy flatwater or whitewater kayaking… rafting is also a part of this awesome experience.

Other outdoor opportunities include golf at one of York County’s premier golf courses. Hiking or horseback riding is also available at Anne Springs Close Greenway, a 2,300-acre greenway filled with spacious forests, rambling terrain, shimmering lakes and rolling pastures. And if flying through the trees seems the thing to do, then Camp Canaan is the place to be. A zip line canopy tour of this 100-acre island sends visitors zipping through 100-year-old oak trees and flying over the beautiful Catawba River.

Enjoy a tour of Glencairn Garden, an 11-acre garden displaying nature’s finest colors, textures and shapes; visitors can also spend some time improving their gardening skills with a master gardener class. A trip to the York County area would not be complete without a NASCAR experience…visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame, ride on the track at Charlotte Motor Speedway and the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

And of course, no girlfriend getaway is complete without shopping.

Spend time strolling through antique shops, outlet stores, and shopping malls with stores such as Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus and White House/Black Market.

The evening can be spent enjoying the arts at a Winthrop University theater or dance production, a live musical performance at the Sylvia Theater in quaint downtown York or a show at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in bustling Uptown Charlotte.

DAY 3: Sleep in and enjoy some girl coffee time. Then enjoy a delicious brunch at a local restaurant and return home refreshed and energized.

CONTACT: Rock Hill/York County CVB

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Margaret Wallace • visityorkcounty.com 452 S. Anderson Rd., Rock Hill, SC 29730 Phone: 888-702-1320 • Email: mwallace@visityorkcounty.com

➤ Thrills & Spills ➤ Holiday Cheer

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VICKSBURG: THE KEY TO THE SOUTH

Vicksburg, Mississippi

HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Vicksburg National Military Park ➤ Old Court House Museum ➤ Vicksburg Battle Field Museum ➤ Biedenharn Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia ➤ Five Waterfront Casinos

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Morning: Meet your licensed tour guide at the Vicksburg National Military Park’s Visitors Center and enjoy a film presentation that details the Campaign for Vicksburg. Continue through the 1,800-acre park, which features over 1,340 monuments that commemorate the campaign, defense and siege of Vicksburg in 1863. Visit the ironclad gunboat U.S.S. Cairo with its thousands of artifacts that had been submerged on the bottom of the Yazoo River for 102 years. Vicksburg National Cemetery embraces 116 acres and holds the remains of 17,000 Civil War Union soldiers, a number unmatched by any other national cemetery.

Lunch: Enjoy a delicious Southern-style lunch at the restaurant of your choice in one of our historic districts.

Afternoon: The Old Court House Museum will welcome you to stroll through its 15,000 square feet of exhibition space and an entire city block of lovely grounds. The 1858 structure is considered to be the city’s finest antebellum structure, and its exhibits showcase thousands of artifacts from pre-Columbian implements to the contents of ladies’ wardrobes in the Costume Room, and, of course, a plethora of fine artifacts from the Civil War. Discover a host of tour homes for your enjoyment. Our tour homes date from the early 1820s through the turn of the 20th century. For a tour of antebellum Vicksburg, visit Cedar Grove Mansion, where cannonballs from Union gunboats are lodged in the floors and walls; Anchuca Mansion, which was the home of Jefferson Davis’ brother Joseph; and Duff Green Mansion, which served as both a Union and Confederate hospital during the siege.

Evening: Vicksburg is home to five world-class waterfront casinos where you find the excitement of gaming as well as lavish evening buffets.

DAY 2: Morning: The Vicksburg Riverfront murals by acclaimed artists Robert Dafford and Martha Ferris feature life-sized depictions of the history of Vicksburg. Just across the street, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Children’s Art Park at Catfish Row. Just up the bluff from the murals is the Biedenharn Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia, where Coca-Cola was bottled for the first time in 1894. Those with a fascination for vintage dolls will surely want to visit Yesterday’s Children Antique Doll and Toy Museum, which is home to one of the largest U.S. collections of rare 19th and 20th century French and German bisque dolls.

Lunch: Choose from one of many restaurants located throughout the historic district offering specialties that range from down-home delicious to downright elegant.

Afternoon: Marvel at the majesty of Old Man River from one of our scenic river overlooks high above the mighty Mississippi.

Your tour of Vicksburg will not be complete without a visit to the Church of the Holy Trinity. View its 11 Tiffany stained-glass windows and the only known set of stained-glass windows honoring the deceased of both the North and South.

CONTACT: Vicksburg Convention & Visitors Bureau ➤ Sherry Jones • www.visitvicksburg.com P.O. Box 110, Vicksburg, MS 39181 Phone: 601-636-9421 • Email: sjones@vicksburgcvb.org 64 June 2011

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SAVANNAH, EST. 1733

Savannah, Georgia

HIGHLIGHTS ➤ A unique city layout with an abundance of squares

and parks ➤ River Street with over 100 restored cotton

warehouses, restaurants, art galleries and shops ➤ Informative and fun tours offered through the

Historic District ➤ Nighttime activities that include riverboat cruises

and live musical theater ➤ Outstanding dining options including The Lady and Sons

restaurant, home of famous Southern chef Paula Deen

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY

DAY 3:

DAY 1: Savannah Welcome Center/History Museum: The Savannah History Museum showcases the city’s history from its founding to the present day. The museum is home to exhibits that include Forrest Gump’s bench, one of Johnny Mercer’s Oscar Awards and a carriage owned by the family of Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low. Take a Tour: Get to know Savannah by experiencing a city tour, either on our period-style trolleys or with one of our highly trained step-on guides. The tour lasts about two hours and will help your group get better acquainted with our genteel Southern beauty.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry: Savannah offers all types of casual and upscale dining options. We can help you determine which restaurants are particularly “group friendly!”

African-American History: Take a tour that focuses on our rich black heritage. Highlights include a church that was built by slave labor and served as part of the Underground Railroad. We’re also home to the state’s oldest continuous school for newly freed slaves as well as a modern museum chronicling the civil rights struggle in Savannah.

Military Might: From its beginning, Savannah has been fortified to protect its residents and strategic port. Today our eight forts stand as un-garrisoned but fascinating reminders of our military history as well as striking memorials to our country’s struggles to remain free.

Fright Night: Discover why Savannah has repeatedly been named “America’s Most Haunted City!” There are numerous touring options to choose from, making this a great evening event for your group that’s entertaining, fun and informative, no matter the age.

DAY 4: DAY 2: Riverboat Tour: Explore the Savannah River’s natural beauty on the Savannah Riverboat. This two-hour excursion shows you the city from a unique perspective. You might even spy playful dolphins swimming alongside!

Tasty Treats: Go behind the scenes to see the “masters at work” creating some of the most delicious candies and cookies in the South.

Fantastic Tybee Island: Just 20 minutes from Savannah lies Tybee Island, a uniquely charmed island that offers a change of pace and taste. While there, take your group to the Tybee Light Station. Dating back to 1773, the lighthouse is one of America’s most complete historic light stations.

Visit a Historic Home: Savannah’s past is told in the many house museums that populate the area. Your group will enjoy this immersion into the lifestyles of our most famous founding fathers, exploring their period homes, possessions and history.

Savannah Souvenirs: Your group will enjoy spending their last afternoon in Savannah looking for that perfect signature Savannah souvenir.

The city has a multitude of trendy shops and boutiques that are sure to have something for everyone.

It’s Showtime!: Your group’s final night in Savannah is sure to be a memorable one as they experience the city’s live musical theater. The two-hour production will have your group smiling, laughing, singing and tapping their toes to the melodies of well-known songs of the past and present.

CONTACT: Savannah Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Mindy Shea • www.visitsavannah.com 101 E. Bay St., Savannah, GA 31401 Phone: 912-644-6419 • Email: Mshea@savannahvisit.com

➤ Ladies of Leisure Girlfriends Getaway ➤ Savannah’s African-American Heritage

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THE DELTA MUSEUM MILE

Greenville-Washington County, Mississippi

HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Hebrew Union Temple History Museum ➤ Old #1 Firehouse Museum ➤ The Patriot ➤ 1927 Flood Museum ➤ The Birthplace of Kermit the Frog Museum

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1:

DAY 2:

Meet up with your Museum Coordinator and begin your journey through time.

Begin at the 1927 Flood Museum. Greenville is the epicenter of one of the worst natural disasters in history. The break in the levee here put flood water over the roofs of houses 75 miles away. Tour this natural phenomenon that changed landscapes, lives and politics in the oldest structure in downtown Greenville.

Explore the impact of Greenville’s writers on Southern literature at Greenville Writers’ Exhibit at William Percy Memorial Library.

Greenville is said to have produced more famous writers per capita than any city in the country.

Housed in the restored Miller Building, Greenville History Museum provides a glimpse into Greenville’s history from the late 1800s to the 1970s. Memorabilia, artifacts, photos and news clippings take visitors through each gripping day of the 1927 flood and give visitors a glimpse of how people lived, worked and played back in the day.

Breakfast at one of our memorable breakfast places – Jim’s or Bucks.

This is the very soil where the blues was born. The HWY 61 Blues Museum chronicles the story of the Delta Blues through the music, folk art and artifacts of Little Milton, B.B. King, James “Son” Thomas and many more.

Long before Miss Piggy karate-chopped her way into our hearts, Muppet creator Jim Henson was born in Greenville and played on the banks of Deer Creek. A visit to The Birthplace of Kermit the Frog Museum is filled with the creativity of Jim Henson and all his Muppet friends.

Lunch at Connie’s Kitchen in Leland, MS Enjoy a walking tour of Greenville’s Historical Cemeteries. From Holt Collier (Teddy Roosevelt’s hunting guide) to The Patriot (a mysterious knight), the cemeteries of Greenville have some of the most fascinating stories to tell.

Experience regional cuisine at one of our local eateries.

Ride with the brave firefighters of history in this restored vintage (circa 1923) fire station at the Old #1 Firehouse Museum.

Lunch downtown Gazing at the monolithic mounds at Winterville Mounds State Park, one can almost hear the tribal drums and chants of a civilization that thrived a thousand years ago.

Greenville Air Force Base Museum was an Army Flying School, which instructed thousands of U.S. airmen and women. The museum tells their story from the darkest days of WWII through the Cold War. Dinner around town at one of our unique restaurants.

DAY 3: Greenville Cypress Preserve is one of the last virgin cypress preserves in the U.S. This 16-acre preserve showcases magnificent 100year-old cypresses.

E.E. Bass Cultural Arts Center and the Armitage Herschell Carousel are housed in the same building. The E.E. Bass Cultural Arts Center holds seven exhibitions per year, and Delta Center Stage has produced a subscription season of plays continuously for 29 years.

The Armitage Herschell Carousel is beautifully hand-painted and one of the two oldest working Armitage Herschell carousels in the country.

CONTACT: Greenville-Washington County CVB

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Wesley D. Smith • www.visitgreenville.org 216 S. Walnut St., Greenville, MS 38701 Phone: 800-467-3582 • Email: info@thedelta.org

➤ A Day In The Delta ➤ Delta Man-Cation

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June 2011 67

Biloxi, Gulfport, Ocean Springs, Pascagoula, Bay St. Louis and Stennis Space Center, Mississippi

THREE DAYS OF DISCOVERY HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Ship Island Excursions – watch for dolphins as you catch

a noon trip to the island, home of Ft. Massachusetts and beautiful beaches ➤ Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art – experience the creations of

“Mad Potter” George Ohr and other coastal artists ➤ StennisSphere – discover outer space in a whole new

interactive way ➤ Old Town Ocean Springs – unique boutiques, galleries

and restaurants in a quaint artisan town atmosphere ➤ Biloxi Lighthouse – climb the restored lighthouse, an icon

of the Coast

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1: Savor the Flavor of Gulf Coast Culture Morning: Start off the day soaking in the Coast history and culture.

Experience the creations of “Mad Potter” George Ohr at the OhrO’Keefe Museum of Art complex. Travel back in time at the Pleasant Reed Interpretive Center, a replica of the original house built by former slave Pleasant Reed in 1887. Stop by the Hurricane Katrina Memorial built by Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Climb the restored Biloxi Lighthouse, icon of the Coast, built in 1848. Explore Beauvoir, circa 1852, last home of President of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis and the origin of his memoirs. You won’t want to miss a tour through the new Presidential Library at Beauvoir, scheduled to open late 2011.

Afternoon: If the Gulf of Mexico beckons, catch a noon trip with Ship Island Excursions from the Gulfport Harbor. Watch for dolphins as you cruise to Ship Island, home of Ft. Massachusetts and beautiful beaches.

Relax aboard the Biloxi Schooners, replicas of the oyster schooners used from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Take in tales of shrimping, fishing and Biloxi history aboard the Biloxi Shrimping Trip and Biloxi Historic Tour. Become a “foodie” for the afternoon with a culinary demonstration or Southern tea offered by one of our local chefs.

Night: Enjoy excellent restaurants, top-name entertainment and exciting gaming at one of our first-class casino resorts.

DAY 2: Old Town and the Real McCoys Morning: Travel east to Old Town Ocean Springs. Visit the many boutiques and galleries of this quaint artisan town. Don’t miss the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, home of the distinctive works of this renowned Coast artist.

Afternoon: For a truly unforgettable experience, meet the real McCoys!

Let Captain Lynn with McCoy’s River and Marsh Tours take you on the Pascagoula River, one of the most pristine river swamps in America.

Greet some gators at the Gulf Coast Gator Ranch, the oldest gator farm in Mississippi.

Night: On your way back through Ocean Springs, choose from a variety of excellent restaurants, bars and pubs, all within walking distance.

DAY 3: From the Bay to Beyond the Milky Way Morning: Spend the day in the Bay. Drive along Beach Boulevard and marvel at the beautiful tree sculptures that decorate our coastal highway. After a beautiful drive west along the Gulf, cross the Bay of St. Louis into a shopping and dining paradise. Mississippi’s West Coast is home to more than 200 resident artists, creating the unique pieces exhibited in local galleries. Visit St. Rose de Lima, a Catholic church with a magnificent surprise! Stop by the historic L & N Train Depot, home to Hancock County’s CVB, for a rest and visitor information.

Afternoon: Intrigued by outer space? Blast off to StennisSphere and discover why America comes to NASA’s Stennis Space Center before going into space. Begin your journey at the Launch Pad to prepare for your mission. Travel on to a narrated tour through the nation’s largest rocket test complex where space shuttles’ main engines were tested.

Stand by for the opening of the new interactive science museum, Infinity, where visitors will explore our earth, oceans and space with a hands-on, activity-based format.

Night: On your way back, stop in revitalized Downtown Gulfport, where restaurants, hot music spots and cozy bars are just steps away from one another.

CONTACT: Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Janet Harrington • www.gulfcoast.org P.O. Box 6128, Gulfport, MS 39506 Phone: 888-467-4853, ext. 228 • Email: janeth@gulfcoast.org

➤ Student and Family-Friendly Itinerary ➤ Eco-Tourism and Outdoor Adventures Itinerary

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Add the Mississippi Gulf Coast to your next Deep S outh Tour and...RELAX!

Y

ou can relax when you plan a tour to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Where your tour options are many: Twenty-six miles of beaches, walkable bridges, glitzy casino resorts, headline entertainment, 24 hour gaming, fun-filled festivals, outdoor adventuring, coastal attractions, cruising, exciting museums, unique boutiques, artisan districts, and hidden galleries, shopping, Old Town strolling on tree-lined streets, fresh seafood and award winning dishes at group friendly restaurants, signature golf and fantastic charter boat fishing.

And, help with your tour planning is a given: Customized itineraries, hotel lead service, referral service for step-on guides, group attractions, restaurants, special programs, digital imagery for your flyers, online catalogs and local maps for your tour members along with genuine southern hospitality.

Call us about adding the Mississippi Gulf Coast to your tour schedule and plan to relax.

CONTACT: Janet Harrington Manager Leisure Sales & Group Travel Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB Phone: 888-467-4853 Email: janeth@gulfcoast.org

THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA: THE LAND OF KINGS

Tunica, Clarksdale and Indianola, Mississippi, and Memphis, Tennessee

HIGHLIGHTS ➤ Accommodations, dining and casino gaming in Tunica ➤ Graceland, Sun Records and Beale Street in Memphis ➤ Clarksdale’s Delta Blues Museum and Ground Zero

Blues Club ➤ B.B. King Museum in Indianola ➤ National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY Just down the road in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, there is a special place that connects you to the legends, history and excitement of Southern Kings.

DAY 1: Tunica Check into your luxurious Tunica Casino Resort Hotel. Your group may enjoy any of the nine casino resorts with 24/7 gaming action in the South’s Casino Capital. Dinner recommendations: Paula Deen’s Buffet at Harrah’s Casino Resort (Y’all hungry?) or the Holywood Cafe, made famous in the song “Walking in Memphis” and home of the fried dill pickle.

DAY 2: Tunica and Memphis Options

Peabody Hotel. Witness the tradition of the famous Peabody Marching Ducks. Every day at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., a red carpet is unrolled and the ducks march through crowds of admiring spectators to the tune of John Philip Sousa's King Cotton March.

National Civil Rights Museum. Located at the Lorraine Motel, the assassination site of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the museum chronicles the legacy of the American civil rights movevement.

Return to Tunica for the evening, enjoy dinner at a casino resort or one of the local favorites. End the night with some fast-paced casino gaming.

DAY 3: Tunica – Clarksdale – Indianola

Tunica: Tunica RiverPark Museum. Aquariums, interactive exhibits and dioramas reveal the legends and life of the Mississippi River. Voted the Southeast Travel Attraction of the Year.

Tunica Queen Riverboat. Sightseeing cruises on the Mississippi River.

Tunica Museum. Don’t miss Dr. Dick’s humorous and entertaining presentation on the history of Tunica and “King Cotton,” the crop that made the Mississippi Delta famous.

Memphis: Graceland. Experience life as Elvis did at his estate, Graceland, with an audio guided tour. Located just north of Tunica.

Enjoy breakfast at one of the spectacular casino buffets or the Blue and White Cafe, a mainstay on Hwy. 61 since 1937. Head south down historic Highway 61 to Clarksdale and on to Indianola. From the cotton fields, street corners and juke joints of the Mississippi Delta came a new kind of music – the blues. Considered by many to be the only truly indigenous American music, this form that has influenced musicians worldwide is deeply rooted in Delta soil. In Clarksdale, visit the internationally acclaimed Delta Blues Museum or Hopson Plantation. The Delta Blues Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the blues. Displays include one of B.B. King's "Lucille" guitars, harmonicas once owned by Sonny Boy Williams II and the log cabin that Muddy Waters lived in at the Stovall Plantation. This is blues heaven. Enjoy lunch at the Ground Zero Restaurant, co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman.

Lunch – many choices Sightseeing Tour of Memphis may include: Sun Studio. Guided tour through the Birthplace of Rock ′n Roll. Hear outtakes from sessions, touch Elvis′ first microphone and hear the history of the studio that launched Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, B.B. King and many more.

Depart Clarksdale, continuing down Highway 61 and over to Indianola, birthplace of B.B. King and home of the new B.B. King Museum and Interpretive Center. The museum explores King’s 60-plus-year career through objects from his life and work.

Return to Tunica for dinner.

CONTACT: Tunica Travel

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:

➤ Bill Canter • www.tunicatravel.com PO Box 2739, Tunica, MS 38767 Phone: 888-488-6422 • Email: bcanter@tunicatravel.com

➤ Visit GroupTravelDirectory.com for more Tunica itinerary ideas

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