Connect with the port city’s fascinating heritage, covering shipping, art and architecture 

and native populations.

Day One

Start at Antique Row on Broadway Street and explore collectibles from the past.

Continue down Pacific Avenue to the 1911 Union Station, Tacoma’s historic railway depot. Today, Union Station’s restored rotunda displays outstanding Chihuly glass art — created by world-renowned artist and Tacoma native Dale Chihuly. 

Across the street are facades of old warehouses, once the hub of Tacoma’s bustling railroad and maritime industries. Today, the brick facades have been preserved, and the University of Washington Tacoma campus occupies the restored buildings behind them. 

Next, explore the impressive Washington State History Museum, just a half-block down Pacific Avenue from Union Station. It is filled with fascinating multimedia and interactive exhibits, which highlight all the industries, people and places that helped develop the state. It also houses the largest collection of pioneer, Indian and Alaska artifacts on the Pacific Coast. 

In the evening, enjoy a relaxing dinner at a top restaurant with a dazzling view of downtown Tacoma. Take in a play or symphony at the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, which includes the Pantages and Rialto theaters. 

Overnight in Tacoma.

Day Two

Visit Tacoma’s Old Town section, where an exact replica of the 1864 Job Carr Cabin Museum commemorates the city’s birthplace. Inside are original artifacts, photos and historical items, many donated by Carr’s descendants who still live in Tacoma. 

Continue to the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum in Point Defiance Park, where docents in period garb illustrate life in 1855 at this restored Hudson Bay fur trading post. Also, see the Camp 6 Logging Exhibit, which documents the history of Washington state’s steam logging industry from 1880 to 1950. 

Enjoy lunch at one of the waterfront restaurants overlooking Commencement Bay. 

Then, experience history in a different mode at the LeMay: America’s Car Museum at Marymount, where 400 of Harold E. LeMay’s nearly 3,000 vintage vehicles can be seen on scheduled tours. 

LeMay amassed the largest private car collection in the world, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, with vehicles ranging from a 1916 Pierce Arrow to a 1948 Tucker Torpedo (one of only 51 built) to the infamous DeLorean, a model of which featured prominently in the 1985 Robert Zemeckis film Back to the Future.

Day One

Start the day in Canby with a fresh vegetable breakfast or smoked salmon and shrimp omelets at Seasons Grill. 

Next, head over to the Canby Ferry for a ride across the Willamette River.

Nearby, the Flower Farm allows visitors to stroll through the fields of buds and blossoms and ride the Phoenix & Holly Railroad, a miniature train. 

Should you choose to spend the rest of the day in Mt. Hood Territory, there are plenty of options. They include visits to St. Josef’s Winery and Champoeg Wine Cellars, Langdon Farms Golf Club, Canby Saturday Market, Wild Hare Saloon, Abella Italian Kitchen and a horse ride through Molalla River Corridor. 

For lunch, take Highway 99 to Yamhill Country and stop by Dundee Bistro, which uses locally grown, organic ingredients. 

Next, explore some of nearly 200 wineries ranging from large producing estates to small, boutique artisans such as WillaKenzie and Cuneo Cellars. 

For dinner, enjoy innovative, seasonal dishes in a Victorian setting at The Painted Lady Restaurant. Other possibilities include Nick’s Italian Cafe in McMinnville, which serves fixed five-course dinners or a la carte entrees; Spanish eatery La Rambla, also in McMinnville; and the Joel Palmer House in Dayton, which puts heavy emphasis on wild mushrooms. 

The Black Walnut Inn and Hotel Oregon both offer accommodations.

Day Two

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, or savor granola French toast at the Wildwood Cafe. 

Take 99W south to Corvallis. Saturday travelers will want to stop by the Downtown Waterfront to sample local produce at the Farmers Market. 

Visitors looking to discover a hidden gem can visit more than a dozen antique shops.

Bicyclists should stop by Peak Sports and rent two wheels to begin exploration of this beautiful college town, home to Oregon State University. 

For lunch, enjoy Pacific Northwest fare at Big River Restaurant, or sample French cuisine at Le Bistro. 

Other options include a taste of the Far East at Magenta; a slice of heaven at Cloud 9; vegan and vegetarian pleasures at Nearly Normal’s Gonzo Cuisine; and a taste of historic Corvallis at Michael’s Landing. 

In the afternoon, continue south on Highway 99 and arrive in Eugene. The city combines rural farming with cosmopolitan attractions. 

Golfing enthusiasts can check out one of nearly 20 golf courses in the valley. 

Eugene also features guided art walks through downtown. 

Lane County is home to 20 covered bridges, more than any other region on the West Coast. Check them out. 

Wine aficionados can taste some of the valley’s finest while enjoying gorgeous views at King Estate. 

Dine at Cafe Zenon, known for its desserts and extensive wine list. Or, for a taste of Italy, consider the Excelsior Inn’s Ristorante Italiano. There’s also the French-style cuisine of Marché or the Oregon Electric Station with its antique train cars for dining. 

Stay overnight at Excelsior Inn or Campus Inn.

Day Three

Begin with breakfast at Keystone, The Glenwood or the Palace Bakery in Eugene. 

Depart Eugene for Albany, heading north on I-5. 

Take the Seems Like Old Times self-guided, architectural driving tour through Albany’s three nationally registered historic districts. 

Continue at the Monteith House Museum, the first frame structure built in Albany in 1849. 

Have lunch at Sybaris Bistro and enjoy eclectic northwestern food. 

Depart Albany and head for the Salem area, a nature lover’s paradise. Recommended stops include the Oregon Garden in Silverton, Silver Falls State Park, the Bavarian community of Mount Angel and Willamette Valley Vineyards.

Willamette Valley Visitors Association
(866) 548-5018
www.oregonwinecountry.org

Aberdeen is the city that encourages you to write your story. 

Located in northeastern South Dakota, the community is a paradise where many stories and new tales are possible.

Day One

After a hearty breakfast, depart for the Dacotah Prairie Museum. Experience the sunrise to sunset Hatterscheidt Wildlife Gallery, featuring more than 55 mounted animal specimens. Its mural depicts one day in the life of the earth, beginning with midnight over the Himalayas and Mount Everest.

Visit the Pheasant Canteen Exhibit located in the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad depot. It opened on Aug. 19, 1943, as a project of the American Red Cross and the United Service Organizations. After 2 ears of service, the Pheasant Canteen served its last meal on March 31, 1946.

If the Pheasant Canteen gets you in the mood for lunch, walk to the Historic Alonzo Ward Hotel for a fine meal. 

In the afternoon, enjoy a backstage tour of the Aberdeen Community Theater (ACT) on historic Main Street.

For more than 30 years, ACT has been providing quality live theater productions, film events throughout the year and Hollywood films nightly from December to March. 

For evening activities, downtown is the place to be for performances at the historical Capitol Theatre; activities at Aberdeen Recreation and Cultural Center, located in the former Central High School, and the Civic Arena, which host sports events, the Shrine Circus and the annual Winterfest.

There is also dining and entertainment.

Spend the night in Aberdeen.

Day Two

In the morning, depart for the Grassland Hutterite Colony Tour. 

After visiting the vast argi-tourism enterprises, lunch is available at Grassland Colony. Fresh vegetables from the 15-acre garden provide a taste of what Aberdeen and the Grassland Hutterite Colony can provide.

After, see where the corn industry takes off. Tour one of many ethanol plants located just outside Aberdeen. 

The rest of the afternoon can be used for shopping.

Day Three

At Aberdeen Wylie Park-Storybook Land, step back and experience childhood fables. 

L. Frank Baum, noted author and resident of Aberdeen from 1888 to 1891, wrote the timeless children’s classic, The Wizard of Oz. The theme, setting and characters provided the inspiration for Aberdeen’s newest theme park. 

The Land of Oz features several attractions, including Dorothy’s House, complete with tornado effects. Your group will have a chance to visit Munchkin Land and Tin Man’s houses. Travel the Yellow Brick Road through the Haunted Forest, where the Talking Trees shout out as you make your way to the Lion’s Den and the Wicked Witch’s Castle. The Land of Oz is located in Storybook Land; there is no cost to visit.

Just over the rainbow in Wylie Park, you’ll find Aberdeen’s magical theme park, Storybook Land. Follow the Yellow Brick Road to a land of enchantment, which includes more than 65 larger-than-life, nursery rhyme-themed exhibits. Visit a medieval castle, see Rapunzel, climb aboard Captain Hook’s boat, see Humpty Dumpty’s Wall or crawl through the tunnel to the middle of Dog Town, a prairie dog exhibit. 

With more than 210 acres of grassland, a myriad of recreational opportunities are available at the park.

Return to Aberdeen to your accommodations.

Aberdeen Area CVB
(800) 645-3851
(605) 225-2414
sales@aberdeencvb.com 
www.VisitAberdeenSD.com

Margaret Wolfe Hungerford is noted for the line “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” 

This holds true when venturing to North Dakota. 

A three-day tour of the Red River Valley encompasses rich farmlands, Tetrault Woods State Forest, Sheyenne Valley National Grasslands and the Pembina Gorge. 

Each has its own natural beauty, punctuated by cities full of entertainment venues, shopping, dining and special events and festivals.

Day One

Wahpeton in southeast North Dakota is surrounded by rich soil that produces an abundance of potatoes, sugar beets, wheat and sunflowers. North Dakota grows more sunflowers than any other state. Giant brand seeds are distributed throughout the United States and Spain through Giant Snack Inc. 

In nearby Mooreton, visit America’s only remaining bonanza farm and discover how these fully sustainable farms planted, cultivated, processed and produced goods that made the Bagg Bonanza Farm a part of history. 

Fargo-West Fargo Area is home to a booming industry of agriculture, technology, manufacturing, the arts, shopping and so many other tour options. Fargo is the largest city in North Dakota. 

History comes alive for groups and students at Bonanzaville in West Fargo. Forty unique buildings have more than 400,000 artifacts and can make history come alive. Take a buggy ride, check out the Northern Pacific locomotive, take in a game of checkers and enjoy ice cream at the old-fashioned soda shop. Groups are welcomed, and discounts are provided. 

Northern Crops Institute is on the North Dakota State University campus and offers students, groups, international guests and more a learning center for developing products. It’s only minutes from farmlands that feed much of the United States. 

No tour is complete without a stop at Carol Widman’s Candy Store. This fourth-generation candy store developed a local favorite — chocolate-covered potato chips called “chippers.” Then, shop ’til you drop at the shops in the historic downtown.

Day Two

Along with agriculture and farmlands, there is a need for equipment. Case IH Manufacturing Plant in Fargo is one place you may visit to see steel being fabricated, welded and finished on the assembly line. 

Next it’s off to Casselton, where you will discover Maple River Winery, which has developed a partnership with Red Trail Vineyard that enhances any tour.

On Saturdays, Grand Fork’s downtown is filled with vendors selling fresh produce, handmade crafts and food items, along with live entertainment. The enticing smell of fresh bread baking may lead you to Dakota Harvest Bakers, where each loaf is shaped by hand.

Day Three

North of Grand Forks, trees become more abundant in the panoramic Pembina River and Pembina Gorge. The area is rich in history with oxcart trails that supported the trade and settlement of surrounding communities, along with the Métis, Ukrainian, Icelandic, Scandinavian and Bohemian cultures. Pembina State Museum features regional history from the Cretaceous Age to contemporary times. 

Take a ride to the top of the seven-story tower, from where you can see farmlands, prairie churches and the port of entry into Manitoba. 

Walhalla, the second-oldest community in the state, features sites like the Gingras Trading Post, which served the Métis community from 1843 to 1873. 

Its Frost Fire Ski and Snowboard area also doubles as the Frost Fire Amphitheater. In the summer, the venue features Broadway-style musical presentations with plenty of room for group tours. Icelandic State Park near Cavalier offers recreational enjoyment and a pioneer heritage center.

North Dakota Tourism Division
(800) 435-5663 
(701) 328-2525 
www.ndtourism.com

In a state as big as Montana, variety is a bit of an understatement: between its borders, the state is filled with many different landscapes, historical attractions, cultural events and more. 

Along I-90, view historic battlefields and charming towns, dinosaur finds and famous landmarks and witness the wealth from the “richest hill on earth.” 

Travel this route for a glimpse into Montana’s past and be inspired by the landscape that surrounds it all.

Day One

Wyoming border–Billings

Entering Montana from the southeast, I-90 follows the Little Bighorn River through the Crow Indian Reservation. Less than an hour from the southeast border, plan to spend much of the day at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. 

A little farther along the interstate, in Hardin, the Big Horn County Historical Museum displays turn-of-the-century farm and community life. 

An hour down the road, stop at Billings, Montana’s largest city, for the evening. Stroll the historic downtown for shopping or dining or hit the Rimrock Mall. 

Stay overnight in Billings.

Day Two

Billings–Livingston–Bozeman 

Start the morning with a tour of historic Billings or at Stella’s Bakery; then take the one-hour guided tour of the Moss Mansion and stroll the grounds for some fresh air before heading west.  

In Livingston, about 90 minutes via I-90 from Billings and 30 minutes from Bozeman, take a break at the Park County Museum or the Livingston Depot Center, each presenting a unique view of Yellowstone National Park, trains, Montana history and the West.   

Continue west to Bozeman and the Museum of the Rockies’ dinosaurs, Montana history exhibits and planetarium show. Check out the eclectic mix of galleries and bookstores, gift shops and Western wear purveyors, and cafes and dining opportunities on Main Street. 

Stay overnight in Bozeman.

Day Three

Bozeman–Butte–Missoula 

Today, experience mining and mountains as you travel north to Missoula. Near Three Forks, pass the headwaters of the Missouri River, formed by the Gallatin, Jefferson and Madison rivers and each named by Lewis and Clark. 

Continue north to Butte, home to the “Richest Hill on Earth.” Explore mining history and the Orphan Girl Mine at the World Museum of Mining, stop at the Berkley Pit to survey one of the largest open-pit copper mines in the world or view the exhibits at the Mineral Museum.

After lunch in historic uptown Butte (with a traditional pasty, the meal consumed by Irish miners), continue to Missoula for a night in the Garden City. 

In the afternoon, explore Rocky Mountain Elk Country Visitor Center or the Smokejumper Visitor Center. After dinner, take a ride on a hand-carved horse at the carousel then stroll the walking path along the Clark Fork River.  

Stay overnight in Missoula.

Day Four

Missoula–Haugen–Idaho border

After enjoying a leisurely breakfast at a local bakery or coffee shop, continue your I-90 trek to the Idaho border at Lookout Pass, home to the Hiawatha Trail. This scenic two-hour drive will take you through national forests and along the Clark Fork River. 

In the summer, two opportunities for a rest stop are in Haugen, just off the interstate.  

To learn about history from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) perspective, stop at the Savenac Historic USFS Nursery to walk the interpretive trails, ponder a firefighter’s life and examine historical photos and exhibits of the Civilian Conservation Corps.

The second stop is the Lincoln 10,000 Silver Dollar Bar. In its barroom filled with coins, eat lunch or pick up a souvenir before you leave Big Sky Country, ready to return another day.

Montana Tourism
(800) 847-4868
http://visitmt.com

Visit St. George for spectacular views and plenty of activities for groups on the go. 

With hundreds of miles of trails spread out among thousands of acres of stunning scenery including Zion National Park, St. George is an outdoor lover’s dream getaway — just 90 minutes from Las Vegas.

Day One

Start by exploring the wonders of Snow Canyon State Park, with more than 7,400 acres of black lava-capped cliffs and winding red canyons. 

The adventures can include a hiking trip, going on a rock climbing expedition and/or camping.

Take in the view on two wheels or four legs with a bicycle tour or a guided equestrian excursion through the park, where your group can see the terrain as the frontiersman and cowboys did more than a century ago.

Next, unwind with dinner at Claim Jumper Restaurant, where a hearty meal is the ticket to round out a full day.

Day Two

Begin with a stroll through The Outlets at Zion, a collection of more than 30 shops and restaurants. 

Next, head off to Zion National Park, where you’re likely to encounter many of the park’s 67 species of mammals, 13 species of snakes, 291 species of birds and 900 species of plants. 

Afterward, it’s time to recharge your batteries with dinner and a view at the Bit & Spur Restaurant, located just outside the park entrance. 

In the evening, stir in a little culture with a stop at Tuacahn Amphitheatre. The Broadway-style stage productions in 2012 include Aladdin and Hairspray.

Day Three

Start the day out with breakfast at Bear Paw Cafe.

Then, it’s off to Rosenbruch World Wildlife Museum, with more than 300 species of wildlife along the quarter-mile mountain path. An interactive Kids Room, Insect Gallery and wildlife art gallery will provide hours of entertainment and a lifetime of memories.

After exploring the wilds of Rosenbruch, have lunch at Cafe Rio Mexican Grill.

Next, go explore Logan National Scenic Byway, with mile-high limestone cliffs towering above as it winds through Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Logan Canyon draws include Wind Caves and Logan Cave. Another possibility is a half-mile tour at Minnetonka Cave. Or head to Coral Canyon Golf Course for nine holes. 

Finish off the stay and the day at Tiki Island Broiler, which offers a menu with Caribbean, Japanese and Hawaiian influences in a relaxed environment.

St. George Convention & Tourism Office
(800) 869-6635
(435) 634-5747
www.atozion.com

Your group will be whistling “Rocky Mountain High” with a visit to Gunnison-Crested Butte. 

The twin Victorian mountain towns are short on pretension and big on charm. 

While winter is a beautiful time to visit, this tour is best suited to travel in spring, summer and fall when the roads are clear of snow.

Day One

Denver International Airport to Gunnison

It takes about 4  ours to make the trip from the airport to Gunnison-Crested Butte. Stop along the way to see the historic town of Salida and have lunch at the Twisted Cork Cafe followed by a tasting at Mountain Spirit Winery. 

Check in to the Water Wheel Inn in Gunnison for the first of a two-night stay. The locally owned lodging provider has 52 guestrooms. 

Enjoy dinner at Garlic Mike’s Italian Cuisine on the Gunnison River.

Days Two and Three

Gunnison experience

Pick one of the full-day options — option one is a self-guided arts and history tour and visit to the Gunnison Art Center followed by shopping and dining on Main Street.

Option two is a self-driving tour of ghost areas — 25 sites are sprinkled throughout Gothic, Pitkin, Ohio City, Crested Butte, and Gunnison; take a box lunch to enjoy along the way.

Option three is a half or full day of outdoor recreation at Gunnison River Whitewater Park, Hartman Rocks Recreation Area, Curecanti National Recreation Area, Almont, Taylor Canyon, Taylor Park or Tin Cup. Or visit the Pioneer Museum. 

In the evening, make a trip to the Gunnison Valley Observatory, home to Colorado’s largest research quality telescope, for night sky star gazing.

Days Four, Five and Six 

Crested Butte experience 

Choose your next three nights’ accommodations at the Elk Mountain Lodge (19 rooms) or Old Town Inn (33 rooms) in Crested Butte or with Crested Butte Lodging & Property Management (managing 170 rooms and condominium units) or Crested Butte Mountain Resort Properties (managing 185 rooms and condominium units) in Mount Crested Butte

Pick a combination of half- or full-day adventures. 

Your options include a heritage tour. Begin with a visit to the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum, followed by a walking tour (guided or self guided tour), an art gallery, visit to Crested Butte Center for the Arts and shopping and dining on Elk Avenue. Schedule some bench time for people watching and check the performance schedule for the Mountain Theatre.

Or, try the West Elk Historic and Scenic Byway Loop Experience (Gateway from Crested Butte). Head to the Kebler Pass for a drive to Paonia for wine tasting and orchard markets; go on to Hotchkiss and the North Rim of the Black Canyon at Gunnison National Park; find scenic overlooks along the way with picnic lunch spots; and back to Gunnison and on to Crested Butte to complete the loop. 

The following work for half or full day options — outdoor adventure in Mount Crested Butte, the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park, Sand Dunes National Park or the historic town of Buena Vista including a stop at Monarch Pass for a gondola ride to take in the majestic views on both sides of the Continental Divide.  

Or, combine Monarch Pass with a visit to Salida and some wine tasting or a trip along the Silver Thread Historic and Scenic Byway and the Lake City National Historic District.

Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association 
(970) 641-7992
www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com

Groups can experience the many sides of Tulsa, home of the world’s largest collection of art of the American West, the world’s largest bull sharks in captivity and one of the largest concentrations of art deco architecture in the U.S.

Day One

Begin with a tour of the Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, a national landmark for its art deco architecture. Among the most notable features of the church are the 255-foot tower, the 750,000-piece mosaic behind the choir loft and several magnificent stained-glass windows.

After lunch, visit the Philbrook Museum of Art, which began in 1926 as the home of oil baron and philanthropist Waite Phillips and his wife, Genevieve. Phillips donated the mansion and grounds as an art center for the city of Tulsa in 1938. The Renaissance-styled villa’s 72 rooms contain a comprehensive art collection. Take time to stroll some of the mansion’s 23 acres of gardens.

At the Linnaeus Teaching Garden in Woodward Park, the group will have a guided tour of the garden, learn about the vegetables, annuals and perennials and what to do in their own backyards.

This evening, check in to one of Tulsa’s hotels before heading to the Hard Rock Casino for dinner at Toby Keith’s I Love this Bar and Grill, the Wild Potato Buffet or the Sidewalk Cafe.

Day Two

Begin in the Greenwood District, which was known in the early 1900s as Black Wall Street. It was one of the wealthiest African-American communities in the U.S. before a race riot in 1921 left much of the area in ashes. At the Greenwood Cultural Center, see historic photos from before and after the riot and displays that preserve Tulsa’s African-American heritage. 

Next to the cultural center is the Mabel B. Little Heritage House, a two-story brick home built in the 1920s that gives insight into life in the Greenwood District before the riot.

The Gilcrease Museum preserves American art and history and is home to more than 10,000 paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures by 400 artists since Colonial times.

Enjoy lunch at the museum’s restaurant before departing for the Tulsa Air and Space Museum. See vintage airplanes, a Tomcat fighter and a jet simulator.

The next stop is Garden Deva, a gallery and workshop of Lisa Regan, who has been sculpting metal for almost 20 years. Her work can be seen in Tulsa’s schools, libraries, restaurants and many boutiques and garden centers in the U.S.

This evening, enjoy dinner at one of Tulsa’s restaurants or visit River Spirit Casino for dinner and gaming.

Day Three

Stop at Meritt’s Bakery for coffee and pastries and then go to the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art. The museum preserves the Jewish culture through art and artifacts that date back 4,000 years. The museum’s Holocaust Collection tells about the Holocaust and the stories of those that survived and came to live in Oklahoma.

After lunch, visit the Oklahoma Aquarium. View eel, seahorses and clown fish and walk through the shark tunnel as the sharks swim above and beside you.

Corpus Christi, Nueces County and south Texas offer a rich blend of culture, nature, entertainment and recreation with more than 113 miles of sweeping Gulf of Mexico beaches across the landscape.

For instance, Corpus Christi was named America’s Birdiest City by Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries.

Texas ranks second behind Florida for boating sales, with Corpus Christi considered a Texan hotspot, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. The Texas International Boat Show is every April at Corpus Christi Marina.

There is plenty for groups to visit in greater Corpus Christi, as this three-day itinerary shares.

Day One

Start your tour at the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay.

The USS Lexington was the most highly decorated aircraft carrier of World War II. Originally to have been named USS Cabot, the ship was rechristened and commissioned in February 1943 for its namesake lost in the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942. The ship served through 1991 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2003. 

Learn its history — including as the setting for portions of the 2001 movie Pearl Harbor starring Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett and Alec Baldwin —and check out its 20 historic airplanes, including an F-14 fighter jet similar to those in the 1986 movie Top Gun. Group rates are available for 10 or more.

Nearby is the Texas State Aquarium, which includes the 40,000-gallon Flower Gardens exhibit replicating a coral reef, the 400,000-gallon Dolphin Bay saltwater exhibit, an Amazon rainforest and the Living Shores habitat with touch pools, six aquariums and three interactive kiosks. Texas State Aquarium offers group rates for 10 or more.

Next, enjoy lunch overlooking Corpus Christi Bay at the aquarium’s Water’s Edge Food Court or nearby. 

Then, explore the Museum of Science and History, including its World of Discovery with commemorative Spanish replicas of two — Nina and Pinta — of the three ships  used by explorer Christopher Columbus in his 1492 expedition to the New World. Group rates are offered for 10 or more people, including guided tours of the Columbus ships.

Day Two

To start your group’s second day, trek to the other side of the world at the Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures & Education Center.

Then, visit Heritage Park, with restored homes of Corpus Christi’s founders. 

The next stop is The Art Museum of South Texas, with a permanent collection of contemporary works on paper and work by artists with Texas roots and ties. 

Fill the afternoon with some Gulf of Mexico sightseeing and sealife watching with Dolphin Encounters, Dolphin Watch & Nature Tours or Kaohootz Dolphin Encounter Tours out of Port Aransas, among others.

In the evening, dine downtown.

Day Three

Encounter a blooming morning at South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, with 180 acres of floral exhibits, gardens and trails — including an Orchid House, Plumeria Garden, Bromeliad Conservatory and Butterfly House. Tours are available for groups of at least 20 adults or 12 students with guided and self-guided tours possible.

The layout along Oso Creek nearly touches the northern reaches of the King Ranch. 

Then, do some shopping at Water Street Market. Nearby, visit the Art Center, which offers exhibits and works of art.

Break for lunch.

After, take a scenic drive to Padre Island National Seashore, with 70 miles of protected coastline and several endangered wildlife species.

 Have dinner on Padre Island — the largest barrier island in the United States — and watch the sunset.

Corpus Christi CVB
(800) 678-6232
www.visitcorpuschristitx.org

Padre Island National Seashore
(361) 964-8608
www.nps.gov/pais

Vintage cars, Pueblo people, scenic wonders and award-winning wines are all part of this one-day tour in Rio Rancho.

8 a.m. — Depart Rio Rancho hotel for J&R Vintage Auto Museum.

The museum houses about 65 restored cars and trucks. Auto buffs will drool over the 1928 Model A Special Coupe, a 1918 Model T and nine classic automobiles that have competed in the Great American Race. Allow an hour for a tour. Call (888) 298-1885 for details.

9:15 a.m. — Depart J&R Vintage Auto Museum and travel to Coronado State Monument.

In 1540, Spanish conquistador Coronado encountered the Kuaua Pueblo people at this site along the Rio Grande River. The monument contains ruins of the ancient village. An interpretive tour allows visitors to try on Spanish armor, grind corn and descend into a circular underground kiva just like those used today by New Mexico’s pueblos for ceremonial purposes. 

Enjoy a spectacular view of the Rio Grande River and Sandia Mountains. The monument is 10 minutes from J&R and is closed on Tuesdays. Allow an hour for the tour. A discount is available for 10 or more seniors. Call (505) 867-5351.

10:30 a.m. — Depart Coronado State Monument and travel northwest on Highway 550 toward the Jemez Mountains. On the right is Santa Ana Pueblo, a progressive business-oriented pueblo that runs a Las Vegas-style casino, restaurants and a resort. 

Leaving civilization behind, pass dramatic high mesas and deep arroyos that lead to the Rio Grande River. Pass Zia Pueblo, population 646 and birthplace of the familiar ancient sun symbol, which can be seen on New Mexico’s state flag. 

At the village of San Ysidro, you’ll begin following the Jemez River upstream to the towering cliffs of Canyon de San Diego and the Jemez Pueblo. The pueblo is 30 minutes from Coronado.

11:30 a.m. — Arrive at the Walatowa Visitor Center, operated by Jemez Pueblo. A Native American guide will interpret the cultural exhibits and show the group a replica ancestral field house, photo exhibit and nature walk. A gift shop showcases Jemez-made pottery. Walatowa Visitors Center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Allow 45 minutes for the tour. Call (505) 834-7235 for more information.

12:30 p.m. — Depart Walatowa Visitor center for lunch at Los Ojos.

Leaving the pueblo, the group will begin traveling the Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway. In the town of Jemez Springs (known for therapeutic hot springs), enjoy lunch at Los Ojos Restaurant and Saloon. 

1:30 p.m. — A few blocks north, the ruins of a 500-year-old Indian village and 17th-century Roman Catholic mission comprise Jemez State Monument. Tour the heritage center, where the voices of the Jemez people tell the story of the site. A short interpretive trail winds past the massive stone ruins. Closed Monday and Tuesday, Jemez Springs and Jemez State Monument are approximately 15 minutes from the pueblo. For admission information, call (505) 829-3530.

2:30 p.m. — Depart Jemez State Monument and travel further up the mountain to view Soda Dam.

Water from natural hot springs flows to the surface here and has deposited a 300-foot-wide mineral deposit dam that blocks the Jemez River. The river bursts through the deposit, creating a waterfall. Soda Dam is about 1 mile north of Jemez Springs via New Mexico Highway 4.

3:30 p.m. — Arrive at Ponderosa Valley Vineyard.

Returning back through Jemez Springs, turn left onto State Route 290 to Ponderosa. The Ponderosa Valley Vineyard offers free tasting of their award-winning vintages. Rock on the porch with a resident kitty or dog at your feet and watch hundreds of hummingbirds in the summer and fall. The vineyard is 20 minutes from Jemez Springs at 3171 Hwy. 290. Call (800) 946-3657 for information.

4:30 p.m. — Retrace your path to New Mexico 4, heading back to Rio Rancho for dinner and your hotel. The trip takes about an hour.

Rio Rancho CVB
(888) 746-7262
www.rioranchonm.org

With its abundant and diverse wildlife and spectacular scenery, it’s no wonder southeastern Arizona is a premier destination for birders and other nature enthusiasts. Groups can also experience the thrills of the Old West in Tombstone and Bisbee.

Day One

About 10 miles from Sierra Vista is The Nature Conservancy’s Ramsey Canyon Preserve, a 380-acre property in the middle elevations of the canyon that provides excellent birding opportunities year-round. There is not a month in the year that migratory birds are not flying in this canyon. 

Visit Coronado National Memorial, which commemorates and interprets the significance of Francisco Vásquez de Coronado’s expedition and the resulting cultural influences of 16th-century Spanish colonial exploration in the Americas. 

Up to 10 species of hummingbirds use the San Pedro River as a freeway between their tropical winter retreats and northern nesting grounds. 

Get a close look at these tiny travelers as Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory staff capture, band, measure and release them as part of long-term studies of bird life on the migration route. Hummingbird banding is conducted continuously from late through early October at the San Pedro House visitor center of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, located 7 miles east of Sierra Vista on Highway 90. Check the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory calendar of events for specific dates at http://sabo.org/calendar.htm. 

The greatest number of hummingbird species (and therefore the greatest variety being banded) migrate through the area is in late April through May and again in August.

Sessions are open to the public without reservations and at no cost, but donations in support of this study are gratefully accepted. 

Day Two

When Ed Schieffelin staked his silver claim in 1877, he was told he would only find his tombstone in the Arizona desert. In the years that followed, Tombstone became one of the roughest and most lawless cities on the frontier. It’s famous for its residents, such as Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp, and the battle at the O.K. Corral. Today, Tombstone is a living tribute to the original mining town.

Spend the morning in Tombstone. Enjoy a walking tour of the historic district led by John Rose, a research historian who has been featured on PBS and in Arizona Highways. Watch a re-created gunfight.

There will be personal time to enjoy the shops, museums and historical sights, such as the O.K. Corral, Bird Cage Theatre, Pioneer Home Museum, Rose Tree Inn Museum, Boothill Graveyard, Tombstone Western Heritage Museum and Tombstone Livery Stable.

From Tombstone, take a short drive to Bisbee, founded in 1880 and named after Judge DeWitt Bisbee, a financial backer of the Copper Queen Mine. Once an Old West mining camp, at its prime Bisbee had transformed into a cosmopolitan city labeled an “Urban Outpost on the Frontier.”

Today, Bisbee delivers Old West splendors and a modern-day artist community.

Take a motorcoach tour of Old Bisbee.

The center of Bisbee’s historic district, the Warren District, is home to many extravagant historic homes and Warren Ballpark, one of the oldest continually operated baseball fields in the U.S.

Put on a slicker, hat and miner’s lamp for a tour of the Queen Mine. From the late 1800s to the mid-1970s, the Queen Mine produced almost $8 billion dollars in gold, silver, copper and zinc.

Tour the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum, the Muheim Museum Heritage House and Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory.

Return to Sierra Vista for dinner or enjoy a performance by Arizona’s Official State Balladeer, Dolan Ellis, at the Arizona Folklore Preserve in Ramsey Canyon.

Spend the night in Sierra Vista.

Sierra Vista Tour & Travel Office
(800) 288-3861
www.visitsierravista.com

Why visit San Francisco again and again? Well, because there’s so much to do there. 

Still, a one-day in the city by San Francisco Bay can take in a some classic sights and highlights.

First activity

Start in North Beach, one of San Francisco’s oldest neighborhoods. Bustling and vibrant, North Beach’s narrow streets and patches of green space are home to San Francisco’s version of Little Italy. 

Start with a coffee and pastry here, and you’ll be treated to an eclectic cross section of cultures and history. Italian conversation wafts from always-packed cafes lining Columbus Avenue. People practice tai chi in Washington Square Park near Saints Peter and Paul Church, where newlyweds Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio were famously photographed. And bohemians cap out at City Lights Bookstore Caffe Trieste, where Beat writers Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg made stream of consciousness cool. 

Figure on two hours.

Second activity

From Columbus, a walk in either direction on Lombard Street uncovers iconic attractions.

To the east, those in the mood for a workout may hike up Telegraph Hills to Coit Tower. On a clear day, the cylindrical structure, built in 1933 in honor of the city’s firefighters, serves up superb views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, the Transamerica Pyramid and San Francisco’s tumbling, pastel-colored hills. 

To the west, between Hyde and Leavenworth streets, flower-lined Lombard, aka The World’s Crookedest Street, twists and turns at a 40-degree grade past colorful homes.

Figure on an hour.

Third activity

At the top of Lombard (at Hyde), have the tour hop aboard the famed open-air Powell-Hyde cable car line. 

San Francisco’s cable cars were invented in 1873 and are a fun way to tour the city’s ups and downs. The cable car line passes through grand neighborhoods before cresting Nob Hill. 

Figure on an hour.

Fourth activity

Nob Hill is home to several landmarks, including the Cable Car Museum, Grace Cathedral and Huntington Park. 

Make some history of your own with cocktails at the Top of the Mark to ogle 360-degree views of the city. 

The Big 4 Restaurant in The Huntington Hotel is posh and plush. 

At the Fairmont’s Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar, it thunders and rains on cue. 

Nearby, at the Stanford Court, dine under a Tiffany-style dome in Aurea Restaurant. 

Figure on three hours.

Fifth activity

After freshening up at the hotel, take in culture in the Theater District, next to Union Square. Since 1965, the American Conservatory Theater has astounded audiences with groundbreaking contemporary works, while the Curran and Golden Gate theaters showcase musicals and plays headed to Broadway. 

After the show, a variety of dinner spots — from the super chic to the casual — are a short walk away. 

Figure on three hours.