Trip Planner 2017-18 Trip Planner For Group Leaders | Page 18

I Want to Go There U.S. Midwest CHICAGO Shoreline Sightseeing boat tour Dogwood Canyon Nature Park Known for its indoor entertainment, Branson also includes a number of outdoor offerings that give visitors diverse, up-close encounters with nature. The Dogwood Canyon Nature Park covers 10,000 acres of mountainous Missouri landscape where groups can stroll the banks of trout streams and see dozens of waterfalls and ancient burial caves. The streams hold record numbers of rainbow trout, and the park offers guided catch-an d-release fishing, fly-casting clinics and self-guided fishing excursions. Visitors can explore the Ozarks and see the plentiful flowering dogwood trees and other wildlife by walking a 6.5-mile trail, riding on horseback, biking a paved path or by riding a tram or Segway at the park. Dogwood Canyon now has a working mill, and its Canyon Grill Restaurant along Indian Creek offers a venue for private functions. Visitors can also see a treehouse built by the experts on Animal Planet’s show “Treehouse Masters” and make a stop at the nearby conservation and education center. For on-the-water experiences, groups can head out on Lake Taneycomo with Main Street Lake Cruises. Docked in downtown Branson, the company’s Landing Princess is a 100-foot luxury yacht with climate-controlled decks and lots of windows, and its Lake Queen is reminiscent of the grand riverboats of Branson with its classic white body, red trim and red churning paddles. As part of meal-themed cruises, groups can enjoy a variety of menus and seating arrangements. To learn more, contact Lenni Neimeyer of Branson/Lakes Area Convention & Visitors Bureau or visit explorebranson.com. TOP ATTRACTIONS Silver Dollar City and the Showboat Branson Belle, Dixie Stampede, Branson Landing TOP FESTIVALS National Crafts & Cowboy Festival (Sept. 13–Oct. 28), Autumn Daze Festival (Sept. 14–16), Festival of Wonder (April 2018) 16 NTA Trip Planner for Group Leaders Chicago is the birthplace of the skyscraper and the home of modern architecture, and cruising the city’s waterways is a great way to catch views of its famous buildings. “Chicago’s view from the river tells a magnificent story, filled with a variety of architecture, an expanded riverwalk, parks, restaurants and entertainment venues that will get your groups out exploring on the water,” says Arnaldo Altoran, director of global development for Choose Chicago. Shoreline Sightseeing offers architecture boat tours departing from Navy Pier and the Michigan Avenue bridge, allowing visitors to see the Tribune Tower, the Wrigley Building, Marina City and more than 40 other Chicago landmarks. They can take the same tours at night and see the Navy Pier fireworks display over the Chicago River. The company also offers tours on Lake Michigan that run from March through mid-November. Urban Kayaks provides kayak rentals and tours, which include a one-hour introduction lesson on the Chicago River or the Ogden Slip. There also are guided city history tours, sunset tours and excursions that end with the fireworks show. If travelers have a need for speed, Seadog Cruises offers speedboat rides and, to wind down, wine-themed river cruises where they can sample selected wines from a City Winery sommelier while getting a lesson in the city’s architecture. Other themed boat tours are available through Wendella Sightseeing Boats, the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Entertainment Cruises and Mercury, Chicago’s Skyline Cruiseline. To learn more, contact Arnaldo Altoran of Choose Chicago at [email protected] or visit choosechicago.com. TOP ATTRACTIONS 360 Chicago, Millennium Park (Cloud Gate), the Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum TOP FESTIVALS St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March 2018), Chicago Blues Festival (June 2018), Taste of Chicago (July 2018) BRANSON