southforkranch.com
Come Experience The World’s
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Southfork Ranch
Explore the Legendary Southfork
Ranch: A Journey into Television History and
Texan Charm
Imagine stepping into a world where
glamour, intrigue, and Texas hospitality con-
verge. Welcome to Southfork Ranch, a place
where the line between reality and fiction
blurs, bringing to life the iconic home of the
Ewing family from the hit television series
"Dallas." Nestled in the heart of Texas, just a
short drive from Dallas, Southfork
Ranch offers an unforgettable experi-
ence for fans of the show and new-
comers alike.
From the moment you arrive at
this legendary ranch, you're transport-
ed back to the glitz and drama of the
1980s, where larger-than-life charac-
ters lived, loved, and battled for
power under the vast Texan sky. As
you stroll through the beautifully
manicured grounds and marvel at the
sprawling mansion, you can't help but
feel a sense of nostalgia for the era
that made "Dallas" a global sensation.
Here, you can explore the very rooms
where J.R., Bobby, Sue Ellen, and the
rest of the Ewing family plotted their
next moves, and perhaps imagine
yourself as a character in your own
dramatic story.
But Southfork Ranch is more
than just a piece of television his-
tory—it's a vibrant destination that
offers something for everyone. Enjoy a guided
tour of the mansion, where you'll hear fasci-
nating behind-the-scenes stories from the
show, or take a leisurely walk around the pic-
turesque grounds, perfect for snapping memo-
rable photos. For those seeking a taste of true
Texan hospitality, the ranch hosts special
events throughout the year, including BBQ
cookouts, trail rides, and music festivals that
capture the spirit of the Lone Star State.
Bus Tours Magazine • www.bustoursmagazine.com
Ph: (815) 946-2341 • Fx: (815) 946-2347
Volume XLVII, Number 4 • March/April 2025
Rail & Sail
Gaming & Entertainment
page 6
page 14
Historical Attractions & Museums – page 18
STAFF
Editor & Publisher . . . . . . . . Larry Plachno
Business Manager . . Nancy Ann Plachno
Typesetting/Page Layout . . Sherry Mekeel
Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jake Ron Plaras
Bus Tours Magazine
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BUS TOURS MAGAZINE (ISSN 0199-6096) is published six
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Founded in 1979, BUS TOURS MAGAZINE is the oldest inde-
pendent magazine in the bus and group tour market. Circulation
includes bus and group tour planners in the United States and
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The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either
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COVER PHOTO
Located on the beach in Gulfport, Missis-
sippi, the Island View Casino Resort offers
the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s largest land-
based casino. The 800,000-square-foot
resort also features 970 hotel rooms and
s u i t e s i n t w o t o w e r s a n d a v a r i e t y o f
upscale amenities.
Bus Tours Magazine / March, 2025 • 3
Guides
RAIL & SAIL
Riding the rails and waterways provides
exciting new adventures and new
scenery for your bus tour passengers.
Here are some places that are inviting
your next bus tour.
14
GAMING & ENTERTAINMENT
Bus tour passengers are always look-
ing for excitement and entertainment.
Gaming can keep tour passengers
busy for hours while good entertain-
ment will make them remember your
bus tour. Here are some suggestions.
18
HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS
& MUSEUMS
Everyone on the bus seems to enjoy
a trip back in time when visiting histor-
ical attractions and museums. Looking
at how things were gives us an idea of
how we got where we are.
And More
BUZZ ON THE BUS
TRIVIA QUESTION
30
ADVERTISERS INDEX
22
SHOPPING, DINING & LODGING
Dining and lodging are integral parts of
bus tours because passengers need to
eat and sleep. These locations can add
a great stop to your next bus tour.
Features
11
OH, CANADA
A brief look at our neighbors to the
north and a popular boat ride near the
international border.
12
PRESIDENTIAL LOCATIONS
Some of the locations commemorating
past American Presidents have
become great bus tour stops. Here are
some Presidential thoughts for your
next bus tour.
26
GARDENS
Bring your group to a garden for a
relaxing time with plants and nature.
28
GIVING UP ON GOING GREEN
Your editor steps back for an overview
of the new movement away from going
green and mentions past concerns as
well as positive developments for the
bus tour industry.
contents
MARCH/APRIL 2025
Volume XLVII, Number 4
12
18
22
14
11
The editorial staff at BUS TOURS MAGAZINE are always looking for news items and
editorial material on places that want bus tour groups to stop. Please phone (815)
946-2341 or send material to editorial@busmag.com.
Graceland Marks Elvis’
90th Birthday
Memphis, Tennessee
January 8 marked Elvis Presley’s 90th birthday. Born in 1935 to
humble beginnings in Tupelo, Mississippi, Presley achieved legendary
status, leaving a legacy that still resonates today. His iconic home,
Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis, is celebrating this milestone
birthday with a new yearlong 90 for 90 exhibit that celebrates the
King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s life.
The new 90 for 90 exhibit features 90 curated stories told through
items specially selected from the more than 11⁄2 million artifacts housed
at the Graceland Archives at Presley’s iconic home in Memphis. These
artifacts, each with a unique story, range from iconic items easily rec-
ognizable by fans to rare, personal pieces that capture moments in
Presley’s life that were out of the spotlight.
This yearlong exhibit will run through December 2025 and can be
toured as part of the Elvis Presley’s Memphis entertainment complex.
Throughout 2025, Graceland will unveil additional new exhibits and
refresh some existing spaces to enhance the visitor experience.
For the latest information on Graceland and upcoming events and
openings, visit Graceland.com.
Pacific Bus Museum
Fremont, California
The Pacific Bus Museum is thrilled to welcome an old friend back
to northern California.
In September, Peninsula Charter Lines #216 was acquired from
the Museum of Bus Transportation in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The
return of this coach back to the Bay Area to become part of the Pacific
Bus Museum’s fleet, represents a homecoming for this coach that
was operated in the San Francisco Bay Area
from 1926 until 1949.
#216 (serial 10465) was built in 1924, last of an
order (206-216) for the Pacific Electric Railway. It
had a standard Fageol body and a four-cylinder
Hall-Scott engine (50 serial 483) and four-speed
Brown-Lipe transmission.
After its short service with the Pacific Electric
Railway in Los Angeles, in 1926 four Fageols
(213-216) were sent north and leased to fellow
Southern Pacific Railroad subsidiary, Peninsular
Railway. Peninsular Railway needed these buses to provide replace-
ment bus service as a result of street improvements that forced aban-
donment of some of their trolley service. At the end of the lease, the
ownership of #216 was transferred and repainted into Peninsular
dark red with gold-leaf lettering. In 1933, #216, along with sister #215,
passed to Floyd Pearson (Palo Alto Transit Company) and subsequently
to John Demeter and Frank Knapp (Palo Alto City Lines) in 1942 and
ran in city service until 1949.
This bus was preserved by its successor Peninsula Transit Lines
and restored in1989 by Mike Demeter, then the owner-operator of
Peninsula Charter Lines out of East Palo Alto, California. It was
converted to the six-cylinder Hercules JXB gasoline engine with a
distinctive Diamond T manifold mated to a manual transmission
it still has today. In 1990 #216 was featured in a Pacific Bus Museum
charter trip to celebrate its restoration.
4 • Bus Tours Magazine / March, 2025
Buzz on the Bus
News and notes for bus tour planners
During its time in Palo Alto, just 16 miles across the bay from
the museum in Fremont, California, it was seen multiple times in
the Redwood City parades and was on display for the 1992 Bus
Bash in San Jose. Mike donated the bus to the Museum of Bus
Transportation in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where it became one of
the gems of their collection until the Pacific Bus Museum acquired
it in September of 2024.
#216 is a remarkable survivor and the Pacific Bus Museum is thrilled
to bring this 100-year-old bus home to northern California.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Columbus, Ohio
The Conservatory opened two exhibitions on January 18: Orchids and
Color, Fly, Butterfly.
Orchids is an annual exhibition that presents thousands of orchid
blooms in themed displays. This year’s exhibition takes inspiration from
the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands that explores five iconic landscapes
that capture the essence of Hawaii’s natural beauty. From the towering
volcanoes to the lush rainforests, each landscape reflects the unique
topography, colorful plant life and cultural significance that defines this
island paradise.
The orchids are primarily on display in the Dorothy M. Davis Show-
house but there are orchid container gardens throughout the interior
Conservatory.
Color, Fly Butterfly Exhibition – The Cardinal Health Gallery will expe-
rience its metamorphosis into an immersive butterly coloring experience,
inviting guests to color their own butterfly and watch the butterfly creation
come alive in the illustrated Pacific Island Water Garden.
Select and color a butterfly at a coloring station then scan the page
at the kiosk to release the butterfly into the digital environment. Watch
as the butterfly flutters around the garden and swoops down for a snack
on a nearby flower.
For more details, visit fpconservatory.org.
White Horse
Black Mountain, North Carolina
After the challenges of Hurricane Helene, the community has
come together to support hurricane relief and rebuilding efforts and
the community is ready to welcome tours this fall. These tours offer
a unique opportunity to experience the vibrant autumn colors that
make the region famous, paired with the unparalleled live music and
events hosted at the venue.
Whether you are a first time visitor or a long-time fan, the White
Horse is your gateway to the sights, sounds and spirit of Black Moun-
tain. Fall bus bookings will open soon; do not miss the chance to join
for a season of unforgettable experiences.
For details and bookings, visit whitehorseblackmountain.org.
Buzz on the Bus
Bus Tours Magazine / March, 2025 • 5
Trivia Question
for The March Issue
What iconic waterway does
St. Lawrence Cruise Lines travel
through, connecting the Great Lakes
to the Atlantic Ocean?
For the answer go to:
https://bustoursmagazine.com/
trivia-mar-apr-2025/
New Hampshire’s Crawford Notch
Article and photo courtesy of Brian Solomon
This year New Hampshire’s Conway
Scenic Railroad is celebrating a century and
a half of railroad service over the scenic route
through Crawford Notch. For visitors, 2025
will be the best time to travel by rail over
Crawford Notch in more than 60 years.
Among the 19th century railroads was
the visionary Portland & Ogdensburg, a
company that planned an interstate trans-
portation system to tap the flow of east-
west traffic from the Great Lakes and chan-
nel it through Portland, Maine. The
mountain crossing over Crawford Notch
was an engineering feat that required con-
struction of several towering bridges and
a rock shelf situated high above the Saco
River. These features remain as the high-
lights of the line to the present day.
Although, the original company only
built as far west as the junction town of St
Johnsbury, Vermont, and fell far short of
its goal to reach Ogdensburg, New York,
this vital rail corridor flourished carrying
interstate freight and passenger traffic.
P&O sold out to Maine Central, and for
almost a century, Maine Central ran the
line over Crawford as its Mountain Divi-
sion. The last regularly scheduled intercity
passenger trains finished in the 1950s, and
the line was closed to freight in the mid-
1980s. In 1995, Conway Scenic, which had
assumed operation of the Crawford Notch
route, inaugurated popular day excursions
through the Mount Washington Valley. In
the last 30 years this has developed into
one of the region’s best known heritage
railroad journeys.
In 2025, Conway Scenic has expanded its
shoulder seasons by making the railroad
more attractive to tour operators during
spring, summer and winter – when there is
ample hotel capacity in the White Mountain
Region. It has also added passenger cars
to its fleet, and more significantly, it will be
running up to three trains a day over Craw-
ford Notch during the autumn peak season.
This gives tour operators a variety of options
for one-way and round-trip journeys.
For group tours contact Jack Duffin at:
jack@conwayscenic.com or phone at (603)
986-7327.
Georgetown Loop Railroad
Georgetown, Colorado
The Georgetown Loop Railroad was one
of Colorado’s first visitor attractions. Com-
pleted in 1884, this spectacular stretch of
three-foot narrow-gauge railroad was con-
sidered a marvel for its time.
The then-thriving mining towns of
Georgetown and Silver Plume lie two miles
apart in a steep, narrow mountain canyon.
To connect them the railroad’s builder
designed a “corkscrew” route that traveled
twice the distance, slowly gaining more than
600 feet in elevation. The Colorado & South-
ern Railway operated the line for passengers
and freight from 1899 to 1938 when it was
abandoned.
In 1973, the Colorado Historical Society
began restoring the railroad as part of its 978-
acre Georgetown Loop Historic Mining &
Railroad Park. A replica of the high bridge
6 • Bus Tours Magazine / March, 2025
Rail
Sail
Willey Brook Bridge at Crawford Notch
was completed in 1984 in time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of
its original construction.
Open air train rides of one hour and 15 minutes or train rides are
available seven days a week, five trains daily April through January.
Train rides with a mine tour of 21⁄2 hours are available seven days a
week, four trains daily from the end of April through October. You
can enjoy gold panning with any mine tour. The train ride is wheelchair
accessible; the mine tour is not and involves walking a steep slope.
Steam trains will operate from early May to October.
Bus Tours Magazine / March, 2025 • 7
Guide: Rail & Sail
Georgetown Loop Railroad
There are several special events trains
including Bunny Trains, Mother’s and
Father’s Day Weekend Trains with treats
for Mom and Dad, Sasquatch Adventure
Trains weekends in July, Old West Days
Trains weekends in August with our reen-
actors of a railroad gang, Grandparent’s
Weekend in September, Fall Colors week-
end and weekdays in late September and
early October, Pumpkin fest trains first
weekend in October with Pumpkins for the
kids, Autumn fest second and third week-
end in October, Trick or Treat Trains last
weekend in October, Santa Trains and
Lighted Forest Trains Mid November
through December 24, and Victorian Holi-
day Trains December 26 through the first
weekend in January. Holiday trains run daily
and during the night from November
through the second week of January.
All special events trains include a collec-
table poker chip. Holiday trains include a
yearly Loop Commemorative Ornament.
The railroad is located 45 miles west of
Denver on Interstate 70, exit 228; 646 Loop
Drive, Georgetown, Colorado or the Silver
Plume Depot just off exit 226.
For group reservations contact Makenna
Galke
at
(303)569-0133
or
Makenna.galke@historicrailadventures.com.
View at georgetownlooprr.com.
New York State
Tour Boat Association
New York
New York State provides an unparalleled
range of boating experiences, from the
breathtaking Niagara Falls to the iconic
Statue of Liberty, all of which are made enjoy-
able, fun and safe thanks to the efforts of the
New York State Tour Boat Association Mem-
bers. The Members offer a unique experience
on all tours, whether they are on lakes,
canals, oceans or close to waterfalls. The
variety of options available is one of the main
factors that contribute to the enjoyment of
these excursions. There is a tour to suit every-
interest, whether you are looking for the
serene beauty of the Finger Lakes, or the his-
toric charm of the Erie Canal.
Most cruises feature professional guides
that enhance the experience, making each
tour both educational and enjoyable. They
are renowned for their captivating story-
telling and in-depth understanding of the
local ecology and history. Most offer on-
board refreshments to make for a comfort-
able and restful ride. In addition, unique and
unforgettable experiences can be had on
themed tours and special events, like sunset
cruises and wildlife viewing.
Tour groups are welcome at a majority of
the New York State Tour Boat Association
Members. Each tour boat operator can pro-
vide the details and special programs offered
to BUS TOURS MAGAZINE tour groups.
New York State is a fantastic destination
for all cruising enthusiasts. Experience the
natural wonder of the Adirondack Mountain
8 • Bus Tours Magazine / March, 2025
Guide: Rail & Sail
America’s most historic scenic railroad
book now at cumbrestoltec.com 1-877-890-2737
How amazing is this view? For a rewarding and awe-inspiring experience, come along with us on a historic journey
across the majestic and most spectacular scenery in the Rocky Mountain West. Join us for a day and climb aboard
the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. At 64-miles in length, it is the longest, the highest and most authentic steam
railroad in North America. We won’t disappoint! Group rates available!
The Gateway to the Rocky Mountain West Awaits You
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