DOLCE OAKRIDGE HOTEL and CONFERENCE CENTER

Great weekend getaways at Oak Ridge Hotel and Conference Center in Chaska! We have a number of packages to help you escape on the weekend. Do you just need to get away and relax? Then try our Bed & Breakfast package. Or do you need a weekend of pampering just for you? We have a relaxing Spa package that will renew your spirit! How about a night out at the Theatre? Choose our Chanhassen Dinner Theatre package and receive complimentary transportation to and from the theatre.

See all of the newest packages at:
http://oakridge.dolce.com/property/prop_offers_leisure.php

Arts & Nature Tour
Timeline: 3 days

Day 1
Afternoon Arrive in the Twin Cities. Stay at one of the area hotels – Oakridge hotel is nestled in a beautiful countryside setting. Evening Enjoy a wonderful theater and dining experience at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, featuring Broadway-style productions with lavish costumes and sets.

Day 2
Morning Visit the American Swedish Institute. The museum, located within the historic Turnblad mansion, showcases the Institute's collection of Swedish glass, decorative and fine arts, textiles and items from Sweden. Afternoon Visit the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum where you can have a picnic lunch before exploring 1000 beautiful acres of rolling hills, woods, wetland and native prairie.Evening Enjoy a delicious dinner at the Oakridge Hotel buffet, and then leisurely stroll the tranquil grounds.

Day 3
Morning Visit the Minnesota Zoo the morning before returning home. 3000 animals represent over 400 species.

GRAY LINE TOURS OF MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL TWIN CITIES TOUR

See Minneapolis and St. Paul's historic beauty aboard an air conditioned coach, and let Gray Lines 90+ years of experience and knowledgeable tour guides take you through the cities oldest, most exclusive neighborhoods and discover why Minneapolis is called the "City of Lakes". Visit the birthplace of Minneapolis, travel down Nicollet Mall to the Walker Art Center and make a stop at Minnehaha Falls before going by the Mall of America and Fort Snelling. See the State Capitol Building, Landmark Center, St. Paul Cathedral and travel along Summit Avenue to see where the lumber and railroad barons who built the city once lived in their Victorian mansions.

Sample Group Tours
Tour A: Circle Lake Pepin
Day trip, 9 hours

Red Wing City Tour, including the beautifully restored Sheldon Theater
Lake Pepin and all its splendor
Eagle watching in Colwell Park on the Mississippi River
Toy Factory and carousel ride at Kellogg
Lunch at the Anderson House in Wabasha, home of Grumpy Old Men
Ice cream, sausage and cheese in Nelson, Wisc.
More eagle viewing in Alma, Wisc.
Antique Shopping in Stockholm, Wisc.
Red Wing pottery shopping

Tour B: Duluth and the North Shore
2 days

Hinckley Fire Museum
Duluth Aerial lift-bridge
Canal Park
Depot railroad museum
Glensheen Mansion
North Shore Railroad
Gooseberry Falls State Park
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Sandstone Country Music Theater

Tour C: Rochester, Minnesota
8 hours

Tour Mayowood – the 57 room mansion of Dr. Charles Mayo
Visit Olmstad County Museum
Tour the Italian-like Assisi monastery
Lunch at the Old Country Buffet

HEARTLAND TOURS & TRAVEL

Check out our one-day getaways or some of our popular tours, such as Branson, New England, Nova Scotia, Washington D.C., Hawaii and many other exciting destinations or charter one of our deluxe motor coaches for your own event.

Visit www.heartlandtoursandtravel.net

MEET MINNEAPOLIS

FREE Group Services: You do less work. We provide more value. Free group itinerary planning. Experience the most hotels and attractions in the Minneapolis/St. Paul/Mall of America area. Let us take care of your group tour plans (10 hotel rooms or more).
Contact Contact Bill Deef directly at groups@meetminneapolis.com or 612-767-8110
Check out www.minneapolis.org/grouptravel/ for more information.

Day one, Friday:
Lunch – Start the tour off right with lunch on the Mississippi River bank at Pracna on Main, the oldest restaurant on the oldest street in Minneapolis. After lunch, take a stroll across the Stone Arch Bridge to Mill City Museum for a lesson on the history behind this beautiful area.

Afternoon – Hear the story of a mighty river, a young city and how one product – flour – fueled the growth of Minneapolis at Mill City Museum. Located within the ruins of the historic milling district, the museum is packed with interactive exhibits, an eight-story Flour Tower and fun for visitors of all ages.

Check into downtown Minneapolis hotel, where nearly everything is connected by eight miles of climate controlled skyways. Attractions, restaurants, theaters and more are all within walking distance of downtown hotels.

Enjoy a stroll down Nicollet Mall – a pedestrian-only thoroughfare – and hit a few shops along the way. Nicollet Mall is home to a two-story flagship Target Store, high-end retailer Neiman Marcus and Macy’s, to name a few.

5:30 – 8:30 p.m. – Dine as you cruise down the Mississippi River aboard the Minneapolis Queen Paddlewheeler, which provides a beautiful look at historic Minneapolis.

Day two, Saturday:
Morning – Enjoy breakfast downtown at any one of our fabulous restaurants. From celebrity chefs to local favorites and ethnic specialties, we are sure to have something for every taste.

Drive the 50-miles of Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway and discover the beauty of the Mississippi River and our chain of lakes. The Grand Rounds is the only National Scenic Byway in the United States that is located within an urban area.

First stop would be at the free Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum to enjoy the beauty of the Mississippi River and the building designed by architect Frank Gehry.

Then make a stop at Minnehaha Falls for another stunning display of the mighty Mississippi and the only waterfalls in the United States that are located within a metro area.

Noon – Enjoy lunch at one of our group-friendly restaurants in Uptown, Minneapolis. Explore this trendy area known for its unique blend of restaurants and boutiques.

2 p.m. – Have a free step-on-guide coach tour of Lakewood Cemetery overlooking Lake Calhoun, where nearly 100,000 flowers are planted annually. Enjoy the gardens and lake within the cemetery, as well as the chapel displaying the best example of Byzantine mosaics in all of the United States.

3 p.m. – Learn the history behind The Bakken Science Museum and Medicinal Garden on the west side of Lake Calhoun.

4:30 p.m. – Take a ride back in time on a Como-Harriet Street Car Line at Lake Harriett. Stroll along the lake or visit the bird sanctuary, rose gardens (second oldest public rose gardens in the U.S. with 60,000 blooms in peak season)
and peace gardens near Lake Harriet.

Evening – Enjoy a catered picnic box lunch while listing to live music (seasonal) at the Lake Harriet Bandshell, or dine along the Minneapolis riverfront and relax with a spectacular performance at the Tony Award-winning Guthrie Theater’s new location, adjacent to the Mississippi River. Take in an amazing view of the riverfront area from a bridge-like cantilever that suspends from the lobby over the Mill Ruins Park.

Day three, Sunday:
Morning – Savor an award-winning, five-course Sunday brunch at Nicollet Island Inn, home to panoramic views of the Mississippi River.

Depart for home, wishing you had another day to spend in Minneapolis. Take the scenic river road as you head home and stop along at historic river towns.

Note: Now in its 66th year, Minneapolis celebrates its lakes with its annual Aquatennial Celebration held in July. It is the best 10 days of summer. Festival will be July 13 – 22, 2007.

For more information, or to customize this sample itinerary, please contact Lori Kampa Kearney at Meet Minneapolis, Official Convention + Visitors Association at 1-800-445-7412 ext. 8114 or lorik@meetminneapolis.com

DISCOVER DULUTH

DAY ONE
Arrive in Duluth
Lunch at one of Duluth’s fine restaurants
Tour the St. Louis County Heritage & Arts Center, (The Depot).  Here you will learn about the history of our city through exhibits at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and the St. Louis County Historical Society Museum, all part of your admission to the Depot. Check into hotel Freshen up for dinner Dinner on your own or as a group –Many group-friendly restaurants to choose from.

DAY TWO
City Tour of Duluth’s highlights - board your coach for a lively narration provided by one of our step-on guides. This tour covers the highlights of Duluth, such as the Rose Garden, Enger Park and Gardens, the Skyline Drive and historic neighborhoods. Our guide will meet you at your hotel.
Visit the breathtaking Great Lakes Aquarium, a freshwater aquarium featuring species native to our area.  Your tour is self-guided tour and their new exhibit features, “Seahorse Secrets”
Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch aboard the Vista Star. This cruise is fully narrated and allows you a view of Duluth from the waters of Lake Superior and the St. Louis Harbor.
Dinner at Glensheen Historic Estate. This magnificent 39 room, Jacobean mansion was once home to Chester Congdon, a mining and lumber king, and his family. The tour (part of your dinner package) includes the gardens, (the grounds run right to the waters edge of Lake Superior).

DAY THREE
Begin your day with a tour and an informative program on a variety of Lake Superior related topics, at the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center.
All aboard the North Shore Scenic Railroad for a one-way trip to Two Harbors. Box lunches are available on the train. Our guides are also available to narrate this portion of your visit. Your coach will meet you in Two Harbors to continue up the North Shore. (You can also visit the 3M Museum, see the ore docks, visit the tug, Edna G. and then continue up the shore.)
Travel to Split Rock Lighthouse on Scenic Highway 61, designated an “All American Road” by the National Scenic Byways program
Split Rock Lighthouse; here you will view an award-winning film. There is also a fine museum and gift shop in addition to the restored 1910 lighthouse and keeper’s cottage to tour.
Stop at Gooseberry Falls State Park on your way back to Duluth. There is a wonderful interpretive center, a gift shop and the falls themselves (accessible by a user-friendly paved walkway). Very photogenic!

DAY FOUR
Breakfast at hotel and check out. Free time to shop in Canal Park and downtown district.  There are a number of nautically inspired gifts to choose from.  One shop even has chocolate ore boats! Depart Duluth. Further options – Travel to Bayfield, WI (about 2½ hours from Duluth) and take in the Apostle Islands.
(Make your arrangements with Visit Duluth’s Packaged Travel Department, www.visitduluth.com)