Important Tour Information: Please read the following information completely. It will answer many of your tour-related questions and will help you have a more enjoyable tour experience.
- All tours buses will load and drop off at the entrance outside Draft Media Sports Lounge. Exit the doors across from the Front Desk, down the steps, and turn left. Follow the sidewalk approximately 125 feet to board the buses. If you are exiting from the Royale Pavilion, go down the steps, turn right, and down the sidewalk approximately 75 feet.
- Bus departure times for each tour are listed in this program. Please be at the bus departure area and ready to board the bus 15 minutes prior to the listed departure times. Arrival times back to the hotel are approximate.
- The first two rows of seats on both sides of the bus are reserved for the tour coordinators, volunteers and people with mobility difficulties. If you sit in those seats, you will be asked to move.
- All buses are fully ADA-equipped. If you have mobility difficulties, or use a wheelchair that requires the lift to access the bus, you MUST check the appropriate boxes on the pre-registration form in order for us to plan the necessary accommodations. If you are able to transfer from a wheelchair into a bus seat, your chair will be placed under the bus for the duration of the ride.
- Indoor facilities are air-conditioned unless indicated, but many tours include significant outdoor time. Dress appropriately and bring sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, and water bottle for your comfort and safety.
- Space is limited on all tours. ACB reserves the right to cancel a tour should ticket sales fall below required minimums. Tickets will be collected at the bus. Buses will not be delayed while forgotten tickets are retrieved.
- All return times are approximate. If you have dietary scheduling concerns, bring a light snack in case we are unavoidably delayed. We ask that you board the bus quickly and safely to avoid delays. We plan 15 minutes to load and unload the bus. Please do not schedule back-to-back events based upon the return time of the tour, as we cannot plan for traffic and road condition delays.
- A limited number of volunteers will accompany each tour. While they will help as much as possible, ACB volunteers are not personal guides or personal care attendants. If you need individual help, plan to attend the tour with a friend who can provide the assistance you need.
- Most tour destinations are ADA-accessible. Some tours that are NOT ADA-accessible may include long walks, steps, and steep grades. Please communicate your questions or concerns ahead of time.
- Some tours may involve strenuous activities. If you have a medical condition that may limit your involvement or participation, please let us know ahead of time and use common sense when making your selections.
- The tour leader will have a list of all paid attendees and the waiting list for each tour. The leader will be stationed at the door of the bus to take your ticket and record your attendance. Please do not board the bus until the tour leader has completed this task.
- If registration for a tour exceeds its capacity, a waiting list is created based on the date and time your order was placed. If you are on a waiting list, you will be asked to stand in a designated area to wait for your name to be called. If you are not present when your name is called, the next person on the waiting list will be called to fill that seat. You may not give your place on the waiting list to another person.
- If you arrive late with a ticket, or your name has already been called from the waiting list, your ability to secure a seat will be entirely dependent on the number of vacant seats remaining on the bus. No one who has a ticket or has answered the call from the waiting list will be asked to give up their seat.
- If there is no waiting list, or if the waiting list has been satisfied, any remaining vacant seats will be sold to walk-up traffic. Such vacant seats will be sold for cash only – a ticket will not be issued. To purchase, you must have a valid name badge, a day pass for the current day, or other proof of registration.
- If you have paid for and are issued a tour ticket and do not appear at the designated time and place, no refund will be made. If you are on a waiting list and are not able to get on the bus, the tour leader will report this to the registration office and you will be able to secure a refund the next day after the tour. Should you not be present at the convention the day after the tour, or if the convention has ended, please call the Minneapolis office by July 31st to arrange for a refund via check or credit card.
Friday, July 3
10:00 AM – 3:30 PM: AT&T Stadium Tour $63 ($65)
Home of the Dallas Cowboys, AT&T Stadium has a retractable roof and a natural grass field that can be rolled into the parking lot. This VIP tour includes visits to a private suite, the press box, the Miller Lite Club, the post-game interview room, the Cowboys’ and the Cheerleaders’ locker rooms, and the Texas-sized gift shop. Lunch will be pre-ordered from the stadium snack bar.
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner-Texas Style! $47 ($50) Hoffbrau is considered the best steakhouse in Dallas!
We’ll have dinner in the private "no bull" dining room. Begin with "Brau Chips," a Hoffbrau Original of thin sliced homemade fried potatoes served with ranch dressing. Dinner includes hot wheat rolls, salad, steak fries and banana pudding. Dinner entrees are:
Dr. Pepper Chicken (Grilled in Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce);
New York Strip (8 ounces & Hand-Cut); and Grilled Shrimp.
Saturday, July 4
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: City Bus Tour 1: $18 ($22) Climb on board and enjoy a descriptive tour of the rich history of "Big D." You will hear about Dallas’ rich history spanning 200 years and learn about the famous people and places of interest in this robust city. No stopping.
11:30 AM – 6:00 PM: Stockyard Station $25 ($28) In Fort Worth’s National Historic District, the Stockyards is the history book of the livestock industry in Texas. Enjoy shopping, lunch, and visits to any of a long list of shops, restaurants, and entertainment attractions.
12:45 PM – 4:45 PM: Zero Gravity Thrill Park $53 ($55)
The home of big thrills in North Texas! Experience three of the five most extreme rides in Texas: glide over 100 ft. off the ground on the Skycoaster, rocket straight up at 70 mph on the Texas Blastoff, and hit 4 G’s on the Skyscraper.
Sunday, July 5
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: City Bus Tour 2. $18 ($22)
Climb on board and enjoy a descriptive tour of the rich history of "Big D." You will hear about Dallas’ rich history spanning 200 years and learn about the famous people and places of interest in this robust city. No stopping.
11:30 AM – 3:30 PM: Dallas Heritage Village $23 ($25)
Dallas Heritage Village is 20 acres of the finest collection of 19th century buildings and homes in Texas. Stroll the grounds and discover what life was like over 100 years ago. Learn the village history during this guided docent tour.
12:15 PM – 2:15 PM: City Bus Tour 3. $18 ($22)
Climb on board and enjoy a descriptive tour of the rich history of "Big D." You will hear about Dallas’ rich history spanning 200 years and learn about the famous people and places of interest in this robust city. No stopping.
2:45 PM – 4:45 PM: City Bus Tour 4. $18 ($22)
Climb on board and enjoy a descriptive tour of the rich history of "Big D." You will hear about Dallas’ rich history spanning 200 years and learn about the famous people and places of interest in this robust city. No stopping.
Monday, July 6
12:30 PM – 5:30 PM: George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum $32 ($35)
The repository for Presidential gifts and donated artifacts relating to the life of President and Mrs. George W. Bush. This is a white glove tour – touch artifacts in the 9/11 exhibit, the replica of the Oval Office, and much more. Docents and audio description are available – this is a special tour!
12:30 PM - 5:30 PM: Frontiers of Flight $32 ($35)
Higher, faster, farther! Explore the history of aviation from the Wright Bros to today in this modern 100,000-square-foot museum. Flight simulators, a Boeing 737, the “Flying Pancake,” and the Apollo 7 capsule await.
Tuesday, July 7
12:15 PM - 4:15 PM: AFB and Esther's Place. $28 ($30)
See a fully furnished model apartment designed with accommodations for vision loss. Over 500 adaptive products are available for hands-on demonstrations. The environmental design includes: lighting, color, contrast, texture, and physical arrangement to enhance safety and independence. To enhance your experience, the tour will be divided into groups of totally blind, limited sight and low vision. Lunch included.
12:15 PM - 5:00 PM: Bureau of Engraving $22 ($25)
Over half of the nation’s currency is produced right here in Fort Worth! Join us for a private tour of our state-of-the-art facility and see billions of dollars being printed! A quarter-mile long elevated walkway overlooks the production floor where you will have a close-up view of the latest in new technology printing. Also enjoy the informative theater movie, two floors of exhibits and purchase uncut currency and souvenirs in the gift shop. A unique and memorable experience for all!
5:15 PM - 11:00 PM: Texas Rangers Game $55 ($60)
Take me out to the ballgame! Enjoy an evening at the beautiful Globe Life Park as the Texas Rangers take on the Arizona Diamondbacks. Listen to play by play radio on The Fan, 105.3 or 1540am. A $10 food coupon is included.
6:00 PM - 12:00 AM: Winstar Casino (in RSVA pkg) $30 ($35). Play slots, poker, and bingo, or relax in one of the casino lounges. The casino features 3 entertainment venues and several restaurants. Play trivia and enjoy snacks while riding the bus. Sponsored by RSVA. All are welcome.
Wednesday, July 8
12:15 PM – 4:15 PM: AFB and Esther's Place. $28 ($30)
See a fully furnished model apartment designed with accommodations for vision loss. Over 500 adaptive products are available for hands-on demonstrations. The environmental design includes: lighting, color, contrast, texture, and physical arrangement to enhance safety and independence. To enhance your experience, the tour will be divided into groups of totally blind, limited sight and low vision. Lunch included.
12:15 PM – 5:45 PM: Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch. $40 ($45). Rare and endangered exotic wildlife in an up-close and hands-on setting. Pet a kangaroo, camel, lemur and more on this private tour designed for ACB. Lunch will be provided by Sonic Drive-in.
12:15 PM - 4:00 PM: Candy Lovers Tour 1, $18 ($22)
A shopper's paradise – two candy stores to indulge your sweet tooth! You'll feel like you are in Europe with Kate Weiser Chocolates – shop for bonbons, and chocolate bars or sip a cup of coffee or tea from the café. Then we’re off to Dude Sweets for more candy shopping – fudge, truffles, toffees, nuts and artisan chocolates. Both will have sample trays.
1:30 PM – 5:15 PM: Candy Lovers Tour 2, $18 ($22)
A shopper's paradise – two candy stores to indulge your sweet tooth! You'll feel like you are in Europe with Kate Weiser Chocolates – bonbons, chocolate bars or sip a cup of coffee or tea from the café. Then we’re off to Dude Sweets for more candy shopping – fudge, truffles, toffees, nuts and artisan chocolates. Both will have sample trays.
Thursday, July 9
12:15 PM – 4:15 PM: Dallas Holocaust Museum, $32 ($35). This “white glove” tour will allow us to touch artifacts from the Holocaust. Docents will describe in detail the exhibits. A Holocaust survivor will also speak to our group.
1:00 PM – 5:15 PM Meadows Museum, $32 ($35)
A Passage to Spain: experience an inclusive gallery visit that highlights works from the Meadows Museum’s permanent collection. Docents will demonstrate a multisensory, interdisciplinary approach – incorporating description and tactile graphics – that enables blind or low vision visitors to engage with original works of art. Wine and cheese reception included. Limited to 30 participants.
Saturday, July 11
8:45 AM – 3:15 PM: Southfork Ranch, $68 ($70)
If you loved the TV show “Dallas,” this tour is for you! Visit Southfork Ranch and tour “the house” where you can touch and learn about the show. Walk out by the famous swimming pool. The tour guides are informative and there are two huge gift shops with everything from Southfork souvenirs to exclusive jewelry and cowboy boots. The tour includes a down home lunch of chicken fried steak and all the trimmings.
4:30 PM – 11:00 PM: Mesquite Rodeo, $73 ($75)
Start your evening off with a Texas style dinner of BBQ pork ribs, fried chicken, cowboy beans, potato salad, apple pie and beverages (including beer & wine)! Then sit back and enjoy Joel Snyder audio describe all the bucking bronco riding, barrel racing, calf roping and much, much more. This is a professional rodeo where contenders will be earning points towards the championship rodeo this fall.