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 1
7:00AM – 9:30PM: Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum $89 ($92)
Explore life on the prairie on the "Little House" tour! Hands-on memorabilia, visit a sod dug-out, enjoy a walk along a prairie trail, ring the bell that "Pa" donated to the church, and visit the great gift shop. Lunch of sandwiches, chips, applesauce and cookie, in an authentic souvenir lunch pail. Dinner at Turner Hall in New Ulm, then stop in Jordan at Minnesota's largest candy store. Consider bringing a snack on this three-hour drive to the museum (Market deli in the Hyatt opens at 6:00AM).
4:30PM – 11:15PM: Canterbury Downs and Card Room $80 ($83)
Enjoy horse racing and dinner in our own private suite at the racetrack. Canterbury also has one of the largest Texas Hold'em and 7 Card Stud poker rooms in the upper Midwest. Braille cards available. Includes seafood buffet, New York Strip, and all the normal buffet fixings.
Saturday, July 2
9:30AM – 4:45PM South Pacific! $50 ($53)
At the Guthrie Theater, start with an audio-described sensory tour of some of the props, costumes and set pieces used in South Pacific; then a brief overview of the historic events on which this play is based. After lunch enjoy an audio-described performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific! Set in an island paradise during World War II, this sweeping romance tells the story of two couples and how their happiness is threatened by war and prejudice. A treasure trove of memorable songs: "Bali Hai," "There is Nothin' Like a Dame," and "Some Enchanted Evening."
10:15 AM – 5:30 PM: Shop Til You Drop $15 ($18)
Visit the Mall of America, one of the largest malls in the US, complete with amusement park, aquarium, movie theater and four levels of shops and restaurants. We will not have sufficient volunteers on this tour to assist you individually.
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM: City Bus Tour $18 ($21)
Sit back in comfort as your guide describes sites of the city of Minneapolis.
1:45 PM – 3:45 PM: City Bus Tour $18 ($21)
Sit back in comfort as your guide describes sites of the city of Minneapolis.
Sunday, July 3
6:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Fish Lake Minnetonka! $192 ($195)
Fish on one of Minnesota’s largest and most famous lakes. The "early bird catches the worm" as you fish with a guide in a four-person boat on Lake Minnetonka and participate in a fishing contest. Pastries and a box lunch will be provided. Space is limited in the boats so guide dogs are not recommended. Once you are confirmed for this tour you will be contacted to provide information to obtain a one-day fishing license. If you catch a “lunker” you'd like to keep, the charter company will ship it home at your expense. They cannot clean fish on the lake or at the dock. This tour is not wheelchair accessible.
9:00 AM – 1:15 PM: Franconia Tactile Sculpture Park: $45 ($48)
A unique opportunity to visit an active artist residency where artists live, create, and exhibit three- dimensional artwork in a singular location. This 43-acre exhibition has 100+ large-scale sculptures. Visit with Franconia's artists-in-residence in this outdoor studio and learn about works-in-progress. Discover the ideas, concepts, themes, and processes of the artists with behind-the-scenes information from your tour guide. Have lunch on the beautiful grounds of the sculpture garden.
1:30 PM – 4:45 PM City Bus Tour $23 ($26)
Sit back in comfort as your guide describes sites of the city of Minneapolis. This tour will also cross the Mississippi River and visit the “twin city” of St Paul!
Monday, July 4th
4:15 AM – 8:30 AM: Up, Up and Away! Stillwater Hot Air Balloon Ride $215 ($218)
Float along the beautiful Saint Croix River Valley as the sun rises over Minnesota. When the burner for the balloon is off it is so quiet you can hear dogs barking and people talking! This tour is subject to weather and wind speeds and it is possible we may arrive to learn we are unable to launch. If this happens there will be a partial refund. Space is limited and subject to weight limitations; please no guide dogs. Once you are confirmed for this tour you will be contacted for your weight to ensure all balloons are safely balanced for take-off.
1:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Shop Til You Drop $15 ($18)
Visit the Mall of America, one of the largest malls in the US, complete with amusement park, aquarium, movie theater and four levels of shops and restaurants.
4:15 PM – 9:15 PM: We’re going to a Beach Party! $33 ($36)
An old-fashioned beach party at Snail Lake! Enjoy swimming at this lifeguard protected beach. Lay on the sandy beach or build sand castles. Relax in the pavilion while we grill burgers and hot dogs. No flotation devices allowed.
Tuesday, July 5th
12:15 PM – 4:45 PM: Twin Cities Cathedral Tour $28 ($31)
Visit the beautiful and famous Cathedral of Saint Paul and the Basilica of St Mary's in Minneapolis. Both churches are over 100 years old, full of history, and wonderful examples of the architecture of the period. Lots of hands-on artifacts and gift shops! Hear the pipe organ at the cathedral!
12:15 PM – 5:15 PM: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: $66 ($69)
Enjoy lunch, stroll through the sensory and fragrance gardens and take a tram ride through the arboretum. Learn about a myriad of plants; lots to touch, smell and experience. Tour is not wheelchair accessible.
5:45 PM – 10:30 PM: Take Me Out to The Ball Game $59 ($62)
Visit Target field as the Minnesota Twins take on the Oakland A's! Enjoy baseball played as it should be in this beautiful outdoor stadium! History and state of the art collide to make Target Field one of the best stadiums in the country! Your ticket will include a $15 food voucher to use at any stadium concession stand. You can listen to the Twins radio broadcast on 96.3 FM.
Wednesday, July 6
12:30 PM – 5:00 PM: The Pavek Museum of Broadcasting $27 ($30)
Have an interest in old-time radio? During the 20th century, radio and television helped transform America from a collection of far-flung regions to a nation knitted together with a common culture. The Pavek museum is alive with broadcasting artifacts that tell the story of 20th century radio and television. Learn about early audio recording and the voices that first found their way into our homes. Place your hands on old recording equipment, nickelodeons and gramophones. A fascinating tour for all!
12:15 PM – 3:15 PM: Candy lovers tour: $18 ($21)
Albert Abdallah began making candy when he arrived here in 1909. Steve and Karen are the fourth generation of this family owned candy company. Abdallah’s has it all- "candy dish" favorites such as non-pareils, mint melties and toffee; individual chocolates and bars; chocolate covered potato chips and sugar free candy. Abdallah’s will give us a verbal overview of the candy making process before letting us loose for tons of candy shopping!
1:45 PM – 4:45 PM: Candy Lovers Tour II $18 ($21)
Albert Abdallah began making candy when he arrived here in 1909. Steve and Karen are the fourth generation of this family owned candy company. Abdallah’s has it all- "candy dish" favorites such as non-pareils, mint melties and toffee; individual chocolates and bars; chocolate covered potato chips and sugar free candy. Abdallah’s will give us a verbal overview of the candy making process before letting us loose for tons of candy shopping!
Thursday, July 7
4:15 AM – 8:30AM: Up, Up and Away! Stillwater Hot Air Balloon Ride $215 ($218)
Float along the beautiful Saint Croix River Valley as the sun rises over Minnesota. When the burner for the balloon is off it is so quiet you can hear dogs barking and people talking! This tour is subject to weather and wind speeds and it is possible we may arrive to learn we are unable to launch. If this happens there will be a partial refund. Space is limited and subject to weight limitations; please no guide dogs. Once you are confirmed for this tour you will be contacted for your weight to ensure all balloons are safely balanced for take-off.
12:15 PM – 6:00 PM: Minnesota State Academy for the Blind $35 ($38)
Enjoy a visit to this thriving school for the blind and visually impaired as they celebrate their 150th anniversary. We'll see their state of the art recording studio, computer lab, state of the art track, swimming pool with a special sound system and their apartment for transitioning students. Visit dorms, classrooms and the gymnasium. We will also visit the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library (MBTBL) located across from the school. The MBTBL has provided library services to Minnesotans with print disabilities since 1933. On this tour, you will have a behind the scenes look at the library, its collections, and hear more about what the future of this program might look like. Lunch is included in this tour.
12:30 PM – 3:45 PM: Bakken Museum of Electricity: $27 ($30)
This one-of-a-kind museum is housed in the distinctive West Winds mansion on beautiful Lake Calhoun. The architecture is impressive; the surrounding landscaped gardens are wonderful at this time of year. Explore the mysteries of electricity and magnetism in the museum. Lots of hands-on exhibits will teach and amaze you. There is even a short film depicting how Frankenstein was developed by author Mary Shelley. Great gift shop with lots of fun science items.
4:15 PM – 9:00 PM: Concert in the Park: $36 ($39)
Stroll around Lake Harriet, one of the famous Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, or just enjoy being outdoors on a park bench. After supper provided by a lakeside restaurant, enjoy a musical performance at the band shell by the Calhoun Isles Concert and Marching Band. Walking guides provided by Minnesota Adventurous Women!
Saturday, July 9th
11:30 AM – 4:45 PM: Brewery Tour: $47 ($50)
Visit the famous Summit Brewery for a personalized tour including how beer is brewed, beer sampling, a special tasting of hops, malt and other beer ingredients and an extensive gift shop. This tour will also include lunch at Shamrocks for a great burger and drink specials!
5:15 PM – 9:15 PM: Mississippi Riverboat Cruise: $90 ($93)
End your week with great food and friends cruising down the Mississippi River to a blues jazz band. Enjoy an interesting recorded narration of the history and scenery as we cruise along. Dinner buffet includes barbecued ribs, barbecued chicken, cornbread, baked beans, coleslaw and peach cobbler. Cash bar is available. Dinner will be served inside but there will be plenty of time to enjoy the outside decks.