Featuring North America’s Leading Travel Destinations

Rocky Mountain High

Purple Mountain Majesty of

Colorado Springs

Things to Know About Denver

75th Anniversary of

Shenandoah National Park

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Watch or order our video. Email Dawn or call 845-463-5444. Click on sites below for group tour info.

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome - Vintage Air Shows:

Gigi Hudson Valley:

Hampton Inn & Suites:

Historic Rhinebeck:

Staatsburgh State Historic Site:

Clarion Hotel:

Clermont State Historic Site:

Hudson River Valley Tours:

Enjoy Millerton:

Hampton Inn - Fishkill:

Crown Maple Syrup Tours:

Shadows On the Hudson:

Walkway Over the Hudson:

Courtyard by Marriott - 2 locations:

Empire Cruise Lines:

Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel:

Dutchess County Fairgrounds:

Cosimo’s Restaurant:

Hotel Sierra:

The Rhinecliff:

DutchessTourism.com

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Byways Instant ConnectDirect one-click digital links to our Advertisers

Find your adventure

Find your destination at VisitCOS.com/tours

There is a place where the road is one with nature, and travelers

are relaxed and inspired. Where scenery and sightseeing and history and heritage

blend into unforgettable multi-day excursions. We call this Rocky Mountain oasis

Colorado Springs. You’ll call it the journey of a lifetime. Let us help you create

amazing itineraries at 800.888.4748, ext. 129.

There is a place where the road is one with nature, and travelers

are relaxed and inspired. Where scenery and sightseeing and history and heritage

blend into unforgettable multi-day excursions. We call this Rocky Mountain oasis

Colorado Springs. You’ll call it the journey of a lifetime. Let us help you create

amazing itineraries at 800.888.4748, ext. 129.

Watch or order our video. Email Dawn or call 845-463-5444. Click on sites below for group tour info.

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome - Vintage Air Shows:

Gigi Hudson Valley:

Hampton Inn & Suites:

Historic Rhinebeck:

Staatsburgh State Historic Site:

Clarion Hotel:

Clermont State Historic Site:

Hudson River Valley Tours:

Enjoy Millerton:

Hampton Inn - Fishkill:

Crown Maple Syrup Tours:

Shadows On the Hudson:

Walkway Over the Hudson:

Courtyard by Marriott - 2 locations:

Empire Cruise Lines:

Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel:

Dutchess County Fairgrounds:

Cosimo’s Restaurant:

Hotel Sierra:

The Rhinecliff:

DutchessTourism.com

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The Secret for a Successful Group Tour is Simple:The Right Activities.The Right Amenities.The Right Destination.

Most of all—The Right Partner!FOR MORE INFORMATION AND A CUSTOMIZED GROUP ITINERARY:CALL TOLL FREE 1-877-447-3257 AND VISIT: www.VisitBedford.com

The Blue Ridge Parkway& The “Peaks of Otter”

The NationalD-Day Memorial

Smith Mountain LakeWith 500 Miles of Shoreline

Thomas Jefferson’sPoplar Forest

The Bedford Wine TrailWith Five Wineries

Festivals & AntiquingHistoric Centertown Bedford

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Since 1966

New RiverTrainTrainEXCURSIONSEXCURSIONS

®

Welcome to the latest issue ofByways Magazine. Webelieve that we have some of

the most breathtaking photography inthis issue that we’ve ever published inByways. And that reflects the issuetheme, Rocky Mountain High, and a

special feature on the 75th Anniversary of ShenandoahNational Park in Virginia.

It’s said that a photo is worth a thousand words, andwe agree. So we’ve let the photograpy do the talking inmuch of this issue, and we think it does a splendid jobthroughout the publication.

We begin with a visit to Shenandoah National Park.It was 75 years ago that President Franklin D. Rooseveltdedicated the park, and there’s a reason it attracts morethan one million visitors a year. Only barely over anhour’s drive from the nation’s capital in Washington,DC, you’ll see from the photos the beauty of the BlueRidge mountains and the amazing views of theShenandoah Valley.

Rocky Mountain High is the main theme for thisissue, and we begin with the Purple Mountains Majesty

of Colorado Springs. Sitting beneath 14,115 ft. PikesPeak, Colorado Springs is centrally located and offersmore than 60 attractions. You can experience interestsranging from trains, historical places, adventure, natural

beauty and the Old West.The Rocky Mountains stretch more than 3,000 miles

from British Columbia in Canada to New Mexico. Thehighest peak in the range is Mount Elbert located inColorado at 14,440 feet above sea level.

Rocky Mountain National Park features stunningmountain views, a variety of wildlife, varied climatesand environments. Incredibly, the 265,770 acre parkcontains over 60 named peaks higher than 12,000 feet.

There are so many interesting facts to know aboutDenver. It’s Colorado’s Capital City. It has more than300 days of sunshine a year. It’s near the Rockies, butnot in them. It’s a Mile High. And it brews more beerthan any other city! There’s more, but you’ll need toread the article to learn why there’s so much to knowabout Denver.

The Rocky Mountain adventures end in GunnistonCounty, where it’s Colorado Pure and Simple. Locatedin southwest Colorado, winter sports enthusiasts knowthe Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley for its world-classalpine skiing and snowboarding at Crested ButteMountain Resort. But there’s plenty to do in warmermonths as well. Crested Butte is recognized as the“Official Wildflower Capital of Colorado.”

In What’s Happening, the focus is on the 35thAnniversary of the Smithsonion’s Air and SpaceMuseum in Washington, DC. Following its opening tocelebrate America’s Bicentennial in 1976, and featuringsuch icons of flight as the 1903 Wright Flyer, the Spiritof St. Louis, Friendship 7 and the Apollo 11 commandmodule -- it quickly became the most popular museumin the world.

PREVIEW

By Steve Kirchner, Editor & Publisher

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Moon over the Rockies. Courtesy Colorado Tourism

Colorado Balloon Festival, Colorado SpringsCourtesy VisitCOS.com

Ziplines have become popular all over the world, andprovide a new form of summer diversion for manyadventurers.

But there’s never been one underground. Until now.Louisville’s Mega Caverns has launched the world’s firstunderground zipline, and the two-hour adventure allows

you to zip as high as 70 feet above the caverns floor, withmuch of the adventure in total darkness!

We also visit Branson, Missouri, for the latest in enter-tainment aboard the Showboat Branson Belle. The pad-dle wheeler’s all new show, Encore! is earning ravereviews from guests enjoying the Showboat experience.

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Southern KitchenHome Cooking Since 1955

Close to Bryce Resort, Shenandoah Caverns& New Market Battlefield

New Market, Virginia I-81 Exit 254

Steaks • Seafood • Chicken • Breakfast

540-740-3514

9576 S. Congress Street

Open 7 Days a Week 7 am - 9 pm

Come by and meet your hosts,Randy & Rebecca Newland

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FeaturesShenandoah National Park’s 75 Anniversary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10The Purple Mountain Majesty of Colorado Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Rocky Mountain High. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Rocky Mountain National Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Things to Know About Denver, The Rockies Mile High City. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Gunniston County -- Colorado Pure & Simple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

DepartmentsByways Instant Connect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Byways Preview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Free Byways Subscription . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

What’s HappeningSmithsonian’s Air and Space Museum Turns 35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38Zipping Under Louisville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43Encore! Hits High Marks Aboard Showboat Branson Belle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Coming in future issues of Byways… Great American Roads, Dutchess, Heart of the Hudson Valley, Mystic Seaport and New England. The

Top Group Tour Destinations of 2012, Riding the Rails, The Southern States, and The Old West are someof the highlights of upcoming issues of Byways Magazine

Volume 28, Issue No. 4, 2011

On the cover. Over 2 million visitors make their way to Garden of the Godsand Pikes Peak each year, just a few of the wonders Colorado Springs hasto offer. To learn more about Colorado and Rocky Mountain High, turn topage 19.

Below, Historic Route 11 in New Market, VA. Right, Whaleship Charles W. Morgan, Mystic Seaport, CT.

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888-733-5287 • nmn@motorcoach.com

The National Reservation Center

Charter a motorcoach anywhere in North America

motorcoach.comSweet Magnolia ToursTrieloff Tours

www.arrowstage-lines.com

Byways • 9

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Photos courtesy ARAMARK Parks and Destinations

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Shenandoah National Park

Celebrates 75th Anniversary

12 • Byways

Leaves turning with the approach of Fall.

How to Make theMost Out of YourGroup Visit toShenandoah National Park

On a beautiful summer day in 1936,President Franklin D. Roosevelt ded-icated Shenandoah National Park,

providing residents living in fast-growingMid-Atlantic cities and citizens across thenation a place of natural refuge.

Today, over a million local and interna-tional visitors flock to Shenandoah every yearas a retreat from city life, or to get back to asimpler time. Skyland Resort and the pictur-esque Big Meadows Lodge are the only in-park accommodations providing groupfriendly lodging, dining and touring opportu-nities.

From senior organizations, to student toursto family reunions to smaller groups of friends planninga vacation, Shenandoah has plenty of activities that aresure to create long-lasting memories for your group.Suggested themed itineraries are conveniently high-lighted below: Shenandoah Valley & Blue Ridge Views

3 Days / 2 NightsGroups will discover Shenandoah’s unique history

with a step-on guide inside the park, explore the under-ground beauty at Luray Caverns, visit the historic homes

of Monticello and Ash Lawn-Highland, discover theShenandoah Valley’s story at the Museum of theShenandoah Valley and savor delicious foods of theregion.Explore Shenandoah 3 Days / 2 Nights

This trip is tailored to the more active group and fea-tures a Shenandoah Scavenger Hike, a leisurely 1-hourguided horseback ride and a vigorous day of hiking to awaterfall or mountain summit with the ShenandoahMountain Guides.

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Skyline Drive

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Skyline Drive winds through the expanse ofthe Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.

All About Kids 3 Days / 2 NightsKids are the future of our national parks and this itin-

erary is all about experiencing Shenandoah throughhands-on programs. Little Stony Man cliffs provides anunforgettable environment for rock climbing and rap-pelling with all gear provided. And the Park Service’sJunior Ranger Program unlocks the mysteries of the park

16 • Byways

Shenandoah National Park is renowned for Fall Foliage.

Big Meadows Lodge

The Secret for a Successful Group Tour is Simple:The Right Activities.The Right Amenities.The Right Destination.

Most of all—The Right Partner!FOR MORE INFORMATION AND A CUSTOMIZED GROUP ITINERARY:CALL TOLL FREE 1-877-447-3257 AND VISIT: www.VisitBedford.com

The Blue Ridge Parkway& The “Peaks of Otter”

The NationalD-Day Memorial

Smith Mountain LakeWith 500 Miles of Shoreline

Thomas Jefferson’sPoplar Forest

The Bedford Wine TrailWith Five Wineries

Festivals & AntiquingHistoric Centertown Bedford

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through fun and educational activi-ties.

This year make history by bringingyour group to Shenandoah during its75th Anniversary. Take advantage ofthese programs while experiencingunique events designed to mark thismonumental milestone. For groupinformation and a schedule of eventsvisit www.visitshenandoah.com or callthe Group Sales Office at 800-778-2871, Opt. 2.

18 • Byways

Since 1966

New RiverTrainTrainEXCURSIONSEXCURSIONS

®

The Purple Mountain Majestyof Colorado Springs

Pikes Peak, also known as America’s Mountain, was the inspirationfor Katharine Lee Bates while penning “America the Beautiful”.

Photo courtesy VisitCOS.com

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In 1869, General William Jackson Palmer, a CivilWar hero from Pennsylvania, first came to ColoradoSprings, CO and described its “most enticing scenery.”He predicted that there would soon be a great resort

town at the base of Pikes Peak, America’s Mountain. In1871, the Victorian spa resort town Palmer envisionedbecame a reality.

Centrally located in the United States, ColoradoSprings and the Pikes Peak region is easily reached fromanywhere in the nation. Colorado Springs isthe state’s second-largest city located just 70miles south of Denver. The area serves as theperfect “home base,” offering more than 60attractions and activities. Groups can experi-ence interests ranging from trains, historicalplaces, adventure, natural beauty and the OldWest.

Among the many attractions, some of themost famous include the United States AirForce Academy, United Olympic TrainingCenter, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Pikes PeakCog Railway, Royal Gorge Bridge & Park,Seven Falls and Cave of the Winds.

Some area gems include the ColoradoSprings Pioneers Museum, McAllister House

Museum and General Palmer’s home, Glen Eyrie Castle.Another natural wonder that inspired General Palmerto create the town was the beauty of Garden of the GodsPark. This city park, recognized as a National NaturalLandmark, is world famous and attracts millions of visi-tors each year.

Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City are the area’stwo Historic Districts. The town of Manitou Springs sitsright at the foothills of Pikes Peak. Residents and visitors

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14,115 foot Pikes Peak towers over Colorado Springs.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is America’s only mountainzoo and is also home to the largest reticulated giraffeherd in the country. Photo courtesy VisitCOS.com

today enjoy the waters from ten restored mineral springs.Manitou Springs offers visitors historic architecture,shopping and dining. Old Colorado City is the oldestcity in the area. Established in 1859, it was once desig-nated as the first capital of the Colorado Territory.Today, visitors find unique shopping, restaurants andeven horse-drawn carriage rides through the town.

The Pikes Peak region’s many wonderful events takeplace throughout the year. One of the largest annualevents is the Colorado Balloon Classic held every LaborDay weekend. The largest air show in the state drawsover 100 balloons and over 100,000 people with events

all weekend long. The Balloon Classic is also consis-tently named among the American Bus Association’s“100 Top Events in North America.”

Colorado Springs is perfect for a Hub-and-Spoke itin-erary. After enjoying local attractions, visitors can trav-el west to the towns of Cripple Creek and Victor for ataste of what the Pikes Peak or Bust Gold Rush was like.The region is home to 13,900 guest rooms that offer awide selection of affordable properties. The weather ismild with plenty of sunshine, more than 300 days a year.An opportunity to hike, bike, fish and explore is neverfar away.

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The beauty of Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs. Photo courtesy VisitCOS.com

All attractions have group rates, and it is recommend-ed to call ahead to arrange tours and activities. TheColorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau is agreat resource for itineraries as well as suggestions forstep-on guides. Click on VisitCOS.com for more infor-mation or call Betty Jo Cardona at 800-888-4748 ext.129.

Pikes Peak -- America’s Mountain

In the summer of 1893, while a visiting professor atColorado College, Katharine Lee Bates began herfamous poem “America the Beautiful,” inspired by the

view from the summit of the region’s most iconic land-mark, 14,115 foot Pikes Peak.

Pikes Peak, also known as America’s Mountain, is vis-ited by thousands who ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway(the highest Cog in the world), drive the 19-mile PikesPeak Highway or hike 12.6-mile Barr Trail to the sum-mit. Patrons are encouraged to be sure and taste a fresh,warm donut from the Summit House. These high alti-tude sweets were even featured on The Food Network.The mountain is also famous for the Pikes PeakInternational Hill Climb, the second oldest car racesince the Indianapolis 500, as well as the Pikes PeakAscent and Marathon each year.

Military PresenceColorado Springs is well known for being home to the

United States Air Force Academy. Each May the pres-ence is especially well known when the Thunderbirdsare heard roaring through the sky to celebrate theCadets commencement.

The area is also home to the North AmericanAerospace Defense Command (NORAD), locatedinside Cheyenne Mountain. The Olympic Complex,former home of ENT Air Force Base and the headquar-ters of the North American Defense Command official-ly became USOC administrative headquarters in July1978. The region has a total of six military installations.

22 • Byways

Colorado Springs is home to the United States Air Force Academy,and the campus is open to the public and visitors.Photo courtesy VisitCOS.com

Pikes Peak viewed from PalmerPark in Colorado Springs.

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Find your adventure

Find your destination at VisitCOS.com/tours

There is a place where the road is one with nature, and travelers

are relaxed and inspired. Where scenery and sightseeing and history and heritage

blend into unforgettable multi-day excursions. We call this Rocky Mountain oasis

Colorado Springs. You’ll call it the journey of a lifetime. Let us help you create

amazing itineraries at 800.888.4748, ext. 129.

There is a place where the road is one with nature, and travelers

are relaxed and inspired. Where scenery and sightseeing and history and heritage

blend into unforgettable multi-day excursions. We call this Rocky Mountain oasis

Colorado Springs. You’ll call it the journey of a lifetime. Let us help you create

amazing itineraries at 800.888.4748, ext. 129.

24 • Byways

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Rocky Mountain High

Serrated Rocky Mountain peaks near Telluride, Colorado. Photo by Matt Inden/Weaver Multimedia Group/Colorado Tourism

The Rocky Mountains stretch more than 3,000miles from the northernmost part of BritishColumbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in

the southwestern United States. The range’s highestpeak is Mount Elbert located in Colorado at 14,440 feetabove sea level.

Much of the mountain range is protected by publicparks and forest lands, and is a popular tourist destina-tion, especially for hiking, camping, mountaineering,fishing, hunting, skiing, and snowboarding.

The United States definition of the Rockies includesthe Cabinet and Salish Mountains of Idaho andMontana. The Rockies vary in width from 70 to 300miles.

The eastern edge of the Rockies rises dramaticallyabove the Interior Plains of central North America,including the Front Range of Colorado, the Wind RiverRange and Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming, theAbsaroka-Beartooth ranges and Rocky Mountain Frontof Montana, and the Clark Range of Alberta.

The western edge of the Rockies includes ranges suchas the Wasatch near Salt Lake City and the Bitterrootsalong the Idaho-Montana border.

The Continental Divide is located in the RockyMountains and designates the line at which waters floweither to the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans. Triple DividePeak (8,020 feet) in Glacier National Park (U.S.) is sonamed because water that falls on the mountain reach-es not only the Atlantic and Pacific, but Hudson Bay aswell. Farther north in Alberta, the Athabasca and otherrivers feed the basin of the Mackenzie River, which hasits outlet on the Beaufort Sea of the Arctic Ocean.

Thousands passed through the Rocky Mountains onthe Oregon Trail beginning in 1842. The Mormonsbegan to settle near the Great Salt Lake in 1847. From1859 to 1864, gold was discovered in Colorado, Idaho,Montana, and British Columbia, sparking several goldrushes bringing thousands of prospectors and miners toexplore every mountain and canyon and to create theRocky Mountains’ first major industry. The Idaho goldrush alone produced more gold than the California andAlaska gold rushes combined and was important in thefinancing of the Union Army during the AmericanCivil War.

The transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869,and Yellowstone National Park was established as the

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Horses graze beneath a Rocky Mountain view in a field near Fairplay, Colorado.Photo by Matt Inden/Weaver Multimedia Group/Colorado Tourism.

world’s first national park in 1872. A transcontinentalrailroad in Canada was originally promised in 1871, butwas not completed until 1885 due to political reasons,but was eventually built via the Kicking HorsePass and Rogers Pass after consideration of anumber of other routes.

Thanks to the vision of the railway’s pro-moters, vast areas of the Canadian Rockieswere set aside as Jasper, Glacier (BC), Banffand Yoho National Parks, laying the founda-tion for a tourism industry which thrives tothis day.

Glacier National Park (MT) was estab-lished with a similar relationship to tourismpromotions by the Northern Pacific Railroad.While settlers filled the valleys and miningtowns, conservation and preservation ethicsbegan to take hold. U.S. President Harrisonestablished several forest reserves in the RockyMountains in 1891–1892. In 1905, U.S.President Theodore Roosevelt extended theMedicine Bow Forest Reserve to include thearea now managed as Rocky Mountain

National Park. Economic development began to centeron mining, forestry, agriculture, and recreation, as wellas on the service industries that support them.

One of the first trees in fall to change in Rocky Mountain National Park. Photo by Matt Inden/Weaver Multimedia Group/Colorado Tourism

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Moraine Lake is a glacially-fed lake in Canada’s Banff National Park.

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Saint Mary Lake is the second largest lake in GlacierNational Park in Montana, after Lake McDonald.

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Rocky Mountain National Park is located in thenorth-central region of Colorado. It features pic-turesque mountain views, a variety of wildlife,

varied climates and environments -- from woodedforests to mountain tundra -- and easy access to back-country trails and campsites.

The park is located northwestof Boulder, Colorado, in theRockies, and includes theContinental Divide and theheadwaters of the Colorado River.

Ancient upheavals, volcaniceruptions and glacial scouring cutand carved great diversity andincredible beauty into this multi-faceted gem. Rocky MountainNational Park is fittingly set midstRoosevelt and Arapaho NationalForests and Colorado StateForest.

The altitude from 7,500 to14,259 feet slices through mon-tane, sub-alpine and alpine zones.A drive up Trail Ridge Road takes

you to the Arctic Circle ecologically; yet you’re only 2hours from Denver.

The park has five visitor centers. The park headquar-ters, Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, is a NationalHistoric Landmark, designed by the Frank Lloyd WrightSchool of Architecture at Taliesin West.

Resident elk in Rock Mountain National Park. Photo ByMatt Inden/Weaver Multimedia Group/Colorado Tourism

Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses approx-imately 265,770 acres of land in Colorado’s northernFront Range. The park is split by the ContinentalDivide, which gives the eastern and western portions ofthe park a different character. The east side of the parktends to be drier, with heavily glaciated peaks andcirques. The west side of the park is wetter and morelush, with deep forests dominating the landscape.

The park contains 359 miles of trails, 150 lakes, and450 miles of streams. There are over 60 named peakshigher than 12,000 feet, and over one fourth of the park

resides above tree line. The highest point of the park isLongs Peak, which rises to 14,259 feet above sea level.The park is dominated by Longs Peak, which is visiblefrom many vantage points. Each year thousands of peo-ple attempt to scale it. The easiest route is the KeyholeRoute, impassable to regular hikers in all but the hottestsummer months due to snow and ice. This eight-mileone-way climb has an elevation gain of 4,850 ft. Thevast east face, including the area known as TheDiamond, is home to many classic big wall rock climb-ing routes.

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Sunset over the mountains of the Front Range in Rocky Mountain National Park.Photo by Matt Inden/Weaver Multimedia Group/Colorado Tourism

Bierstadt Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park

32 • Byways

Flags wave in the wind on the Capitol Building in Denver as people walk the 16th Street Pedestrian Mall.

Photo by Matt Inden/Weaver Multimedia Group/Colorado Tourism

Denver has 300 days of annual sunshine.

Located east of a major mountain range, Denver hasa mild, dry and sunny climate with more annualhours of sun than San Diego or Miami Beach. In

winter, Denver is dryer than Phoenix with an averagedaily high of 45 degrees in February. Golf courses remainopen all year and have been played as many as 30 daysin January. Denver receives only 14 inches of precipita-tion a year -- about the same as Los Angeles.

Denver’s arts and cultural scene is thriving.In its Old West days, Denver had a performance of

Macbeth before it had a school or a hospital. That per-formance took place in a saloon. Today, Metro Denvercollects more for the arts on a per capita basis than anyother city. The seven county Denver metro area has aself-imposed 10th of a cent sales tax for the arts that rais-es more than $40 million a year, which is distributed to300 arts organizations and facilities.

The city’s cultural renaissance can be found in places

like the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Coveringfour square blocks, the complex is the second largest inthe country, with 10 theatres seating more than 10,000people for opera, symphony, ballet, Tony Award-win-ning theatre and touring Broadway shows. The $92-mil-lion Ellie Caulkins Opera House is recognized as one ofthe finest acoustical venues in the world and Denvervoters recently approved a $90 million refurbishing ofBoettcher Concert Hall.

Denver has currently added art museums includingthe Denver Art Museum’s astonishing new HamiltonBuilding, designed by world famous architect DanielLibeskind, and the new Museum of Contemporary Artdesigned by David Adjaye. This is his first building inthe United States.

Denver is near the mountains, not in them. Denver is located on high rolling plains, 12 miles east

of the “foothills,” a series of gentle mountains that climbto 11,000 feet. Just beyond is the “Front Range of the

Things to Know About Denver, The Rockies Mile High City

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Golfers at City Park with Denver skyline and Rocky Mountains in the background.Photo credit Steve Crecelius, courtesy VISIT DENVER

Rocky Mountains,” a series of formidable snowcappedpeaks that rise to 14,000 feet. Denver might not be inthe mountains, but the mountains still dominate thecity. The picturesque mountain panorama from Denveris 140 miles long. There are 200 visible named peaksincluding 32 that soar to 13,000 feet and above. Statelaw prohibits building any structure that would blockthe view from the Colorado State Capitol. Penetratingthe mountains west of Denver required building thehighest auto tunnel in the world (Eisenhower Tunnel)and the sixth longest railroad tunnel in the country(Moffat Tunnel).

Denver is a city of many colors and

cultures.Denver grew by 30 percent in the 1990s -- an average

of 1,000 new residents a week, every week for 10 years.In this period, the Hispanic population in Coloradoincreased by 73 percent. Today, 32percent of the City of Denver is ofHispanic and Latino descent and 11percent are African American.Denver’s diversity is celebrated atnumerous festivals and eventsincluding the nation’s largest Cincode Mayo celebration and the largestMartin Luther King Jr. march andrally, referred by the locals as a“marade”. Denver has a populationof 594,740, while there are 2.7 mil-lion people in the metro area.

Denver’s history is short,

but colorful. In 1858, there was not a single

person living in the Denver metroarea except for some migrating

camps of Arapaho and Cheyenne Native Americans.Just 30 years later, Colorado was a state with a popula-tion of almost 200,000. It was a Gold Rush that causedthis boom and in a 30 to 40 year period, Denver sawsome of the wildest events in the “Wild West.” This fas-cinating period is brought to life at museums, old goldmining towns and in hundreds of elegant Victorianbuildings. LoDo, a 26-square block historic district, hasthe largest concentration of Victorian and turn-of-the-century buildings in the country. Today, LoDo is hometo 90 brewpubs, jazz cafes, restaurants, sports bars andnightclubs.

Denver loves its sports. Denver is one of only two cities (Philadelphia is the

other) to have seven professional sports teams: NFLDenver Broncos; NBA Denver Nuggets; NHL ColoradoAvalanche; MLB Colorado Rockies; MLS Colorado

34 • Byways

Diners mingle with pedestrians onthe 16th Street Mall. Photo by SteveCrecelius, courtesy VISIT DENVER

Fans of the Colorado Rockies cheer on their localbaseball team at Coors Field.Photo credit Rich Grant, courtesy VISIT DENVER

Rapids; MLL Colorado Outlaws; and NLL ColoradoMammoth. The Colorado Rockies have 11 MajorLeague Baseball attendance records, while the DenverBroncos have sold out every game for more than 20years. Denver also hosts one of the world’s largestrodeos, the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo.Denver is the only city to build three new sports stadi-ums in the 1990s: 50,000-seat Coors Field; 75,000-seatINVESCO Field at Mile High and 20,000-seat PepsiCenter.

Denver brews more beer than any

other city. The first building in Denver was a saloon, so it’s natu-

ral that Denver would become a great beer town. CoorsBrewery is the world’s largest. Denver’s Great AmericanBeer Festival is the largest in the nation, with more than1,900 different beers. The Wynkoop Brewing Companyis one of the largest brewpubs in the country. On anaverage day, Denver brews more than 80 different beers.Why is Denver the “Napa Valley of Beer”? Well, just asthe water tumbling down from the Scottish Highlandshas made Scotland a renowned center for whiskey, thegreat taste of Rocky Mountain spring water provides akey basic ingredient for the city’s booming beer brewingindustry.

Denver - The Mile High City, really is

exactly one mile high.By an amazing stroke of good luck, the 13th step on

the west side of the State Capitol Building is exactly5,280 feet above sea level -- one mile high. In Denver’srarified air, golf balls go 10 percent farther. So do cock-tails. Alcoholic drinks pack more of a punch than at sealevel. The sun feels warmer, because you are closer to itand there is 25 percent less protection from the sun, sosunscreen is a must.

The Mile High City is also extremely dry, so it is agood idea to drink more water than usual. With lesswater vapor in the air at this altitude, the sky really isbluer in Colorado.

Denver has the 10th largest downtown in

the United States.Unlike some Western cities, Denver has a definitive,

exciting and walkable downtown, the 10th largest in thenation. Within just a one mile radius, there are threesports stadiums, the country’s second largest performingarts complex, an assortment of art and history museums,a mint producing 10 billion coins a year, a river offeringwhitewater rafting, the country’s only downtown amuse-ment park, a new world-class aquarium, more than 8,000hotel rooms and more than 300 restaurants, brewpubsand music clubs.

Denver has the largest city park system

in the country.Denver has more than 200 parks within the city and

14,000 acres of parks in the nearby mountains, includingspectacular Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The city has itsown buffalo herd located in the mountains with apanoramic view. Other mountain parks include EchoLake, at the base of the Mount Evans highwaywhich isthe highest road in North America, and Buffalo Bill’sGrave on top of Lookout Mountain. Denver plantsmore than 200,000 flowers in 26 formal flower gardensevery spring. There are more than 800 miles of off-streetbike paths, 90 golf courses and one of the nation’s largesturban trail systems. Due to all of these recreationalopportunities, a federal study found that Denver has thethinnest residents of any major U.S. city.

To learn more about Denver, visit www.denver.org.

Byways • 35

The exterior of the Hamilton Building of the Denver Art Museum at sunset.Photo credit Jeff Wells, courtesy VISIT DENVER

Gunnison County is nestled among almost twomillion acres of pristine wilderness in southwestColorado. Winter sports enthusiasts know the

Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley for its world-class alpineskiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte MountainResort along with snow cat skiing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding and ice fish-ing.

In the warmer months, visitors can choose from recre-ational activities such as hiking, climbing, mountainbiking, boating, whitewater rafting, fly-fishing, camping,horseback riding and leaf peeping. Distinctive restau-rants, unique shops and numerousathletic competitions, festivalsand concerts also are the county’shallmark. Lodging options rangefrom rustic inns and guest cabinsto bed-and-breakfasts and full-ser-vice resort hotels.

Gunnison, the county seat and atown of nearly 6,000, has anauthentic Western feel and ishome to the Gunnison-CrestedButte Regional Airport,Gunnison Whitewater Park,Gunnison Valley Observatory,Pioneer Museum, and WesternState College. Hartman RocksMulti-Use Recreational Centerwest of town is a year-round centerfor fun along with the nearby

Curecanti National Recreation Area, which includesBlue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado’s largest body of water.Gunnison also is a launching point for Black Canyon ofthe Gunnison National Park.

Crested Butte, recognized as the “Official WildflowerCapital of Colorado” by the Colorado Legislature andone of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s“Dozen Distinctive Destinations” in 2008, is 28 milesnorth of Gunnison. The Crested Butte MountainHeritage Museum and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame areconveniently based in one location and tell the story ofthis colorful and free-spirited town’s rich mining, ranch-

36 • Byways

Gunnison County -- Colorado Pure & Simple

Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days is Colorado’s oldest rodeo.Photo courtesy Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association

Snow Cat skiing at Irwin Photo by C.S. Irwin

ing, biking and skiing heritage.Only three miles up the road is the resort village of

Mt. Crested Butte, home to the ski area and outstandinghiking and biking trails. In addition to skiing and snow-boarding, Crested Butte Mountain Resort offers tubing,snowshoeing, ice skating, bungee trampolines, zip linesand sleigh ride dinners. Summer and fall transitionCBMR into a mecca for biking, ziplining, miniature golf,outdoor concerts and more.

In the far northwest corner of Gunnison County,located in the Upper Crystal River Valley, is majesticMarble, location of seven sites on the National Registerof Historic Places and home to the famous Yule MarbleQuarry. Marble is the gateway to nearby Crystal, hometo one of the most photographed mill sites in the coun-try.

Gunnison County also includes the quaint and his-toric towns of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Powderhorn andAlmont and is part of the West Elk Loop and SilverThread Scenic & Historic Byways.

For a calendar of events, lodging packages, traildescriptions and more, call 800-814-8893 or visitwww.GunnisonCrestedButte.com.

Byways • 37

Fall scenic viewsPhoto courtesy Gunnison-Crested

Butte Tourism Association

Wildflowers in Crested Butte area.Photo by Jan Runge/Gunnison-Crested Butte

Tourism Association

Smithsonian’s National Air and SpaceMuseum Turns 35

It was July 1, 1976, 35 years ago, as a highlight of theAmerican Bicentennial, that the National Air andSpace Museum welcomed the first visitors to its new

building on the National Mall in Washington. Home to such icons of flight as the 1903 Wright Flyer,

the Spirit of St. Louis, Friendship 7 and the Apollo 11command module -- it quickly became the most popularmuseum in the world. As of May, the museum has wel-comed 303,674,128 million visitors to itstwo buildings.

In 2003, the Air andSpace Museum expanded to Northern

Virginia with the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, now themost popular museum site in the commonwealth.

The museum celebrated its 35th anniversary at theflagship building in Washington, Friday, July 1. The pop-ular Imax movie that premiered on opening day, To Fly!

was shown at 1976 prices: 50 cents for adults and 25cents for children. Curators Michael Neufeld and AlexSpencer discussed their book, “Smithsonian NationalAir and Space Museum: An Autobiography,” whichtells the story of the museum and its historic collectionfrom its earliest days to the present.

To recognize the anniversary, the museum has createdthe website “Celebrating 35 Years of Memories at theNational Air and Space Museum.” The site includescongratulatory messages from well-wishers, fromMichael Collins, the Apollo 11 astronaut and first direc-tor of the museum, to Elmo of

SesameStreet fame. Members of the

public can post their own memories of the museum.The museum was first envisioned when the National

Air Museum was created as a separate bureau of theSmithsonian. Public Law 722 was signed by PresidentHarry S. Truman in 1946. Previously, the Smithsonian’saeronautics collection had been part of theSmithsonian’s Department of Arts and Industries, butthe collection had grown rapidly with World War II air-craft, and it was decided that the brief but imposing his-

38 • Byways

What’s HappeningWhat’s Happening

Anniversary banner in the Milestones ofFlight gallery, between a Sputnikreplica and the real Spirit of St. Louis.Photo Credit: Mark AvinoCopyright: Smithsonian Institution

Byways • 39

V-2 missile on display in the SpaceRace gallery at the National Mallbuilding.Photo Credit: Eric Long, National Air and Space Museum. Copyright: Smithsonian Institution

40 • Byways

The original 1903 Wright Flyer is the centerpiece of “The Wright Brothers & TheInvention of the Aerial Age” exhibition at the National Air and Space Museum’sflagship building on the National Mall in Washington.Photo Credit: Eric Long, National Air and Space Museum. Copyright: Smithsonian Institution

Byways • 41

tory of aviation warranted a separate museum. Twentyyears later, as Americans raced the Soviets to reach themoon, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the NationalAir Museum Amendment Act, which added “space” tothe museum’s name and also authorized the constructionof a much-needed museum building. Ten years later, themuseum opened as President Gerald R. Ford declared it“a perfect birthday present” to the nation.

With a dual commitment to history and science, themuseum conducts research in three areas: aeronautics,space history and planetary studies. The museum main-tains the world’s largest collection of historic aircraft,spacecraft, other flight-related artifacts, works of art andarchival materials. There are 22 exhibition galleries inthe flagship building and two exhibition hangars -- theBoeing Aviation Hangar and the James S. McDonnellSpace Hangar -- at the Udvar-Hazy Center. The center’sMary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar is expected to beoperational by the end of 2011.

The National Air and Space Museum building on theNational Mall in Washington, D.C., is located at SixthStreet and Independence Avenue S.W. The museum’sSteven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located in Chantilly,Va., near Washington Dulles International Airport.

Both facilities are open daily from 10:00am until 5:30pm (closed Dec. 25). Admission is free, but there is a $15fee for parking at the Udvar-Hazy Center.

42 • Byways

The National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall in Washington, DC, with the Capitol building in the background.Photo Credit: Eric Long, National Air and Space Museum.Copyright: Smithsonian Institution

The Apollo 11 command module Columbiacarried astronauts Armstrong, Aldrin, andCollins to the Moon and back in July 1969.During that historic eight-day mission, only 66 years after the Wright brothers’ first flight,Armstrong and Aldrin became the first humans to walk upon the surface of anotherworld.Photo Credit: Eric Long, National Air andSpace Museum.Copyright: Smithsonian Institution

Byways • 43

Zipping Under Louisville

Louisville Mega Cavern, a 100-acre limestone cav-ern located near the Louisville Zoo, is now offeringMega Zips, a 2-hour underground zipline adven-

ture with breathtaking views and unprecedented access.Mega Zips is an exhilarating ride through never-

before-seen parts of Mega Cavern, and at times will haveguests soaring 70 feet above the cavern floor. Certifiedguides lead every adventure tour and educate visitorsabout the geology and history of the cavern.

This unique tour features five underground ziplines,including a dual-racing zip and 3 challenge bridges.

The ribbon cutting cermeony for Mega Zips tookplace Thursday, August 4.

The 100-acre former limestone quarry also offersunique daily tours and experiences to visitors and corpo-rate groups. One of only 6 places in the world where vis-itors can take an underground tram ride, Mega Cavernalso boasts Lights Under Louisville, the only under-ground holiday light show in the world, and now, MegaZips -- the world’s first and only completely undergroundzipline tour.

Visit www.LouisvilleMegaCavern.com or call 877-614-MEGA (6342) or 502-855-MEGA (6342). Mega

Cavern is located at 1841 Taylor Avenue, Louisville, KY40223.

Make Mega Cavern part of your next vacation toLouisville. To find out about other events taking placein Louisville visit https://packages.gotolouisville.com orcall 1-888-LOUISVILLE (1-888-568-4784).

The Showboat Branson Belle’s new show Encore! ishitting high marks with rave reviews from guestsfollowing the 2011 season launch of the 700-seat

paddle wheeler’s all-new headliner production show.Encore! stars the world’s only violin-playing aerialist,Janice Martin, and a new male vocal group, TheShowMen, presenting musical selections spanningdecades from Gershwin to the Beatles to the Black EyedPeas.

The show brings a contemporary flair to Branson, not-ed by the entertainment community and by press whoattended the opening. “Guests are amazed at the enter-tainment variety that Janice Martin offers, from herJuilliard-trained talent on piano and violin to her oper-atic soprano voice and her acrobatic skills as an aerialistand she’s a military veteran too,” said Showboat GeneralManager Jim Moeskau. “Guests also rave about theimprovisational humor of emcee Christopher James andthe tight six-part harmonies of The ShowMen, one ofthe hottest new groups in Branson.”Encore’s Martin brings her high-flying theatrics to the

Showboat stage in a unique act showcasing her talents asa world-class violinist, vocalist, acrobat and multi-instrument musician. The ShowMen, six talented malevocalists and dancers from all across America, fill thestage with a powerful blend of contemporary harmoniesand standout solos. Comedian and magicianChristopher James is the ultra-sharp, uber-funny masterof ceremonies and entertainer, and all are accompaniedby the Showboat’s signature live band Rockin’ Dockersfor a totally live entertainment experience.

A second new show, Funny Fiddle, is featured on

Showboat Comedy Cruises. Funny Fiddle is headlined bycomedian and musician Chris Pendleton, whose uniquetalent has been nationally showcased on Lifetime, Foxnetwork, Showtime, VH-1, and A & E’s “Evening at theImprov.” She is joined by emcee Dean Church, alongwith the Showboat’s live band The Castaways.

The ship features new menus for both shows from theShowboat’s Chef Larry, including Beef Tenderloin,Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs and Chicken Focaccia,topped with the chef’s own Golden Brittle Lemon-BerryTorte. All meals are prepared onboard in the ship’s gal-ley and served in the three-story atrium dining theater.Specialty dining options include the Paddlewheel ClubRoom and Captain’s Row.

With the new show, new performers, new costumes,new sets, plus a new menu, staging, lighting and décor,this year marks the biggest change year in the paddlewheeler’s 15-year history. The Showboat Branson Bellecruises Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, throughDecember 31. Cruise information: 800-775-BOAT(2628) or www.showboatbransonbelle.com.

44 • Byways

Encore! Hits High Marks Aboard Showboat Branson Belle

The ShowMen

Byways • 45

Byways is published bi-monthly by Byways, Inc. and distributed electronically throughout North America.Byways is emailed to more than 4000 tour operators and 20,000 travel agencies through the internet. Subscriptionsare complimentary.

Byways’ distribution includes motorcoach companies, tour operators, travel agents, bank travel managers, schoolband and athletic planners, and meeting planners. For advertising rates, editorial deadlines, or to place advertisinginsertions, contact: Byways Magazine, P.O. 1088, Mount Jackson, VA 22842. Telephone 540-477-3202. Fax 540-477-3858. Toll-free 800-469-0062.

©Copyright 2011 by Byways, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be duplicated in anyform without express written permission of the publisher.

Editor and PublisherStephen M. Kirchner

Advertising Director1.800.469.0062

540.477.3202

Fax 540.477.3858

Internet:bywaysmagazine.com

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Advertisers Index

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46 • Byways

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