Texas Wildflowers, The Kennedys and Cowboys

Day 1

Transport to Baltimore /Washington Airport – Fly into Dallas mid day
Enjoy a Stockyards tour and check into the Courtyard Marriott Historic Stockyards.
Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner the world famous Billy Bob’s
You will also enjoy Country Line Dance Lessons.

Day 2

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Today we have a tour of Dallas with a step-on guide, tour will include Dealy Plaza and the history of John F Kennedy, for those of you that are old enough to remember sitting in your classroom watching the assassination of JFK, you will experience where and what happened that fateful day in November 1963. You will have Lunch “on your own at the Dallas Farmer’s Market . We’ll visit the Book Depository Museum-Stand where Lee Harvey Oswald stood as he took the famous shots that ended President Kennedy’s life. Conspiracy or not? The AT&T’s Dallas Cowboy’s Football Stadium Tour-This is a fabulous tour for football and non-football fans alike. You are close-up and personal inside the locker rooms and stadium. Enjoy seeing Harrisburg’s hometown boy, Micah Parson’s locker and where he became a Dallas Cowboy. Dinner is included tonight.

Day 3

Enjoy the day “On Your Own” to explore the Stockyard as little or as much as you like. While some of you may want to explore on your own, we will still have some scheduled group activities for you to join the group if you want. Should you choose to see some live
music or do any of the “on your own” activities, the hotel desk will be able to help you with what may be available, if you haven't done it prior to leaving home.
Thing to do on your own within walking distance of the hotel: *Horseback riding * Watch the cattle drive * Shopping * Wine tasting * Billy Bob’s * Restaurants * Ghost Tours * Live
Music/Concerts * Dancing * Carriage Tours * Rodeo and great people watching!!
Lunch and Dinner are on your own at your choice of the many restaurants.

Day 4

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before departing for the Fort Worth Botanical Garden and
Japanese Garden. You will not be disappointed to spend all day here. There are approximately 16 gardens for you to explore, plus the conservatory. You will have a guided tour of the most popular garden, the Japanese Garden. Enjoy a boxed lunch while you are there. You will have plenty of time to wonder and wander through the gardens. Look for special events or exhibits while you are there. There is usually something of extra added interest happening. Also enjoy the two gift shops on site.
Depart for Ennis Texas we will me a step on guide to take us through the best viewing spots on the trail to see the blue bonnets, among the other wildflowers blooming at this time. Dinner is on your own this evening.

Day 5

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before departing for the Dallas Arboretum. We will begin with a tour, an overview of the property and then have the whole day here to spend it as you like. This is a world-class destination that expands over 66 acres. You will have the entire day to stroll, eat, relax, and go at your own pace. You will not be rushed, so take time and smell the flowers. The Spring Bulb Festival will be in full swing. If you like color, this will be a feast of color that will include 120 varieties of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. Depending on the Texas weather, you may also delight in the cherry blossom trees and the 3000 azaleas that are on the property. The DeGoyler Estate is on the property and may be visited as well. There are a few lovely dining venues for lunch on your own.
Dinner is included at Riscky’s BBQ in the Stockyards

DAy 6

Enjoy breakfast at our hotel before we check out and depart for Austin.
Today we’ll visit the Lady Bird Wildflower Center-This lovely garden uses native plants to restore and create sustainable and beautiful gardens. There are 284 acres of approximately 1000 species of Texas wildflowers. There is a 16 acre arboretum and 76 acres dedicated to long term research. Enjoy a boxed lunch while you explore the gardens., Next we’ll depart for a little something different and fun! Top Golf Austin where we’ll enjoy an early dinner and the opportunity to hit a few balls from luxury suites just for our group. Watch on the screen as your ball flys through the air towards your target.
Depart here in time for “ Dusk” So that we can watch Bats from Congress street bridge — The famous bats Austin. The Congress Street Bridge is the home of the largest population of urban bats. They wake up at sunset and start their night flight, providing quite a show as they cascade over Lady Bird Lake.
Depart for San Antonio and Check into the Holiday Inn Riverwalk for the next 3 nights.

Day 7

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.
You have 2 options today
OPTION #1—Visit the San Antonio Botanical Garden, enjoy a local Lunch and Visit the Japanese Gardens. The SABG’s tranquil 38 acre urban oasis  serves as a living museum of native and imported plant life. It’s mission is to enrich lives through plants and nature. The Japanese Tea Garden is an extraordinary 100-year-old garden began as a pit from a limestone quarry and cement factory. It is a unique attraction that includes a 60 ft. waterfall, walkways, stone bridges, koi ponds and lush year-round floral displays.

OPTION #2 - Instead of going to the San Antonio Botanical Garden/Japanese Tea Garden,  you may choose  to receive a hop on, hop off bus pass. This pass allows you to explore other venues in San Antonio, for those who may have traveled here before. https://www.citysightseeingsanantonio.com

In the evening you are free to explore the river walk on your own. This is a great area for eating, shopping and libations. It is the best riverwalk your leader has ever been to! The cruise on the riverwalk is definitely a nice activity. The San Fernando Cathedral light show is also a great event, You will enjoy the amazing light show which is shown on the 7000 sq. foot façade of the San Fernando Cathedral, which is just a few blocks away from the hotel. The show is every Tuesday – Saturday at 9PM and 9:30PM.
Option #1 (B, L) Option #2 (B)

Day 8

Enjoy breakfast your hotel.
Depart for the Rainbow Garden Center-Here you will enjoy a workshop led by Master Gardener and enjoy time to shop. Sue will instruct you on how to pack your plants.
We will make a stop at Buc-ee’s- You just have to see it! Great place to buy Texas souvenirs.
Next we’ll visit the historic Gruene (pronounced Green), Texas, A National Historic District-Originally settled over a century ago, Gruene is a snapshot of Texas culture and history come to life. With 15 walkable acres, designated a National Historic District, visitors can shop, dine and dance within the walls of the original township buildings. There are lots of options to enjoy, from antiques to cowboy hats, and Americana music to blues, every doorway leads you to something unforgettable. Gruene is for people who enjoy food, music, fun times and old things!
Dinner is included at the Gristmill River Restaurant in Gruene.

Day 9

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.
Check out and depart for the San Antonio Airport to return back to the East Coast.
Motorcoach transfer back to Harrisburg.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner