Black Meetings and Tourism

Sep/Oct 2011

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Illinois.Two good leisure time options are the Peoria Glen Oak Zoo and the Peoria Riverfront. At Rockford's marquee attraction, the BurpeeMuseum ofNaturalHistory, the famousT-rex Skeleton Jane has now been joined by Homer, a juvenile Triceratops. The Discovery Center Museum and CoCo Key Water Resort offer more family-friendly diversions. INDIANA The Indiana University Art Museum in Bloomington houses an impressive collection of African masks. Visitors can also appreciate the art of the museum's architectural design by I.M. Pei. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy kayaking and canoeing on Lake Monroe, 10 miles southeast of the city. IOWA In northeast Iowa, a network of sites highlighting the state's agricultural heritage has been designated as the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area. But there is much more to the Hawkeye State than farming. Cedar Rapids, the state's second largest city, is home to theAfricanAmerican Museum of Iowa. It's also the site of the Home and studio of "American Gothic" painter GrantWood, who lived and worked there from 1924 to 1934. The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, hous- es "American Gothic," as part of the world's largest MICHIGAN The largest museum of its kind, Charles H.Wright Museum ofAfricanAmerican History in Detroit hous- es more than 30,000 artifacts and archival materials. Taking center stage among the displays is the 22,000- sq. ft.multi-level exhibit called "And StillWe Rise:Our Journey Through African American History and Culture." A family reunion itinerary for Grand Rapids might include a trip to the John Ball Zoo, where more than 1,000 animals, an aquarium, zip line tour and ropes LANSING The State Capitol Building in Lansing offers tours of its public areas and House and Senate galleries. Visitors can also check out the exhibits at theMichigan Historical Museum, enjoy some education playtime at the Impression 5 Science Center and take in a concert, dance performance or Broadway show at theWharton Center for Performing Arts. One of Lansing's largest annual events is the Common Ground music festival, which is held each July on the banks of the Grand River. The city's largest meeting venue, Lansing Center, contains more than 175,000 sq. ft. of space, including 72,000 sq. ft. of column-free exhibit space. Lansing State Capital Building Black Meetings & Tourism September/October 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 43 Evansville's Angel Mound State Historic Site is a living history village depicting the Native American heritage of the area. Two more local attractions are the Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden and the Koch Family Children's Museum of Evansville. Fort Wayne also has some notable attractions with kid appeal, including the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo; Science Central, and hands-on museum; and one of the city's top events, the Johnny Appleseed Festival in September. Massachusetts Avenue is a favorite shopping, dining and entertainment hub in Indianapolis. Other places to see include the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art, the Children's Museum of Indianapolis and nearby White River State Park. collection of works byWood. In Des Moines, the capital and largest city, a must- see attraction is the Fort Des Moines Museum and Education, memorial to African-American soldiers of WorldWar I and female soldiers ofWorldWar II. The Simon Estes RiverfrontAmphitheater – named for the African-American opera singer) – holds a summer concert series called "Nitefall on the River." Other points of interest include Blank Park Zoo, the Des Moines Art Center and Hoyt Sherman Place, a per- forming arts center. course count among the things to see and do.A leisure- ly tour for meeting delegates or spouses might take in the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park or the Grand Rapids Art Museum. A reunion or incentive trip to Mackinac Island will take travelers back in time to a Victorian village. Carriage tours are a popular way to explore the his- toric downtown – no motorized transportation is allowed on the island. Top area attractions include the Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, Fort Mackinac and the famed Grand Hotel.

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