The Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Travel Service has planned a variety of tours just for you.
To receive a free brochure on a trip that interests you, or for more information, please call Travel
Specialist Sharon Dosen at (260) 427-6017 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Trip brochures including pricing information are also now available on-line. Please click on the trip
of interest to see the brochure.
Gallery
Photo highlights from the Mackinac Island Trip!
Thanks to Scott Short for providing these wonderful photos.
2018 Extended Trips and Tours
To request a brochure or for more information about extended trips and tours, please call Travel Specialist Sharon Dosen at (260) 427-6017 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
2018
Equinox and Omni Mount Washington Resorts, Boston, Stockbridge, Norman Rockwell Museum, Manchester, Vermont, Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, Portland Head Light, Kennebunkport; 8 days, 11 meals ($3,859 double w/air fare)
August 25-September 3.......................................... Shades of Ireland
Dublin, Irish Evening, Kilkenny, Waterford, Choices on Tour, Blarney Castle, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Farm Visit, Jaunting Car Ride, Limerick, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Castle Stay; 10 days, 13 meals ($3,749 double w/air fare)
September 14-21.................................................... Discover New England’s Fall Charm
Highlights: Providence, Boston, Stockbridge, Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, Green Mountains, Billings Farm and Museum, Woodstock, White Mountains, Kennebunkport, Portsmouth, Lobster Dinner;
8 Days, 11 Meals ($2,949 Double – includes air fare).
September 17-21................................................... New York City
October 3-9.......................................................... Spotlight on South Dakota: The Black Hills & The Badlands
Mount Rushmore, Deadwood, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Black Hills Gold, Badlands National Park, Wall Drug, Needles Highway, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial; 7 days, 9 meals ($2,479 double w/air fare)
October 11-16........................................................Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Balloon Fiesta, Old Town Albuquerque, National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Turquoise Trail, Santa Fe, Santa Fe School of Cooking; 6 days, 8 meals ($2,749 double w/air fare)
October 14-16............................................................................Michigan’s Jewel: Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel Two nights at the historic 4-star Grand Hotel, round trip ferry, round trip horse-drawn taxi, carriage tour of island, day and evening activities; 5 gourmet meals ($690 double,
$840 single)
2019
February 10-19.......................................................................Highlights of South America
Buenos Aires, Tango Show, Recoleta Cemetery, Estancia Lunch, Iguazu Falls, Rio de Janeiro, Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, Choices on Tour, Churascaria Dinner; 10 days, 13 meals
($5,629 double w/air fare)
February 14-22............................................ Discover Panama: The Land Between the Seas
Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Embera Indigenous Village, Panama Canal Cruise, Panama City,Miraflores Locks, Anton Valley, Chitre, Rum Bodega, Playa Bonita; 9 days, 15 meals ($3,409 double w/air fare)
April 4-18...............................................................................................Taste of Vietnam
Reunification Palace, Mekong Delta, Hanoi, Choices on Tour, Cooking Demonstration, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An; 15 days, 27 meals ($5,099 double w/air fare)
April 28-May 4................................ Southern Charm: Charleston, Jekyll Island & Savannah
Historic Charleston, Choice of Boone Hall Plantation or Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, Savannah, Andrew Low House; 7 days, 9 meals ($3,039 double w/air fare)
May 19-26.....................................America’s Cowboy Country
Highlights: National Museum of Wildlife Art, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone National Park, Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Deadwood, Crazy Horse Memorial, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands National Park. 8 Days; 10 Meals ($3,899 Double – includes air fare).
July 21-28, 2019........................................Pacific Northwest & California
Featuring Washington, Oregon and California. Highlights: Seattle, Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, Portland, Columbia River Gorge, Newport, Bandon State Natural Area, Redwood National Park, Eureka, Avenue of the Giants, San Francisco, Choice of San Francisco Bay Cruise or City Tour of San Francisco. 8 Days; 10 Meals ($3,379 Double includes air fare).
Sept 30 – Oct 10......................................Classic Danube
Featuring a 7 night Danube River Cruise Highlights: Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Linderhof Palace, Oberammergau, Munich, Regensburg, Passau, Linz, Wachau Valley, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest. 11 Days, 24 Meals ($4,979 Double includes air fare).
2020
August 4-15 ............................................................................. Alpine Explorer & Glacier Express Train With Oberammergau Passion Play
Only once every ten years do you get the opportunity to experience the Passion Play! Lago Maffiore, Island Dinner, Zermatt, Glacier Express Train, St. Moritz, Innsbruck, Salzburg, St. Peter’s Restaurant, Mozart Dinner Concert, Munich, Oberammergau Passion Play, Linderhopp Palace, Fussen, Neuschwanstein Castle
Photos from a recent Mackinac Island Trip
Day Trips
Many popular Day Trips are planned throughout the year. To see a complete list or to register,
go to: Register now!
Like to see Day Trips planned for the entire year? NOW AVAILABLE a list of 2018 Day Trips
Tulip Time Festival
Michigan blooms with hospitality as this charm- ing city welcomes us to its 88th Tulip Time Festival. Our day starts out with a Luncheon Buffet Cruise on the “Holland Princess.” Then, a short tour of the tulips lined streets as we pro- ceed toward Centennial Park where 200 juried exhibitors will be offering fine art and original crafts for sale. Check out the Downtown Shops bursting with spring deals before departure. A continental breakfast will be served in route and a supper stop (on your own) will be made on the way home.
Code Date Day Fee
275007-S1 5/5 Sa $89
Departs: 8:00 a.m. from Bob Arnold Park, Parnell at E. State Blvd. Returns: 10:30 p.m.
Saugatuck Shopping
Explore this quaint artist colony with its many opportunities for one of kind pieces. Whether your interests are antiques or collectibles, clothing and accessories, arts or gifts, jew- elry or fine sportswear you’ll enjoy browsing through the specialty shops. For lunch enjoy one of the unique eateries located throughout the town, or the soda shop at the local drug store. A continental breakfast will be served in route, with a fast food stop (on your own) on the way home.
Code Date Day Fee
375002-S1 6/9 Sa $65
Departs: 8:00 a.m. from Bob Arnold Park, State & Parnell Returns: 9:30 p.m.
Springtime Visit to Chicago
Celebrate springtime with a day in Chicago! Browse the shops along the Magnificent Mile or the stores in the Loop; meander through muse- ums; stroll through Millennium Park; visit Navy Pier or ride a river cruise or a sightseeing bus. The choice is yours today! The coach will drop off and pick up at a central location between Grand Avenue and Illinois Street near Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River. Maps will be provided to help you locate your favorite spots! Continental breakfast will be served en route. Lunch in Chicago and a fast food stop on the way home are on your own.
Code Date Day Fee
275005-S1 5/12 Sa $55
Departs: 8:00 a.m. from Bob Arnold Park, Parnell at E. State Blvd.
Returns: 10:30 p.m.
Chicago Cubs Baseball
Join us as we head to Chicago’s historic Wrigley Field for another exciting season of Chicago Cubs baseball! Lower terrace, infield seats are reserved for each game to watch all your favorite players in action as they battle for another shot at the National League Championship. A box lunch and beverage (included) will be pro- vided en route to the ballpark. A fast food stop (on your own) will be made on the way home.
Code Date Day Fee
Cubs vs. Mets
375000-D1 8/29 W $125
Departs: 8:30 a.m. from Bob Arnold Park, State & Parnell
Returns: 10:30 p.m.
Vectren Dayton Air Show
Featuring the Blue Angels
The air is charged with excitement today as we view the amazing Vectren Dayton Air Show from pavilion seating. Opening Ceremonies include a Flag Drop and the National Anthem followed by several exciting acts. A special demonstration by the Blue Angels will be the highlight of this afternoon. A continental breakfast of donuts, juice and coffee will be served in route. Conces- sions stands will be available for your luncheon choices and a fast food stop will be made (on your own) on the way home.
Code Date Day Fee
375019-S1 6/23 Sa $89
Departs: 8:00 a.m. from Bob Arnold Park, State & Parnell
Returns: 9:00 p.m.
Seniors Scenic (Non-Capsizable) Raft Tour and Lunch
Dial in for adventure as we head toward Brookville for a day on the Whitewater River. Our day will start with an informal safety meeting
about the do’s and don’ts of rafting. Your shoes will get wet, but we are not planning on anything else! Your guide will introduce you to
the wildlife and natural history on this 7-mile river trip. An afternoon lunch of hamburgers, brats and sides will finish off our afternoon
at the lodge. A continental breakfast of rolls, juice and coffee will be served on the way and a supper stop will be made (on your own)
on the way home.
Code Date Day Fee
375020-F1 7/20 F $85
Departs: 7:00 a.m. from Bob Arnold Park, Parnell
Ave. at E. State Blvd.
Returns: 7:00 p.m.
Columbus’s Easton Town Center and Germantown
A shopper’s paradise and the Rodeo Drive of the Midwest are a few of the terms used when describing Easton Town Center
featuring nearly 300 best-in-class retailers. Nearly 25 million people visit Easton every year for their many fine stores such as
Burberry, Nordstrom, Apple, Coach, Kate Spade, American Girl, Saks, Trader Joe’s and many more. On our way out of town,
we will make a 2-hour stop in Germantown to give you a chance to stroll around the little village, get an iconic cream puff at
Schmidt’s Restaurant or take a peek at all the unique shops. A continental breakfast of rolls, juice and coffee will be served
on the way and a supper stop will be made (on your own) on the way home.
Code Date Day Fee
475006-S1 8/25 Sa $65
Departs: 8:00 a.m. from Bob Arnold Park, Parnell
Ave. at E. State Blvd.
Returns: 9:00 p.m.
Tootsie
We’re heading to Chicago for the pre-Broadway world premiere of “Toostie” starring Tony nominee Santino Fontana
and featuring a razzle-dazzle score by David Vazbek. This new comedy musical takes you backstage with a talented
but difficult-to-work-with actor who will do anything to land a leading role on Broadway, including adopting a new
persona as Dorothy Michaels. Now this misleading lady is about to get a fabulous lesson in what it’s like to sing and
dance in someone else’s shoes. Our day starts off with lunch before the show at the beautiful Mity Nice Grill (included)
where American dishes are served family style. A continental breakfast of rolls, juice and coffee will be served on the
way and a supper stop will be made (on your own) on the way home.
Code Date Day Fee
475002-S1 10/6 Sa $145
Departs: 7:30 a.m. from Bob Arnold Park, Parnell
Ave. at E. State Blvd.
Returns: 10:30 p.m.
Lake Erie Island Hopping and Luncheon Cruise
This morning we are off to Sandusky where we will board the Goodtime I for a day of island hopping on beautiful Lake
Erie. Our first stop will be Kelleys Island where we will spend the morning exploring all the island has to offer.
This afternoon we’ll stop at Put-in-Bay where we will take a 1-hour tram ride and explore the island. A luncheon buffet
is included on board as we move from island to island. A continental breakfast of rolls, juice and coffee will be served
on the way and a supper stop will be made (on your own) on the way home.
Code Date Day Fee
475206-S1 8/11 Sa $105
Departs: 6:00 a.m. from Bob Arnold Park, Parnell
Ave. at E. State Blvd.
Returns: 10:00 p.m.
Cancellation Information
All Cancellations on day trips are subject to a $5 or 10% (whichever is greater) per person cancellation fee. Cancellations made within one week of departure will be refunded only if replacements can be found. There are no refunds for NO-SHOWS. All day trips include the service of a Travel Service escort, motorcoach transportation and all necessary gratuities, including those to the escort and motorcoach driver. All trips feature NO SMOKING on the motorcoaches.
My travel friends (Beckie, Tonda, and Leah) and I would like to say THANK YOU for such a wonderful Chicago Shopping Trip on Saturday, December 1st. Our group had a wonderful time. The price for the trip was unbeatable. The organization of the trip was flawless. Donna was a wonderful hostess who made sure everyone's needs were met. Bob, the bus driver from excursion travel, was the best driver we have ever had and we have been on quite a few bus trips in the past.
We will definitely recommend future bus trips sponsored by Parks and Recreation to our friends and families. We would certainly be interested in taking future bus trips through the Parks and Recreation. This was our first time and I sure it will not be our last.
Thanks again for such a wonderful time last Saturday.
Michelle V.
Traveler Testimonials:
I want to comment about the trip to Branson. It was a wonderful and well organized event.
Sue and the bus driver were outstanding. Thank you for your attention to all the details that
made up such a nice trip. - Sylvia C.
