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..
2019
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).
June 13-25........................................Exploring the Alpine Countries – Austria – Germany – Switzerland:
13 Days, 17 Meals ($5,269 Double – includes air fare).
July 16-28.........................................Alaska Discovery -- Land & Cruise
7-night Princess Cruise; 13 days, 25 meals, $5,749 double, $8,749 single w/air fare
July 18, 19, & 20 ................................................ Tall Ships Celebration –Via Motorcoach
DAY 1 - Greet the Tall Ships with a luncheon cruise on the “Islander”, Tour the Historical Homes in Bay City – over 200 of them! Visit Saginaw Naval Museum finishing off with dinner at Krzysiak’s Hoouse.)
DAY 2 - Early Admission to the Tall Ships Celebration, tour Zellinger Wool Company and shop Frankenmuth or shop the Birch Run Outlet Mall, then this evening German wine & beer tasting before Chicken dinner at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant.
DAY 3 - Board the Tall Ship “Appledore” for a lunch cruise on the Saginaw River out to the Bay. 2 nights lodging & 7 meals, Single $785, Double $654, Triple $619. A $300 deposit is required with registration.
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).
August 30- September 11................Portugal & Its Islands featuring the Estoril Coast, Azores & Madeira Islands
Highlights: Lisbon, Portuguese Riviera, Fatima, Obidos, St Michael Island-Azores. 13 Days, 18 Meals ($5,299 Double includes air fare)
August 30-September 13.......................................................Exploring Britain & Ireland
England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales; 15 days, 20 meals, $5,399 double, $6,399 single w/air fare
September 18-27...................................................................Reflections of Italy
Rome, Colosseum, Assisi, Perugia, Siena, Florence, Venice. 10 Days; 13 Meals ($4699 Double included air fare).
September 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).
October 11 – 16.................................................................Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Featuring Albuquerque and Sante Fe – 6 Days; 7 Meals ($2,769 Double includes air fare).
October 23 – November 1...........................................................Iconic Israel
Highlights: Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Caesarea, Tiberias, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Jericho, Qumran, Dead Sea, Bethlehem,. 10 Days; 15 Meals ($4899 Double includes air fare)
December 29-January 2 ...............................................................California New Year’s Getaway
Featuring the Tournament of Roses Parade. 5 Days; 5 Meals ($2,899 Double includes air fare).
Some of the 2018 New York City Travelers enjoying their "Girls Trip". Pictured, from left to right are Laurene Benelli, Carrie Edwards, Tina Wells, Thelma Retz, Terrie Mays and Laurie Muzzillo. Check out the information below on the 2019 trip!!
New York City
September 16-20, 2019
Four days in the Big Apple begins with a ferry trip to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty followed by Times Square, Macy’s, the Empire State Building, Central Park, the Guggenheim, Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, Soho, Little Italy, Chinatown, Battery Park, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Two evenings at the theatre, 5 breakfasts and 2 dinners are also included
Code #: 475105-M1
Single $1,950; Double $1,550; Deposit $500
View the New York City Brochure
Thanks to our travelers who visited New York City with us and supplied these photos.
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. 12 days, 17 meals ($7,099 double w/air fare and tickets to play).
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
Dickens Village in Cambridge, OH
Step back in time to London, England in the days of Charles Dickens on this exciting visit to Cambridge, Ohio. This charming historic district is transformed into an Old London, Dickens-themed wonderland. See 167 life-size, handmade mannequins in breathtaking active scenes from the great author’s cannon. It’s like stepping into a storybook as you enjoy all this little town has to offer including a Court House music and light show. 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
475212-S1 11/3 Sa $65
Departs: 8:00 a.m. from Bob Arnold Park, Parnell at E. State Blvd.
Returns: 10:30 p.m.
Chicago Shopping
Catch the Holiday Spirit! Join our “shop till you drop” trips to festively decorated stores in downtown Chicago, or attend any one of the number of special Christmas activities going on during the holiday season in the city. Don’t miss “The Christkindlmarket” taking place throughout the Christmas Season on Daley Plaza, or The “One of a Kind Show” at the Merchandise Mart on December 8. 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. A 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
475005-W1 12/5 W $55
475005-S1 12/8 Sa $55
475005-S2 12/15 Sa $55
Departs: 8:00 a.m. from Bob Arnold Park, Parnell at E. State Blvd.
Returns: 10:30 p.m.
Purdue Christmas Show
Board our “sleigh” for a trip to West Lafayette and a matinee performance of Purdue University’s 84th Anniversary Christmas Show! This popular musical extravaganza, with its innovative staging, choreography and costuming promises to put you in the holiday mood. As always the inspirational Cantata is a fitting tribute to the blessed season. An elegant supper will be served just for us at the historic Honeywell House in Wabash on the way home. A guided tour of this beautiful mansion, filled with unique furniture and objects of art, will precede our meal. In spirit, Mrs. Honeywell’s renowned reputation as a hostess continues. A continental breakfast of rolls, juice and coffee will be served on the way.
Code Date Day Fee
475003-S1 12/1 Sa $115
Departs: 9:00 a.m. from Bob Arnold Park, Parnell at E. State Blvd.
Returns: 7:30 p.m.
Broadway in Chicago presents: “Hamilton”
Our motorcoach stops first on Michigan Avenue at Water Tower Place where we will gather at the Mity Nice Grill to enjoy American dishes, served family style for lunch (included). Then it’s on to the Private Bank Theatre in Chicago’s “Loop” for a matinee performance of “Hamilton,” the story of founding father Alexander Hamilton told on stage like you’ve never seen before. Combining a historically accurate plot with hip-hop and R&B songs, the Hamilton musical has become one of the most innovative productions ever to hit the theater world. The musical Hamilton was inspired by the 2004 book “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow. The musical recounts the story of Hamilton’s life beginning from childhood through to the tragic end. Among the historical figures appearing in supporting roles are Hamilton’s wife, Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, Aaron Burr, George Washington, James Madison, King George III and more.
Code Date Day Fee
175010-W1 12/19 W $197
Departs 7:30 a.m. from Bob Arnold Park, Parnell at E. State Blvd. Returns: 10:30 p.m.
Chicago Flower and Garden Show
“FLOWERTALES” is the theme of the Chicago Flower and Garden Show this year. After arriving at Chicago’s Navy Pier we will move immediately to the 700-passenger ship, “Spirit of Chicago” for a 2-hour luncheon buffet, floral arrangement demonstration . . . and incredible skyline views! After docking, you can stroll through the corridor filled with beautiful stained glass windows on your way to the Flower and Garden Show. You will enjoy lush theme gardens, creative tablescapes, demonstrations by florists and chefs, gardening seminars and the popular marketplace. Whether you are a beginning gardener needing the basics, a seasoned pro wanting to take things to the next level or a horticultural aficionado seeking what’s new and trendy, you will find Chicago’s first blush with spring to be invigorating. Luncheon cruise and entry ticket to show are included. A continental breakfast will be served en-route and a fast food stop (on your own) will be made on the way home.
Code Date Day Fee
175000-S1 3/23 Sa $115
Departs: 8:00 a.m. from Bob Arnold Park, Parnell at E. State Blvd. Returns: 10:30 p.m.
2019 Detroit Auto Show
Experience the next generation of transportation at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show, North America’s largest and most prestigious automotive showcase. You will see more than 500 vehicles on display, representing the most innovative designs in the world. You’ll see “one-of- a-kind” concepts and high end cars as you browse through the exciting new models. Photos are allowed, so be sure to bring your camera. A continental breakfast of rolls, coffee and juice will be served en-route. Your entry ticket and a delicious boxed lunch from Apple Spice, which you can take into the show, are included. A supper stop (on your own) will be made at Culvers in Jackson, MI on the way home.
Code Date Day Fee
175007-S1 1/19 Sa $75
Departs 8:00 a.m. from Bob Arnold Park, Parnell and E. State Blvd. Returns 9:00 p.m.
We are now taking reservations for the following trips at 427-6000. Call or go to www.
fortwayneparks.org for a trip brochure.
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.
