GROUP TOUR PROFILE GUIDE

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TRAVEL WATERLOO
GROUP TOUR PROFILE GUIDE
FIVE REASONS TO DIG WATERLOO, IOWA FOR YOUR NEXT GROUP TOUR
GALLERIA DE PACO ‘SISTINE CHAPEL CEILING’ RESTAURANT
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Experience a one-of-a-kind lunch or dinner served under a magnificent replica of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, one of the world’s most fabulous works of art. Renowned artist, Paco
Rosic, recreated Michelangelo’s masterpiece using 5,200 cans of Krylon spray paint. The
restaurant, a.k.a. art gallery, serves European/American cuisine in an intimate setting with
unparalleled service.
JOHN DEERE TRACTOR & ENGINE MUSEUM
Building on our past! Waterloo’s John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum, which opened in December 2014, tells an important historical story – the story of agriculture before and after
machines. Learn about the development of tractors and engines in the Cedar Valley, and
why the John Deere company came to Waterloo. Hear the stories of men and women who
have worked at John Deere Waterloo Tractor & Engine Works, and how they have contributed to the evolution of the tractor.
KENNY KASS’ PRIVATE TRACTOR COLLECTION
Come see the original John Deere Waterloo Boy and Two-Cylinder tractors. Visit an extensive, privately-owned collection of the finest antique and vintage tractors, and steam and
gasoline engines in the Midwest. This collection is one of the top five in the United States,
which includes prairie tractors from the turn of the century, and Aultman-Taylor, Russell,
and the rare Rumely Oil Pull tractors. An additional new building with a barn wood front
porch is full of collectibles – calendars, clocks, farm and kitchen tools, and memorabilia.
RIVERLOOP PUBLIC MARKET CO-OP & CAFÉ
Locally-grown food products, fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, deli meats
and cheeses, bulk spices and herbs, baking supplies, dairy and eggs, and baked goods are
sold here year-round. For lunch or dinner, enjoy their all-you-can-eat salad bar and hot
buffet which includes a beverage, dessert, tax, and gratuity. Afterwards, spend some time
shopping around the market.
SULLIVAN BROTHERS IOWA VETERANS MUSEUM
This $11 million, 30,000 square foot addition to the Grout Museum of History and Science honors the Sullivan Brothers of Waterloo, five brothers who perished when the U.S.S.
Juneau sank during a battle in WWII, and all veterans from the Civil War to present day.
Exhibits include a tank, fighter plane, Vietnam Huey helicopter, Korean jet fighter, WWII
Pacific Theater, and generations of veteran memories. Interactive exhibits include exploring
the inside of a tank to donning military gear of soldiers. A reconstructed bow of the U.S.S.
Juneau is viewable and extends from the first floor to the museum’s second level. Plus, view
a 30-minute film on the “Life and Times of the Sullivan Brothers”.
MILEAGE TO WATERLOO
CONTACT
Erin Schmitz, CMP
Director of Group Sales
500 Jefferson Street
Waterloo, Iowa 50701
(800) 728-8431
Erin@TravelWaterloo.com
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35
80
380
Cedar Rapids
55
Amana Colonies 71
Mason City
80
Iowa City
85
Dubuque91
Des Moines
105
Quad Cities 135
Burlington154
Minneapolis, MN200
Sioux City
229
Council Bluffs 232
Omaha, NE
242
Milwaukee, WI 263
Chicago, IL268
Sioux Falls, SD 287
Kansas City, MO310
St. Louis, MO
356
DIG DEEPER IN WATERLOO
CHECK OUT THIS SAMPLE ITINERARY FOR YOUR NEXT GROUP TOUR IN WATERLOO, IOWA
Begin your tour of Waterloo at John Deere
Tractor Assembly Operations and take a free
trolley
ride
through
the
factory to see
first-hand how the large
green tractors are manufactured. Afterwards, stop by
Deere Crossing to pick up
your John Deere merchandise and souvenirs.
Head downtown to the RiverLoop Public Market Coop and Café for lunch. This
year-round market and café
sells fresh and locally-grown
food items.
DAY
1
After lunch, travel a short
distance to the brand new, John Deere Tractor & Engine
Museum. Located on the original site of the Waterloo Tractor Works, this museum features an impressive array of John
Deere tractors and memorabilia.
Next, check into one of our
accommodating and groupfriendly hotels. That evening,
experience dining, gaming
and entertainment at the
Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo.
Or, choose from a variety of
shopping options located nearby in the Crossroads area.
Our first stop of the day is at the Grout Museum District, where you can “Touch, See,
and Feel” the history. Then on to the Sullivan
Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum, which honors Waterloo’s military heroes - The Fighting
Sullivans, five brothers who
perished on the same ship
during WWII. This museum
features interactive exhibits,
displays and oral histories
for all conflicts from the Civil
War to present day.
DAY
2
Next, drive just a few blocks
to the world-famous Galleria
De Paco, and enjoy a tour
and meal below the breathtaking Sistine Chapel ceiling.
The artist, Paco Rosic, created this masterpiece with
5,200 cans of Krylon spray
paint as he worked on scaffolding for 4 months.
Following lunch, take a behind-the-scenes tour of a thirdgeneration business, Petersen & Tietz Florist and Greenhouses. Wrap up the afternoon with a tour of Kenny Kass’
Private Tractor Collection, the fifth largest in the United
States.
In the evening, head downtown to Hope Martin Theatre, home of the Waterloo
Community
Playhouse/
Black Hawk Children’s Theatre. Or, bring the Drama-ToGo Troupe to a venue for a
private event. Sit back, relax
and enjoy one of their outstanding performances!
Enter a world of discovery at the National
Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum.
The museum preserves the history of mankind’s oldest sport through historic artifacts,
exhibits and a library. The Hall of Fame completes the tribute to some of the most memorable wrestlers
in American history.
DAY
3
View artistry at its best at
the Waterloo Center for the
Arts, which presents a full
program of exhibitions and
works from its permanent
collection, as well as temporary exhibits of works by regional and international artists. Your group can get creative
with a canvas painting workshop or Laughing Yoga experience. Be sure to check out the center’s Gift Store, which
sells original fine arts and crafts created by Midwest artists.
Just steps away, it’s time for a fresh and innovative lunch at
the Laughing Tree Café.
tor center.
DAY
4
After lunch, enjoy a hands-on
farm experience at Hansen’s
Dairy Farm. See the process
of getting milk from the farm
to your table, feed a calf, milk
a cow, or perhaps pet a kangaroo. Top your day off with a
catered meal inside their visiStart your final day with a visit to Waterloo’s
Historic Church Row Neighborhood. Tour up
to 7 of these 100-year-old churches all located
within a two-block area.
Complete your tour of Waterloo with a group luncheon at
the historic Snowden House or a tour of the beautiful Cedar
Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens.
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