Group Tour Planner REV.indd - High Point Convention and Visitors

G ROU P
TOU R
PLaNNer
Welcome to High Point, a city rich with history and full
of surprises. With everything from castles and zip lines to
plantations and the world’s largest furniture showroom in
the nation, you and your group are sure to find unforgettable
adventures. Join us for a memorable time in a city with
welcome
TO HIGH POINT
charm, history and down-home hospitality.
CoMPLiMeNtarY SerViCeS aVaiLaBLe
taBLe oF CoNteNtS
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African American Heritage Itinerary
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Agriculture Itinerary
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Bigger Is Better Itinerary
The High Point Convention & Visitors Bureau provides
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Cheers To The Beers Itinerary
the following assistance to group tour planners:
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Farm To Table & Wine Tour
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Historical Homes Itinerary
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Home Furnishings Itinerary
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John Coltrane Itinerary
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Veterans Itinerary
· Welcome Tour with refreshments at the Regional
Visitors Center
· Assistance in securing competitive bids for overnight
housing in area hotels
· Customized itineraries for each tour suited to your
group’s needs
· Maps, escort notes, and information on
accommodations, restaurants and attractions
· Complimentary tour gifts for overnight guests
· Information and assistance from travel industry
members
· Step-on Guides (some restrictions apply)
Contact the High Point Convention & Visitors Bureau
if you are interested in planning a group tour in the area
at 336.884.5255 or hpcvb@highpoint.org.
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aFriCaN aMeriCaN Heritage itiNerarY
MORNING
Located in the heart of downtown Greensboro, the
Visit an 8 ft, bronze statue of great jazz musician and com-
International Civil Rights Center & Museum is an
poser, John Coltrane. Drive by Washington Street District
archival center, collecting museum and teaching facility
which includes his home and the High Point Normal and
devoted to the international struggle for civil and human
Industrial Institute (now William Penn), a local Quaker
rights. The Museum celebrates the nonviolent protests of
founded institute for educating young African Americans.
the 1960 Greensboro sit-ins that served as a catalyst in
Rosetta C. Baldwin Museum was created to honor the
the civil rights movement.
legacy of Miss Baldwin - a tireless educator, her family and
many other African Americans for their contributions
to the development of the High Point community. For
seven decades Miss Baldwin taught in High Point.
LUNCH
Enjoy true soul food as stated in Our State Magazine at
Becky’s and Mary’s Restaurant.
AFTERNOON
Tour the grounds of Mendenhall Plantation, an early
19th Century Quaker Homestead listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. It is home to one of two
remaining false-bottom wagons used to transport slaves
to freedom.
A visit to High Point Museum will open your eyes to
John Coltrane, famous jazz saxophonist who grew up in
High Point and attended William Penn High School is
remembered with a special exhibition. Other early local
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ADDITIONAL
Charlotte Hawkins Brown Memorial – North Carolina’s
first official historic site honoring an African American
woman. This site is the location of the Palmer Institute,
a black preparatory school established by Brown in 1902.
African American entrepreneurs include Willis Hinton,
Mattye Reed African Heritage Museum – Located at
restaurant and hotel owner and Albert Miller, brickyard
NCA&T University, housing one of the best collections
operator.
of African artifacts in the country.
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agriCuLturaL itiNerarY
MORNING
Best of all, you’ll see all of this up close! Plus everyone is
Ciener Botanical Garden, located in nearby Kernersville,
given a sugar pad to hand feed the butterflies and get an
is a world class Botanical Garden as fine as any in the state
up close look! (April – October)
of North Carolina. Since the Grand Opening of the first
two permanent buildings and five gardens in April 2011,
the Garden has been connecting people with plants
from all over the world through tours, exhibits, and
special events.
In nearby Trinity, Linbrook Heritage Estate is home to
the Neal Agricultural and Industrial Museum, which
displays a collection of rare tractors and industrial
equipment. The museum houses twenty-two fully
restored John Deere® tractors, a large collection of John
Groups won’t want to miss a trip to Hunter Farms in
High Point! Learn about the history of the company and
watch a video that shows the cows being milked, how the
milk is transported to the plant, and finally how the milk
is processed and bottled. Groups will be able to tour parts
of the plant and see milk and ice cream being packaged.
They can also learn how Hunter Farms makes the delicious
Deere® memorabilia, a restored 1926 return-tube boiler
from the P&P Chair Company in Asheboro, a 19th century
steam engine, antique electrical apparatus, and a rare
Otto-Langen engine. All tractors and equipment displayed
at the museum have been restored, both mechanically
and aesthetically, and are periodically operated in
demonstrations held on Linbrook Heritage Estate.
Wendy’s Frosty Mix and have a taste of some Hunter Farms
ice cream to make the tour complete.
LUNCH
The Moose Cafe is a true Farmer’s Market restaurant
serving Southern cookin’ seven days a week
AFTERNOON
ADDITIONAL
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm, in High Point, begins with
Greensboro Arboretum, just minutes from High Point,
a fun, fast-paced presentation that includes a skit where
offers a 17-acre site features 14 plant collections, special
members of the audience dress up, and enjoy learning
display gardens and distinct structural features.
about butterflies. You’ll learn the body parts of a butterfly,
The extensive variety of plants offers rich educational
all about the lifecycle, the Monarch migration, differences
opportunities for children and adults, landscape
between moths and butterflies, and what the caterpillars eat.
designers, and homeowners.
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Bigger iS Better itiNerarY
MORNING
High Point is home to the World’s Largest Chest of
in North Carolina, the 85-foot tall Highboy is even
identifiable by passengers flying overhead.
Drawers, standing 36 feet tall. Originally built in 1925,
to draw attention to the city’s burgeoning furniture
manufacturing industry, the chest has since been restored
as an 18th century dresser. The third drawer is open
slightly and dangling form it are two pairs of gigantic 6 foot
long socks, symbolizing the city’s hosiery industry. A human
AFTERNOON
Replacements, Ltd., located in Greensboro, has the world’s
largest selection of old & new dinnerware, including
china, stoneware, crystal, glassware, silver, stainless, and
collectibles. The 500,000-square-foot facilities (the size
can only reach as high as the top of the chest’s legs.
of 8 football fields!) house an incredible inventory of
Thomasville, just a short distance south of High Point,
over 100 years old!
has The Big Chair, a reproduction of the Duncan Phyfe
Old Salem is home to The Big Coffee Pot, erected around
1858, and named the Mickey Coffee Pot.
armchair which stands overlooking the Square downtown.
12 million pieces in more than 400,000 patterns, some
The chair stands 30 feet high from the bottom of the
12-foot base to the top of the 18-foot chair, with the seat
10 1/2 feet wide. The Big Chair gained national attention
in 1960 when vice-presidential hopeful Lyndon B. Johnson
stopped to greet local supporters from atop the chair
while on a campaign whistle stop.
LUNCH
Enjoy a lunch at The Cafe in the largest furniture
showroom in the nation, Furnitureland South. Located
in Jamestown, the furniture showroom offers furniture
from more than 100 manufacturers in a facility that
is the size of 19 football fields. In 1999, Furnitureland
South increased its showroom space by opening the
Mart building, adorned by the World’s largest 18th
century Highboy replica. One of the newest landmarks
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ADDITIONAL
North Carolina is also home to:
the World’s Largest Ten Commandments in Murphy, NC
(4 hours from High Point)
the World’s Largest Frying Pan in Rose Hill, NC
(2.5 hours from High Point)
the World’s Largest Strawberry in Rockingham, NC
(1 hour from High Point)
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CHeer to tHe BeerS itiNerarY
MORNING
David Armstrong and his knowledgeable staff will welcome
you at The Brewer’s Kettle. This is not a store, it’s an
spent the night there! There is beautiful outdoor seating to
enjoy an afternoon of sipping. Reservations are strongly
encouraged.
experience! There are over 400 beers in stock and over 200
wines, meads, and sakes to try. They serve 13 drafts and
wine by the glass at their full service bar includes a fine
sampling of cigars. The Beer Advocate gave them a 97
rating. They have beer and wine tastings regularly so be
sure to follow them on facebook.
LUNCH
Liberty Steakhouse and Brewery offers house-made
brews, steaks & other comfort food in a buzzy bar setting
with an all-American theme. A tour can be scheduled of
the brewery in advance.
AFTERNOON
Interested in souvenirs and gifts? Visit Potent Potables.
They have an array of unique gifts, wine, and beer. Be sure
to stay to sample the tap of the day, work in a game, and
stay for live music.
If you are visiting in February, you have to sample Foot
Hills Brewery’s Sexual Chocolate Imperial Stout. This
brew has hints of espresso, toffee, molasses, and dark
fruit, which is very mysterious and will leave you
wanting more! It’s only available in February on site so
DINNER
End your evening at Natty Greene’s sampling their favorite
BuckShot, Guilford, and Full Moon. On the last Tuesday
of every month, they offer a beer class from 7pm -8pm.
The class is $10 and you get to sample three beers and get
instruction on how it’s made. Their menu covers all the bases
from burgers, salad, barbecue, and all areas in between.
Upstairs offers group seating seating areas and pool tables.
EVENING
Just one more for the road! Pick up a six pack at Bestway.
From the outside, you would think it’s just a typical
plan accordingly.
college grocery store nestled between Lindley Park and
The Tavern in Old Salem features craft and draft beers
in a Moravian setting. The food is locally grown and the
setting is intimate. Rumor has it that George Washington
UNCG. Step foot inside and it is beertopia!! They have
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999 beers to choose from and earned a 100 World Class
Rating from Beer Advocate.
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FarM to taBLe aND WiNe tour
MORNING
Start the morning off right with a home cooked breakfast
at the Moose Café, located at the Piedmont Triad Farmer’s
Market. Selections for breakfast include huge scratch
pancakes, french toast made with thick Texas bread,
selection of omelets and farm fresh eggs cooked to order.
Breakfast meats include center cut Alexander Farms
country ham, bacon, sausage, city ham or liver mush.
All customers are initially greeted with a basket of hot
homemade biscuits. Find homemade Apple butter and
molasses available on the table. The breakfast is definitely
a down on the farm country breakfast. The Moose Café
breakfast has been voted the best in Western North Carolina
for years by the readers of the Asheville Citizen Times. After
breakfast, stroll through Piedmont Triad Farmers Market,
and shop for local Piedmont fruits, vegetables, flowers,
baked goods, jams, honey, crafts and more!
Piedmont’s potential for growing the superior varieties
of grapes necessary for creating world-class wines. The
terroir, with its combination of the temperate climate, a
long growing season and the gravelly- clay soil are the
key natural features of Childress Vineyards. The Tasting
Room opens at 10am, so you may want to stop in for
a taste when you arrive. All of the wines by Childress
Vineyards are made under the expert care of celebrated
winemaker, Mark Friszolowski, one of the most awardwinning winemakers in the country.
LUNCH
The Bistro at Childress Vineyards promotes the
celebration of food and wine, taking great pride in the
ability to hand-pick the best ingredients locally and
abroad. Their goal is to create the ultimate culinary
experience for guests, providing the finest food and
wine in an extraordinary setting.
Afterwards, stop in at the store to purchase wine
or accessories.
AFTERNOON
Enjoy some more wine tastings at various shops in High
Point, including The Vino Shoppe and Real Kitchen
and Market. Both offer wine tastings and often have
Once you’ve seen all there is at the Farmer’s Market, head
south to Childress Vineyards, located in Lexington.
Richard Childress has the same passion for wine as he
does auto racing. Childress Vineyards is excited about the
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music.
The Wet Whistle Co. is the most unique coffee and wine
shop in the Triad. Conveniently located to Archdale,
High Point, Thomasville and Greensboro, they not only
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FarM to taBLe aND WiNe tour (continued)
offer a great coffee but a variety of NC and East Coast
products not to mention ice cream from Homeland
Creamery. They carry wines from more than thirty
different NC vineyards.
EVENING
Enjoy dinner at nearby Southern Roots located in
Jamestown, offering an extensive wine list. Afterwards,
walk next door to Wine & Design, offering groups the
chance to add some creativity to their itinerary. They offer
wine and painting parties that feature a different painting
every night. Customers get to pick a painting that they
would like to add their own unique twist to. They offer
party attendees the chance to let loose in a creative
environment surrounded by great folks and good wine.
Additional Vineyards within 90 miles:
Zimmerman Vineyards, Trinity
Old North State Winery & Brewery, Mt. Airy
RagApple Lassie Vineyards, Boonville
Sanders Ridge Vineyard & Winery, Boonville
Laurel Gray Vineyards, Hamptonville
Shelton Vineyards, Dobson
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HiStoriCaL HoMeS itiNerarY
MORNING
Groups are invited to tour Körner’s Folly; in nearby
Kernersville. Its charms and enchantments inspire wonder
and it’s truly like no other home in the world! No two
doorways or windows are exactly alike; there are 15 different
fireplaces and ceiling heights range from 5 ½ feet to 25 feet.
The pivoting “windows” and other openings anchor a
unique air distribution system, while cubbyholes and
trap doors exemplify Victorian ingenuity. It has welcoming
spaces and hidden nooks and crannies while decorative
murals and artwork add a sense of opulence.
Constructed in 1918, the Adams mansion was the private
residence of John Hampton Adams and his wife, Elizabeth
Barnes, and their two daughters, Elizabeth and Nell. The
stately residence on North Main Street was home for the
family for nearly two decades. At age twenty-five, Mr.
Adams settled in High Point and became associated
with James Henry Millis, a prominent industrialist and
businessman. This association led to an apprenticeship
with Mr. Millis. Hamp soon convinced Mr. Millis to enter
into the hosiery business and within a year the High Point
HiStoriCaL HoMeS itiNerarY (continued)
Hosiery Mill was producing 200 pairs of black stockings
daily. Today, the mansion serves as the J.H. Adams Inn
Register of Historic Places in 1970 and received the
distinction of being named a National Historic Landmark
in 1988.
and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
LUNCH
Enjoy lunch at Hampton’s Restaurant, located in the
J.H. Adams Inn.
AFTERNOON
Surrounded by approximately 400 acres in northwestern
Randolph County, Linbrook Hall is located on a hill
in close proximity to the tracts of land once owned by
Mr. Neal’s ancestors. Linbrook Hall contains more than
60 rooms covering approximately 32,000 square feet
of livable space. It is among the largest homes in the
southeastern United States. The architectural proportions
of the house are based on work completed by Andrea
Palladio during the Italian Renaissance, and the home
was designed to demonstrate the beauty and timelessness
of classical architecture. Antiques and furnishings from
around the world are displayed throughout the home.
Blandwood is one of the America’s great historic homes,
representing the ideals of progressive North Carolina
Governor John Motley Morehead and serving as a
prototype for one of America’s most popular architectural
styles in the nineteenth century. Operating as a museum,
Blandwood provides groups with a remarkably complete
ensemble of 19th century art, architecture, furnishings,
and landscape. The house was nominated to the National
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HoMe FurNiSHiNgS itiNerarY
High Point offers more than 40 furniture stores and outlets
open to the public. You can easily fill up several days of
shopping in the “Home Furnishings Capital of the World!” TM
The below itinerary will give you a good overview of what
High Point has to offer.
MORNING
The city offers furniture stores and outlets throughout
the entire city. You can start your day, downtown
High Point, at the various stores on Main Street and
Elm Street including; Capa, Huffman Koos, Adams
Furniture, Theodore Alexander Outlet and Stickley
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HoMe FurNiSHiNgS itiNerarY (continued)
Furniture. These stores will offer the many popular styles
Many accessories are available in all the furniture stores,
including antiques, Victorian, contemporary, mission
but if you are still searching, there are stores, specializing
and traditional.
in accessories, kitchen fixtures or bathroom fixtures,
Take a step back in time at High Point Museum to learn
including Beeson Decorative.
about the history of furniture and how it was made and
In addition to High Point, there are many furniture stores
is made today at the “High Point’s Furniture Heritage”
in the Piedmont Triad. Please stop by the High Point
Exhibit. It will definitely help you to appreciate the
Regional Visitors Center to find out more information
craftsmanship of the trade.
on ALL the stores in the area!
LUNCH
ADDITIONAL
Satisfy your appetite at The Café, located at the largest
The Phillips Collection offers contemporary styles and
furnishings showroom in the nation, Furnitureland South.
stays true to their tagline – every piece a conversation.
Tour the showroom and learn about various lines including
the Seatbelt Chair, featured in The Hunger Games.
JoHN CoLtraNe itiNerarY
High Point claims native John Coltrane, legendary Jazz
Musician. Groups will enjoy a windshield tour, including
multiple John Coltrane attractions.
AFTERNOON
Walk miles and miles of showroom space offering every
style imaginable. With the size of 19 football fields, you
will find plenty of styles and manufacturers in just one
location—Furnitureland South! High Point also offers
stores that specialize in area rugs. Zaki Oriental Rugs,
downtown High Point, offers must see, high quality rugs,
inspected by Zaki himself.
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An 8 ft bronze statue honoring Coltrane has a permanent
home in downtown High Point. Groups can learn about
the history of Coltrane in listen to music while admiring
the statue and marker.
Coltrane was raised in the Washington Street district
and lived with his parents, and maternal grandparents.
Drive by him family house that still sits today on
Underhill Road.
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JoHN CoLtraNe itiNerarY (continued)
John Coltrane discovered his musical talent in 1939, when
he joined a community band. He started on alto horn and
later moved to clarinet. The success of the community
band inspired William Penn principal Samuel Burford to
start a school band in 1940. Coltrane joined as a founding
member of the school band and then developed an interest
in the saxophone. By his senior year, Coltrane’s musical
talents earned him the vote of “most musical.” Drive
by William Penn High School, located on Washington
Street, just minutes from his home on Underhill.
The High Point Museum has on display Coltrane’s
childhood piano, an award he received in 1961 and some
of his musical notations.
LABOR DAY WEEKEND
If you are in High Point during Labor Day Weekend, why
not pair your Coltrane experience with the John Coltrane
International Jazz & Blues Festival. Thousands of jazz
lovers have come to High Point to enjoy the John Coltrane
International Jazz & Blues Festival, a weekend filled
with live music performed by the top jazz and blues artists
around. This unique event is more than a concert. Festival
Park becomes a place to people-watch, enjoy delectable
southern food, drink; shop with local art and craft
vendors, mingle, relax, soak in the rays, and of course
hear music performed by artists whom you’re not likely
to see locally.
VeteraNS itiNerarY
MORNING
Located in neighboring Thomasville, the North Carolina
Vietnam Memorial is a wall made of North Carolina red
brick with the center panel of the front face of the memorial
containing more than 1620 names of North Carolinians
killed or missing in Vietnam. The foot of the monument
lists the counties from which the dead hailed. In addition,
a plaque displays the dedication date and honors those
who lost their lives as well as those who served during
the war. A brick walkway leads visitors through the park
to the monument. The Evergreen trees which surround
the monument were planted by the N.C. Forest Service
to symbolize everlasting memory. 58,000 seeds were
planted for the 58,000 Americans who lost their lives
in this conflict.
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VeteraNS itiNerarY (continued)
Located downtown High Point, across from the historic
Train Depot, the High Point Veterans Memorial is
dedicated to the memory and honor of those who have
LUNCH
Enjoy lunch at J&S Cafeteria or any of our local
eateries…..
served bravely in our Armed Forces in both times of war
and in times of peace including World War I, World War II,
Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, Operation
Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, Operation Iraqi
Freedom, Iraq.
Within walking distance of the High Point Veterans
Memorial , the Revolutionary War Patriots Marker
commemorates the men and women who participated in
The American Revolution. These patriots, believing in
the noble cause of liberty, gallantly fought for their
home and country.
Just across Main Street, sits the Maxwell Reid Thurman
Marker. Born in High Point, Max Thurman made his
home on Historic Johnson Street before entering NC State
University in 1949. Graduating with Honors in 1953,
he entered the US Army from ROTC. He rose to rank of
General and distinguished himself as the Army’s Second
in Command. He developed the “Be All That You Can
Be” recruiting campaign in 1979, raising standards and
boosting image. At the request of President Bush, Thurman
delayed retirement in ’89 to plan and execute Operation
Just Cause, invading Panama, overthrowing Dictator
Noriega, and securing the Canal. Legion of Merit.
Bronze Star with “V.”
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AFTERNOON
Just minutes from High Point, groups will appreciate Carolina
Field of Honor at Triad Park, located in Kernersville. It
is believed that without knowledge there is no memory.
Yet living and walking among us are every day heroes
from Iwo-Jima, Saipan, Guadalcanal, Okinawa, Midway,
the Philippines, Germany, Korea, Vietnam, Kosovo,
Somalia, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Iraq and many other
expeditionary missions and peacetime assignments.
The park serves as a time-line to these conflicts that
brought fathers, mothers, sons and daughters to the front
lines of freedom.
Just a short drive away in Greensboro sits the Nathanael
Greene Monument, consisting of two bronze statues, the
larger of which is Nathanael Greene on a stallion. The
smaller figure is a representation of a classically-garbed
Athena with a shield and laurels. The monument stands
over 27 feet tall.
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1634 N. Main St., Suite 102
High Point, NC 27262
336.884.5255
highpoint.org