Happy Trail Tours
PO Box 432
Forbes MN 55738
(218) 744-4159
(218) 744-3893 Fax
Toll Free at
(800) 635-7779
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Specializing in
motor coach vacations
also air, train & cruise tours.

Washington, DC at Cherry Blossom Time

March 29 - April 7, 2009
It’s no wonder that over a million visitors travel annually to visit our Nation’s Capital to Washington DC with all its monuments, museums, art galleries, libraries, shrines, churches, parks and monumental buildings, squares and more. It’s an honor for Happy Trails Tours to bring groups to this magnificent city richly endowed with American history. We’ve been taking groups to DC for over 20 years. So, needless to say… we know what our customers want to see! We’ve included four wonderful nights in the city including one night in Gettysburg, PA to include it’s Civil War history. Read on for more details ....
Prices in (US Funds)
$1,599 per person Double
 $1,399 per person Triple
$1,369 per person Quad $2,039 Single Traveler
This 10 day Washington DC Tour Includes:
  • Round-trip motor coach transportation - Duluth, Grand Rapids & Iron Range Cities
  • 9 nights of great accommodations: Four nights at the Hampton Inn in Springfield, VA,
    One night at the Hilton Garden Inn in Gettysburg, PA; Other overnights are in Normal, Illinois and Somerset, Pennsylvania
  • 13 Meals - Six deluxe continental breakfasts, three full breakfasts & four dinners
  • Memorials & Monuments: Lincoln, Jefferson, Vietnam, Korean, Iwo Jima, Washington, WW II and FDR
  • Smithsonian's: Visit the Natural History Smithsonian, Udvar Hazy Air & Space Smithsonian & the American History Smithsonian and others as time permits.
  • United States Capitol -This is about a 2 hour tour to include the Great Rotunda, Statuary Hall, House & Senate Chambers and other interesting historic places. This stop cannot be promised as permission has to be granted through our MN Congressman and occasionally U.S. current events can hinder our plans at the last minute. We’ve also put a request in to visit the White House. We’ll keep you informed as we learn more about this stop.
  • Nat’l Archives, Ford’s Theater & Peterson House
  • Mount Vernon in Alexandria (George Washington’s Home)
  • Cherry Blossom Parade (to include bleacher seating) on Saturday, April 4th
  • And an opportunity to Worship on Sunday at the National Cathedral
  • Arlington National Cemetery - Includes a narrated tour, the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier & the Kennedy grave sites.
  • Gettysburg, Pennsylvania - Includes the Gettysburg National Battlefield tour and Electric Map
  • Flight 93 Memorial Site in Shanksville, Pennsylvania (Only a few miles from Somerset).
  • All taxes, most tips and luggage handling, fully escorted with a Happy Trails Tours Representative
  • A Full-Time Washington DC Historian throughout our entire time in DC and Gettysburg.
Reservations are taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservation is considered secure without a deposit paid.
Deposit of $125 per person is due when registering. Final balance is due February 20, 2009.
Full refunds are available with cancellations made no later than January 5, 2009. Monies returned with cancellations made between January 6th and February 27th, are contingent on what Happy Trails Tours receives back from hotels, tour companies, charters, restaurants and other attractions.
No refunds with cancellations made after February 27th - Folks registered are counting on this tour …especially this late. Cancellations after February 27th can put a tour at risk not only financially but may also cause the entire to be cancelled.
Cancellation insurance is available at an additional charge and can offer peace of mind & financial security.
We accept money orders, personal checks or cash for payment. We do not accept credit cards. Thank you.
Because the fuel prices can be very unpredictable, we are asking folks to prepare themselves for a possible price change in the cost listed on this brochure. It will be minimal, if at all.
Click here for printable reservation form to mail to:
Happy Trails Tours, PO Box 432, Forbes MN 55738

Your Day-By-Day Itinerary
(May be subject to change slightly)
for Washington DC at Cherry Blossom Time
March 29 - April 7, 2009


Travel to Normal, Illinois 520 miles
All meals on own today. We’ll pick folks up as we travel through the Iron Range cities, the Rapids and Duluth area and travel southeast through Wisconsin and into Illinois. A stop for lunch, paying on own, in Eau Clair, Wisconsin, at the Oakwood Mall will be made in the early afternoon. Other stops will be made later in the afternoon as well. We try to stop every 2-1/2 - 3 hours for breaks. We’ll spend our first night in Bloomington, Illinois with an estimated arrival around 6:30 pm.
HOTEL: Signature Inn - 101 South Veteran’s Parkway - Normal, Il PHONE: 309-454-4044
This property has two nice restaurants next door as well as a few fast food places. It does not have an indoor pool, but offers coffee makers, irons, ironing boards and hairdryers in the rooms.

Travel to Somerset, Pennsylvania 580 miles
5:15 AM - Wake up call! Breakfast is included today
6:00 AM - Set your luggage outside your doors this morning. Breakfast is served on the 1st floor nearby the lobby.
6:45 AM - The bus departs for Somerset. Stops along the way for lunch and restroom breaks will be made as the day goes along. Sit back and relax as we travel through some lovely countryside of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
7:00 PM - (Eastern Time) - Arrive to Somerset, PA
HOTEL: Holiday Inn, 202 Harmon Street, Somerset, PA PHONE: 814-445-9611
This is a full service property that offers a wonderful “welcome reception” upon our arrival, indoor pool, lounge, full service restaurant and more. We’ll get our room keys and settle into our lovely rooms tonight. Dinner, is at your leisure, and paying on own in the hotel. Enjoy.

Travel to Gettysburg, PA 121 miles
6:00 AM - Wake up call! Breakfast & Dinner Included tonight.
7:00 AM - Set your luggage outside your door for the porters. Breakfast is included this morning.
8:00 AM - The bus departs for Gettysburg (About 2-½ hours away)
10:30 AM - Arrive to the historic district (Steinwear Avenue) where you can explore….shop …. Get lunch…and browse at your leisure.
12:45 PM - The bus travels next to the brand NEW Gettysburg National Battlefield Visitor’s Center & Tour. Beginning at 1 pm, we’ll see the Movie (replaces the “old” Electric Map”), the Cyclorama presentation before boarding the coach and traveling into the actual battlefield. Upon returning from our battlefield tour, we’ll make time for folks to visit the gift shop … look around and use the restrooms.
5:15 PM - Check into the hotel.
HOTEL: Hilton Garden Hotel 1061 York Road, Gettysburg, PA PHONE: 717-334-2040
Here’s a lovely property with all the amenities any hotel could offer. It has an indoor pool, fitness center, coffee makers in the rooms, hairdryers and hair dyers in all rooms and a nice breakfast in the morning.
7:00 PM - Board the coach and travel to Abbotstown (The Altland House) for dinner. You can decide at the time of seating with several entrées to pick from.

Travel to Washington DC 85 miles
6:00 AM - Wake up call! Breakfast & Dinner Included tonight
7:00 AM - Set your luggage outside your door for the porters. Breakfast is included this morning.
8:00 AM - The bus departs for Washington DC (About 1-½ to 2 hours away depending on traffic.)
10:30 AM - Arrive to Washington DC (Union Station) where we’ll meet our Washington DC City Guide. Not only will we see this magnificent historic building up close and personal but it provides us a place to get lunch, paying on own before we visit the capitol.
11:45 AM - Visit the U.S. Capitol and enjoy our 2 hour tour. (It is still not certain if Jim Oberstar our MN State Congressman will be there to meet us, but either way, we’ll have a good tour.)
2:00 PM - After the U.S. Capitol Tour, we‘ll gather together for group photo before continuing with our tour. We’ll also make time to visit the Vietnam, Korean and Lincoln Memorial’s before checking in. Keep in mind, this activity may be changed to a different day….much depends on the appointment we get from our congressman’s office. Thank you. Next stop will include our “hotel”. We’ll get checked in, freshen up before going out to dinner & touring.
4:30 PM - Check into the hotel - relax a bit and freshen up for evening’s dinner and activities.
HOTEL: Hampton Inn, 6550 Loisdale Court, Springfield, Virginia PHONE: 703-924-9444
This hotel is a 3 diamond property with an indoor pool, breakfast, coffee makers, irons & ironing boards, hairdryers and more. It‘s also very close to the Springfield Shopping Mall. It’s very nice!!!! This property is located on 11 miles from downtown DC - 20 minutes from Washington DC.
6:00 PM - Board the coach and we’ll see a few more sights and take you out to dinner. Those especially nice to see at night would be Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, which we’ll be sure to visit before returning to our hotel room.
6:30 PM - Dinner, included at a nice DC restaurant. Dress is Uptown Casual - Jacket / tie not required.
8:15 PM - (Estimated) Return to the hotel for a well deserved nights rest.

Exploring our Nation’s Capitol in Washington DC
Breakfast and dinner included today. Enjoy the early morning as per your own agenda. Breakfast is served in the breakfast room at the hotel.
8:30 AM - Board the coach and we’ll tour a variety of historic DC attractions.
The morning activities we’ll visit today is the World War 11, National Archives and Ford’s Theater and Peterson House.
12:30 PM - In the afternoon, travel to Alexandria where we’ll get our lunch in Old Towne.
(We’ve also arranged time for a bit of shopping in the quaint little shops of this historic district.)
3:00 PM - Visit Mount Vernon - George Washington’s Home. (Movie & Visitor’s Center)
6:00 PM - Enjoy a wonderful dinner, at the Mount Vernon Inn (Restaurant is located on the grounds.)
8:00 PM - Estimated arrival back to the hotel after a fun day of touring.

More wonderful Sights and Sounds of the City
Breakfast included today. Enjoy the early morning as per your own agenda. Breakfast is served in the breakfast room at the hotel.
8:30 AM - Board the coach and we’ll travel to Arlington National Cemetery. Before arriving to Arlington…we’ll make a stop at the Iwo Jima Memorial. Then continue to the cemetery where we’ll board the “Tourmobile Tram” and see the Kennedy Grave Sites and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This tour is fully narrated and lasts about 2 hours.
12:00 PM - Travel to Udvar Hazy Air & Space Museum - Here’s where we’ll lunch and time to tour this facility.
5:30 PM - Board the coach and travel to the hotel for the rest of the evening to be spent at your leisure.

More wonderful Sights and Sounds of the City
Breakfast and dinner included today. Enjoy the early morning as per your own agenda. Breakfast is served in the breakfast room at the hotel.
9:30 AM - Enjoy the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. The tour lasts about 2 hours. Dress accordingly. If it’s hot and sunny, be sure to have a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. (Layer your clothing…the day may start cool and end up really, really HOT.) Or bring a rain slicker so you stay dry. Don’t forget your camera.
11:30 AM - The parade concludes….. Within walking distance are the Museums of Natural and American Smithsonian. You’ll have time to get lunch, paying on own, in the cafeteria of your choice. We’ll spend the rest of our time here until about 5:00 PM. After that, we’ll travel to our hotel and take the rest of the evening at one’s leisure.
6:30 PM - Dinner tonight, included at Phillips Restaurant. (Plated with several entrées to select from).
8:00 PM - (Estimated) return to the hotel for the rest of the evening to be spent at your leisure.

Worship at the National Cathedral before traveling to Somerset 186 miles
Breakfast included today.
7:30 Set your luggage outside your doors for the porters.
Breakfast is served in the breakfast room at the hotel. Everyone will board the coach and we’ll finish up some of the morning touring before we attend church at the National Cathedral today (If you would rather do something else while the group is in church, let us know. We’re planning on leaving right after the church service to Somerset, so wherever you go…it’ll have to be an easy place for the bus to get into to pick you back up. Let us know if you are not interested so we have an idea how many people we’ll be working with.)
8:30 AM - Board the bus for another wonderful day! We’ll travel along Embassy Row on our way to the Washington National Cathedral. (Or if time is tight…we’ll make this drive after church).
11:00 AM - Church Service Begins. After the service, we’ll re-board the coach and begin our journey to Somerset, PA (about 4-5 hours away) We’ll get lunch en-route to Somerset.
(We’ll make one more little stop before traveling to our hotel - It is to visit the memorial site where Flight 93 from 9-11 crashed. It’s very moving.
6:00 PM - Arrive to Somerset, PA
HOTEL: Holiday Inn, 202 Harmon Street, Somerset, PA PHONE: 814-445-9611
This is a full service property that offers a wonderful “welcome reception” upon our arrival, indoor pool, lounge, full service restaurant and more. We’ll get our room keys and settle into our lovely rooms tonight. Dinner, is at your leisure, and paying on own in the hotel. Enjoy.

Travel to Normal, Illinois 587 miles
6:15 AM - Wake up call! All meals on own today.
7:00 AM - Set your luggage outside your doors this morning. Breakfast is served on the 1st floor nearby the lobby.
8:00 AM - The bus departs for Normal. Stops along the way for lunch and restroom breaks will be made as the day goes along. Sit back and relax as we travel through some lovely countryside of Pennsylvania through Ohio , Indiana and Illinois. We’ll gain an hour today as we move back into day light savings time.
6:15 PM - (Daylight Savings Time) Estimated arrival to Normal.
HOTEL: Signature Inn - 101 South Veteran’s Parkway - Normal, Il PHONE: 309-454-4044
This property has two nice restaurants next door as well as a few fast food places. It does not have an indoor pool, but offers coffee makers, irons, ironing boards and hairdryers in the rooms. Breakfast included.

Homeward Bound 520 miles to Duluth
6:00 AM - Wake up call!
7:00 AM - Set your luggage outside your doors this morning. Breakfast is served on the 1st floor nearby the lobby.
8:00 AM - The bus departs for Normal. Hope you left enough room for all the memories you’re going to pack from this fabulous adventure to our Nation’s Capitol! Stops along the way for breaks and lunch will be made as the day goes along. A mid-morning break will be made as we go along. Our lunch break will be in Madison with a late afternoon break in Eau Clair, Wisconsin at the Oakwood Mall. Estimated arrival home will be as follows;
6:00 PM to the Duluth area; 7:00 to Eveleth and Virginia and 7:30 to Hibbing & to Grand Rapids.
Some of you have asked to see the Holocaust Museum…please let me know on the registration form if you are one of them so I know how many are interested. This is a wonderful museum, but very sad, too. Keep that in mind. Not everyone can handle the exhibits in this museum.

Please note: There’s NEVER enough time to see everything in this magnificent city…and everyone’s interests vary. One thing we want you to know…. we WON’T try to cram everything of interest within these few short days while in DC. It gets to be “too much” and very exhausting for our travelers. This is a concern many of our travelers have is that they’re simply running steady from early in the morning until the 11 pm or later at night.

We do promise a wonderful tour - well scheduled so that you can enjoy the things you are seeing. Generally, we leave the hotel after breakfast at about 8:30 am and then get folks to dinner (around 6-7 pm). On occasion, we’ll take an evening drive back into the city to see some of the monuments lit up at night. (They are really beautiful). We try to get folks back to their hotel rooms in the early evening whenever possible so they have time to unwind and relax before retiring for bed. This way, you start the next morning refreshed.

Keep in mind…when you think DC….think “pavement” and “walking”. Buses cannot drop off at front doors here. Sorry. The buses cannot stay running in the city, either. They must leave immediately after dropping off and return only minutes before it’s time to get back on. Because we have a full time historian / guide on board while in the city, it allows our Happy Trails escort to help those with special needs who perhaps cannot walk as fast or need extra attention.

If you’ve been to DC before and want to see something else NOT listed or wish to spend more time at your leisure …just let us know and we’ll be happy to help you with any arrangements. Please feel free to call us if you have any questions or concerns. We’ve taken tours to DC for over 20 years and promise you a wonderful time!

Click here for printable reservation form.
Happy Trail Tours are arranged and operated by Marge Ellis @ Happy Trail Tours INC, PO Box 432, Forbes, MN 55738. Happy Trail Tours, INC and its employees act only as agents for others (airlines, bus lines, hotels, restaurants, theaters, etc.) in providing services included in the tours. No liability shall be incurred by Marge Ellis, Happy Trail Tours, INC or its employees because of injury, monetary, or property loss, or other complications experienced by tour members.

Occasionally a change will occur in a tour listed. Whenever possible, we'll replace it with something of equal value or more. Happy Trail Tours always reserve the right to adjust any scheduled itinerary for the benefit of all traveling.

 
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