Pre & Post FAM Tours
- Fully hosted Pre and Post-Meeting FAM tours are available for ACTIVE MEMBERS who have confirmed registration
- To request registration for a Pre or Post FAM, registered delegates must fill out this form: Central States Chapter Pre and Post Meeting FAMs – 2025
- FAM tour confirmations will be sent by March 15, 2025. Questions on FAM tours? Please email Jill Robbins, Central States Chapter Chair, [email protected] or [email protected]
Pre-FAM
Pre-FAM Tour 1:
Frankenmuth, “Michigan’s Little Bavaria”
Maximum Tour Participants: 5
Activity level: 2-3 with one level 5 attraction for interested participants
Airport Start Point: DTW, FNT, MBS
Arrival: Friday, May 16, 2025
Depart Monday morning, May 19, 2025 for Shipshewana.
Description:
Explore “Michigan’s Little Bavaria” on a 3 night Pre-FAM tour customized for SATW Members. Arrive at any of the three regional airports (DTW, FNT, MBS) on Friday, May 16 and learn why generations of visitors make lifelong memories in Frankenmuth. On this tour, you’ll enjoy World Famous Chicken Dinners, the World’s Largest Christmas Store, the most charming Bavarian main street with quaint boutiques and specialty shops and more. You’ll learn about the rich history and traditions that have built this small city into one of Michigan’s most visited destinations. And even get a glimpse at some of the newest attractions including Michigan’s largest waterpark. Activity level will be mostly in the 2-3 range with some walking and depending on the group, could offer one level 5 Aerial Park Attraction for interested participants. Space is limited to 5. Join us in Frankenmuth to kickoff your SATW experience with a memorable Pre-Fam!
Timing:
Active member tour selection: by 2/24/25
Participants notified of Pre-FAM Tour acceptance: by 3/15/25.
Pre-FAM Tour 2:
Adventure Awaits in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Activity level: 1-3
Maximum Tour Participants: 10
Arrival Start Point: FWA
Arrival: Friday, May 16, 2025
Depart Monday morning, May 19, 2025 for Shipshewana.
Description:
Experience the new and noteworthy of Fort Wayne, Indiana – the fastest-growing large city in the Midwest according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Join a pre-tour exploring:
Inclusive Travel: Fort Wayne International Airport is investing $122 million in universal design renovations, making accessibility a top priority with an innovative and inclusive travel experience.
Cultural Renaissance: The Arts United Center, designed by the legendary Louis Kahn, is undergoing a major renovation to enhance its accessibility and modernize its facilities, set to reopen in Fall 2025.
Outdoor Adventures: Riverfront Phase II, completing in 2025, will expand Promenade Park with exciting new features like a universally accessible bouldering mound and hammock grove.
New Venues: The newly opened Pearl Streat Arts Center, offers a dynamic blend of music, arts, and education, focusing on accessibility and community engagement.
Family Attractions: Fort Wayne will celebrate major anniversaries, including the 60th Anniversary of the Fort Wayne Zoo
Timing:
Active member tour selection: by 2/24/25
Participants notified of Pre-FAM Tour acceptance: by 3/15/25.
Pre-FAM Tour 3:
Grand Rapids is a city “Blooming with Art”
Maximum Tour Participants: 5
Activity level: 1-4
Airport Start Point: GRR
Arrival: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Depart Monday morning, May 19, 2025 for Shipshewana.
Description:
Grand Rapids was recognized as a Top 10 Best American Town to Visit by CNN in 2024. The pre-tour in Grand Rapids, May 17 -19 will celebrate the destination’s love of art. Visit Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (America’s Best Sculpture Park, USA Today 2024) (3) celebrating its 30th Anniversary, visit an apple orchard and gift shop (2), enjoy a mural walking tour around downtown (4), a visit to a local distillery and craft cocktail demonstration (3), a pasta making cooking experience (3) and a self-guided tour of the Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum (3/4) if time allows.
Timing:
Active member tour selection: by 2/24/25
Participants notified of Pre-FAM Tour acceptance: by 3/15/25.
Post-FAMs
Post-FAM 1:
Visit Kalamazoo, Michigan
Maximum Tour Participants: 2-5
Activity level: 2-3
Departure Airport Point: Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport
Arrival: Friday, May 23, 2025
Depart Sunday morning, May 25, 2025
Description:
A two-night stay at the newly renovated Radisson Plaza Hotel & amp; Suites in the heart of walkable downtown Kalamazoo.
Visits to area attractions:
- Air Zoo Aerospace & amp; Science Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate (activity level 3 with moderate walking indoors and outdoors)
- Gilmore Car Museum, North America’s largest automobile museum (activity level 3 with moderate walking indoors and outdoors)
- Kalamazoo Nature Center (activity level 3 with hiking along easy to intermediate trails)
- Tour of the original brewing facility and beer sampling at Bell’s Eccentric Café (activity level 2)
- Dinner at Brick and Brine
- Exploration of local shops and experiences along the Kalamazoo Mall including a candle making session at Kalamazoo Candle Company (activity level 2)
Timing:
Active member tour selection: by 2/24/25
Participants notified of Post-FAM Tour acceptance: by 3/15/25
Post-FAM 2:
Visit South Bend, Indiana
Maximum Tour Participants: 4
Activity level: 2-3
Start Point: Shipshewana
End Point: South Bend International Airport
Arrival: Friday, May 23, 2025
Depart Sunday morning, May 25, 2025
Description:
Explore the campus of the iconic University of Notre Dame, visit the nearby city of Mishawaka, which is famous for its parks, and have plenty of time to discover downtown South Bend. Other fun activities include the Studebaker Museum, Indiana’s Dinosaur Museum, and a visit to a chocolate factory. You won’t go hungry in South Bend, but the highlight is Peggs, who has been serving breakfast in downtown South Bend since 2001.
Timing:
Active member tour selection: by 2/24/25
Participants notified of Post-FAM Tour acceptance: by 3/15/25
