Smith Tours

03/17/2025

Good afternoon,
Smith Tours would like to feature an upcoming trip to "Amish Country" in Shipshewana, IN from June 1-6, 2025. We still have seats left on the motorcoach and would like to show you some beautiful countryside as well as an education on how the Amish live. You will have some hands-on experiences as well as well as Amish history, a factory tour, and some country music provided by the "Oak Ridge Boys".

Discover the heart of Indiana’s Amish Country on this immersive tour, featuring a Jayco RV Factory Tour, the RV/MH Hall of Fame Museum, and authentic Amish experiences. Enjoy guided tours, hands-on crafts, farm visits, buggy rides, and traditional meals, along with shopping at flea markets and artisan shops. Savor local treats like cheese, pretzels, and homemade donuts while exploring the region’s rich heritage. The journey concludes with a farewell performance by The Oak Ridge Boys at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, making for an unforgettable experience.

Featured HighlightsI
Immersive Amish Culture – Guided experiences, Amish wedding feast, crafts, and farm visits.
RV History & Innovation – Tour the Jayco Factory and explore the RV/MH Hall of Fame.
Unique Shopping & Crafts – Flea markets, local artisans, and hands-on workshops.
Delicious Local Cuisine – Amish-style meals, cheese and popcorn tastings, and homemade desserts.
Entertainment – Wrap up the trip with a live concert by The Oak Ridge Boys.

Pick-up locations are in Chillicothe, Laclede, and Macon.
Per person Pricing
Double - $1,200
Triple - $1,100
Quad - $1,000
Single - $1,450

Final payment is due by April 1, 2025.
Please send your payment to Kerri Cowan, PO Box 187, Meadville, MO 64659.
Let us know if you have any questions.
Melinda

Send a message to learn more

03/11/2025

This week's featured trip is "The Best of South Dakota," a jam-packed six-day adventure from May 18-23. We’ll pick up passengers in Warrensburg, Higginsville Junction, Concordia, Carrollton, and Chillicothe.

Trip Highlights Include:

The Famous Sioux Falls
Corn Palace Tour
Fort Hays Wranglers Chuckwagon Show and Dinner
Bear Country Wildlife Park
Mount Rushmore
Custer State Park
Crazy Horse Memorial
Caputa Alpaca Farm
Mount Rushmore Gold Factory
Museum of Geology
Badlands National Park Tour
Wall Drug Store
Lady Dignity in Chamberlain
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
What’s Included:

Motor coach transportation
Driver gratuity
5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 4 dinners
All activities
Lodging at the Hampton Inn in Sioux Falls and Holiday Inn Express in Rapid City
Pricing (Due by April 1):

Double: $1,475
Triple: $1,375
Quad: $1,300
Single: $1,900
To sign up, please send payment along with the registration form found at the back of our Travel Book found at bit.ly/SmithTours2025TravelBook
The address to submit your registration is found at the top of the form.

If you have any questions, please let us know.

Melinda

03/10/2025

Since we have had so many requests for Jersey Boys, I contacted the New Theatre again this morning to see if we could still get tickets. The only date that will work is June 4th, which would be a Wednesday matinee. The cost would be $125 to ride the motor coach and be picked up in Laclede or Chillicothe. You can also drive and meet us there, and the cost is just your ticket price.

If you are interested, please let me know today or tomorrow so I can get this booked. We need at least 25 people on the bus to make this trip happen.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Melinda

Send a message to learn more

02/20/2025

Smith Tours will be taking a trip to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum May 7-10, a few days before Mother's Day on Sunday. What a great way to spend time with your mom and take in the amazing replica of Noah's Ark. You have heard the Bible story many times, but seeing the 510-foot-long engineering marvel really helps put the story in perspective. There are many exhibits on the ark that make all of those Sunday school stories easier to understand. We will also be visiting the Creation Museum which presents a comprehensive look at the history of the world from a young Earth creationist perspective. This is a museum that will have you returning because there is so much to take in. There is also a planetarium, botanical garden, and other attractions on site.

If you are interested in joining us for this educational tour, please let us know before March 15th when the final payment is due.

We will be picking up in Chillicothe, Laclede, and Macon. The cost for a double booking is $825 which includes, transportation, 3 nights hotel, attractions, 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners, as well as snacks and water on the coach and driver gratuity.

You may also visit our website for a complete list of our 2025 trips. smithtoursllc.com or download our travel book at bit.ly/SmithTours2025TravelBook

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

02/07/2025

Are you looking for a Valentine's Day gift for your spouse, friend, or maybe just want to give something to yourself? How about tickets to the New Dinner Theatre on March 5th to see "Rumors". This comedy, as well as the all you can eat buffet is a great way to spend a Wednesday afternoon. The motor coach will pick up in Laclede, Chillicothe, and Cameron that morning. Cost for the transportation, meal, show, driver gratuity, and bottled water is $125 each. Please let us know by Thursday, February 13th if you are interested in going.

Alley Mills from Wonder Years is starring in Rumors

When the rich behave poorly! As the posh guests arrive for a 10 year wedding anniversary party, they realize that something is terribly wrong! The servants are inexplicably absent, the food has not been cooked, the wife is missing and the husband seems to have been severely wounded in the earlobe.

Comedy unfolds as the guests try to figure out what happened, relying too heavily on a wide variety of RUMORS!

Send a message to learn more

02/05/2025

If you love Amish Country, join Smith Tours, with escorts Suzanne and David, for this fun-filled six-day motor coach trip! This would make the perfect summer vacation. We will leave on June 1 and return on June 6.

Embark on a memorable journey through Indiana’s Amish Country, rich with history, culture, and unique experiences. The adventure begins on June 1, with travel from Chillicothe/Laclede, MO, to Elkhart, IN, where you'll check in to Tru Hotel and unwind with the hotel’s amenities, including a pool table, board games, and snacks.

On June 2, dive into the region’s renowned RV history with a Jayco RV Factory Tour in Middlebury, followed by a visit to Essenhaus Village Shops, where you can enjoy a hands-on card-making activity and a delicious buffet lunch. The day continues with a stop at the RV/MH Hall of Fame Museum in Elkhart before ending with dinner at Flippin Cow, known for its mouthwatering burgers.

The Amish experience deepens on June 3, beginning with a guided tour by Amish expert Kathy Miller in Nappanee. Explore the Nappanee Center Historic Displays, the seasonal Quilt Garden, and the charming Burkholder Country Store. A visit to River Jordan Camel Dairy Farm offers a unique glimpse into camel farming, followed by lunch at Coppes Commons, where you can shop and indulge in homemade ice cream. Later, learn about Amish buggy-making at Miller’s Buggy Shop before enjoying an authentic Amish Wedding Feast & Program at the Carriage House, offering insight into Amish wedding traditions.

On June 4, the journey continues to Shipshewana, home to Indiana’s largest flea market. Stroll through Davis Mercantile & Harrison Street Shops, then enjoy lunch on your own at one of the local eateries. The afternoon features visits to Teaberry Wood Products, where you can see handcrafted wooden puzzles and baskets, and a rag rug weaving demonstration (with cookies!) at Leo & Lorene Miller’s home. At Silverstar Leather, watch a belt-making demonstration before rounding out the day with a traditional Thresher Dinner and buggy rides at Yoder’s Homestyle Cooking.

The tour’s final full day, June 5, offers a feast for the senses, starting with cheese sampling at Heritage Ridge Creamery and a stop at Rise ‘N Roll Bakery, famous for its cinnamon caramel donuts. Continue with visits to Yoder Popcorn, a pretzel-making workshop and lunch at Ben’s Pretzels, and browsing at Yoder Department Store & Vanilla Bean Creamery. A stop at Lambright Country Chimes & Gifts provides the perfect chance to take home handcrafted souvenirs. The grand finale of the trip takes place at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, where you’ll enjoy dinner and a once-in-a-lifetime concert as part of The Oak Ridge Boys Farewell Tour.

On June 6, after breakfast at the hotel, it’s time to depart Elkhart and travel home, carrying unforgettable memories of Amish culture, RV history, handcrafted treasures, and legendary music. This immersive tour offers an incredible blend of education, entertainment, and authentic experiences, making it a journey to remember!

Book and Pay in Full by April 30, 2025

Pricing Per Person

Double - $1,200
Triple - $1,100
Quad - $1,000
Single - $1,450

5 Breakfast/3 Lunch/4 Dinners included

Pick-Up Locations - Chillicothe, Laclede, Macon

A refundable deposit of $100 per person is due at the time of registration. You may cancel any time before final payment is due with a $25 fee.

Price includes transportation, 12 meals, attractions, driver gratuities, snacks, and water while on the coach.

To register, please let us know that you are interested and are mailing in your registration form. Please click on the link for our Travel Book which has the registration page at the back of the book. If you can not print the page, please write your information on a sheet of paper and mail it to Kerri Cowan, PO Box 187, Meadville, MO 64659 along with your deposit. bit.ly/SmithTours2025TravelBook

If you have any questions, please let us know.

Melinda

02/04/2025

Good afternoon,
Smith Tours would like to give you an update on the trips that we still have available for 2025. The offices have been super busy with registrations, and we are excited to get to take so many of you with us around the United States/Canada this year. If you are interested in signing up for one of the available trips, here is a link to our Travel Book that will include a registration form in the back. bit.ly/SmithTours2025TravelBook If you are interested in a trip that is sold out, other than Alaska, and wish to be put on the waiting list, please let us know.

Rumors- (March 5th) at the New Theatre & Restaurant - if interested, we need to know by Friday
Creation Museum/Ark Encounter -(May 7-10) seats available
Branson Christmas - (Nov. 10-13) 15 seats available
Clue at the New Theatre & Restaurant - (August 6) seats available
Jersey Boys - sold out, but we are trying to get a second date to go again
3-Day Mystery - (April 15-17) sold out
5-Day Mystery - (August 17-21) 3 seats available
Nashville Grand Ole Opry Birthday Party - July and October sold out
Prestonsburg, KY (Loretta Lynn's stomping ground) - (Sept. 8-12) seats available
South Dakota - (May 18-23) 13 seats available
Quebec City Cruise Tour - (Sept. 24-Oct. 3) availability for now
Alaska - Sold out
Please let us know if you have any questions about any of our trips.
Melinda

02/02/2025

This is our final day in Hawaii. We have made the most of our day by touring Honolulu. Our motor coach driver is full of history and stories. Now to get to the airport and hopefully sleep on our 8 hour plane ride to Dallas.

02/01/2025

Our Hawaii trip has about come to an end. We have had many wonderful experiences on four islands this week but it is time to come back to the cooler climate. We have a fun day planned in Honolulu tomorrow before we fly for 8 hours getting back to Dallas then on to Kansas City. We hope to see our fun bunch of travelers again soon.

01/29/2025

Smith Tours spent the day in Hilo on the Big Island. Some of us took this day to relax in ship while many took excursions to Volcano National Park, Japanese Gardens, and black sandy beaches. We are about to depart for Kona on the opposite side of the island where we will take coffee tours, do some shopping, and see more beautiful beaches.

01/28/2025

Smith Tours spent a second day on Maui. We have had an incredible time with whale sightings, nature, beautiful scenery, and snorkling with turtles! Tonight we are off to the Big Island with a stop in Hilo tomorrow.

01/27/2025

This morning, we arrived in Maui. It was a relaxing morning before we enjoyed watching football this morning/afternoon with a bunch of chiefs fans. Some of our group took excursions today. Whales and turtles were the highlights! The Chiefs game was exciting, and seeing whales breach on our sunset cruise was a great way to end our day.

01/25/2025

Today began by taking a trip to the USS Arizona Memorial. This afternoon, we board the Pride of America for a seven night cruise around the Hawaiian islands. We have a terrific group and look forward to making more memories with them!

01/21/2025

Good morning,

Virginia Beach/International Tattoo Trip (April 22-29)

This eight-day trip offers a mix of engaging activities and group meals, ideal for music and beach lovers. The highlight is the Virginia International Tattoo, a grand event featuring over 800 performers, including military bands, drill teams, Celtic dancers, and more. The itinerary also includes a narrated dolphin cruise, a self-guided tour of the USS Wisconsin, and a Victory Rover cruise to Naval Station Norfolk. Free time along the beachfront boardwalk is built into the schedule. You can find more information about this trip and others on our website at smithtoursllc.com or download a copy of our book at bit.ly/SmithTours2025TravelBook

Travel is by motor coach. The cost is $2,400 per person for double occupancy, with the final payment due by February 20th.

Upcoming Event

New Theatre & Restaurant Trip on March 5 to see the comedy "Rumors" starring Alley Mills. Tickets are still available.

Be on the lookout for a new trip being added. June 1-6, we will be going to Amish Country. Details will be provided soon.

For questions or bookings, please reach out.

Melinda

01/13/2025

Trip Date: April 13-19

Featured Trip of the Week: Texas/Oklahoma Southern History Adventure

Join Smith Tours on a captivating seven-day journey through the rich history and vibrant culture of Texas and Oklahoma! This week’s highlighted trip promises a perfect blend of scenic beauty, historical exploration, and unique experiences.

Highlights of the Adventure
San Antonio – A Two-Night Riverwalk Retreat
Relax and unwind along San Antonio’s stunning Riverwalk. Begin your mornings with a peaceful stroll by the water or cap off your evenings with dinner at a charming riverside restaurant. A RIO boat ride offers a delightful perspective of this iconic attraction.

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch Safari
Embark on a thrilling safari adventure across the Texas terrain. From the comfort of a rover ride, marvel at more than 50 exotic animal species roaming freely in their natural habitat.

Rich History and Cultural Landmarks
History enthusiasts will love visiting:

The San Jose Mission and Japanese Tea Garden
The Alamo – a symbol of courage and Texas pride
The Pacific War Museum and Nimitz Museum – discover stories of heroism and wartime history
Cultural Gems and Unique Destinations
Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of:

Mexican Market Square – perfect for shopping and local flavors
The Pearl Brewery District – a hub of dining and culture
The Busch Gallery
Waco and Magnolia Market
Traveling onward, enjoy a stop at Magnolia Market in Waco, the charming creation of Chip and Joanna Gaines, offering delightful shops and atmosphere.

Ft. Worth Stockyards and RFD-TV
Experience the historic Ft. Worth Stockyards, including a guided tour of RFD-TV, followed by free time for shopping and lunch.

Oklahoma City
The adventure concludes with a night in Oklahoma City. Highlights include:

A tour of the Oklahoma City Bombing Museum
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
End the day with a scenic boat ride and an evening in Bricktown, where numerous dining options await before you return to your comfortable accommodations at the Hampton Inn.
Don’t miss this action-packed journey filled with history, culture, and unforgettable moments. Reserve your spot today and experience the best of the Southern heartland with Smith Tours!

01/10/2025

Smith Tours has had a very busy week in the offices, which is a great feeling! Thank you to all who have sent in your trip registrations early. We were pleasantly surprised Monday morning with the responses we have received for travel with us in 2025.

We have already had to book a second bus for the 5-day mystery trip and have set up a second date for the Grand Ole Opry Birthday Party trip. The new opry trip will be July 12-15. It will be the exact same itinerary as the October 13-16 trip. So, if you wish to go with us to Nashville, it will have to be in July. The second bus for the 5-day mystery trip will be at the same time as the first bus from August 17-21. Melinda and Kerri will each take one bus. This is going to be a great trip.

So, with the number of trips we have recorded this week, we thought we better let you know where each trip stands at this time which might encourage you to get your registrations in if there is something you know you want to do with us this year.

Branson Christmas - plenty of seats at this time
Ark/Creation Museum - plenty of seats at this time
Dinner Theatre - Rumors - plenty of seats at this time - Registration due by Feb. 3rd
Dinner Theatre - Jersey Boys - 15 tickets available
Dinner Theatre - Clue - plenty of seats at this time
3-Day Mystery - 4 seats left
5-Day Mystery - we have a second bus so we can take about 30 more at this time
Opry Birthday Party - 14 spots available for July 12-15
Country Music Highway - plenty of seats at this time
South Dakota - plenty of seats at this time
Texas - plenty of seats at this time
Virginia Beach - plenty of seats at this time

After a trip fills up, we will begin a waiting list. Remember, when you sign up for a trip, you send your registration to Kerri Cowan, whose address is at the top of the form, along with your deposit. If you need to cancel before the final payment is due, your deposit is returned minus a $25 cancelation fee.

Some travelers have been emailing or texting us to let us know that they are putting their registrations in the mail. That way we can get you on the list and we don't have to wait several days before the mail arrives to get you booked. Feel free to do this if you wish.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Melinda

12/31/2024

The Smith Tours family would like to wish everyone a safe and happy New Year! We look forward to our 28th year of travel with many of you. Our office will open again on Monday, January 6th. Please let us know if you have any questions about our upcoming trips. You can find us on our website at smithtoursllc.com

12/17/2024

Smith Tours is excited to have our 2025 trip information ready before Christmas! Feel free to share these links with your friends and family. Our office will be closed until January 6th. We are taking some time off to be with our families for Christmas. You are welcome to register for trips by filling out the registration form found in the back of the book and sending it and your deposit to the address at the top of the registration page. These will not be processed until January 6th. At that time, you will receive an email stating your registration has been received. You may email us at [email protected] if you have any questions.

You can find out about all of our trips on our website.

www.smithtoursllc.com

You can also download our Travel Book at

bit.ly/SmithTours2025TravelBook

Merry Christmas from the Smith Tours family.

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