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Each trip has a designation of a yellow N or a blue S at the top. Trips marked with the  are Northern trips and will generally have pick up locations from LaSalle/Peru north. Trips marked with the  are Southern trips and will generally have pick up locations from LaSalle/Peru south. Please be sure to check pick up locations at the bottom of each trip description before registering, as this is where you will need to meet the bus for departure.
2024 DAY TRIPS
Thursday, September 19, 2024
OKTOBERFEST
Jacob Henry Mansion - Joliet, IL
WAIT LIST ONLY
Join VISTA Club for all a day out enjoying all things German!
Our setting will be the beautiful Jacob Henry Mansion in Joliet, IL. In 1873, wealthy railroad magnate, Jacob A. Henry built his imposing mansion on Eastern Avenue, which was then referred to as "Silk Stocking Row." He employed a master craftsman from Germany along with three cabinet-makers to fashion the elaborate carved interior. It took three years to complete, and has 16,800 square feet consisting of over 40 rooms. The main floor is most elaborate in carving, and the black walnut and oak is hand rubbed to attain the satin finish. Each room contains an ornately carved fireplace. The deeply recessed windows are guarded with shutters on the inside. These fold back into casings for the sunlight to enter and also serve as storm windows in the winter. Sliding or pocket doors, carved and inlaid separate the rooms from the main floor. Its main feature is a magnificent staircase made of solid walnut with a half-landing surrounded by 119 hand carved octagonal spindles of burled walnut. The Jacob Henry Mansion won the Architecture Award at the American Centennial Celebration in Philadelphia in 1876, and is claimed to be the largest and best example of Renaissance Revival architecture still standing in the state of Illinois.
Then we will enjoy a German feast—slow cooker German-style pork roast, sauerkraut and potatoes, & pretzel rolls with coarse brown mustard. We’ll finish with a delicious warm apple strudel!
And finally, a German band will perform for us. Jimmy’s Bavariens range throughout the spectrum from the old "oompah" favorites to many of the newest stimmung medleys brought over directly from Munich. Some songs are originals, both in English and in German. Vocalists and instrumentalists are always featured.
Don’t miss out on this festive day with your VISTA Club friends!
Cost: $105 Per person
Fee includes: Transportation, self-guided tour, lunch, show, all associated taxes and tips. Cancellations will be refunded only if we are able to fill your vacancy.
Pick up: Schnuck’s in Normal at 8:00 a.m. / Flying J in LaSalle at 9:10 a.m.
Return to LaSalle at approx. 3:30 p.m. / Normal at 4:45 p.m.
AND
 Tuesday, September 24, 2024
AMISH ARTHUR
Tuscola and Arthur, IL
Arthur, IL is the heart of the Illinois Amish Country. Come experience for yourself the rich history and proud tradition of the Arthur area Amish. It will undoubtedly give you a whole new appreciation for the simpler things in life!
We will begin our day with a visit to Flesor’s Candy Kitchen in Tuscola, IL. The store opened in 1901, shortly after Gus Flesor (original owner) emigrated from Greece. He bought the building and opened his own confectionary, a trade he learned from other Greek immigrants who were migrating downstate from Chicago. Gus ran the business for over 70 years and passed the business on to his son. After closing in the 1970s, the Candy Kitchen fell into disrepair. The granddaughters of the original owner knew the task of reopening would be a gigantic undertaking, but felt up to the challenge. Devon Flesor will entertain us with her family’s story and provide us with a candy making demonstration.
Next, we will step back in time as we enter the home of an Amish Family for a delicious home cooked meal. The Amish are well known to be wonderful cooks and are very skilled at preparing meals for large crowds. Our lunch will consist of two different meats, salads, vegetables and of course, pie for dessert! You won’t want to miss this authentic experience.
After lunch we will visit a local Amish buggy making shop and experience an in-depth tour of the shop. We will see the ins and outs of creating the undercarriage, the buggy body, and listen as the maker discusses the old art of wheel making.
Finally, we will visit Beachy’s Bulk Foods. Their unique selection includes deli meats and cheese, freshly made peanut butter, gluten and sugar free items, pickled jar goods, homemade pies and baked goods, and so much more!
So take a break from the every day grind and take a step back in time for a relaxing and delicious day with VISTA Club!
Cost: $100 Per person
Fee includes: Transportation, candy making demonstration, lunch in an Amish home, buggy manufacturing tour, all associated taxes and tips. Cancellations will be refunded only if we are able to fill your vacancy.
Pick up: 7:00 a.m. Mendota Civic Center / 7:20 a.m. LaSalle Flying J / 8:20 Schnucks in Normal
Return to Normal at approx. 5:45 p.m. / LaSalle at 6:45 p.m. / Mendota at 7:00 p.m.
 Tuesday, October 1, 2024
LAKE GENEVA FRIENDS AND FALL COLORS CRUISE
Lake Geneva, WI
Set sail with the VISTA Club on Tuesday, October 1st for a relaxing Lake Geneva Friends and Fall Color Luncheon Cruise Tour aboard the Geneva Grande Belle to see the changing fall foliage and breathtaking historical sites along the lake. Spend some quality time with a loved one or catch up with a friend. Snap some photos with nature’s color wheel in the background. We’ll be seated on the climate controlled main deck and enjoy a delicious lunch while cruising. Lunch menu this day is Chicken Piccata, Rosemary Roasted Potatoes, and a Vegetable Medley. Also included in this is coffee, fresh fruit, rolls/butter, and apple pie for dessert. Soda, beer, wine and cocktails available but can be purchased separately from bar. Cruise is from 11:30am-1:45pm. It is a full lake tour. Following the cruise for 1 hour, we’ll have time to peruse around the area shops before we return to the motor coach and head for home.
Cost: $130 Per person
Fee includes: Motor coach transportation, lunch, narrated cruise, all associated taxes and tips. Cancellations will be refunded only if we are able to fill your vacancy.
Pick up: Schnuck's in Normal at 7:30 a.m. / Wenona BP at 8:10 a.m. / LaSalle Flying J at 8:40 a.m.
Return to LaSalle at approximately 5:00 p.m. / Wenona at 5:40 p.m. / Normal at 6:15 p.m.
AND
 Wednesday, October 30, 2024
SOME LIKE IT HOT
Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago
WAIT LIST ONLY
VISTA Club saw it in New York and loved it...now we are bringing this award-winning production to the rest of the club!
Winner of 4 Tony Awards®, including Best Choreography and Best Costumes and the Grammy Award® for Best Musical Theater Album, SOME LIKE IT HOT is “A Super-Sized, All-Out Song-And-Dance Spectacular!” – The New York Times
Set in Chicago when Prohibition has everyone thirsty for a little excitement, SOME LIKE IT HOT is the “glorious, big, high-kicking” (Associated Press) story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. With gangsters hot on their heels, they catch a cross-country train for the life-chasing, life-changing trip of a lifetime.
And what a trip it is! With its irresistible combination of heart and laughs, song and dance, SOME LIKE IT HOT won more theater awards than any show this season, and was named Best Musical by the Drama Desk, The Drama League, and the Outer Critics Circle. No wonder Deadline calls it “a tap-dancing, razzle-dazzling embrace of everything you love about musical theater.”
Prior to the show we will enjoy lunch at one of VISTA Club’s favorite locations—the Italian Village. Lunch options include Meat Lasagna, Four Cheese Ravioli, Mostaccioli with Tomato Sauce & Meatballs!
(please note—the Italian Village requires climbing a flight of stairs and no elevator is available!)
Cost: $140 Per person
Fee includes: Transportation, lunch, show admission (lower balcony), all associated taxes and tips. Cancellations will be refunded only if we are able to fill your vacancy.
Pick up: BP Wenona at 7:45 a.m. / LaSalle Flying J at 8:15 a.m. / Mendota Civic Center at 8:45 a.m.
Return to Mendota at approximately 6:00 p.m. / LaSalle at 6:15 p.m. / Wenona at 6:45 p.m.
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
CHRISTMAS BAKERY BUS
Chicago North Shore
WAIT LIST ONLY
Join VISTA Club on this sweet-filled Christmas trip as we visit multiple bakeries on the north shore of Chicago! We will visit 4-5 bakeries, enjoying samples, treats and shopping time at each location, and stop for an included lunch along the way. En route to each location, we will enjoy a fully narrated tour including the history of Christmas traditions from a variety of cultural groups such as the Greek, Polish, German, Italian, Irish and Chinese. The bakery tour will begin in Lake Forest, IL and end in Evanston, IL. In addition to visiting adorable bakeries, we will travel along the beautifully decorated Sheridan Road and even drive by the Home Alone House in the village of Winnetka! Get into the holiday spirit with your friends from the VISTA Club!
Cost: $130 Per person
Fee includes: Motor coach transportation, lunch, bakery stops with samples, all associated taxes and tips. Cancellations will be refunded only if we are able to fill your vacancy.
Pick up: 8:00 a.m. LaSalle Flying J / 8:15 a.m. Mendota Civic Center / 9:00 a.m. Rochelle Petro
Return to Rochelle at approximately 6:45 p.m. / Mendota at 7:30 p.m. / LaSalle at 7:45 p.m.
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
& JULIET
Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago
Created by the Emmy®-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & Juliet asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way.
Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including “Since U Been Gone‚” “Roar,” “Baby One More Time,” “Larger Than Life‚” “That’s The Way It Is,“ and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”—all from the genius songwriter/producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it.
Prior to the show, enjoy an included lunch at the Randolph Tavern across the street. Lunch choices include Cadillac Chopped Salad (market greens, tomato, corn, avocado, applewood bacon, bleu cheese, buttermilk ranch), Black Angus Burger (served on a potato bun with fries, lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion) or California Club (grilled chicken, applewood bacon, avocado, Swiss, ground mustard on multigrain).
Cost: $140 Per person
Fee includes: Transportation, lunch, show admission (lower balcony), all associated taxes and tips. Cancellations will be refunded only if we are able to fill your vacancy.
Pick up: Schnuck's Normal at 7:30 a.m. / BP Wenona at 8:10 a.m. / LaSalle Flying J at 8:40 a.m.
Return to LaSalle at approximately 6:00 p.m. / Wenona at 6:30 p.m. / Normal at 7:10 p.m.
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