| Day 1 |
9:30 -
11:30 am |
Arrive in Aurora and be greeted with a cookie and iced tea or lemonade on the veranda of one of the most beautiful homes along the Ohio River, Hillforest Victorian House Museum. Originally built in 1855, Hillforest is located at the top of Main Street overlooking the Ohio River and the City of Aurora. Over the years Hillforest has been restored to its original beauty and depicts the graceful lifestyle of the Victorian period. Enjoy a lecture on the furnishings, fabrics and wallpaper that make Hillforest so unique. Take a tour of the Italianate residence architecturally fashioned to resemble a steamboat.
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| 11:30-12:30 |
Lunch at the Applewood on the River, a riverside restaurant housed in a beautifully restored historic brick building. A patio is available for dining in warm weather months. |
| 12:45-1:15 |
Your step-on guide, Captain Charlie, joins the group for the ride to Rising Sun. Learn about past & present mansions along the stretch of beautiful scenic byway between Aurora and Rising Sun and discover the story of at least one very famous person who lived there. |
1:15 -
2:00 pm |
Use a step on guide or leave the motorcoach behind and take a leisurely walk along the Ohio River on historic Front Street learning about the history of the quaint row houses and some ghost tales of long ago. Sit on a bench or watch the river roll by from the new riverfront amphitheater. |
2:00 -
2:30 pm |
Stop for ice cream or hot chocolate at the Historic Empire House Hotel built in the early 1800’s by a riverboat captain |
2:30 -
4:30 pm |
Watch as world renowned harps and guitars are made before your eyes at Harps on Main and Zeiler Music Center. Listen to the music. Experience artists at work in their own studios in the Pendleton Art Center. Shop for that one of a kind gift for yourself or someone else. |
4:30 -
5:00 pm |
Enjoy a wine tasting at the Around the Corner Coffee and Wine Shoppe.
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| 5:15 pm |
Check into the Grand Victoria Casino and Resort by Hyatt. Dinner is served at the Grand Buffet. After dinner just relax or try your luck at the Casino.
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| Day 2 |
7:30 -
8:15 am |
Breakfast at the Casino Buffet |
8:15 -
9:00 am |
Travel one of the most beautiful sections of the Ohio River Scenic Byway on your way downriver to Vevay. |
9:15 -
10:00 am |
Tour the Schenck Mansion in Vevay. This 35 room mansion was built in 1874 by Benjamin Franklin Schenck, son of a wealthy “hay king” of the steamboat era. It was the marvel of its time with a four storied tower and five bathrooms. Each bathroom contains a walnut encased copper lined tub. The house features a spiral staircase, four porches, seven balconies, and eight chimneys. Operated as a bed and breakfast inn today, the mansion offers tours and hosts a variety of group gatherings. |
10:00 -
11:30 am |
Stop at the Switzerland County Welcome Center for a step on guide and learn about Historic Vevay. Stop by the new Artisan galleries and antique shops for a taste of the town. |
11:30 am -
12:30 pm |
Enjoy a variety of excellent soups, salads and sandwiches during lunch at G G’s Grill housed in one of Vevay’s many restored downtown commercial buildings. |
12:30 -
1:00 pm |
Head downriver to Madison, often referred to as “the prettiest small town in America.” |
1:00 -
2:00 pm |
Visit the Lanier Mansion State Historic Site. The centerpiece of the site is the restored 1844 Greek Revival home of JFD Lanier, one of the most influential figures in Indiana’s history in the first half of the 19th century. Often referred to as the “crown jewel” of Madison’s Historic District, the National Historic Landmark home overlooks the Ohio River and features a magnificent columned portico. Enjoy learning parlor games of the period with “Miss Susan,” a Civil War era lady. |
2:00 -
2:30 pm |
Enjoy a thirty minute tour of the Historic District with a knowledgeable step on guide and view the beautifully restored homes along the tree-lined streets of this picturesque river town. |
2:30 -
3:30 pm |
Visit the Jeremiah Sullivan House. This home built in 1818 by Judge Jeremiah Sullivan is an excellent example of federal style architecture. It is considered to be the first mansion in Madison and features the only federal serving kitchen in the country. Enjoy a Country Tea fit for the Lord of the Manor. |
3:30 -
4:30 pm |
Take time to explore the many shops on Main Street. For a little self indulgence try the ice cream or confectioneries at Mundt’s Candies. |
4:30 -
6:00 pm |
Check into the Clifty Inn at Clifty Falls State Park and enjoy a buffet dinner with a river view.
|
6:00 -
?? pm |
Return to downtown and visit the Thomas Family Winery for an evening of wine tasting and Celtic music in their restored livery stable location. Or kick your shoes off and relax at the hotel - you deserve it!
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| Day 3 |
7:30 -
8:30 am |
Breakfast at the hotel and Check out |
8:30 -
9:30 am |
From Madison, return to Aurora along the Ohio River Scenic Byway. (For a change of scenery, leave the river’s edge and travel to Aurora through southern Indiana Hill Country by way of Versailles in Ripley County.) |
9:30 -
10:15 am |
Enjoy a tour of Veraestau. One of Indiana’s most historic homes, the mansion lies 427.4 feet above the Ohio River. Veraestau captures a long sweep of Indiana’s architectural history and exemplifies the historic preservation practiced by two families- the Holman/Hamilton clan and the O’Brien / Gibson family. The two story log house with a brick addition was built in 1810 and is currently owned by Indiana Landmarks Foundation. |
10:15 -
11:00 am |
Listen as an historic landmarks expert explains the architectural styles of the area and how they represent the different time periods in the settling of the Northwest Territory. |
11:00 am -
Noon |
Enjoy a catered lunch overlooking the river at Veraestau before departing for home.
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Contact:
Sally McWilliams
Phone: 812-265-6999
sally@downthelazyriver.org
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