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Pikes Peak Cog Railway MANITOU SPRINGS, COLORADO NTA contact: Whitney Hedgpeth, traffic manager guided tour and spend some time exploring the mountain before we bring them back down. Office phone: +1.719.685.9662 Website: cograilway.com NTA member since: 2006 How does booking your tour to the top of Pikes Peak help travelers learn more about your area? It gives people that Colorado high they don’t know they’re looking for! And, it also provides a great view of the sur- rounding areas—from the flatlands to the east and the mountains to the west—while providing a history lesson on this amazing place. What do they experience during the ride? After they board the train, we take them on an hour-long trip to the summit of Pikes Peak. In addition to the views up top that they can’t get anywhere else, they can take a short What other things in the Colorado Springs area do you recommend for groups? Visiting Seven Falls, Cave of the Winds and Garden of the Gods (my personal favorite), and checking out some of the local craft beers (really my favorite). My job is fun ... Because of the people I work with. What is your favorite TV show or movie? I stinking love “American Ninja Warrior!” I always watch it hoping that it will motivate me to work out, but instead, I get worn out watching them compete. What music would we find on your “Whitney’s Favs” Spotify playlist? Anything acoustic or alternative, like Mumford and Sons, with the occasional dose of Swedish House Mafia. For more information, contact Hedgpeth at [email protected]. Explore Asheville ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA NTA contact: Beth McKinney, sales manager open on the estate in 2018. Also, fun new student attractions will be completed, including the new Asheville Museum of Science and LaZoom’s part-comedy, part-history bus tour of Asheville. Office phone: +1.828.258.6139 Website: exploreasheville.com NTA member since: 1976 What are the must-see attractions in Asheville? Asheville is a thriving mountain city that features a funky and eclectic downtown, hundreds of studios and art galleries, a world-class culinary and craft beer cul- ture, a thriving live music scene and the awe-inspiring scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With so much to do, I always encourage groups to pick a theme! What brought you to the area? When John Muir spoke the words, “The mountains are calling, and I must go,” he was speaking for me, too. I spent my last summer semester of college working for a festival in Western North Carolina and fell in love with the mountain life—the sunny days, cool evenings, miles of sky- line, and the laid-back and welcoming community of people who called the area home. I haven’t left since! What’s new in Asheville? We’ve got several new hotels that have opened or will open soon. Biltmore will showcase the monumental glass sculp- tures of world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly as part of a new exhibition set to What do you like to do when you’re not hard at work? I just became a mom this summer, so my new favorite hobby is snuggling my sweet baby girl. I also enjoy camping in our beautiful mountainous “backyard,” Visit Clarksville Frances Manzitto +1.931.245.4345 | 800.530.2487 [email protected] visitclarksvilletn.com taking care of my flock of chickens, catching a Broadway show and working on renovations of our fixer-upper home. For more information, contact McKinney at [email protected]. From our picturesque and historic downtown to our rolling countryside, Clarksville welcomes you with open arms. Bringing your group to Clarksville means a trip full of Southern hospitality, unique attractions and shopping, great food and memories that will last a lifetime. Find out more at visitclarksvilletn.com. NTAonline.com 51