bus tours minnesota

Plan your next vacation on a luxury tour coach

Family owned and operated, Glenn’s Motorcoach Tours of Southeastern Minnesota has been the premier choice for the highest quality vacation tours, competitive pricing, and professionalism since 1991.

Tour planning is led by Renae, Fred, and the Glenn’s Motorcoach Tours staff. We charter all kinds of groups and sporting events. We have 52-passenger high-end coaches with extra leg room. We accept all major credit cards! Contact us to schedule your next tour!

Glenns Motorcoach Tours is putting every effort into keeping our customers and employees safe by actively ensuring our motor coaches are cleaned and disinfected the best of our ability.

We have started additional cleaning and disinfecting methods. Most important is that if you don’t feel good STAY home!

Our bus cleaners, as well as our Tour Directors and Drivers have been trained on what/how to clean and disinfect the coach. Drivers and Tour Directors will wipe down listed surfaces below at times during the day and at the end of each day as well as mop floor with a disinfectant. Drivers and Tour Directors will make sure hand sanitizer and wipes are available on every trip.

We will also be fogging each coach before it leaves our shop to insure a thorough cleaning and disinfecting on the interior of all coaches. If a driver, tour director or passenger become ill on coach we will decontaminate the coach. Driver/ Tour Director will then contact office and we will determine what needs to be done at that time.

Listed below are what we will give special attention to while cleaning/ disinfecting the Coach:

• Steering wheel
• Window sills
• Restroom handrails and door handles
• Coach will also be sprayed with Lysol quite often each day

Remember to do the easy things like:

• Stay away from people who are sick
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use wipes if water not available
• Make sure to cover your cough or sneeze and throw all tissues away not leaving them on seat
• Again, most important that if you have any symptoms or don’t feel good stay home

We will get our buses moving as soon as we are able. We are monitoring the situation daily. Also we will be listening to the CDC, United Motorcoach Ass’n and Minnesota Charter Bus Operators Ass’n and make any changes necessary.

Upcoming tours

Mackinac island & frankenmuth, mi, fall mystery trip, new england fall color, join us for a relaxing, worry-free vacation., stay in the know about upcoming trips and tours, exclusive offers, and latest events., tour loading locations, policies & procedures.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Glenn's Motorcoach Tours Inc. 1460 Cedar Center Ave SE Oronoco, MN 55960 Toll Free: (800) 795-8516 Phone: (507) 288-1329

POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Contact information.

Glenn's Motorcoach Tours Inc. 5803 15th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901 Toll Free: (800) 795-8516 Phone: (507) 288-1329 Fax: (507) 288-4421

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Heartland Tours and Travel Tours You’re Going to Love

Come See Us

Our Locations

Bus tours across north america.

Touring across America has never been easier or more comfortable than with Heartland Tours and Travel. We offer a variety of exciting bus tours to sites and events all across the United States in our luxury coach buses.

We carefully curate our destinations and excursions along the way to provide a fun, active, and entertaining experience for our passengers.

With convenient departure locations in Bloomington and Rochester, MN, choose from a variety of motorcoach tours and see the country like never before.

Tour America with Comfort and Convenience

Planning a trip is time consuming, expensive, and stressful, so let us handle the myriad of details so you can enjoy your travels! We handle everything including excursions, events, accommodations, transportation, and more. All you have to do is board our luxury motorcoach, sit back in relaxed comfort, and enjoy.

All of our motorcoaches include an onboard restroom, video systems, reclining seats, footrests, overhead storage, window shades, climate control, individual reading lamps, device charging outlets, and more! And, with advance notice, we can provide wheelchair lifts.

Our tours include accommodations at three and four-star hotels, and you will have a professional escort for the entire tour.

What to Expect on Your Bus Tour

Our coach tours are comfortable, affordable, and offer enriching experiences as we escort you on your travel dreams. For customers of all ages, we work to provide memorable and enjoyable experiences without the stress of planning the details of vacations and family trips. Our fleet of motorcoaches is ready to take you on exciting excursions, relaxing vacations, or delightful tour traditions.

Our tours offer a luxurious and comfortable travel experience. Coaches stop every 2 to 2½ hours for rest breaks, and exciting roadside and town attractions are planned along the tour route.

When you travel with Heartland Tours, your trip experience will be much more than a simple bus ride. Not only are our motorcoaches clean, comfortable, accommodating for all ages, and wheelchair friendly, they are luxury vehicles with onboard bathrooms, video systems with multiple monitors, reclining seats, headrests, fold-down foot rests, climate control, tinted windows, window shades, individual reading lamps, ventilation, and more.

Each seat includes Wi-Fi, extra leg room, 110v electrical outlets, and more. We’ve outfitted our motorcoaches specifically for a comfortable touring experience.

Environmentally Conscious Bus Tours

In addition to comfort for passengers when on the road, you can also take comfort in our environmentally-friendly coaches. Our buses are fueled with a biodegradable, nontoxic, sulfur- and aromatic-free B20 biodiesel fuel. Motorcoaches are also an average of six times more fuel and energy efficient than single occupancy vehicles like cars. When measuring passenger miles per gallon, motorcoaches with over 50 passengers will still have an efficiency of 350 passenger miles per gallon, compared to the 28 passenger miles per gallon of an average car.

Carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by about 85% per passenger mile per person when driving a motorcoach. That’s about three times more efficient reduction of CO2 output compared to commuter trains and cars.

View Our Upcoming  Bus Tours Today!

To learn more about our services and trips, contact Heartland Tours and Travel today at (507) 288-4353 .

Safe & Professional

Wifi Accessible

Climate Controlled

Environmentally Friendly

Plan your tour today, view our upcoming tours and book your spot before it's gone.

Proudly Serving Minnesota Since

Satisfied Customers

New Friends Made on Every Tour

Convenient Pickup Locations

Have a question?

Heartland tours and travel can help.

Call: 507-288-4353 Email: [email protected] Office Hours: M-F 8am - 4:30pm

Heartland Tours and Travel 1825 N Broadway Rochester, MN 55906

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All in the family A Rich Trio of Family-Owned Businesses

Reservations: Call (800) 657-4677 or (507) 454-5677

Featured Tours

Holland tulips & henry ford museum, south dakota’s best, tours in progress – photos, cape cod photos, affordable luxury bus tours nationwide.

Embark on a journey of discovery with Philipps Bus Tours! Modern coaches ensure comfort throughout the journey, while knowledgeable guides provide insights into each stop’s history and points of interest. Travel without the stress of navigating unfamiliar roads or coordinating logistics. With carefully crafted itineraries, these bus tours offer an effortless and unforgettable way to experience the nation’s most beloved destinations.

Philipps Bus Tours has provided bus transportation to the area for over 70 years. We provide services for Winona, Rochester, La Crosse and many other communities throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.

We offer a wide variety of affordable luxury bus tours.

Ask a Question

Call: 612-229-5276  M-F 9am-5pm    Email: [email protected]

Jeanie's Journeys Summer Mystery Tour

Glacier National Park Jammer Car Jeanie's Journeys Banff Tour

Jeanie's Journeys Group Travel Minneapolis, Minnesota

Featured Tour

Washington D.C. March 23-29, 2023

Join Jeanie’s Journeys for a very special tour to our nation’s capital at the most beautiful time of the year ~ Cherry Blossom Time! Then head with Captain Lawrence Frederickson of the 1st Minnesota Civil War Volunteers into the past to visit Bull Run and Gettysburg!

Norsk Hostfest with Ole & Lena

September 26-29, 2024 ​

Join Ole & Lena at North America’s largest Scandinavian Festival in Minot, ND to celebrate Scandinavian culture & heritage of the five Nordic countries. Enjoy the world-class entertainments of Jay Leno and Garrison Keillor & the Prairie Home Companion show! 

UPCOMING TRAVEL TALKS- Come hear about our amazing tours in person! J oin Dave & Jeanie Johnston for one hour travel presentations! Learn about the different types of tours that Jeanie's Journeys offers from cultural tours, small group, cruises, and motorcoach tours! There is a Jeanie's Journey tour that should fit everyone.... including  you!  ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE!!

​ ​ Monday, September 9, 2024 @ 11 AM

Plymouth Community Center

14800 34th Ave N

Plymouth, MN 55447

Monday, September 9, 2024 @ 1 PM

Crystal Community Center

4800 Douglas  Dr N

Crystal, MN 55429

​ Thursday, September 12, 2024 @ 1 PM

Shoreview Community Center

4580 Victoria St NW

Shoreview, MN 55126

Tuesday, October 15, 2024 @ 1 PM

New Brighton Community Center ​

400 10th St NW

New Brighton, MN 55125

​ Wednesday, October 16, 2024 @11 AM

Woodbury YMCA

2175 Radio Dr

Saint Paul, MN 55125

Thursday, October 17, 2024 @ 12:15 PM

Andover YMCA

15200 Hanson Blvd NW

Andover, MN 55304

Tuesday, October 29, 2024 @ 1 PM

Champlin's Home

307 East River Parkway

Champlin, MN 55316

Thursday, November 14, 2024 @ 10:30 AM

Forest Lake YMCA

19845 Forest Rd

Forest Lake, MN 55025

Tuesday, November 26, 2024 @ 9:30 AM

Maple Grove Community Center

12951 Weaver Lake Rd

Maple Grove, MN 55369

Tuesday, December 3, 2024 @ 1:30 PM

Edina Senior Center

5280 Grandview Square

Edina, MN 55436

Tuesday, December 17, 2024 @ 11 AM

Tuesday, December 17, 2024 @ 1 PM Crystal Community Center

Historical Speaker

Dave Johnston teaches about historical events to people all around the Twin Cities. 

UPCOMING TAL K

Wednesday, August 14, 2024 @ 9:30 AM ~ Maple Grove Community Center

12951 Weaver Lake Rd | Maple Grove, MN 55369

Welcome Friends!

Thanks so much for visiting Jeanie's Journeys! We are so excited to share with you our fun, fantastic and affordable tours! Jeanie personally designs all of our tours to assure you of a fun and exciting adventure. We are a family owned company based in Minnesota with aim of giving people absolutely amazing trips at affordable prices.

Currently, we are one of the most affordable tour company in Minnesota.

We welcome you to join us on our next tour!

"Adventure is out there"!!

                                                                                                        Dave & Jeanie

Fall 2024 (September-November)

Summer 2024 (june-august), sprin g 2025 (march-m ay), winter 2024/2025 (december-february).

Australia & the Great Barrier Reef March 5-19, 2025 WAITLIST ONLY

Celebrate America's 250th with the Traveling Professor NEW

April 3-10, 2025

Blooming Tulips- Holland & Belgium

April 25- May 4, 2025

Cruising the Pacific Coast May 9-17, 2025 NEW

Summer 2025 (june-august).

Norsk Hostfest with Ole & Lena September 26-29, 2024

Beautiful North Shore Minnesota in Fall WAITLIST ONLY October 4-7, 2024

Teddy Roosevelt's Medora with the Traveling Professor August 16-19, 2024 SOLD OUT

Majestic Fjordlands SOLD OUT August 25-September 4, 2024

Elvis Presley & Memphis October 6-12, 2024

Fall Fun in Florida October 13-17, 2024 NEW

Fireside Dinner Theatre Christmas & Mystery Tour October 31- November 2, 2024

Branson at Christmas Time! November 14-19, 2024 NEW

New York City  at Christmas November 18-22, 2024 NEW

Christmas in Myrtle Beach December 3-7, 2024

Christmas Market Magic  December 12-21, 2024

Hawaiian Islands Sojourn January 13-30, 2025 NEW

Ft Myers & The Minnesota Twins

February 17-23, 2025  NEW

Voyage of the Glaciers, Alaska June 6-15, 2025  NEW

Majestic Fjordland

August 25- Sept 3, 2024

Beautiful North Shore 

MINNESOTA IN FALL

October 4-7, 2024

Fireside & Mystery Tour

FIRESIDE DINNER THEATRE

October 31- Nov 2, 2024

Christmas in Myrtle Beach

MYRTLE BEACH

December 3-7, 2024

Ft Myers & The Minnesota

February 17-23, 2025

Blooming Tulips- Cruising

HOLLAND & BELGIUM

April 25 - May 4, 2025  

Teddy Roosevelt's Medora

WITH THE TRAVELING PROF.

August 16-19, 2024

Elvis Presley & Memphis

October 6-12, 2024

Branson at Christmas Time!

November 14-19, 2024

Christmas Market Magic

GERMANY & AUSTRIA

December 12-21, 2025

Australia 

& GREAT BARRIER REEF

March 5-19, 2025

Cruising the Pacific Coast

May 9-17, 2025

NORTH DAKOTA

September 26-29, 2024

Fall Fun in Florida at Disney

SMALL GROUP TOUR

October 20-24, 2024

New York City at Christmas

CHRISTMASTIME IN THE CITY

November 18-22, 2024

Hawaii Islands Sojourn

SAILING TO PARADISE

January 13-30, 2025

Celebrate America's 250th 

WITH THE TRAVELING PROF

Voyage of the Glaciers

June 6-1 5, 2025

WAITLIST ONLY

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Never miss a new tour. We never sell your info

Jeanie's Journeys is a tour operator based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We put our 30 plus years of tour planning and travel experience into every tour and trip to provide you with quality and life-long memories. Each tour is designed with value in mind. Jeanie's Journeys wants every traveler to explore the world without worry.

TRIP PROTECTION INFORMATION

Jeanie's journeys encourages the purchase of a travel protection plan to help protect your investment, your belongings and most importantly you jeanie’s journeys makes the tour & cruise travel protection plan easily available. for complete details and to purchase the plan, click buy travel protection button below., for any plan questions or help with a claim call  1.833.297.2258.

Tips on How to buy Travel Protection

Jeanie's Journeys Plan Number for Claims:

Basic: R774

Deluxe: R774D

R&J Tours, a family-owned tour company from Willmar, Minnesota has been planning quality, luxury vacations for over 30 years.  We pride ourselves in planning group tours with extreme attention given to every detail of the vacation. You’ll find the perfect balance of the most interesting sights and events of the destination, as well as time to relax on your own. Drive by sightseeing is not acceptable on an R&J Tour. You’ll be given time to actually experience the destination-the flavors, the culture, and the sights!

SOUTHWEST TOUR & TRAVEL

Southwest coaches inc..

 Travel Southwest & Go with the Best

Contact us for all your travel needs!

1500 Travis Road Marshall, MN

(507) 532-5536 or Toll Free at 1-800-669-1309

FEATURED TOURS

October 5-19, 2024

October 21-24, 2024

December 1-7, 2024

Southwest Tour & Travel has been a specialist in the escorted motorcoach tour industry for over 40 years. We plan our own motorcoach tours to include the perfect blend of sightseeing, traditional dining and ample leisure time. This along with our knowledgeable tour directors and experienced bus drivers is why we like to say “Travel Southwest and Go With the Best!”

Southwest Tour & Travel is also a locally owned “Full Service Travel Agency” providing experienced travel consultants that can help you arrange your trip. We provide airline, train, cruises, cruisetours, domestic and international vacation packages, theme park vacations and more. We like to say “One Call Does it All.”

We provide Motorcoach & school bus transportation for elementary, high schools, colleges, and major businesses in Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa and beyond. We can also help with other events such as weddings and bachelor/bachelorette parties. Contact us for a quote.

We offer a wide variety of travel services including airline, train, cruises/cruise tours,

domestic & international  vacation packages, theme park vacations, and more.  

Southwest Tour & Travel will customize any tour to meet your groups special needs, including custom air, Motorcoach or cruise combinations. If your group is too small to fill an entire tour, we welcome you to join one of our scheduled tours. Our goal is to bring you the best travel opportunities available, so let this be the year you travel in style and comfort. You'll see why our motto is "Travel Southwest and Go with the Best" 

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We extend our sincere thanks to the hundreds of loyal customers who  travel with us time and time again.

Jaybee Travel

Personalized group tours for everyone. Start traveling with a whole new perspective!

Where Sincere Professional Attention is Our Standard

Benefits of booking with jaybee travel.

We are a professional tour operator based in Northern Minnesota specializing in pre-designed international and continental group tours, broadway tours, cruises, school groups and student travel, and customized group tours. JayBee Travel is fully insured and licensed and members of Cruise Lines International Association and Nippon Travel Agency America, Inc . We have been designing tours, escorting motor coach tours and special groups, coordinating tours for school groups and families since 1973.

Travel With A New Outlook

Step out of your daily routine and into new surroundings! Traveling can help reset your body and your mind — boost your happiness and reduce your stress with JayBee Travel. Go into your experience stress-free with the knowledge that we are here to make the best of your time!

Leave the headache at home

Travel stress can certainly put a damper on your overall experience. With JayBee, leave the headache at home! Our reputable personnel provides detailed guides and itineraries, meant to effortlessly guide you in and around your chosen destination. Our expert insight and travel knowledge is meant to give you peace of mind as you leave the comfort of your home and explore a new and exciting area!

Tours for All

At JayBee Travel, we specialize in curated small-group tours — available for any and all. We understand the importance of customized trips that reflect each unique travelers' personal tastes. To put it simply, we understand you want a delicious microbrew, not a Bud, when it comes to travel.

Plan Your Perfect Trip

When it comes to custom group travel, the sky’s the limit! See the world with a group of your closest friends, family members, or organization. Our travel experts will plan the trip you are looking for and within your budget. No matter what your private group is looking for, we are here to help!

YOUR NEXT TRAVEL TOUR

Love traveling? Perfect because we love planning! Scope out your perfect tour without the hassle of detailed planning. Leave the hard work to us! Receive expert advice, destination and itinerary information, professional travel guides, and inspiration from JayBee Travel!

Minnesota State Fair

August 26, 2024 St. Paul, MN

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

Saturday, September 7, 2024 Chanhassen, MN

Washington DC

September 12 - 16, 2024

Fall Coastal New England Cruise

Sept 28-Oct 5, 2024

Discover Bayfield, WI

Saturday, October 5, 2024 Bayfield, WI

Tour of Italy

October 2024 Venice to Sorrento

White Christmas

Saturday, November 30, 2024 Chanhassen, MN

Panama Canal and Caribbean Cruise

January 11 - 23, 2025

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Depart February 1, 2025

Iceland's Magical Northern Lights

March 11 – 17, 2025

Memphis and Nashville

April 9-14, 2025 Tennessee

New York City

May 8-12, 2025

Alaskan Cruise & Denali Explorer

August 13 - 23, 2025

Discover the Black Hills

September 4-9, 2025 South Dakota

Paris and The Heart of Normandy Cruise

July 16-23, 2026

Student Group Tours

Every organization and school group tour is as one-of-a-kind as the individuals participating, that's why JayBee Travel takes your group's interests and budget into account to customize a student travel tour experience just for you!

Privacy Overview

Call us toll-free!

1(833)424-2700

Why Heart of the North Tours

What? More compelling tours with great people! Escorts who are hardworking friends who understand a tour is yours to experience – not some cattle call to be rushed and herded along. Add unmatched client service available when you need it – beyond some inflexible preset timetable!

Heart of the North Tours and our outstanding people care for you by providing exceptional service, better hotels with nicer accommodations close to the attractions, comfortable, clean, safe and reliable transportation, great food, memorable locations, all the while having fun and making new friends!

Where? Heart of the North Tours home base is Eagan, Minnesota. Our tours originate and return to Minnesota, yet folks from across the globe are welcome to join our tours as well! We offer FREE at-home pickup in selected zones of the Twin Cities metro area as well as Rochester! Folks living farther out who happen to live on or near the path our tour is traveling, we will gladly make special stops along the way – as convenient for you as we possibly can make it! Or! If you are even more distant, we can help with local lodging and shuttling!

Why? Heart of the North Tours is founded on better experiences! Fun tours with great people! The places and venues you want to visit – not simply view from the window!

How? Traveling with us is easy! Joining a tour is as simple as giving us call – toll free at: 1-833-424-2700 or if you prefer, we also offer secure, easy online booking! If you have any concerns or questions, we are available to answer them! No pressure! And, no question is ever trivial – remember! We’ re friends here to help!

We are more than family! Few ever get the chance to choose a family, but we all make friends– the very best friends make life so much more enjoyable! If you aren’ t one of the thousands of friends who’ ve experienced travel with Mike and his friends in the past, we invite you to join our circle!

Our actions and decisions today will shape the way we will be living in the future.

Heart of the North Tours

Heart of the North Tours - Great motorcoach tours, fly-away tours & cruises! Read on! Join us! Thanks

The whole group headed home! See ya MSP real soon! ... See More See Less

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Some photos from yesterday’s adventure. Last full day of the trip today, heading back home tomorrow! #heartofthenorthtours #Alaska2024 ... See More See Less

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Excursion to Juneau! #heartofthenorthtours #alaskatour2024 ... See More See Less

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Sunset on the ship last night and today’s excursion zip lining in the 2nd largest rainforest in the world! #heartofthenorthtours #alaskatour2024 #princesscruise ... See More See Less

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That water doesn't even look real! Gorgeous!! Bring me home 1 otter, please!

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• Reservations

BRANSON CHRISTMAS – Nov 1-4, 2024

NOVEMBER 1-4, 2024 | 4 Days Departs: IA: Des Moines, Osceola |  MO: Bethany, Kansas City

Join us for some toe-tapping Christmas fun in Branson! See five shows and more! Call: 1.800.488.2114

Branson Tour Packages

Providing high quality motor coach tours at incredibly affordable prices..

1.800.488.2114

Browse All Tours

BRANSON TOURS LAKES, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, AND MUCH MORE!

We have buses scheduled during the entire year. Each bus has different departure locations to ensure all can enjoy these wonderful tours. Click the button to browse the listings and choose the departure location for you!

COME TRAVEL WITH US EXPLORE BRANSON AND MEET INTERESTING PEOPLE

We have no hidden fees.

Other companies have charges that are HIDDEN FROM YOU. Why are government taxes, and many other additional charges you must pay… all being hidden from you? Ask other companies for a total rate and compare! Have confidence that Elite-Goody Tours is truly your travel partner!

FLY-IN OPTION & SHUTTLE SERVICE FLY IN IT’S EASY!

You can join in on our tours even if you don’t live near a departure point! Fly into Omaha the day before the tour departure, and stay at Comfort Inn in Omaha.

CONTACT US TODAY

For booking information or general questions about our fantastic tour options, give us a call or send us a message!

OUR MOST POPULAR TRIPS

See where we can take you.

Harris and Walz to take bus tour through Pennsylvania ahead of Democratic convention

V ice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, will roll through Pennsylvania on a bus tour Sunday, dropping in on the crucial battleground state just days before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

It’s a move that underscores how aggressively the Harris-Walz ticket plans to compete for Pennsylvania and its 19 Electoral College votes. The pair’s first rally shortly after Walz was announced as Harris’ running mate was in Philadelphia , the commonwealth’s largest city, and they embarked on a dayslong tour of battleground states shortly after.

Sunday’s tour, which is scheduled to begin in Pittsburgh, will mark the first time that Harris, Walz and their respective spouses – second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz – will appear on the campaign trail together since they shared the stage in Philadelphia last week. The goal, according to the campaign, is to have a cluster of intimate events with voters, ranging from canvass kick-offs to stops at local retail shops.

The campaign has 36 coordinated offices and 300 staffers in Pennsylvania, which Harris has already visited seven times this year. The campaign has touted a robust volunteer operation: Some 43,000 people have signed up to volunteer in the Keystone State since Harris announced her candidacy last month.

The Harris campaign is also discussing holding a rally Tuesday in Milwaukee in the battleground state of Wisconsin, just about 90 miles from the site of the Democratic convention in Chicago, according to a source involved in the talks.

Harris’ ascendancy to the top of Democratic ticket appears to have united the party and returned the race against former President Donald Trump to a neck-and-neck contest . Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan make up Democrats’ so-called blue wall of must-win states that Trump won in 2016 only see them flip to Joe Biden four years later.

Trump, meanwhile, is set to hold a campaign rally Saturday in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, marking his second visit to the commonwealth since surviving a July 13 assassination attempt in Butler, located an hour north of Pittsburgh.

Pennsylvania has seen a flood of advertising in the weeks since Biden dropped out and upended the 2024 presidential race. Seven battleground states have been the focus of more than $212 million in ad spending over that stretch, with Pennsylvania accounting for $70.6 million of that total. And across those seven battlegrounds, Republicans lead Democrats in ad spending, by about $109 million to $99 million.

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to reflect that Sunday’s bus tour will be the first time the candidates and their spouses will appear together since a rally in Philadelphia last week.

CNN’s Kayla Tausche and David Wright contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com

Metro Transit increasing light rail, bus service starting Saturday

Big concert weekend in twin cities.

Music fans are gearing up for a big concert weekend in the Twin Cities with headliners like Green Day and Metallica. FOX 9's Se Kwon has more.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Metro Transit is taking extra steps to ensure safe and reliable transit services for several upcoming events in the Twin Cities and is making new changes to light rail and bus services starting on Saturday.

Every quarter, Metro Transit introduces changes to transit services throughout the Twin Cities metro area. These changes adjust the services based on current and projected ridership, available resources, and driver workforce, according to a press release. 

With several upcoming events in the Twin Cities metro and a general increase in ridership, here is what you need to know about the changes starting on Saturday. 

Changes to light rail, bus scheduling

Beginning on Aug. 17, Metro Transit says the light rail will run more frequently, and several bus route services will also have improvements as part of the quarterly service change. 

Here are a few quarterly changes implemented by Metro Transit: 

• On the METRO Blue Line and METRO Green Line, trains will run every 12 minutes between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. every day. Currently, trains run every 15 minutes.
• Routes 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 14, 18, 21, 22, 32, 46 and METRO C Line will have trip and schedule adjustments to accommodate new school end times for Minneapolis Public Schools.
• On weekdays,  METRO Orange Line  buses will run every 10 minutes between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. northbound and between 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. southbound, up from the 15-minute service currently provided during these times. On Sundays, trips will run every 15 minutes.

To see additional changes, click here . 

Upcoming events

The busy stretch of events starts with a Metallica concert at U.S. Bank Stadium on Friday, Aug. 16, and Sunday, Aug. 18, a Green Day concert at Target Field on Saturday, and a Def Leppard concert at Target Field on Monday. 

The Minnesota State Fair begins on Thursday, Aug. 22, and runs through Labor Day on Sept. 2. Metro Transit provides up to 87 express buses to transport fairgoers from several park-and-ride locations to the fairgrounds. 

In a press release, Metro Transit said there are plans in place for a busy Aug. 24. Minnesota sports teams, including the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Lynx, Minnesota United, and St. Paul Saints, are each hosting home games on Saturday. Zach Bryan is also performing at U.S. Bank Stadium, and the Open Streets event is happening on Lyndale Avenue.

Officials said that before and after large events in the city, additional police officers and staff will help direct fans. Additionally, three-car trains will be used to accommodate an increase in riders.  

Crime down, ridership up 

While additional staff and police officers are present during large events, Metro Transit said that reported crime is down 17.5% when comparing the second quarter of 2024 to the previous year. 

Additionally, ridership has increased 9% for the first half of 2024 when compared to the previous year. 

"Across the organization, there has been a sustained and deliberate effort to make our system safer and more welcoming to riders and frontline transit workers," General Manager Lesley Kandaras said in a statement earlier this month. "We hear clearly that there is more work to be done but are encouraged by the progress we’re making."

To learn more about Metro Transit's progress, visit their website here .

Watch CBS News

Trump and Harris both take campaigns to key swing state of Pennsylvania

Coach Walz's primetime debut: Four takeaways from the first Harris-Walz rally

• Kamala Harris and Tim Walz made their primetime debut as the full 2024 Democratic ticket.
• Walz, a former teacher, former congressman and a veteran, was hardly known outside his state just a couple of days ago.

Say hello to Coach Tim Walz . I mean, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Or if you’re Kamala Harris , hopefully it will be Vice President Tim Walz.

Walz, the newly-anointed Democratic vice presidential candidate, made his primetime debut on Tuesday to a crowd of roughly 14,000 at Temple University's Liacouras Center in Philadelphia . All major news networks were turned to the rally, where Harris and Walz were first seen together as the full 2024 Democratic ticket.

In about two weeks, Harris has skyrocketed to the top of the Democratic ticket after President Joe Biden last month stepped down from the 2024 presidential election. Harris quickly locked in the support from leaders within her party, but that also meant she had to quickly decide who would be her second-in-command. Harris will take on Republican presidential nominee and former president Donald Trump in November.

Walz, a former teacher, former congressman and a veteran, was hardly known outside his state just a couple of days ago. But he was thrust into the American political spotlight on Tuesday, as Harris hopes he will help secure a win to the Oval Office. 

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But what does it all mean? Here are the top takeaways from Tuesday’s rally:

Welcoming Walz

Are you wondering ‘who is Tim Walz?’ Harris on Tuesday gave an answer.

Repeatedly referring to him as Coach Walz, Harris tried to draw contrast between the Minnesota governor and the candidate on the Republican ticket. She noted Walz is a veteran – he served in the Army National Guard; she highlighted his 12-year career as a congressman representing a purple district; she emphasized his quick response to protecting women’s reproductive health as governor after a Supreme Court ruling overturned Roe v. Wade.

But most importantly, Harris looked to ground Walz as not a politician, but simply a high school teacher and football coach who helped lead the team to the school’s first-ever state championship. 

Harris, a California Democrat, showcased a candidate that sounds like many Americans: a teacher, a coach, and a veteran. It was an attempt to showcase how different the Democratic ticket is compared to the Republican, where Trump – a reality-TV show businessman – and Republican vice presidential candidate, Sen. JD Vance, are heading the ticket. 

Walz, himself, tried to offer a new perspective on Vance, who has leaned into his Appalachian roots.  

“Like all regular people I grew up with in the heartland,” Walz said sarcastically, “JD studied at Yale, had his career funded by Silicon Valley billionaires, and then wrote a bestseller trashing that community.

“Come on!” Walz yelled. “That's not what Middle America is.” 

The battle of the vice presidential hopefuls

Hours before Walz made his debut as Harris’ vice presidential pick, Vance held his own rally in Philadelphia to counter the Democrats’ primetime event. 

But that doesn’t seem to be worrying Walz.

Even before being picked, Walz coined Democrats’ top insult to Republicans: Weird.

It’s an insult that’s gotten under the skin of many in the GOP, including the vice presidential pick, Vance. It’s going to be a dynamic that will be played out in the next 90 days until the general election.

On Tuesday, Walz slammed Vance as “creepy” and “just weird as hell.” And he quickly offered a challenge to debate. 

Vance is will continue to mirror Harris’ and Walz’s schedule this week, hitting Michigan and Wisconsin on Wednesday and North Carolina on Thursday.

Shapiro’s star power – and why it probably cost him the VP pick

The crowd was electric as Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro hit the stage to help introduce Harris and Walz.

Chants of “We’re not going back,” which have recently broken out during Harris’ campaign speech, echoed across the arena as Shapiro said the vice president’s new catchphrase. He interacted with the crowd throughout his speech, slamming Vance as “weird” — which also prompted chants of “He’s a weirdo.”

While Shapiro was among the finalists to be Harris’ running mate, he did not end up getting the job. But it was clear Tuesday that the energy he brought would compete with Harris’ recent star power. 

It was clearly undeniable to the headliners of the rally: Harris and Walz.

Harris gave a shout out to the Pennsylvania governor at the top of her speech, saying “together with Josh Shapiro, we will win Pennsylvania.” The battleground state is going to be crucial for both Harris and Trump to win the presidency in November.

Walz, who cited Shapiro as a good friend (they did go see “The Boss” Bruce Spingsteen together in New Jersey), also gave the Pennsylvania governor his flowers.

“What a treasure you have in Josh Shapiro,” Walz said. “He can bring the fire. Everybody in America knows, when you need a bridge fixed, call that guy.”

Sometimes it's about the crowd size

It was a packed house at the Liacouras Center at Temple University. Roughly 14,000 were in attendance — making it the largest rally for the Harris campaign to date.

And it’s also something the campaign hopes to needle the Trump campaign with. 

Trump has often bragged about his campaign rally’s crowd sizes, which often brings in thousands. Harris’ campaign is now highlighting their own milestones, hoping that it will show the newfound excitement surrounding the Harris campaign.

And to add salt to the wound, the Harris campaign took the message to Trump’s turf: Truth Social.

The Harris campaign posted a photo of Harris’ Tuesday rally and a screenshot from a video of Trump’s rally at the same arena a month ago, both from the same angle. The photo from Harris’ rally shows supporters filling out all the seats, including a top level of the arena. The Trump photo showed the second level of the arena empty.

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

Election 2024 updates: ABC News Harris-Trump debate to be held in Philadelphia

The Sept. 10 debate will take place at the National Constitution Center.

Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday unveiled her economic platform, her first major policy rollout since becoming the Democratic nominee.

Former President Donald Trump on Thursday held a press conference in Bedminster, New Jersey, where he said he's "entitled" to insult his Democratic opponent because he doesn't respect her and attacked her record on the economy.

Latest headlines:

• Aug 16, 2024, 5:17 PM EDT Former Democrat Rep. Tulsi Gabbard will help Trump prepare for presidential debate
• Aug 16, 2024, 11:21 AM EDT ABC News debate between Harris and Trump to be held in Philadelphia
• Aug 16, 2024, 9:26 AM EDT The DNC is 3 days away. Here's what to know about programming so far
• Aug 15, 2024, 4:50 PM EDT Biden shakes hands with 'West Wing' actor Martin Sheen
• Aug 15, 2024, 3:26 PM EDT Trump adds staff to campaign, including Corey Lewandowski

Former Democrat Rep. Tulsi Gabbard will help Trump prepare for presidential debate

Former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard will assist Trump in preparing for his first debate against Vice President Kamala Harris.

"[Trump] does not need traditional debate prep but will continue to meet with respected policy advisors and effective communicators like Tulsi Gabbard, who successfully dominated Kamala Harris on the debate stage," Trump campaign National Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote in a statement to ABC News, confirming a development first reported by The New York Times.

Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii and a one-time Democratic presidential candidate during the 2020 election, gained brief momentum during her presidential run after challenging Harris on the debate stage on topics like criminal prosecutions.

Since leaving the Democratic Party, Gabbard has been gaining traction among Trump supporters, and more recently she has appeared on Fox and other conservative news outlets attacking Harris.

– ABC News’ Rachel Scott, Soo Rin Kim, Kelsey Walsh, and Lalee Ibssa

ABC News debate between Harris and Trump to be held in Philadelphia

The first debate between Vice President Harris and former President Trump will be held by ABC News at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

The Sept. 10 debate will be moderated by ABC News anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis.

It will air live at 9:00 p.m. ET on the network and on its 24/7 streaming network ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu.

The DNC is 3 days away. Here's what to know about programming so far

Prime-time convention programming will air live from the United Center in Chicago from 6:30-11 p.m. ET on Monday and 7-11 p.m. ET on Tuesday through Thursday.

Beyond the nominee acceptance speeches --vice presidential nominee Tim Walz on Wednesday and presidential nominee Kamala Harris on Thursday -- programming has not been finalized or announced yet.

It has been confirmed, however, that "current and past Presidents are expected to participate in convention programming." President Joe Biden, Former President Barack Obama and Bill and Hillary Clinton are all tentatively slated to speak at the convention, sources familiar have told ABC News.

Much of the rest of the schedule will be rolled out in the coming days.

High-profile political leaders are also expected to make remarks at the DNC's Constituency Caucuses and Councils meetings that will take place throughout the week. Celebrities are also expected throughout the week, with a number of big names announced already to participate in events adjacent to the convention, including John Legend, Jon Stewart, Billy Porter, Joan Jett, Octavia Spencer, DJ D-Nice and Lil Jon.

-ABC News' Isabella Murray and Brittany Shepherd

RFK Jr. plans to appear in court in 2 more ballot access cases next week

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to appear in Pennsylvania and New York courts next week to defend himself in lawsuits, brought by Democrat-aligned groups, that challenge the validity of voter signatures he was required to gather to make the ballot as an independent candidate.

"Mr. Kennedy will now be testifying in court next week in Harrisburg, PA, on Tuesday and Mineola, NY, on Wednesday or Thursday to defend ballot access challenges," campaign spokeswoman Stefanie Spear told ABC News in a statement.

Spear added that RFK Jr.'s campaign has canceled its event in Chicago on Sunday and Monday next week in preparation of the court appearances.

The Pennsylvania case mirrors one that Kennedy lost this month in upstate New York, as it argues he listed on his nominating petition forms an address where he doesn’t live.

Plaintiffs in the Long Island case argue that contractors hired by the Kennedy campaign to gather signatures engaged in fraudulent activity, citing a New York Times piece in May that quoted voters who said Kennedy-aligned petitioners who approached them folded over the page to conceal Kennedy's name.

"We should make it very clear that nobody wanted this to happen and did everything they could to make it stop happening," William F. Savino, a lawyer representing Kennedy in the case, told ABC News Thursday.

"Nobody wanted improper signatures, and we had the luxury of so many extra signatures, there was no incentive to bend the rules or fold the paper," Savino added.

-ABC News' Will McDuffie

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• 2024 Elections
• Donald Trump
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