If you want to take a day trip without the hassle of planning, parking, navigating, and (not least of all) driving, a Menomonie-area entrepreneur’s new business may be just the ticket for you. Janet Adams recently founded On the Go Bus, which next month will begin offering chartered motorcoach day trips to destinations in Wisconsin and Minnesota for theatrical and musical events, river cruises, shopping excursions, and more.

“Every event is all about the experience, and I can’t wait to offer bus-loads of fun for groups of people again.” – Janet Adams, On the Go Bus

Adams moved to the Chippewa Valley about a year ago from Madison, where she spent nearly 30 years working for a large health care system. Her job involved coordinating large-scale events and managing a senior citizens’ program with more than 13,000 members.

Searching for a new career in her own “pre-retirement years,” Adams struck upon the idea of organizing bus tours, something she had some familiarity with from her previous job. “I really missed working with people, particularly those who are retired,” she explains. “That’s kind of where I landed.”

While the trips will be open to anyone, Adams expects them to appeal most to retirees, both those who don’t drive anymore and others who simply prefer the convenience of an all-inclusive drip. The first On the Go Bus trip will be May 17 to a production of the comedy The Savannah Sipping Society at the Old Log Theatre in Excelsior, Minnesota. Trips to see the musicals Ghost and Grease are slated for June 28 and July 13, respectively, while a La Crosse Queen cruise on the Mississippi River is scheduled for Aug. 1. A shopping outing to Spooner is planned for Aug. 22, while a bus will take fans to a John Denver tribute in Wisconsin Dells on Sept. 8.

For the time being, On the Go Bus will focus on day trips, but Adams anticipates eventually planning overnight excursions to Upper Midwest tourist destinations such as Door County.

Word is just starting to get out about the venture, but Adams is already hearing from potential customers who are excited about the opportunity. While other businesses offer bus tours, there are fewer such options than there used to be in the Chippewa Valley, she says.

Adams hopes to stay true to her business motto, “Half the fun is getting there,” by promoting a fun atmosphere with games, prizes, and trivia to help pass the miles. She also plans to promote other local businesses by providing her passengers with goodie bags containing gifts and coupons. Also, when possible, she’d like her trips to allow time to stop at wineries, boutiques, and other businesses along the way.

“Every event is all about the experience,” Adams says, “and I can’t wait to offer bus-loads of fun for groups of people again.”

To learn more about On the Go Bus, visit onthegobus.com or facebook.com/OntheGoBus, call (715) 619-6064, or email janet@onthegobus.com.