Amarillo — Old meets new

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

While driving west into the Texas Panhandle from the more populated eastern part of the state, the land seems to go on forever. It rolls out in front of you as a strip of pavement cuts through the dry, high plains where oil derricks slowly bob up and down. Then, almost out of nowhere, up pops Amarillo, a town many only associate with a George Straight country song. But this is a place where Old West meets modern cowboy culture in a stunning environment.

Day 1: One day is hardly enough time to explore Amarillo’s art and museums, but it will have to do. Start at the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, an Art Deco facility that dates back to 1933. With more than 3 million artifacts, it’s Texas’ largest museum (an impressive feat in a state claiming “everything is bigger in Texas”). The history of the Panhandle, from 400 million years ago to today, is represented at the museum. Add two more stops to the museum tour that you can only find in West Texas: Kwahadi Museum of the American Indian and American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum.

Day 2: Escape for a day to Palo Duro Canyon State Park, a striking natural park about 30 minutes outside Amarillo. At 120 miles long, up to 20 miles wide and 800 feet deep, the area rivals the Grand Canyon. Pack a lunch and picnic at the park, where you can hike, bike or ride horseback. Old West Stables, located inside the canyon, offers guided horseback tours to Timber Creek Canyon as well as the famous Lighthouse rock formation on the western edge. Stay for the evening to enjoy a theater performance at the Pioneer Amphitheater, Tuesday to Sunday, beginning in June and running until early August. A classic Texas barbecue dinner is served beforehand.

Day 3: Have an authentic Texas chuckwagon breakfast at a local cattle ranch such as Elkins Ranch near Palo Duro or River Breaks Ranch 10 minutes outside of town. Stay for the day and learn to rope, ride and strum a country tune on guitar. On your way out of town, swing by Cadillac Ranch to the west on the outskirts of Route 66, where Texas tycoon Stanley Marsh buried 10 Cadillacs in a row, their back ends sticking up out of the ground.

Dallas — City of contrasts

Grapevine Railroad

An eternally confident city, Dallas thinks big, acts big and lives big. It stretches its arms wide and squeezes in nearby cities Fort Worth and Arlington for a big metro bear hug that puts it at No. 4 on the nation’s most populous cities list. Dallas has always been a city of contrasts: beauty queens and cowboys, high-rise condos and cattle ranches, Neiman Marcus and Wild Bill’s Western Store. This diversity is what makes it an intriguing destination, a place where you can get lost in the glitz and glamour of an urban metropolis or escape for the day to a rural winery where you can stomp your own grapes. But no matter what you do, do it big. Dallas wouldn’t want it any other way.

Day 1: Art, dining and shopping have to be at the top of your to-do list in Dallas. Head to NorthPark Center to find more than 200 shops, from elegant boutiques to big-name stores like Barneys New York and Neiman Marcus. NorthPark also houses a large collection of fine art, including pieces by Andy Warhol and Jonathan Borofsky. For more art, head to the Dallas Arts District and visit the Dallas Museum of Art and the new Nasher Sculpture Center, featuring contemporary sculpture in an indoor building and an outdoor 2-acre garden. If you’re going to splurge on one meal, do it for dinner at Dallas Fish Market, which made Bon Appetit’s list of the top 10 seafood restaurants in the U.S. in 2008.

Day 2: Texas is the country’s fifth largest wine-producing state, and you can sample some of it on a day-trip to Grapevine, just a stone’s throw from DFW Airport. Spend a day on the Grapevine Wine Trail, touring up to 10 wineries such as Cross Timbers Winery and Delaney Vineyards. Stay for dinner at Love & War in Texas, a restaurant with a regional wine list as big as the state of Texas.

Day 3: Climb aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad that travels the historic Cotton Belt Route to the Fort Worth Stockyards, a historic district that has restaurants, shopping, live music and regular rodeo and cattle drives for a taste of the true cowboy culture. Head back to Dallas for an evening of people-watching and relaxing in The West End or Knox-Henderson districts.

Galveston — On island time

Galveston Trolley

Small cues throughout Galveston remind you that you’re in Texas; souvenir shops in the The Strand historic district sell tiny Lone Star flags, and large TVs in some of the local pubs play Texas Rangers baseball games during the summer. But mostly, Galveston feels like any other island town with its laid-back, no-frills demeanor and a collection of historic homes that date back generations. The port city has a love/hate relationship with the Gulf of Mexico on which it sits. The waters make for a scenic beach background during the summer, but have also devastated the city, namely with the recent Hurricane Ike in 2008. The city is back in business, though. Restaurants are open, museums are busy and the historic tours are leaving from the station full of people.

Day 1: Tour the town. Galveston offers a number of guided tour options like an hour-long harbor cruise or a 17-mile narrated tour of the island on the Treasure Isle Tour Train (it’s almost two hours, so set some time aside). Then, take a closer look at some of the sites guides discuss on the tour, including The Moody Mansion, a late 19th-century home with period furniture and tours that discuss the history of Galveston, and the Old City Cemetery at 43rd Street and Broadway.

Day 2: What’s a summer island vacation without a day at the beach? Beyond the seawall, which protects the island from the violent Gulf during infrequent storms, sits a serene, delicate beach. Seaweed gathers on the shore often, giving the entire beach a natural, unpretentious vibe. Finish the day off with a seafood dinner at Gaido’s, a similarly modest establishment that peels the shrimp and shucks the oysters in-house daily. Be forewarned; there’s usually a wait for a table.

Day 3: Reserve one day to soak in Galveston’s arts. The Postoffice Street Arts and Entertainment District is packed with independent artists’ galleries. Every six weeks, the galleries stay open late and serve wine and cheese during an ArtWalk. Galveston is also home to the “Official Opera House of Texas,” the restored Grand 1894 Opera House. Check the schedule to see what’s playing while in town, from stage performances to dances to film screenings.

San Antonio — A river runs through it

The Alamo

A trip to San Antonio is not a trip to San Antonio without seeing the downtown River Walk. (No, really, it would almost be impossible since the San Antonio River cuts right through the busy downtown visitor’s district.) The river has spawned an entertainment district with restaurants and shops that nestle right up to the edge of the water, but in this town of Texan, Mexican and Tejano culture, the sights extend well beyond the river’s edge. San Antonio is all about food, music and history, but not necessarily in that order.

Day 1: Hit the big three: the River Walk, Alamo and Market Square. Stroll along the River Walk that winds through downtown and stop to enjoy a margarita and a hot plate of enchiladas or chile rellenos at one of the area’s Tex-Mex eateries. Then walk a few blocks east to visit the site of the Battle of the Alamo. The well-known landmark pops up in the middle of the busy Market Square district, almost catching you off guard. Check out the rest of Market Square’s popular draws like the San Antonio Museum of Art, Spanish Governor’s Palace and the Farmer’s Market Plaza, where you can purchase authentic Mexican dulce (candy) and Southwest pottery.

Day 2: Get out of the city and head to New Braunfels, about 45 minutes northwest of San Antonio. It gets warm in Texas, so put on a swimsuit, grab a raft, tube or inflatable canoe, and head to the Guadalupe or Comal river to float away the day. (Rockin ‘R’ River Rides rents out canoes and rafts, as well as riverside cabins and campgrounds for an adventure retreat.) End the night at Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas. Built in 1878, it’s hosted some of Texas’ most famous musicians, including Jerry Jeff Walker, Robert Earl Keen, Bruce and Charlie Robison, and more.

Day 3: Spend your final day exploring the culture and arts of San Antonio. Stop first at the saintly Liberty Bar, which recently moved into a former convent after 25 years in a leaning, ramshackle building. Take an afternoon to explore Brackenridge Park with its zoo and renovated Japanese Tea Gardens. Nearby, visit the San Antonio Botanical Garden and McNay Art Museum, and end the trip at one of the city’s notable Southtown restaurants: Azuca, La Frite, Rosario’s or El Mirador.

By Jennifer Garrett

Florida has seen sunnier days, but Visit Florida and destination marketing organizations across the state are hoping to let the sun shine in a little stronger in 2010. As travelers pinched their pennies in 2009 and corporate travel all but went away, a creative marketing campaign by Visit Florida called “Share a Little Sunshine” encouraged Florida residents to invite their friends and family to come join them in the Sunshine State for a visit.

“It was really well-received, really successful, it went viral like we hoped it would,” Visit Florida CEO Chris Thompson says. “It was a great example of what we’ve tried to do creatively, tapping into the in-state market and generating a little bit of a push while things were down by asking the 19 million Florida residents to help their own economy.”

The great response — which included 2,459 Facebook fans and 10,125 invitations sent by Florida residents in 64 different counties — proved it just takes a little creativity to get things moving. Destinations are thinking outside the box to get your business. From social media marketing efforts and special touches to just plain great deals, destinations continue to work hard even as the economy looks to be rebounding in other sectors.

“Everything is about being visitor-focused and visitor-centric,” says Tracy Louthain, Beaches of South Walton director of PR and visitor services. “Folks are getting more creative, it is more about packaging. It isn’t just about coming and staying at a cute little beach house, or staying at a specific property, but what else comes along with that. Whether that is making sure you have a beach chair set up when you arrive or adding unique experiences … how is it being taken to that next level?”

Northeast Florida

The convention and visitors bureau in Jacksonville has stepped up to draw attention to their beaches, meeting facilities and group attractions. In addition to a newly launched social media site, udontknowjax.com, and a mobile site to help visitors get around like a local, Visit Jacksonville offers dedicated Web sites created for your group to access detailed information specific to your trip, as well as itineraries and area information. Information includes attractions such as the Riverside Arts Market — 160 artists, live music, street performers and a fresh produce market Saturdays from April through December — and deals and packages ranging from seeing the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars play to escapes to nearby St. Augustine or Amelia Island.

Hang out among the more than 1,500 animals and 1,000 plants at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. The already outstanding zoo added the Asian Bamboo Garden and Komodo Dragon permanent exhibit in March 2009, which includes a garden that can accommodate as many as 250 people for a special event. The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens is another gorgeous setting for events or simply to peruse. In addition to collections of European masters, American impressionists and 18th century Meissen porcelain, as well as its historic gardens, the museum features a hands-on section in “Art Connections,” its education center.

Nearby Amelia Island isn’t missing out on the chance to hand out deals either. The laid-back island getaway is known for its natural beauty and historic feel, which seems to make time slow down. Group and meeting packages are available at the varied accommodations across the island. Amelia Island Plantation offers complimentary group recreation, a welcome reception and other discounts through March 2010, while Elizabeth Pointe Lodge has discounts on room rates for eight or more rooms and special event, tours and charter arrangements.

Spend an afternoon in downtown St. Augustine, where history fills the Spanish buildings of the Old City. Pop in and out of art galleries, restaurants and historic buildings in the nation’s first city, and be sure to take a tour of the most formidable structure in the area, Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S., which cannot be missed as you make your way toward downtown across the Bridge of Lions.

Northwest Florida

The strip along the northern section of Florida’s Gulf Coast is no stranger to groups. From Pensacola to Panama City and all the white, sandy beaches in between, resorts, quaint beach towns and secluded strips attract groups of all shapes and sizes year-round. Summer stretches deep into the fall, and winter and early spring provide off-seasons enjoyable enough to take advantage of the many deals and festivals available.

With the new Northwest Florida-Panama City International Airport opening in May 2010, Panama City welcomes a much broader audience to enjoy its 27 miles of beaches, sport fishing and fabulous seafood. The airport features the longest runway in Northwest Florida, making it accessible to any size jet and commercial aircraft. Both Delta and Southwest will provide service.

Whether you catch a glimpse of the local Blue Angels practicing from March to November or visit the 150 restored aircraft, hands-on exhibits and more than 4,000 military aviation artifacts at the National Aviation Museum, the sky-high entertainment in Pensacola is hard to beat. More military aviation is on display just down the road at the Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach.

The Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island area boasts water sports opportunities galore, festivals year-round and of course 24 miles of beautiful beaches. Destin is packed with entertainment options from the go-karts and water attractions at Big Kahuna’s to shopping at Destin Commons and Silver Sands Designer Outlets.

Group activities abound in and out of all the laidback, beachside towns up and down Hwy. 30A. When you aren’t relaxing on the shared sandy shores, each of the 15 towns that comprise the Beaches of South Walton offers a unique personality. The communities are filled with boutiques, galleries and local restaurants seemingly outfitted purely for those looking for an authentic beach experience. Group-friendly restaurants range from the casual beachfront Bud and Alley’s in Seaside to a gourmet dinner at the picturesque Fish Out of Water at Watercolor Inn and resort.

Area condos, rental homes and hotels suit all sizes and price ranges. Sandestin was made for groups; the resort alone provides every possible type of accommodation. Whether you rent a home for your brood on the property or choose from one-, two- and three-bedroom options in one of the high rises, you are bound to find a perfect option for any size clan. The Hilton Sandestin even offers options with bunk beds tucked into their own alcove with a private media center for kids.

Orlando

From the obvious — Disney, Universal, Sea World — to hidden gems, Orlando reigns when it comes to fun in mass. Magical attractions for kids as well as the young at heart are on every corner. The Orlando CVB hired two “Smile Ambassadors” to test out everything the city has to offer during “67 days of Smiles” this fall. The pair’s adventures — from theme parks to hang gliding, swimming with dolphins, gator wrestling, museum and more — are documented at orlandoinfo.com/67days.

Each of the theme parks offers different — and very well-organized — group gatherings. From discount tickets to catering and venue options, Disney, Universal and SeaWorld all have dedicated Web sites for helping you organize events, meetings or reunions. Develop your own custom Web site through Disney where you can make invitations, have polls for your group to vote on attractions and even chat online with one another. New attractions at each of the parks range from Sea World’s new Manta roller coaster that takes you inside an aquarium and at  Universal Orlando Resort the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit allows riders to create their own custom soundtrack, while Harry Potter has flown in with a full “Wizzarding World of Harry Potter” experience.

Minutes aways, the scenic beauty of Seminole County is no longer just a popular sentiment. The area now touts a National Accreditation by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies.

In addition to the birding and kayaking in the parks, the county offers plenty of activities that take in the wonders of the great outdoors. Take the crew aboard a chartered fishing trip, rock climbing, or on the zip lines, rope bridges and suspended disks of the Central Florida Zoo’s ZOOm Air Adventure course.

Tampa/St. Petersburg

Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg share real estate on Tampa Bay as well as a wealth of beautiful beaches and big city attractions. From The Dali Museum to the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, the arts, culture and history are well represented.

Busch Gardens sends guests flying high on roller coasters and mingling with the animals on an African safari, while the Florida Aquarium lets you explore 20,000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and around the world. The naturalist will fall in love with such pure destinations as St. Petersburg’s Fort De Soto Park, Boyd Hill Nature Park, Brooker Creek Preserve and Weedon Island Preserve. Tampa Bay is home to professional football and hockey teams as well as both major and minor league baseball, so the sports fan is always entertained.

With a number of waterfront restaurants, attractions and meeting facilities — even the Tampa Convention Center overlooks the water — Tampa Bay is the star of the region. Water sports, fishing charters and dining cruises send groups into the water on frequent occasion, while the sandy shores of area beaches are always an attracting diversion.

Southwest Florida

They call it Paradise in Southwest Florida for a reason. The Naples, Marco Island, Everglades region not only provides gorgeous beaches and upscale properties and attractions, but a wealth of options for groups. From the flagship Ritz-Carlton, Naples Resort to the boutique Inn on Fifth, hotels in Naples have a full range of meeting space and entertainment options.

The spas at Naples Bay Resort and Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort Golf Club and Spa will keep your group relaxed and rejuvenated, while kids may never be heard from again once they enter the super high-tech game and entertainment center, vue lounge at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples.

Conservation isn’t just a sightseeing activity with the 10,000 Islands Dolphin Project. Groups step aboard the Dolphin Explorer eco-tour and immediately join in on the research. Teams pick a crew chief, photographer, observer and recorder and help collect data for the 10,000 Islands Dolphin Study as they cruise the coastal, bay, river and estuary waters of the region. And at the Naples Zoo, proceeds from every ticket go toward conservation around the world; a tree is purchased for every group that uses the venue. Up-close encounters with lions, primates, bears and more are guaranteed. The brand new Naples Botanical Garden features Brazilian and Caribbean gardens, as well as an outstanding children’s garden with a treehouse, fountain and scroungers garden that will keep kids entertained for hours.

Sommelier Harmen Rost van Tonningen and his wife Patricia host groups on their weekly Sip ‘n’ Sail dinner cruises. Take in the landscape, wildlife and sunsets of the Paradise Coast, while you enjoy five themed wines and hors d’ oeuvres, along with Harmen’s expertise on the vintages.

Can’t Miss This:

For another Florida attraction, click on the image below.

Seaside Post Office

By Jennifer Garrett

The Mid-Atlantic States of Virginia and Maryland share real estate on the Chesapeake Bay as well as access points to our nation’s capitol, but the diverse states also provide a wealth of educational, fun and enticing destinations for groups of all shapes, sizes and interests. The peaks and valleys between the sandy shores of the Atlantic and the scenic Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains burst with reasons to stop and check out what’s new in town with your gang. 

VIRGINIA

The landscape is not the only thing that is green in Virginia. The state’s tourism department has made a commitment to being eco-friendly with its “Virginia Green” certification. Tourism-related business from hotels to restaurants to tours can receive this designation by making extra efforts toward sustainability and eco-friendly practices. Virginia Beach was designated the first “green destination” by the program with more than 90 certified hospitality businesses, including the first green convention center in the state.

Perhaps the dedication to the movement was inspired by the state’s ample opportunities to get in touch with nature. Ecotours from biking to birding can be found year-round across the state. Peddle along the Harrison Loop bike tour or grab a paddle and see the First Landing State Park, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and more by kayak with Kayak Nature Tours. Polyface Farm in Swoope, Va., a family-owned, local-market farm and informational outreach also offers tours.

Virginia is known for being home to many sites that laid the foundations of this country. A stroll through Colonial Williamsburg, the Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center literally places visitors back in the Colonial and Revolutionary days with costumed interpreters, demonstrations and reenactments of the foundations of the United States. 

But “first” and “only” are not reserved for the colonial living history sites. The first permanent settlers to our country actually touched down in Virginia Beach before heading to Jamestown, and the region proudly marks that site at Cape Henry. A visit here should most notably include the First Landing Cross as well as the original Cape Henry Lighthouse — the first federally funded lighthouse under the constitutional government. The updated version is still in use today, across the street. 

Nearby, Newport News may have received its unusual moniker from its connection to Colonial times. Many believe the coastal city was named after Christopher Newport, the commander of Susan Constant, the flagship of the English fleet that landed on Jamestown Island in 1607, who often brought good news of supplies coming to the settlement. So it is only fitting that one of the most popular attractions in the area is the Mariners’ Museum, the largest of its kind in North America. It and the region’s other maritime museum, Nauticus in Norfolk, provide groups with educational and hands-on exhibits about life at sea. Take your pick of ships — the USS Monitor on view at the new $30-million Civil War attraction at the Mariner’s Museum, or the USS Wisconsin, one of the largest and last battleships built by the Navy at Nauticus. The region’s heavy Naval influence is on view at Virginia Beach’s Oceana Naval Air Station, the only master jet base on the East Coast, and Naval Station Norfolk, the largest Naval station in the world. Go from sea to space and back at Newport News’ Virginia Living Museum with its newly re-opened planetarium and exhibits filled with more than 250 living species native to the area. 

Moving inland, history intermingles with culture in Richmond, a city overflowing with Southern charm. Historical landmarks and museums covering the Revolutionary and Civil wars are also amongst the area’s highlights, from St. John’s Church — the site of Patrick Henry’s famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech — to the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar, which has the largest collection of Confederate artifacts in the world. Stately homes fill the historic neighborhoods and streets. Monument Avenue, a wide lane with gorgeous trees creating a canopy overhead, features monuments of prominent Americans from Robert E. Lee to Arthur Ashe. Groups can get their adrenaline pumping by either witnessing or joining in on the heart-pounding fun at Richmond International Raceway or seeing horse-racing up-close-and-personal at Colonial Downs. 

There is a lot on the horizon for Virginia’s capital city. The downtown arts development Richmond CenterStage, the new Hilton Conference Center and Spa, complete with 255 guestrooms and 12,916 square feet of event space, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ 100,000-sq.-ft. expansion, which will add to its gallery space and include a new library and park, are all expected to be completed by year-end. 

The history trail continues into Charlottesville and Albemarle County. From Monticello, which comprises the house, gardens and plantation of Thomas Jefferson, to Ash Lawn-Highland and Montpelier, the historic homes of James Monroe and James Madison respectively, visitors can quickly find themselves surrounded by historical significance. But kicking it outdoors is easy as well, from championship golf courses to tubing, sailing and kayaking in the lakes and rivers all set amidst the gorgeous scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

Mount Vernon

As gateways to Washington, D.C., Arlington and Alexandria offer easy access to well-known monuments and national memorials that are popular with groups. But each can be a destination in its own right. Alexandria, a city on the National Register of Historic Places, boasts a house museum of its own — George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens. Washington and many other former presidents and politicians were regulars at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum. Today, the 18th century tavern and hotel features a museum and is available for parties or dinners in the very space that the likes of American greats John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison graced. 

Arlington is home to the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery, which is the final resting place for more than 300,000 veterans and fallen soldiers, as well as monuments including Iwo Jima, John F. Kennedy’s gravesite and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

See the cities from a different angle with boat tours that leave the Alexandria marina, ranging from 240 people aboard the Dandy Restaurant Cruise to the intimate Potomac Belle yacht or party boats of the Potomac River Company. 

MARYLAND

Virginia’s neighbor to the north not only shares space on the Chesapeake, but Maryland also shares a rich history dating back to the earliest days of the U.S. From its State House in Annapolis, which has recently been restored to its Colonial-era grandeur, to the boardwalk of Ocean City, the area is booming with sites and sounds. Civil War battlefields to big-city attractions, the little state has major draws for all ages and interests. Make sure to find time for your crew to enjoy fresh seafood — especially mouth-watering crabs that are at their best in the fall. 

Head straight to the heart of it all and get a Maryland adventure in gear in the state’s largest city, Baltimore. The hub of Baltimore is the Inner Harbor. Shopping, dining and entertainment are at every turn, including street entertainers that pop up spontaneously and annual festivals and events that are centered in the district. The National Aquarium and Maryland Science Center prove why groups beeline to the Inner Harbor. See sharks, jellies, rays and more at the National Aquarium. Fun group tours include a sleepover with the sharks, private dolphin training and play sessions combined with the new dolphin show, “Our Ocean Planet,” or go all in with the guest diver program that has you plunging into the aquarium itself.

Scurry on down the coast and you’ll run into the historic capital, Annapolis. Overflowing with maritime roots, Annapolis’ pride is the U.S. Naval Academy. Guided tours include  “The Yard,” the Naval Academy Chapel, the Crypt of John Paul Jones and the U.S. Naval Academy Museum at Preble Hall. Special tours are available for Veterans. The city’s rich African-American heritage is on full view at popular sites including historic churches and neighborhoods, the Kunte Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial, the Banneker-Douglass Museum, the Thurgood Marshall Memorial and the Galilean Fisherman Free School. 

Across the Chesapeake, charming towns and seaside communities squeeze in next to one another. From Janes Island State Park to the Eastern Neck Island water trail and Assateague Island, visitors can enjoy awe-inspiring views of native wildlife. 

Seafood is king across the state, but Crisfield takes the title of “Crab Capital of the World.” Many eateries even let you catch your own dinner and they’ll cook it up for you and your hungry band of fishermen. White marlin is the catch in Ocean City, where deep-sea fishing is a popular endeavor. And groups make sure to sneak in some time on the town’s famous wooden boardwalk, Ferris wheel, roller coaster and carousel.

Montgomery and Frederick counties are just across the Potomac from the nation’s capital and offer plenty of opportunities for shopping and entertainment in the towns of Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring and Frederick. Frederick is home to Camp David, so popular tours include the very shops and activities enjoyed by many of the country’s First Families. A Civil War trail or venturing to see the covered bridges and beautiful fall foliage of the area are also possible jaunts from Frederick. 

Montgomery County is filled with cultural exploits. The Music Center at Strathmore hosts well-known performers and the The Bethesda Theatre and Art Deco Bethesda Theatre give groups an excellent option to see plays and shows throughout the year. In Silver Spring, watch a movie in the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, which also serves as a moving image exhibition, education and cultural center housed in noted architect John Eberson’s restored historic 1938 Silver Theatre.

Can’t Miss This:

For another attraction in Virginia, click on the image below.

Boar's Head Inn

By Joan Drammeh

Memphis in May Sunset Symphony

Beginning in spring and continuing well into the fall, festivals introduce visitors to the history, culture and crafts of communities. Visitors join residents, unfolding lawn chairs for an outdoor concert, picnicking on local specialties and shopping the booths of local artisans. No state offers a better example of the joys of festival season than Tennessee, where a gloried storytelling and writing tradition stems from the rolling hills, hidden hollers and distinctive cities that gave the world the likes of Tennessee Williams and Elvis Presley.

 “What we try to do with our festivals is showcase the heritage of the Smoky Mountains, and storytelling is an important part of that tradition,” says Leon Downey, director of tourism for the city of Pigeon Forge. “Back in the pioneer days, people didn’t have a whole lot of entertainment or things to do so they developed great storytelling abilities. To this day, people are fascinated by local storytellers and the tales they pass down.”

As the “Volunteer State” recognizes the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, festivals also honor the preservation of Tennessee’s natural treasures. “Sustainability-wise, we know that we have to be in touch with the park and do everything we can to preserve it,” says Jim Davis, public relations coordinator for the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism, concerning the role of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales festival. “Not only do we want to keep the park clean, but we want to remember how it used to be.”

So, break out of the mold and get your group going with an eclectic festival circuit that includes rockabilly music, Smoky Mountain lore and Tennessee history.

Eastern Tennessee

Gatlinburg's Tunes and Tales Festival

“If it weren’t for the Smokies, there wouldn’t be a Gatlinburg,” says Davis about the relationship between the popular foothill town and the surrounding peaks. “The best part about the Smokies is that it still doesn’t have an entrance fee,” he says. “Nine million people visit here each year with no entrance fee. If you go out west, it’ll be $15 a car.”

You can’t beat free. Gatlinburg’s Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales festival welcomes visitors to the sidewalks of their downtown for almost a month of free entertainment, June 12-Aug. 8. Take a stroll and you will practically stumble upon costumed musical performers, storytellers and artisans in seven different locations. This popular, eight-week event highlights one of Gatlinburg’s greatest assets — its layout invites walking. All of Gatlinburg’s utility wires and phone lines are underground, making the festival area an open space that doesn’t get too crowded.

 “The main thing visitors should do is just take a long walk, have a good time, sit on a bench, relax and people watch,” Davis says. “On any given night you can’t help but stop and listen to the music and stories, watch spinners making something with yarn or the cloggers bringing people on stage.”

Gatlinburg also has a thriving arts and crafts community. Third- and fourth- generation crafters make brooms, pottery, candles and a variety of other items.

Pigeon Forge is a special community where tourism is the main industry in town. Although it is home to a bevy of winter holiday events, the festival season is the time of year when this mountain town really pulls out the stops.

If your group wants to see colorful wildflowers amidst the peaks and valleys of the Great Smoky Mountains, spring, summer and fall are perfect times to visit. For the 24th straight year, the Dolly Parade, with none other than Dolly Parton as its grand marshal kicks off SpringFest in early May. More than 50,000 parade watchers are expected to line the streets to admire the colorful floats, marching bands, entertainers and local celebrities in Pigeon Forge.

“I’ve been here for 21 years and know the power Dolly Parton has to draw people,” says Downey. “I witness 50-60,000 people line the Pigeon Forge Parkway to see Dolly each year. She cuts across all kinds of audiences, and people really respond well to her.”

The Smoky Mountains Storytelling Festival features storytelling concerts and workshops at the Belle Island Village, June 4-6. Young storytellers share the stage with seasoned professionals competing for the title of Grand Torchbearer. The highlight of the festival is Haunts ‘n’ Haints Tales, an evening of performances of family friendly ghost stories, featuring professional storytellers with ties to the Appalachian Mountain area.

“A lot of the stories our visitors most enjoy are the ones about growing up in the Smokies that incorporate the local terms … the ones that talk about the way it was back before television and Internet,” Downey says.

The Old Mill Square is the place to indulge in Smoky Mountain Music & Heritage, June 5-25. Experience the good ol’ days with live music representative of East Tennessee at the Pottery House Café & Grill. The Old Mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the most photographed mills in the country. Visitors can watch meal and flour being ground by water-powered granite French Buhrs, pottery being thrown, or bread and candy being made. The square includes restaurants, bakery, pottery and craft shops, making it a total destination rather than a single stop.

“The Old Mill is in the center of town and people go there to hear great bluegrass in a beautiful historic area,” Downey says. The 5th Annual StringTime in the Smokies is the perfect opportunity to do just that. Bring a group to experience a free evening of bluegrass concerts in Patriot Park, Aug.14-15.

Pigeon Forge may be the location Dolly’s theme park, Dollywood, but only one city can claim to be the hometown of the bedazzled singer/songwriter: Sevierville. Take a group trip to Sevierville for the 10th Annual Dumplin Valley JuneFest, June 11-13. This three-day summer festival features bluegrass from bands like Carolina Road, Nothin’ Fancy and J.D. Crowe & The New South. 

In July, the festival circuit gets highly specialized. “Dukes of Hazzard” fans get loud and proud at the Smoky Mountain Fan Fest at Smokies Stadium. You can view the Dukes’ General Lee car up close while you get autographs from the show’s cast and see country music legend Merle Haggard in concert.

Central Tennessee

Nashville is Music City, and festivals here turn into full-blown concerts when the sun goes down. “There’s no better place to see country music than Nashville,” says Jenny Steuber, public relations coordinator for the Nashville CVB. “We are the home of country music, bluegrass and Americana, which is a lot of what gives Nashville its personality.”

The CMA Music Festival, June 11-14, is the festival blowout of the year. The four-day celebration of country music takes over downtown, offering more than 100 hours of concerts, autograph signings and photo opportunities. According to Steuber, “All of the musicians who perform have some sort of connection with Nashville whether they live here, write here or record here.”

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center salutes summer with roving artists, performers, laser lights and water shows every weekend and each Sunday evening from May though October, the Tennessee Jazz & Blues Society performs on the lawns of two historic Nashville homes, the Cheekwood and Belle Meade Plantation.

Scotch-Irish heritage is on full display during the Celtic Music Festival at the Travelers Rest Plantation outside of the city, June 19-21. The entertainment includes bagpipes, highland dancers and Celtic music. For arts and crafts enthusiasts, the American Artisan Festival features the work of 160 artists from around the country, as well as crafts ranging from those made of wood, blown glass and metal to quilts, stained glass and jewelry.

If you are looking for a more permanent Nashville attraction to plan your visit around, the Country Music Hall of Fame has exhibits on genres including traditional, bluegrass, rockabilly, outlaw and Cajun music. Known as the home of America’s music since 1967, the museum offers an unforgettable experience. The $37 million landmark is in the heart of downtown Nashville’s entertainment district where honkytonks lend a laidback feel to lower Broadway and have free live music from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m.

The museum’s exhibits include Sing Me Back Home — A Journey Through Country Music; The Williams Family Legacy; the Hall of Fame Rotunda; and a tour of RCA Studio B, known as “the temple of sound.” Record your own CD in Studio B, where music legends Elvis Presley, Chet Atkins and the Everly Brothers made history.

Located an hour south of Nashville, Maury County is known as the “Antebellum Homes Capitol of Tennessee.” Aside from the four beautifully appointed public homes — Polk Home, Rippavilla Plantation, the Athenaeum and Elm Springs — the county is also famous for its Mule Day celebration, which attracts thousands to the town of Columbia the first weekend in April. The four-day festival features Appalachian food, music, dancing and crafts during one of the largest livestock markets in the world.

Keep heading south to reach Chattanooga, where the music doesn’t stop in the quaint city nestled among the Appalachian Mountains. Crowds gather downtown at the Chattanooga Market on Sunday afternoons for free outdoor concerts at the First Tennessee Pavilion. The sounds of Americana, big band and rock ‘n’ roll ring out while visitors peruse great finds by local artisans, fresh local produce, herbs and flowers. Or if you’re around downtown Fridays at lunch in the summer you can take in some jazz, swing, choral, pop, blues and classical styles with the free, weekly Rhythm & Noon series in Miller Plaza.

Western Tennessee

Best known as the birthplace of blues, Memphis also boasts a rich heritage of classical music along with its claim to rock ‘n’ roll royalty. The Memphis in May International Festival commemorates everything from bluegrass and barbecue to the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. The month long festival hosts the city’s largest events like the Beale Street Music Festival, May 1-3; the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, May 14-16; and the Sunset Symphony, May 23.

Lucy Opry presents Pickin’ Picnic Festival is another local favorite. Bring your group for two days of free outdoor music, and then move indoors for the Grand Finale. This year, The Infamous Stringdusters winner of the 2007 International Bluegrass Music Association’s Album of the Year, closes the festival.

June ushers in a sequence of summer events at the historic Elmwood Cemetery. Explore the oldest active cemetery in Memphis with the Lunch & Lecture Series, Docent Led Tour or Evening Stroll. Established in 1852 as a rural garden cemetery, Elmwood has 80 acres of rolling grounds, towering trees and impressive memorials scattered about winding lanes and paths. Discover the romanticism behind this Victorian era treasure and get to know the Civil Rights pioneers and leaders who shaped the city.

Ranked as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events, the Shannon Street Blues & Heritage Festival held in downtown Jackson honors the city’s rich rockabilly and blues heritage the first weekend in June. Hosted by the West Tennessee Farmer’s Market, attendees can visit the Yoshino cherry grove and the custom sewing and shoeshine stand.

Located on the “Heart of Music Highway,” Interstate 40 between Memphis and Nashville, Jackson is home to several country music artists. The International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame, Inc., traces the history and highlights of rockabilly music and features rare memorabilia and photographs from Jackson legends like Carl Perkins, Sonny Boy Williamson, Big Maybell, Arthur Adams and Big Joe Turner. Another popular venue for music lovers is the Songwriter’s Depot, where concerts are held the fourth Thursday of each month. Visitors can enjoy country music’s finest singer/songwriters performing their hits and sharing stories behind their songs through October.

Can’t Miss This:

For another attraction in Tennessee, click on the image below.

Beale Street