Ever rocked out with a Rock Hyrax or chilled with a Crested Oropendula? Surely, now, you’ve encountered a Lowland Anoa in your travels! Behold the formidable Fossa; what does he eat, and where does he hail from? The almost-eternally sunny climate of the Big Orange affords the 133 acre Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens the opportunity to grow much of the shelter and browse (“salad,” in guest-speak!) that the contented, healthy and well-fed zoo inhabitants enjoy and thrive on; the “plant rescue center” salvages and rehabilitates  rare and endangered kidnapped species confiscated from lawless individuals engaged in their illegal import. A fun fact that will appeal to the young at heart: the Los Angeles Zoo’s enchanting “Conservation Carousel” is the third best in the nation- where else can you sit astride a hand carved and painted armadillo or perch upon a komodo dragon and twirl to your heart’s content to retro-cool Cali tunes in the heart of “wild domain?” Lovers of lizards and friends of frogs will want to step inside *The Lair* and meet some of the world’s rarest, most brilliantly colorful reptiles and amphibians showcased in painstakingly-recreated “natural” environments; dare you enter Betty’s Bite and Squeeze Room? Trek the lush Red Ape Rain Forest; encounter the enchanting Elephants of Asia; visit dozens of endangered-to-critically endangered residents, each precious species on the brink of survival, now perfectly content to call the Zoo home! The philanthropists among you may wish to consider the mutual benefits of adopting a zoo resident-proceeds aid the ongoing participation in global conservation efforts; naming an animal allows you to contribute to the “animal acquisition fund” which promotes vital wildlife preservation and breeding projects here and around the world! Located at the junction of the I-5 (Golden Gate) and the 134 freeways, this magnificent menagerie is directly across from The Autry Museum of Western Heritage and is open Sun-Mon, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Psssst: don’t forget to say hello to the hissing Madegascar cockroach!

Exploring America > U.S. Cities > Los Angeles Tours

While your adult group is in Los Angeles, you should consider spending a day at Pacific Park. Group members can ride fun rides, play games, enjoy quality cuisine and beverages, and shop for a gift or souvenir. Visitors of all ages will have a fantastic time at this popular attraction. There are several fun rides for the team to enjoy. You and your group mates will find rides such as the Pacific Wheel, Inkie’s Pirate Ship, Sea Planes, Inkie’s Air Lift, Pacific Plunge, the West Coaster, and the Sea Dragon. The West Coaster is the “only West Coast, oceanfront, steel roller coaster located on a pier over the Pacific Coastline.” During the ride, visitors will see spectacular views of Santa Monica Bay and the Pacific Ocean. You will be sprayed by the ocean as you escalate to a height of 55 feet. The Pacific Plunge ride is a 9-story, breathtaking tower ride where group members will be taken 150 feet high. During the ride, your group can take in the view of the Pacific Ocean. If you and your group mates enjoy playing games, Pacific Park has several for you to play. There are games such as Top Glow, Whack-A-Mole, Tub Toss, Coastline Cat Rack, Riptide Ring Toss, and Roller Derby. The Coastline Cat Rack game is fun for visitors of all ages. Players will be given three chances to knock down props off of the cats paws. If group members knock down two cats, you will get a small prize However; if you knock down all three, guests will get a large prize. When visitors play the Rip Tide Ring Toss, you will try to land one of the plastic rings on one of 187 bottles to receive a jumbo prize.

While you are visiting Los Angeles, your adult group should check out the Dolby Theatre. Its name was changed in 2012. The venue is the permanent home of the famous Academy Awards. They offer guided tours as part of the experience. Visitors of all ages will enjoy visiting this popular destination. The group members will have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the Dolby Theatre. Visitors will see an Oscar Statuette; visit the Dolby Lounge and other exclusive celebrity hotspots, and view images from previous Academy Awards Ceremonies. The theatre also hosts well-known events which include the Daytime Emmy Awards, the ESPY Awards, the BET Awards, the American Idol Finals, and the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. The theatre is a live entertainment venue where top performers take the stage. The Ballet Theater performs at the location as well as touring Broadway Productions. There have been concerts that were performed by famous music artists such as Alicia Keys, Celine Dion, Prince, Barry Manilow, and Stevie Wonder. The adult group can purchase snacks and beverages in the lobby area of the venue. You will find items such as soft drinks, popcorn, candy, sandwiches, and cheese and crackers. Wolfgang Puck Catering provides the food and beverages at the location. There are men’s and women’s restrooms on every lobby level of the theater.

Happy wanderers on sunny Southern California holiday won’t want to miss this fantastic celebration of glorious Pacific Ocean wonders tucked neatly under ever-popular historic landmark and attraction Santa Monica Pier-a fabulous, conservation-minded, world-class aquarium featuring 19 habitats and 32 focus exhibits, representing nearly 500 marine species. Home to nearly 11,000 sea animals, this wonderful institution offers visitors a first-rate peek into their lives beneath the deep blue. The entertaining June Keys Penguin Habitat treats visitors to the antics of over a dozen animated Magellanic Penguins above and below the water, and features a crawl-in space allowing you to “be” part of the exhibit. Journey through the northernmost region of the Pacific Ocean into frigid habitats in and around the Bering Sea or embark on a 16-exhibit tropical escape into the warm waters off the coast of Palau that gets you up close and personal with seahorses and  weedy sea dragons, sea turtles, energetic black tipped sharks, colorful clownfish, sturdy, slow-cruising groupers and a host of beautiful, venomous creatures. Wander amongst the chattering winged rainbows of Lorikeet Forest; enjoy the immersive experience of the Ocean Science Center featuring NOAA’s fascinating “Science on a Sphere” presentations and explore the magical, sound-based world of “Whales, Voices in the Sea.” Expansive outdoor exhibit, “Shark Lagoon” features large-shark touch pools, interactive displays, an amphitheater, cool Shark Shack gift store, and the Bamboo Bistro café; meet and greet more than 150 sharks-some you can touch, and some you can’t. “Boat Adventures” get intrepid types onto the open water year-round for a variety of outstanding narrated tours and cruises.

 

When your adult group travels to Los Angeles, you should stop by Six Flags Magic Mountain. The team can experience exhilarating rides, dine, shop, and enjoy live entertainment. The park also hosts a variety of special events throughout the year. Visitors of all ages are sure to have a great time at the park. There are various thrill rides for your group to enjoy. You will find rides such as Batman, Canyon Blaster, Dive Devil, Full Throttle, Goliath, Jet Stream, and Revolution. The ride known as Goliath, is an exhilarating roller coaster where guests will endure high-speed moves which includes a 255 foot drop at 85 MPH. The Full Throttle ride offers visitors a thrilling experience. During the ride, you will loop to 160 feet, shoot through tunnels, and finally explode from three launches. During your visit to Six Flags Magic Mountain, your group should check out the souvenirs and other items available for you to purchase. Group members can explore the Extreme Zone, Flags, Full Throttle, Hero Haven, and Glass Crafts. The Full Throttle store has gifts and apparel. At the Glass Crafts store, you will find hand-blown glass figurines. During your visit to the park, the group may want to grab a bite at one of the restaurants. Visitors can enjoy baked goods at Suzette’s Bakery, get a snack from the Snack N’Shack, or indulge in Chinese food at Panda Express. If you and your group mates are looking for a variety of food choices, the Waterfront restaurant has plenty to offer. You can have pizza, pie, cheeseburgers, and salads at the location.

Gregarious groups on sunny Southern California getaway won’t want to miss this self-proclaimed entertainment capital of LA! One of the oldest and most famous Hollywood sets still in use, it was initially created to offer tours of the real Universal sound stages and sets and was the first of a series of Universal theme parks launched across the world. Visitors to this ever-popular, ultra-cool LA attraction will find nothing short of engaging, action packed entertainment here- the world’s largest working studio offering legendary backlot tours, thrillingly over-the-top 3D rides that take you right inside your favorite movies, fabulous themed shows, an awesome special effects stage and the NBC Universal Experience-an interactive extravaganza featuring fascinating authentic props, wardrobe and artifacts!  See Tinseltown’s remarkably talented animal actors strut their stuff and catch entertainment news TV show “EXTRA” filmed live from its new home at Universal Studios-here’s your shot to ogle celebrities stopping by!  Plenty of notable Hollywood snackshops and eateries tender everyone’s favorites and boatloads of thematic shopping opportunities let you take that movie memento or killer collectable home for a forever-reminder of your magical Universal Studios adventure!

 

When your group is in Los Angeles, you should consider visiting California Adventure Park. Visitors can check out fun attractions, dine, or take a tour as part of the experience. The park is located near Disney Land and is a popular destination for guests of all ages. California Adventure Park has a variety of exhilarating attractions for participants to explore. You will find attractions such as California Screamin, Games of the Boardwalk, Grizzly River Run, Jumpin’ Jellyfish, Toy Story Midway Mania, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. California Screamin is a roller coaster that goes from zero to 60 MPH in 4.5 seconds. Games of the Boardwalk are located in an arcade that is modeled after boardwalk games. World of Color is a water fountain show that is presented during the evening. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a ride where guests will drop 13 stories down and it is based on a 1950s TV Series. The attractions are located in different themed lands in the park. There are areas such as Paradise Pier, Hollywood Land, Pacific Warf, Golden Vine Winery, and Golden State. The Golden Vine Winery is an area where adults can taste a variety of wines from around the world. The group can explore a variety of tour options as part of the visit. One of the options is known as the Disney California Story Guided Tour. During the experience, participants will have the opportunity to get an exclusive look into the members-only 1901 lounge. The tour also includes access to two Disney California Adventure attractions, a special experience at Animation Academy, and a private lunch. At the conclusion, the team will receive a collectible pin.

This museum is unlike any other museum. Many of the activities at this museum involve, hiding, exploring, crawling, climbing, and sliding through exhibits. This is definetely a hands on museum that features a multi-level enchanted forest, a huge aquarium, and a museum of oddities.

The Busch family’s legacy is a large one in St. Louis, Missouri. Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Busch Stadium, and Grant’s Farm are but a few of the attractions one may enjoy in this vibrant city. Grant’s Farm, in particular, encompasses the history of the Busch family and President Ulysses S. Grant with exotic animals, German heritage, and good food. Fun for the whole family, Grant’s Farm has gorgeous scenery and exciting sites mixed with old Bavarian charm.
 
There are plenty of things to see and do at Grant’s Farm. You can ride the swan paddle boats across the pond, visit the petting zoo and other attractions at the Tier Garten, or ride through Deer Park to see exotic animals. For those of your group who are over 21, you may visit the hospitality room at The Bauernhof to try two complimentary Anheuser-Busch products. While you are there, sit, relax, and soak in the Bavarian style courtyard while you try a bratwurst or soft pretzel. If you enjoy animals, stop by the Animal Encounters show or the Elephant Education show. You may also visit the Budweiser Clydesdale Stables to meet the famous horses from the Super Bowl commercials.
 
Grant’s Farm is a wonderful, accommodating location to hold your next group meeting, family reunion, or other private event. Grant’s Farm offers tours of the Clydesdales, a birthday tour, a Busch Family Property tour on the history of the family property at Grant’s Farm, and a Private Expedition for your group which includes an open air vehicle ride through Deer Park and tours of Grant’s Cabin and the stables. Groups may also rent various areas on the property. Private events, special occasions, corporate meetings, or family reunions, nothing is too large or small for Grant’s Farm and everyone is sure to have a marvelous time.

Sitting in the heart of downtown St. Louis within view of the Gateway Arch is Busch Stadium, home of the Cardinals. With more than three million visiting fans every year, the Cardinals are one of the most visited teams in the country. If you are planning a trip to St. Louis, get yourself or your group some tickets and experience the thrill of America’s favorite past time.
 
Though this new Busch Stadium opened in 2006, the Cardinals were originally founded in 1882. Over the years they have won more than 9,300 games, 11 World Series Championships, 18 National League Pennants, and more. A team with such skill and history collects quite a few memories and now you can visit the Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum, the largest team-held collection of memorabilia in the MLB second only to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Tour the seven gallery collection of more than 16,000 memorabilia items and more than 80,000 archival photos. Visit the Championship Gallery to celebrate the 11 World Series wins and even hold an authentic baseball bat used by a past Cardinal in the Holding History exhibit.
 
With 46,000 seats, Busch Stadium is well equipped for group visits and has many attractions to keep everyone interested and entertained. Tours are offered year round, rain or shine, for groups large and small. The tours highlight areas including the Redbird Club, the Broadcast Booth, and the Cardinals Club and Dugout. The stadium and other locations may be rented for private special occasions as well.
 
Whether you are in a large group for a corporate get together or in a small youth group, seeing the Cardinals play at Busch Stadium is something that no one will forget. Have a hotdog, buy a Cardinals baseball cap, and have some fun!