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Monthly Archives: January 2014

Six Flags

There’s nothing like a good amusement park and Six Flags in St. Louis is a world class example of everything a theme park should be. With thrill rides, family and children’s rides, shows, entertainment, events, shopping and more, everyone in your group no matter the age will have a blast at Six Flags.

For those of you who enjoy a good heart-pounding thrill ride, try out the scream-tastic Batman roller coaster, the Dragon’s Wing, Mr. Freeze, Ninja, or the famous wooden coaster Screamin’ Eagle. If you have young children or for those who would prefer a calmer pace, enjoy the Colossus Ferris wheel, the majestic Grand Ole Carousel, the Log Flume, or the River King Mine Train among many others suitable for all ages. When you want a breather from all of the exciting rides, watch the Character Dance Party with the Looney Tunes or one of the other shows.

The park sponsors several events throughout the year to boost public amusement. Come over holiday weekends for Labor Day, Memorial Day, Mother’s or Father’s Days, Halloween’s Fright Fest, or participate in the Roller Coaster Race. School groups have the chance to take part in the park’s educational days where only schools are allowed to participate in the park-wide physics, math, and marketing workshops.

Six Flags is a perfect destination for all types of groups. From company outings bound for team building exercises or client lunches, religious groups, family reunions, or even weddings, Six Flags has a custom designed package to fit your group’s needs. Groups large and small, even over 80 individuals, are welcome to take part in the personalized options such as catered picnics, rented venues, private programs and more. For a fun, exciting, and interesting destination, check out Six Flags on your next group trip to St. Louis.

Science Center

Credit: St. Louis Science Center

Credit: St. Louis Science Center

With more than 700 hands-on exhibits, the St. Louis Science Center is a premier destination for any group dynamic. Wander on your own through the exhibits, participate in programs, or sit back and watch the simulated night sky pass overhead. The professional employees make science fun by being passionate, entertaining, and interested in the open education of the visiting public. From the youngest of children to the most mature of adults, everyone will find something to enjoy at the Science Center.

Take a tour of The Human Adventure and see on a large-scale how the human body works, become a paleontologist and dig up dinosaur bones in the Fossil Prep Lab and Dig Site, or learn how liquid nitrogen works and other science topics with the Amazing Science Demonstrations. Hop on over to the OMNIMAX to watch the Journey to Space on the domed, 5 story theater screen and experience the realistic sound of a space shuttle launch.

If you are still curious about space, visit the James S. McDonnell Planetarium and their many programs and exhibits. Look through the public viewing telescope or see the hourly planetarium shows. Attend the Experience Flight exhibit where you may take a ride in a Cessna Skyhawk around the St. Louis Arch or take off from the USS Constellation in an FA-18 Super Hornet for a thrilling flight simulation.

Kids and families, adults, school trips, and groups are all given special considerations and designed programs to fit interests and age levels. For groups visiting the Science Center, take one of the special exhibit tours, have a trained expert give a group science demonstration, take a group simulated space mission, and more. Groups may even request a Breakfast-and-a-Movie in the OMNIMAX theater.

Interact with the science of our known world and experience the exciting mysteries of the worlds beyond.

Art Museum

Located in beautiful Forest Park, the Art Museum is one of the bright jewels of St. Louis. As standard as the Arch, the St. Louis Art Museum is a city staple for culture, history, and entertainment. The museum’s mission is to collect, preserve, and present high quality art for the inspiration and education of the viewing public. Whether you are an art expert or an average Joe, true art is meant to elevate the soul and birth human discovery, to make you recognize something in yourself or in your world.

The St. Louis Art Museum possesses collections from all over the globe including African art, Islamic, Native American, Asian, European, and art from North America. Nearly every art movement in history is represented including Renaissance art, Impressionism, Cubism, Abstract Expressionism and more. View medieval European armor and weapons then trek the galleries to see Titian, Hans Holbein, George Caleb Bingham, and Vincent Van Gogh. Travelling artwork and historical pieces expand the variety and diversity of the museum and allow for grander, more comprehensive exhibitions.

Small groups may take advantage of the daily docent-led tours of the museum or larger groups may book a private group tour. Take advantage of one of the program or workshop options to broaden your experience even further.

If you are interested in booking a venue for a special event, look no further than the Art Museum. Get married in the Sculpture Hall, have a reception next to David Chipperfield or Max Beckmann originals, or book the 1,600 square foot auditorium for your important business presentation.

Art museums are a spectacular destination for group trips no matter the age or group dynamic. Both educational and fascinatingly entertaining, art has been a medium of historical continuity since the first cave painting. Come to this gorgeous museum and look back in time and into the future.

Missouri Botanical Garden

In the heart of St. Louis, there lies 79 acres of landscaped tranquility at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The park has over 4,800 trees living within its manicured gardens and thousands of carefully chosen and sustained species of plant life from all over the globe. Walk or ride through the parks, stop to smell the flowers, and experience the lush beauty of nature at its finest.

Take a public or private guided walking tour through the Chinese Garden, the Japanese Garden, Ottoman and English Woodland Gardens, and the Victorian District. Learn about horticulture, sustainability, green living, and conservation practices from experts in botany and ecology. Walk through the Temperate House and see the Mediterranean species or through the Climatron, a tropical rainforest conservatory. If you don’t feel like walking, ride the narrated tram tours to get a comprehensive, informational tour. Groups are welcome to book private group tours with special combinations for groups over 15 persons including food and shopping plus themed tour information for school trips.

Take part in some of the Botanical Garden’s marvelous events such as the February Orchid Show, the Whitaker Music Festival, the Japanese Festival, or Gardenland Express. When you finish your tour, stop to eat at one of the cafes, Sassafras, Cafe Flora, or Terrace Cafe. Before you leave, make sure to look into the Little Shop Around the Corner or the Garden Gate Shop for a souvenir or more information about gardening.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is an excellent location for private events and may be booked for weddings, receptions, and other private parties. There are five outdoor locations available for rental and three indoor. Say “I do” in under a rose covered trellis, next to some of the garden’s beautiful fountains, or inside the beautiful Spink Pavilion overlooking lily pools and the Miles Sculpture Garden.

The St. Louis Arch

St. Louis Arch at NightOne of the American Wonders along with the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon, the St. Louis Gateway Arch is a symbol of the frontier line, the border of discovery, and a hopeful door to the future of this great country. St. Louis is itself a historical city. The starting point to the Lewis and Clark expedition and the edge of civilization, where cattle drivers met East coast businessmen, St. Louis was the last stop before the gloriously undiscovered, untapped western territory. The Gateway Arch, otherwise known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, is a tribute to that time of thrilling discovery.

Standing a staggering 630 feet in the air, the Arch is a mind boggling 63 stories tall! Travel to the top in one of the trams and see the city skyline from a bird’s eye view. Visit the Old Courthouse where the famous Dred Scott court case was tried, watch the Monument to the Dream movie about the building of the Arch, or take an Arch sponsored riverboat cruise down the Mississippi to enjoy the St. Louis riverfront.

Groups large and small are welcome to enjoy the Arch and its sponsored attractions. The National Parks Service promotes ranger-led programs for the education and entertainment of the public with living history presentations on the life of early settlers. Other educational programs, group tours, and more are available for groups of all ages and interests. Various public events such as the spectacular Fourth of July fireworks display are held at the Arch among other regularly programmed activities.

For private events such as weddings, receptions, birthday parties, and more, book a riverboat cruise or rooms at the Old Courthouse to surround yourself in history and beauty for your special occasion.

St. Louis Zoo

One of the best-valued zoos in the country, the St. Louis Zoo is devoted to the animals and you. Their mission is to consistently conserve global wildlife and to offer educational and inspirational services to the public. This is a zoo that truly cares about the well-being of the animals and strives to promote global research and conservation practices to support the world’s animals.

In some ways the zoo is like a living laboratory as the zookeepers and scientists observe and research animal behavior, disease, and more to learn about how to better protect and treat animals both captive and wild. The zoo is also a safe haven for endangered species to reside away from poachers and deforestation where they might, sometimes with a little help, rebuild the species’ population.

With more than 18,000 animals, the St. Louis Zoo has a plethora of interesting and entertaining attractions for your group. Take a guided tour or guide your own way through the exhibits to see penguins, Asian elephants, the Bird House, the primates, the marvelous felines of Big Cat Country, sea lions, sharks, and much more. Personalize your visit with the help of zoo staff to custom design activities and tours to fit your desires. Plan scavenger hunts, picnics, or field trips with themed tours. Rent the zoo for weddings, receptions, birthday or anniversary parties, corporate team-building events and more.

Not only does the zoo feature thousands of fascinating creatures but it also has themed attractions for the young at heart. Visit the Zooline Railroad, the Children’s Zoo, or the Conservation Carousel if your group contains small children or trek on over to the 4D motion simulator theater to experience a multi-sensory film. Watch the Sea Lion Show, take a Safari tour or a Behind-the-Scenes tour for a more informational visit.

Valley Forge After Hours

Are you searching for something to do to unwind? Well, Valley Forge After Hours has several options. Featured options include: Living History Tours, as well as Storytelling and Reenactments. There are also places to shop for Valley Forge Souvenirs. Featured Living History programs include: Tippler’s Tour: Colonial Pub Crawl and Valley Forge After Hours. On the After Hours tour, the group will travel back in time to June 1778 which was a turning point in the Revolutionary War. You will spend an exciting evening at the famous encampment at Valley Forge. You will experience what nights were like for the continental Army. The evening begins with a traditional colonial dinner with Martha Washington. After the meal, you will check in at General Washington’s Headquarters. At the end of the evening, the group will sit in front of a campfire and listen to the soldier’s tales. This program is fun for all ages.

John James Audubon

The John James Audubon Center is located near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The museum stands in the first historic U.S. home of John James Audubon. This museum features a unique combination which includes nature, art, and history. It also houses all of Audubon’s major works. Audubon was a famous artist. The museum contains one of the country’s most impressive collections of oil paintings, original Audubon prints and Audubon memorabilia. Visitors will enjoy the nature trails and wildlife that can be found at the Audubon sanctuary which is part of the home and estate of the First American Naturalist. John James Audubon was also an author as well. Mill Grove was built in 1762 and sits three miles from Valley Forge National Historical Park. Audubon’s father bought the home in 1789. The surrounding woods inspired Audubon’s first painting. In the years 1803-1806 the young man first fell in love with the American landscape and spent his time sketching native wildlife. Bring your group to this museum where you will have an eye-popping experience viewing Audubon’s work.

Pottsgrove Manor

Pottsgrove Manor is located in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The location was the historic 1752 home of John Potts. Potts was a colonial ironmaster and also the founder of Pottstown. The group will get a unique look at the lifestyle and times of John Potts, his family, servants and slaves. There are several events for your group to consider. Featured events include: guided tours, public programs, and other events. Tours last 45-minutes. The original mansion was situated on a 1000 acre plantation. By 1762, the location included the town of “Pottsgrove.” John Potts was appointed Justice of the Peace and judge on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. He was also elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly from both Berks and Philadelphia counties. Even though only four acres of the original property exist today, Pottsgrove Manor has not lost any of its original charm and architectural beauty. Your group will view the beautiful landscape during the visit and experience life of the mid-18th century.

Elmwood Park Zoo

Elmwood Park Zoo is located in Valley Forge. The group will get to meet different animals and view exhibits. Take time during your trip to visit this one-of-a-kind attraction. Featured animals include: amphibians, Birds, Fish, Mammals, and Reptiles. Birds include: the Bald Eagle, the Barn Owl, the Blue and Gold Macaw, the Burrowing Owl, the Chilean Flamingo, the Golden Eagle, and the Muscovy duck. Reptiles include the following: the American Alligator, the Black Rat Snake, the Box Turtle, the Diamondback Terrapin, the Green Iguana, the Northern Pine Snake, the Red Footed Tortoise, and the Western Hognose Snake. Amphibians include the following: the Blue Poison Dart Frog, the Hourglass Frog, and the Surinam Toad. Mammals include: the American Bison, Big Horn Sheep, the Black Footed Ferret, the Bobcat,
the Capybara, the Coatimundi, and the Cougar. The group will enjoy seeing the animals and learning about each species.