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Monthly Archives: January 2014

Fort Mifflin

Fort Mifflin

Credit Fort Mifflin

Fort Mifflin is the only fort located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the only intact Revolutionary War battlefields. The location is considered to be a national historic landmark. There are events throughout the year that highlight the Fort’s long service to the United States. They feature uniformed or period attired interpretive guides and reenactors. Group tours are available during the year. During the visit, the group will stand on a Revolutionary War battlefield, inside a Civil War prison and next to a magazine storing gunpowder during World War II. The fort also features  Paranormal Programs. The group will take a guided tour of the fort, get an overview of paranormal investigation techniques that are presented by experienced paranormal investigators familiar with the fort, participate in small group investigations at all of the “hot spots,” and enjoy snacks and beverages. Your group may also wish to participate in a private investigation.

Congress Hall

Congress Hall

Credit Congress Hall nps.gov

Congress Hall is located near Independence Hall. The building was constructed from 1787-1789. It was a County Court Hand was also the meeting place for the senate and the House of Representatives. The building has been restored as much as possible. There were special events that occurred at Congress Hall. There are ranger led programs that are available for your group to consider. The building is a 2 story Georgian structure that characterized the roles of Congress. On the second floor, you will find that the carpet has the American eagle encircled with the 13 original States. The House of Representatives met on the top floor. There are also larger-than-life images of Marie Antwanette and Louis XVI which were gifts from the French Government. John Adams and George Washington were enaugurated in this building. The first political parties were created at the location as well. Come see this fascinating landmark when planning your trip!

Betsy Ross House

Betsy Ross Guided Tour

Credit Philadelphia CVB


The Betsy Ross House is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Betsy was a seamstress who is known to have made the first American Flag. She was a widow and lived at the location. The house has a gift shop with an exhibit area and historical tours available for your group to explore. Your trip wouldn’t be complete without a group visit to the Betsy Ross House. They offer group tours during the visit. You will be personally introduced to Betsy in her upholstery shop. Visitors will also learn about her fascinating life and career. Featured topics include the following: Betsy’s undercover activities, her family life, and the iconic flag sowing story. There are also audio tours offered as well. After your tour, the group is encouraged to come out to the courtyard and enjoy free family friendly programming. Other features include hearing storytelling and getting the chance to meet history makers. The war for independence left many women without spouses. The famous flag maker lost three husbands and was left with seven children. She did not have enough resources to support her family but possessed skills as a seamstress. She operated her business until the age of 70 and died at the age of 84.

Academy of Natural Sciences

Academy of Natural Sciences

Credit Will Klein

The Academy of Natural Sciences is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There are many interesting and fun activities for your group to enjoy during the visit. There are events and programs and fascinating exhibits. The location also features a Fossil Prep Lab, a Butterfly Garden, and historic dioramas. Adult Classes and Field Studies are engaging and fascinating. Featured activities include: collecting bugs, identifying fossils, or fishing in a stream. Your group may wish to stay inside and take a class supplemented by the Academy’s collections, archives, specimens, or live animals. Featured exhibits include the following: Butterflies, Dinosaur Hall, Outside In, Secrets of the Diorama, Marveling at Mollusks, Science at the Academy, What Eats What, and We Wrote the Book. Secrets of the Diorama shows the group about the history of the dioramas and you will also get to see how the paintings, plants, and animals were created. The exhibition Marveling at Mollusks displays nearly 100 specimens that are from the scientific collections of the Academy’s Malacology Department.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Islands of Adventure - The Hulk RideEnergetic groups on Sunshine State excursion won’t want to miss the epic world of entertainment awaiting them at Universal Orlando’s fantastic sister park!  Guests to this mega-mecca embark on an unforgettable expedition through  Universal’s Islands of Adventure®,  where fantastic cutting edge rides  like Jurassic Park River Adventure,  Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey , Doctor Doom’s Fearfall  and Dragon Challenge, incredible shows – The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad, The Mystic Fountain and Poseidon’s Fury – and absolutely  awesome interactive attractions bring your favorite myths, stories, cartoons, comic book heroes and children’s tales to life as you and your partners in adventure  explore  the park’s seven  fabulous, uniquely themed islands.  Voted “Best New Attraction” in 2010, “Best Theme Park” in 2010 and 2011 and featuring  Mythos – the best theme park restaurant on the planet – as well as a tantalizing collection of fun-to-fine themed dining options  tendering  famished itinerants on  a trip to the “Islands”  the very best eats – Universal Islands of Adventure promises  a one-of-a-kind experience.  The souvenir-seekers amongst you will discover a mind-boggling  array of clothing,  gifts and one-of-a-kind treasures  in each Island’s  shops, ensuring they won’t leave the park empty-handed.  Grab your group and get ready to experience the wild, wide world of Universal-brand fun – come,  “Live the Adventure!”

Wet N Wild Water Park

Fun-and-sun seekers on Sunshine State hiatus hot on the trail of the best bang for the buck and the most awesome wet and wild fun in town will find this popular water wonderland fills the bill in every way! Wet and Wild, Orlando boasts a 17,000 square foot wave pool, a surf lagoon with its own waterfall, plush, private tropical cabanas stocked with refreshing chilled beverages, more than 15 water slides and 160 water cannons – it’s the water park of your wildest dreams! Once you’ve paddled up a killer appetite or splashed your way into a bottomless thirst, cruise on over, give your noodle arms a rest and kick it at the fully covered, open-air Tiki Lounge: a full-service bar and restaurant featuring flat screen tvs to entertain and distract you from the world of wacky water fun waiting while you re-fuel before heading out to conquer that next slide, execute the ultimate freefall at Bomb Bay or crush The Black Hole – Next Generation! Fun in the sun and good, old fashioned BBQ go hand in hand; during the Summer months (May thru August) Wet and Wild, Orlando serves up an all day, all you-can-eat BBQ Buffet – freshly grilled burgers, chicken, pulled pork, hot dogs and ALL the traditional fixings for one sweet price! Chow down on your favorites, grab a chicken leg for the road and get back in the water! Military and group discounts are offered, parking is plentiful and reasonable and lockers are available to stow your treasure and gear while you play.

Universal’s City Walk

Universal CitywalkGroups of sun-and-fun-seekers vacationing in Sunny Orlando will definitely want to hit this ultra-popular “hurry sundown town,” the Entertainment Capitol of the Theme Park Capitol of the World! Relax over a fabulous dinner, catch up over cocktails, see a wild concert, take in that new movie you’ve been waiting to see or dance the night – and all your cares- away at Universal CityWalk®, Orlando’s hottest entertainment hot spot! This jumpin’ and bumpin’ 30-acre complex is the ideal destination for a family fun night, the perfect place to just hang out with friends or enjoy a well-deserved romantic couples’ evening. CityWalk’s fantastic dining and clubbing, great cinemas and shops and a variety of concerts and special events draw crowds of revelers – locals and tourists alike – year-round. Sip frozen concoctions to the rhythm of your favorite tunes on the Porch of Indecision at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, grab a classic burger and brew at the world’s largest Hard Rock Café or a steak dinner at The Palm then dive right into the mystery, humor, euphoria and unbelievably eclectic, kinetic celebration of art, technology and music of a live Blue Man Group experience. Celebrate those indescribable “Flori-days” by making Universal City Walk’s exciting after-dark menu a part of your group’s Sunshine State escape!

Typhoon Lagoon

Typhoon LagoonGroups on Sunshine State holiday won’t want to miss the chance to spend a day at this fabulous water park wonderland located at the world famous Walt Disney World Resort complex! The sister park to Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon is the most visited water park on the planet and home to one of the world’s largest outdoor wave pools. Legend has it a ferocious typhoon wrought havoc on the formerly pristine island paradise, leaving boats, fishing gear, and surf boards strewn randomly about in its wake. The park’s centerpiece, FV Miss Tilly, remains impaled upon Mount Mayday – which erupts a 50-foot geyser of water every half – hour upon the sounding of the watch on the shrimp boat, lost during the storm. Dozens of attractions treat Lagoon guests of all ages to a fantastically refreshing Island splash-fest; snorkel with sharks, stingrays and colorful tropical fish in Shark Reef, tumble down rushing rapids, soak up some sun on the white, sandy beach of Hideaway Cay and glide down Castaway Creek on a relaxing raft ride. Launch into fast-paced, wet and wild fun on Humunga Cowabunga, the Storm Slides, and Keelhaul Falls; frolic in the gentle swells of the wave pool – even learn to surf- and explore the cave and waterfalls of Forgotten Grotto and Overlook Pass. Plenty of kiddie attractions and play areas tender the littlest adventurers in your group BIG fun, and an exciting array of Island-style snack shacks serving up all the yummy classics promise you won’t run out of fuel on your grand Typhoon Lagoon adventure!

SeaWorld

SeaWorld Entrance

Groups on Florida  getaway  won’t want to miss a trip to  this  ever-popular zoological amusement  park, the ninth most visited in the United States; Sea World, Orlando continues to draw the crowds season after season with its vast and exciting array of themed rides, animal shows and habitat exhibits. Thrill to the biggest and most expansive attraction in the park’s history- Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin®. Experience all the icy majesty of the South Pole through a penguins’ eyes on an exhilarating family ride, then venture out into an epic penguin encounter that treats you and your travel companions to privileged views of their frozen world! Let Shamu’s Happy Harbor bring out the bold adventurer – and delighted giggles – in your little ones with rides like Jazzie Jellies, Sea Carousel and Ocean Commotion;  bigger kids will soar like a giant ray aboard Manta® – the only flying roller coaster of its kind in the world! Round out your Manta-ganza with a thrilling pass through the Manta Aquarium, featuring 10 stunning underwater habitats, more than 100 rays, and thousands of vibrantly colorful fish, and a visit to Stingray Lagoon, where guests are encouraged to ”pet” over 200 rays as they glide just beneath the still surface of their peaceful habitat. Florida’s warm, tropical waters are home to a stunning diversity of life and perhaps none are more rare and endearing than the wonderful manatee; Sea World is dedicated to the restoration of declining populations of many wild creatures and its resident manatees are all rescues, “working” hard to get fit for their ultimate return to the sea. Meet them, along with Polar Bears, walruses, sea turtles, parrots, dolphins and a host of other fascinating animals who call the park home. Lose yourselves in the spellbinding magic and colorful energy of the all-new Shamu show, One Ocean® – feel the awesome rhythm and spirit of life beneath the deep blue;  be sure to sit in the “soak zone* for an absolutely immersive experience! More than a dozen restaurants serving up everything under the sun feature all your favorites, and almost two dozen themed “shopportunities”  promise everyone that perfect memento of their Sea World adventure!

Exploring America > U.S. Cities > Orlando Tours

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Hollywood StudiosYour group is heading out to the Sunshine State, hearts set on seeing all of Disney World; once there, you’ll be beyond ecstatic to discover big-screen movie magic come roaring to life at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Dive right into the action with more than a dozen world-class attractions based on your favorite blockbuster hits and thrill to entertainment that puts you and your travel partners center stage amidst all the glitz, glamour and excitement of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Furiously abuzz with all the spine-tingling energy of a bustling movie set, this park features eight magnificent sections: Hollywood Boulevard, Echo Lake, Sunset Boulevard, Streets of America, Commissary Lane, Pixar Place, Mickey Avenue and Animation Courtyard areas. Go behind the scenes on an open-air adventure through Catastrophe Canyon or take part in a realistic Harbor Attack demonstration to experience firsthand what it’s like to work with special effects while filming an unforgettable air/sea battle! Step into the Twilight Zone – and a terrifyingly haunted elevator – for the ride of your life, stroll like a boss right out onto a soundstage designed to invoke 1930s-era Hollywood and hop a tram for a fascinating tour of some of Tinseltown’s most notorious film scenes – be a part of such classic greats as Alien, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Wizard of Oz and Fantasia. When you’re ready to break for lunch, the sky’s the limit; if you’re hungry for it, you’re certain to find a “Hollywood-fabulous” version of whatever you’re craving amongst nearly two dozen Hollywood Studios dining options!