This upscale 55 acre, 15-block shopping district and exclusive neighborhood just south of downtown Kansas City tenders visitors a perfect mix of high-end shops, mainstream retailers, dining establishments, luxurious accommodations and popular entertainment venues and is named as one of the World’s “60 best places” by Project for Public Spaces, a nonprofit organization based in New York dedicated to creating and sustaining public places that build communities. Opened in 1923 as the first shopping center to accommodate those arriving by automobile, the basic design of the Country Club Plaza reflects lovely classic European influences, with multi-themed works of art – sculpture, murals, mosaics and architectural reproductions – tastefully showcased throughout the area and fabulously intricate fountains sprouting from the beautiful landscape; parking is completely concealed in multi-
level garages beneath and behind shops or situated out of plain view on rooftops, eliminating the sprawling gauntlets of unsightly lots. The district’s many storefronts include Anthropology, Ann Taylor, Barnes and Noble, Bath and Body Works, Banana Republic, Chico’s, The Coach Store, Cupcake A La Mode, Eddie Bauer, Mac Cosmetics, Moosejaw, N. Valentino, The North Face, The Better Cheddar, Soft Surroundings, Sur La Table, Tommy Bahama, Tiffany and Company, Three Dog Bakery, Restoration Hardware, Sunglass Hut, Urban Outfitters, Very Bradley, Victoria’s Secret and Williams Sonoma; dozens of cafes and restaurants including The Cheesecake Factory, Jack Stack BBQ, Gram and Dun, Bucca de Beppo, McCormick’s and Schmick’s, Chaz on the Plaza, Panera Bread and Starbucks ensure your favorite menu – casual sweet bite, homestyle Italian, classic surf and turf or elegant repast – is right around the corner from your last shopping spree. The Plaza’s annual “Season of Lights” is kicked off on Thanksgiving Night during a grand televised celebration in observance of the longstanding tradition of ushering in the Christmas Season with a special guest or celebrity “flipping the switch” to a dazzling display of holiday lights that shine thru the New Year. Whether you’re coming to shop, dine or even stay for a few days, the Plaza is the place to be!

While your adult group is visiting Kansas City, you may want to take a tour of Kauffman Stadium. The location is the home baseball field of the Kansas City Royals baseball team. Baseball fans of all ages will enjoy this unique experience. There are a few tours available for the group to consider. You can take the Group Tour, the All Access Tour, the Legends Tour, or the Grand Slam Tour. During the Group Tour, you will have the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the stadium. The group will see areas such as the Press Box, the Royals Interview Room, and the Royals Dugout. The tour is one hour in length. The Grand Slam Tour is two hours long. Each guest will receive a stretched canvas Kauffman Stadium picture and an exclusive Kauffman Stadium baseball cap. During the experience, you will see areas that are normally off-limits such as the Dugout Suite, the BATS Crown Club, the KIA Diamond Club, and the Royals Hall of Fame. The Legends Tour is a 90-minute experience. During the tour, your adult group will have the opportunity to visit the Royals Hall of Fame, the Interview Room, and take part in the outfield experience. The Royals Hall of Fame is a museum where your group will be educated and entertained. There are interesting exhibits for you to observe during the visit. One of the galleries is the Clubhouse Lobby Gallery which contains exhibits such as Retired Numbers, the Ash Wood Wall, and Predecessor Teams Panels. The Ash Wood Wall contains the history of professional baseball in Kansas City from its very beginning in 1884. There are images and headlines that tell the story of the eight teams to call Kansas City home.

As you plan your adult group tour to Gatlinburg, you may want to spend the day getting soaked at Splash Country Water Park. The location has a total of 23 different slides for you to experience. Your group can also take part in a zip line adventure during the visit. There are shopping and dining options for the group to explore. Visitors will enjoy the thrill and entertainment when you ride the various slides and rides. You will find exhilarating rides such as Fire Tower Falls, Mountain Scream, River Rush, Big Bear Plunge, and the Butterfly. Fire Tower Falls is the tallest slide at the park. During the experience, guests will propel down 280foot tracks on exhilarating free-fall twin slides. At the end of the ride, you will reach a 140foot water-filled lane for a fun final splash. The ride is open from May through September. River Rush offers visitors the soak of a lifetime along with an action packed experience. You will race through the trees four stories in the air and experience four drops along a track with exhilarating hairpin turns, twists, and tunnels combined with rushing water. The group can have an exciting zip line experience on the Sky Zip Tour. During the adventure, you will find four treks that range from 700 to 1,000 feet in length. The venture is one hour and has multiple zip lines. Visitors will see a breathtaking view of the Smokey Mountains as you fly high in the sky. There is also a 100foot swinging bridge to explore as part of this entertaining adventure.

When your group plans a trip to Gatlinburg, you should enjoy entertainment at one of the top destinations in the area known as Dollywood. The location contains attractions such as the Dollywood Theme Park, Splash Country Water Park, and beautiful cabins. Groups of all sizes will enjoy visiting the park and taking in the view of the Smoky Mountains. The Dollywood Theme Park is 150 acres and offers tons of fun rides and entertainment attractions for the group to explore. There are thrill rides for those who are interested in a heart-stopping experience. You will find rides such as the Fire Chaser Roller-Coaster, Blazing Fury, Daredevil Falls, the Dizzy Disk, and Mystery Mine. There are also family-friendly attractions for those who are seeking a relaxing visit. Dollywood offers group tours that can be customized for your specific party. You can spend the day enjoying the live stage shows, experience the rides and attractions, or watch their master craftsmen at work. There are meal options available that are included in the tour. The kitchens at Dollywood are always serving up a wide variety of mouth-watering southern cuisine. The park hosts five festivals throughout the year. Your group can attend events such as the Festival of Nations, the Barbeque and Bluegrass Festival, and the National Southern Gospel and Harvest Celebration. The Festival of Nations is a month long event which features captivating entertainment. It is a celebration with music, dance, food and art. The Southern Gospel Festival is hosted during the fall season. Visitors can enjoy six weeks of live performances as part of the Dollywood experience.

While your group is visiting Gatlinburg, you may want to have a scary experience at Ripley’s Haunted Adventure. Visitors can enter a renovated mansion where there may be spirits lurking in the shadows. There are live actors at every corner so be prepared for the scare of your life during this entertaining experience! Ripley’s Haunted Adventure takes haunted houses to the next level. The tour of the dilapidated building will take about 15 minutes. When you begin, the group will ride in an old coffin cage that resembles a mine-shaft elevator. You will arrive in a creepy funeral chapel where you will be instructed to form a single-file line and put your hand on the shoulder of the person in front of you during the remainder of the tour. During the rest of the experience, visitors will be walking in complete darkness. There will be special effects that will confuse your senses. There are other attractions to visit during your time at Ripley’s Haunted Adventure. You can watch a film in the 5D Moving Theater, see some strange items in the Odditorium, and enjoy the Marvelous Mirror Maze. There are interactives and interesting artifacts on display. Visitors will have the opportunity to examine objects such as shrunken heads, an authentic vampire killing kit, and one-of-a-kind artwork. The Marvelous Mirror Maze is entertaining to navigate. There are dead ends, corners, and infinite reflections. The Moving Theater has two action-packed films to enjoy. Visitors will experience bumps, dips, and turns during the film.

During your adult group trip to Gatlinburg, you may want to explore the abundance of sea creatures at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Visitors can participate in interesting activities, view fascinating exhibit galleries, and enjoy live shows. This aquarium was voted #1 in the United States. There are a variety of activities to explore during your visit. One of the options is the Personal Penguin Experience which is where the group will have the opportunity to meet the penguins up close. During the encounter, you will learn about the African Penguin species which are also known as Black-footed Penguins. You will also get to pet the animals and take a souvenir photo. Another fun activity is known as Splash with the Stingrays. During the experience, visitors will have the opportunity to interact with the stingrays, which are a fascinating species. The exhibit galleries are full of amazing species to observe. One of the exhibits is called Tropical Rainforest. The group will find species such as Piranhas, Dart Frogs, Arapaima, and Anableps which are also known as four-eyed fish. Another interesting exhibit is the Gallery of the Seas which contains a collection of delicate undersea life. You will find the Pacific Giant Octopus, sea anemones, living corals, and jellies. One of the most popular exhibits is known as Shark Lagoon. It contains a variety of fish of every shape and size. Your group may want to watch one of the live shows during your visit to Ripley’s Aquarium. There are shows such as Shark Lagoon Dive, Penguin Feeding, Stingray Bay Dive, and Marine Science. During the Penguin Feeding, you will have the opportunity to observe the penguins being fed by the keepers. You will also learn about challenges that these animals face in today’s environment.

When your adult group travels to Gatlinburg, you may want to explore the Guinness World Records Museum which is part of Ripley’s Believe it Or Not. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the book come to life through interactive displays, videos, games, and trivia. The group can walk through the museum at their own pace and look at the various records that have been achieved in categories such as sports, space, animals, food, and human achievement. There are also themed galleries in the museum. The Guinness World Records Museum has over 1,200 fascinating exhibits for you to explore. Your group can see TV’s most famous car, Elvis’s one and only Hounddog Boat, the Longest Motorcycle, and memorabilia from other famous singers and sports figures. You can find out about the World’s Tallest Man, the World’s Oldest Man, and the World’s Heaviest Man. You will also learn about the Most Expensive Box of Chocolates that was ever purchased. Visitors will also get to examine artifacts pertaining to astronauts and outer space. The record games are entertaining and interactive. If you like Michael Jackson, the museum has a Thriller display for you to explore. If you enjoy interesting activities, you can try the computerized Stretchiest Skin activity. During the activity, you will take a photo of yourself and then stretch your skin out long and see how far it will expand. There is also a secret warehouse that has the World’s Smallest Bicycle. The group may also want to test your knowledge by playing some trivia games during the visit. You could spend several hours at the attraction if you choose to read all of the information displayed on the walls.

Is your group looking for some evening entertainment? If so, during the trip to Gatlinburg, you should spend the evening at the Dixie Stampede! This experience is action-packed and includes a four-course feast for you to enjoy. Visitors will be treated to live entertainment prior to the show at the Dixie Belle Saloon. The show consists of friendly North and South competition, thrilling horse riding stunts, spectacular special effects, and phenomenal musical productions. When the show begins, the trick riders all come together with a patriotic salute of Red, White, and Blue which includes Color Me America, written and recorded by Dolly Parton. You will be served a delicious meal during the show. Visitors will enjoy menu items such as Dixie Stampede’s Creamy Vegetable Soup, a mouth-watering rotisserie chicken, hot buttered corn on the cob, and unlimited Pepsi, tea or coffee. Prior to the show, your group can take a stroll alongside the open-air stables to see the horses up close and see their flawless lines. They are the stars of the show and there are 32 animals altogether. After your walk, you can listen to a live performance at the Dixie Belle Saloon. You will be entertained by the bluegrass and country music band, Mountain Ruckus. While you are at the saloon, your group can enjoy popcorn or peanuts. They also offer Pepsi and exotic fruit drinks which are served in a collector series Souvenir Boot Mug. Visitors spend about 90 minutes at the attraction. During the holiday season, the group can attend the Dixie Stampede Christmas show.

The four fantastic sections of mega-popular 26-acre Schlitterbahn Waterpark in sunny, historic Galveston feature more family-friendly attractions than you can shake a stick at, guaranteed to treat waterdogs of all ages to a splashtastic extravaganza of fun in – and out – of the sun! The 70,000 square foot Wasserfest area magically converts to an indoor water retreat featuring more than a dozen super-cool wet and wild adventures, select weekends from early Spring thru December, ensuring guests year-round access to a wonderful waterpark experience. Whatever your pleasure – tackling towering tube rides and speed slides like Cliffhanger or Bahnzai Pipeline, catchin’ some waves at Torrent Beach, braving the fierce, roaring rapids of Whitewater River , enjoying tropical refreshment at the Swim Up Bar in the Blastenhoff heated pool or drifting around the park on the lazy currents of an endless “Transportainment River System,” Schlitterbahn has what you’re after! Splash, slide, swim and ride – play to your heart’s content – then head to the hammock in your well-stocked private cabana or kick back in a comfy luxury lounger reserved just for you and enjoy the view from the shade.

Galveston’s conservation minded Moody Gardens debuted in the mid 80’s as a stable and hippotherapy riding arena – with a big dream in hand to create an unparalleled island tourist destination. Over the years, the implementation of special programs and gradual addition of new and exciting attractions – three massive interactive “Pyramids” including a world-class Aquarium Pyramid featuring more than 10,000 marine animals and a Tropical Rainforest Pyramid replete with a fascinating host of “native” flora and fauna, the challenging Sky Trail Ropes Course and Zip line, lovely “Palm Beach” with its imported white sands, crystal clear freshwater lagoons, water slides and wave pool, a resort-style, 18-hole seaside golf course, a paddlewheel cruise boat and some of the most technologically advanced theaters in the state of Texas – continued to augment the 228 acre theme park’s offerings, and today, along with providing horticultural therapy, and employment for persons with a wide range of physical and emotional disabilities, it has become one of the premier leisure facilities in the Southwest, certain to appeal to groups on Gulf Coast getaway looking for the ultimate immersive entertainment experience! Bands on the Sand, a popular concert series featuring breathtaking fireworks displays and showcasing the talents of local and regional groups entertains guests Friday and Saturday nights June through August, and for one week mid-Summer magician & Illusionist extraordinaire Curt Miller’s dazzling magic, music, and clean comedy show wows audiences of all ages. November through January, the spectacular Festival of Lights treats merry makers to an extravaganza of more than 100 lighted scenes, outdoor “Winter” activities, amazing ice sculpture displays, live entertainment, Holiday films and photos with Santa at one of the largest celebrations of its kind in the region. Year-round, classic concessions, a cozy café, full-service restaurant and renowned steak and seafood establishment satisfy every appetite, while the Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center tenders guests a luxurious, restorative and relaxing stay amongst the complex’s lush tropical gardens and glimmering silhouettes of the towering pyramids.