Located in the historic port city of Galveston, the ever-popular Texas Seaport Museum regales its visitors with reels of colorful maritime history, sharing the story of the island’s rich legacy of seaborne commerce and immigration. Special exhibits and a friendly, knowledgeable staff enhance a tidy yet richly informative experience; admission includes access to the museum facility and the Galveston Immigration database, an intriguing short presentation on the Great Storm of 1900 and a tour of floating National Historic Landmark Tall Ship Elissa. Exciting Summer programs like “Swab the Deck”  and “Hoist a Sail” let participants experience a wee taste of daily life aboard an 1877 merchant vessel.

Exploring America > U.S. Cities > Galveston Tours

When you are visiting St. Louis, make sure to stop by one of the top three museums in the city and the best Civil War museum in the state. The Missouri Civil War Museum features historical artifacts and an unbiased narrative told from archival evidence, weapons, equipment, possessions, and uniforms from the soldiers. Everyone in your group will be interested and educated by the plethora of Civil War information.

Located in the renovated Jefferson Barracks, the museum’s facility is even a historical landmark. Built in 1904, the barracks’ original use was as a military athletic center but it was converted in World War I to be used as a barracks. In 2002, the museum was formed in the refurbished building.

Open daily, the museum is a perfect destination for groups of 15-50 people, from military groups to Boy Scout troops and school trips. Employees are available to answer questions and provide enlightened input on Civil War events and the museum’s artifacts. Tour the exhibits featuring artifacts and informational visual aids on your self-guided exploration.

The Missouri Civil War Museum also sponsors research and the Civil War Studies Center is currently collecting Civil War photographs and documents. Their mission is to eventually gather information on every Missouri soldier to have on file. They are also collecting video, audio, magazines, and books on Civil War topics for their study center to better educate the interested individual and avid researcher.

For more things to do, take a short walk down to the Jefferson Barracks Park and National Cemetery to peruse and salute the fallen soldiers and take in the lovely scenery. While you are in St. Louis, take advantage of this opportunity to learn about one of the nation’s most defining wars, the young men who made up the Missouri regiments, and the battles they fought.

These enigmatic mounds just a few minutes outside St. Louis  – one of them larger than the Great Pyramid of Giza – invariably leave visitors pondering the ancient Native culture that came, grew and eventually flourished over centuries of occupation, calling the six-square-mile plains “city” home for nearly a thousand years before one day vanishing – some say without a trace, though it is likely the departure was gradual, as a starving and weakened people abandoned the once-bustling *world center* of Cahokia for better prospects, however slim. Many theories exist in support of distinct possibilities, including destructive weather patterns that eventually destroyed food sources and decimated the population; documentaries  and discoveries abound that deliver evidence the tribe’s very existence was predicated on a reliance on barbaric ceremonial practice believed to ensure the success of those all-important crops and the futures of the people: the satisfying of blood thirsty corn deities with the regular human sacrifice of young females-possibly captives,  but most probably terrified prisoners selected from the tribe, itself. It is said that perhaps the vanishing of the people from the great City could be explained by the creation of a new, nomadic tribe, who continued with the same crop insurance rituals their forefathers practiced into the mid 19^th century when they were forced onto a reservation and the atrocious practice of human sacrifice was outlawed. Whatever you choose to believe when you visit, the common denominator in every guest experience is the awe-inspiring presence of mounds of varying sizes in three distinct shapes created by native workers hauling countless baskets of earth from the surrounding countryside, leaving large depressions in the ground around them called “borrow pits.” Come, see the mounds and other authentic remains of this most sophisticated ancient civilation North of Mexico, and be forever changed by the images you carry away.

If you are over 21 and looking for a fun, interactive tour of St. Louis where you can sample some of America’s finest beers, then look no further than Anheuser-Busch’s Brewery Tour. Take part in the Beermaster Tour, the Beer School, or look through the historic Old Lyon Schoolhouse for some interesting facts about one of the largest and most popular beer companies in the United States.

On the Brewery Tour, stop by the Clydesdale stables and see the horses featured in the Super Bowl Budweiser ads. Explore the historic brewery and learn about everything from gathering the ingredients to seeing the Beechwood Aging Cellars and, if you’re of age, sampling the finished product. The complimentary Brewery Tour is offered throughout the year and is available for all ages. End your tour at the new Biergarten for some delicious food and cold beer.

For more in-depth brewing tours, groups over the age of 21 are welcome to take the Beermaster Tour of the St. Louis campus as the guide leads you through the historic Brew House, the Fermentation Cellars, the Bevo Packaging Facility and finally the Finishing Cellars. You may even sample the finished product directly from the Finishing Tank. When you are done, stop by for a quick look through the Schoolhouse Museum, housing over 400 Anheuser-Busch artifacts taken out of their historic archives. The Schoolhouse includes exhibits on the history of brewing in St. Louis, Prohibition, and modern brewing developments.

For those of you who already appreciate beer or who are looking to try some new flavors, check out the Beer School’s appreciation and tasting courses. Here you can sample several different kinds of Anheuser-Busch products, learn how to properly pour a beer, and more from experts.

Stop by St. Louis’s famous Anheuser-Busch Brewery, learn about its historic legacy, and sample some excellent brews with your group.

Founded in 1971 with the intention of preserving the contributions of the Alton community, the Alton Museum of History and Art is devoted to its citizens and their history of the town’s development. Located in the Koenig House, built in 1887, the Alton Museum is also a historical landmark. Visit this concisely focused museum dedicated to the local people that made this community special over its historic life.

Not only is this museum preserving a piece of state and national history but, unlike many other museums, it devotes much of its mission to conserving and educating the public on the fascinating history of the Alton people over the years. Tour with your own pace exhibits featuring local history such as the Legend of the Piasa Bird, the Confederate Prison at Alton, and the Alton giant, Robert Wadlow, the world’s tallest man who stood at a staggering 8 feet, 11 inches. Other exhibits focus on Missouri and Illinois history like explorers Lewis and Clark, the Wood River Massacre, the Lincoln and Shields Duel, and Black Pioneers.

Interact, experience, appreciate the art, and learn about history from passionate and devoted individuals. This museum is a special and interesting opportunity for your group to learn about another community. Tour groups are welcome and invited to explore the exhibits stationed throughout the house museum. The gift shop is stocked with books and DVDs with more information about the exhibit topics if you are still craving deeper knowledge after your tour. If you have questions, ask any of the helpful, informative staff for illumination. The Koenig House also hosts festivals and regular events such as trivia nights and the annual Miles Davis Jazz festival and celebration.

For an informational and fascinating tour of Illinois history, come down to the Alton Museum of History and Art.

Tour a museum with cultural significance and historical importance at St. Louis’s Holocaust Museum. The museum was established in 1995 by the Jewish Federation of St. Louis by leaders and Holocaust survivors with the intention of preserving the history of the Jewish people’s terrible struggle and remembering the sacrifices of those who perished. Walk through the facility and experience the painful past, the hardships and discriminations culminating in the genocide of the Jewish people, and the final hopeful liberation and justice after the war’s end.

Tour the 5,000 square foot interactive museum’s many photos, visuals, audio, text, and artifacts from the camps, historical records, and survivors. Learn about the chronological history from pre-war Jewish life in Europe to the rise of Nazi power and the Holocaust which lasted from 1933-1945. Follow the events post-war at the Nuremberg trials and Jewish life in Europe after World War II. Experience the popular and poignant new exhibit, Change Begins With Me – Confronting Hate, Discrimination and Ethnic Conflict which explores post-Holocaust hate and prejudice issues.

For more information, peruse the video library including more than 500 titles or the 150 personal testimonies from survivors. Attend the monthly film series, lectures, events, teacher-training workshops, or the annual reading of the names at the Yom HaSoah Community Commemoration. The museum bookstore stocks informational texts for further study and employees are available to answer questions. After your tour, stop by the Garden of Remembrance for tranquil meditation to recall those who were lost.

Guided tours may be booked in advance and the museum is, of course, available for self-guided tours for groups and individuals. Audio tours are available for self-paced tours with informational guidance.

Bring your group to a meaningful, educational, and interesting interactive museum where the past is remembered with heartache and hope for a better future.

The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center is located in Virginia Beach. The location offers group tours and features several animals and exhibits. You can explore the marsh lands and outdoor aviary as well. There are various animals and exhibits to observe. Featured animals include the following: Cownose Rays, the Great Horned Owl, Harbor Seals, Loggerhead Turtles, North American River Otters, and Sand Tiger Sharks. Exhibits include: Blue Crab Corner, the Chesapeake Bay Touch Pool, the Chesapeake Light Tower Aquarium, Indonesian Volcanic Island, Malaysian Peat Swamp, Mediterranean Sea, and the Red Sea. Visitors can enjoy food and also purchase Merchandise at the museum. There are two stores in the Aquarium. They offer the following: unique merchandise, local handicrafts, and “green options.” Food options include the following: the Aquarium Cafe, and the IMAX Snack Stand. Types of food include: sandwiches, salads, hot entrees, desserts, and beverages. Come visit this interesting location and see the different animals, exhibits, and stop to shop or enjoy an IMAX film during the visit!

Exploring America > U.S. Cities > Virginia Beach Tours

The Virginia Air and Space Center is located near Virginia Beach. The museum is close to the Hampton River and offers a spectacular view. Your group will learn about aviation and space during the visit. The location features various galleries and exhibits to explore. Featured exhibits include: the Adventures in Flight Gallery, the Images main Gallery, the Ham Radio Exhibit, and the Space Gallery. The Space Gallery has several exhibits on display. Exhibits include: Our Solar System, Mars and the Moon, Living and Working in Space, and Visions of Space Exploration. The Adventures in Flight Gallery features the following: the 1903 Wright Flyer, a recreated Jenny bi-plane, a B-24 Liberator, and Commercial Aviation Exhibits. The museum hosts science camps and other events. They also have an IMAX Theater. Some interesting facts about the aircraft on display include: the Wright brothers 1903 Flyer achieved the “first flight” in North Carolina on December 17, 1903. The Apollo 12 Command Module was launched on November 14, 1969. It traveled over 960,000 miles on its lunar mission. Come experience this one-of-a-kind attraction and enjoy the interactive exhibits with the group!

Exploring America > U.S. Cities > Virginia Beach Tours

Groups of animal lovers exploring The Oldest City will definitely want to schedule a special tour of the St. Augustine Wild Reserve, a non-profit corporation and wonderful rescue center for unwanted, abandoned, neglected and abused exotic animals. Frequently, parties obtain an exotic pet, only to realize the animal’s wild nature doesn’t fit into their routines as they expected; the Wild Reserve steps up and rescues these creatures from sadly unfortunate domestic situations and gives them back their lives in a safe haven designed to properly meet their requirements and ensure happier, healthier futures while in the protective custody of caring and attentive individuals who cater to the special needs of wild animals in captivity. Mountain lions, tigers, an African lion, wolves, leopards, and a menagerie of smaller mammals including several cervals, a bobcat, a bushbaby, a caracal, a Siberian lynx, a jungle cat, an assortment of birds including fancy chickens and geese and even a Madagascar Hissing cockroach call the Wild Reserve home. All eight of the Reserve’s beloved tigers are treated to luxurious, weekly bubble baths, providing the big cats clean, pest-free coats and hours of necessary enrichment. Guests are given “no-cameras-allowed” guided tours of the seven-acre compound by experienced wildlife professionals who introduce every species and share each animal’s biography; they meet and enjoy close interaction with many of the resident exotics, including precious Onyx, the Reserve’s beloved black leopard who beat cancer but lost a leg in the process, gaining star status when Ripley’s Believe it or Not featured her fascinating story on their national television show.

The Historic Yorktown Battlefield is located in Williamsburg, Virginia. The battle that took place at the location was the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. On October 19 1781, Charles Cornwallis surrendered which effectively ended the war and insured independence. Featured sites include: The siege, Yorktown National Cemetery, Victory Monument, the Moore House, Surrender Field, and the Nelson House in Yorktown. The Moore House is the place where two officers from the American and French Forces and the British Armies met to come up with a plan of surrender. The group can also observe   a cannon firing demonstration at Lamb’s Artillery. The demonstration features a volunteer living history gun crew that represents Colonel Lamb’s artillery regiment. The crew conducts periodic firing demonstrations with a reproduction 18-century siege gun, commemorating the merit and distinction which was displayed by Lamb’s Artillery during the siege at Yorktown. Colonel Lamb was born in 1735. Come visit this iconic historic site with your group today!