Groups visiting Music City in the warmer months will certainly welcome a chance to take a little break from sightseeing to beat that sticky Southern summertime heat, and Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort has just the ticket! A wonderful world of wet and whacky watery entertainment awaits guests at the resort’s fabulous family waterpark, situated on the scenic shores of 14,200 acre J. Percy Priest Lake. Ride the wicked waves of Breaker Bay, kick back and stay cool on Castaway Creek Lazy River, go all kamikaze at Kowabunga Beach, and cool off quick under the Giant Bucket of Fun! No fewer than eight water slides stand ready to take your breath away, turn your tummy inside out and tickle your “funny”-bone eight ways to Wednesday with zig-zags, body slides, tube rides, free falls and vertical drops certain to satisfy guests of all sizes, from timid types to waterslide warriors. Go for a swim in crystal clear Suntan Lagoon, the facility’s largest pool with a breathtaking view of the Lake, or hop the crazy Banana Boat and zip across the water; jet ski, canoe, kayak, pontoon, paddle boat, and board rentals are also available by the hour or day – something for everyone! The park hosts a variety of special events throughout the season – Drive In Movies, Homeschool Week, Fish Family Fun Day, Hometown Heroes, Military Days, Duck Splash and more – be sure to check with your Exploring America team when planning your great Nashville getaway to see what’s happening when you’re in town!

The Pentagon Memorial is located in Washington, D.C. It commemorates the 184 lives lost in the Pentagon and on American Flight 77 during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. This Memorial encompasses 1.93 acres and sits on the western side of the Pentagon. Each victim has an individual unit bench engraved with their name, hovering over a pool of water that glows with light at night. The units are organized by a timeline based on the ages of the victims and are placed along age lines parallel with the trajectory of Flight 77, each marked with a birth year, ranging from 1998 to 1930. The Pentagon Memorial was dedicated and officially opened to the public on September 11, 2008. The construction of the location was funded by private donations. Centex Lee LLC built the Memorial and it was designed by Julie Beckman and Keith Kaseman. It was commissioned by the Washington Headquarters Service in 2003. If the group would like an audio tour, they are available through dialing a number and listening to a 24-minute guide. You will be shown to different points of interest throughout the memorial.

The Smithsonian Institute has got to be one of the favorite attractions of the many tourists that visit Washington, D.C. every year! Consisting of 19 different museums on almost every topic you could think of and even a zoo, this museum is a wonderful way to spend a day in Washington, D.C. African Art, Air and Space, American Art, American History, American Indians, Natural History, there’s a museum for all of these and more! With tons of artifacts and exhibitions, this is one of the most famous museums in the country, and they’re great with kids of all ages! There are even interactive exhibits offered at many of the different museums that are sure to get everyone interested! These museums alone are enough reason to come to Washington, D.C. This is something everyone in your group will love and it will show them how to see the world in many different lights! See artifacts as historic as the first working airplane, a T-Rex skeleton, original Native American artifacts, the Hope Diamond, and so much more in this amazing string of museums that no one will want to miss. The Smithsonian Institution is the perfect place to visit if you are looking for something educational and beneficial for your traveling group! With an adequate amount of information for your travel group, you simply can’t afford to miss a museum like this! Don’t let your group be one of the few to miss out on this amazing opportunity to see the world and all it has to offer at one of the biggest and best museums in American history!

The National Mall and Memorial Parks is visited by millions each year and is located in Washington, D.C. This location contains iconic historical landmarks. There are a variety of outdoor activities including: Golf, Tennis, and the Tidal Basin Paddle Boats. If you enjoy guided tours, there are a few options available including the following: talks, walks, runs, bikes and more. There are also several memorials and monuments for visitors to enjoy. These include but are not limited to: the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, African American Civil War Memorial, Constitution Gardens, the Korean Veterans War Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the World War II Memorial. The landscape of the National Mall is amazing and breathtaking. It features gardens, fountains, reflecting pools, cherry trees, and blossoms. There are botanical gardens that display thousands of tulips, pansies, and annuals in over 170 flower beds.

Madame Tussauds is located in Washington, DC. This location is a museum that gives visitors access to historical figures through up-close and personal interaction. They also have a Sports zone where people can play Golf or Baseball while standing alongside famous athletes. Guests can also mingle with some famous celebrities as well. Some themed rooms and Galleries include the following: The Presidents Gallery, the Civil Rights gallery, Behind the Scenes, Glamour Room, and the Media Room. The Presidents Gallery is an exhibit that displays all forty-four U.S. presidents. It is interactive, exciting, and educational all at the same time. The Gallery is comprised of fourteen highly themed and immersive rooms. The group will learn about the history of the United States of America through the lives of its iconic leaders. Behind the Scenes gives you a glimpse into the artistry known as wax sculpting. Visitors will learn about Madame Tussauds 250 year-old trade secrets in wax sculpting techniques that are still used in modern-day productions of so many life-like creations. You can see Madame Tussaud herself (in wax of course) sculpting the head of Benjamin Franklin. Finally take the step and become immortalized by dipping your hands in wax.

The Korean War Veterans Memorial is one of the most fascinating and sensitive of the memorials in Washington, D.C. and when visited at dusk, the Memorial becomes even more realistic. This awe-inspiring Memorial was built to honor the courageous soldiers who served in the Korean War, while paying particular attention to those who were killed, or missing in action, or those who were taken as prisoners of war. In it, 19 American soldiers are brilliantly depicted seven feet tall and making their way through Korea’s harsh terrain. These detailed statues are made of stainless steel, wear gear and clothing authentic to the Korean War-era, and appear to be walking into the wind. Your tour group will be astonished by the amount of realism the detail in this memorial brings to such a saddening topic. The Mural Wall is comprised of 41 panels and measures 164 feet long. It was ingenuously designed from 15,000 photographs of various different aspects of the War. The final product displays 2,400 etched images from all the armed forces. If your educational group tour chooses to visit the Pool of Remembrance, you will get the enchanting view of the peninsula-like area representative of the Korean peninsula and see lists of the statistics of the War. Lined in black granite and surrounded by shade trees, a plaque on the wall reads the famous words “Freedom is not free”. Visiting the Korean War Veterans Memorial will be one of the most inspiring and motivating things you do while visiting Washington, D.C.

The Supreme Court of the United States is located near the U.S. capitol in Washington, D.C. Visitors can take advantage of programs including lectures given in the courtroom. There is a cafeteria available to the public that serves soups, salads, sandwiches and beverages. The group may also tour the building on their own. The Supreme Court was built from 1931-1935. The first courtroom session was held on Monday October 3, 1935. There are statues of justices made of marble for your viewing pleasure. The design of the Supreme Court was done by Cass Gilbert. The lectures are offered by trained Docents and last for 30 minutes. During this time, visitors of all ages will learn about the judicial functions of the Supreme Courte, history of the Building, and the architecture of the courtroom. The group is also encouraged to explore a variety of exhibitions found on the ground floor of the Supreme Court. They highlight the work of the nation’s highest Court, the lives of individual justices, and the architecture of the building. Current exhibitions include: The Supreme Court building: America’s Temple of Justice, In War and In Peace: The Supreme Court and the Civil War, Sandra Day O’Connor, First Woman Justice on the Supreme Court, The Power of Image: Charles Evans Hughes in Prints, Photographs and Drawings and Capturing Justice: Judicial Portraits by Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

 
While on Nashville holiday, your group will not want to bypass an opportunity to visit and wander the lavish grounds of this magnificent Greek Revival plantation mansion, formerly home to one of the largest slave populations in Nashville history. The forty-five minute character-guided and narrated tour of the exquisite 1853 home and other plantation attractions including a dairy, mausoleum, stable, massive carriage house, garden and log cabin is an absolutely immersive experience not to be missed on your Tennessee sojourn. Hear the fascinating account of the renowned plantation’s rich past through the eyes of the aristocratic Harding and Jackson Family and the skilled laborers who invested heart and soul in the collective vision of making Belle Meade America’s Premier Thoroughbred Horse Farm. Once you’ve experienced the mansion and grounds in all their resplendent glory, enjoy a tour of the historic winery with an optional complimentary tasting. Afterward, a sumptuous brunch or lunch at The Harding House will charm your hearts with “Southern Plantation-Style” hospitality while tempting your taste buds with tantalizing menu offerings of regional favorites like Overnight Caramel rolls, Plantation Pancakes with warm maple syrup, Fried Green Tomatoes, Candied Pecan Spinach or Carriage House Cobb salads and South Carolina Low Country Shrimp and Grits all served with a unique Belle Meade flair. How about a warm slab of whipped-cream-topped Pecan Fudge Pie for dessert?
 

Sunny Music City isn’t just the birthplace of country music; it’s also the home of a fabulously progressive, conservation-oriented 188-acre zoological park -  a place “where animals, nature and fun converge” – and the stately Grassmere historic home, open for daily guided tours. The  Nashville Zoo swung wide its gates in 1991 and has since become the area’s #1 attraction, hosting nearly 750,000 visitors annually; its demographic is comprised of more than 6,000 fascinating residents – some 339 species – all thriving in healthy, happy and daily-enriched environments; special exhibits encourage guests’ participation in  a diversity of entertaining and educational interactive experiences. Highlights include the recently debuted “Kangaroo Kickabout” where adventurous “mates” step out on a zippy walkabout through red ‘roo stomping grounds, Critter Encounter – which tenders an opportunity to snuggle, feed and be photographed with super-affable residents, and “Lorikeet Landing”, where patrons treat resident winged rainbows to cups of nourishing nectar. The Zoo participates in myriad Species Survival Plan programs, and proudly persists at the forefront of Clouded Leopard Conservation efforts; with a little luck, you’ll have a chance to observe these stunning rare creatures, enjoy their unique lingo and meet the newest “Cloudy” babies! Need refueling? Snack huts and kiosks are conveniently located to ensure a well-fueled expedition; post-lunch, a train ride through uncharted territories, a turn on the wild animal carousel or a swing through the canopy on Soaring Eagle – the Zoo’s thrilling two-way zipline experience – lets you recharge while you rest those barkin’ dogs!