Nashville Shares Its Culture and History During Winter Months

December 17, 2010 by  
Filed under VME

Nashville is always a wonderful choice for a winter getaway. The city has so much to offer its visitors, and this is especially true during the first months of the New Year!  The Nashville Convention Center draws visitors from around the United States for its conventions and festivals, and they have a major event planned this season.  The Nashville Boat & Sports Show will be taking place at the Convention Center January 6-11, and both boat aficionados and outdoor sports enthusiasts will marvel at the incredible exhibits and demonstrations.  Be sure to bring your entire family and come early because the first 100 children to attend will receive a complimentary life preserver.

If you are looking to experience the rich culture and history that Nashville has to offer during your visit, be sure to visit The Hermitage, Home of President Andrew Jackson during your stay.  History buffs and those just learning about Nashville history will all find something interesting at this historic site, which has been preserved as both a museum and historic home.  During February, which is Black History Month, individuals and families can learn more about the Hermitage’s history of slavery through its Stories from the Hermitage Slave Community exhibit.  This exhibit is ongoing and features stories and images depicting the struggle and hard work of the individuals who lived at the Hermitage as slaves.

Nashville is called Music City for a reason, and visitors will enjoy experiencing the city’s music culture by visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.  The city’s rich history rooted in country music will delight fans of the music genre and intrigue all visitors to the attraction.  A visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will surely be memorable for all who attend.  Exhibits such as Family Traditions:  The Williams Family Legacy will delight fans of Hank Williams, and visitors will leave with a detailed understanding of country music’s beginnings.

Experience Diverse History in Mount Rushmore

August 16, 2010 by  
Filed under VME

Guests who come to Mount Rushmore will find that the area has a diverse history to share with visitors. With everything from a mine dating back to the gold rush to the National Presidential Wax Museum which chronicles the history of the United States’ presidents, there is no end to the history you can explore. Come and see it all for yourself before summer ends!

Mount Rushmore Audio Tour

Visitors to the Mount Rushmore area should not miss out on their chance to see Mount Rushmore. This impressive monument stands over 5,000 feet tall and has the faces of presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln carved into a mountain. This representation of the first 150 years of America is impressive to say the least. The audio tour of Mount Rushmore gives you the chance to study the area at your leisure while listening to narration, music, and interviews about the making of Mount Rushmore.

Mammoth Site of Hot Springs

For a look at history that dates back to the Ice Age, check out Mammoth Site of Hot Springs. This site is a fascinating place to explore. You will start out with a guided tour of a working paleontology lab where you can see fossils of the mighty mammoth and then relax for a video presentation. Your time at the site can also be spent exploring the many exhibits and excavations taking place. This is a step back in time that proves fascinating for people of all ages.

Big Thunder Gold Mine

If you’re interested in the history of the Gold Rush, you will definitely want to visit the Big Thunder Gold Mine while you’re in the Mount Rushmore area. Big Thunder Gold Mine is an authentic gold mine that dates back to 1882. A tour guide will lead you around to various sites in the mine to tell you what it was like to work in the gold mine back in the 1800s. For those interested, there is even an opportunity to pan for gold just like miners used to in the old days.

The Journey Museum – Rapid City

For a museum that will take you on an adventure through many pieces of American history, check out The Journey Museum. This museum has exhibits featuring geology, archeology, Native Americans, and pioneers. This museum clearly chronicles the history of South Dakota so you can see a timeline of how the area developed. It’s a fascinating way of learning that is fun for people of all ages!

National Presidential Wax Museum

If you’re more interested in the history of the United States and its presidents, you’re going to want to visit the National Presidential Wax Museum. This museum has a collection of incredible wax figures resembling past presidents. You can have your picture taken with George Washington as you learn about him. In addition, this museum has fine sculptures, presidential china, and other collectables for guests to view while they’re visiting.

Nashville, TN Offers More than Just Great Music

March 8, 2010 by  
Filed under Nashville TN

Discover the diversity of Nashville, TN with some of the great tours that Nashville has to offer. Everyone is aware of the great music Nashville has been dubbed Music City for, but not everyone considers how complex and diverse a part in American history Nashville has and how many stars Nashville is home to.

When you go to Nashville, take a historic tour of the city with the Historic Tennessee Tour. You will be taken back in time with a visit to a Southern plantation. On this tour, you will learn about the role of Tennessee in the Civil War, the horse racing that Tennessee is legendary for, and what life on the plantation was like. It’s a great tour for people of all ages to enjoy while they are in Nashville.

See the incredible homes of the stars with the Homes of the Stars Tour while you’re in Tennessee. You may be surprised to learn which stars live in Tennessee in gorgeous mansions year-round. Take your camera with you because if you’re lucky, you may see a star taking a walk or relaxing outdoors. It’s a fun tour that will show you many of the stars who have play at the Grand Ole Opry. Of course, you will have to take in a show at the Grand Ole Opry while you’re in Nashville to get the whole experience!

Williamsburg, VA Offers You a Chance to Know American History

March 5, 2010 by  
Filed under VME

If you’re looking for a place to go on vacation that offers you the chance to learn about the history surrounding the founding of America, Williamsburg, Virginia offers a diverse and rich understanding of the events that led up to and finalized the creation of the foundation of this country.

Start your journey in Williamsburg with a visit to the Jamestown Settlement. Every day in Williamsburg, living history performers bring to life the world of the 1600′s that settlers in the Jamestown Settlement experienced. You can even board replicas of the three ships that brought the first settlers over from England. It’s a story of 1600′s life in the Jamestown Settlement made real to you through films, acting, and galleries.

After the Jamestown Settlement, you should continue on to the Yorktown Victory Center  in Yorktown Virginia. The Yorktown Victory Center is approximately 13 miles from the Jamestown Settlement. The Yorktown Victory Center gives a detailed description of the events that led up to America’s independence from England. The Revoltionary War will be made real to you through films, acting and galleries. You will even learn about the ships lost in the siege of Yorktown’s harbors.

Your final stop takes you to the 18th century. You will find yourself surrounded by costumed living history interpretors, historic sites, and beautiful architecture with the Colonial Williamsburg tour. You will learn about what took place at various political sites and see some of the first plantations in this country. The tour is a great finale to your grand tour through American history.

In Search of the Past: Restoring and Furnishing America’s Historic Sites

December 23, 2009 by  
Filed under VME

Westgate Historic WilliamsburgThe Williamsburg area plays host to some fascinating events throughout the year, and there is one in particular that you may want to check out. Hosted as a means to educate the public about the domestic life of yesteryear, the Annual Antiques Forum is once again visiting Williamsburg.

This year’s title is In Search of the Past: Restoring and Furnishing America’s Historic Sites. The goal is to help people understand the décor, furnishings, and everyday life of centuries gone by. There are always several workshops, demonstrations, and lectures for the public to attend. Some of the topics this year include ‘American Neoclassical Furniture’, ‘Preparing and Serving an 18th Century Meal’, and Dirty Dishes: Archeology, Ceramics, and Historic Interiors’.

The events are being held this year at the Williamsburg Lodge and the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. There will also be tours available at local historic sites, including the Governor’s Palace. The Annual Antiques Forum will begin on January 4 and run through March 14. Whether you’re already going to be in the area or trying to choose a destination, the Annual Antique Forum in Williamsburg is the place to be!

There are a three hotels that you might consider for your stay, and the best part is all three are less than two miles away from the  DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. The first is the Westgate Historic Williamsburg, which keeps you within minutes of all the major Williamsburg attractions. Second is the Fairfield Inn & Suites. This hotel sits in the heart of the historic district of Williamsburg so you can soak up all the history you want to! The third hotel is the Quality Suites Williamsburg, which offers suite-style lodging close to attractions, entertainment, and shopping.

Sample a Taste of Southern History in Chattanooga

December 21, 2009 by  
Filed under VME

Ellis HomesteadThe Chattanooga, Tennessee area is full of history, ranging from the time the region was settled to the Civil War to the depression-era building of the region. Whether you are visiting Chattanooga on a day trip or extended vacation, add some of these historical sites to your trip to better understand the rich history behind Chattanooga and Tennessee.

Sequoyah Caverns Tour with Visit to Ellis Homestead

The Ellis Homestead is over 160 years old, so it has seen its fair share of Chattanooga history. With the Sequoyah Caverns Tour with Visit to Ellis Homestead, you can experience both the legendary homestead along with some of the oldest caves in Chattanooga. During this activity, you will get to explore the caverns as well as Ellis Homestead, which contains a 160 year old cabin. At the homestead, you will also be able to participate in gem mining and wildlife watching.

Chattanooga Choo Choo

While you are in Chattanooga, you must stop by the legendary Chattanooga Choo Choo complex on historic Market Street. This historic building contains the Chattanooga Choo Choo engine, a model railroad museum, and fascinating architecture. At the Chattanooga Choo Choo, you will also find many places to eat and shop, making it a fun family destination perfect for an afternoon that offers history as well as entertainment.

Chattanooga Regional History Museum

Chattanooga is also home to many interesting museums that commemorate the history of the museum. At the Chattanooga Regional History Museum, you can explore decades of years of history of the Chattanooga area. The museum contains exhibits and artifacts on Chattanooga’s role in the Civil War, daily life from the 1920s to 50s, and the work of Chattanooga artists. Offering a fascinating look at Chattanooga’s history, this museum is a great activity for families and visitors who have never been to Chattanooga before.

“Hop On” to a Great Tour in Savannah, Georgia

July 24, 2009 by  
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Historic On/Off Trolley Tour Savannah, Georgia offers a variety of tour opportunities, with everything from delicious foody tours to spooky hauntings tours, but one of the most fun and convenient ways to explore all of the interesting sights that this city contains is with a trolley tour. Trolley tours allow you to tour the city in a classic trolley car while enjoying the convenience of being able to hop on and off at your leisure.

The Historic On/Off Trolley Tour will take you to many of the notable historic sites in Savannah. Stops include the Savannah Visitors Center, the Exchange Bell, Kehoe House, Mansion on Forsyth Park, and the Cathedral of St. John. This tour allows you the convenience of disembarking at a site, spending as much time there as you want, touring at your leisure, and then hop back on the next trolley that comes by. While on the trolley, you will enjoy a narrated tour of the sights being passed.

The Old Town Trolley Tour features 16 stops in Savannah relevant to both Savannah and Georgia history. Stops include Savannah’s Welcome Center, City Market, Pirate’s House, Franklin Square, Davenport House, and the Cathedral of St. John. This trolley tour includes on/off privileges at each stop, allowing you to tour each site at your leisure and board the next trolley that comes by. The trolley ride also includes a narration of the sites passed on the tour.

To combine the best of both modern-day Savannah and its past, take the Then and Now Trolley Tour. This tour stops at some of the most important modern and historical sites of Savannah, including River Street, Colonial Cemetery, Forsyth Park, City Market, and more. The narrated tour on the trolley provides information on Savannah at the turn of the century and today and discusses how Savannah has changed in that time period. For this tour, the hop on/hop off privileges extend throughout the day.

Celebrate July 4th in Historic Savannah

May 29, 2009 by  
Filed under VME

It is not too early to start planning your Fourth of July vacation! Savannah, Georgia is a great place to spend the weekend with its welcoming city, beautiful scenery, and Independence Day celebrations.

Savannah’s main event for the weekend is the Fantastic 4th of July on the River celebration. A perfect event for all ages, you will be able to take in a fantastic fireworks show over the river. The evening begins at 5 p.m. when people start to gather in anticipation for the event.

The show begins after 9 p.m. As you watch the skies for breathtaking explosions, the coordinated musical soundtrack plays, providing the perfect backdrop for this event. The event takes place at Rousakis Plaza, an entertainment venue in the heart of Savannah that borders scenic River Street.

This fireworks spectacular will provide a July 4th evening that you will not soon forget.

Complete your weekend celebrating the founding of America by exploring the historical sights of Savannah. The Historic On/Off Trolley Tour allows you to explore Savannah at your own pace. The tour features a variety of stops where you will get off, explore the landmark, and then board a trolley whenever you are ready. Stops on this tour include the Mansion on Forsyth Park, the City Market, the River Street Market Place, and the Cathedral of St. Johns. This trolley tour is a wonderful way to experience the history and culture of this beautiful Southern city.

If you are interested in the more sordid history of the city, the Hauntings Walking Tour is for you. This tour will take you through several historically spooky Savannahsights, including reportedly haunted houses and a graveyard. Stops on the tour include the Kehoe house, the Hampton-Lillibridge house, and the Owens-Thomas house. This tour will provide you a one-of-a-kind paranormal history of Savannah.

Don’t miss your chance to spend July 4th in this beautiful and historic city! Make your reservations online today or call one of our helpful representatives.