Explore Unique Attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
September 22, 2009 by admin
Filed under Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge TN, VME
Although Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are known for many entertaining shows and great shopping, the area also has several unique attractions that are must-visits for your next vacation to the area. Whether planning a day trip to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage this autumn or are looking for activities for a weekend escape or family vacation, these attractions are sure to please everyone in your group.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
This full-scale aquarium features tens of thousands of marine species and wildlife, with everything from amphibious creatures to sharks. The latest exhibit to open at Ripley’s Aquarium is “Lethal Weapons.” This exhibit exclusive to Ripley’s features a variety of creatures with lethal capabilities, from razor-sharp teeth to potent poison. The “lethal weapons” on display include a Portuguese Man of War, electric eel, and the Crown of Thorns starfish. In addition to this exhibit, visitors can also explore several other areas, including exhibits of the Rainforest, Ocean, Coral Reef, and Stingray Bay. The Shark Lagoon features one of the highlights of the aquarium: a walk-through aquatic tunnel with sharks swimming above and around you.
If you would like to see a show a little different than the usual country shows in the area, this circus performance is a must-see. The Cirque de Chine performers are gold and silver award winning acrobats and gymnasts. The show features a choreographed acrobatic performance accompanied by outstanding traditional Chinese acts, including the mesmerizing mask changing performance, where the mask on a girl’s face changes before your eyes, without being visibly touched or removed. Other features of the performance include the Chinese yo-yo, hoop divers, springboard, and the Jungjo drum group. This performance also features stunning costumes and traditional Chinese music. Cirque de Chine is in its third season at the Smoky Mountain Palace theater. Cirque de Chine is a great activity for all ages.
Visit Award-Winning Park in Williamsburg
Busch Gardens is celebrated as one of the best attractions in Williamsburg, and the park has recently received accolades from the Golden Ticket awards, sponsored by Amusement Today. Busch Gardens took home the top prize for “Best Landscaping” and was also recognized as one of the top parks in “Cleanest Park,” “Best Park,” and “Best Food.”
See Busch Gardens and judge for yourself by planning a visit to Williamsburg. Although summer is traditionally the most popular time to visit theme parks, Busch Gardens remains a fantastic destination in the fall as well. Busch Gardens is open weekends during the fall season. The park event taking place until November 1 is the annual “Howl-O-Scream.” This event features special after-dark attractions, including haunted mazes, haunted houses, and special scare zones. In addition, special Halloween-themed shows are available, including Frankenrock and Monster Stomp. The activities available range in degrees of scariness, so even your children can enjoy some of the special features. In addition to the great Halloween events, Busch Gardens also features great rides and attractions for every age and interest.
To make the most of your time in Williamsburg, booking a hotel near Busch Gardens is the best choice. We offer a variety of hotels close to Busch Gardens, ranging from affordable family-friendly locations to more upscale properties. The Quality Inn at Kingsmill offers a location convenient to Busch Gardens and features a range of amenities, including a swimming pool, complimentary breakfast, business services, and more. The Crowne Plaza Williamsburg is a more upscale choice that features a fitness center, indoor pool, on-site restaurant and lounge, and room service, among other services.
Fall Vacation Ideas in British Columbia
Fall is a beautiful time to visit Vancouver and British Columbia. The leaves change as the temperatures drop, creating an atmosphere with crisp fall air and beautiful foliage. In addition to the great activities found year round, if you time your vacation right you can enjoy the Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival.
The Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival will take place October 18 through 25 on Granville Island. This annual event is in its 22nd year and draws thousands of visitors and award-winning writers each year. This year, headline speakers and writers include Margaret Atwood, Alice Munro, and David Sedaris. Other authors scheduled to appear are Alistair MacLeod, Michael Crummey, and Elaine Arsenault. Special features of the festival include special French readings by writers from Quebec and a writing contest. Of course, there will also be book vendors on site. A variety of books and readings will be available, with everything from non-fiction to children’s books. Readings and events will be held at various venues on Granville Island, including Waterfront Theatre, Granville Island Hotel, and the Revue Theatre.
To take advantage of the changing foliage of the season, a trip to Butchart Gardens in Victoria on the Vancouver Island, Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour will reward you with a garden in full bloom with vibrant reds, oranges, and golds. The Butchart Gardens is a 55 acre garden that has foliage that changes seasonally. Beginning in October, the highlight of the gardens is the Japanese Garden. In autumn this garden features red, russet, and golden maple trees accompanied by arbutus and copper beech trees. Chrysanthemums are also in bloom. In addition to admission to the Butchart Gardens, this tour also features a guided tour of Vancouver Island and Victoria. In total, the tour takes 13 hours to complete.
Enjoy the Fall Foliage in Chattanooga
Known as the “Scenic City,” Chattanooga is a perfect destination for fall fun and foliage. From adventurous outdoor activities to exploring the natural beauty of the area in a park, Chattanooga has many great options for a fall vacation.
What better way to enjoy the fresh fall air and beauty of the area than with a scenic kayak tour? The Tennessee River Gorge Canyon Kayak Eco Tour provides you with a morning, afternoon, or day of floating in the Tennessee River Gorge, which is designated as a United Nations Biosphere Reserve. On this tour, guests can see various historic sites of the area, native wildlife, and more. For an enjoyable experience enjoying the beauty of Chattanooga, the Tennessee River Gorge Canyon Kayak Eco Tour is an excellent addition to your vacation.
If you are looking for a beautiful destination just a short drive from Chattanooga, look into the Cloudland Canyon State Park in Rising Fawn, Georgia. Just thirty minutes from Chattanooga, this beautiful park is a great destination for a day spent hiking, picnicking, and enjoying the fall weather. This park also has camping available if you would like to spend the night. The park features multiple hiking and walking trails, elevated view points, and waterfalls. A day spent in this park is sure to provide a memorable fall experience!
Whatever activity you end up choosing to enjoy during a fall vacation, you are sure to have a memorable time in Chattanooga. Remember, we have a wide selection of lodging options in Chattanooga, with properties all over Chattanooga and the surrounding area.
Downtown Chattanooga Offers Great Attractions, Dining
When planning your next trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee, make plans to stay or spend an evening exploring all that the rejuvenated downtown area has to offer. With plenty of excellent dining options and sightseeing options, a trip downtown offers activities for both adults and children.
This park located in the downtown area is an attraction that everyone can enjoy. Children will love playing in the fountains, and children of all ages will be drawn to the large antique carousel for a ride. The carousel is over 100 years old and still operates. Coolidge Park also hosts community events from time to time. A perfect spot for a relaxing picnic or an afternoon enjoying the sun, Coolidge Park is well worth adding to your Chattanooga itinerary.
Occupying a prime spot on the riverfront, downtown Chattanooga has many restaurants and shops available. A number of art and jewelry galleries are located downtown, as well as many locally owned businesses. Dining options from vary from upscale local establishments to quaint cafes perfect for breakfast or lunch. A number of dessert shops are also available downtown for those with sweet tooths. Downtown Chattanooga is also the embarkation point for most Chattanooga riverboat tours, including the Chattanooga Riverboat. Downtown Chattanooga is also home to attractions like the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
We also offer many nice hotels that will let you stay in this beautiful part of the city, keeping you close to a variety of attractions, dining, and shopping options. The Hilton Garden Inn Chattanooga Downtown is located in the Riverfront area and is just minutes away from a range of attractions. This hotel also has upscale amenities, including a fitness center and swimming pool. The Chattanoogan hotel is a classic establishment in downtown that offers upscale amenities and services, including an on-site restaurant and full-service spa. This hotel is close to a variety of Chattanooga attractions, including the Prime Outlets at Warehouse Row.
Visit the New York State Fair over Labor Day Weekend
If you are still looking for vacation ideas for Labor Day weekend, make plans to head up to New York to join in the fun at the annual New York State Fair.
Although New York is known for its many attractions and big-city entertainment, it also attracts almost one million visitors each year to enjoy the annual New York State Fair. This year’s state fair is taking place August 27 through September 7, providing you with 12 days of opportunities to visit the fair and have a great time.
Attractions at this year’s fair include Agricultural and Carriage Museums, Agriculture and Livestock competitions, Art and Craft exhibits, a culinary competition, a daily parade, a Guitar Hero tournament, an International Food Pavilion, and much more. The fair offers plenty of kid-friendly attractions too, including the Kiddieland Midway, duck races, a circus tent, Bwana Jim’s Wildlife Show, and a puppet parade. Of course, the fair features a Midway complete with food vendors, games, and rides. One highlight of the fair that should not be missed is a giant butter sculpture, which is a tradition at this annual fair.
In addition to the activities available daily, the New York State Fair also has live music performances. At the Mohegan Grand Stand, performers scheduled to appear include Kelly Clarkson, Gavin Degraw, Kenny Chesney, Motley Crue, and the Fray. In the Chevrolet Court, Chuck Wicks, Sara Evans, Darius Rucker, the Afters, M.C. Hammar, and Drake Bell are schedule to perform. All of the shows in Chevrolet Court are free to fairgoers.
The New York State Fair is truly an event that the whole family will enjoy, and because it takes place over Labor Day weekend, it is the perfect activity to enjoy during the long weekend. The New York State Fair is located at the Empire State Fairgrounds, which is in Syracuse, New York.
We offer plenty of lodging options in Syracuse, New York that will keep you close to all of the action of the state fair. Our selection includes hotels in a range of price ranges and amenities, so you will be sure to find the right option for your visit.
Enjoy Family-Friendly Labor Day Activities in Las Vegas
Labor Day is a great time to take the family and enjoy one last trip together before summer ends. Although Las Vegas has a reputation as a wild party destination, there are really many friendly-friendly activities that are appropriate for a range of ages.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
The Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Las Vegas is home to dozens of stars—all waxen, of course. The museum features life-size replicas of movie stars, TV stars, musicians, and more that are so life-like, you will have to look twice. Recent additions to this museum include wax figures of Kathy Griffin, Snoop Dogg, and Criss Angel. Madame Tussauds is located at the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino.
For families with older children, this activity is perfect. The Blue Man Group has been entertaining audiences of all ages for the past few years with their dynamic performances that combine music, multimedia, and more. The Blue Man Group has become well known for its inventive use of PVC pipe and audio-visual techniques to create music and unforgettable performances that offer music, comedy, and artistic displays.
Back to School Shopping in Las Vegas
Labor Day also means that kids will be returning to school soon, and if you still have not found all of your back to school clothes, Las Vegas offers many options for shopping. The Fashion Outlets Shopping Tours include shuttle transportation to the Fashion Outlets in Las Vegas, which has over 100 stores and factory outlet shops from brands like Nike, Ralph Lauren, and Versace. The Fashion Outlets has something for everyone, and there may even be some Labor Day sales going on.
Last Chance Labor Day Activities in Branson
August 27, 2009 by admin
Filed under Branson MO
Labor Day in the Ozarks provides the perfect time to spend a long weekend going to entertaining shows, shopping, and enjoying the last days of summer. Labor Day is also the last weekend to enjoy many of Branson’s activities and attractions.
Produced by legendary Branson entertainer Yakov Smirnoff, this circus show is made to entertain both adults and children. The show was inspired by the original Moscow Circus and follows the love story of Andrei the Clown and Marina the Ballerina. The show includes dancing, acrobatics, fire juggling, and animal acts. A highlight of the show is the unicycle performance of unicycle champion Anthony Soumiatin. In addition to the amazing acts, the show is filled with the humor you expect from Smirnoff. The Moscow Circus’ last performance is Monday, September 7 at 3 p.m.
Labor Day also brings the last opportunity to enjoy Branson’s largest water park: White Water. The park offers 12 acres of wet and wild fun. Young children will find plenty to do in the fountains and water attractions made just for them at Raintree Island and Splash Island. For more adventurous visitors, the Tropical Twister, Surfquake Wave Pool, Caribbean Plunge, and the Bermuda Triangle. Labor Day is the last day that White Water will be open for the season. Splash and Play tickets for both Silver Dollar City and White Water are also available.
A day at the lake is the perfect way to spend a lazy Labor Day. Guests can bring a picnic lunch or cook out at many of the beach access areas to Table Rock Lake. Moonshine Beach is a popular beach access area that is located near the Tablerock Dam. This access point also offers a boat launch if you want to spend the day on the lake fishing or waterskiing. The beach also features restrooms, a playground, showers, and a picnic area.
End of Summer Fun in Orlando, Florida
The official end of summer is right around the corner, and with the departure of summer comes your last opportunity to enjoy the summer fun in Orlando, Florida. Labor Day weekend provides the perfect time to take in a relaxing long weekend in the dog days of summer exploring all that Orlando has to offer.
The Orlando Family Vacation Package offers a pre-planned weekend of fun that features the perfect amount of time for the Labor Day weekend. This package includes three nights of lodging in Orlando, an evening at Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament, admission to Sea World, and tickets to Fun Spot Family Action Spot. This package has a something to appeal to everyone in your group: a fun interactive dinner, a day with marine wildlife, and time spent racing go-karts. In addition, you have your choice of lodging for this package, so you can choose exactly where you want to stay, from a deluxe hotel on International Drive or a spacious vacation home.
Labor Day weekend will also be your last chance to enjoy a day splashing around at Wild Waters Ocala Water Park in Orlando. Monday, Sept. 7 is the last day for you and your family to experience a day relaxing in the sun in the lazy river or flying down the Silver Bullet, a racing flume. Other attractions at this water park include the 45,000 gallon Wave Pool, Cool Kids Cove, and Bunyan’s Bend. This park has something for everyone, so don’t miss your chance for a great day in the sun.
A day at the beach is the perfect addition to any Labor Day weekend vacation. Although Orlando is not on the beach, several great beaches are close to the city. The Clearwater Beach Day Tours offer a variety of options for a day in Clearwater Beach. Tour options include a beach and lunch tour, a beach, lunch, and deep sea fishing tour, and a beach, lunch, and dolphin encounter. These tours offer an option for every activity level, from a day full of adventure to a relaxing afternoon on the beach.
Take a Break in Nashville on Labor Day
August 21, 2009 by admin
Filed under Nashville TN, VME
Labor Day offers an excellent time to take a break from your hectic life and enjoy a relaxing long weekend in Nashville. After this end-of-summer break, you will be ready to take on the activities of the upcoming fall season.
An evening at the Grand Ole Opry is a classic Nashville activity that will add to your relaxing weekend enjoying the Nashville culture and nightlife. Although the Opry does not release its lineup until the Wednesday before the performance, you can expect to see big-name performers and classic acts. Tentatively scheduled performers for Labor Day weekend include Luke Bryan and Legacy Five. Regardless of who the headline performer is, the Grand Ole Opry is always an unforgettable way to spend an evening.
Another relaxing activity for the weekend is a lunch or dinner cruise on the General Jackson. These cruises provide a delicious meal and an entertaining show, all while cruising along the Cumberland River on an authentic paddlewheel boat. In addition to the meal, you can relax on the deck and watch the sights go by. Each cruise also features a show. Performances may vary, but past performances have included Country Music USA and Tim Watson’s Fiddlin’ Around.
A pleasant evening activity that is both romantic and fun is the Horse Drawn Carriage Tours of Downtown Nashville. Tours start from downtown Nashville and last approximately an hour. Sights on the carriage ride include the State Capitol, Civil War sites, and other historic spots in Downtown Nashville. In addition, your guide will provide historical facts and information about Nashville’s history. Carriage rides are also available for large groups.
