Williamsburg Presents Conference on the Civil War
Join Williamsburg visitors and locals for a conference celebrating American history named “Storm on the Horizon: Slavery, Disunion, and the Roots of the Civil War.” The conference, taking place on February 18 and 19, will provide guests with a full insight into some of the conflicts and stories that took place over a century ago. You’ll hear from some of the most knowledgeable teachers in the American History field, including Gordon S. Wood, Alva O. Way and Alan Brinkley, who will all be sharing their own insight. Look at the Civil War from a different angle with this great conference. Stay close to the event with reservations at a Williamsburg hotel.
You can make the most of your Williamsburg vacation by participating in other activities around the area. Plan a night out on the town and eat at the Mystery Dinner Playhouse, a show that gives you just enough information to leave you scratching your head as to who the culprit is. Work together with those around your table to find out which characters are guilty and which are innocent. Also, enjoy a full banquet of great cuisine, including four choices of entrees, fresh vegetables and moist chocolate cake.
After solving mysteries, try wrapping your mind around the exhibits of Ripley’s Believe or Not! Museum Williamsburg, boasting more than 300 exhibits in the museum. You’ll see everything from the creepiest to the most ridiculous sculptures and photos inside. Learn about true facts behind people with extraordinary talents and animals with abilities you weren’t even aware of. Take the kids along with you so that they can share in your fascination as well.
San Antonio Saddles up for the Annual Stock Show and Rodeo!
The annual San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo is full of great music artists and exciting rodeo events everyday from February 3 – 20. Look for your favorite artists performing live, including Clay Walker, Gary Allan, Miranda Lambert and Josh Turner. This enormous indoor rodeo event incorporates music along with exciting cattle auctions, horse shows, bull riding and calf roping. The rodeo is bigger and better than any other in the region, so you won’t want to miss this chance to attend! Reserve your San Antonio lodging early.
In between your rodeo and music entertainment, you’ll want to take the opportunity to come down to the Enchanted Springs Ranch, which provides a rustic, country atmosphere for both kids and adults. View this enormous 86 acre ranch and head across the dirt roads in your wagon transportation driven by an old tractor. You’ll be able to see many of the western animals that make this area their home, such as buffalo, Texas Longhorn and beautiful horses.
In addition to your fun tour of the ranch, you can also participate in the Old West Summer Chuck Wagon Ride and Dinner Show, incorporating a fun ride across the prairie as well as an old fashioned, home-cooked cowboy meal! You’ll enjoy everything the ranchers ate as they drove cattle across miles of wilderness, including smoked barbecue of brisket, sizzling sausage, and delicious coleslaw. If you’d like to participate in both of these events, you can combine them for one great price.
Witness the Chinese New Year Festivities in New York City
New York City will celebrate the Chinese New Year in grand style starting February third, with dragon costumes, fireworks in Roosevelt Park, and large concerts performed by talented Asian-American singers. The festival will be themed around the year of the Rabbit, which is one of the 12 animals on the traditional Chinese calendar. Spectators will also see a huge parade with dancers and musicians leading the way, celebrating the blended culture of China and America. If you’re interested in attending this exciting festival, you can book a New York City hotel.
Along with the other festivities you’ll be involved in during your vacation, you can see the city in luxury with the Frank Sinatra NYC Night Limousine Tour, taking you to many of the old fashioned bars and lounges that are interspersed across the city. You can also hang out in some of the nightclubs and grab a few drinks in between dances. You’ll head to each of your destinations inside the comfortable limousine, providing you with everything that you need. Dress with sophistication, and prepare for a tour experience that Sinatra would be proud to go on.
After getting a close-up view of New York City during the day, you can fly in one of the New York City Helicopter Tours to receive a bird’s eye view of the city’s landmarks. Choose from either the Big Apple or the New York, New York helicopter tour that lets you head over great sightseeing adventures such as the Chrysler Building, Central Park, Hudson River and you’ll even see the Statue of Liberty!
Las Vegas Celebrates Festive Chinese New Year!
The Lunar New Year will be in conjunction with the Las Vegas Chinese New Year, and you’re welcome to celebrate this festival with the rest of the crowds on February third. The main festivities surrounding this event will be inside Chinatown Plaza, where you can take your pick of delicious Asian cuisine, with many great concessions and diners open to provide you a full meal. You’ll want to explore the area as there will be several demonstrations of martial arts, as well as traditional folk dancing and the legendary dragon dance. If you want to experience the New Year’s festivities all over again through this event, make sure you book a room in your Las Vegas lodging.
Don’t forget about other fun adventures while you’re in Las Vegas as well. If you want to discover some of the city’s top landmarks and highlights in a short amount of time, the Las Vegas Explorer Pass is the perfect option. You can choose two attractions from a large list of great places to dine and visit, including the Liberace Museum, Hoover Dam Tour, Madame Tussauds, the Springs Preserve or the Vegas Mob Tour. If you purchase a VIP ticket, you’ll also receive savings on Dream Car Rentals, the Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters tour and Miracle Mile Shops.
Your fun is just beginning in this incredible city, and if you’re not sure which restaurants to choose while you’re out, you can pick up a Las Vegas Meal Ticket to cover some of your meals for one day up to five days. The restaurants are some of the highest rated in the city, and you won’t be disappointed, no matter where you choose to eat. The restaurant may offer complimentary breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a combination of all three.
DC Celebrates Artistic Sugarloaf Crafts Festival in January!
Right outside of Washington DC in Chantilly, Virginia, over 250 craftsmen and artists will be promoting a vast variety of their works in the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival. Receiving national acclaim, the festival will take place on January 28 – 30 and give spectators a chance to browse through colorful pottery, intricate sculptures, shining glass and all kinds of home decoration. Along with admiring the artisanship at each booth, visitors who attend will also receive the chance to participate in interactive demonstrations of wheel pottery, metal spinning and wood turning. To attend this artistic event, you’ll want to make sure you book your DC hotel early on for reservations.
There are several other opportunities you’ll want to try out while you’re in Washington DC as well, including Tyson’s Corner Shopping Tours, which provide four shopping options for city visitors to choose from. The shopping center is one of the largest in the DC metro area, and it boasts many great stores, including the Modern Day Spa, Shaw Jewelers, Apple, Build-a-Bear Workshop and Banana Republic. The mall has several restaurants and diners, so you’re welcome to grab a bite to eat in between your shopping tour.
For a full and complete education experience of the Washington DC area, visitors can travel along the city streets on the DC in a Day Tour, which covers all of the major DC landmarks. You’ll have several stops on your tour including the White House Visitor’s Center, U.S. Capitol and the World War II Memorial. Many other famous landmarks will be seen directly from your window, so you’ll want to bring your camera to capture each one. Learn all about the city’s history in the length of the tour, nine hours.
San Antonio Boat and RV Show Attracts Families!
Marine enthusiasts will be happy to discover an enormous array of all kinds of boats, motor homes and travel trailers at the 2011 San Antonio Boat and RV Show, taking place at the end of January, from the 27 – 30. Exhibitors and audiences will gather in San Antonio’s enormous Alamodome, one of the only places big enough to contain the array of boats. On January 29, visitors will get the chance to sign up for a Boater Education Course which provides information on the many classes of ships, from bay to wakeboard to center console fishing boats. Come to San Antonio with your family for this fun event, and book a hotel for all three nights to experience it from the first day to the finale.
For another water-oriented attraction, you’re welcome to participate in Thompson’s Fishing Guide Service to explore several lakes and learn the true art of fishing from an expert. Thompson has fished for years, and he knows these Central Texas lakes like the back of his hand. Cruise along in his 17-foot boat and find out where to cast for the biggest and baddest fish. Your tour will include all of the standard fishing equipment such as lures and rods, and you’ll also be given a few snacks like soda and peanuts.
After a few days of attractions, you can sit back with a leisurely time at the Imax Theatre San Antonio and watch one of the incredible shows that Imax puts on each year. The theater is set up with six enormous screens that include a full surround sound and clear, crisp contrast from the projector system. Your view won’t be blocked, either, as each theater is equipped with comfortable stadium style seating.
Museum Extends Invitation for Branson Vietnam Peace Accord Ceremony
January 6, 2011 by admin
Filed under Branson MO
On January 28 at the Branson Veteran Memorial Museum, many will be in attendance to view the Vietnam Peace Accord Candlelight Ceremony to commemorate their Vietnam veteran comrades who served in war. The museum is easily accessible just off of Branson’s Highway 76, and the event will highlight parts of the Vietnam War along with pictures and historical information for attendees to read and learn. The event marks the day after the war officially ended. Those who are planning on attending or who will be in Branson toward the end of January are welcome to book one of Branson’s hotels.
If you’d like to see more of America’s past, you’re welcome to check out more of Branson’s great museums, including Titanic – The Legend Continues, which puts you in the role of a passenger entering one of America’s most famous ships. You’ll walk through many of the recreated exhibits onboard this half-scale replica of the Titanic, including the Memorial Room and the Grand Staircase. The museum is loaded with more than 400 artifacts from the passengers who originally boarded the ship in 1912.
For visitors who are taking the whole family to Branson, they’ll want to bring the kids to the World’s Largest Toy Museum, housing every kind of toy imaginable dating from the present time back to the 1800′s. View all kinds of toy trains, bicycles, plans and small wind-ups. Some of the toys may even remind you of your childhood, and you’ll be able to tell your children or grandchildren all about some of the toys you see.
Board the Legendary Polar Express for a Grand Canyon Christmas Eve!
All can come aboard at the Grand Canyon Railway this December until January 6, where Grand Canyon area visitors will receive a traditional train tour of the “North Pole” for a fun, family adventure. The departure times are in the evening at 6:30 and 8:00. Bring along your jacket just in case the wind picks up. If you want a special surprise for the kids, you may want to take them on the Grand Canyon Railway’s Polar Express on Christmas Eve to match the popular book and the movie. Remember to reserve a Grand Canyon hotel while you’re in the area so that you’re fully prepared for this holiday vacation.
If you’d like to see more of the Grand Canyon area via train, the Grand Canyon Railway Budd Coach Train Tour may be just the attraction for the family. Hop on and witness the beauty of Grand Canyon scenery for 65 miles until you arrive at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This train was constructed many decades ago, and you’ll feel the gentle chugging of the engine as you ride along the tracks. Choose between coach, first class, dome class, or parlor seating – all providing amazing views of the area.
Finally, to top off your vacation, visit the exquisite Grand Depot Cafe, which is themed around trains and the historic Route 66. Enjoy great American food such as grilled burgers, creamy sodas and light snack. The restaurant welcomes all ages and is built next to the Williams railway depot, so you’ll have a scenic view of the train route right outside of your window. It’s all available here at the restaurant that has entertained generations of diners!
Take in Old Town Highlights at San Diego’s Holiday State Park Event
San Diego is wasting no time preparing for the Christmas season with festivals and events all over the city, including seasonal activities at the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. The quiet, peaceful atmosphere of the park privides the perfect backdrop for its holiday events on December 10 through the rest of the month. The park provides exciting wagon rides, holiday tours and special entertainment for their guests. There are all kinds of specialty shops for the avid shopper, including fresh coffee, exquisite pottery, gems and minerals. Best of all, the proceeds of the craft purchases go toward the Boosters of Old Town, which finances many of the park’s educational programs. You can reserve your spot in one of the city’s comfortable hotels for a holiday vacation.
If you still have some shopping urges, the San Diego area has many opportunities for great deals and browsing, such as a tour at the Lake Elsinore Outlets. Here, you can decide on the products you need most, and the outlet stores have all types of specialty items, from sunglasses and clothes to shoe apparel and dining opportunities. Grab a Christmas gift for the kids at great stores like Children’s Place and Toys “R” Us. As you’re shopping, you may notice some of the entertainment and performances at the core of the center, which is always a treat for the family.
In addition to the shopping experiences, you’re welcome to take a more thorough look at the Old Town area with a narrated tour that passes through each part of it. Climb aboard and listen to the legendary conductor while viewing highlights such as the Star of India, Gaslamp Quarter and Horton Plaza. Old Town San Diego has been nicknamed the “Jamestown of the Pacific,” and its coastline location has all the dining and educational opportunities to keep visitors coming back time after time. Your trolley will make a complete loop around Old Town, so you can stop at any location as long as you like.
Washington DC Brightens with the National Christmas Tree Lighting!
On December 9th, Washington DC will celebrate its 87th National Christmas Tree Lighting in coordination with the Pageant of Peace. The city’s White House Ellipse Visitor Pavilion will display lit trees from each of America’s states and territories every day after the National Christmas Tree Lighting until New Year’s Day. Visitors are more than welcome to come out and view all of the city’s great holiday displays and festivities during this time. If you’d like to stay for the entire celebration, be sure to book one of the warm and cozy DC hotels.
You can see more of the city as it lights up with Christmas decorations with tours like DC After Dark, which take you to some of the most popular memorials and highlights of the city. The tour lasts approximately three hours, and you’ll be able to stop at famous places such as the Lincoln Memorial, FDR Memorial and Jefferson Memorial. These are just a few of the landmarks you’ll see. There are more than 10 famous other sights you’ll view from up close in your motorcoach.
There’s even more great DC architecture available to see at night, and you can view it by taking the DC The Lights! Tour, which starts out at the Old Post Office, dating back to 1899. From here, you’ll be able to look up at the skyscraping clock tower, reaching up 315 feet. Afterward, you’ll head to the US Capitol Building, where your tour guide will give you an extensive background of the building and people that have served there, as well as answering any questions you may have. As you continue, you’ll see many other famous memorials, including the Vietnam and WWII Memorial. Enjoy the rich history of DC as it’s bathed in city lights!
