Take a Break in Nashville on Labor Day

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.

Chicago Air and Water Show Offers Excitement for All Ages

The annual Chicago Air and Water Show is coming to the city August 15-16. As the largest air and water show in the United States, this event draws crowds from all over the city, state, and nation. The show began in 1959, and it just celebrated its 50th anniversary. Since its humble beginnings as a Family Day Celebration, the Air and Water Show has grown to be the largest spectator event in the U.S.

Performers in this year’s air show include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights and Leap Frogs, Aeroshell Acrobatic Team, Lima Lima Flight Crew, and the Firebirds. Each team will take to the air to show off their flying skills, performing stunning stunts that will amaze you. Each day features both air and water performances from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The show takes place at the North Avenue Beach on Lakeshore Drive. Admission for this event is free.

Because admission to the show is free, you will have more money to make the most of your visit to Chicago. We offer many lodging options near the Air and Water Show and throughout Chicago. The W Chicago Lakeshore is the hotel closest to North Avenue Beach and Lake Michigan. The W is also close to Navy Pier, which offers legendary Chicago attractions, including the Ferris Wheel. Other sites close to The W include Wrigley Field, home of the legendary Chicago Cubs, John Hancock Tower, and Northwestern University. For relaxation and recreation, The W features the Bliss Spa Chicago as well as on-site restaurants.

To make the weekend of water activities complete, make reservations to join a sightseeing or dinner cruise on Lake Michigan. The Skyline Boat Tour and the Spirit of Chicago Lunch & Dinner Cruises offer an afternoon evening of sightseeing in style while cruising on Lake Michigan. The Skyline Boat Tour features some of the best sightseeing in Chicago, and you will be able to enjoy the Chicago Skyline from the water. For a memorable lunch or dinner, chose the Spirit of Chicago Lunch & Dinner Cruises. In addition to delicious meals, these cruises offer exceptional sightseeing in Chicago, including the Adler Planetarium, McCormick Place, and many other notable Chicago buildings.

Summertime Cruising in Williamsburg, VA

Take a break from exploring the history of the area or spending a day at Busch Gardens with a relaxing sightseeing cruise! While cruising along the various rivers in the area, you will enjoy a peaceful afternoon or evening soaking in the warm Virginia sun and experiencing the views the early settlers might have as they arrived on the Virginia shores.

If you want to enjoy a lunch or dinner on the river, reserve your spot on a Spirit of Norfolk Lunch or Dinner Cruise on the Elizabeth River. The lunch cruises feature a delicious lunch and sightseeing opportunities including battleships from the Atlantic fleet. The lunch cruise also features a DJ and dance floor. The dinner cruise is a bit more low-key. You will enjoy your gourmet candlelit meal while you listen to soothing music. The cruise continues with live entertainment as well as a DJ and dance floor.

The Miss Hampton II Harbor Cruise takes guests through Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads Harbor. This is the only harbor cruise vessel in the area, so you will be sure to have a one-of-a-kind experience. The cruise is full of sightseeing opportunities, including the Jacques Cousteau Center, the Virginia Air and Space Museum, the Norfolk Naval Base, and Blackbeards’ Point. The Norfolk Naval Base is highlighted as one of the guests’ favorite attractions of the cruise. The cruise is fully narrated by a knowledgeable guide, so you are sure to leave this experience with a greater appreciation and knowledge of the Williamsburg area.

For a more classic cruise, check out the Yorktown Sailing Cruises. You will take to the York River in the Schooner Alliance, a classic full-sailed ship like the forefathers may have sailed in on.  On this cruise, you will see such sights as the Yorktown Battlefield, the Victory Monument, and the beautiful scenery along the York River. The Yorktown Sailing Cruises offer day cruises appropriate for families and sunset cruises as well. This cruise will surely give you and your family an experience to remember with this exceptional cruise on the York River.

These cruises would make perfect additions to your July 4th vacation, so plan ahead and book your cruise today!

Savannah by Sea: Experience the Beauty of Savannah from the Water

Bask in the warm summer sun, cruising on Savannah’s coast while soaking in the beautiful sights and culture of Savannah. From eco-tours to Riverboat lunch and dinner cruises, experiencing the beauty of Savannah by boat is a unique way to enhance your summer vacation.

Experience the wild beauty of Savannah with the SaltyDawg Eco Adventure Cruise. This cruise is led by certified UGA Coastal Naturalists, which ensures that your tour will be informative as well as fun. On this cruise, you will get to explore marshes, rivers, and the intercoastal waterway of the Savannah coast. You will also get to explore islands and try crabbing, seining, and shrimping. Available in half-day or full-day cruises, this eco-tour is sure to be an informative and entertaining exploration of Savannah’s ecology.

If you want to make the SaltyDawg Eco Adventure part of a complete vacation, this tour is part of the Savannah, GA Family Vacation Package, which also includes lodging and tickets to the Savannah theatre.

If you are looking for a family-friendly activity with a variety of options, explore the offerings of the River Street Riverboat Cruises. Offering both lunch and dinner cruises as well as other options including a romantic Moonlight cruise, the River Street Riverboat Cruises are sure to provide an entertaining and relaxing experience. Each cruise offers different aspects; some are more sightseeing focused while others are more activity-based. Whatever your desire, you are sure to find a Riverboat cruise to fit in with your vacation.

If you are looking for a Riverboat cruise as part of a complete vacation, consider booking the Land and Sea Savannah Getaway, which includes lodging (of your own choice), a hop on, hop off trolley tour, and a Riverboat sightseeing cruise.