Museums in Memphis, TN are Diverse and Entertaining
For some educational fun, visit the variety of museums in Memphis, TN. These musuems offer everything from a children’s museum where children can play and learn through hands-on experience to exhibits at The Pink Palace where there are displays on the Piggly Wiggly and dinosaurs. There is something for everyone at the Memphis museums.
The Children’s Museum of Memphis is the perfect place to take your children while on vacation in Memphis. This museum features a hands-on experience that will allow you and your children to stay entertained while learning. There are fun exhibits like the City Friends exhibit which gives information on police officers and firefighters. There is painting, scultping and performing at the Smart Arts center at the museum. Play with your children or watch as they perform for you!
For an exploration of the musical history of Memphis, go to the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. This museum was created by the Smithsonian Institute and is dedicated to musicians who overcame racial prejudice and socioeconomic challenges to create beautiful music that is still loved today. The exhibits at this museum are rich in the history of the growth of American music.
Another museum that has a great history of American music is the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. This museum has over 2,000 artifacts for you to examine throughout the museum. The whole of this museum is dedicated to soul music and its journey in America. This is an interactive museum that music lovers of all ages can enjoy.
The National Civil Rights Museum is a landmark museum in the city of Memphis. This museum is was once the Lorraine Hotel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4th in 1968. It was renovated in his memory and now holds exhibits dedicated to the National Civil Rights movement. The people who shaped the Civil Rights Movement are represented there in various exhibits and artifacts.
The museum to visit if you really enjoy getting a wide variety of information in one place is the Pink Palace Museum. It’s name is a hint of the fun you’ll find inside. You can learn about the revolutionization of grocery stores, see dinosaur exhibits, and even see a miniature circus. This museum offers its visitors a little bit of everything.
Keep Warm During a Chilly Chicago Winter
Chicago winters are not always that friendly, but that is no reason not to visit this fun city! Chicago has a fantastic selection of museums and other indoor activities that you can enjoy while you get out of the cold.
A multi-day pass is a great way to see a lot of Chicago without waiting in lines or paying lots of ticket fees. With the Go Chicago Card, you can have days of access to many of the great museums and attractions in Chicago. This card provides free admission to the Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum, Chicago Children’s Museum, and the Kohl’s Children Museum. In addition, you have access to the Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, and the Hancock Observatory. The card is available from a one day to seven day ticket, so you can buy it for a day or weekend to entertain you and your family during Christmas vacation. With so many options, you’ll be sure to see something new and interesting while in Chicago. In addition, this card gives you immediate access to the attractions—no waiting in ticket lines!
Another fascinating museum option in Chicago is the new Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. This museum contains many exhibits that have art, artifacts, documents, and photographs about the Holocaust. Some of the exhibits are temporary, but the Zev and Shifra Karkomi Permanent Exhibition can always be found at this museum. The permanent exhibit contains the history of the Holocaust from its beginning in Germany to the after effects in the Jewish community. The museum ticket also includes transportation to the museum from Chicago. A visit to this museum is certain to expand your knowledge and perspective on the events of the Holocaust.
If you are looking to escape the cold for an evening, check out one of the world-class theater options in Chicago. The city has a vibrant theater scene, and three acclaimed plays are showing right now in Chicago. Million Dollar Quartet, Jersey Boys, and The Addams Family all feature engaging music and performances that should guarantee any visitor a memorable night spent in Chicago. In addition, these plays all end in January, so you have only a few weeks left to experience them!
Williamsburg Area Home To Fascinating Museums
Williamsburg is known for it’s historic gems. Most people travel to Jamestown Settlement or Colonial Williamsburg. However, there are so many other things to enjoy in Williamsburg. Many of these interesting attractions are local museums. If you’re planning a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia there are a few must-see museums!
This is decidedly one of the strangest houses in Colonial Williamsburg. Everything from the L shape to the lack of dormers are unusual features for the era and location of the house. Not only was this original house used as a private residence, but it housed many of Geddy’s business ventures including a gunsmith, foundry, and silversmith. Very little renovation has taken place since the house was built in 1792, but small changes have been made in the traditional look.
Since you’re already going to be in the area, make a point to visit the Mariner’s Museum. This museum is filled with fascinating exhibits, some of which are permanent collections and others are temporary traveling exhibits. Message In A Bottle is the current featured exhibit. This fascinating exhibit is a photographic showcase of the garbage and waste dumped into the ocean. There are also sculptures made from trash that the artists fished out of the water!
Isle of Wight Museum is home to incredibly fascinating and unbelievably odd exhibits. The featured exhibits range from prehistoric fossils to a classic country store. The most notable exhibit is the Smithfield ham exhibit. Isle of Wight museum houses the world’s oldest Smithfield ham, which was cured in 1902. This famous ham is displayed center-stage in a glass case. There is also an exhibit showcasing the world’s largest ham, as decided by the Guinness Book of World Records. This 2,200 pound ham is not located in the museum, but there is an interactive exhibit.
Another unique museum in the Yorktown, Virginia area is the Waterman’s Museum. This fascinating museum is located on the banks of the York River. The museum features exhibits on fishing and boat building, along with artifacts from Revolutionary War era. The mission of the Waterman’s Museum is to honor and commemorate the role that watermen played in shaping our nation from the beginning.
Branson Activities On a Budget
October 16, 2009 by admin
Filed under Branson MO, Featured
In these unsure economic times many families are hesitant to take a vacation or a weekend getaway. While it may help to tighten your spending, there is no need to cut out family fun. There are nine attractions in Branson your family can enjoy that won’t break the bank. In fact, the tickets to these attractions cost less than $25 each!
If you have a car enthusiast in the family, you may want to check out this museum. The Branson Auto Museum displays over 100 cars inside and another 15 to 20 just outside the doors. You’ll see everything from a 1923 Ford Roadster T-Bucket to a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS. The best part is admission is only around $16.
Branson Country USA Late Show is unique in Branson. This show, co-hosted by Jim Dandy and Mike Patrick, offers a range of talent each Friday night. Performers from all over Branson have visited the show and the list just keeps getting longer. The rotating cast has included Mickey Gilley, Roy Clark, Jackie Brown and New South. With a ticket price of only about $25, your family will love this show. Not to mention, if you buy your tickets before October 31, you will get a discounted price!
If you are planning to take the family to a movie, why not see it on the biggest screen in the Ozarks? Not only does Branson IMAX offer newly-released Hollywood blockbusters, but the theater also offers specialty shows. There is an on-site food court if the family gets hungry. Branson IMAX is definitely worth a Saturday trip and the tickets are just under $20 each.
This beautiful cave just outside of Branson is the perfect year-round family activity. The cave is naturally temperature controlled, so it’s always right around 65 degrees. The whole family will love all of the formations that the guides will point out and the two bottomless lakes you will get to see. The guides leading your tour will point out interesting facts about the cave. Tickets cost just under $22 and if you buy your tickets soon, you can take advantage of the “buy one get one half off” promotion!
Anyone interested in history, dinosaurs or just plain cool museums will love this one. The Dinosaur Museum features life-sized sculptures of many different dinosaurs ranging in size from the one-foot-tall Microraptor to the gigantic Tyrannosaurus Rex. Children will love some of the hands-on stations and the whole family will love the movie about the life and times of dinosaurs. Sure to be a fun day for the family, admission to the museum is right around $21.
Have you ever wanted to explore famous movie sets or meet your favorite celebrities? You can in this two-story museum filled with more than 170 life-like wax figures. You and your family will get to see scenes from The Wizard of Oz, actors like Marilyn Monroe and Johnny Depp, and so much more. Don’t forget your camera! Tickets to this memorable museum ring up at just under $25.
This show usually costs more than $25, but if you purchase your tickets before December 12 you can take advantage of the “buy one get one free” offer. With this offer, you will receive two tickets for just under $40! This fabulous show features good old Texas swing music complete with fiddle. Featuring the 1983 World Champion Fiddler, this show is sure to have your family smiling and tapping their toes.
This museum is not your average war memorial. The Veterans Memorial Museum features more than 2,000 artifacts and items from every war and major conflict of the 20th century. These items represent the wars and the soldiers that fought them. On the walls of the ten great halls, you will see the names of every soldier who has died in the name of freedom. With hundreds of sculptures and several murals, this museum is a must-see with admission costing $22.
Children of all ages love the World’s Largest Toy Museum! While touring the museum, you and your family will see thousands of toys, some dating back to the 1800’s. Take this opportunity to show your kids the toys you played with at their age and get a good laugh out of the toys your parents played with. Your whole family will feel like care-free kids again after visiting this museum for around $20 each.
Study Native American History in Mt. Rushmore
The Black Hills of South Dakota are filled with the history of its past inhabitants. With many museums and monuments in the area, the Mt. Rushmore area offers many opportunities to learn more about the early residents of this region.
Located in Rapid City, the Journey Museum contains many exhibits on the development of the Mt. Rushmore area. Visitors can see the Museum of Geology, Archeological Research Center, Sioux Indian Musuem, Minnilusa Pioneer Museum, and the the Duhamel Collection of Native American Artifacts. In addition, admission to the museum includes a film that covers the history and development of the region. Each exhibit contains many artifacts that help tell the story of the past of the Black Hills region. Visitors can see pieces from the Sioux Indians, the early pioneers, and a collection of Sioux arts and crafts. Also, the Archeological Research Center contains an archeological dig and artifacts that are thousands of years old.
The Lakota Indians were another native resident group of the Black Hills, and the Wounded Knee Museum is dedicated to their life in this area. The museum contains many artifacts on Lakota life and the Wounded Knee Massacre that happened in 1890. This museum also chronicles the struggle of the Indians against the pioneers in the 1800s. Visitors will see newspaper clippings, films, photographs, artifacts, and eye-witness accounts of what happened the day of Wounded Knee. This museum shows a realistic presentation of the Lakota’s struggle in South Dakota and preserves their memory.
The Crazy Horse Memorial is another must-see tribute while on a trip to Mt. Rushmore. Crazy Horse was the warrior who led the Sioux Indians in the Battle of Little Bighorn. This memorial has been in ongoing construction for the past two decades. When the sculpture is completed, it will be 563 feet tall and over 600 feet wide. The sculpture is on Thunderhead Mountain located between Custer and Hill City. The Crazy Horse Memorial is one of the stops on the Mt. Rushmore Tour.
Celebrate Columbus Day with a Visit to the Nation’s Capital
What more fitting location to visit to observe the upcoming Columbus Day holiday than in Washington, DC? Although Columbus may not have discovered Washington, DC, his discovery made this city and all that it represents possible. To honor Columbus’ memory, take some time in Washington, DC to learn about America’s history.
If you do not have time for an extended vacation in Washington, DC, the Old Town Trolley Narrated Tour is an excellent choice. This tour is two hours long and fully narrated. If you would like to hop off the trolley to explore any of the 17 different stops, you have the convenience to get off, explore the site at your leisure, and then hop on another trolley when you are ready to leave. With 17 different stops, you will be able to see the best attractions in Washington, DC and learn about America’s history. Stops include the U.S. Capitol, the Lincoln Monument, the National Mall, and more. With the ability to hop on/hop off all day, you can customize this tour to fit your needs.
The Washington, DC area is also surrounded by historical areas. The Mt. Vernon/Arlington Tour provides access to George Washington’s Estate and the neighboring city of Arlington, home to the Arlington National Cemetery. This day-long tour will take you to Mt. Vernon, where you will have time to explore the house and grounds. The next stop on the tour is Arlington, where you will see Christ Church and the Arlington National Cemetery. The tour concludes with a photo-op tour in Washington, DC, which includes the Iwo Jima Memorial, National Gallery of Art, and Fort Washington.
If you are overwhelmed by the many great tour and activity options in Washington, DC, the Washington DC Power Pass will be the perfect option for you. This pass offers free or discounted admission to many popular attractions and tours in the area. With this pass, you can visit the International Spy Museum and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. You can also enjoy several different tours, including the DC Duck Tour, Old Town Trolley Tour, and the Washington, DC Walking Tour. The pass is also available in one to five day amounts, so you can customize it to fit your vacation.
Washington, DC Vacation Packages Make Planning a Fall Vacation Easy
Did you not have time to make it up to Washington, DC this summer? Fall is a wonderful time to visit the United States’ capitol city for many reasons. Crisp fall weather will make long walks and sightseeing pleasant, and views of the Virginia foliage provide a beautiful backdrop to the buildings and monuments of DC. We offer a variety of vacation packages that come with lodging, tours, and more that will make planning your fall vacation as easy as one click of the mouse.
Washington DC Sightseeing Tour Package
This package is a comprehensive vacation experience perfect for visitors who are enjoying a first trip to the city. The package includes four nights’ or more lodging in the hotel of your choice, the Washington DC All Day Combination Tour, and the DC in a Day Tour. The DC in a Day Tour features museums, monuments, and more in the city, including the Smithsonian museums, the Library of Congress, the Lincoln Memorial, and more. The combination tour provides more sightseeing opportunities at additional attractions in Washington, DC. This package provides the ultimate is sightseeing tours, and you will be sure not to miss a thing during your vacation.
Washington, DC Family Vacation Package
This package is perfect for a weekend of family fun. The package includes three nights of lodging in Washington, DC, a three-day DC Power Pass, and the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament. The Power Pass provides three days of discounted or free admission to a number of attractions in Washington, DC, including tours, museums, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, and more. The whole family will love an evening spent at Medieval Times in Hanover, Maryland. The evening includes a four-course Medieval-style meal and a live knight jousting tournament. The experiences you and your family will have during this vacation are sure to last a lifetime.
If you would prefer to build your own vacation package, we also feature an easy-to-use vacation package builder for Washington, DC. Choose your dates, lodging, and activities and your vacation is ready to go!
Celebrate Past Presidents at Mount Rushmore
For this upcoming Labor Day weekend, you can plan a trip to Mount Rushmore, South Dakota and celebrate the lives of our past presidents by visiting the area museums and monuments.
National Presidential Wax Museum
One of the most unique attractions in the area is the National Presidential Wax Museum. You can see life-size figurines of past presidents, including Abraham Lincoln, Richard Nixon, and Theodore Roosevelt. The life-like figures are set in realistic scenes from events during their presidency. A highlight of the wax museum is the gift shop that offers an extensive array of memorabilia, collectibles, and souvenirs. This attraction is a perfect activity for families as kids of all ages will enjoy taking a look back into the past.
For a larger-than-life look at the presidents, visit the President’s Park in Lead, South Dakota. This attraction features 20-foot-tall busts of the 42 former presidents. Each bust also features biographical information and state flags from the state where the president lived. Self-guided tours are available here. All of the sculptures are the work of artist David Adickes. A cafe is available on site for meals and snacks.
Of course, no visit to Mount Rushmore would be complete without visiting the monument featuring Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson. The monument also features a gift shop and other attractions. The guided tour at Mount Rushmore includes stops at the Crazy Horse Memorial site, Big Thunder Gold Mine, Sylvan Lake, Iron Mountain Road, Harney Peak, and Custer State Park. In total, the tour lasts approximately nine hours and features knowledgeable guides and narration of the different sites.
Enjoy Free Admission and Unbeatable Savings with the Go Orlando Card
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a week-long family vacation, the Go Orlando Card is your ticket to free admission and unbeatable savings for a variety of Orlando activities, museums, restaurants, and more. Available in a one-, two-, three-, five-, or seven-day option, the Go Orlando Card offers discounted fun for guests of all ages.
For one low price up front, you can enjoy free admission to exciting local attractions and activities throughout your vacation. Adventurous travelers will enjoy the Sea Life Nature Cruise, the Sea Thriller Speedboat Adventure, or the Scenic Boat Tour. Those looking for a lesson in culture and history will enjoy the Orlando Museum of Art, the Museum of Arts and Sciences, or the Orange County History Center. And for the kids, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, Splash Island Waterpark, and Congo River Adventure Golf are available for free.
As an added bonus, a three or more day purchase of the Go Orlando Card grants you free admission to the Arabian Nights Pirates Dinner Adventure and The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show. After purchasing the card, you will be given a guidebook listing the specific operating hours of each attraction accessible with the card. And while you’re in the area, remember to make a stop at some local shops and restaurants for special discounts.
When vacationing in Orlando, the choice is simple. Why pay individually for each activity when you can enjoy free admission to outstanding area attractions for one low price? Purchase the Go Orlando Card and make it a vacation worth remembering in sunny Orlando, Florida!
Regional History is on Display Near Mt. Rushmore, SD
Although the Mount Rushmore area of South Dakota offers a seemingly unlimited amount of sightseeing options and natural wonders, travelers to the area would do well to enjoy some of history’s most pivotal moments through some of these museums. From early settlements and Native Americans up to the present day, a look into the history of the Mount Rushmore region and the world at large would be a welcomed addition to any vacation.
The Journey Museum offers an in-depth look at the Western Great Plains from pre-historic times through the present. The museum is divided into five different exhibits that explore the history of time: the Museum of Geology, the Archaeological Research Center, the Sioux Indian Museum, the Minnisula Pioneer Museum, and the Duhamel Collection of Native American Artifacts. See life-sized dinosaur bones, view artifacts from ancient hunters of 10,000 years ago, discover the cultures of the Lakota and Sioux Indians, or learn about the different historical individuals who helped pave the region into what it is today.
Upon its completion, the Crazy Horse Memorial will become the largest sculpture in the world, dedicated to the warrior Crazy Horse who led his Ogala Sioux at the battle of Little Bighorn. The ongoing project serves as a tribute to both his courageous way of life and his untimely death. The site offers more than just the 563-foot tall sculpture-in-progress; it is also the location of the Indian Museum and Native American Cultural Center. The museum houses artifacts and art that help paint a picture of the proud Native American culture. The collection of memorabilia is donated by tribal members and other citizens who strive to expand awareness of the Native American way of life.
Located near Mount Rushmore in the historic city of Deadwood, SD, the Adams Museum stands as the oldest history museum in the Black Hills region. Artifacts and general information about famous historical figures are on display at the museum. You will find information about W.E. Adams, founder of the museum in 1930, as well as Thoen Stone and two of Deadwood’s most well-known historical figures, Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane. Learn about the life and times of these characters for an intriguing activity on your vacation.
