Discover Las Vegas Outside of the City and Into the Wild!

July 18, 2011 by  
Filed under VME

Las Vegas is known for its city lights and busy streets, but there’s more to do in the city than “live it up.” If you’re looking for adventure, Las Vegas has a lot to offer. From giant canyons to scorching deserts, there’s plenty for outdoor junkies to experience. You’ll be able to relax in your luxurious Las Vegas hotel, but when you feel like getting out in the open, you’ll have no trouble finding something exciting to do. Here are a few ideas to get started with.

Grand Canyon West Rim Tour with Skywalk is a twelve hour tour that takes you to the Hoover Dam, through the Joshua Tree Forest, and across the Hualapai Indian Nation. You’ll spend three and a half hours admiring the Grand Canyon with a scenic drive and then a stop at Eagle Point where you’ll be able to go out on the Skywalk, a glass platform that gives you a full-circle view of the canyon. Your breakfast and dinner is also included!

For this desert tour, your first stop is the ghost town of Rhyolite, and then it’s on to the Death Valley Photo Sightseeing Tour. You’ll be taken 5,475 feet above sea level at Dante’s View and 282 feet below at Badwater where the landscape changes color. There are mountains, canyons, volcanic craters, and salt pinnacles. Bring your camera and lots of water, there will be a lot of beauty and a lot of heat.

On the Colorado River Raft Tour you’ll find yourself at the base of the Hoover Dam as you’re sent off on your float down the Colorado River. There are no rapids, so you’ll be able to take in the natural surroundings in an unhindered way. Your tour guide will give details of the wildlife all around. Lunch is included on a nice, calm beach. What a great way to see the Hoover Dam and everything around it.

Say Farewell to Summer with Sleep Out on the Mississippi in Memphis

September 27, 2010 by  
Filed under VME

Hey campers, it’s time to head out to Memphis for the exciting Sleep Out on the Mississippi event at Mud Island River Park. October 8th, bring yourself and a sleeping bag to the park where 12′x12′ tents, dinner, live entertainment, marshmallows, and breakfast are provided for you and other guests. Several activities are planned in addition to the marshmallow roast and live entertainment to help you enjoy yourself overnight. Advance reservations to this event are required to ensure that you get a spot at this event since space is limited. With the Mississippi River beside you and the stars above you, this is the perfect way to say goodbye to summer and greet fall.

After camping out at Mud Island Park, get yourself some nice lodging in town, and head out to see some of Memphis’ most popular attractions with the Memphis Mojo Tour. A vintage tour bus will take you around town to see the sights with a stop at either Sun Studio or Stax Museum along the way. Your admission to either the studio or the museum is provided, so get ready for an exciting tour of places that chronicle some of music’s biggest changes and stars.

You can’t visit Memphis without paying tribute to The King. As the place where Elvis lived and began creating his legendary hits, Memphis has a lot of Elvis’ history to share. Elvis Presley’s Graceland Platinum Experience can give you the highlights with a tour that features Elvis’ mansion, his customer planes, and Meditation Garden where Elvis was laid to rest. This tour will give you some insight into the man behind the music. You can see how he lived and learn fascinating facts about him with the audio tour that accompanies your visit to his mansion.

Adventure Awaits In Nashville

December 3, 2009 by  
Filed under Nashville TN

Eco Adventure Canopy Zipline TourEveryone needs a little adventure once in a while, and if you’re looking for your little adventure there are two perfect opportunities in Nashville. Whether you want to plan your vacation around these activities or simply include them in your itinerary, we’re happy to help you out!

The first activity you should consider is the Eco Adventure Canopy Zipline Tour. This one-hour adventure is a totally safe way to get a unique bird’s-eye view of the landscape of Nashville. While riding the zipline, you’ll soar through the trees in your safety harness and feel an adrenaline rush like no other you have ever felt before! During the tour your guide will highlight various aspects of Nashville’s unique ecosystem and point out native plants and animals.

If flying through the trees doesn’t sound like your kind of adventure, you should consider the Canopy Challenge Course. This course is designed for a couple or a group of people and the goal is to promote teamwork and creative thinking with challenging ropes courses. While some of the courses are only a few feet off the ground, others are suspended forty feet in the air. These incredible ropes courses are designed to be both physically and mentally challenging, but you’re sure to have some fun, too!

New York City Offers Adventurous Outdoor Tours

July 20, 2009 by  
Filed under VME

Central Park ToursCombine the elements of outdoor recreation and big-city living by embarking on one of New York City’s outdoor tours. Whether by bike or by foot, you’re certain to see the stunning New York City skyline and a host of historically significant landmarks while enjoying the great outdoors in the process.

For those who enjoy biking, the two-hour Central Park Guided Bike Tour takes you past Central Park’s major attractions: Strawberry Fields, Shakespeare Garden, Belvedere Castle, and more. The serenity of the location complements the bustling downtown location perfectly, giving you the peace you deserve during your tour while a knowledgeable guide presents interesting facts and tidbits about the area. For an informative and active tour during your trip to the Big Apple, experience the Central Park Guided Bike Tour.

Add another element to your Central Park tour by visiting your favorite movie scenes. The Central Park Movie Scenes Guided Bike Tour takes you for two hours through the locations of such famous movies as Wall Street and Rosemary’s Baby. For the entire length of the tour, your brain will be filled with movie trivia and interesting facts about these famous flicks. As an unbeatable combination of exercise and sightseeing, the Central Park Movie Scenes Guided Bike Tour is designed for the movie buff in all of us.

You can also choose to visit the Big Apple’s most historical sites on foot. The Wall Street Financial Crisis Tour takes you on a two-hour tour through historic Wall Street in New York City, where you’ll learn about several of the factors that have led to financial crises now and in years past. You’ll also gain insight into the life of a Wall Street trader while you visit the Wall Street Stock Exchange, the Federal Hall, the Federal Reserve, and much more.

With so many sights to see, an outdoor tour past New York City’s major attractions is the perfect activity on your summer vacation in the Big Apple!

Get in Touch with Nature in Nashville

June 25, 2009 by  
Filed under Nashville TN, VME

Loretta Lynn’s Dude RanchSummer is the perfect time to explore the natural beauty of the Nashville area. In between catching a show at the Grand Ole Opry and exploring the city, take some time to get in touch with nature at these area attractions.

Experience a wildlife oasis in the heart of the city with a visit to the Nashville Zoo. Named one of the top zoos in the country, this zoo is the perfect destination for a day of family fun. This zoo contains traditional animal exhibits like giraffes, elephants, lions, tigers and more as well as exciting rare animals including macaws from South America, a meerkat colony from Africa, and white-cheeked and siamang gibbons. The exhibits house the animals in environments similar to their native homes, making the animals comfortable. The zoo is open year round and has special summer hours lasting until October. A gift shop and restaurant are also available on site.

If you are feeling like roughing it for a day or two, check out Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch. This attraction contains an RV park, paddle boats, a plantation home, and a theater. Visitors can tour the home, and Loretta Lynn fans will love spending time in the Coal Miner’s Daughter museum that contains artifacts, photographs, and more from Lynn’s life and career. After exploring the property, you can stop in at the Rock-a-billy Cafe or snack shop for lunch or dinner, and you can visit the gift and T-shirt shop on site to grab some souvenirs to commemorate your time here. If you time your trip right, Loretta Lynn may even be performing a concert!

If you are ready to experience some thrills in the Tennessee forest, check out the Eco Adventure Canopy Zipline Tour. This excursion provides you a guide who will take you deep into the forest. You will be securely strapped into a harness, and then you are ready to sail across the canopy for a thrilling adventure! You will have the chance to spot a variety of native wildlife, and your tour guide will describe the eco-system around you and the challenges it faces. This activity is fun for both the young and old and is sure to be a memorable part of your vacation!

Plan a Summer Adventure in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

June 19, 2009 by  
Filed under Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge TN, VME

Waterfall Jeep TourAdventures await in the great outdoors and the Smoky Mountains that surround Gatlinburg, Tennessee! With the wide variety of outdoor attractions the area offers, you will be sure to find the perfect activity with the appropriate skill level for everyone in your group. Whether planning a group retreat or some quality family time, exploring the outdoors together offers a bonding experience like none other. Check out the ideas below, and don’t forget to pack the sunscreen!

River rafting provides a fun experience unparalleled by other river activities. Experience the thrill of rushing rapids on the Pigeon River Rafting experience. The river features Class III rapids which are appropriate for both novice and experienced rafters. Your experience includes two hours on the river with an experienced guide that will show you the best way to raft and make sure you have an unforgettable time. The river experience begins in Hartford, Tennessee, and transportation is provided from Gatlinburg. The rafting center also features a volleyball court, gift and souvenir shops, and showers. The Pigeon River Rafting experience is a great way to enjoy the beautiful Tennessee outdoors and summer sun.

For a unique exploration experience, the Waterfall Jeep Tour is an ideal choice. This experience takes place by the Nantahala River in North Carolina. It is a two-hour guided tour in a Jeep that features a clear Plexiglas roof to make for optimal viewing. The tour takes you through the area mountains to the various beautiful natural waterfalls in the area, giving you ample time for picture taking, while your knowledgeable guide provides information about the sights and area. Snacks are included as well as any needed equipment. The Jeep can hold up to passengers, making it perfect for smaller groups and families.

For a relaxing activity, try the 1 Hour Horseback Ride in nearby Walland, Tennessee. This experience is perfect for novices as the horses are gentle and friendly and the terrain is mostly flat. However, if you are an experienced rider, you can choose an advanced tour. During your ride, you will explore around the base of the Smoky Mountains with the chance to see area wildlife as well as the beautiful scenery. An experienced and knowledgeable guide will lead the way and provide pertinent background information. Getting to the stables does require a short drive from Gatlinburg, but you will find that the experience is well worth it.