Spend Labor Day Weekend Viewing the Grand Canyon in the Air!
Labor Day weekend marks a great time for the sights of the Grand Canyon landscape. The red painted desert stretches on for miles, and you’ll see rock formations all throughout the ravine. Your sightseeing experience can be even better up in the air, and there are plenty of helicopters and planes awaiting your arrival for a bird’s eye view of the various canyon rims. Soar above the Colorado River by looking through the folowing tours.
Grand Kingdom Helicopter Tour – North & South Rim
See two sides of this natural landmark on a flying tour across cliffs and various vegetation. From 5,000 feet above, you’ll be able to view the Colorado River as it rushes around bends and twists in the rocky gaps. The color of the river will change depending on the mineral content of the water, appearing either aqua blue or brownish red. Don’t worry about a noisy ride, as the helicopter is one of the quietest aircrafts in the Grand Canyon area.
If you’d like to see all the sites of the South Rim, you can fly above the area inside the comfortable interior of a plane. Along the way, you can look for areas like the Navajo Indian Reservation, Zuni Point and Painted Desert. Each area has its own special sites, such as the tall Desert View Watchtower and historic Temple Butte.
If you decided on the South Rim Airplane Tour, you can always follow up with a view of the opposite side of the canyon. Explore via helicopter famous sights like the Dragon Corridor, which is located near the canyon’s center. The area is both the widest and deepest part, and you’ll be able to see the entire thing within minutes with your transportation.
See the sights of the canyon in all directions with these tours and more. Your Labor Day weekend couldn’t be more promising!
Werowocomoco Exhibition at Jamestown Settlement Provides Insight into 1600s Culture
For the first time in history, more than 60 artifacts that cover 10,000 years of Virginia’s Native American history will be displayed in the Jamestown Settlement museum. Werowocomoco was the name of the settlement where the legendary Chief Powhatan was living when colonists arrived in the area in 1607. It was at this time that the legendary of John Smith and Pocahontas was born. Guests visiting this museum while the exhibition is being displayed from May 15th to November 15th will get to see artifacts that are relevant to that time. It’s an incredible opportunity to learn more about the Native Americans who inhabited the area in the 1600s and their relationship with the colonists.
If you go to Jamestown Settlement to learn about Native American history during the 1600s, you will also be interested in the settlement itself. This settlement is an authentic replication of the colonists’ living arrangements complete with costumed actors who show guests what life was like for the colonists. Also at the settlement, are replicas of the three ships that colonists arrived on for guests to explore. This settlement is an amazing piece of history to explore.
When you’ve finished exploring the 1600s, move on to the 18th century at Colonial Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg offers guests the chance to explore historic buildings dating back to the early 1800s where some of history’s most important figures lived as well as area’s the courthouse and gaol. Costumed residents help bring the time to life for visitors and make Colonial Williamsburg seem like the bustling 18th century town it once was.
Nashville to Reopen Opry House for Grand Ole Opry Showings
August 31, 2010 by admin
Filed under Nashville TN, VME
The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville will be returning to the Grand Opry House on September 28, moving from the Historic Ryman Auditorium, where the show has taken place the majority of the past few months. Due to flooding of the city in May, the Grand Ole Opry had to move to the Ryman Auditorium, which gave the show a different, historical setting and the same great performance. Of course, fans of the Ryman can expect to see the Opry returning to the auditorium for the winter season. If you’d like to see a show now or in late September, you can set up your Nashville lodging beforehand.
For a mix of Southern traditions with your Opry performance, you can visit one of Nashville’s homes with the Belle Meade Plantation Tour. The restored mansion was built back in 1853, and it is well-known for it’s race horse breeding, with famous thoroughbred horses. Other highlights of the tour include a visit to the Durham Station Log Cabin, Carriage House and Stables, an antique carriage collection, and more.
You can see another beautiful mansion on the two hour Fontanel Mansion Tour, which covers 27,000 square feet and is the home of Country Music Hall of Fame member Barbara Mandrell. The tour is self-guided, so you’re free to roam about the home to see the enormous indoor pool, sprawling hiking trails, and much more. The mansion is recognizable for the camera shooting site of several music videos.
Nashville is loaded with activities and attractions for the young and the old, and whether you decide to do these activities or others, you’ll be enthralled with the history of music!
Escape to Memphis this Labor Day Weekend
Labor Day Weekend is fast approaching, and it’s the perfect time to head out of town for a short break from your everyday experiences. Go out and have some fun in beautiful Memphis, TN. Memphis has several great opportunities for unique vacation activities that will make your Labor Day an occasion you will always remember.
Memphis Riverboats Sightseeing and Dinner Cruises
The Memphis Riverboats Sightseeing and Dinner Cruises offer you the chance to take in the beautiful sights of Memphis from an authentic paddlewheel boat. See the sights that inspired some of Mark Twain’s most famous work as you drift along the river. The sightseeing cruise will give you the history of the area as you go while the dinner cruise will give you a fantastic meal and the chance to do some dancing. Each is a fun way to spend an afternoon or evening on the river.
Elvis Presley’s Graceland Platinum Experience
For Elvis fans, there is no better Memphis activity than Elvis Presley’s Graceland Platinum experience. This adventure will give you an audio tour of the Graceland Mansion, a self-guided tour of Elvis’ custom airplanes, and it will take you to Elvis’ final resting place in the Meditation Garden. After this tour, you will have a better understanding of the life of Elvis and intimate knowledge of the place he called home.
For visitors interested in the musical history of Memphis, the Sun Studio Guided Tour is an excellent vacation activity. This tour will give you insight into the studio where legends like Elvis, Johnny Cast, and Jerry Lee Lewis got their start. When the studio opened in 1950, it became the center for the blues and country mix that we now know as rock ‘n roll. Your tour will tell you all about the famous musicians who recorded there and will even give you the chance to see Elvis Presley’s microphone where he recorded his first song.
Delight in Chattanooga Adventures with Rafting and Racing Attractions!
You can fully experience the thrills of Chattanooga on land or sea with great opportunities by raft or even go-kart. The Chattanooga area is packed full of natural attractions, scenic terrain and a beautiful cityscape. Once you’ve made it to the downtown area, you can explore by shopping, dining or otherwise having a great time observing the local attractions. You won’t want to leave once you get here, and you easily join in the fun by booking the following activities.
Ocoee Middle River Whitewater Rafting Adventure
Gear up with your swimsuit as you prepare for this wild rafting trip down the river. You’ll begin your thrilling excursion in Ducktown with free transportation down to the roaring river in a deep ravine between the Tennessee Smoky Mountains. The trip in the water lasts approximately two hours, with a variety of high intensity rushes and cool, calm waters along the way. All equipment, such as life jackets, helmets and oars will be provided.
Ocoee Whitewater Rafting Adventure
You can see different parts of the Chattanooga area with this rafting excursion, which carries your raft on the upper part of the river. Since the river is controlled by a dam, the water flows high all through the summer, and you’ll be able to encounter the challenge of the watery rapids at their biggest. Your guide will lead you past rapids with such names as, “Let’s Get Wet,” “Slam Dunk” and “Humongous.”
Raccoon Mountains Go-Kart Caverns
If you’d like to try excitement on land, you can fulfill your dream by participating in this activity which lets you fly around corners and challenge other racers on the 630-foot track. The Go-Karts are officially licensed by NASkarts, making them some of the cleanest, quietest engines in their class. You can choose between a twin-seat or single-seat.
The best land and water activities are waiting for you in the exciting Tennessee area. Live it up in Chattanooga before the summer ends.
Holy Terror Days Bring Old West Fun to Mount Rushmore
If you’re looking for a great time filled with Old West traditions and excitement, come on down to Keystone, SD for Holy Terror Days. Holy Terror Days offers guests three whole days of fun activities like an authentic chuckwagon BBQ, history reenactments, family country street dance, and other great entertainment. Everyone can join in the fun from September 10th to the 12th in downtown Keystone for a vacation experience they will treasure for years to come!
For more Old West fun, check out Big Thunder Gold Mine in Keystone, SD. This gold mine is one of the few authentic gold mines left in the area and offers you the chance to learn what it was like to be a gold miner during the legendary gold rush era. You will tour part of the mine while your guide tells you about the people who worked there and the feeling of the times. You will even get the option to pan for gold with this mining adventure.
Don’t end your Old West experience at the mines. You can get more western traditions and fun with the Flying T Chuckwagon Supper and Show. This exciting show will give you an authentic chuckwagon experience combined with comedy and music that is appropriate for your whole family. Sing along with the cowboys and enjoy a delicious meal of barbecue roast beef, grilled chicken, and other southern favorites. It’s an evening of western entertainment that will take you back to a simpler time.
Nashville African American Street Festival Provides Cultural Wisdom
August 27, 2010 by admin
Filed under Nashville TN, VME
Join the over 100,000 who will gather in Nashville for the 28th annual African Street Festival taking place from September 17-19. The event’s activities will all be held at Tennessee State University, and you’ll have plenty of time to experience everything the festival offers, including a children’s pavilion, authentic African dining opportunities, music from genres like Jazz, Gospel and Reggae, and dancing. You won’t want to miss the event, and you can get prepared by booking lodging in nearby hotels.
In addition to the African culture, you can also experience the traditions of Nashville by attending a performance like the Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theater which celebrates authentic country music by music artists of the past. Sit back in your seat for a touch of humor and big talent as special guests like Tommy Cash, Dianna Murrell, and many more sing their melodies. On top of the performance, the theater also provides an delectable buffet with four meat and pasta entrees, crisp salads, buttery rolls, and much more.
For another show, you can go to the Opry Country Classics, which reenacts the traditions and history of Nashville through talented live musical performances by famous country music artists. The tunes will be a sweet song to your ears as you hear both old and contemporary forms of country songs.
Fulfill your dreams in the Nashville area by experiencing both foreign and local culture. The music and history will make your vacation experience enjoyable.
Charlie Parker Jazz Festival Jazzes Up NYC
Whether you’re a fan of the late Charlie Parker or just a fan of jazz music, you’re going to want to be a part of the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in New York City. Two days of free music played by some of the finest jazz musicians in the world will be featured in the neighborhoods where jazz musician Charlie Parker lived and worked. Music starts at 3:00 pm on August 28th and 29th, so you will also have some time for shopping and sightseeing while you’re in the city. There’s no better city to experience jazz than New York!
If you’re in New York for music, you won’t want to miss the chance to see a spectacular musical on Broadway. Come Fly Away is a showcase of Frank Sinatra’s beautiful music combined with the choreography of Tony Award winner Twyla Tharp to create a love story like nothing you’ve seen before. Experience a first kiss, the first dance, and the journey to love of four different couples in this beautiful musical.
Don’t bother stopping with one musical when you know you want more. Plan on going to see one of Broadway’s most famous productions, Wicked – the Musical. Wicked is based on the beloved characters in the Wizard of Oz. You will fall in love with Elphaba and Glenda in this quirky musical that fills you in on why the Wicked Witch of the West was so evil. You may be surprised at the answers. The music and talented performers will weave a tale for you that is as unforgettable as it is touching and amusing.
Plan a Quick Getaway for Labor Day Weekend in Las Vegas!
Labor Day is coming up soon in Las Vegas, and you won’t want to miss your chance to stop by this dazzling city to see all it has in store for you. There’s entertainment and performances on almost every corner along with a great selection of cultural restaurants to dine in. Whether you’re planning a day or week-long excursion, your stop in Sin City will make memories. While you’re here, you can participate in some of the exciting tours offered to ensure a view of the majority of the city areas.
Neon and Lights Motorcoach Tour
To see the city in its natural habitat, take a tour of Vegas at night, where you can appreciate the glittering logos and lighted entrances to the fullest. As you travel on city streets by way of luxurious motorcoach, you’ll be able to take in sights like the downtown area’s Glitter Gulch, the Bellagio’s beautiful arena including decor and water fountains, and the Mirage’s powerful volcanoes. Each sight adds a new perspective to the city on this great six hour tour.
See the tops of skyscrapers on this fantastic tour above the city lights. As you begin, you’ll be welcomed with a glass of champagne. Afterward, you can board the streamlined Papillon’s A Star executive jet-helicopter to see sights like the Bellagio fountains, New-New York skyline, the stretching Eiffel Tower of Paris, Pyramid of Luxor, and much, much more. Get a bird’s eye view of the city.
Take a scenic getaway from the city to see the massive Hoover Dam and the beauty surrounding it. On this five hour tour that welcomes cameras and camcorders, your tour guide will narrate as you see sites like Lake Mead, the world’s largest man made lake, Boulder Canyon, historic architecture, and Hoover Dam itself. The dam is over 700 feet tall weighs millions of pounds.
Book your activities for a fun-filled Labor Day weekend and make the most of your free time. You’ll love every moment in this great vacation destination.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Gives Kids an Exciting Halloween
If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Halloween that will thrill your children without frightening them, travel to Walt Disney World Theme Parks for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. This event is scheduled to start September 14th and continue until November 1st with many exciting opportunities for your kids to have fun dressing up in their costumes and enjoying the holiday. Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade, Happy HalloWishes fireworks show, Disney characters in special Halloween costumes, and special themes and effects throughout Magic Kingdom transport you and your kids straight to a Halloween wonderland. There’s no place on earth as magical as Disney World, and this special celebration of the holiday is no exception!
If you’re looking for more ways to entertain your kids while you’re in Orlando, check out the Arabian Nights Dinner Attraction. This exciting dinner and show combination features gorgeous horses, detailed costumes, stunning tricks, and a three-course meal designed to please your taste buds. The dinner show takes you into the world of Princess Sheherazade to celebrate her birthday in a Broadway-style show that will dazzle you. You couldn’t ask for a better way to spend an evening with your family.
For some day time entertainment, stop by Fun Spot Family Action Park. This park offers family-friendly activities like go karts and arcade games. With an “unlimited armband” you and your kids can ride go karts all day long. This park also has several other rides that are designed for people of all ages, so no one is left out of the fun. You will love the way this park creates just the right atmosphere for you to spend some quality time with your kids during your time in Orlando.
