EAT There’s much to experience in scenic Sioux Falls. Groups will enjoy Looks Marketplace, which has been a Sioux Falls staple since 1883, has been featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” and is described as having a “legendary deli counter.” The establishment offers dine-in options and includes burgers, sandwiches, and pizza, among other comfort foods. Dine with a pleasant view of the waterfalls at Falls Overlook Cafe or try the traditional food fare of southern South Dakota at Urban Chislic. EXPLORE Take your group to the SculptureWalk, a 65-piece exhibit displayed year-round from Washin ..read more

Arkansas might not be what a person considers when thinking of the Old West, but this southern state has a Western flair that might surprise visitors, especially in places such as Fort Smith—once considered the westernmost frontier and where a judge who measured out cowboy justice once presided in his no-holds bar courtroom. Besides the history lessons, there is culture and charm associated with The Natural State, no less its natural beauty. Arkansas is home to 52 state parks, more than 2,300 lakes and reservoirs, and a landscape of rolling hills that are blanketed by green all spring and summ ..read more

LEARN Did you know Claremore has more museums per capita than any other city in the world? No matter your group’s historical interests, they’ll be sure to find an engaging learning experience here. At the J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum, see the world’s largest privately owned gun collection, with more than 12,000 firearms and thousands of other related Wild West artifacts. Or, head over to the campus of Rogers State University to tour the Oklahoma Military Museum. This intriguing museum tells the story of the more than 10,000 cadets who attended the military academy from 1919-71 throu ..read more

DINE OC Foodie Tours show groups how the locals eat in Ocean City, the home of stunning seafood, quaint wineries, and the Orange Crush, the city’s unofficial cocktail. The food tour company also offers self-guided tours with curated itineraries, an audio guide, and interviews with chefs. STAY Groups are well accommodated at the large Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums, located just a five-minute drive from the city’s famous 3-mile boardwalk. With special amenities such as an indoor ice rink (the only rink in the city), movie nights, an indoor pool, and game rooms, this stay offers groups ..read more

Surrounded by turquoise waters atop a small, rocky island in San Francisco Bay sits one of the nation’s most notorious prisons. Almost picturesque from afar, looks can be deceiving as visitors to the penitentiary- turned-national park get a glimpse into the darker shades of the American criminal justice system. On the opposite side of the country, in the heart of Philadelphia, another infamous penitentiary offers groups an experience that is both haunting (literally) and enlightening. Although separated by thousands of miles, both sites tell a story of justice, injustice, and life behind bars ..read more

Groups traveling along North Carolina’s breathtaking Crystal Coast will delight in the sun, sand, and unforgettable experiences to be found at Emerald Isle. This coastal playground offers plenty of scenic splendor by day and a vibrant night scene to extend the fun when the sun goes down. Natural Beauty “Emerald Isle is a picturesque family beach,” says Matt Zapp, town manager. “The amenities will be sure to spoil any beachgoer. The town’s motto is ‘Nice Matters!’ So, bring your loved ones and find out what it truly means to feel welcomed.” The star of the show is Emerald Isle’s spectacular coa ..read more

EXPLORE Via kayak or cruise, motorboat or sailboat, experience the expansive, breathtaking Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands. Bayfield is the gateway to the Apostle Islands—all 22 of them—and the National Lakeshore that includes 12 miles of mainland wilderness. The Apostle Islands offer a combination of some of the country’s best recreational boating and kayaking, with endless potential for discovery among the sea caves, trails, sandstone cliffs, and miles of beaches. In addition to the natural beauty, it is home to the nation’s largest and most complete collection of historic lighthouses ..read more

LEARN Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, located on a small island in the Ohio River, is an island paradise with a dramatic past. In 1805, the island’s Palladian mansion was headquarters for Aaron Burr’s military expedition to the Southwest and his treasonous plot to create a new country independent of the United States. Groups travel to the island via sternwheeler riverboat from Point Park. Groups can enjoy tours of the grounds, mansion, and museum, along with horse-drawn carriage rides. The island is open seasonally from May through October. WALK During walking tours of the Julia-A ..read more

The date is April 30, 1789. George Washington has just taken the oath of office to become the first president of the newly formed United States. The ceremony at Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York now over, the new chief executive makes his way to St. Paul’s Chapel, about five blocks away. Here, he offers a prayer for his nation and petitions heaven that he will not fail in the great responsibility now placed upon him. Washington, a pious man, believed the Deity was with him and his beleaguered army during the war for independence. Now he seeks the same help as the country’s first elected ..read more

Stretching 2,000 miles across the beautiful vistas of America’s rugged Western landscape, the Oregon Trail presents a series of sites for groups to explore. History buffs will appreciate the way sites have brought the stories of the thousands of pioneers who made this life-altering journey to life. Independence, Missouri, is regarded as the official jumping-off point to the West. Throughout the 19th century, the city was blanketed by thousands of emigrants each spring who were ready to embark on the Oregon Trail. Commotion, confusion, and excitement reigned as wagons were purchased, loaded, an ..read more