Students Can Look Forward to Fun in Atlanta

By Britney Pieta

Atlanta, one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S., is known as the birthplace of the civil rights movement. The Centennial Olympic Games were held in this city in 1996 and the site has been redeveloped for tourists. Atlanta is one of the greenest and cleanest cities in the U.S.

William Pate, president and CEO of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, said: “Atlanta is a top destination for entertainment. With more than $650 million worth of new attractions added since 2005, Atlanta educates, entertains and enlightens students from across the globe.”

Top Student Travel Attractions in Atlanta

The National Museum of Patriotism, with more than 20 exhibits and interactive displays, is an emotional journey through the American experience. The One America exhibit is the only 9/11 exhibit in a museum in the Southeast.

Harriet Tubman African American Museum is named after the “Black Moses” who led hundreds of slaves to freedom. It has grown over the years to become the largest institution of its type in the state and is an educational and cultural resource for students.

World of Coca-Cola offers student groups the chance to taste 70 different beverages, enjoy a 4-D theater and see a restored 1880s soda fountain.

Centennial Olympic Park has year-around programming featuring concerts, activities and festivals, making it a great place for students.

Stone Mountain Park, 15 minutes from downtown Atlanta, is home to the world’s largest piece of exposed granite, with the images of Confederate heroes Robert E. Lee, “Stonewall” Jackson and Jefferson Davis. From a laser show and cable car ride to an antebellum plantation and musical entertainment, this natural wonderland offers 3,200 acres of excitement for student groups.

White Water Atlanta, the South’s largest water park, is located about 20 minutes from downtown in Cobb County, and is open daily from June through August. Not only are there slides, pools and all types of aquatic rides, the park shows Friday night “Dive-In Movies,” where students can watch first-run movies from inner tubes in the wave pool. Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, an all-day fun park, offers roller coasters and other thrill rides.

Georgia Aquarium, the world’s largest aquarium, boasts more animals than any other aquarium with 60 exhibits in more than eight million gallons of water. The Atlanta Zoo features more than 200 species of animals from the African plains and Asian forests. The endangered giant pandas are a must see.

Popular Sightseeing Tours in Atlanta

At Inside CNN Atlanta, students can take a behind-the-scenes walking tour through the studios of the 24-hour global TV network and experience a live broadcast.

A free walking tour of the four-block Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, given by U.S. park ranger, will show you the slain civil rights leader’s home, Ebenezer Baptist Church and the tomb of King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, at the Martin Luther King Center for Nonviolent Social Change. A short film on King’s life is shown at the Visitors Center.

The “Gone with the Wind” tour allows students to enjoy a 60-minute tour of the Gone with the Wind Historic District, featuring the stories behind the South’s most famous epic romance and including costumed step-on guides. This tour also allows students to see Margaret Mitchell’s house offering visitors a 90-minute guided tour. The tour tells the story of the author, her book and the making of the movie.

Performance Venues in Atlanta

Places that are always more than happy to host student performance include: Stone Mountain Park, Atlanta Braves/Turner Field, Underground Atlanta, High Museum of Art, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Atlanta Hawks & Thrashers, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Imagine It, The Children’s Museum of Atlanta and Wren’s Nest.

Student Accommodations in Atlanta

There are more than 94,000 hotel rooms in the city of Atlanta and more than 12,000 rooms within walking distance of Centennial Olympic Park, which is located at the center of downtown Atlanta. The close proximity of Atlanta’s major attractions to the downtown hotels makes Atlanta the perfect spot for student travelers. Students are able to walk right from their hotels to the tourism district without having to depend on public transportation or time restraints.

Food and Dining

Planet Hollywood is popular for its pizzas and burgers. It is a great place to entertain student groups. Hard Rock Cafe is a unique dining experience, with its walls depicting famous rock and roll bands that have either performed in or came from the South.

Southern cuisine can be found at PittyPat’s Porch, able to host up to 300 students. PittyPat got its name from the movie Gone with the Wind. The restaurant is decorated with memorabilia from the film.

The Varsity is the world’s largest drive-in restaurant, covering more than two acres. It can accommodate 600 cars and over 800 people inside. Students can enjoy things like hotdogs, chili, fried pies and frosted orange drinks.

Student-Friendly Festivals and Events

National Black Arts Festival, held in the spring, allows students to experience the dance, film, theater and music, as well as visual and literary arts of Africa and the African Diaspora.

Atlanta Jazz Festival, held around Memorial Day weekend, is a two-day event with nationally acclaimed artists, plus arts & crafts, food and merchandise.

In Atlanta, one of the South’s most dynamic cities, student travel groups can encounter historic sites associated with Martin Luther King Jr., tour the headquarters of Coca-Cola and CNN, relive the days of Gone With the Wind and have loads of fun at countless student-friendly attractions.

Students Find Seaside Fun in Portland, Maine

By Britney Pieta

Portland is Maine’s biggest city and is called “The Phoenix,” an apt symbol for a city devastated by fire and rebuilt several times since its founding by English colonists in 1632. A city cast in red brick and stone, it abounds with cobbled streets and squares. The redevelopment of Portland’s harbor, known for its fishing industry, has revitalized Maine’s largest metropolitan center.

Top Student Attractions in Portland

The largest and oldest art museum in Maine is the Portland Museum of Art.

The museum’s collection of more than 17,000 objects is housed in three historic buildings. Students will see paintings by artists such as Winslow Homer.

The Maine Historical Society Museum features changing exhibitions and programs spanning more than five centuries of Maine life. The collections feature art, artifacts and documents that bring Maine history to life.

Southworth Planetarium, located on the Southworth University of Maine campus, lets students discover the wonders of the universe. Students can explore the magic of science through such exhibits as the Illusion Table and Spectroscope.

Funtown Splashtown USA is the largest family-themed water and amusement park in New England. The park is home to such attractions as Excalibur, the largest wooden roller coaster in Northern New England, and Dragon’s Descent, the tallest thrill ride in Northern New England.

Popular Sightseeing Tours in Portland

Students will go on a one-hour land/sea adventure of Portland on the Downeast Duck Adventure cruise. The land portion covers historic and scenic landmarks of the city. The sea tour navigates Casco Bay with its lighthouses, historic forts and the Calendar Islands.

Odyssey Whale Watch cruise is great fun for student travel groups, who enjoy the ocean air, narration and sights of Casco Bay on a journey 20 miles out to whale feeding grounds. On the Lucky Catch Cruise, students will witness a lobster haul and may participate in setting lobster traps. Students will learn all about lobsters, such as ways to cook them.

Portland Freedom Walking Tour, run by Maine Freedom Trails Inc., comprises 16 marked sites and honors people associated with the Underground Railroad and anti-slavery movement.

The Discovery Trolley Tour, run by Portland Discovery, is a 90-minute narrated tour spotlighting Portland’s diverse history and architecture. The childhood home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Victoria Mansion, and the bustling Old Port are just a few of the landmarks students will see as they travel from city streets to the rocky coast. Students will also get to view Portland Head Light, Maine’s oldest lighthouse.

Performance Venues in Portland

Maine Mall is interested in supporting local youth and their talents and is open to different kinds of performances by students.

The Portland Museum of Art has an extensive program of events for visitors. Any kind of student performance must be related to art, be educational and be scheduled in advance through the education department.

Student Accommodations in Portland

Portland has 2,000 hotel rooms, there are 6,000 in Greater Portland.

Holiday Inn by the Bay is within walking distance of the Portland Art Museum, Victoria Mansion and the Civic Center. The Hilton Garden Inn is perfectly situated in the city’s Old Port District and offers fantastic views of Casco Bay and Portland’s working waterfront.

The Eastland Park is conveniently located in the heart of downtown. The hotel is surrounded by outstanding restaurants and museums, including the Portland Museum of Art, and just minutes away from the Old Port waterfront.

Food and Dining

IHOP is a great place for students to go to eat breakfast, being that Maine is famous for and is a top exporter of blueberries and maple syrup.

Ricetta’s Pizza is a popular gourmet pizza place that cooks its pizza in a wood-fired brick oven and has a lunchtime buffet that is sure to fill you up and satisfy your appetite.

DiMillo’s Floating Restaurant is famous for its fresh seafood, beef and Italian food. If you like to eat outdoors, this restaurant located on the water, will give you the chance to see and hear the sounds of Portland Harbor.

Student-Friendly Festivals and Events

Old Port Festival, held annually in June, is Maine’s largest one-day festival. It features multiple music stages, Maine-made arts and crafts, and great food.

In Portland, student travel groups will get to taste Maine’s famous seafood, cruise along the state’s rocky coast and learn about its treasured maritime traditions. They’ll no doubt come home with loads of pictures capturing memories of this city by the sea.

Guest Bloggers Sought for Student Travel E-magazine

InSite on Student Travel, the monthly e-magazine for anyone involved in the student group travel market, is seeking guest bloggers to share their opinions and expertise on all things student travel.

Launched in late 2009, InSite is distributed via email to 15,000 teachers, principals, band & choir directors and youth group leaders.  Each edition contains vibrant destination features about top domestic and international student travel locales, updates on trends and developments affecting student travel groups, special offers from student tour companies and opinion editorial.

Bloggers and student travel professionals seeking to share their knowledge, contact Managing Editor Randy Mink.

Students Hit the Road to Tulsa, Oklahoma

By Britney Pieta

Tulsa, the second largest city in Oklahoma, is located on the Arkansas River in the northeastern part of the state. When oil was discovered in 1901, Tulsa quickly became one of the world’s leading oil capitals. The city also is known for its rich Native American heritage. Student groups will find Tulsa a great place for their next trip.

Top Student Travel Attractions in Tulsa

Students at the Gilcrease Museum can see paintings that tell the story of western North America and Native Americans, including works by such artists as Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. Philbrook Museum of Art exhibits more than 8,500 works and is considered one of America’s top art museums. The collection includes European art and Native American artifacts.

The Tulsa Air and Space Museum chronicles the incredible aerospace heritage of Tulsa. Along with tours and a visit to the planetarium, students can launch a simulated NASA space shuttle mission and try the Space Maneuvering Unit, which gives the feel of what it is like to be weightless.

Tulsa’s Zoo and Living Museum is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, with nearly 2,800 animals representing 436 species from all over the world. The zoo’s botanical collection is situated on 84 landscaped areas.

Stop and smell the roses at the Tulsa Rose Garden, home of over 10,000 varieties of roses. Students groups can learn about plants through lectures, shows and special events. Another great place to enjoy nature is Utica Square, a shopping area in Tulsa’s midtown and one of the city’s most treasured attractions. It is known for its beautiful manicured gardens and trees.

One of Tulsa’s most visited recreational areas is River Parks. Here you can walk, run, bike or skate along its 20 miles of trails along the Arkansas River. Student travel groups can enjoy such activities as picnics, fishing and horseback riding.

Big Splash Water Park can provide your youth group with a whole day of fun and entertainment. Students will enjoy Oklahoma’s largest wave pool, five water slides and a water roller coaster.

Philtower Boston Avenue Methodist Church, located in downtown Tulsa, is considered to be one the best examples of religious Art Deco architecture in the United States and has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Popular Sightseeing Tours in Tulsa

On “Travel the Tulsa Tunnels” (a walking tour), a Bandana Tours guide leads your student group around and under the streets of downtown Tulsa. See buildings dating from the oil boom days of the early 20th century and sculptures, murals and paintings in and near these downtown buildings. Learn about Native Americans, cowboys and oil barons who helped shape the city’s history.

On the “Tulsa Time Tour,” a historical and architectural tour, hear about and visit the sites that tell the story of Tulsa from its beginning to the present day. See the lobbies of historic buildings, mansions built by the oil barons in the 1920s and visit historic Greenwood, home of a thriving African-American community in the early 20th century. The tour also looks at chainsaw art scattered throughout Tulsa neighborhoods.

Performance Venues in Tulsa

At Woodland Hills Mall, one of the largest malls in Tulsa, groups can perform in the common areas. At River Parks, the Reynolds Amphitheater hosts many concerts for student groups with seating that looks out on the downtown Tulsa skyline.

Student Accommodations in Tulsa

There are approximately 13,000 hotel rooms scattered across the city. Popular budget hotels are located on South 79th East Avenue, South Yale Avenue and East Skelly Drive. Affordable choices include the Tulsa Econo Lodge Inn on South 79th East Avenue and the Microtel Inn on East Admiral Place.

A little more expensive are the Holiday Inn City Center and Doubletree Hotel on West 7th Street, which are close to the Tulsa Convention Center and the city’s entertainment and business districts. Near the Greenwood Cultural Center is the Holiday Inn Express Hotel on West Cameron Street. The Courtyard by Marriott on South 79th East Avenue is a short drive from top attractions like Big Splash Water Park.

Food and Dining in Tulsa

Dave and Buster’s Restaurant, a great place for students, not only offers food but an arcade to make your dining experience fun and entertaining.

Cracker Barrel, a store and restaurant, offers home-style country cooking and welcomes student groups. Hideaway Pizza, serving pasta and sandwiches as well as pizza, also welcomes student groups.

If desserts are your favorite part of the meal, try Village Inn, which is known for its pies. Don’t miss out on their pecan pie, one of Oklahoma’s best known desserts and a Southern favorite.

Student-Friendly Festivals and Events in Tulsa

Tulsa’s Oktoberfest is considered one of the top 10 Oktoberfest celebrations in the world. It features a wide range of arts & crafts, original polka bands from Germany, carnival rides and great German food.

The Tulsa Indian Art Festival in February celebrates Native American history and culture, with artists converging from all over the country. This festival offers cultural demonstrations, educational exhibits, storytelling, authentic American Indian food and a student art exhibit.

In Tulsa, student groups have a chance to explore our nation’s Native American roots, learn about the oil boom days, visit some of the region’s top art museums and have fun at the same time.

Tips for Student Travelers – How to Stay Safe While Travelling

With the student tour season kicks into high gear as students seek to broaden their horizons through travel to foreign lands and the experience of new cultures. Whether jogging on the 9^th Arrondissement of Paris or strolling around historical Mexico City, many students spend their summer immersed in educational travel while their parents sit at home, anxiously awaiting their safe return. Explorica, a company creating educational tours that connect students to new cultures, languages, and people, is sharing tips for student travelers on how to stay safe while enjoying their educational experiences, and in turn, easing the minds of worried parents.

Tips for Student Travelers:

-          Before traveling, (preferably 4-6 weeks ahead) check with your doctor about being up-to-date with vaccinations and receive any treatments required for the destination of your travels.

-          Familiarize yourself with the local laws of the area where you are traveling. Nothing is worse than finding yourself in a situation where you have no idea how to react.

-          Have a valid and signed passport with you at all times. If you are asked for identification at any point, taking it everywhere prevents you from being hassled.

-          Pack as lightly as possible. It is difficult to get around easily and enjoy your freedom with a heavy bag dragging you down.

-          At airports and terminals, wear your backpack on your front. While you may not look very cool, at least you won’t leave yourself open to pickpockets!

-          Do not carry large sums of money with you. Carry only what you think you will need in case of theft, and go to an ATM or bank when you need more.

-          Stay in groups. The bigger the better. That way, you are less of a target and if you get lost, at least you aren’t alone.

Tips for Parents of Student Travelers:

-          Check with your insurance company to make sure your student is covered in the country they are visiting. If they are not, find a plan that does!

-          If your student is traveling to a place where they don’t know the native language, help them learn key phrases, such as asking for a bathroom, directions or the police.

-          Know every detail possible about your child’s trip. If there is an itinerary, be sure to keep a copy for yourself.

-          Take down all emergency contact information from trip leaders and give the trip coordinator your contact information at any time of day.

-          Create a chain of communication with other parents who have students in the group. If all the parents needed to be informed to anything while their students are away, the chain will make sure that no parent is left out of the loop.

Explorica considers the safety of student travelers to be the highest priority. From performing rigorous safety checks, to providing both constant on-tour safety expertise and immediate on-site assistance, the safety of our student travelers is our primary concern. Steps taken to assure student safety include:

-                      24/7 in-house emergency service line.  No outsourcing to an answering service.

-                      Criminal background checks on Tour Directors

-                      Rigorous safety and security training for Tour Directors

-                      First Aid training for Tour Directors

-                      Regular and thorough hotel safety and security inspections

Whichever student tour company you use for student travel, use the above checklist to ensure all necessary safety measures are enacted.

Exotic Attractions in Tampa Make for an Excellent Student Travel Outing

by Derek Orbik

Located on the Florida Gulf Coast, Tampa boasts great student travel attractions. A number of theme parks, aquariums, zoos, museums and botanical gardens will please youth travel groups. The rich multicultural heritage is evident in the Ybor City district, another top tourist attraction. Along with great food selection and fine accommodations, Tampa will not disappoint student travelers.

Tampa Attractions for Students

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers an exquisite experience for students. With over 2,000 animals, this interactive park gives students a chance to see and feed animals in their habitats, experience thrills and spills on coasters and water rides, and catch a number of live shows. To visit and enjoy all of the park’s attractions, students should allow at least one full day.

For a chance to experience exotic cats up-close, students can visit Big Cat Rescue, a non-profit sanctuary for abandoned and neglected big cats. More than 100 wild cats (14 species) include lions, tigers and cougars. Guided walking tours of the grounds and facilities are available.

The Florida Aquarium invites student groups to encounter more than 30,000 aquatic plants and animals. Visitors can also interact with some of the animals, such as stingrays and bamboo sharks.

Museum of Science and Industry, or MOSI, one of the largest science centers in the U.S., features more than 450 science exhibits and interactive stations along with the Saunders Planetarium. It also houses the only IMAX Dome Theater in Florida.

Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo attracts visitors with over 2,000 animals on display in eight diverse habitat zones. Students can also touch and feed a number of animals in specially designed interactive exhibits. Water play areas, shows, rides, restaurants and gift shops are also available.

Adventure Island, a sister park of Busch Gardens, features even more water slides and other water attractions. Live shows and beach volleyball provide additional entertainment.

For a cultural experience, Tampa Museum of Art offers permanent and traveling exhibits. The permanent works consist of Greek and Roman antiquities, paintings, photography, sculpture and works on paper.

University of South Florida provides two attractions that students will enjoy. USF Botanical Garden cultivates over 3,000 plants on its 10 acres of diverse gardens. Another attraction, the USF Contemporary Art Museum, includes over 3,000 artworks in a variety of media.

To explore Tampa’s rich ethnic heritage, students can visit Ybor City, a busy, mainly Hispanic district once known for its cigar factories. Two museums explore the cigar trade’s history. The Centro Ybor Museum also gives an account of the general history of Ybor City. The Ybor City Museum State Park chronicles the founder of the cigar industry, Vicente Martinez-Ybor, and the industry’s history. Cigar-rolling demonstrations can be seen on Fridays and Saturdays.

Sightseeing Tours in Tampa

“Ybor City Walking Tours,” offered by Ybor City State Museum, provide access to the museum, cigar workers’ houses and gardens. Tour companies, such as Anywhere Tours and Sabella Tours, offer general Ybor City tours.

Tampa also features nature tours. The famous Florida gator trapper, Alligator Bob, leads “Alligator Bob’s Ecotours” with nature walks by coasts and in forests to observe rare plants, birds and wildlife. Boat tours can also be arranged. “Canoe Escape,” provided by Canoe Escape Inc, offers two-hour to full-day canoe/kayak adventures on the Hillsborough River.

Tampa Venues for Student Performance Groups

For a concert venue, students can book with Centro Asturiano de Tampa and even arrange for a tour of this historic building beforehand. For productions such as opera and plays, Italian Club of Tampa has a small theater for 250 people. Nova 535 Unique Event Space provides a slightly larger venue with more amenities, which include a sound system, lighting and HD TVs.

Sun Dome Inc. is a great choice for sport events with affordable half-day prices. The Ritz Ybor offers a renowned concert venue in Ybor City with two dressing rooms and showers.

Festivals and Events for Students

Every New Year’s Day, a premier college football game is held at Raymond James Stadium. The Outback Bowl also features a pre-game show and live music outside the stadium.

Gasparilla Pirate Fest, one of the biggest annual events in Florida, lasts for about a month. It begins with the capture of Tampa by pirates, followed by a parade, live entertainment, Gasparilla Midway amusement park fun and finally an outbound voyage of the pirate ship. Gasparilla Pirate Fest arrives in late January or early February.

Ybor City celebrates its ethnic diversity with Fiesta Day in mid-February. Multicultural acts and cuisine are some of the features.

The Florida State Fair, a 12-day celebration in February, showcases the state’s agricultural industry, handicrafts and arts. Other attractions include rides, shows, indoor and outdoor exhibits, and races.

The Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, which coincides with the fruit’s harvest in late February or early March, celebrates the crop with exhibits, social events, live entertainment, parades and plenty of strawberry shortcake.

Tampa Cuisine for Students

For a taste of Cuba, students might want to visit La Tropicana Cafe. Authentic Cuban sandwiches and deviled crabs satisfy any appetite, while a hot cup of Cuban coffee makes for a tasty and energizing drink. For a more familiar dish, Taco Bus offers great tacos with daily specials. Open 24/7, students can pick up their favorite Mexican meal anytime.

Palace Pizza, a casual Italian joint, offers fresh pizzas along with other Italian specialties. For a quick dozen donuts, apple fritters, bagels or sandwiches, try Lighthouse Donuts.

Accommodations for a Good Night’s Sleep in Tampa

Reasonably-priced hotels include Howard Johnson Express Inn & Suites, Best Western Tampa, Best Inn (with free high-speed internet) and Quality Inn South Tampa (located five miles southeast of the airport).

Tampa offers a variety of great entertainment options. The cultural sightseeing tours, top-notch amusement parks and bountiful wildlife make for a great school trip that will be remembered until the next visit!

Managing Group Airfare for Student Trips

Organizing a student trip involving air flights will give you some additional flexibility in planning your group trip. In order to qualify as a ‘group’ you need to have 10-12 passengers willing to fly on the exact same flights.

The major benefit of a student travel group air bookings is that you are guaranteeing all participants will be paying the same fare, and getting the same flights. It also makes your destination logistics much easier to plan! Groups pay a deposit of $50-$100.00 per seat held, at the time of booking. Once a deposit is paid, groups are generally allowed 10% reduction in size, without penalty by the airline. Additionally, groups are not required to submit names and the balance until 35-45 days before departure. If you have your group participants book individual tickets, there are no guarantees on pricing and availability. Individual tickets need instant purchase and immediate, full payments, and are usually very restrictive.

As the airlines continue to add and increase their ancillary fees, it is important to work with your travel agent, or the airline, to determine what is actually included in your ticket price. Common questions include:

• How much are the fuel surcharges, and do they guarantee them?

• Do they charge baggage fees? In most cases, additional fees are dependent on the date of ticketing, and not when the group was originally booked.

Even if you book your group 11 months in advance, the airline does not consider your ticket ‘purchased’ until tickets are issued at 35-45 days before departure. As such, you are responsible to pay any fees in effect when the tickets are issued. It is important for every group leader to prepare their group for the possibility of fees changing before tickets are issued.

It has become more important than ever to make sure your group participants have student travel insurance to cover them in emergency situations. Almost all travel policies cover medical emergencies and offer some level of trip delay and baggage protection. However, there are a wide range of policies on the market. Policies range from simple flight protection, to large, comprehensive group policies, designed to cover every participant and aspect of your trip. We all hope our trip will be perfect, but travel insurance gives that extra layer of protection in case something does go wrong.

Written by Eric Howard, Manager Group Sales @ www.StudentUniverse.com

Students Speed Their Way to Fun and Enjoyment in Charlotte, North Carolina

By Britney Pieta

Charlotte, North Carolina is located in the Piedmont area and close to the South Carolina border. Named after Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg, the city is nicknamed “Queen City.” Charlotte is the second largest banking center in the United States. Amy Huntley, of Visit Charlotte, said, “It’s got the best of both worlds— the Southern hospitality of a small town combined with the cosmopolitan feel of a big city.”

Top Student Travel Attractions in Charlotte

NASCAR Hall of Fame, in Charlotte’s Center City, is a 150,000-square-foot attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. Designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, it has a new state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, artifact displays and interactive exhibits.

Students can view the world from 60 floors above at Bank of America Corporate Center, one of the tallest buildings in the Southeast and the focal point of Charlotte’s skyline. It is located at the crossroads of the city and where Charlotte was first founded.

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art offers a great art collection concentrating on mid-century modernism. Featured are influential artists like Picasso, Calder and Hepworth. Tours are available for student groups. Mint Museum of Art is North Carolina’s oldest art museum and has collections of world-class American, African and Asian art.

Levine Museum of the New South chronicles Southern history since the Civil War. Its signature “Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers” is the centerpiece.

Discovery Place is one of the South’s top hands-on and technology attractions with over 300 exhibits that students will find entertaining and educational. Favorites include the “Explore More Stuff” exhibit, a live rainforest and an IMAX Dome theater.

Paramount’s Carowinds theme park and water park is a great place for students who can’t get enough of fun under the sun. Student groups can try roller coasters like the Carolina Cobra and Carolina Cyclone. Cool off on the Rip Roarin’ Rapids and Whitewater Falls.

U.S. National Whitewater Center offers recreational activities like rafting, kayaking and hiking. If you are up for the challenge, there is also an adventure course where students can climb high ropes.

North Carolina Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the United States. Students can explore 500 exhibits, carefully constructed to resemble natural habitats of animals found in Africa and North America.

The Billy Graham Library traces the journey of Graham’s farm-boy roots to his role as one of the most adored ministers of all time. Tour the restored Graham Family Homeplace where Billy Graham grew up. View thousands of books from his personal collection. Students can be inspired and feel a sense of awe by “The Cross,” a 31-foot mural by renowned artist Thomas Kinkade.

Popular Sightseeing Tours in Charlotte

“Charlotte Center City Walking Tour,” run by volunteer guides, is a free 90-minute guided tour of Uptown Charlotte operated by Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. Beginning at the Charlotte Visitor Information Center, the tour includes the historic Fourth Ward residential district.

On the “Queen City Tour,” run by Queen City Tours and Travel Company, sightseers are taken to more than 50 places in the historic district of Charlotte. African-American heritage tours are also available as well as a NASCAR shuttle tour.

Performance Venues in Charlotte

Carowinds, a theme and water park a short drive from Uptown Charlotte, hosts student performance groups. South Park Mall is a high-end shopping mall on the south side of the city that lets student tour groups rent space.

Food and Dining in Charlotte

Fuel Pizza, an affordable quick stop in a fun uptown location, provides many different types of pizzas to satisfy student appetites. StrikeCity, a bowling center and restaurant in the EpiCentre, serves pizza and American dishes.

Student groups can eat at affordable prices and play arcade games at Dave and Busters Restaurant. Mert’s Heart and Soul Restaurant will serve you up a home cooked meal with Southern favorites like macaroni and cheese, cornbread and grits.

Student Accommodations in Charlotte

Uptown Charlotte has 16 hotels with 4,056 rooms. The city counts a total of 153 hotels with 20,254 rooms.

Uptown has many hotels within walking distance of a number of popular student travel destinations, including NASCAR Hall of Fame. Aloft Uptown Hotel at the EpiCentre features a modern look and style at an affordable price.

Great Wolf Lodge, located in Concord, NC, is a short drive from uptown and only minutes away from the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Students enjoy the huge indoor water park.

Student-Friendly Festivals and Events in Charlotte

Coca-Cola 600, a popular NASCAR race in May, takes place at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. This event includes parades, concerts and other entertainment.

Worldfest, which happens in June, is a celebration of different cultures from around the world, featuring music, art and crafts.

In Charlotte, student tour groups will experience the power of race cars, see where an influential religious leader grew up, and enjoy theme park thrills on an adventure that  will bring back memories for years to come.

Detroit Shows Student Groups Where History Meets Progress

Motown, Motor City, Hockeytown, Rock City, The D: Detroit, Michigan has gone by many names, all of which proudly proclaim this unrelenting city’s passion for Americana. The birthplace of the American automobile and Motown music, Detroit has a rich cultural heritage and a commitment to progress.

Student Group Tours of Detroit

The Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau offers a variety of downloadable audio walking tours on its website. They are offered free of charge and compatible with both iPod and mp3 devices. The “Downtown History & Architecture Tour” points out historically significant buildings and other spots. The “Downtown Detroit Entertainment Tour” offers 30 minutes of nonstop action as it points groups toward the countless ways to have fun in the city that gave birth to some of America’s best rock and roll. The tour covers the Detroit Opera House, historic Fox Theater and various clubs and restaurants.

The General Motors Renaissance Center (Ren Cen) offers behind-the-scenes tours of the facility that highlights the intertwined histories of General Motors and the city that has housed the American motor conglomerate since its inception. Visitors can conclude their tour with a ride in the s glass elevator up to the 72nd floor for a 360-degree view of the Detroit and Windsor, Ontario skylines. Students will also have the opportunity to view the GM showroom, which houses a collection of rare vintage, current model and concept cars.

Detroit Student Group Attractions

The Detroit Science Center offers countless hands-on science exhibits in addition to the Chrysler IMAX theater and Dassault Systemes Planetarium. Call ahead for an appointment, and students can also experience the Detroit Motorsport Museum, housed inside the Science Center.

Home of the famous Studio A, the Motown Historical Museum houses artifacts from the golden days of Motown. Student groups can walk through history and see where Marvin Gaye, the Temptations and countless other music legends recorded their hits. The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is another popular attraction.

The Detroit Institute of the Arts offers over 100 galleries of French Impressionist, German Expressionist and Flemish paintings in addition to its expansive American collection. One permanent exhibit that sets the DIA apart is its international collection of posters, photographs and films centered around the performing arts from 1890 through today.

In Dearborn, a short trip outside the city, students can experience a truly unique museum. The Henry Ford began with the idea of showcasing the evolution of everyday objects and inventions and expanded into one of the most expansive collections of innovation and design in the world. Student groups will also have the opportunity to see the limousines that transported various American presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy. Tours of the Ford Rouge Factory depart from museum and give student groups a chance to learn about automobile production. The Henry Ford also encompasses Greenfield Village, a 90-acre site filled with historically significant buildings transplanted from other parts of the country, including the Wright Brothers’ cycle shop.

Student Group Accommodations in Detroit

The Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Detroit is within walking distance of many of the city’s attractions and connected to the GM Renaissance Center. It offers an indoor pool and free wireless internet. Detroit’s historic Milner Hotel, originally built in 1917, is located steps y from many of the city’s major attractions and the Detroit People Mover, the downtown area’s transit system. The Radisson Riverfront, located on the shores of the Detroit River, offers impressive views of the city and an indoor pool.

The Atheneum offers student groups the opportunity to stay in Detroit’s legendary Greektown district, with close proximity to the People Mover and many of Detroit’s downtown sights.

Student Dining in Detroit

Student groups can enjoy a leisurely breakfast or quick afternoon bite at the Blue Star Cafe in the historic Marquette building. It offers sandwiches, salads and soups.

For a heaping helping of deep-dish history, student groups can make a stop at Buddy’s Pizza, a Detroit institution. Buddy’s is credited with the invention of the Detroit square deep-dish pizza and has remained a local favorite for over 50 years.

American Coney Island offers student groups more than just a quality hot dog at a reasonable price. Detroit’s oldest established business harkens back to days gone by with an extensive menu of traditional Coney Island fare. Students can peruse the collection of black-and-white photos and memorabilia as they decide between curly or chili-cheese fries to complement their red hot.

Annual Detroit Festivals & Events

The annual Arts & Apples Festival serves as the principal fundraiser for Paint Creek Center for the Arts. The festival features more that 250 artists from around the country, along with live entertainment, and takes place mid-September.

The Downtown Hoedown, held in May in downtown Detroit, is a showcase for new and local country artists, offering the opportunity to see newcomers alongside established favorites.

Every July, the Arab American National Museum, ACCESS, New Detroit and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra come together to present the city with the Concert of Colors. Held over two days, it celebrates diversity with food and music from all over the world.

Detroit Venues for Students Performance Groups

Modeled after the famed piazzas of Europe, Detroit’s Campus Martius Park serves as a meeting place for the city’s inhabitants. Considered the town square of Detroit, Campus Martius Park houses cafes, fountains, year-round concerts and a seasonal ice skating rink, in addition to its green space. Events may be held in the park with prior application and approval.

The Detroit Riverfront is a 2.5-mile stretch of thoroughfare designed to enhance the city’s pedestrian experience. Events, including the annual downtown Hoedown, are held year-round. There is plenty of space available for school group performances and arrangements can be made in advance through the Riverfront office.

Detroit’s Eastern Market spans six blocks and holds an open-air farmer’s market every Saturday. Performances are encouraged to entertain visitors (up to 40,000) that visit the market every Saturday. Registration information and an application can be obtained by contacting the Eastern Market office.

Detroit’s focus on blazing a trail into the future along with its commitment to honoring its significant history make it an educational and eclectic destination for student group travel.

St. Louis Abounds with Student-Friendly Sights

Home to the 630-foot Gateway Arch, the tallest monument in the United States, St. Louis has plenty of sights for student groups to see. A bonus: Many of the educational attractions in this vibrant Midwestern city on the Mississippi River are absolutely free.

St. Louis Attractions for Student Groups

Students can ride in little capsules to the apex of the Gateway Arch to view the city and riverfront. Underneath the Arch is the free Museum of Westward Expansion, where exhibits tell the story of settlers, explorers and Native Americans. Nearby, the Old Courthouse was the site of the 1862 Dred Scott slavery trial and abounds with exhibits on early St. Louis.

The City Museum is the brainchild of sculptor and perpetual entrepreneur Bob Cassilly. This fully interactive museum occupies 600,000 square feet of what once was the International Shoe Company warehouse and is constructed entirely from found objects originally from the city. Students can climb, crawl and swing through MonstroCity, an immense monkey-bar based obstacle course constructed from two Sabre 40 airplane fuselages, a castle turret, a fire engine and a seemingly endless maze of four-foot-wide wrought iron slinkies.

When visiting the Daniel Boone Home & Boonesfield Village in nearby Defiance, Mo., student groups have the chance to see history come alive through reenactments of life on the American frontier. Visitors to the Boone home are often surprised by the 200-year-old home, which is large even by today’s housing standards, and the scope of the village behind it. Tours feature a professional Daniel Boone impersonator.

Challenger Learning Center-St. Louis provides space education programs and exhibits for visitors of all ages. Permanent exhibits include space simulators, an orbiting space station and a Mission Control center modeled after NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

St. Louis’ EarthWays Center, a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden, was created to illustrate the positive impact of eco-conscious living through practical application. The EarthWays Home, a century-old Victorian urban residence that has been renovated to be self-sustaining, the center showcases practical demonstrations of energy-efficient systems, recycled products and green home building practices.

St. Louis is also home to one of the largest urban parks in the United States. At 1,371 acres, Forest Park is approximately 500 acres larger than Central Park in New York City. The park itself boasts an impressive history as it welcomed more than 19 million visitors to the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition World’s Fair. Today the park contains the St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Science Center, St. Louis Zoo, Jewel Box greenhouse, Missouri History Museum and The Muny theater. Forest Park also features a 7.5-mile jogging and biking path, a skating rink and several small lakes.

An hour west of the city, student groups can enjoy thrill and water rides at Six Flags St. Louis theme park in Eureka, Mo.

Student Group Tours in St. Louis

Tour St. Louis! offers student groups both Half Day and Grand Tours with the option of two or four stops at various locations around the city. Groups can choose from a visit to the Arch, Old Cathedral, Old Courthouse, Missouri Botanical Garden, Laclede’s Landing and other sights. On the Grand Tour, a lunch stop at Union Station is followed by more sightseeing at the New Cathedral Mosaics, Millionaire’s Row, the Central West End and such Forest Park attractions as the St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Science Center and Missouri History Museum.

The Boeing Company offers tours of its facility that include the James S. McDonnell Prologue Room, which illustrates the history of more than eight decades of aviation progress, from bi-planes to Boeing’s contributions to space travel.

Student groups have the chance to see one of the country’s most successful baseball franchises on a tour of Busch Stadium. Group tours include visits to a party room, the RedBird Club and the Cardinals’ dugout.

Student Travel Group Accommodations in St. Louis

Students will enjoy an indoor pool with a stay at the Courtyard Marriott St. Louis Downtown. The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of many downtown attractions, including the Gateway Arch. Drury Inn also is near the Arch.

Steps away from the MetroLink rail system are the Sheraton St. Louis City Center and

Holiday Inn Select Downtown Convention Center. For lower rates, try one of the many chain hotels in the suburbs.

St Louis Dining for Student Groups

America’s Incredible Pizza Company, with two locations, offers an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring fresh pizza, pasta, soup, salad and desserts. Enjoy your meal in one of four themed dining rooms: the Gymnasium, 50’s Diner, Family Room and the Starlite Drive-In complete with old movies showing. Then hop into some fun at The Fairgrounds, where you’ll find indoor Go-Karts, Bumper Cars, Glow-In-The-Dark Mini Golf, Mini Bowling and a huge game room where you can redeem tickets for prizes.

For pasta dishes at a reasonable price, a good choice is Old Spaghetti Factory, with locations near the downtown riverfront and in Chesterfield. St. Louis Union Station, a cavernous shopping/dining/entertainment spot in what once was one of America’s busiest train stations, has several student-friendly restaurants, including the Hard Rock Cafe, a rock ’n’ roll dining experience with burgers and other American favorites.

St. Louis Performance Venues for Traveling Student Groups

Student groups can strut their stuff right on the downtown riverfront, where popular choices for young performers include the Gateway Arch Riverfront Stage and the Rotunda in the Old Courthouse. St. Louis Union Station, a festival marketplace housed in an historic train depot, can accommodate a group as large as 300. Suburban malls open to performance groups include Westfield Chesterfield Mall, Westfield Crestwood Plaza, Westfield Mid Rivers Mall and Saint Louis Galleria.

Grant’s Farm, a tourist attraction operated by Anheuser-Busch, features open-air performance locations in addition to a petting zoo and the famed Clydesdale stable. Other sites for performers include Missouri Botanical Garden, Museum of Transportation, City Museum, Laumeier Sculpture Park, Thornhill Historic Site in Faust Park and Six Flags St. Louis. Groups can rent space in theaters and concert halls like Edison Theater at Washington University, Florissant Civic Center Theatre and Sheldon Concert Hall & Ballroom. Venues also are available at St. Louis Community College, Maryville University and Webster University. Downtown parades include the St. Patrick’s Day and Christmas parades.

Annual Events and Festivals in St. Louis

The Historic Soulard Neighborhood features Mardi Gras parades and other events in January and February, plus the Soulard Bastille Days Festival in July. There’s free music every July during downtown’s Fair St. Louis/Live on the Levee Concert Series.

For Halloween fun, check out Fright Fest on October weekends at Six Flags St. Louis. The Art Deco-style Tivoli Theater and other venues present the St. Louis International Film Festival every November. Over 10 days, it showcases more than 200 films and shorts from internationally acclaimed filmmakers, alongside local and regional talent.

Student groups will discover many educational and fun options to fill their days in St. Louis. Its history as a gateway to the West and wealth of free or low-cost attractions make it a solid tour choice in the Midwest.

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