REGIONS

NORTHEAST

Groups eager to get outdoors and enjoy the splendors of Mother Nature will discover a panoply of scenic eye-poppers and invigorating activities in America’s diverse Northeast Region. From the beaches of coastal Virginia to the Adirondack Mountains of New York, fun-filled adventures await your travelers. Places like Allegheny National Forest in northwestern Pennsylvania and the mountains of western Maryland beckon those seeking to escape the urban frenzy, but plenty of natural beauty and recreational opportunities also can be found in the countryside right outside of Washington, D.C.

Aside from their natural allures, the region offer an abundance of historical sights and cultural treasures. Jamestown Settlement in Virginia tells the story of the New World’s first permanent English colony in 1607, while groups in Philadelphia will be enthralled as they tour Independence Hall, a hallowed shrine where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were framed. Planners looking to include a show in their itinerary have a number of solid choices, from well-established Pennsylvania dinner theaters to lavish Disney musicals on Broadway.

Kinzua Bridge at Allegheny National Forest

CANADA

Just over the U.S.-Canada border in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines in 2021 will be celebrating its 40th year of cruising on the scenic St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers. Four- to seven-night voyages on the 32-stateroom Canadian Empress feature the International Seaway locks and destinations such as Montreal, the Thousand Islands and Upper Canada Village living history museum. The classic riverboat’s Victorian interior mirrors the grace of the early 1900s. >> stlawrencecruiselines.com

MARYLAND

Ocean City, Maryland, oceanside resort is your getaway Atlantic Ocean destination. With free, wide clean beaches and an expansive threemile boardwalk, your group will have plenty of room to span out and enjoy. Whether it is enjoying a beach day in early spring or enjoying the fall air beside the ocean, any season is beach season in Ocean City. Known for the local wild ponies of nearby Assateague Island, Ocean City is your headquarters for mid-Atlantic touring. >> ococean.com

Garrett County, tucked away in the mountains of western Maryland, is a natural for outdoor adventure. Deep Creek Lake State Park is home to the state’s largest freshwater lake, a popular playground for boating, fishing and swimming. Other area activities include hiking, biking, horseback riding and whitewater rafting. Quaint towns like Oakland, Accident and Grantsville charm visitors looking for history, nostalgia and local eats. Spruce Forest Artisan Village features historic cabins that serve as studios for artists to display their work. >> deepcreekgroups.com

NEW HAMPSHIRE

The world’s first mountain climbing cog railway, the Mount Washington Cog Railway in Coos County, New Hampshire, has been entertaining groups since 1869. The railway thrills passengers as it takes them on a dramatic ascent to the summit of Mt. Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast. With an average grade of 25 percent (some sections approach nearly 38 percent) it’s also the second steepest in the world. With a nod to its steam heritage, the railway also continues to operate a pair of century-old, coal-fired steam engines. Located in the heart of the majestic White Mountains region of northern New Hampshire, Marshfield Base Station is six miles east of Route 302 on the western face of Mount Washington. >> thecog.com

NEW JERSEY

For casino action, beach fun and nightlife on the East Coast, no place compares to Atlantic City, New Jersey. The iconic Boardwalk runs more than five miles in length and invites visitors to stroll, bicycle or be pushed in an only-in-Atlantic-City rolling chair. An array

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Photo courtesy of Tour AC of shopping options can be found along the Boardwalk, in the casino-hotels and at Tanger Outlets The Walk, a 15-city-block dining and retail outlet. Sightseeing and dolphin-watching cruises also enhance group itineraries. >> touratlanticcity.com

Groups in the New York City area have fun exploring nature, science and technology at the Liberty Science Center. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, near the State of Liberty, the center has 12 exhibition halls, a 3D theater, giant aquarium and live animal collection with 110 species. Favorites include the hurricane- and tornado-force simulators, live simulcast surgeries and science demonstrations. In the domed theater of the Western Hemisphere’s biggest planetarium, guests can view distant galaxies. >> lsc.org

NEW YORK

In New York City, Disney Theatrical Group offers the ultimate Broadway experience

NORTHEAST

and excellent group rates for award-winning musicals such as Frozen, The Lion King and Aladdin. Disney’s storytelling tradition, worldclass talent and incomparable production values combine to create a one-of-a-kind experience like nothing your group has ever seen. Disney Theatrical Group’s sales department will craft a customized experience to ensure a magical Broadway visit that is truly unforgettable. >> disneygroupsales.com

Clove Creek Dinner Theater in the Westage Mall in Fishkill, New York, serves up a combination of live entertainment and fine dining. Gourmet meals are prepared by chef graduates of the Culinary Institute of America, with guests choosing from four entrees that change with each new production. As a recipient of the Dutchess County Tourism Arts Award of Distinction, Clove Creek benefits the community by expanding the spectrum of local culture. >> clovecreekdinnertheater.com In the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, groups can take in beautiful scenery in the Lake George Area, a vacationland situated 50 miles north of Albany. Enjoy a cruise on 32-mile-long Lake George, the Queen of American Lakes; navigate whitewater rapids on the Hudson or Sacandaga river; and drive to the summit of Prospect Mountain for 100-mile views. More thrills await at Six Flags Great Escape and its Hurricane Harbor water park. Factory outlet malls also keep groups engaged. >> visitlakegeorge.com

PENNSYLVANIA

Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center is the starting point for tours of Gettysburg Battlefield, scene of the Civil War’s bloodiest battle (July 1-3, 1863) and Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Guests can learn from interactive exhibits, the film New Birth of Freedom and the monumental Cyclorama painting of Pickett’s Charge. Groups of 16 and more enjoy special pricing, customized programs and tours led by licensed battlefield guides. Boxed meals can be arranged, and there is a dine-in facility. >> gettysburgfoundation. org/group-visits.

One of the best things to do in Philadelphia is explore Independence National Historical Park, which contains some 20 buildings associated with the nation’s founding. Highlights include the Liberty Bell, National Constitution Center and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were created. The $60 million

New York’s Lake George Area

Colonial Williamsburg’s Palace Garden

Faith and Liberty Discovery Center, designed to highlight the relationship between faith and freedom in America from its founding through today, will open on Independence Mall in May 2021. >> discoverphl.com

In Allentown, Pennsylvania, Pines Dinner Theatre is the ticket to group fun. The countrystyle playhouse stages a variety of musicals throughout the year; the Christmas show is a much-anticipated event in November and December. Group packages for parties of 20 or more include the show and a hearty American meal that includes salad, bread, entree (such as honey-glazed ham, roast turkey breast, ravioli or fettucine), coffee and iced tea, and dessert. >> pinesdinnertheatre.com

For more than 30 years, the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre has been entertaining groups touring the Amish Country of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Musicals slated for 2021 include Happy Days, On Your Feet!: The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Mamma Mia! and Meredith Willson’s Miracle on 34th Street. Groups of at least 16 receive special offers and discounts. The 328seat theater hosts more than 150,000 guests annually. >> dutchapple.com

In the Allegheny National Forest Region of northwestern Pennsylvania, visitors can take in panoramic views of the Kinzua Gorge from the Kinzua Sky Walk, an engineering marvel built on six of Kinzua Viaduct’s steel towers remaining after the tornado of 2003. The

Photo courtesy of Colonial Williamsburg

skywalk is located in Kinzua Bridge State Park, whose staff members conduct guided nature walks and programs on the bridge’s history or making apple cider. Another area tourist magnet is the Penn Brad Oil Museum, just south of Bradford. >> visitanf.com

VIRGINIA

Groups touring the Washington, D.C. area often make their base of operation in northern Virginia’s Fairfax County, which o ers more than 100 hotels for every budget. Besides lots of shopping, dining and outdoor recreational opportunities, there’s a long list of attractions, including George Washington’s Mount Vernon and the brand-new National Museum of the U.S. Army. Turning Point Su ragist Memorial, opening in spring 2021, will feature 19 informational stops and a section of the White House fence where activists picketed. >> fxva.com

Summer 2021 marks 50 years of performances at the Filene Center for Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. Wolf Trap, Washington, D.C.’s premier outdoor amphitheater, is home for the top names in music, from classical, opera and dance to a broad range of popular artists. The wide-open spaces of Wolf Trap are not only perfect for summer concerts, but great for picnicking and taking in nature. Wolf Trap looks forward to safely welcoming audiences this coming summer in a celebration of this milestone year. >> wolftrap.org

Prince William County, only 30 minutes from Washington, D.C., o ers countless diversions, from Civil War battle sites to idyllic parks for outdoor activities. In the countryside, visitors can bottle-feed baby goats, hand-pick seasonal fruits, vegetables or flowers, or take a guided tour at a working cattle farm. Shoppers have a field day in Occoquan, one of the most charming small towns in America, and at Potomac Mills, Virginia’s largest outlet mall with more than 220 stores o ering big discounts on brand names. >> visitpwc.com

One of Prince William County’s prime attractions is the National Museum of the Marine Corps, adjacent to Marine Corps Base Quantico. High-tech, interactive exhibits surround visitors with irreplaceable artifacts

NORTHEAST

and immerse them in the sights and sounds of Marines in action, tracing the corps’ history from the American Revolution to the Vietnam War and beyond. Shown in the giant-screen Medal of Honor Theater, the film We, The Marines follows the journey of Marines from boot camp to training, deployment and finally homecoming. >> usmcmuseum.com

Fredericksburg, also in northern Virginia, is rich in American history. High on sightseeing lists are George Washington’s Boyhood Home at Ferry Farm, his mother’s last home, the plantation home of his sister, an 18th century tavern and apothecary shop, and a museum dedicated to President James Monroe. Driving tours of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and other battlefields put the Civil War in focus. Old Town Fredericksburg boasts an array of boutiques, restaurants, art galleries and antiques dealers. >> visitfred.com/group-tours

Step back into the 1700s at Colonial Williamsburg, America’s largest living history museum. Costumed interpreters portray real people who lived in Virginia’s colonial capital, including George Washington, Patrick Henry and lesser known figures like Aggy, a slave fighting for her family’s freedom. Live outdoor theater experiences re-create the struggle for American independence, pioneer crafts are demonstrated, and world-class indoor museums feature American folk art and decorative arts. Colonial-style fare is served in several tavern restaurants on the 301-acre grounds. >> colonialwilliamsburg.com

Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, open year-round and adapted for safety, present the story of America’s 17th- and 18th-century beginnings through expansive gallery exhibits,

Virginia Beach, Virginia

dynamic films and immersive experiences in outdoor re-creations of a Paspahegh town, three 1607 ships, a 1610-14 fort, Continental Army encampment and Revolution-era farm. Special events and programs are held throughout the year, including a new Jamestown Settlement special exhibition, “FOCUSED: A Century of Virginia Indian Resilience,” opening on January 29, 2021. >> historyisfun.org

Newport News, on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula, is packed with things to see and do. Virginia Living Museum, which explores the state’s natural heritage, is part zoo, nature park, aquarium, botanical garden, planetarium and science center. The Mariners’ Museum and Park is all about ships and the sea; its USS Monitor Center brings to life a famous Civil War maritime battle. Huntington Park, overlooking the James River, is home to the Virginia War Museum, a rose garden and a beach. >> newport-news.org Virginia Beach, at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, is a great place for getting in touch with nature, relaxing at the beach and walking along the festive seaside boardwalk. Active groups will want to go hiking, biking or kayaking at First Landing State Park. Manmade attractions include the Military Aviation Museum, Old Cape Henry Lighthouse, and Virginia Aquarium Photo courtesy of Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation & Marine Science Center, which is home to Komodo American Revolution Museum at Yorktown dragons, sea turtles, crocodiles and 350 other species. Whale- and dolphin-watching cruises are also big. >> visitvirginiabeach.com studios and galleries. At William King Museum

In southwestern Virginia, the world-renowned of Art’s new ArtLab, groups can do a project Barter Theatre on Main Street in downtown like Kitchen Lithography (making a lithograph Abingdon presents a year-round program of using household objects). White Blaze Outdoors new Appalachian plays along with time-honored organizes a variety of tours showcasing the dramas, comedies and musicals. Founded in 1933, mountain scenery; one is a hike followed by the Barter is the official State Theatre of Virginia wine tasting at Abingdon Vineyards. and one of the country’s oldest professional >> visitabingdonvirginia.com regional theaters. There are special rates for Wytheville, also in the Blue Ridge Highlands, groups of 15 or more; an actor-led talkback or a brims with more than 100 historical buildings behind-the-scenes tour can be arranged for a that can be toured on several themed loops. nominal charge. More than 48,000 group patrons The surrounding Jefferson National Forest, visit the Barter annually. >> bartertheatre.com Big Walker Mountain Scenic Byway and New

Abingdon, one of the oldest English-speaking River abound with recreational opportunities. towns in the Blue Ridge Highlands region, boasts A 100-foot observation tower atop Big Walker a 20-block historic district containing many Mountain offers stunning views. Other itinerary museums, craft shops, antiques stores, and art possibilities include Fort Chiswell Animal Park, Beagle Ridge Herb Farm and Crystal Springs Recreation Area. Along East Lee Highway, off I-81/I-77, are three antiques malls. >> visitwytheville.com

In Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley lies Staunton, whose historic downtown lures visitors to shops and galleries along Beverley Street. A big draw is the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse, the world’s only re-creation of William Shakespeare’s indoor theater in Elizabethan London. Its professional company presents both contemporary and Shakespearean plays, plus musicals and concerts. Also lending prestige to Staunton is the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum. Farm life in early America comes alive at the outdoor Frontier Culture Museum. >> visitstaunton.com