TRIPinfo.com Digital Magazine - Attractions

ATTRACTIONS

78 AMAZING ATTRACTIONS

Seventy-eight amazing attractions for your group to visit around the country.

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AMAZING ATTRACTIONS

TRIPinfo.com now includes 15,868+ Attractions globally, ideal for leisure group trip visits Worldwide. Our Newsletter includes many each week. An average of nearly 140 top group attractions for each of 50 states are online at TRIPinfo.com. This Quarterly Digital Magazine features 78 Attractions of interest to group planners.

TRIPinfo.com includes 1-Touch Sort, Filter, Map and Call features for planning...helpful to Sort Attractions and choose by Year Open, Rate Range, or Type. You can also Filter attractions to those in a single market in states, or 1-touch Map or Call, useful when phone numbers on websites are hard to find.

These Attractions vary widely, but share the goal of pleasing visitors and appealing to leisure group travelers. The integration of 1-click links to TIQETS online booking—many at discounted rates—is another reader service!

Average Year Founded: 1936

Average Year Founded adds years and divides by 78 Attractions. In 1936, construction of the Hoover Dam was completed. The longest game in National Hockey League history ended at 2:25 am after Montreal and Detroit were scoreless after six overtimes! Margaret Mitchell’s epic historical romance book Gone with the Wind is published. American Athlete Jesse Owens wins the 100-meter dash at the Berlin Olympics. In California, the San Francisco—Oakland Bay Bridge opens to traffic. Entertainers Alan Alda, Robert Redford, Wilt Chamberlain, Shirley Knight, Glen Campbell, Kris Kristofferson and Mary Tyler Moore are born.

Median Year Founded: 1952

Median Year Founded sorts Attractions by date and finds the middle. The year 1952 has equal number before and after. In 1952, the first Holiday Inn opens, Today TV program debuts on NBC, and 58,000 polio cases were reported resulting in 3,300 deaths. The first Chevrolet Corvette prototype is revealed, musical film Singing in The Rain premiered, and Diary of Anne Frank is published. The first passenger jet and the first B52 Bomber flew for the first time. Puerto Rico becomes a self-governing commonwealth of the United States. Actors Liam Neeson, John Goodman, Dan Aykroyd, Roseanne Barr, and Jeff Goldblum are born.

Mode of Year Founded: 2014

Mode of Year Founded is the date appearing most often. In 2014, the coldest temperature records for much of the U.S. were recorded. The price of a first-class mail stamp was $.49. Frozen won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Green Line Light Rail from Minneapolis to Saint Paul Minnesota began service. New One World Trade Center opened in New York City. President Obama lifted U.S. embargo against Cuba, first time since 1961. Celebrities Phillip Hoffman, Shirley Temple, Sid Caesar, Ralph Waite, Mickey Rooney, Poet Maya Angelou, James Garner, Robin Williams, Lauren Bacall and Joan Rivers die.

We believe you will find in this issue an interesting collection of Attractions that provide ideas for your group. It is designed as an ongoing, useful reference. We hope this selection, here and online at TRIPinfo.com, is just that for you. Our goal is to make your Leisure Group Trip planning successful and fun!

Top Amusement/Theme Parks North America

The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and AECOM published the TEA/AECOM 2022 Theme Index and Museum: The Global Attractions Attendance Report that included a study of attendance at major theme parks. The 2023 study will be released in the summer of 2024. Due to Covid restrictions limiting travel, operating days, capacities, they kept the 2019 rankings. Attendance is in thousands.

78 Amazing Attractions

One of the most important things you consider when building your group’s itinerary is what attractions will interest and entertain each group member. Choosing among the many attractions and finding the right mix of unique, enriching experiences, authentic adventures, family or group fun, customized private tours, group dining options while maintaining a schedule can be a challenging task.

Each of the following 78 attractions offers memorable experiences and welcome groups. Most offer group rates, and many are able to customize group packages and provide tour guides.

On the following pages, click on the attraction name and visit their website for further information, reserve your visit and find out about policies, days and hours open, pricing, reservations and other information.

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What’s Inside This Issue?

• Top 20 Amusement/Theme Parks in North America – by visitation

Use TRIPinfo.com as your tool for easy and safe travel planning and find the right things for your group to see and do. You can even book tickets in advance.

TRIPinfo:

• Finds information and links to 15,831+ USA and International Attractions.

• Filters Attractions by Market Areas.

• Sorts Attractions by City, Year Open, Rate Range

• Look for Book Icon to get exclusive discounted tickets.

• Top 20 Water Parks in North America – by visitation

• Market and State Maps to plan your travel

• 78 amazing group-friendly attractions across the United States including: Attraction Name City and State Year Established Description

Have a great TRIP!

Top 20 Water Parks in North America

The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and AECOM published the TEA/AECOM 2022 Theme Index and Museum: The Global Attractions Attendance Report that included a study of attendance at major water parks. The 2023 study will be released in the summer of 2024. Due to Covid restrictions limiting travel, operating days, capacities, they kept the 2019 rankings. Attendance is in thousands.

U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Huntsville, Alabama

Totem Bight State Historical Park

Ketchikan, Alaska

1938

Follow the path through a lush rainforest to the totems as they overlook the rocky beaches along Tongass Narrows near Ketchikan. In 1938, the Civilian Conservation Corp hired skilled carvers to salvage the abandoned monuments that were originally carved by Tlingit and Haida Indians. By the end of World War II, this model Native village of 15 restored and re-carved totems and community clan house in this 11-acre park was completed. The park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Open year-round. Guided or self-guided tours. Tour Time: 2-3 hours.

1970

Alabama’s most-visited paid tourist attraction displays one of the world’s largest collections of rockets and space memorabilia. Visitors may take a bus tour of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, see an authentic Saturn V rocket, a National Historic Landmark and 1 of only 3 in the world, explore the most complete chronology of launch vehicles in the country, watch astronomy and planetarium shows and movies in the state-of-the-art INTUITIVE® Planetarium and catch a glimpse of the future of commercial space ventures. USSRC welcomes group museum tours, custom tours and facility rentals.

O.K. Corral Historic Complex

Tombstone, Arizona

1882

Experience what life was like in the Old West of the 1880s. Tour the actual site of the West’s most famous gunfight, watch the daily, 30-minute re-enactments of the famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral involving Western legends Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, learn about events causing the 30-second showdown and have your picture taken with the gunfighters after the show. Watch Tombstone’s Historama, describing events that made Tombstone famous. Tour a photo gallery featuring historic photos of the Apache warrior Geronimo and 1880s Tombstone life, pan for gold, visit a blacksmith shop and the museum of Arizona’s oldest newspaper, The Epitaph.

Hearst Castle

San Simeon, California

Sitting atop Enchanted Hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Heast Castle was built by media mogul William Randolph Hearst. Guided tours of the palatial mansion showcase some of the 165 opulent rooms and 123 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and his collection of rare and ancient works of art. Examples of tours include the Grand Rooms Tour: $30 for 70 minutes; Private Tour: $1,000 for a maximum of 4 hours with up to 6 people; group and school tours. All tours should be reserved in advance. Following their daytime tours, visitors may remain on the hilltop to enjoy the gardens and visit the Neptune and Roman Pools.

Bathhouse Row

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Part of Hot Springs National Park, this National Historic Landmark District is a place to stroll along the Grand Promenade, enjoy the beautiful architecture of 8 stately bathhouse buildings and experience the healing thermal waters. Constructed between 1892 and 1923, the buildings serve different purposes today. The Buckstaff Bathhouse and Quapaw Baths & Spa give spa treatments, fed by the world-famous thermal springs. The Superior Bathhouse is a brewery that uses thermal spring water to create craft beers. The grand Fordyce Bathhouse is the park’s visitor center and museum. Guests can stay on the Row in a former bathhouse – the Hotel Hale.

Disneyland Resort

Anaheim, CA

1955

The second most-visited amusement park in the world, behind the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Disneyland typically welcomes about 18+ million visitors each year to the park’s 9 must-see lands. They include Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Critter Country, Frontierland, MainStreet USA, Mickey’s Toontown, New Orleans Square and the Star Warsthemed land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Opening in 2019, this 14-acre attraction transports visitors to Batuu, a never-before-seen-planet, and includes 2 featured rides, Star Wars characters and dining spots. New for late 2024 is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, replacing Splash Mountain.

Balboa Park

San Diego, California

1868

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal City, California

Bringing Hollywood to life, the movie and televisionbased theme park is divided into two parts. The larger Upper Lot includes popular family attractions, like the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Simpson’s themed Springfield, U.S.A. plus the attraction that started it all – the 60-minute Studio Tour. The smaller Lower Lot features thrill rides, like Jurassic World – The Ride, Transformers: The Ride 3D, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge and Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride. The 9th most-visited theme park in North America, USH welcomed 8.4 million visitors in 2022.

The landscaped 1,200-acre park is home to the famous San Diego Zoo, 20 museums, 10 dedicated performance spaces including the world’s largest outdoor pipe organ, multiple gardens, fountains, statues and artwork, miles of trails, places to eat and drink, shops, playgrounds and dog parks. The free Balboa Park tram provides easy access to the park’s most popular destinations. Entry to the park and many of the attractions are free; however, museums, attractions, performances and tours may charge admission. Contact the Visitors Center for information about the free public tours of the Central Mesa and the architectural tours.

Living Desert Zoo & Gardens

Palm Desert, California

1970

A perennial top attraction in the Palm Springs area, the Living Desert is part zoo, part botanic garden. From a series of scenic nature paths and hiking trails, visitors have the opportunity to see explore habitats reflecting the Mojave Desert, Sonoran Desert and African Savanna and learn about their respective flora and fauna. More than 600 animals including endangered species, birds and reptiles, thousands of plants and 50 beautifully landscaped gardens are featured. Feeding a giraffe, meeting a black rhino and visiting the interactive Discovery Center are popular attractions. The journey through the Living Desert takes about 2-3 hours.

Mark Twain House & Museum

Hartford, Connecticut

Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park

Denver, Colorado

One of the oldest amusement parks in the U.S., Elitch Gardens is the only downtown theme and water park in the country. The 65-acre historic attraction has modern roller coasters and thrill rides, kids’ rides, family rides, group picnic and event areas, a water park, games and arcades and numerous special events throughout the April to October season. The 20-story Observation Tower offers awesome views of the Rocky Mountains and Denver skyline, while those seeking an adrenaline rush can see the same Rocky Mountain views while plummeting 200 feet on the Tower of Doom. Relocating may in the park’s future but no date has been announced.

1874

Guides lead tours of this restored National Historic Landmark – a 3-story, 25-room mansion where Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain) lived with his family from 1874 to 1891 and wrote some of his most famous works. The home is only shown by guided tour. Due to the limited capacity of tours, booking in advance is highliy recommended. Tours include the daily, 55-minute general house tour and the 70-minute, living history tour led by a costumed actor. Afterward, visitors may spend more time at the Museum Center watching the 23-minute film Mark Twain by Ken Burns, seeing exhibits, visiting the gift shop and having lunch at the cafe.

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library

Winterthur, Delaware 1951

Built in 1839 and home to four generations of du Ponts, Winterthur became a museum of American decorative arts, as envisioned by Henry Francis du Pont. Located in the Brandywine Valley, the 175-room house displays a collection of nearly 90,000 objects made or used in America since 1640. Within Winterthur’s 1,000 acres of protected meadows, woodlands, ponds, and waterways, visitors may explore 25 miles of well-marked paths and trails as well as the famous 60-acre naturalistic garden. A variety of tour options and special rates are available for groups of 15 or more. Photo Courtesy of Winterthur Museum, Photo by Bob Leitch.

Universal’s Volcano Bay

Orlando, Florida

Universal Orlando Resort’s third park – a water theme park – combines spectacular storytelling, the landscape of an island paradise and incredible guest experiences with innovative technology to give everyone a fun-filled, hassle-free adventure. The TapuTapu wearable allows guests to wait in a virtual line for one attraction while they dine, swim, float or relax in the 25-acre park until it’s their time to ride. If desired, guests can connect the wearable to their Universal account and use the tap-topay feature. The iconic centerpiece of Volcano Bay is Krakatau, a 200-foot volcano with cascading waterfalls by day and flowing lava at night.

National Mall and Memorial Parks

Washington, District of Columbia

This green oasis in the middle of DC, stretching from the foot of the United States Capitol to the Potomac River, blends history and tradition with modern life. The open space and parklands are home to 100+ historic structures, iconic monuments and memorials that tell the story of people and events that shaped our country. Throughout the 1,000 acres of green space, there are 150+ major named parks landscaped with 2,000 American elms, 3,000 Japanese cherry trees, 170 flower beds, 35 ornamental pools and fountains. Each year, millions of people gather for picnics and recreational activities on 43 ball fields and participate in special events.

Universal Studios Florida

Orlando, Florida

1990

Universal Studios Florida is a real working television and movie studio and theme park where guests are invited to ride the movies, live the adventure and epic thrills in the 60+ immersive experiences spread over the park’s 125 acres. Fan favorites include the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park and Illumination’s Minion Land. The new DreamWorks Land, opening this summer, is inspired by DreamWorks Animation’s beloved characters from Shrek, Trolls and King Fu Panda. The eleventh most-visited theme park in the world and sixth most-visited theme park in North America, Universal Studios Florida welcomed 10.75 million guests in 2022.

Disney’s Epcot

Lake Buena Vista, FL

Disney’s Magic Kingdom

Lake Buena Vista, Florida

1971

The “Most Magical Place of Earth” is also the mostvisited theme park in the world with 17.133 million visitors in 2022. The 142-acre Magic Kingdom features six lands. Upon entering the park, visitors stroll down the first land - Main Street USA - to get the iconic 189foot Cinderella’s Castle and the famous statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse where, like the spokes of a wheel, all of the lands meet. From left to right, the other lands are Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Liberty Square, Frontierland and Adventureland. Opening in Frontierland on June 28, 2024 is the much-anticipated Tiana’s Bayou Adventure that replaced Splash Mountain.

1982

Epcot’s 305 acres are transforming from the original 2 themed areas of Future World and World Showcase to 4 new worlds: World Celebration, World Nature, World Discovery and World Showcase. The entrance plaza welcomes visitors with a reimagined fountain plus new music, pathways and green spaces. Spaceship Earth is getting permanent new lighting that resembles stars in a nighttime sky. New experiences include Guaradians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana” and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Epcot is the world’s 7th most-visited and North America’s 6th most-visited attraction with 10 million guests in 2022.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Lake Buena Vista, FL

1989

The park’s 135 acres brings the glamour of Hollywood to life by presenting Broadway-style shows, world-class entertainment and immersive movie lands filled with thrilling attractions. Signature experiences include the iconic Tower of Terror, Slinky Dog Dash, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Toy Story Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the new Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – the first ride to star Mickey, Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage and For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration. With 10.9 million visitors in 2022, the park became the 5th most-visited theme park in the world and the 4th most-visited theme park in North America.

Georgia’s Stone Mountain Park

Stone Mountain, Georgia

1958

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Lake Buena Vista, Florida

1998

In 2022, Animal Kingdom welcomed 9+ million visitors and became the 10th most-visited theme park in the world and 7th most-visited theme park in North America, down from #3 in 2019. Part theme park and part zoo, Animal Kingdom celebrates the magic of nature with wild animal encounters, exotic landscapes, thrilling rides and world-class entertainment. Contributing to the park’s popularity are the stunning and adventurous Pandora – The World of Avatar, the exotic animals in the wild during Kilimanjaro Safaris, the iconic Tree of Life with 300+ animal carvings, the exciting Expedition Everest and Dinosaur.

Located on 3,200 acres of natural beauty near downtown Atlanta, one of Georgia’s most popular attractions features picnic areas, historic areas, on-site accommodations, group-friendly attractions and outdoor adventures including 2 golf courses, a 363-acre lake and 15 miles of hiking trails. The park’s dome-shaped monadnock stands 825 feet tall and covers 583 acres; the Memorial Carving is the largest bas-relief sculpture in the world, spanning 3 acres across the face of the mountain. A must-do activity includes climbing the one-mile trail or taking a cable car to the top of the mountain.

Whistle Stop Cafe

Juliette, Georgia

1927

A general merchandise store for 45 years, the building played a starring role as an iconic cafe called “The Whistle Stop Cafe” in the 1991 Oscar-nominated film, Fried Green Tomatoes. Following the legendary film, the location became a real cafe, named the Original Whistle Stop Cafe. A popular stop off I-75 near Forsyth in the heart of Georgia, the cafe serves classic southern cuisine including fried green tomatoes, of course. Other menu favorites include southern fried or grilled chicken, catfish, pulled pork barbecue, smoked ribs, country fried steak, fried okra and sweet tea. The restaurant is open 11am-4pm everyday, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Polynesian Cultural Center

Laie, Hawaii

Pearl Harbor Tours

Honolulu, Hawaii

Pearl Harbor is Hawaii’s number one visitor destination with over 1.8 million visitors a year. At the focal point is the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center which provides access to the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Battleship Missouri or “Mighty MO”, Bowfin Submarine & the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum nearby. Each of the Pearl Harbor Tours includes a fast-track ticket to view a 23-minute documentary film about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the United States into World War II. Afterward, guests board a 145-passenger U.S. Navyoperated boat for a solemn visit to the Memorial. Smallgroup Oahu tours are only 12 guests or fewer per guide.

1963

Located on Oahu’s North Shore, the Polynesian Cultural Center is the island’s number one paid attraction. Visitors experience the rich heritage of six Pacific Island cultures while wandering through 42 acres of tropical splendor and mingling with the natives as they demonstrate their culture through arts, crafts, music, dance, games and traditions. Their evening luau feast blends a delicious array of island and mainland dishes with authentic island entertainment from across Polynesia. The evening show is an action-packed story of passion, ignited by fire, song and dance featuring over 100 Polynesian performers from across the pacific.

Sun Valley

Sun Valley, Idaho

1936

Count Felix Schaffgotsch of Austria was looking for the ideal spot to build a U.S. ski resort for his employer, Averell Harriman. Upon seeing a valley in the Northern Rockies region of south-central Idaho outside of Ketchum, he exclaimed, “This combines more delightful features than any place I have ever seen in Switzerland, Austria or the U.S. for a winter resort.” With that, Harriman bought the 4,300 acres that would become Sun Valley, America’s first destination resort. Today, the resort is known for its almost no-wait lift lines on 2 mountains across 2,054 skiable acres in the winter and hiking, biking, fly-fishing or golfing during the summer.

Conner

Prairie Fishers, Indiana

Lincoln Home National Historic Site

Springfield, Illinois

Some say 1844 to 1861 were Abraham Lincoln’s happiest years. Those were the years when he lived in this 12room, Greek Revival house, raised his family, became a successful lawyer and politician, ran his 1860 Presidential campaign and became the 16th President of the United States. Visitors can also explore daily life during the 1860s by taking a self-guided tour of the surrounding four-block area featuring 12 historic structures, heirloom garden plus indoor and outdoor exhibits. Get free tickets for the 20-35 minute, guided house tour and watch movies of Lincoln and his home at the nearby Lincoln Home National Historic Site Visitor Center.

1934

Welcoming more than 400,000 visitors annually, Conner Prairie sits on 1,000 wooded acres in central Indiana, just north of Indianapolis. As Indiana’s first Smithsonian affiliate, the facility is one of the largest attractions in the region and one of the most-visited and most-awarded outdoor living museums in the U.S. The museum offers various outdoor, historically-themed encounters and indoor experiential learning spaces that combine history and art with science, technology, engineering and math to offer an authentic look into history that shapes society today. Conner Prairie accommodates group tours, field trips and events.

National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

Dubuque, Iowa

2003

Part aquarium, part museum, part science center. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium engages visitors in the exploration of history, culture, animals and conservation found in the Mighty Mississippi River and rivers of America. The 14-acre campus is home to more than a dozen aquariums featuring wildlife typically found in the Mississippi River, Gulf of Mexico, other rivers and deltas plus historical exhibits, a wetland area, a boatyard, the William M. Black dredge boat, aviaries and greenhouse. Plan to spend at least 3 hours touring the museum. Photo courtesy of Iowa Tourism Office.

My Old Kentucky Home State Park

Bardstown, Kentucky

One of Kentucky’s 45 state parks, My Old Kentucky Home State Park in central Kentucky features the historic home that Stephan Foster made famous. Originally named “Federal Hill,” the 3-story house is Kentucky’s most famous and beloved historic site. The top 5 things to do in the park are tour the historic mansion escorted by costumed guides, play a round of golf, camp at the campground, stroll the grounds and explore the interpretive panels. During the summer, visitors may see ‘Stephen Foster - The Musical’ – Kentucky’s longestrunning outdoor drama performed under the stars and featuring 50+ Foster songs.

Strataca

Hutchinson, Kansas 2007

Strataca is one of only 3 underground salt museums in the world; the other 2 are located in Austria and Poland. Following a 90-second, 650-foot descent into one of the largest salt deposits in the world, visitors begin their exploration of parts of the 150 miles of tunnels of salt deposits formed more than 275 million years ago. A tram takes them to see geologic formations, mining artifacts and exhibits about the history of salt mining and geological history of the area. Always a comfortable 68 degrees, the mine is also used to store valuable Hollywood costumes, props and documents. Plan to spend about two hours on the tour.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky Tour

Georgetown, Kentucky

1988

Covering 1,300 acres, the 9-million square foot Toyota Kentucky is America’s first and the world’s largest Toyota manufacturing facility. More than 13 million vehicles have rolled off the plant’s assembly lines since its opening. During the free, tram-driven tour through the plant, visitors experience how people and machines work together to build award-winning vehicles like the Camry, RAV4 Hybrid and Lexus ES 350. Plant tours are available exclusively for education groups, ages 8 and above and can be scheduled in advance by emailing TMMK.ExperienceCenter@toyota.com. A valid photo ID is required for each adult scheduled for the tour.

A park for every passion

Whether you’re looking to rev up or wind down, we’ve got a place just for you. Nestled in some of the state’s most beautiful settings, Kentucky State Parks offer a wide range of activities – from outdoor adventures to nature escapes – and accommodations from rustic campsites and cozy cabins to resort park lodges. Plus, 13 nationally recognized state park golf courses get you out on the links to soak up incredible views.

Book your summer getaway at parks.ky.gov!

Brick Store Museum

Kennebunk, Maine

Located on Main Street in the Kennebunk National Historic District, this community museum celebrates local history, art and culture of the Kennebunks and its surrounding communities. Housed in several buildings that were constructed between 1810 to 1860, the 18,000-square foot museum features a collection of 70,000 artifacts relating to regional history as well as rotating exhibitions, monthly educational programs, tours, historic preservation and archaeology projects, and community events. The museum is open year-round. Self-guided tours typically take about 30-60+ minutes. Free for NARM members and members of the military.

Oak Alley Plantation

Vacherie, Louisiana

A National Historic Landmark, Oak Alley Plantation is an antebellum sugar plantation located on the Mississippi River near New Orleans. Plan to spend at least two hours learning about the evolution of this National Historic site and exploring its 28 historic acres, taking a guided tour of the “Big House,” visiting the Sugarcane Theatre, formal East and West Gardens and alley of 28 oaks, the Slavery Exhibit, Blacksmith Shop and learning about the people who lived at Oak Alley from 1866-1924. Groups are welcome. Experience more local culture during a visit to nearby restaurants serving casual Cajun/Creole cuisine and fine dining.

Capital Wheel at National Harbor

Oxon Hill,

Maryland

Standing 180 feet above National Harbor and the Potomac River about 8 miles south of downtown DC, the iconic Capital Wheel is tied with Colossus in Eureka, Missouri as the eighth tallest observation wheel in the U.S. The giant wheel is open year-round, and each of the 42 private, climate-controlled gondolas has seating for 6-8 adults. Flights on the giant ferris wheel last about 12-15 minutes and offer waterfront views of DC, Maryland, Virginia and nearby attractions. The wheel’s 1.6 million programmable LED lights can be rented for special events, such as gender reveals, special events and brand awareness. Group rates are available.

Ford Rouge Factory

Dearborn, Michigan

1924

Completely re-imagined, the factory has been transformed so that it offers awe-inspiring encounters with Ford manufacturing of the past, present and future. A five-part experience at a legendary factory, tours begin with a 15-minute bus ride from The Henry Ford to the Ford Rouge Factory Tour Visitor Center. From there, guests start a self-guided tour that includes walking through a real-life truck plant, visiting 2 theaters, seeing legacy and electric vehicles made at the Rouge, playing interactive educational games and visiting the Observation Deck and Living Roof which is the largest living roof in the world at 10.4 acres.

USS Constitution Museum

Charlestown, Massachusetts 1976

Launched in 1797, USS Constitution earned the nickname “Old Ironsides” since it appeared enemy cannonballs could not penetrate the ship’s oak hull. Undefeated in battle, the 305-foot ship is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world and the symbolic flagship of the U.S. fleet. Located on Boston’s Freedom Trail in the Charlestown Navy Yard and only a few yards from the ship, the Museum celebrates this cherished icon, her history and crew with hands-on displays, interactive exhibits and captivating films and programs. A must-see attraction, 350,000+ people visit the museum each year, making it one of the city’s most-visited museums.

Mall of America

Bloomington, Minnesota

1992

Located 1.5 miles from the MSP Airport, Mall of America is one of Minnesota’s most-visited attractions. 40+ million people from around the world visit the 5.6 million square foot shopping and entertainment venue each year; 4 out of 10 are tourists. Besides shopping in 520 stores, visitors can play at Nickelodeon Universe – the nation’s largest indoor theme park with 7 acres of rides and entertainment, Crayola Experience and 2 mini-golf courses. Other attractions include Sea Life® Minnesota Aquarium – a 1.3 million-gallon aquarium, FlyOver America – a flight simulation ride, the Escape Game, GameWorks and the Lego Store.

Silver Dollar City Branson, Missouri

This 61-acre, internationally award-winning theme park was founded above the massive National Landmark, the great Marvel Cave, in the Ozark Mountains. The tree-lined “City” steps back in time to America’s 1880s with more than 40 rides and attractions, including several recordbreaking roller coasters, 10 world-class festivals and special events, ever-changing home-style food offerings, 40 live shows and concerts on stages throughout the park each day and unique shops and heritage-craft demonstrations from a colony of 100 artisans. Pictured left is Mystic River Falls, the roaring river adventure with a 4.5-story waterfall finale.

BB King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center

Indianola, Mississippi

Located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, the museum tells the story of Riley B. King’s life and music through a series of exhibits. The exhibits include The Theatre, featuring the Mississippi Delta and the life of B.B. King, The Delta, 1930s, Memphis, 1950s - a gallery featuring his adventure to the airwaves, Artist to Icon, 1960s, The Final Decade, a 4,500 sq. ft. exhibit focusing on B.B. King’s life and a collection of items like his personal automobiles—a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow and a custom painted Chevy El Camino. The Memorial Courtyard bears his final resting place and a life-size bronze statue of King holding his beloved Lucille.

Museum of the Rockies Bozeman, Montana

1957

One of the world’s finest research and natural history museums, MOR presents 500 million years of history in a series of fascinating primary and 3 to 5 changing displays each year. The primary exhibits include one of the largest collections of North American dinosaurs in the world and prehistoric mammals who once roamed Montana, history of American Indians who lived on the Northern Plains and children’s exhibits. Other highlights are the Living History Farm, a seasonal outdoor exhibit representing an 1890s Montana homestead with gardens, orchard and fields, and the 110-seat Taylor Planetarium showcasing our universe.

High Roller Observation Wheel

Las Vegas, Nevada

Soaring 550 feet above the Las Vegas Strip – 107 feet higher than the London Eye, the High Roller is the North America’s tallest observation wheel. Located at the LINQ, the wheel has 28 climate-controlled spherical cabins. Holding up to 40 people per cabin, the wheel’s total capacity is 1,120 passengers. A ride on the wheel takes about 30 minutes, but passengers should plan on spending an hour to accommodate entering and exiting the wheel. Due to the its slow rotation, passengers may board and unload without the wheel stopping. In Happy Half Hour cabins, up to 25 guests ride one full 30-minute rotation of the wheel with a bar and bartender.

Strategic Air Command (SAC) & Aerospace Museum

Ashland, Nebraska

1959

Sitting between Lincoln and Omaha near Interstate 80, this museum began as the keeper of the Strategic Air Command’s history, showcasing an impressive array of aircraft that helped SAC preserve the peace during the Cold War. After its move into a new 300,000+ sq. ft. indoor facility in 1998, the museum adopted the new mission of uniting our past and future to become the Midwest’s premier museum and science center. The museum uses its collection of aerospace artifacts and exhibits to provide innovative and interactive experiences inspired by the past for tomorrow’s scientists and explorers to imagine the limitless possibilities for the future.

Canobie Lake Park

Salem, New Hampshire

1902

This award-winning amusement park was originally a trolley park featuring a botanical garden, canoeing & picnic areas, sporting events and the Penny Arcade on the shore of Canobie Lake. Located about 31 miles north of Boston, the park now has 85 rides, games and attractions including 4 roller coasters. The park’s first roller coaster – and one of its best known rides – is the Yankee Cannonball, a wooden coaster that opened in 1936. Castaway Island is the park’s water complex where guests can seek thrills on the water rides and slides or chill out on the lazy river. Groups are welcome; reserve in advance.

Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway

Albuquerque, New Mexico

1966

Ellis Island & Museum

Jersey City, New Jersey

Part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, Ellis Island is a place to relive the experience of 12+ million immigrants who passed through the island from 1892 until 1954. Exhibits chronicle America’s immigration history from the 1500s to today in the Ellis Island National Immigration Museum. Visitors can search for ancestors who traveled through Ellis Island at The American Family Immigration History Center and watch an award-winning film Island of Hope, Island of Tears. A ferry carries passengers to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island from Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ and Battery Park, New York, NY.

The 15-minute, 2.7-mile ascent on this engineering marvel rises to the 10,378-foot crest of the Sandia Mountains. Along the way, tram riders might see an eagle, mule deer, black bear and other animals while learning about the mountain, rock formations and types of vegetation. After arriving at the observation deck atop Sandia Peak, visitors have an 11,000 square-mile stunning panoramic view of the city below, Rio Grande Valley and the Land of Enchantment. Stay at the top of the Sandia Peak for a while and enjoy a breathtaking dining experience at the Ten 3 restaurant – 10,300 feet above sea level.

New Mexico Farm & Ranch

Heritage Museum

Las Cruces, New Mexico

1998

Sitting on 47 acres, the interactive museum is packed with real stories about real people as it brings to life the 4,000-year history of farming and ranching in New Mexico. In a variety of indoor and outdoor exhibits, the museum weaves together people from various cultures that are uniquely New Mexico. Visitors can watch a cow being milked, learn about farm implements and the fascinating history of agriculture, explore recreated structures, see blacksmithing, quilting, water dowsing, enjoy gardens and stroll along corrals filled with livestock including seven different breeds of beef cattle, horses, sheep and a donkey.

9/11 Memorial & Museum

New York, New York

Located at the heart of a revitalized World Trade Center site, the Memorial and Museum honor the 2,983 people killed in the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993 as well as those who risked their lives to save others and all those who showed compassion in the aftermath of the attacks. Visitors may explore the museum, exhibits and films at their own pace but should allow at least two hours for their visit. Expert-led tours of the Memorial and Museum are recommended. Dedicated in 2019 to the thousands who have suffered injuries and illnesses related to the attacks, the new Memorial Glade stands in tribute on the Memorial plaza.

North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association

North America

Individuals and families may join a NARM member institution at the NARM level of membership and start receiving NARM benefits. The North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association is one of the largest reciprocal membership programs in the world with more than 1,300 members across the United States, Bermuda, Canada, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico and Mexico.. NARM members include arts, cultural, and historical institutions along with botanical gardens, children’s museums, science and technology centers that offer their individual NARM-qualified members reciprocal benefits.

The Lost Colony Manteo,

1937

North Carolina

Each summer, the nation’s premier and longest-running symphonic drama, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green, tells the story of 117 English men, women and children who came to Roanoke Island in 1587 to establish a permanent settlement in the New World. Three years later, ships returned to find the island deserted. The mystery of what happened to the colonist remains unsolved. Seated in an open-air theater watching America’s oldest mystery unfold, visitors are riveted by the live action of epic battles, stunning choreography, elegant costuming and beautiful music happening on 3 sides around them.

Tweetsie Railroad

Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Horn in the West

Boone, North Carolina

1952

Set in a 2,500-seat outdoor theater that blends with the surrounding mountain landscape, this inspiring drama looks at the early pioneer days of the Boone area Appalachians. The production tells the story of Daniel Boone’s adventures in North Carolina’s High Country and the role mountaineer patriots played in winning a critical victory at the Battle of Kings Mountain during the American Revolution. Plan to come early and tour the nearby attractions during your visit: Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, Watauga County Farmers’ Market and Daniel Boone Native Gardens. Show dates: June 21 - August 10, 2024.

1957

The Wild West family theme park features 2 historic narrow-gauge steam locomotives including No. 12 “Tweetsie,” built in 1917 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The trains take passengers on a 3-mile adventure, circling a mountain, crossing a tressle and encountering bandits. The fun continues at the Country Fair where the group can ride classic amusement park rides, like a carousel, ferris wheel and the chair lift to Miner’s Mountain. Panning for gold, feeding the animals at Deer Park Zoo and enjoying live entertainment – a magic show, live shows with music and dancing – rounds out the day.

Linville Caverns

Marion, North Carolina

1937

Go inside a mountain during this geological educational experience. Guided tours of North Carolina’s only commercial caverns leave approximately every 10-15 minutes. Because of the confined space and some low hanging rocks, the number of people in each tour is no more than 15 people. During the 35-40 minute tours of the caverns, a guide will show nature’s grand work while explaining the geology of the area, caverns science and the history of the caverns. This designated North Carolina Natural Heritage Area sells tickets on a firstcome, first-serve basis. Visitors may purchase tickets earlier in the day and return for a later tour.

Cedar Point

Sandusky, Ohio

International Peace Garden

Dunseith, North Dakota

1932

A botanical garden dedicated to celebrating peace and fostering a more peaceful world, the IPG is located along the international boundary with Canada, near the geographical center of North America. Manitoba donated 1,451 acres and North Dakota gave 888 acres to the project while the Civilian Conservation Corp labored to turn the prairie and forestland into a garden. Nestled in the Turtle Mountains, visitors can explore indoor and outdoor gardens, displays, hiking trails, scenic drives and a museum. An iconic feature is a floral clock with an 18-foot clock face and 2,000+ annual flowers, donated by Bulova in 1964.

1870

Cedar Point is the 2nd oldest operating amusement park in the U.S. behind Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut which opened in 1846. Overlooking a mile-long beach on Lake Erie, the 364-acre Midwestern park features 72 rides, including 18 world-class roller coasters – 6 of which are taller than 200 feet. The park also has 3 kids’ areas, live shows, tours of Lake Erie and the boardwalk, parades, marinas, great restaurants and the Cedar Point Shores Waterpark, an 18-acre waterpark that is located next to Cedar Point. 3,444,000 people visited Cedar Point in 2022, making it the 15th most-visited park in North America.

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

1955

Each year, 10+ million people visit this unique museum that is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the heritage, art and culture of the American West. The museum features a collection of 28,000+ Western and American Indian art works and artifacts including works by Frederic Remington, Charles M. Russell and sculptor James Earle Fraser. The exhibition wing houses a turnof-the-century town and interactive history galleries that focus on the American cowboy, rodeos, Native American culture, Victorian firearms, frontier military and Western performers. Joint tickets to this museum and the nearby First Americans Museum are available.

Hersheypark Hershey, Pennsylvania

Milton S. Hershey originally built Hershey Park as an amenity for factory workers and residents. In 1971, the park began its transformation from a regional amusement park to Hersheypark, one of America’s most popular theme parks. The 121-acre park offers 76 rides and attractions including 15 roller coasters, Boardwalk at Hersheypark water park, Hershey’s Chocolatetown featuring the park’s tallest, fastest, longest roller coaster and the adjacent ZooAmerica. In 2022, the historic park ranked as the 17th most-visited park in North America, welcoming 3,193,000 visitors. Photo credit: Hershey Entertainment and Resorts

Washington Park

Portland, Oregon

One of the oldest parks in Portland, the 410-acre park is home to over 15 miles of trails, some of which are part of the 40-Mile Loop connecting Washington Park with Pittock Mansion, Forest Park to the north and Council Crest to the south. The park contains historic public art and fountains as well as some of Portland’s most famous attractions: the International Rose Test Garden, Portland Japanese Garden, Oregon Zoo, the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum, Portland Children’s Museum, Hoyt Arboretum and the Oregon Holocaust Museum. A free, seasonal shuttle moves visitors around within the park. About 3.5 million people visit the park each year.

International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum

Newport, Rhode Island

1986

In 1880, the Newport Casino opened as a social club, not a gambling facility, and became the site of the first U.S. National Men’s Singles Championship – forerunner of the US Open – in 1881. Due to its rich tennis history, this National Historic Landmark became the sport’s Hall of Fame, dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of tennis and celebrating its champions. Displaying thousands of photographs, videos, artifacts, interactive experiences and the Roger Federer Hologram, the museum is divided into 3 sections: The Birth of Tennis (1874 – 1918), The Popular Game (1918 – 1968), The Open Era (1968 – Present).

Middleton Place

Charleston, South Carolina

1741

Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site

Beech Island, South Carolina

1859

Start a visit to one of South Carolina’s historic plantations with a stop by the Visitors Center featuring an exhibit on the history of Redcliffe and a gift shop. Then, explore the plantation’s 369 acres by walking along the iconic lane of magnolia trees planted in 1861, sitting on the spacious porch and learning about the two historic circa 1857 slave cabins that are used to interpret the history of generations of families enslaved at Redcliffe. Take a guided tour of the Greek revival-style mansion that includes 4,000+ furnishings and artifacts dating from 1859-1975. Park admission is free; house tours are $10 for adults.

Nestled along the Ashley River, this National Historic Landmark is home to America’s oldest landscaped gardens. Sixty-five acres of gardens feature the grand classic style of European gardens at the time and feature sculptures, walls of greenery and long vistas. Middleton Place’s 110 acres include gardens, House Museum, Eliza’s House, working Stableyards, Restaurant, Inn and Organic Farm. General admission includes access to the gardens, a look at 18th and 19th century plantation life with exhibits, displays, artisans and historic animal breeds in the Plantation Stableyards plus guided tours for a closer look at life at Middleton Place.

Myrtle Beach SkyWheel

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

2011

Already an icon, the SkyWheel sits on the 1.2-mile Boardwalk in the heart of Myrtle Beach. Guests board the 42 glass-enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas that seat up to 6 passengers for 3 to 4 revolutions, lasting about 10 minutes, and enjoy unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean. VIP gondolas seat up to 4 people. Each ride is a private ride for your party; strangers are not seated with other groups. Open all year long, both day and night, the observation wheel rises 187 feet in the air and ranks as the tenth tallest observation wheel in the U.S. Following the ride, the nearby LandShark Bar & Grill is ready to serve tasty treats.

Dollywood

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

1986

Butterfly House & Aquarium

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

2002

Bringing the ocean and tropical butterflies to the Dakotas, this must-see attraction invites visitors to stroll through the tropical 80-degree, 3,600-square foot home of more than 800 free-flying butterflies from around the world in the Dakotas’ only insectarium. Visitors can also see hundreds of different species of fish and corals from all over the world in the 10,000+ gallon aquarium and examine nature’s wonders through interactive exhibits, activities and educational displays in the Discovery Den and the new Under the Dock display. Other exhibits and activities include the touch pool exhibits and Butterfly Feeding.

Spanning 160 acres near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the award-winning theme park offers 50+ world-class rides and attractions, including several rollercoasters and the country’s first wing coaster. Dollywood’s highly-regarded live entertainment showcases country, bluegrass, Southern gospel, classic rock ‘n’ roll and Appalachian music, and daily demonstrations by master craftsmen offer a glimpse into the authentic artistry of the area’s rich heritage. Known for its friendly atmosphere, the park welcomes nearly 3 million visitors each year and is Tennessee’s top ticketed attraction.

The Alamo

San Antonio, Texas

1718

Built by Franciscans as part of a mission station but abandoned, the Alamo became a fortress and the site of the famous 1836 Battle of the Alamo, a defining moment in Texas history. Standing as a Shrine to Texas Liberty, the Alamo is a National Historic Landmark and a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Entrance to the Alamo’s most recognizable structure – the Alamo Church – is free; however, timed reservations are required. Visitors spend 30 minutes inside the church but can explore the Alamo grounds for as long as they like. Things to see are the Long Barrack, living history encampment, garden and statues of heroes. Guided tours are also available.

ESCORTING THE CURIOUS ON HERITAGE TRAVEL SINCE 1992

TOURS OPEN TO INDIVIDUALS

Heritage Tours specializes in travel that emphasizes history, local culture, and heritage. “Edutravel –where seeing is understanding” is our mission, to show our group travelers the wonders both man-made and natural of the world around us, and to provide value that people could not obtain traveling on their own.

This is a hallmark of our tours: providing speakers, guides, sites, experiences and information that make a difference. We create and escort group tours that are customized to the destination, timing, budget and content desired by the group leaders who are our clients. We have no pre-set departures or fixed-in-stone itineraries. We work with group leaders rather than with individual travelers. Occasionally, however, we create tours where the sponsors welcome the public to register in addition to the members of their organization.

Interurban Railway Museum

Plano, Texas

Heritage Farmstead Museum

Plano, Texas

1891

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and an American Association of Museums accredited institution, this 4.5-acre living history site and active farm was once part of a 365-acre, 19th-century farm. Visitors may walk around the farmstead on a decomposed granite walking path and view farm animals and 15 historic buildings. The original buildings and 10,000 artifacts show what life was like in the Blackland Prairie region of North Texas during the Victorian Era. Exhibitions are housed in the restored Farrell-Wilson House, Young House and around the Farmstead grounds. The historic farmstead is available for special events.

1988

Housed in a building that served as a primary stop on the Texas Electric Railway in the Downtown Plano Arts District, the museum tells the story of the rail that ran from Denison through Plano to Dallas and destinations beyond from 1908 until 1948. Visitors can see the original ticket window, tour a refurbished rail car and interact with permanent, temporary and mini exhibits on electricity, science and the history of Plano and the railway. Visiting the museum is free. Groups smaller than 10 people may walk-in, take a self-guided tour and a docent guided tour of Historic Car 360. Larger groups are always docent guided. Photo credit: Visit Plano

Schlitterbahn Waterpark

New Braunfels

New Braunfels, Texas

1979

Hosting almost a million people in 2022, Schlitterbahn is the 5th most-visited waterpark in North America, according to the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). Located on the banks of the spring-fed Comal River in the heart of central Texas, the waterpark’s 51 river rides, waterslides and chutes, pavilions and picnic areas span 70 acres. Free trams shuttle visitors between the Original Schlitterbahn’s 20 attractions and Schlitterbahn West’s 25+ attractions. New in 2024 is Schatze’s Storybrook Park, an all-new area for kids located in the Schlitterbahn West section. This new area is home to the world’s first water coaster for kids.

Comanche Trail Park

Big Spring, Texas

Home of the historic spring that gave Big Spring its name, Comanche Trail Park is a popular 400-acre city park featuring a 6,900-seat limestone amphitheater built by the WPA in 1940, an 18-hole golf course, an 18-hole disc golf course, playgrounds, pavilions and hike, bike and nature trails. Visitors can play a variety of sports on the baseball/softball, football and soccer fields at the Roy Anderson Sports Complex, enjoy fishing or picnicking at Comanche Trail Lake and cooling off at the Russ McEwen Family Aquatic Center. The Dora Roberts Community Center has facilities and accommodations for special events.

Hangar 25 Air Museum

Big Spring, Texas

1999

Housed in a fully restored World War II era hangar, this Big Spring community icon is a museum reflecting the heritage of the men and women who served our country. Its mission is to honor all veterans and promote education through the collection, preservation and exhibition of the history of the Big Spring Army Air Force Bombardier School and Webb Air Force Base. While the museum focuses on displaying the heritage, local history and military traditions, retired veterans and civil service employees bring history to life by sharing recollections and stories of the hangar during WWII and as part of Webb AFB. Free admission; donations accepted.

Houston Museum of Natural Science

Houston, Texas

1909

A centerpiece of the Houston Museum District, millions of visitors come to this expansive science center each year to experience the natural world through 4 floors of permanent, world-class exhibitions and a steady rotation of traveling special exhibits. The exhibitions cover astronomy, space science, Native American culture, paleontology, energy, chemistry, geology, seashells and Texas wildlife. Three other venues are housed within the museum: Burke Baker Planetarium, Houston’s very first Giant Screen Theatre and Cockrell Butterfly Center. Allow at least 2 hours for tours of permanent exhibit halls; private tours are offered.

Shelburne Museum

Shelburne, Vermont

1909

Temple Square

Salt Lake City, Utah

Just 10 minutes south of Burlington, the Museum is a popular Vermont attraction where visitors learn about American history, art and design. Spanning 45 acres, the museum campus feels like a New England village filled with 39 historic structures and beautiful landscapes. Popular museum attractions include the Shaker-design Round Barn, General Store, carousel, the 220-foot sidewheel steamboat Ticonderoga, 22 gardens, Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education featuring changing exhibitions and Webb Gallery featuring important American paintings by Andrew Wyeth, Winslow Homer, Grandma Moses, John Singleton Copley and many more.

1893

Global headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (popularly known as Mormons), Temple Square is one of Salt Lake City’s oldest and most-visited attractions. The 35-acre area contains more than 15 attractions related to Mormon heritage and beliefs and brings rich history, gorgeous gardens and architecture, as well as vivid art and culture together in the center of downtown. The centerpiece of the Square is the famous Salt Lake Temple. Although not open for tours, visitors can walk around the beautifully landscaped grounds and stop in the South Visitors’ Center to see a scale model of the temple and its interior.

Colonial Williamsburg

Williamsburg, Virginia

1638

Colonial Williamsburg looks at what life was like in Virginia’s 18th-century capital, just as our country was beginning. As the world’s largest living history museum and historic landmark, the 301 acres include more than 600 restored or reconstructed original buildings, gardens, renowned museums of decorative arts and folk art, extensive educational outreach, lodging, culinary options from historic taverns to casual or elegant dining. Visitors can meet artisans, shopkeepers, political figures, servants and tradespeople, who are dressed in period costumes and speaking Colonial grammar. A single-day adult ticket is $49.99; other options are available.

Belle Boyd House

Martinsburg, West Virginia

1853

Space Needle

Seattle, Washington

Built for the 1962 World’s Fair – Century 21 Exposition, the 605-foot tall Space Needle is one of the world’s most photographed structures, Seattle’s treasured icon and official landmark. Each year, about 1.3 million visitors take the 43-second elevator ride from the ground to the observation deck to begin their multi-level experience. At 520 feet above Seattle, the observation deck offers indoor and outdoor open-air views. A walk down the grand staircase connects the 2 lower levels – the 510-foot Ring Level and, at 500 feet, The Loupe with the world’s first and only revolving glass floor. Adult admission: $32.50-$42.50. Photo courtesy of Chad Copeland.

Located in the heart of Martinsburg next door to the Berkeley County Historical Society, the Greek Revival house is the childhood home of Belle Boyd, a famous Confederate spy. This stalwart young woman crossed military lines several times to pass information to General Stonewall Jackson during the Civil War and became an actress who often played femme fatale roles after the war. On the first floor of the house, the original ball room is decorated in Victorian style as it would in the late 1800s, and the second floor is filled with permanent and rotating exhibits on Berkeley County history. The Belle Boyd house is open 7 days a week.

Heritage Farm Museum & Village

Huntington, West Virginia

This Smithsonian Affiliate Institution is a recreated 19th century Appalachian village that includes museums, animal exhibits, artisans and an adventure park. Over the Farm’s 500 acres, visitors experience the life of the region’s early pioneers from the 1850s onward by watching skilled artisans at work, visiting 15+ log structures and 7 award-winning museums plus interacting with animals in the petting zoo and nature center. Visitors to the Adventure Park may soar over the valley on the 1100-foot long zipline, take their chance on the challenging aerial adventure course and ride the trails in the mountain bike park.

The Wyoming Dinosaur Center & Dig Sites

Thermopolis, Wyoming

1995

Harley-Davidson Museum

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

One of Milwaukee’s top tourist destinations, the H-D Museum features interactive exhibits and stories about Harley-Davidson, motorcycle history and culture as well as an unrivaled collection of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and memorabilia – including Serial Number One, the oldest known Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The 20-acre, park-like campus near the riverfront includes the world-class museum, two all-new retail stores, a greatly enhanced Experience Gallery and a year-round event building. General admission adult ticket is $22. Explore on your own or add a tour option. Private group rates for 12+ are $16 /adult; reserve in advance.

A visit to this world-class facility provides unique opportunities for hands-on geologic and paleontological experiences in the facility’s museum, dig sites, laboratory and gift shop. The museum displays dinosaurs from around the world including one of the largest dinosaurs ever mounted and a 35-foot Tyrannosaurus rex plus dioramas explaining more about life’s history on Earth and the rise of dinosaurs. At the dig sites, visitors experience paleontology first-hand in some of the richest fossil-bearing strata in the western United States or take an hour instructional, non-strenuous tour of a dig site, if preferred.

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

1872

Yellowstone became the world’s first National Park on March 1, 1872 and remains one of the most popular national parks with 4.5 million people visiting in 2023. Known for its 10,000+ thermal features, the Old Faithful Geyser, abundant wildlife and fantastic recreational options, the park is also famous for its history with 1,106 historic structures, National Historic Landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 2,221,766-acre park offers a variety of dining facilities, 52 picnic areas, 9 hotel& cabin-style lodges for a total of 2,000+ rooms that are open from late spring through fall, 12 campgrounds and hundreds of campsites.

Atlas Index

Click on a state name or city to view the map. (This will open a new page in your browser) Cities are in GREY

Alabama

Birmingham, AL

Mobile & Gulf Shores, AL

Alaska

Arizona Phoenix, AZ

Arkansas

Little Rock, AR

California

Los Angeles, CA

San Diego, CA

San Francisco Bay Area

Colorado Denver, CO

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Big Cypress & Seminole Country

Cocoa Beach & Space Coast

Fort Myers & Naples, FL

Jacksonville & Northeast Florida

Key West & Florida Keys

Miami & The Beaches

Orlando, FL

Panhandle & Northwest Florida

Tampa, St. Pete & Clearwater

Washington County

Georgia

Athens, GA

Atlanta, GA

Brunswick & The Golden Isles

Columbus, GA

Georgia Coast

Peachtree City, GA

Savannah, GA

Statesboro, GA

Hawaii

Idaho

Boise, ID

Illinois

Chicago, IL

Indiana

Indianapolis, IN

Iowa

Kansas

Kansas City, KS

Kentucky

Louisville, KY

Louisiana

New Orleans, LA

New Orleans French Quarter

Louisiana Northshore

Maine

Maryland

Baltimore, MD

Havre de Grace, MD

Massachusetts

Boston, MA

Michigan

Detroit, MI

Minnesota

Mississippi

Gulfport, Biloxi & MS

Gulf Coast Mississippi

Delta & Tunica

Natchez, MS

Missouri

Branson, MO

Kansas City, MO

St. Louis, MO

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

Las Vegas, NV

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Jersey Coast

New Mexico

New York

Manhattan

New York City, NY

North Carolina

Charlotte, NC

Great Smoky

Mountains Nat’l Park

High Country & Boone Area

Mooresville, NC

Outer Banks, NC

Piedmont Triad

Research Triangle

Wilmington & Cape

Fear Coast

North Dakota

Ohio

Cincinnati, OH

Oklahoma

Oklahoma City, OK

Tulsa, OK

Oregon

Portland, OR

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Charleston, SC

Columbia, SC

Lowcountry & Hilton Head Island

Myrtle Beach, SC

Pee Dee Country

Santee Cooper Country

Thoroughbred Country

South Dakota

Tennessee

Memphis, TN

Nashville, TN

Ocoee, TN

Smoky Mountains

Texas

Dallas, TX

Fort Worth, TX

Houston, TX

San Antonio & Hill Country

Utah

Salt Lake City, UT

Vermont

Virginia

Chesapeake Bay & Eastern Shore

Coastal Virginia

Roanoke, VA

Washington

Seattle, WA

Washington D.C.

Downtown D.C.

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

United States of America

HANDBOOK

Great places to visit and travel trivia

for featured states.

LEGEND

The icons below represent activities or accessibility options available at the locations on the next pages.

Alabama

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Helen Keller

Condoleezza Rice

Hank Aaron

Nat King Cole

Emmylou Harris

Coretta Scott King

Carl Lewis

FACTS:

Capital: Montgomery

Population: 4,903,185

Time Zone: Central

Statehood: December 14, 1819 (22nd)

Bird: Yellowhammer

Flower: Camellia

Nickname: The Cotton State

Song: “Alabama”

Tree: Longleaf Pine

Alaska

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Holly Madison

Curt Schilling

Sarah Palin

Archie Van Winkle

James Morrison

Jewel

Wyatt Earp

Carlos Boozer

Arizona

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Joe Jonas

Stevie Nicks

Geronimo

Barbara Eden

Kerry Strug

Emma Stone

Shawn Michaels

Jordin Sparks

Arkansas

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Paul “Bear” Bryant

Dizzy Dean

Sonny Liston

Conway Twitty

John Grisham

Johnny Cash

Bill Clinton

FACTS:

Capital: Juneau

Population: 731,545

Time Zone: Alaska / Aleutian

Statehood: January 3, 1959 (49th)

Bird: Willow ptarmigan

Flower: Alpine Forget-me-not

Nickname: The Last Frontier

Song: “Alaska’s Flag”

Tree: Sitka Spruce

FACTS:

Capital: Phoenix

Population: 7,278,717

Time Zone: Mountain

Statehood: February 14, 1912 (48th)

Bird: Cactus Wren

Flower: Saguaro Blossom

Nickname: The Constitution State

Song: “Arizona”

Tree: Palo Verde

FACTS:

Capital: Little Rock

Population: 3,017,804

Time Zone: Central

Statehood: June 15, 1836 (25th)

Bird: Mockingbird

Flower: Apple Blossom

Nickname: The Natural State

Song: “Arkansas, Oh Arkansas”

Tree: Pine

California

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Shirley Temple Black

Leonardo DiCaprio

Steve Jobs

Mickey Mouse

Richard M. Nixon

Sally Ride

Tiger Woods

FACTS:

Capital: Sacramento

Population: 39,512,223

Time Zone: Pacific

Statehood: September 9, 1850 (31st)

Bird: California Valley Quail

Flower: California Poppy

Nickname: The Golden State

Song: “I Love You, California”

Tree: Coast Redwood & Giant Redwood

Colorado

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Tim Allen

Jon Heder

John Kerry

Jack Dempsey

David Fincher

Byron R. White

John Hall

FACTS:

Capital: Denver

Population: 5,758,736

Time Zone: Mountain

Statehood: August 1st, 1876 (38th)

Bird: Lark Bunting

Flower: Rocky Mountain Columbine

Nickname: Centennial State

Song: “Where the Columbines Grow”

Tree: Blue Spruce

Connecticut

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Noah Webster

Michael Bolton

George W. Bush

Vint Cerf

Katharine Hepburn

J. P. Morgan

Benedict Arnold

John Mayer

Delaware

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Valerie Bertinelli

Eleuthere Irenee du Pont

de Nemours

Henry Heimlich

Robert Mitchum

George Read

Judge Reinhold

Caesar Rodney

FACTS:

Capital: Hartford

Population: 3,565,287

Time Zone: Eastern

Statehood: January 05, 1788 (5th)

Bird: Robin

Flower: Mountain Laurel

Nickname: The Constitution State

Song: “Yankee Doodle”

Tree: White Oak

FACTS:

Capital: Dover

Population: 973,764

Time Zone: Eastern

Statehood: December 7, 1787 (1st)

Bird: Blue Hen Chicken

Flower: Peach Blossom

Nickname: The First State

Song: “Our Delaware”

Tree: American Holly

Florida

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Ariana Grande

Ray Lewis

Pat Boone

Steve Carlton

Frances Langford

Osceola

Sidney Poitier

Janet Reno

Georgia

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Martin Luther King, Jr.

James (Jimmy) E. Carter

Rosalynn Carter

Ty Cobb

Clarence Thomas

Ryan Seacrest

Gladys Knight

Julia Roberts

Hawaii

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Barack Obama

Bruno Mars

Nicole Kidman

Bethany Hamilton

Marcus Mariota

Kelly Preston

K. Megan McArthur

Don Ho

Idaho

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Sarah Palin

Aaron Paul

Lana Turner

Harmon Killebrew

Ezra Pound

Mike Riley

FACTS:

Capital: Tallahassee

Population: 21,477,737

Time Zone: Eastern & Central

Statehood: March 3, 1845 (27th)

Bird: Northern Mockingbird

Flower: Orange Blossom

Nickname: The Sunshine State

Song: “Florida, Where the Sawgrass...”

Tree: Cabbage Palmetto

FACTS:

Capital: Atlanta

Population: 10,617,423

Time Zone: Eastern

Statehood: January 2, 1788 (4th)

Bird: Brown Thrasher

Flower: Cherokee Rose

Nickname: Empire State of the South

Song: “Georgia On My Mind”

Tree: Live Oak

FACTS:

Capital: Honolulu

Population: 1,415,872

Time Zone: Hawaii-Aleutian

Statehood: August 21, 1959 (50th)

Bird: Nene

Flower: Yellow Hibiscus

Nickname: The Aloha State

Song: “Hawaii Ponoi, Hawaii Own”

Tree: Candlenut

FACTS:

Capital: Boise

Population: 1,787,065

Time Zone: Pacific

Statehood: July 3, 1890 (43rd)

Bird: Mountain Bluebird

Flower: Syringa

Nickname: Gem State

Song: “Here We Have Idaho”

Tree: Western White Pine

Illinois

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Ronald Reagan

Robin Williams

Betty White

Harrison Ford

Hillary Clinton

Ernest Hemingway

Quincy Jones

Raquel Welch

Indiana

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Jimmy Hoffa

Florence Henderson

Evan Bayh

Michael Jackson

Steve McQueen

Janet Jackson

James Dean

David Letterman

Iowa

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Jerry Mathers

Kurt Warner

Mamie Eisenhower

Ashton Kutcher

John Wayne

Cloris Leachman

Shawn Johnson

Halston

Kansas

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Amelia Earhart

Burt Bacharach

Joanna Gaines

Gale Sayers

Ed Asner

Martina McBride

Annette Bening

FACTS:

Capital: Springfield

Population: 12,671,821

Time Zone: Central

Statehood: December 03, 1818 (21st)

Bird: Cardinal

Flower: Violet

Nickname: The Prairie State

Song: “Illinois”

Tree: White Oak

FACTS:

Capital: Indianapolis

Population: 6,732,219

Time Zone: Eastern & Central

Statehood: December 11, 1816 (19th)

Bird: Cardinal

Flower: Peony

Nickname: The Hoosier State

Song: “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away”

Tree: Tulip

FACTS:

Capital: Des Moines

Population: 3,155,070

Time Zone: Central

Statehood: December 28, 1846 (29th)

Bird: American Goldfinch

Flower: Rose

Nickname: The Hawkeye State

Song: “The Song of Iowa”

Tree: Oak

FACTS:

Capital: Topeka

Population: 2,913,314

Time Zone: Central

Statehood: January 29, 1861 (34th)

Bird: Meadowlark

Flower: Sunflower

Nickname: The Sunflower State

Song: “Home on the Range” Tree: Cottonwood

Kentucky

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Muhammad Ali

George Clooney

Johnny Depp

Duncan Hines

Wynonna Judd

Abraham Lincoln

Diane Sawyer

FACTS:

Capital: Frankfort

Population: 4,467,673

Time Zone: Eastern & Central

Statehood: June 1, 1792 (15th)

Bird: Cardinal

Flower: Goldenrod

Nickname: The Bluegrass State

Song: “My Old Kentucky Home”

Tree: Tulip Tree

Louisiana

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Harry Connick Jr.

Frank Ocean

Reese Witherspoon

Truman Capote

Jared Leto

Mahalia Jackson

Peyton Manning

Quvenzhané Wallis

Maine

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Judd Nelson

Linda Lavin

Patrick Dempsey

Nelson Rockefeller

Stephen King

Elijah Lovejoy

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Maryland

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Barbara Mikulski

Reginald F. Lewis

Harriet Tubman

Frederick Douglass

Michael Phelps

Julie Bowen

John Wilkes Booth

Nora Roberts

Massachusetts

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

John F. Kennedy

Dr. Seuss

Benjamin Franklin

John Adams

George H. W. Bush

Matt Damon

Mark Wahlberg

Matt LeBlanc

FACTS:

Capital: Baton Rouge

Population: 4,648,794

Time Zone: Central

Statehood: April 30, 1812 (18th)

Bird: Brown Pelican

Flower: Magnolia

Nickname: The Pelican State

Song: “Give Me Louisiana“

Tree: Bald Cypress

FACTS:

Capital: Augusta

Population: 1,344,212

Time Zone: Eastern

Statehood: March 15, 1820 (23rd)

Bird: Chickadee

Flower: White Pine Cone & Tassel

Nickname: The Pine Tree State

Song: “State Song of Maine”

Tree: White Pine

FACTS:

Capital: Annapolis

Population: 6,045,680

Time Zone: Eastern

Statehood: April 28, 1788 (7th)

Bird: Baltimore Oriole

Flower: Black-eyed Susan

Nickname: Old Line State

Song: “Maryland My Maryland”

Tree: White Oak

FACTS:

Capital: Boston

Population: 6,892,503

Time Zone: Eastern

Statehood: February 06, 1788 6th)

Bird: Black-Capped Chickadee

Flower: May Flower

Nickname: The Bay State

Song: “Hail, Massachusetts”

Tree: American Elm

Michigan

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Serena Williams

Tom Selleck

Burt Reynolds

Magic Johnson

Madonna

Stevie Wonder

Henry Ford

Kid Rock

Minnesota

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Bob Dylan

Chris Pratt

Judy Garland

Steve Martin

Vince Vaughn

J. Paul Getty

Lindsey Vonn

FACTS:

Capital: Lansing

Population: 9,986,857

Time Zone: Eastern

Statehood: January 26, 1837 (26th)

Bird: Robin

Flower: Apple Blossom

Nickname: The Wolverine State

Song: “Michigan, My Michigan”

Tree: White Pine

FACTS:

Capital: St. Paul

Population: 5,639,632

Time Zone: Central

Statehood: May 11, 1858 (32nd)

Bird: Common Loon

Flower: Lady Slipper

Nickname: The Land of 10,000 Lakes

Song: “Hail! Minnesota” Tree: Red Pine

Mississippi

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Elvis Presley

Oprah Winfrey

Faith Hill

James Earl Jones

Brett Favre

Jimmy Buffett

B.B. King

Missouri

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

George Washington Carver

Calamity Jane

Maya Angelou

Langston Hughes

Mark Twain

Eminem

Harry S. Truman

Jon Hamm

Montana

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Michelle Williams

Evel Knievel

Gary Cooper

Patrick Duffy

Myrna Loy

Dana Carvey

Phil Jackson

Nebraska

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Gerald Ford

Gabrielle Union

Malcolm X

Larry the Cable Guy

Warren Buffet

Andy Roddick

Marlon Brando

Fred Astaire

FACTS:

Capital: Jackson

Population: 2,976,149

Time Zone: Central

Statehood: December 10, 1817 (20th)

Bird: Mockingbird

Flower: Magnolia

Nickname: The Magnolia State

Song: “Go Mis-sis-sip-pi”

Tree: Magnolia

FACTS:

Capital: Jefferson City

Population: 6,137,428

Time Zone: Central

Statehood: August 10, 1821 (24th)

Bird: Bluebird

Flower: Hawthorn

Nickname: The Show Me State

Song: “Missouri Waltz”

Tree: Dogwood

FACTS:

Capital: Helena

Population: 1,068,778

Time Zone: Mountain

Statehood: November 8, 1889 (41st)

Bird: Meadowlark

Flower: Bitterroot

Nickname: Big Sky Country

Song: “Montana Melody”

Tree: Pine

FACTS:

Capital: Lincoln

Population: 1,934,408

Time Zone: Central & Mountain

Statehood: March 1, 1867 (37th)

Bird: Western Meadowlark

Flower: Goldenrod

Nickname: Cornhusker State

Song: “Beautiful Nebraska”

Tree: Cottonwood

Nevada

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Pat Nixon

Julia Mancuso

Harry Reid

Sarah Winnemucca

Andre Agassi

Jenna Jameson

Rutina Wesley

New Hampshire

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Robert Frost

John Irving

Mandy Moore

Franklin Pierce

Alan Shepard

Bode Miller

E.E. Cummings

New Jersey

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Frank Sinatra

Whitney Houston

Bruce Springsteen

John Travolta

Meryl Streep

Martha Stewart

Buzz Aldrin

Jon Bon Jovi

New Mexico

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Neil Patrick Harris

Demo Lovato

Jeff Bezos

Demi Moore

Dolores Huerta

Rudolfo A. Anaya

FACTS:

Capital: Carson City

Population: 3,080,156

Time Zone: Pacific & Mountain

Statehood: October 31, 1864 (36th)

Bird: Bluebird

Flower: Sagebrush

Nickname: Silver State

Song: “Home Means Nevada”

Tree: Pine

FACTS:

Capital: Concord

Population: 1,359,711

Time Zone: Eastern

Statehood: June 21, 1788 (9th)

Bird: Purple Finch

Flower: Purple Lilac

Nickname: The Granite State

Song: “Old New Hampshire”

Tree: White Birch

FACTS:

Capital: Trenton

Population: 8,882,190

Time Zone: Eastern

Statehood: December 18, 1789 (3rd)

Bird: Eastern Goldfinch

Flower: Violet

Nickname: The Garden State

Song: “New Jersey Loyalty”

Tree: Red Oak

FACTS:

Capital: Santa Fe

Population: 2,096,829

Time Zone: Mountain

Statehood: January 6, 1912 (47th)

Bird: Roadrunner

Flower: Yucca Flower

Nickname: Land of Enchantment

Song: “O, Fair New Mexico”

Tree: Piñon Pine

New York

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Adam Sandler

Al Capone

Michael Jordan

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Tom Cruise

Theodore Roosevelt

Jimmy Fallon

Jane Fonda

FACTS:

Capital: Albany

Population: 19,453,561

Time Zone: Eastern

Statehood: July 26, 1788 (11th)

Bird: Eastern Bluebird

Flower: Rose

Nickname: The Empire State

Song: “I Love New York” Tree: Sugar Maple

North Carolina

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Billy Graham

Scotty McCreery

Dolley Madison

Meadowlark Lemon

Dale Earnhardt, Sr.

Charlie Daniels

FACTS:

Capital: Raleigh

Population: 10,488,084

Time Zone: Eastern

Statehood: November 21, 1789 (12th)

Bird: Cardinal

Flower: Dogwood

Nickname: The Tarheel State

Song: “The Old North State” Tree: Pine

North Dakota

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Josh Duhamel

Kellan Lutz

Lawrence Welk

Angie Dickinson

Peggy Lee

Bobby Vee

FACTS:

Capital: Bismarck

Population: 762,062

Time Zone: Mountain

Statehood: November 02, 1889 (39th)

Bird: Western Meadowlark

Flower: Wild Prairie Rose

Nickname: The Tarheel State

Song: “North Dakota Hymn” Tree: American Elm

Oklahoma

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Ron Howard

Brad Pitt

Carrie Underwood

Reba McEntire

Chuck Norris

Blake Shelton

Dr. Phil McGraw

FACTS:

Capital: Oklahoma City

Population: 3,956,971

Time Zone: Central

Statehood: November 16, 1907 (46th)

Bird: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Flower: Mistletoe

Nickname: The Sooner State

Song: “Oklahoma”

Tree: Redbud

Ohio

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

John Legend

Maya Lin

Russell Wilson

Thomas Edison

Edwin Stanton

John Glenn

Art Tatum

Roy Rogers

Oregon

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Chief Joseph

Douglas C. Engelbart

Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Ashton Eaton

Matt Groening

Tonya Harding

James Beard

FACTS:

Capital: Columbus

Population: 11,689,100

Time Zone: Eastern

Statehood: March 1, 1803 (17th)

Bird: Cardinal

Flower: Scarlet Carnation

Nickname: The Buckeye State

Song: “Beautiful Ohio”

Tree: Buckeye

FACTS:

Capital: Salem

Population: 4,217,737

Time Zone: Pacific & Mountain

Statehood: February 14, 1859 (33rd)

Bird: Meadowlark

Flower: Oregon Grape

Nickname: Beaver State

Song: “Oregon, My Oregon”

Tree: Douglas Fir

Pennsylvania

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Taylor Swift

Will Smith

Kevin Hart

Pink

Kobe Bryant

Amanda Seyfried

Tina Fey

FACTS:

Capital: Harrisburg

Population: 12,801,989

Time Zone: Eastern

Statehood: December 12, 1787 (2nd)

Bird: Ruffed Grouse

Flower: Mountain-laurel

Rhode Island

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Meredith Vieira

Cormac McCarthy

Jack Reed

Matthew C. Perry

H.P. Lovecraft

FACTS:

Capital: Providence

Population: 1,059,361

Time Zone: Eastern

Statehood: May 29, 1790 (13th)

Bird: Rhode Island Red

Flower: Voilet

Nickname: The Ocean State

Song: “Rhode Island It’s For Me”

Tree: Red Maple

South Carolina

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Francis “Swamp Fox”

Marion

Andrew Jackson

Joe Frazier

Dizzy Gillespie

Vanna White

FACTS:

Capital: Columbia

Population: 5,148,714

Time Zone: Eastern

Statehood: May 23, 1788 (8th)

Bird: Great Carolina Wren

Flower: Yellow Jessamine

Nickname: The Palmetto State

Song: “Carolina”

Tree: Palmetto

South Dakota

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Sitting Bull

John Thune

Hubert H. Humphrey

Tom Brokaw

January Jones

Sparky Anderson

Tennessee

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Davy Crockett

Justin Timberlake

Dolly Parton

Aretha Franklin

Morgan Freeman

Kenny Chesney

George Hamilton

Greg Allman

FACTS:

Capital: Pierre

Population: 884,659

Time Zone: Central & Mountain

Statehood: November 2, 1889 (40th)

Bird: Ring-necked Pheasant

Flower: Pasque Flower

Nickname: The Mount Rushmore State

Song: “Hail, South Dakota”

Tree: Black Hills Spruce

FACTS:

Capital: Nashville

Population: 6,829,174

Time Zone: Eastern & Central

Statehood: June 6, 1796 (16th)

Bird: Mockingbird

Flower: Iris

Nickname: The Volunteer State

Song: “The Tennessee Waltz”

Tree: Tulip Poplar

Texas

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Lyndon Johnson

Alvin Ailey

Matthew McConaughey

Carol Burnett

George Foreman

Dwight Eisenhower

NIck Jonas

Sandra Day O’Connor

Utah

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Marie Osmond

Roseanne Barr

J. Willard Marriott

Butch Cassidy

Laraine Day

Jewel

James Woods

Wallace Henry Thurman

Vermont

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Chester A. Arthur

Ted Bundy

Jody Williams

Grace Anna Coolidge

Calvin Coolidge

Hannah Teter

Alexander Lucius Twilight

Virginia

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Pharrell Williams

Booker T. Washington

George Washington

Woodrow Wilson

Thomas Jefferson

Mildred Loving

Shirley MacLaine

Patsy Cline

FACTS:

Capital: Austin

Population: 28,995,881

Time Zone: Central & Mountain

Statehood: December 29, 1845 (28th)

Bird: Mockingbird

Flower: Bluebonnet

Nickname: The Lone Star State

Song: “Texas, Our Texas”

Tree: Pecan

FACTS:

Capital: Salt Lake City

Population: 3,205,958

Time Zone: Mountain

Statehood: January 4, 1896 (45th)

Bird: American Gull

Flower: Sego Lily

Nickname: Beehive State

Song: “Utah, We Love Thee”

Tree: Quaking Aspen

FACTS:

Capital: Montpelier

Population: 623,989

Time Zone: Eastern

Statehood: March 4, 1791 (14th)

Bird: Hermit Thrush

Flower: Red Clover

Nickname: The Green Mountain State

Song: “Hail, Vermont”

Tree: Sugar Maple

FACTS:

Capital: Richmond

Population: 8,535,519

Time Zone: Eastern

Statehood: June 25, 1788 (10th)

Bird: Cardinal

Flower: American Dogwood

Nickname: Mother of States

Song: “Carry Me Back to Old Virginia” Tree: Dogwood

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Washington

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Bill Gates

Kurt Cobain

Taraji Henson

Jimi Hendrix

Adam West

Bob Barker

Hope Solo

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We welcome your comments and suggestions to improve our reference info for group travel planning.

FACTS:

Capital: Olympia

Population: 7,614,893

Time Zone: Pacific

Statehood: November 11, 1889 (42nd)

Bird: American Goldfinch

Flower: Rhododendron

Nickname: The Evergreen State

Song: “Washington, My Home”

Tree: Western Hemlock

West

Virginia

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Brad Paisley

Steve Harvey

Nick Saban

Mary Lou Retton

Don Knotts

Charles Yeager

Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson

Wisconsin

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Mark Ruffalo

William Rehnquist

Paul Ryan

Gene Wilder

Orson Welles

Chris Farley

FACTS:

Capital: Charleston

Population: 1,792,147

Time Zone: Eastern

Statehood: June 20, 1863 (35th)

Bird: Cardinal

Flower: Great Laurel

Nickname: The Mountain State

Song: “The West Virginia Hills”

Tree: Sugar Maple

FACTS:

Capital: Madison

Population: 5,822,434

Time Zone: Central

Statehood: May 29, 1848 (30th)

Bird: Robin

Flower: Wood Violet

Nickname: Badger State

Song: “On Wisconsin”

Tree: Sugar Maple

Wyoming

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Jackson Pollock

Dana Perino

Vernon J. Baker

Jim J. Bullock

John Colter

Velma Linford

Chief Washakie

James G. Watt

FACTS:

Capital: Cheyenne

Population: 578,759

Time Zone: Mountain

Statehood: July 10, 1890 (44th)

Bird: Meadowlark

Flower: Indian Paintbrush

Nickname: Equality State

Song: “Wyoming”

Tree: Plains Cottonwood

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