Groups on Omaha excursion will definitely want to spring for an enchanting and relaxing roll out on the wide Missouri aboard this 1940’s era, two-level 149 passenger excursion vessel – formerly a Las Vegas cruiser, now proud to call the Missouri River home. A variety of fantastic trips are offered on Omaha’s only riverboat – narrated sightseeing, lunch, dinner, holiday and themed cruises treat you to the glorious seasonal sights and sounds along the scenic riverfront, an array of wonderful live entertainment and full, cash-only bar; commemorative merchandise is also available – be sure to take home a little piece of your time aboard the River City Star, and don’t forget your cameras!

Groups exploring “the best of”  Nebraska’s  Gateway to the West will want to dedicate the better part of a day to visiting the fantastic Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, a world-class  zoological park opened in 1894,  nationally renowned for its leadership in animal conservation and research. The Zoo, home to more than 17,000 animals across nearly 1000 species features scores of remarkable exhibits, including the largest cat complex in North America, the world’s largest nocturnal exhibit and indoor swamp, one of the world’s largest indoor rainforests,  the world’s largest indoor desert, and is home to the largest glazed geodesic dome on the planet! This magnificent 130-acre tribute to the animal kingdom is Nebraska’s number one attraction, having welcomed more than 25 million visitors over the past 40 years. An all-day rides pass gets you around the grounds in style: hop the Zoo train and ride the rails, grab a bird’s eye view on  “Skyfari,” take a turn back in time with a spin on Sue’s old-fashioned Wildlife Carousel , or sit back and explore from your comfy seat on the Tram; if you’re feeling extra-brave and want to plunk down a five-spot, there’s even a camel with your name on it! The residents of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Pavilion, Kingdoms of the Night, Exhibition Madagascar, the Berniece Grewcock Butterfly and Insect Pavilion, Hubbard Orangutan Forest, Durham Family Bear Canyon and the Lied Jungle await your rapt audience; if these don’t intrigue you, how about a close encounter at Stingray Beach, a prowl through Cat Complex, a trek through the unforgiving Desert Dome or a walk on the bottom of the ocean beneath a tunnel of ravenous, circling sharks at the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium? The Zoo hosts an array of special events throughout the year -  check with your travel team to see what’s happening when you’re in town – and a variety of exciting, interactive daily animal encounters May through October get you “face time” with many of the creatures and their dedicated keepers; Short-tailed Fruit Bat Feeding, Komodo Dragon Training or Aardvark Dig, anyone?

Nebraska’s largest art museum was a generous gift to the people of Omaha from Sarah H. Joslyn in memory of her husband, George. Wanting to construct a memorial perpetuating their shared interest in music and art that would be beneficial to many, she built an extravagant concert hall surrounded by art galleries, which opened in September of 1931. This extraordinary Art Deco building, hailed as an important addition to the city of Omaha, constructed of the finest materials available, took nearly three years to build and in 1938 was listed among the finest 100 structures in the States. In 2006 a lavish and expansive sculpture garden replete with flowing reflective water features, landscaped green spaces and rich granite pathways was added to the Museum’s grounds, dramatically updating the face of the compound. While the museum itself is a work to behold, its  impressive collections, both temporary and permanent, ranging in genre from Ancient, European, Latin American and Native Indian to Modern and Contemporary, showcase many  important master works, including a major reinstallation of Joslyn Art Museum’s American and American Western galleries – “Art of the Americas,”  the Maximilian Journals (The North American Journals of Prince Maximilian of Wied ,) touring exhibition, “The Maximillian-Bodmer Expedition: Travels in the Interior of North America,” and two recently acquired works by Rembrandt and Beirstadt.

Located on the west side of the Missouri River in Omaha, this museum houses many historic ships as well as aircraft. Travelers the world over would enjoy exhibits such as the USS Hazard, USS Marlin SST-2 Submarine, rocket launchers, and much more. The display of the USS Hazard allows adults alike to come aboard and take a closer look at this WW2 ship. See the 40mm guns aboard this unique attraction. While at the park don’t forget to step on in the USS Marlin Submarine. No hatches to climb down here, thankfully the sub has been modified allowing groups to enter through the side of the ship.

This upscale 55 acre, 15-block shopping district and exclusive neighborhood just south of downtown Kansas City tenders visitors a perfect mix of high-end shops, mainstream retailers, dining establishments, luxurious accommodations and popular entertainment venues and is named as one of the World’s “60 best places” by Project for Public Spaces, a nonprofit organization based in New York dedicated to creating and sustaining public places that build communities. Opened in 1923 as the first shopping center to accommodate those arriving by automobile, the basic design of the Country Club Plaza reflects lovely classic European influences, with multi-themed works of art – sculpture, murals, mosaics and architectural reproductions – tastefully showcased throughout the area and fabulously intricate fountains sprouting from the beautiful landscape; parking is completely concealed in multi-
level garages beneath and behind shops or situated out of plain view on rooftops, eliminating the sprawling gauntlets of unsightly lots. The district’s many storefronts include Anthropology, Ann Taylor, Barnes and Noble, Bath and Body Works, Banana Republic, Chico’s, The Coach Store, Cupcake A La Mode, Eddie Bauer, Mac Cosmetics, Moosejaw, N. Valentino, The North Face, The Better Cheddar, Soft Surroundings, Sur La Table, Tommy Bahama, Tiffany and Company, Three Dog Bakery, Restoration Hardware, Sunglass Hut, Urban Outfitters, Very Bradley, Victoria’s Secret and Williams Sonoma; dozens of cafes and restaurants including The Cheesecake Factory, Jack Stack BBQ, Gram and Dun, Bucca de Beppo, McCormick’s and Schmick’s, Chaz on the Plaza, Panera Bread and Starbucks ensure your favorite menu – casual sweet bite, homestyle Italian, classic surf and turf or elegant repast – is right around the corner from your last shopping spree. The Plaza’s annual “Season of Lights” is kicked off on Thanksgiving Night during a grand televised celebration in observance of the longstanding tradition of ushering in the Christmas Season with a special guest or celebrity “flipping the switch” to a dazzling display of holiday lights that shine thru the New Year. Whether you’re coming to shop, dine or even stay for a few days, the Plaza is the place to be!

While your adult group is visiting Kansas City, you may want to take a tour of Kauffman Stadium. The location is the home baseball field of the Kansas City Royals baseball team. Baseball fans of all ages will enjoy this unique experience. There are a few tours available for the group to consider. You can take the Group Tour, the All Access Tour, the Legends Tour, or the Grand Slam Tour. During the Group Tour, you will have the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the stadium. The group will see areas such as the Press Box, the Royals Interview Room, and the Royals Dugout. The tour is one hour in length. The Grand Slam Tour is two hours long. Each guest will receive a stretched canvas Kauffman Stadium picture and an exclusive Kauffman Stadium baseball cap. During the experience, you will see areas that are normally off-limits such as the Dugout Suite, the BATS Crown Club, the KIA Diamond Club, and the Royals Hall of Fame. The Legends Tour is a 90-minute experience. During the tour, your adult group will have the opportunity to visit the Royals Hall of Fame, the Interview Room, and take part in the outfield experience. The Royals Hall of Fame is a museum where your group will be educated and entertained. There are interesting exhibits for you to observe during the visit. One of the galleries is the Clubhouse Lobby Gallery which contains exhibits such as Retired Numbers, the Ash Wood Wall, and Predecessor Teams Panels. The Ash Wood Wall contains the history of professional baseball in Kansas City from its very beginning in 1884. There are images and headlines that tell the story of the eight teams to call Kansas City home.

As you plan your adult group tour to Gatlinburg, you may want to spend the day getting soaked at Splash Country Water Park. The location has a total of 23 different slides for you to experience. Your group can also take part in a zip line adventure during the visit. There are shopping and dining options for the group to explore. Visitors will enjoy the thrill and entertainment when you ride the various slides and rides. You will find exhilarating rides such as Fire Tower Falls, Mountain Scream, River Rush, Big Bear Plunge, and the Butterfly. Fire Tower Falls is the tallest slide at the park. During the experience, guests will propel down 280foot tracks on exhilarating free-fall twin slides. At the end of the ride, you will reach a 140foot water-filled lane for a fun final splash. The ride is open from May through September. River Rush offers visitors the soak of a lifetime along with an action packed experience. You will race through the trees four stories in the air and experience four drops along a track with exhilarating hairpin turns, twists, and tunnels combined with rushing water. The group can have an exciting zip line experience on the Sky Zip Tour. During the adventure, you will find four treks that range from 700 to 1,000 feet in length. The venture is one hour and has multiple zip lines. Visitors will see a breathtaking view of the Smokey Mountains as you fly high in the sky. There is also a 100foot swinging bridge to explore as part of this entertaining adventure.

When your group plans a trip to Gatlinburg, you should enjoy entertainment at one of the top destinations in the area known as Dollywood. The location contains attractions such as the Dollywood Theme Park, Splash Country Water Park, and beautiful cabins. Groups of all sizes will enjoy visiting the park and taking in the view of the Smoky Mountains. The Dollywood Theme Park is 150 acres and offers tons of fun rides and entertainment attractions for the group to explore. There are thrill rides for those who are interested in a heart-stopping experience. You will find rides such as the Fire Chaser Roller-Coaster, Blazing Fury, Daredevil Falls, the Dizzy Disk, and Mystery Mine. There are also family-friendly attractions for those who are seeking a relaxing visit. Dollywood offers group tours that can be customized for your specific party. You can spend the day enjoying the live stage shows, experience the rides and attractions, or watch their master craftsmen at work. There are meal options available that are included in the tour. The kitchens at Dollywood are always serving up a wide variety of mouth-watering southern cuisine. The park hosts five festivals throughout the year. Your group can attend events such as the Festival of Nations, the Barbeque and Bluegrass Festival, and the National Southern Gospel and Harvest Celebration. The Festival of Nations is a month long event which features captivating entertainment. It is a celebration with music, dance, food and art. The Southern Gospel Festival is hosted during the fall season. Visitors can enjoy six weeks of live performances as part of the Dollywood experience.

While your group is visiting Gatlinburg, you may want to have a scary experience at Ripley’s Haunted Adventure. Visitors can enter a renovated mansion where there may be spirits lurking in the shadows. There are live actors at every corner so be prepared for the scare of your life during this entertaining experience! Ripley’s Haunted Adventure takes haunted houses to the next level. The tour of the dilapidated building will take about 15 minutes. When you begin, the group will ride in an old coffin cage that resembles a mine-shaft elevator. You will arrive in a creepy funeral chapel where you will be instructed to form a single-file line and put your hand on the shoulder of the person in front of you during the remainder of the tour. During the rest of the experience, visitors will be walking in complete darkness. There will be special effects that will confuse your senses. There are other attractions to visit during your time at Ripley’s Haunted Adventure. You can watch a film in the 5D Moving Theater, see some strange items in the Odditorium, and enjoy the Marvelous Mirror Maze. There are interactives and interesting artifacts on display. Visitors will have the opportunity to examine objects such as shrunken heads, an authentic vampire killing kit, and one-of-a-kind artwork. The Marvelous Mirror Maze is entertaining to navigate. There are dead ends, corners, and infinite reflections. The Moving Theater has two action-packed films to enjoy. Visitors will experience bumps, dips, and turns during the film.

During your adult group trip to Gatlinburg, you may want to explore the abundance of sea creatures at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Visitors can participate in interesting activities, view fascinating exhibit galleries, and enjoy live shows. This aquarium was voted #1 in the United States. There are a variety of activities to explore during your visit. One of the options is the Personal Penguin Experience which is where the group will have the opportunity to meet the penguins up close. During the encounter, you will learn about the African Penguin species which are also known as Black-footed Penguins. You will also get to pet the animals and take a souvenir photo. Another fun activity is known as Splash with the Stingrays. During the experience, visitors will have the opportunity to interact with the stingrays, which are a fascinating species. The exhibit galleries are full of amazing species to observe. One of the exhibits is called Tropical Rainforest. The group will find species such as Piranhas, Dart Frogs, Arapaima, and Anableps which are also known as four-eyed fish. Another interesting exhibit is the Gallery of the Seas which contains a collection of delicate undersea life. You will find the Pacific Giant Octopus, sea anemones, living corals, and jellies. One of the most popular exhibits is known as Shark Lagoon. It contains a variety of fish of every shape and size. Your group may want to watch one of the live shows during your visit to Ripley’s Aquarium. There are shows such as Shark Lagoon Dive, Penguin Feeding, Stingray Bay Dive, and Marine Science. During the Penguin Feeding, you will have the opportunity to observe the penguins being fed by the keepers. You will also learn about challenges that these animals face in today’s environment.