Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial

I wonder which generation was the first to complain that our government was out of touch? Has it been in my lifetime? Or did it begin at least in some corners when George Washington himself took office? It’s an unfortunate dilemma that the officials meant to represent us seem to live and work in such a different world than our own.

One President seems to have convinced his fellow Americans that if he wasn’t exactly like them, at least he was in touch. They respected him so much he was elected to four consecutive terms as President – a feat not even allowed today. His name was Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and when I think of his Fireside Chats each week and the two difficult eras through which he led our nation – The Great Depression and World War II – I have to assume there was something in his words and in his voice that comforted his listeners and left them feeling that the speaker understood their needs.

Itineraries for Washington D.C. educational tours are usually filled with US Presidents. So many of the beautiful monuments and memorials are dedicated to those who’ve held that prestigious office. The memorial for FDR is just one of many – and certainly not the most familiar or most commonly reproduced on film or television. But it spans more years than any other as it celebrates the man who held the office for the longest amount of time.

Each room of the FDR memorial is dedicated to one of his four terms in office. Each holds a statue of the President in a different pose from the others. Each displays his words. Each provides a serene, refreshing atmosphere with running waterfalls.

Outside the memorial you’ll find a replica of a 1930s breadline, a common sight during the Great Depression when President Roosevelt’s fireside chats began. Many of the President’s famous words are displayed in his memorial as well, including one of his most popular topics: The Four Freedoms. Roosevelt declared these to be the four basic freedoms every human should enjoy: freedom of Speech, freedom of Religion, freedom from Want, and freedom from Fear.

The Great Depression certainly threatened the third freedom listed, and World War II undoubtedly threatened the fourth. How comforting Roosevelt’s words must have been that we could expect and should hope for and work toward a day when every human could enjoy each of the freedoms he declared. The FDR memorial is a cool retreat on a hot day with its flowing water, and it’s a reminder of a man who brought refreshing words in troubling times. It’s just one of the many great presidential memorials on the National Mall, but it’s certainly one worth visiting.

Photo by by matt.h.wade on Flickr.

Bow Bridge, Central Park

Did you notice a whole lot of pink and red cards and decorations only hours after Christmas morning? Oh, wait, it upset you? Because I couldn’t be happier. Life should be measured in holidays really – always either living one or getting ready for the next. Besides, I especially adore Cupid’s holiday – partly because of delightful lists like this one that popped up in my inbox recently. It was put out by the Central Park Conservatory, and it’s the sites in the Park rated most romantic. Certainly many of them top my list as places to see when I finally visit the amazing New York City.

Conservatory Water

First up is the body of water surrounded by some of Central Park’s most beautiful foliage and usually graced with the miniature (though some not that small) sailboats for which it was built. Nearby you’ll find plenty of benches on which to rest side by side as well as the lovely, famed statues of Alice in Wonderland at her tea party and of Hans Christian Andersen.

Belvedere Castle

This building straight from a fairy tale offers panoramic views of other Central Park greats, like Turtle Pond and the Great Lawn. It provides the official New York City temperature, and it’s frequented by bird watchers, naturalists, and apparently couples in love.

Bow Bridge

Is anything needed but the beautiful picture above to convince you of the romantic possibilities of Bow Bridge? This cast iron archway is one of Central Park’s most popular meeting places. It offers a great view of the Lake and of the buildings of Fifth Avenue towering above the tree line. It’s a beautiful transition from Cherry Hill to the Ramble, and – well, it’s simply beautiful itself.

Conservatory Garden

Few surroundings are quite so perfect for romance as a peaceful, fragrant garden. Conservatory Garden is the only formal garden in the Park, and it’s a beautiful respite from the bustling city outside.

Bethseda Terrace

What better place for love than at the attraction known as the heart of the park? Bethseda Terrace offers the beautiful Bethseda Fountain, intricate ornamentation, a view of the Lake and the Ramble, and a walk on the tree-canopied Mall – one of the prettiest walkways in the park.

Central Park has many favorite sites. It’s the perfect attraction for group travel of any kind. But for these sites and many others, it’s perhaps best of all enjoyed in pairs.

Photo by Lucius Kwok on Flickr.

When I paint a picture for the many reasons a person should choose Cancun for group travel, I start with the water. Clear blue and part of the breathtaking, beloved Caribbean – that’s pretty much all you need to convince anyone. The sand is right up there, too, when it comes to Cancun’s greatness. And then there are the water-slash-nature parks, the jungle tours, and the world-class snorkeling and diving on the Great Mayan Reef, shipwrecks, caverns, and caves.

But all these things happen (mostly) during the day. And they leave out what may actually be Cancun’s greatest draw: Its nightlife.

There are many clubs and restaurants that make this true, but the largest, and certainly one of the hottest, is The City.

The City is, in fact, the largest club in Latin America. It’s three floors actually, over eight thousand square feet and holds more than five thousand guests at a time. (If, like me, you sort of flinch at the idea that this leaves less than two square feet per person, you’re not the target audience for this blog post nor this awesome club). Plus, it’s so much more than a club. The City has all the things you need in order to call itself that, of course. It has nine bars in all. It has dance floors. And it definitely, definitely has music and DJs. In fact, The City offers some of the greatest DJs in the world, certainly the best in Cancun.

Thus far, somewhat traditional. But besides these classic nightclub features, The City has a stage – and not just any stage. This stage literally comes to life each night with lights, fire, artistry, and innovation that will absolutely astound you. Three of its regular shows include:

Fire – Artists performing with everyone’s favorite molten medium. Add in sounds, light, music, and choreography, and you’ve got one exciting show.

Fabrics – In the tradition of Cirque du Soleil, these performers astound with color, pageantry, and acrobatics.

The Cube – A show that puts full use to The City’s sound and light availability, The Cube is an innovative display of music and technology for an unforgettable entertainment experience.

Besides these three shows, The City draws world-renowned DJs, and watching these artists work their magic is an entertainment experience of its own. World-famous artists and celebrities have performed at The City as well. In short, this stage offers all the brilliance of an expensive concert or live performance but with the added details that make you a part of the experience.

Located in the heart of the hotel district, The City is a must-consider club in your search for exciting nightlife in Cancun. Spring Break has never looked quite this good.

(Cancun has many other attractions for night and for day. Some are perfect for families. Though exciting for spring break and student tours, this destination really does have something for everyone).

Photo by Wigstruck on Flickr.

Around the country, you can find tons of great attractions perfect for black history tours. If your group has an interest in this area, consider Atlanta, Washington, D.C., or Boston for a wealth of historic sites chronicling the role of African-Americans in our nation’s history.

Or, if you’re looking for a black history tour with a different kind of energy, a hip-hop tour in Harlem might be just the ticket. H3 Tours (that’s, Harlem Hip-Hop) offers tours and experiences all about hip-hop, Harlem history, and African-American culture that can be customized into amazing black history tours. Here are some of the attractions that can be customized into your tour.

The Apollo Theater – One of the most famous stages in America, the Apollo has launched the careers of Michael Jackson, Lauren Hill, Stevie wonder, and so many more. A tour here showcases the history of the theater and memorabilia from its legends. You may even get a chance to perform onstage.

DJ Scratch Lessons – Technically, it’s called turntablism. Did you know that? With this experience, you’ll learn that and so much more about this iconic sound in authentic hip-hop music.

Hip-Hop On / Hip-Hop Off tour – A live DJ and a rapping MC are your guides for this hip-hop filled, official H3 Tours bus as you discover all the Harlem sites intrinsic to the history of hip-hop.

Music Studio Tour – Visit recording studios that are prominent in the world of hip-hop. You can even rap or sing for a souvenir recording of your own!

HOT 97 Experience Tour  - It’s the hottest radio station for the hip-hop scene in New York City and famous around the nation, and this tour lets you get behind the scenes.

Graffiti Hall of Fame – A part of the hip-hop on and off tour, the Graffiti Hall of Fame will make any guest a fan – or at least, an admirer of the art.

This is just the beginning. H3 Tours also offers shopping on the famous 125th Street in Harlem, hip-hop dance lessons, a classic Soul Food Lunch, and inspiring workshops in entrepreneurship at both the Applebees franchise and with the H3 Tours founder and CEO herself, Adrienne Smith. Harlem Hip-Hop Tours is a great way to go for fun and exciting tours with a high-energy focus on black history.

Photo by JJ & Special K on Flickr.

There’s a pretty good chance that at some point in the next couple weeks, you’ll think of Times Square. It’s the location for perhaps the most famous New Year’s Eve party in the whole country. And when you think of it this year you probably fall into one of three camps. 1)That would be kind of fun…at least once. Or 2) No way on earth you’re getting me within fifty feet of that chaos. Or 3) It’s kind of nice to have on in the background while we do our own thing.

If the first, there’s something you should know. You can’t just waltz up to the famous intersection and be a part of yet more ball-dropping history! Only invited guests and those with reservations in one of the Times Square restaurants or attractions – only these people get to be part of the action. So what are some of the Times Square attractions? Do you even know what Times Square is? Besides the towering digital billboards?

Technically speaking, Times Square is an intersection, specifically the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue. Did you say Broadway? Yes, I did. And Times Square is the location for about forty Broadway theaters, playing the most popular stories and performances in the industry. You may end up near Times Square on purpose for a glimpse at the famous megatrons or simply to see the amazing convergence of so much life and energy. But if not, a Broadway plan is one of the many things that could draw you there. Here are some of the other attractions that may bring you to the famous Manhattan location.

The Hershey Store – Or perhaps, The M&M Store. These candy heavens are both located on the famous Square, and might be just the ticket for your New York City group travel. If say, your group is filled with children, dessert lovers, or the young at heart. Who am I kidding? Who doesn’t want to visit these candy confections of awesome?

Planet Hollywood is another fun one. This theme restaurant celebrates all things, well – Hollywood. New York City is a great place to celebrate film and television anyway. You might as well make it official with this always-popular American restaurant.

Hard Rock Cafe might be more your taste even than movies. Like at Planet Hollywood, you’ll eat while celebrating your favorite entertainment legends and works of art, only in this case – it’s the music world instead of film. I have a picture with [a statue of] Elvis because of this jolly theme restaurant.

Ripley’s Believe it Or Not. Ever seen the television show that makes grown men cringe with its wild and absurd realities that truly are unbelievable? Imagine them collected in a museum. Or don’t imagine, and just go there instead, to see for yourself the lock of Elvis’ hair, the albino wildlife, and the actual iron maiden. Ripley has been known as the real life Indiana Jones, and this museum is just the beginning of some of the many amazing things he discovered.

Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum has its own gallery of amazing sights. And though these aren’t real, you’ll sometimes look twice to be sure. This wax museum is famous for its amazing likenesses of popular celebrities and legends.

You see? Times Square is way more than the ball on New Year’s Eve. There are tons of stores, theaters, restaurants, and hot spots there that are likely to draw just about any group any time of year.

Photo by plattypus_of_new_york on flickr.

Let’s talk about the White House. After all, Oprah recently did her Christmas special with the new administration. So it might be on your mind. Besides that, it’s the most identifying residence in Washington D.C., which remains the most popular city for student group travel.

If you’ve ever considered a trip to the nation’s capital, it has surely crossed your mind: Can groups still tour inside? The answer is yes with a big, fat but.

There are many times throughout the year when the White House is not available for tours. It’s recommended that you request a tour with as much advance notice as possible. This is something you do through your member of congress. (Our travel company, though not all, will take care of this detail for you.) There will be several security hoops to jump through, information to provide about your group numbers, etc.

Is it worth it? Many believe it is simply for the experience – just being able to say you’ve been there – that can be pretty cool. You should know, though, that these tours are hardly personal. You won’t be visiting with the President himself or any member of his family. You won’t be anywhere near the actual residence areas or the famous Oval Office. Many of the luxurious rooms you’ll visit are roped off, and you simply view them from beyond, like a diorama at a museum. Still, seriously, they’re pretty beautiful. And the history of how different pieces entered the decor can be fascinating information.

Here’s another thing to consider: Up until the moment you step inside, your hard-earned tour could, of course, be cancelled. Scheduling conflicts can arise on a last-minute basis, and you won’t get to say you’ve been there after all. Fortunately, there’s an alternative.

The White House Visitor Center was not technically designed as an alternative to the White House itself but as a complement to it. Basically, you get to see more there. The visitor’s center features architecture from the White House, furniture, trivia about former First Families, photographs, even famous visits from dignitaries and other White House special events. Despite not actually being in the White House, this is a more inside look at the famous residence.

The other benefit to the Visitor Center is that it’s open all the time and available to all D.C. visitors without scheduling in advance. It’s definitely the way to go if you’ve planned your D.C. tour short notice or if you’re traveling at the same time that, say, the president of France is in town.

The White House Visitor Center is located on the southeast corner of 15th and E streets in Washington D.C., just two blocks east of the White House.

Photo by ricardo.martins on Flickr.

The American Natural History Museum in New York City is an amazing discovery of our planet and its inspiring evolution through time, including the most comprehensive exhibit of the evolving human species.

This is one of the best NYC attractions for educational tours or other kinds of student travel. The experience is simply fascinating with dioramas of wildlife and the ocean. You’ll see where life began in the oceanic halls with their celebration of the first known life forms and exhibits featuring all kinds of creatures from the Mysterious Blue today.

The wildlife displays showcase other fantastic specimens with whom we share the planet. And other halls feature the planet itself, its geographic treasures, and amazing finds you haven’t even imagined.

The most popular halls of the museum, of course, are probably the Fossil Halls. That’s where you’ll find the dinos, or in technical terms, “The most comprehensive collection of vertebrate fossils” anywhere in the world. They’re grouped according to species so you can see the evolution process for yourself. These halls take up two floors of the museum and thrill visitors every single day.

Though located within steel and concrete, this museum could actually be a great beginning to eco-friendly student travel. Understanding the variety and depth of our planet, its changing processes and the life it sustains – what better way to discover the goals of being eco-conscious?

This museum’s location adds to its popularity, as its situated at Central Park West. It’s a beautiful Manhattan area for a brilliant Manhattan attraction and one every student group should consider.

Photo by Raul DS on Flickr.

The purpose of an educational tour is to take learning on the road. Or rather, it is to take students on the road to greet the amazing learning you can find there.

New York City is a great choice for student travel because of its wide variety of experiences. And, hands down, one of the most popular NYC attractions for visitors is the amazing wealth of live and Broadway performances.

The arts in schools across the nation are sometimes the first area to lose funding in difficult times. But, often, supporters of the arts are some of the most passionate in the district. It’s been proven that music and the arts can increase the brain’s ability to soak in all kinds of information – from math and science to literature and beyond. All of this is why a Broadway performance is in itself a valid attraction to add to any Manhattan educational tour. The inspiration of seeing one of these amazing performances live, is by itself a powerful reason to put it on the itinerary.

But there’s more. If you truly want to connect the inspiration to the learning potential, Broadway offers its own classrooms for just that purpose. This is one of the amazing attractions perfect for NYC theater tours.

Broadway Classroom is an amazing opportunity to complement the powerful inspiration of a Broadway performance with a corresponding workshop for your group. There are several different workshop themes to choose from. Your group can focus on the performance itself, the acting, singing, dancing, and choreography. You can see what it’s like to audition, to rehearse, and to put it all together. If you prefer to consider the business side of things, there are workshops for that as well. Here are some things you can count on no matter which workshop you choose.

Length – All workshops are approximately ninety minutes, with some exceptions.

Flexibility – Your group attends a workshop without any others. The workshop, then, works with your schedule to find a time that works for you.

Star Power – The workshops are taught by actual Broadway performers, or sometimes they’re the surprise guest at the end. For all the workshops, though, you’ll know you’re learning from someone who’s part of the biz.

Location – The workshops are held in actual theater rehearsal studios.

Affordable – The price of the workshops is extremely reasonable and two chaperones are included for free per 25 students.

Quality – Broadway Classroom is taught by qualified teaching artists and actual Broadway performers, and they are based on the National Standards for Art Education.

Context – Except for some instances, your workshop is paired with the actual performance itself. This means if you take the Movement and Song workshop for Billy Elliot, you’ll get to see the professionals perform the very numbers you have worked so hard to learn. This is perhaps the best part of the Broadway Classroom experience.

I think most of us can agree, the arts are a beautiful addition to the world and something none of us want to do without completely. Therefore, we need to spend at least some of our time and other resources to give the next generation the chance to be inspired. And Broadway Classroom is just one of the many ways to do it.

Photo by CST 13 on Flickr.

More than seventy percent of all Americans consider themselves believers of the Christian faith. This makes faith-based tours a common reason to travel. Youth groups, private schools, and home-school co-ops are often looking for exciting places to travel that celebrate their history and beliefs. There are several destinations around the country that help faith-based groups experience the history of the Old and New Testament. They can really bring to life things the group members have thus far only read or heard in simple lessons. Group leaders will love seeing the stories come alive for their students. It can really help connect a person to their faith.

One of the largest of these is the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida. It combines the sunny warmth of the palm tree state with intense, hands-on exhibits from the bible and its amazing stories. Here are some of the things you’ll see there:

The Scriptorium is a complete bible experience, that is, an extensive look at the text itself. A walking tour through this beautiful museum showcases actual ancient texts of the scripture itself and parallel documents. Visitors will learn about the history of the documents and discover the culture and time periods in which they were first penned and translated. The museum parallels the written history to the history of civilization, further affirming its validity. You’ll also discover the amazing impact the bible has had on the world, its longevity and far-reaching effect.

The Wilderness Tabernacle – Students of the bible know that the Israelites were given detailed instructions for the building of their portable tabernacle and the ceremonies to be performed there after their escape from Egypt and before they settled in their Promised Land. At the Holy Land Experience, visitors can enter the tabernacle and see reenactments of all these amazing details, from the portability to the extravagant appearance and rituals.

The Jerusalem Street Market introduces guests to the noise and energy of Jerusalem two thousand years ago around the time Jesus would have walked its streets.

There you’ll find The Great Temple, the beautiful reproduction of Solomon’s temple and the Jewish centerpiece Jesus visited several times.

Calvary’s Garden Tomb replicates the Via Dolorosa, the street through Jerusalem on which Jesus carried his cross before his own crucifixion. Three crosses stand above the Garden Tomb, and the reenactment known as the Passion of Christ takes place here.

Besides these exhibits, the Holy Land Experience also brings you a scale model of the city of Jerusalem, a movie theater playing classic Christian films, and an auditorium with live performances throughout the year. The Crystal Living Waters is a popular feature after dark with an amazing light, water, and music display that thrills guests every night near closing.

There are all kinds of exciting destinations for group travel centered on your faith. And just imagine how the experience could benefit your group and complement the very convictions that brought you together in the first place.

Photo by DeaPeaJay on Flickr.

I have a crush on New York City. And I have a crush on the movies. Film, motion pictures, the talkies.

Fortunately there’s a company that indulges both my crushes in a big way with their movie tours. It’s On Location Tours, and they’ve created guided tours around the city based on locations from favorite film and television. Here’s a glimpse at the goods. There’s no way you can’t find at least one thing of interest here.

T.V. and Movie Sites

Recognize the building in this photograph? It’s from a little 90s classic titled simply and poignantly, Friends. This building was used for the exterior of Monica’s apartment. Us Friends lovers would know it anywhere, and on the T.V. and Movie Sites tour we can take a closer look and get an awesome (incredibly staged) photo op in front of it. Other sites on this tour include the front stoop from the Cosby Show plus sites from Will & Grace, Law & Order, and The Devil Wears Prada. (But you know that’s not all, right?)

Central Park

The more than 800 acres that make up this New York City landmark are a beautiful place to explore on any day for any reason. But throw in some actual film locations from your favorite pop culture, and it becomes one of the most exciting things to do on a first time visit to the city. There’s something for everyone on this tour as many great films – both legendary and recent – have been filmed near the fountains, bridges, boathouse, and walkways of famous Central Park.

Gossip Girl, the Sopranos, and More

Three of the On Location tours are based on classic television. Ever want to discover the cupcakes from Sex and the City? There’s a whole tour built around that fashionable show. It’s the perfect choice for a girls trip to town, but absolutely any fan will love it. The Sopranos lent itself to some great NYC locations as well, and one tour focuses on those. The newest tour centers around the edgy new teen show, Gossip Girl. If you’re a fan of any of these popular shows, you’re going to love the tours that celebrate them.

Now, these are the five the company has created thus far. I do have a suggestion for them, though. Having stalked On Location Tours for some time, because well – I love what they do, I feel I can address them personally and suggest two words: Nora Ephron. I definitely think they should create a tour based on this self-proclaimed fan of the city. Ephron is a screenwriter and essayist who loves New York City as much as anyone can, and she paints it so well into her writings. She’s highlighted tons of great locations in the city, and there should definitely be a tour in her honor.

Not that I’m not completely thrilled with the choices they already offer! I’ll take a walk to Monica’s apartment any day of the week. And frankly, I’m just really happy this very cool company exists.

Photo by Smart Destinations on Flickr.