2024 Readers’ Choice Awards
The 2024 Readers' Choice Awards recognize who you, our readers, have said are the best in the group travel market! Keep reading to see which destinations and attractions have made the list this year and what makes them so special!
CVB or DMO: City/Region
Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp
Nashville generates one-third of all visitor spending in Tennessee, and Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp plays a strong role in that success. The CVC expertly serves the Music City hospitality community and successfully shows the world why Nashville is a premier entertainment destination for travelers who seek authentic and unique leisure and convention experiences.
HONORABLE MENTION: Explore Branson | Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism | Visit Detroit | Visit Virginia Beach
CVB or DMO: State/Province
Enjoy Illinois
Whether in the bustling Chicago streets or within the state's 70 state parks and recreation areas, Illinois has much to offer traveling groups. And with efforts like prioritizing and showcasing the state's inclusive LGBTQIA+ experiences and campaigns highlighting the state's natural beauty, it's easy to see how Enjoy Illinois has contributed to the state's record tourism growth.
HONORABLE MENTION: I Love New York | Pure Michigan | Travel Wisconsin | Visit California
Hotel
White Mountain Hotel & Resort
North Conway, New Hampshire
Nestled near New Hampshire's scenic White Mountains, groups will find an escape from the ordinary at White Mountain Hotel & Resort. For over 30 years, this iconic hotel and four-seasons resort with incredible views has welcomed groups like they're family, whether it's for a golf getaway, ski holiday, or simply to enjoy the hotel's exceptional accommodations and staff.
HONORABLE MENTION: Drury Hotels (multiple locations) | Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center (National Harbor, Maryland) | Grand Hotel (Mackinac Island, Michigan) | Fairmont Le Château Frontenac (Québec City, Quebec)
Beer, Wine or Spirit Trail/Scene
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Options for raising your glass abound in Milwaukee! Whether groups choose to visit the original Pabst Blue Ribbon Brewery, sip some spirits at Great Lakes Distillery (Wisconsin's first since Prohibition), socialize on the Lake Michigan shore at South Shore Terrace Kitchen & Beer Garden or otherwise, Milwaukee has the thirst-quenching libations groups seek.
HONORABLE MENTION: Finger Lakes Region, New York | Kentucky Bourbon Trail | Quad Cities Ale Trail | Temecula Valley Wine Country
Dining Experience
Golden Corral
multiple locations
Golden Corral knows how to please a crowd, so groups can be assured their dining experience at any of the brand's locations around the country will deliver. From special food allergy accommodations and extended group hours to an endless buffet of home-style favorites, there are a number of reasons why Golden Corral remains a group favorite.
HONORABLE MENTION: Grand Hotel Buffet and Afternoon Tea (Mackinac Island, Michigan) | Buca di Beppo (multiple locations) | Skylon Tower Revolving Dining Room (Niagara Falls, Ontario) | Cabbage Island Clambakes (Boothbay Harbor, Maine)
Hands-On Experience
Corning Museum of Glass
See glass in a new light! Home to the world's most comprehensive collection of glass—including 50,000 objects representing more than 3,500 years of history—is the Corning Museum of Glass. Watch live glassworking demonstrations, take part in a "Make Your Own Glass" session, peruse the Contemporary Art + Design Wing and more.
HONORABLE MENTION: Disney Theatrical Sales Broadway Workshops | Maine Mineral and Gem Museum | Maritime Museum of San Diego | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Sightseeing Tour
Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures
Providing airboat tours since 1994 within the Central Florida Everglades, Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures offers groups a chance to see native wildlife in their natural settings. Take a sunset airboat tour to admire the glowing evening light, or opt for a night airboat tour, where groups are guaranteed to encounter nocturnal hunters like the American Alligator.
HONORABLE MENTION: City Cruises by Hornblower | Gettysburg Battlefield Bus Tours | Old Town Trolley Tours | Untouchable Tours: Chicago's Original Gangster Tour
Festival
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
A 10-day cultural feast that welcomes 400,000 visitors each year, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (also known simply as Jazz Fest) is a long-standing favorite. It's because of the event's unforgettable music, delicious Louisiana cuisine, crafts artisans and welcoming vibes that festival goers choose to return year after year.
HONORABLE MENTION: Biltmore Blooms | National Cherry Blossom Festival | Tulip Time | Virginia Arts Festival
View
Niagara Falls
Through the mist, views of Niagara Falls from both the U.S. and Canada are a group favorite for taking in some fresh air and outdoor enjoyment. This natural wonder could be viewed a number of ways, including up close and personal aboard Maid of the Mist, from the air via helicopter and more.
HONORABLE MENTION: Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park | Central Park, New York City | Grand Canyon National Park | Pikes Peak, Colorado
Observatory View
Empire State Building Observatory
Multiple exhibits and unobstructed views await the millions of people who visit the Empire State Building Observatory each year. It's here groups could see 360-degree views of New York, Brooklyn and Queens, and on the clearest days, see as far as six states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Delaware. Now that's a view!
HONORABLE MENTION: CN Tower | Palomar Observatory | Skydeck Chicago | Top of the Rock
Garden, Conservatory or Botanical Garden
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Recognized as one of the nation's most significant sculpture and botanic experiences, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has welcomed more than 15 million guests since its 1995 inception. Here, groups could explore Michigan's largest tropical conservatory; five indoor theme gardens; outdoor gardens, nature trails and boardwalk; sculpture galleries; library; café; gift shop and more.
HONORABLE MENTION: Brookgreen Gardens | Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens | Longwood Gardens | New York Botanical Garden
Performance or Entertainment Venue/District
Grand Ole Opry
Celebrating 100 years in 2025, the Grand Ole Opry has been entertaining audiences for decades. Known as "the home of country music" and "the show that made country music famous," the Opry is the world's longest-running live radio show, with 5,000 (and counting) consecutive Saturday night performances. It's here that country music fans feel right at home!
HONORABLE MENTION: Broadway | Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts | Red Rocks Amphitheatre | Symphony Hall (Boston)
Museum
The Met
Founded in 1870, The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world to visitors looking to explore ideas, cultures and art from across time. One of the world's largest and finest art museums, The Met offers groups endless opportunities for discovery, including through private group tours.
HONORABLE MENTION: 9/11 Memorial & Museum | Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation | Philadelphia Museum of Art | U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
Adventure Attraction
Pink Jeep Tours
Off-road adventure has never been more fun than with Pink Jeep Tours, which offers groups signature excursions in Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, the Smoky Mountains and Branson. Expertly trained and certified guides ensure groups can admire nature in all its glory safely and comfortably while riding in one of their over 150 cutting-edge (and pink) vehicles.
HONORABLE MENTION: A Grape Escape Hot Air Balloon Adventure | Adventures on the Gorge | City Climb at Edge NYC | CLIMB Works Smoky Mountains
Casino
Resorts Casino Hotel
Known as the resort that brought gaming to Atlantic City in 1978, Resorts Casino Hotel is all about focusing on the fun. In this relaxed environment, groups could enjoy world-class casino action, a Landshark Bar and Grill open year-round right on the sand, in-game and general sports betting, two VIP slot and table player lounges, and more.
HONORABLE MENTION: Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort | Foxwoods Resort Casino | Gun Lake Casino | Potawatomi Casino Hotel
Amusement Park
Universal Orlando Resort
At Universal Orlando Resort, groups are able to experience epic stories and exhilarating adventures in astonishing and immersive ways. From thrilling coasters and the magical Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ to drop water slides at Volcano Bay and everything in between, groups of all kinds will find something to cheer about.
HONORABLE MENTION: Dollywood | Hersheypark | Six Flags Properties | Walt Disney World Resort
Shopping
Shipshewana Stores & Shops
In "The Heart of Amish Country," groups will find the stores and shops of Shipshewana, full of handmade goods and bites that keep visitors coming back all year long. Whether it's for the Midwest's Largest Flea Market in the summer months, the scenic countryside cottage shops or otherwise, Shipshewana and LaGrange County welcome groups of all kinds.
HONORABLE MENTION: American Dream | Mall of America | The Mall at Millenia | Simon Properties
Beach Destination
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Offering a beach for every personality, Virginia Beach is the ultimate place for sunshine, fun and peace of mind. Whether groups choose Oceanfront Beach for entertainment, the gentler waves of Chesapeake Bay or the pristine and secluded Sandbridge Beach, it's never been easier to enjoy the waves from a lounger or to get out on the water themselves.
HONORABLE MENTION: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina | Outer Banks, North Carolina | San Diego, California | Florida's Emerald Coast
U.S. Main Street/Downtown District
Bourbon Street, New Orleans
In the heart of New Orleans' French Quarter is Bourbon Street, where revelry and excitement are always on tap. Whether your groups are looking to enjoy a strolling libation, dinner on a balcony, live music or simply the energy of the crowds, Bourbon Street is always a good idea.
HONORABLE MENTION: German Village, Columbus, Ohio | Greenwich Village, New York City | Mackinac Island, Michigan | Savannah, Georgia
Destination of the Year: United States
Louisville, Kentucky
Bourbon reigns supreme in Louisville, which has earned the nickname "Bourbon City." Here, groups could choose from a variety of urban distilleries and tasting experiences, in addition to taking a bite out of the city's thriving culinary scene. Try a "hot brown" sandwich, wear your best hat to visit the Kentucky Derby Museum, honor the legacy of "The Greatest" at the Muhammad Ali Center, and more.
HONORABLE MENTION: New Orleans, Louisiana | New York City, New York | Orlando, Florida | Washington, DC
Destination of the Year: Canada
Montréal, Québec
Known as the largest french-speaking city in North America, Montréal possesses a historic legacy all its own. Strolling the 18th-century cobblestone streets of Old Montréal, enjoying a festival, dining on poutine and bagels, and visiting one of the city's many museums and galleries are just some examples of the Canadian destination's popular group activities.
HONORABLE MENTION: Niagara Falls, Ontario | Ottawa, Ontario | Québec City, Québec | Vancouver, British Columbia
Destination of the Year: International
England
With plenty to see and do, England gives groups a look at history, scenery, food, art and more. From a traditional British afternoon tea and sightseeing cruise down the River Thames, to a rousing English football match, to a double-decker bus tour of historic architecture and landmarks throughout London, England remains a top choice for visitors crossing the pond.
HONORABLE MENTION: France | Germany | Ireland | Italy
Emerging Destinations
Dubuque, Iowa
Situated along the Mississippi River, Dubuque, Iowa is a scenic destination that's rich in history and diverse attractions. With a central location in the Tri-State of Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois, it's an accessible destination that offers year-round activities, in addition to a unique culinary scene.
The Field of Dreams Movie Site, two Smithsonian-affiliate museums, casinos, river cruising, theaters and an incredible botanical garden are just some of the options awaiting visiting groups.
"Readers are excited about our destination because of the city's transformation into a vibrant, affordable destination offering something for everyone," said Becky Carkeek, Group Sales for Travel Dubuque, which offers many complimentary services for travel planners. "We can get our groups up close with history and let them see, touch and feel what sets us apart."
Dubuque is also known for their Historic Progressive Dinner, where guests embark on a culinary journey to three historic locations and hear the history of each along the way.
"Conversations with Ghost Players occur at the Field of Dreams Movie Site, and there are also tours of a historic entrepreneur home—the Mathias Ham House," Carkeek said. "Explore the arts by seeing over 50 street art murals in our downtown area and eat fresh produce on the farm tour at Convivium Urban Farmstead."
Whether it's the "heavenly" caramels made by the nuns at Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey, the shortest, steepest, funicular in the world, the fifth-largest collection of Tiffany stained-glass church windows or otherwise, Dubuque demonstrates why it's certainly on the rise for groups of all kinds.
HONORABLE MENTION:
- Cape Cod, Massachusetts
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Puerto Rico
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for Groups Today.
This article originally appeared in the Nov/Dec '24 issue of Groups Today.
