Get Out and About Across the U.S. and Beyond!

The great outdoors continues to provide a breath of fresh air for travelers thirsting for adventure and seeking opportunities to unplug in a natural setting. Whether your group is interested in getting a bird’s-eye view from the sky, trekking the earth, cruising on the water, or stopping to smell the roses, these destinations deliver.   

Located at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee offers a resort-town vibe, with excitement at every turn. Pigeon Forge is home to Dollywood theme park, which has 50-plus rides and attractions, as well as stage shows, craft workshops and vendors, and several seasonal festivals. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is just steps away, with 800 miles of hiking trails and favorite stops such as Cades Cove and Metcalf Bottoms.

If your group craves additional thrills, there are amusements at Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster, Lost Mine Mountain Coaster & Mini Golf, and Rocky Top Mountain Coaster. There’s also The Island in Pigeon Forge, with more rides, including a 200-foot-tall Ferris wheel, plus shopping, dining, and live music. 

Photo courtesy of Longwood Gardens.

For a more serene escape, introduce your group to the beauty of Longwood Gardens, located about 30 miles west of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania’s Brandywine Valley. The nearly 200-acre property is divided into six distinct areas. The Main Fountain Garden District wows guests with its fountain performances, topiary garden, rose garden, and European-inspired architecture, while each of the other districts has its own charm, too. From meadows, forests, and sweeping lawns to a historic bell tower, expansive conservatory, treehouses, waterfalls, lakes, parks, and an open-air theater, horticultural artistry abounds.   

Longwood Gardens accommodates groups with private luncheons or dinners, and has several enhancements that can be added to a group visit, including a guest speaker, tours, demonstrations, and shows.

Photo courtesy of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is one of the main draws to the cool city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Named the no. 1 Sculpture Park in the nation by USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for three straight years (2023-2025), the 158-acre venue continually ups its game. Not only is its winter ENLIGHTEN event gaining national attention, but its enduring seasonal butterfly exhibit and summer concerts are also part of what attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

These special events, as well as themed gardens, nature trails, and an outdoor sculpture park are just the beginning. Running May 2 through November 1, 2026, is CHIHULY at Meijer Gardens. Many of the acclaimed artist’s vibrant blown glass installations will be intertwined throughout the grounds, providing a must-see experience for art and nature lovers alike.  

There’s so much to do and see in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region, your group could easily spend a week exploring! First, there’s Pikes Peak itself, which has been dubbed “America’s Mountain” and was the inspiration for Katharine Lee Bates’ poem “America the Beautiful.” When you go, you’ll certainly see why. And, in its shadow, but not overshadowed, is Garden of the Gods. This National Natural Landmark not only has miles of hiking trails and amazing views of the aforementioned peak, it’s also home to towering red rock formations dating back 300 million years.  

For more stunning geologic formations, head to Red Rock Canyon where you can hike, bike, or go horseback riding. There’s also nearby Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, which is a popular spot for cave tours and breathtaking activities, such as rides, ziplining, rock climbing, and a suspended ropes course. 

Photo courtesy of Niagara Falls Tourism.

Niagara Falls, with attractions in both the United States and Canada, will make your trip to the region twice as nice. In Niagara Falls USA, be sure to take a boat ride on Maid of the Mist or with Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours—or both! There’s a Cave of the Winds, here, too, which gets visitors up close and personal with Bridal Veil Falls. And, for a panorama of the falls unlike any other, consider adding an excursion with Live on Air Fallsview Balloon Ride or Rainbow Air Helicopter Tours to your itinerary.

On the Canadian side, there’s plenty for groups to enjoy. With Niagara City Cruises, you’ll have an excellent—wet and wild—vantage point of Canadian Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. Journey Behind the Falls takes a different direction, downward into the tunnels and observation decks behind the falls. Additional exhilarating options include the White Water Walk and an ascent to the top of the Skylon Tower.

Set on the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia Beach serves up sand, sun, and waves with recreation galore. Wander the iconic, three-mile boardwalk; try your hand at surfing at Atlantic Park; take a dolphin-watching cruise, a sunset sail, or a charter fishing expedition; or go kayaking or paddleboarding. Plus, just steps away is the ViBe Creative District, a 15-block hub for arts and culture, with large-scale murals, artisan shops, eclectic dining, and more.

Also, not to be missed are First Landing State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, as well as the new Nautilus Tower at Owl Creek Landing, an eight-story structure for peeping the scenery that also has the nation’s longest steel slide spiraling down the center. 

Tybee Island, located just a short distance from Savannah, Georgia, blends waterfront fun with a dash of history. Take a fishing charter, dolphin spotting tour, or side trip to pristine Little Tybee Island, or peek into the past at Fort Pulaski National Monument, an old Civil War fort. Tybee Island Light Station and Museum are also of interest, as is Tybee Island Marine Science Center. Of course, there’s plenty of seafood to dine on, too!

Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon Railway.

Let’s not forget the Grand Canyon, which is abundant with options. Start by hopping aboard the historic Grand Canyon Railway for an entertaining train ride complete with western musicians and cowboy characters. They also have dining and lodging packages at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and inside Grand Canyon National Park.

Adventures Unbound by Guest Services has a number of curated getaways across the country, including their Arizona Canyon Collection, featuring recreation and camping in the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, and other area gems.

Another operator that provides a variety of ways to take in the Grand Canyon is Pink Adventure Tours, with Desert View, Grand Entrance, and South Rim jaunts via Jeep. Pink Adventure Tours also offers outings in Sedona, Arizona, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Branson, Missouri. And, if you’re thinking about Pigeon Forge where we started, there’s even a Jeep tour of the Smoky Mountains!

Written by Allison Kay Bannister, Contributing Writer for Groups Today.

This article originally appeared in the May/June ’26 issue of Groups Today.

Main photo courtesy of Visit Colorado Springs.