The South offers a wide variety of entertaining attractions and activities to enhance the meeting experience for attendees. Whether as a group outing, with the family before or after the event, or on their own, there are countless opportunities for attendees to explore the South’s unique offerings. This compilation of 101 attractions and activities—including scenic gardens, trails, canyons, overlooks, and waters; interactive exhibits and games; museums and memorabilia; one-of-a-kind destinations; fast sports action and daring adventures; and even quirky, off-beat attractions—offers something for everyone and all interests. These sites will educate, inspire, entertain, and perhaps even rejuvenate attendees, creating an unforgettable experience.
NATURE
Sand Castle University
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Ala.
SandCastleU.com
Spending time inside for meetings and conventions can be effective for conducting business, but also could leave attendees wanting a bit of fresh air. What could be better than playing in the sand? At Sand Castle University on the Alabama Gulf Coast, attendees can break away for teambuilding sessions, learning how to sculpt the perfect sand castle or whimsical sea creature right on the beach. “There is no better backdrop for working than the beautiful white sandy beaches and turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico,” says Janel Hawkins, owner of Sand Castle University. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, attendees can enhance their problem-solving skills while relaxing and enjoying the sites, sounds, and salty air of Alabama’s beaches.
Bellingrath Gardens
Theodore, Ala.
Bellingrath.org
Everglades National Park
Miami Dade, Monroe, and Collier counties, Fla.
NPS.gov/Ever/Index.htm
Rock City
Lookout Mountain, Ga.
SeeRockCity.com
Providence Canyon State Park
Lumpkin, Ga.
GAStateParks.org/ProvidenceCanyon
Cumberland Island National Seashore
St. Marys, Ga.
NPS.gov/Cuis/Index.htm
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Corbin, Ky.
Parks.KY.gov/Explore/Cumberland-Falls-State-Resort-Park-7786
Red River Gorge Underground
Rogers, Ky.
GorgeUnderground.com
Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave, Ky.
NPS.gov/MACA/Index.htm
Creole Nature Trail
Sulphur, La.
VisitLakeCharles.org/Creole-Nature-Trail
Assateague Island National Seashore
Maryland and Virginia
NPS.gov/Asis/Index.htm
Natchez Trace Parkway
Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee
NPS.gov/Natr/Index.htm
Mississippi Petrified Forest
Flora, Miss.
MSPetrifiedForest.com/Index.php
Lake of the Ozarks State Park
Kaiser, Mo.
MOStateParks.com/Park/Lake-Ozarks-State-Park
Meramec Caverns
Sullivan, Mo.
AmericasCave.com
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Durham, N.C.
Gardens.Duke.edu
Brookgreen Gardens
Murrells Inlet, N.C.
Brookgreen.org
Jockey’s Ridge State Park
Nags Head, N.C.
NCParks.gov/State-Parks/Jockeys-Ridge-State-Park
Fall Creek Falls State Park
Spencer, Tenn.
TNStateParks.com/Parks/Fall-Creek-Falls
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park, Texas
NPS.gov/Bibe/Index.htm
Virginia Creeper Trail
Abingdon, Va.
VaCreeperTrail.org
West Virginia Waterfall Trail
WVTourism.com/West-Virginia-Waterfall-Trail/
MUSEUMS
Ark Encounter
Williamstown, Ky.
ArkEncounter.com
At the Ark Encounter, visitors will weave their way through Bible history in a life-size Noah’s Ark. Along the way, they will see Noah, his family, and all the animals housed on the Ark. “We invite organizations from around the country to elevate their group meetings by holding them at or near northern Kentucky’s Ark Encounter, America’s top Christian attraction,” says Eddie Lutz, director of sales. “Visitors to the region will have the chance to experience the awe of the life-size Noah’s Ark and the rest of the park’s exciting features, while amenities for Christian groups meeting onsite include the Answers Center’s 2,200-seat state-of-the-art auditorium and many versatile meeting spaces. Groups visiting the Ark Encounter, whether meeting onsite or elsewhere, will find their journeys inspired.”
U.S. Marshals Museum
Fort Smith, Ark.
MarshalsMuseum.org
World of Coca-Cola
Atlanta
WorldOfCoca-Cola.com
Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum
Savannah, Ga.
JulietteGordonLowBirthplace.org
National Cryptologic Museum
Annapolis Junction, Md.
NSA.gov/Museum
GRAMMY Museum Mississippi
Cleveland, Miss.
GrammyMuseumMs.org
National Museum of Toys and Miniatures
Kansas City, Mo.
ToyAndMiniatureMuseum.org
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Oklahoma City
NationalCowboyMuseum.org
National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
Fort Worth, Texas
Cowgirl.net
National Videogame Museum
Frisco, Texas
NVMUSA.org
American Celebration on Parade
Quicksburg, Va.
ShenandoahCaverns.com/American-Celebration-On-Parade
HISTORY
Jamestown, Yorktown & Williamsburg
Williamsburg, Va.
VisitWilliamsburg.com
For a glimpse of our country’s earliest settlements, make some time to tour Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg. “Integrating tours of historic sites like Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg into an event agenda enriches the overall experience for attendees. These tours provide a captivating way to explore the foundations of American history while fostering a deeper connection among participants,” says Julia Smyth-Young, chief sales officer for Visit Williamsburg. “Learning about the past in an authentic setting not only adds a unique educational component but also enlightens the participants, creating lasting memories and meaningful takeaways. Meeting goers leave Williamsburg inspired by its rich historical tapestry and Southern charm.” The areas offers a variety of venues for group events, from conferences and board retreats to interactive workshops, teambuilding experiences, and elegant receptions.
Africatown Heritage House
Mobile, Ala.
Clotilda.com
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
Little Rock, Ark.
NPS.gov/CHSC/Index.htm
National Naval Aviation Museum
Pensacola, Fla.
NavalAviationMuseum.org
The National WWII Museum
New Orleans
NationalWW2Museum.org
National WWI Museum & Memorial
Kansas City, Mo.
Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum
Oklahoma City
MemorialMuseum.com
National Civil Rights Museum
Memphis, Tenn.
CivilRightsMuseum.org
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealy Plaza
Dallas
JFK.org
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, Va.
MountVernon.org
SPORTS & RECREATION
NASCAR Hall of Fame
Charlotte, N.C.
NASCARHall.com
As the birthplace of stock-car racing, the South boasts many racing museums, racetracks, and attractions dedicated to the sport. The most iconic is the NASCAR Hall of Fame, which showcases not only the history of the sport but also those people who made the sport what it is today. “NASCAR Hall of Fame is not only a convenient and unique location for meetings to hold signature events but also an entertaining attraction with something for everyone, including NASCAR fans, car enthusiasts, sports-history buffs, people seeking to learn about NASCAR, and those who just want to have fun after a day of meetings,” says Mike Butts, executive director of Visit Charlotte and vice president of sales for Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. “The engaging museum features interactive experiences like a realistic racing simulator, which puts you in the driver’s seat and the pit crew challenge that brings out your competitive edge. The combination of history, technology and fun makes the NASCAR Hall of Fame a must-visit pit stop for meeting attendees to enjoy while in Charlotte for their convention.”
Jesse Owens Memorial Park
Danville, Ala.
JesseOwensMuseum.org
International Motorsports Hall of Fame
Talladega, Ala.
MotorSportsHallOfFame.com
National Croquet Center
Palm Beach, Fla.
CroquetNational.com
College Football Hall of Fame
Atlanta
CFBHall.com
Porsche Driving Experience
Atlanta
PorscheDriving.com
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Louisville, Ky.
SluggerMuseum.com
Muhammad Ali Center
Louisville, Ky
AliCenter.org
NOLA Motorsports Park
Avondale, La.
NOLAMotor.com
Eddie G. Robinson Museum
Grambling, La.
RobinsonMuseum.com
National Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Museum
Sparks, Md.
USALacrosse.com/National-Lacrosse-Hall-Fame-And-Museum
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Kansas City, Mo.
NLBM.com
National Softball Hall of Fame
Oklahoma City
www.usasoftball.com/national-hall-of-fame-museum/about-the-national-softball-hall-of-fame/#
BMW Performance Center Driving School
Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C.
BMWPerformanceCenter.com
Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
Knoxville, Tenn.
WBHOF.com
National Soccer Hall of Fame
Frisco, Texas
NationalSoccerHOF.com
FAMILY
Meow Wolf
Grapevine, Texas
MeowWolf.com/Visit/Grapevine
In many instances, traveling to a meeting or convention provides an opportunity to bring the family along and spend some quality time together. The South features many family-friendly sites and attractions, but for something unique, head to Meow Wolf Grapevine. “Meow Wolf Grapevine is not your typical meeting venue; it is an extraordinary destination that transports attendees into breathtaking realms of imagination and wonder,” says Kelly Schwartz, general manager for Meow Wolf Grapevine. “Our unique environment, enriched by the collaboration of hundreds of visionary artists, offers meeting attendees an unparalleled opportunity to connect, innovate and explore in ways that defy convention and blur the lines between reality and fantasy.”
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Huntsville, Ala.
RocketCenter.com
KidZania
Frisco, Texas
Dallas.KidZaniaUSA.com
Mid-America Science Museum
Hot Springs, Ark.
MidAmericaMuseum.org
Safari Wilderness Ranch
Lakeland, Fla.
SafariWilderness.com
Gatorland
Orlando, Fla.
Gatorland.com
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Blue Ridge, Ga.
BRScenic.com
Mississippi Coast Model Railroad Museum’s:
TrainTastic
Gulfport, Miss.
TrainTastic.com
City Museum
St. Louis
CityMuseum.org
Space Center Houston
Houston
SpaceCenter.org
Dig’n Zone
Sevierville, Tenn.
DignZone.com
San Antonio Riverwalk
San Antonio
TheSanAntonioRiverwalk.com
ADVENTURE
New River Gorge Bridge Walk
Lansing, W.Va.
BridgeWalk.com
For many people, adventure means challenging themselves to do something daring, to reach new heights. New River Gorge Bridge Walk offers visitors the chance to step out of their comfort zone and step up to the challenge. “Stroll the catwalk of the famous New River Gorge Bridge with a Bridge Walk tour for one-of-a-kind views at nearly 900 feet in the air,” says Lindsey Funk, public relations assistant for West Virginia Dept. of Tourism. “Learn more about the history behind this impressive structure as you make the jaw-dropping, half-mile journey above one of the oldest rivers in the world. Tours last two to three hours and are offered every day of the week, excluding holidays.”
Craters of Diamonds State Park
Murfreesboro, Ark.
ArkansasStateParks.com/Parks/Crater-Diamonds-State-Park
Tank Town USA
Morganton, Ga.
TankTownUSA.com
Skydive DeLand
DeLand, Fla.
SkydiveDeland.com
Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo
River Ranch, Fla.
WestgateResorts.com/Hotels/Florida/River-Ranch/Westgate-River-Ranch-Resort
Historic Banning Mills
Whitesburg, Ga.
HistoricBanningMills.com
Louisville Mega Caverns
Louisville, Ky.
LouisvilleMegaCavern.com
U.S. National Whitewater Center
Charlotte, N.C.
Whitewater.org
Mile High Swinging Bridge
Linville, N.C.
Grandfather.com/Swinging-Bridge
Scenic Helicopter Tours
Sevierville, Tenn.
FlyScenic.com
The Lost Sea Adventure
Sweetwater, Tenn.
TheLostSea.com
Big Walker Lookout
Wytheville, Va.
ScenicBeauty-Va.com
FLYING SOLO
Gateway Arch National Park
St. Louis
GatewayArch.com
“Gateway Arch National Park is more than a landmark; it is an immersive journey through history,” says Pam Sanfilippo, program manager of museum services and interpretation for Gateway Arch National Park. “From the tram ride to the top, offering unparalleled views of the St. Louis skyline, to the captivating stories brought to life in the museum under the Gateway Arch, attendees will be inspired and entertained. Our park offers a unique blend of history, nature, and adventure, making it the perfect destination for unforgettable group experiences.”
Unclaimed Baggage Center
Scottsboro, Ala.
UnclaimedBaggage.com
Driftwood Beach
Jekyll Island, Ga.
GoldenIsles.com/Islands-Towns/Jekyll-Island
U.S. Naval Academy
Annapolis, Md.
NavalAcademyTourism.com
George Peabody Library
Baltimore
Library.JHU.edu/Library-Hours/George-Peabody-Library
Route 66
Joplin, Mo.
VisitJoplinMo.com/Directory/Historic-Route-66
The Parthenon
Nashville, Tenn.
NashvilleParthenon.com
Celebration at Mallory Square
Key West, Fla.
Fla-Keys.com
BUCKET LIST
Adult Space Academy
Huntsville, Ala.
RocketCenter.com/SpaceCamp/Adult/Academy
If you have always dreamed of going into space, you can get pretty close by attending Adult Space Academy at U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. “Adult Space Academy is the perfect way to round out your time in the ‘Rocket City’ with an immersion in space exploration,” says Patricia Ammons, senior director of public and media relations. “You will learn what it is like to be an astronaut through interactive simulations and space missions, while building and launching a rocket and testing your engineering know-how with hands-on activities. It all takes place at the best classroom on Earth: U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Custom programs are also available for group teambuilding and just plain fun. You are never too old to go to Space Camp!” When choosing this activity, make sure to plan ahead because pre-registration is required.
Dry Tortugas National Park
Florida
www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm
Swim with Manatees
Crystal River, Fla.
DiscoverCrystalRiverFL.com/Things-To-Do/On-Water/Manatees
Appalachian Trail
Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland
NPS.gov/Appa/Index.htm
French Quarter
New Orleans
NewOrleans.com/Plan/Neighborhoods/French-Quarter
The Outer Banks
The Outer Banks, N.C.
OuterBanks.org
Blue Ridge Parkway
North Carolina and Virginia
BlueRidgeParkway.org
Palmetto Sun Balloons
Greer, S.C.”
PalmettoSunBalloons.com
Grand Ole Opry
Nashville, Tenn.
Opry.com
Nation’s Capital
Washington, D.C.
Washington.org
