National landmarks, natural wonders and thrilling theme parks draw youth groups in droves. That’s because these destinations do the tricky work of balancing the spirit of adventure with educational opportunities and wholesome entertainment. For an itinerary that’s sure to inspire wonder among any youth group, consider adding stops at these top attractions around the country.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls consists of three impressive waterfalls straddling the U.S. and Canada: Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and the American Falls. Four of the Great Lakes flow into the Niagara River, sending roughly 700,000 gallons of water per second over the edge of the falls. Built around the majesty of the falls, Niagara Falls State Park was founded in 1885, making it the oldest state park in the country.
“New York state has invested millions into making the park more accessible and enhancing the natural beauty of the park,” said Sara Harvey, director of communications at Destination Niagara USA.
Visiting youth groups can get acquainted with the falls with several attractions and experiences enjoyed by the park’s annual 8 million visitors. The Maid of the Mist boat tours have been around for nearly 200 years and predate the state park. From April to early November, groups can hop onboard the all-electric, 600-passenger boats and glide along the water to the base of Horseshoe Falls to see its might up close. Boats rides last approximately 20 minutes and depart every 15 minutes.
For a more thrilling ride on the water, Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours also let groups experience the thrill of the Niagara River, with wet and dry tours offered. Group rates start at 10 passengers. Another great way to experience the falls is to head to the Cave of the Winds. This platform gives visitors the closest access to the falls and is named for the intensely windy and wet conditions it produces.
After exploring the state park, groups can dine at the Top of the Falls Restaurant. They can also head to downtown Niagara, which is within walking distance of the park, for additional shopping, dining and exploring.
Gateway Arch
St. Louis, Missouri
The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is one of the country’s most famous manmade landmarks. Gateway Arch National Park was established in 1935 as Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, but the design of the arch wasn’t decided upon until after World War II. Construction of the impressive 630-foot-tall steel-and-concrete structure was completed in 1965 and made the St. Louis skyline one of the country’s most recognizable.
The Gateway Arch commemorates the vision of westward expansion, and its visitor center explores this chapter of American history in depth. A 20-minute documentary, “Monument to the Dream,” contains footage from the arch’s construction. But the highlight of a visit to the arch is the tram ride to the top, where youth groups can glimpse one of the most far-reaching, incredible vistas in the country. The Arch Café in the visitor center is a great place to stop for a meal after the tram ride.
“The tram ride to the top is a one-of-a-kind experience,” said Pam Sanfilippo, program manager at Gateway Arch National Park. “We do get about 2 million visitors a year from all over the world, and lots of school groups. It’s an opportunity to learn outside the classroom.”
The park also contains the Old Courthouse, a U.S. Civil Rights Trail site where the famous Dred Scott case was heard. In this case, Dred and Harriet Scott, two enslaved people, sued for their freedom; though they didn’t win, this monumental case had important implications for the abolitionist movement. Youth groups can have mock trials in the courthouse and browse exhibits dedicated to the case. The courthouse is closed for renovations but is slated to reopen in spring 2025.
Yellowstone National Park
Wyoming and Montana
Stretching over 3,400 square miles across Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, Yellowstone is one of America’s most famous national parks. The park is best known for its plentiful hot springs and picturesque geysers, both of which occur because the park is situated above a dormant volcano. It’s also home to abundant wildlife, including buffalo, wolves and grizzly bears. A trip to Yellowstone is at the top of many people’s bucket lists, and with nature at its most beautiful — and at times, volatile — in the park, it’s a great place for young minds to learn about the natural world.
A trip to Yellowstone with a student or youth group is guaranteed to be packed with breathtaking scenery and educational opportunities. Park rangers can lead activities, such as guided hikes, and talk about the park’s ecology, wildlife and history. In addition to ranger-led activities, additional tour operators offer ways to see the park, including guided hikes and trips to some of the park’s most well-known landmarks like Old Faithful, the geyser named for its frequent (and often predictable) eruptions that shoot water up to 180 feet in the air. There’s also the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, the largest buffalo herd in North America and even whitewater rafting. The park is large, and some tours span multiple days to cover all its most noteworthy sights.
Group dining can be arranged at some of the hotels and lodges in and around the park, including the Mammoth Hotel Dining Room, Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room, and the Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria and Bake Shop.
Dollywood
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the country’s most visited national park, groups will find one of Tennessee’s most popular attractions. Known for its family-friendly fun and its theme park rides, Dollywood opened in Pigeon Forge in 1961, though it went by several names before beloved country musician Dolly Parton became a part owner in 1986.
Today, the160-acre park sees more than 3 million visitors annually and features more than 50 wholesome rides, shows and attractions, making it excellent for student and youth groups. Dollywood is also home to festivals and events throughout the year, accompanied by seasonal food and décor for guests to enjoy. The park’s live entertainment and thrilling rides can be enhanced by additional elements such as scavenger hunts and educational materials, including a “science in the park” workbook and programming at the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary, which rescues and rehabilitates birds of prey.
The park is also known for its food. In addition to eateries like Aunt Granny’s Restaurant and Lumber Jack’s Pizza, funnel cakes, kettle corn and the park’s famous cinnamon bread are all well-loved staples. For a more structured meal, groups of more than 100 can rent out one of the park’s private picnic pavilions for a buffet. They can also use one of Dollywood’s theaters for a church service or an event, then let their group enjoy a day in the park. Special rates are offered for groups of 15 or more.
“Our greatest attributes are the friendliness and authenticity of the park,” said Cordelia Morrell, director of sales at Dollywood Parks and Resorts. “It’s flowing what everyone knows and loves about Dolly into the park.”
Balboa Park
San Diego, California
In 1868, 1,400 acres in downtown San Diego were set aside as a park, known by the nondescript name City Park. Today, 156 years later, it’s Balboa Park, named for the first European to see the Pacific Ocean during an exploration of Panama. The urban park has been reduced to 1,200 acres and comprises some of the city’s top attractions, including the world-famous San Diego Zoo, several museums, historic architecture, restaurants and beautiful gardens. All this in such a compact area makes it one of the top attractions in the country for youth groups and a one-stop shop for a full-day itinerary.
A visit to the San Diego Zoo is sure to show guests a wide range of endangered species; the zoo is known for its breeding programs and other efforts to ensure the preservation of many rare animals, from pygmy hippos to clouded leopards to red pandas. With 660 species and subspecies, it’s an enticing attraction to patrons of any age. Other impressive institutions worth visiting include: the San Diego Museum of Art; the San Diego Air and Space Museum; and the San Diego Natural History Museum, among many others.
To explore the collection of museums in an affordable way (or to give students the freedom to visit whichever ones they prefer), the park offers an explorer pass granting admission to 16 of the park’s attractions. When they’re done perusing the museums, students will find dozens of shops, eateries and activities. Tours of the park itself are also available and can focus on everything from its unique Spanish Colonial Revival and Spanish Mission architecture to its history. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.
