NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Newport News Tourism Development Office — with assistance from the Newport News Public Art Foundation — has produced a new brochure showcasing the city’s outdoor art.

The brochure features 25 works, each corresponding to a number on a map of Newport News. The public art available on this driving tour is easily accessible, with many of the sculptures clustered around major attractions. GPS coordinates are noted for each piece, so finding its exact location is a cinch.

Additionally, a cell phone audio tour is available for 13 of the 25 sculptures. Visitors taking this self-guided driving tour can call a special phone number, enter a specific number assigned to the artwork and hear a recording of the artist talking about it.

The wide range of outdoor art is sure to please on this Newport News driving tour. Somber memorials dedicated to military war veterans, fallen public servants and Holocaust victims are some examples.

Art enthusiasts will marvel at the complex and beautiful sculptures.

Groups who love history will be fascinated by the reproduction of Leif Erikson sculpture and the sculpture of Capt. Christopher Newport, for whom the City of Newport News is thought to be named.

“This is a great opportunity for groups of all ages and interests to experience,” said Barb Kleiss, group marketing manager for the tourism office. “Senior groups can sit back and enjoy the tour from the comfort of their motorcoach; students can interact with the tour by using the OnCell recordings and with all the military history here, military reunion attendees will have a ball.”

As the brochure notes: “Public art can open the doors of imagination, stir powerful emotions, offer a respite from a busy life, make strangers talk and children ask questions. Public art is accessible to all and can help transform a city’s image.”

Contact Kleiss at (757) 926-1442 to request a copy of the brochure or download the Newport News driving tour brochure. And don’t forget to ask her about two other driving tour opportunities — Civil War Sites in Newport News and the Newport News Passport.

On Charleston Harbor, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum and the Medal of Honor Museum combine to form the centerpiece of Patriots Point. The history of the museum stretches back to the summer of 1975 when the Yorktown appeared on the horizon of Charleston Harbor.

The Yorktown (CV-10) was the 10th aircraft carrier to serve in the U.S. Navy. Under construction as Bon Homme Richard, this Essex-class carrier was renamed Yorktown in honor of the one sunk at the epic Battle of Midway in June 1942. The new Yorktown was commissioned on April 15, 1943, and participated in the Pacific Offensive that began in late 1943 and ended with the defeat of Japan in 1945. The Yorktown earned 11 battle stars for service in World War II before it was refitted in the 1950s and became an attack carrier. It later earned five battle stars for service off Vietnam and recovered the Apollo 8 astronauts.

Over the years, Patriots Point has grown with the addition of other ships, including the destroyer USS Laffey, known as “the ship that would not die.” The Laffey and the crew were the target of one of the most ferocious enemy aerial attacks in all of World War II. The April 16, 1945, attack off Okinawa crippled the ship leaving nearly a third of the crew dead or wounded. Still, the Laffey shot down 11 of the attacking aircraft and saved the damaged ship. The ship was repaired and served as support for the atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll.

The Treasury-class Coast Guard cutter Ingham and the Balao-class submarine Clamagore also are part of the museum collection. War planes from World War II and Korea are featured in the Yorktown’s hangar deck, and an array of aircraft from the Vietnam War and Desert Storm up to modern marvels are found on the flight deck. From the deltas of Southeast Asia, the Vietnam Base Camp replica tells the story of the River Patrol Boats and the HAL-3 Seawolves helicopter crews.

Located aboard the Yorktown, the Congressional Medal of Honor Museum pays tribute to those who have the distinct honor of wearing the highest award for military valor. In this national museum of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, groups can explore interactive exhibits that explain the origin of the medal and what it stands for. Perhaps of greater importance, these exhibits tell the stories of brave Americans who displayed remarkable courage, such as Audie Murphy, Sgt. Alvin York, and Jimmy Doolittle. Even today, the Medal of Honor continues to touch the lives of Americans, as the museum pays special tribute to the first Medal of Honor recipients from the War on Terror.

With one call to the group preservationist/events consultant, tour planners can arrange the components of a visit. Guided tours are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weekend tours are subject to availability. Special rates are available for groups with 20 more people. Military members in uniform with the proper military ID can visit free of charge.

Groups also can arrange for catering; the Yorktown overlooking the Charleston Harbor is a dramatic setting for special events and military reunions. The Yorktown also is used for youth camping programs; the overnight packages give youngsters the chance to learn about naval history in an unforgettable way.

In addition to the museums, Patriots Point features one of the Southeast’s largest marines, harbor cruises, tours to Fort Sumter, and a championship sports complex.•

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — With so much musical heritage and culture centered in the Memphis area, particularly iconic Beale Street, it takes a special tour company to get to the heart of it all.

That means going beyond the point-and-describe approach from the front of the bus. There needs to be a certain energy and enthusiasm to make it all come alive, to experience the magic conjured by some of the greatest musicians ever to take the stage and record No. 1 hits.

Enter Backbeat Tours, a Memphis-based receptive operator that hits all the right notes.

Founded in 2006 by author and historian William Patton, the company specializes in offering interactive experiences that does justice to Bluff City’s musical legacy.

“We wanted to change the whole nature of sightseeing tours,” Patton said.

“Our goal has always been to give visitors and locals alike not simply a traditional tour with stories, dates and a lot of talk, but a unique and special interactive experience they’ll never forget — something that truly brings Memphis to life.”

The company’s tour guides are all Memphis-based musicians who play familiar songs by artists who have helped shape this destination as a mecca of music. There are plenty of humorous anecdotes and comedy woven throughout as well.

Among Backbeat’s more popular tour offerings are its Memphis Mojo, Haunted Memphis, Historic Memphis Waking and Memphis Cocktail tours.

The Mojo Tour, Backbeat’s bread and butter, takes visitors through iconic Beale Street and showcases iconic Sun Studio, Stax Records and more.

The Big Mojo Tour is a beefed up version, and features a guided tour of Sun Studio, developed by Sam Phillips to capture that unique Beale Street sound. Groups can stand on the same floor where Elvis Presley cut some of his first songs as a teenager. 

And if they’re longing for more of the King’s influence, a four-hour Graceland tour is just the thing.

During the 35th anniversary year of his untimely death, Elvis Presley Enterprises has launched three new exhibits.

The “Elvis on Tour Exhibit” takes an in-depth look at the multi-city concert tour undertaken in April 1972. The limited-time display, based on the 1972 MGM documentary, features artifacts such as the producer’s Golden Globe award and clothing worn by Presley on stage.

“ICON: The Influence of Elvis Presley Exhibit” opened March 1 at the Sincerely Elvis Museum.

The third special exhibit, “Elvis...Through His Daughter’s Eyes,” is part of the Graceland VIP Tour, which also includes an audio tour of the mansion and grounds and special access to many of the Elvis exhibits.   

Beyond Graceland, other stops that can be fit into a customizable Backbeat Tours itinerary include the Dixon Gallery & Gardens, National Civil Rights Museum, Gibson Guitar Factory and the WC Handy House Museum. For nightlife lovers, a pub crawl lasting anywhere from three hours to all night long often hits the spot.

Backbeat’s Memphis ghost tours also have drawn considerable group business, Patton said. The tours explore themes of vice, voodoo, phantoms, ghosts and lost souls, exploring some of the city’s eeriest legends.

Backbeat Tours can be reached by phone at (901) 272-2328.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—The Alabama Tourism Department’s 2012 promotional campaign is serving up heapings of local fare with The Year of Alabama Food.

The definitively food-themed campaign is focusing on award-winning chefs, farm-to-table goodies, fresh gulf seafood and popular foods grown or made in Alabama. That fare includes Belle Chevre goat cheese from Elkmont, Conecuh sausage, Slocomb tomatoes and Dothan peanuts, just for starters.

"Food is popular with everyone, and it has been one of our most successful campaigns,” tourism director Lee Sentell said in a statement. “It was time to bring it back, but this time we want to highlight local food and our great chefs.”

The 2012 campaign is being unveiled at FoodBlogSouth, a conference for food writers, photographers and bloggers. Alabama focused on food for its state tourism campaign also in 2005.

The state is also promoting about 400 food festivals, is creating a new Alabama BBQ Trail with the Alabama Barbecue Association and is updating its "100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die" brochure, according to Edith Parten, public relations and media relations director for the Alabama Tourism Department.

Food festivals 

Discover Alabama’s local flavors at food festivals across the state.

Moon pies and mayhem set the stage for Mobile's Mardi Gras celebration in February. Moulton celebrates the state's agricultural heritage during the Alabama Chicken & Egg Festival in April. A smorgasbord of Southern goodness awaits at Slocomb Tomato Festival in June and Russellville Watermelon Festival in August.  

In September, Pinson hosts the Alabama Butterbean Festival and Tuskegee pays homage to scientist George Washington Carver during the Carver Sweet Potato Festival in October.

The Break 'N Bread/ Birmingham Food & Wine Festival is at Birmingham's Pepper Place Railroad Park in October. The National Shrimp Festival is in October on the white sand Gulf of Mexico beaches of Gulf Shores. A barbecue competition highlights the Christmas on the River celebration in Demopolis in December.

Dishing it out

Discover fine dining and country cooking at Chef Frank Stitt's Highlands Bar and Grill and Chris and Idie Hastings' Hot and Hot Fish Club, both in Birmingham; Martin's Restaurant, in Montgomery; Arricia Italian Trattoria & Bar, Auburn; True, a Mobile restaurant owned and operated by Chef Wesley True. 

Lucy Buffett, owner of Lulu's in Homeport, and other restaurateurs across the state are putting local farms’ goods on their menus to enhance the dining experience.

As part of this year’s effort, a state Restaurant Week is slated Aug. 17-26, with locally-owned and –operated restaurants showcasing their dishes by offering discounts.

Also, the "100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die" brochure is being updated to include fresh menu selections and great local culinary destinations not previously featured. Lesser-known restaurants are to be spotlighted while also showcasing places such Bessemer’s The Bright Star, named an American Classic by the James Beard Foundation.

Other routes

The state’s new BBQ Trail brochure is highlighting restaurants, joints and local chains. The sites include Big Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Saw's BBQ in Homewood, Birmingham-based Full Moon Bar-B-Que, Vestavia Hills-based Jim 'N Nick's and icons like Dreamland in Tuscaloosa and Golden Rule Bar-B-Q and Grill in Birmingham.

Of course, there’s more than BBQ, fine dining and country cooking in Alabama, with farms, roadside stands, wineries and 135 farmers’ markets adding to the bounty. Sample goat cheese crafted by Belle Chevre in Elkmont. Enjoy jellies and jams produced in Alabama's Black Belt and sold at places like Black Belt Treasures in Camden.   

The Alabama Wine Trail features more than a dozen farm wineries. There are also culinary destinations like Butlers Mill Restaurant in Graham and Rikard's Mill Historical Park in Beatrice, where cane syrup is made the old-fashioned way.

Getting more details

For more information about the Year of Alabama Food, visit www.yearofalabamafood.com. 

To learn more about Alabama’s group travel information; culinary offerings; for a complete list of food festivals and other events; or to request free copies of the “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die” brochure or the Alabama Vacation Guide, visit www.alabama.travel or call (800) 252-2262 or (332) 242-4169.

The brochure, vacation guide and events listings are also available at the state’s eight welcome centers and at other sites across Alabama. 

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RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia is abloom with new experiences for group travelers this year, ranging from celebrations for the War of 1812 and the Civil War, a new national monument at Fort Monroe and the arrival of another Space Shuttle.

Perhaps the biggest event for the year is OpSail 2012 Virginia, part of War of 1812 bicentennial commemorations that is bringing masted ships to Hampton Roads. Running from June 6 to 12, about two dozen ships from across the globe are joining U.S. Navy and local vessels for the celebration. Living-history exhibits, special programs and dinner cruises are part of the festivities.

A lead-up to OpSail is the Virginia Beach Patriotic Festival, which includes an appearance by the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels aerial unit and is June 1 to 3.

Virginia continues to mark 150th anniversary commemorations of the Civil War, which was from 1861 to 1865.

The 150th anniversaries of major battles and campaigns this year include the naval battle between the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia (March 9), the 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign (May-June), the Seven Days Battles (June-July), Battle of Second Manassas (Aug. 28-30) and Battle of Fredericksburg (December 13). The 150th anniversary of Lincoln's issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation, which was done in Gettysburg, Pa., is Sept. 22.

The 2012 Virginia Civil War 150 Signature Conference is March 22 at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington.

Fort Monroe National Monument joined the National Park Service’s system Nov. 1, having been an active U.S. Army post for more than 150 years.

During the Civil War, the fort was a refuge for escaping slaves and was nicknamed “Freedom’s Fortress.” Confederate President Jefferson Davis was imprisoned at the fort after his arrest on charges of treason. Fort Monroe spans the American story from the 17th century, including Capt. John Smith's journeys and as a longtime bastion of defense for Chesapeake Bay. 

Meanwhile, the Museum of the Confederacy is opening a second facility in Appomattox in spring. The $7.5 million museum with 5,000 square feet of exhibit areas is focusing on the Civil War’s final events, including the Confederates’ surrender at Appomattox and the United States' reunification. The museum and the White House of the Confederacy in Richmond trace their beginnings to 1896.

In addition, in spring 2012 the Space Shuttle Discovery, the longest-serving orbiter in NASA’s fleet, lands at the National Air & Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly. Discovery replaces the Space Shuttle Enterprise, which was seen by nearly nine million visitors since the center opened in 2003 and is being relocated to New York. Among its 39 missions, Discovery was flown by the first African-American commander and first woman commander in NASA history and was also the shuttle on which two-time astronaut John Glenn, a U.S. senator from Ohio, flew in 1998 at the age 77 years old.

For more group details on visiting Virginia, contact the Virginia Tourism Corporation by calling (800) 759-0886 or visiting www.Virginia.org/groups. A free Virginia Tour Planning Guide 2012 is available.

Pigeon Forge, Tenn. — Fans of the Hollywood blockbuster Titanic don’t have to wait for the film’s 3D re-release to feel close enough to reach out and touch the story. The first-ever museum exhibit of actual props, costumes and items from the movie go on display at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge as part of the museum’s Titanic centennial retrospective.

The exhibit gives movie fans a behind-the-scenes look at the making of James Cameron’s award-winning drama and its role in the lore and legend of the RMS Titanic. It is available for viewing through December 2012.

While the museum’s permanent exhibits focus on the factual history of the Titanic, the new movie-related exhibit featuring costumes, props and behind-the-scenes videos and photos, provides the museum an opportunity to explore the role of the disaster in today’s popular culture.

“We feel the movie has earned its own place in film history and will stand forever as a tribute to RMS Titanic, her builders, passengers and crew,” said John Joslyn, owner of the Titanic Museum Attraction and leader of the first private-expedition dive to explore Titanic’s resting place. “The film’s successful history as the first billion dollar blockbuster, one of the top Academy Award-winning films of all time, and its highly anticipated release in 3D format illustrate how the stories of Titanic are just as compelling today as a century ago.

The movie will be return to movie theaters in 3-D format on April 6, 2012, in time to help commemorate the centennial of the great ship’s voyage. Popular items from the movie on display at the Titanic Museum Attraction will include a $250,000 replica of the heart-shaped diamond and sapphire necklace pursued by characters from the film. The famous full-length pink coat worn by actress Kate Winslet during the film’s climactic sinking scenes is also among the many famous costumes on display.

“We are excited to add this new dimension to our 100 year review of Titanic’s legacy in our culture,” said Joslyn. “Thanks to exclusive rights from private collectors, Titanic Museum Attraction is able to provide an unprecedented multi-dimensional exhibit associated with the film just as the film itself is returning to screens in a multi-dimensional format of its own.”

The exhibit is part of the Titanic Museum Attraction’s yearlong commemoration of the centennial of the fateful maiden voyage in April 1912.

“It has been 100 years since a lookout in the crow’s nest shouted a warning of an iceberg ahead,” said Joslyn. “In the century since that moment, we have been captivated by the stories of bravery and tragedy experienced by the 2,208 passengers and crew members. Throughout 2012, Titanic Museum Attraction will offer an ongoing series of special events, activities and ceremonies to pay our respects and honor their memory.”

As the world remembers the most famous night in maritime history, Titanic Museum Attraction will continue to open the door to the past in it’s one-of-a-kind way by allowing “passengers” to experience what it was like to walk the hallways, parlors, cabin and Grand Staircase of the Titanic while surrounded by more than 400 artifacts directly from the ship and its passengers. Visitors gain first-hand experience through interactive exhibits such as touching an actual iceberg, attempting to stand on sloping decks, and placing their hands into 28-degree water.

The museum itself is housed inside a half-scale replica of three decks of the ship. Each and every day, Titanic Museum Attraction provides a gateway to 1912, where First Class Maids and a variety of Officers and crew members bring the stories of the ship and its passengers to life in vivid, dramatic detail.

The Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, opens daily at 9 a.m. Reservations are strongly suggested since many days sell out entirely. Passengers may purchase tickets online at www.titanicattraction.com or by phone at (800) 381-7670.

Cedar Bay Entertainment, LLC owns and operates the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Mo., and Pigeon Forge. A privately owned-and-operated entertainment and development company, Cedar Bay is headquartered in Branson, the site of its first Titanic Museum Attraction. Titanic Branson has welcomed more than four million guests and Titanic Pigeon Forge boards approximately 100,000 “passengers” each month.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Three years before the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, The Charleston Museum was established. Modeled after the British Museum, which had opened to great acclaim some two decades earlier, the museum established by the Charleston Library Society is commonly regarded as America’s first museum.

Over the years, the museum saw a lot of changes. Much of the early work was lost to a fire, and operations were suspended during the Revolutionary War. The collections opened to the public in 1824 before the Civil War caused another shut down. The broad collection, progressively acquired over the years, provides a full and diverse picture of South Carolina.

The museum is spread over four properties, and tour planners can choose to visit any combination. A variety of tours are available for each locale, and discounts are provided when a group encompasses 10 or more people. With the Signature Series group programs, the list of tour options seems as long as the collection is broad. Whether groups are interested in a specific topic, want to see the temporary exhibits, or something in between, the curators of The Charleston Museum can create a custom experience.

The main building features historical exhibitions containing many things from the noted collections designed to introduce visitors to the state’s history from early settlement through the late 19th century.

Heyward-Washington, Charleston’s Revolutionary War house, was built in 1772. Located in the original walled portion of the city, the neighborhood was used by Dubose Heyward as the setting for Porgy and Bess. Heyward was both a Revolutionary patriot and signer of the Declaration of Independence. A special guest was welcomed in 1791 — the home was George Washington’s temporary residence during his Southern Tour.

Furnished with magnificent Charleston-made furniture, the collection includes the priceless Holmes Bookcase, one of the finest examples of American-made furniture in existence. The exquisite formal garden contains plants available to Charlestonians during that period.

The second museum property, the Joseph Manigault House, built in 1803, is a premier example of Adam-style, or Federal, architecture. Designed by gentleman architect Gabriel Manigault for his brother Joseph, the house is one of the most distinguished in the city, capturing the lifestyle of a wealthy, rice-planting family. The interior reflects an outstanding collection of American, English, and French furnishings of the period, while the charming Gate Temple is the focus of the period garden.

When tours are planned for December, groups can join in the celebration of Christmas in Charleston. The Garden Club of Charleston decorates the Manigault House in the typical — and elegant — holiday design of the period.

Finally, the Dill Sanctuary, located on James Island, contains assorted habitats for wildlife and numerous cultural features including three earthen Confederate batteries and prehistoric, Colonial, antebellum, and postbellum archaeological sites. The Dill Sanctuary has been protected for purposes of preservation, wildlife enhancement, research and education, and is used only for museum-sponsored programs.•

Virginia is bursting with new experiences for groups in 2012.

From OpSail Virginia to visiting Virginia’s newest part of the National Park System at Fort Monroe, the commonwealth has no shortage of new tour possibilities this year.

According to the Virginia Tourism Corporation, here's what tops the list for what's new in group travel for Virginia:

Events and anniversaries

OpSail 2012 - Virginia 

Beautiful masted ships return to Hampton Roads June 6–12. More than 20 ships from around the world join United States Navy ships and local vessels in a salute to the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. Look for living history exhibits, dinner cruises and special programs. The Virginia Beach Patriotic Festival, featuring performances by the Blue Angels, kicks things off June 1–3.

Historic Garden Week features LOVE - Statewide

Virginia's Historic Garden Week, April 21–28, celebrates its 79th birthday in 2012 by spreading the LOVE throughout Virginia on more than two dozen tours statewide. In historic Fredericksburg the Rappahannock Valley Garden Club has spelled out LOVE in a giant flowerbed at a major highway intersection.

Civil War and Emancipation 150th - Statewide

2012 is a key year for Civil War history in Virginia with the 150th anniversaries of major battles and campaigns including the naval battle of the USS Monitor vs. CSS Virginia (March 9), the 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign (May–June), the Seven Days Battles (June–July), the Battle of Second Manassas (Aug. 28–30), and the Battle of Fredericksburg (Dec. 13). The 150th anniversary of Lincoln's issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation occurs Sept. 22. The 2012 Virginia Civil War 150 Signature Conference takes place at the Virginia Military Institute on March 22. The 18-wheel Virginia Civil War 150 HistoryMobile will tour throughout Virginia and selected out-of-state sites and events. Virginia Tourism Corporation has unveiled a new Civil War web site focusing on stories of real people in Virginia during the war, Walk in their Footsteps (www.walkintheirfootsteps.com).

Williamsburg Inn 75th Anniversary - Colonial Williamsburg

The Williamsburg Inn celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2012. Built in 1937 by John D. Rockefeller Jr., and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, it is the only hotel in North America in which Queen Elizabeth II has stayed twice. With 62 beautiful rooms and an array of choice amenities, the Williamsburg Inn has won nearly every award in the book.
 
New openings, exhibits

Fort Monroe National Monument - Hampton

The largest stone fort ever built in the U.S. became a part of the National Park System on Nov. 1, 2011, after more than 150 years as an active army post. During the Civil War the fort became a place of refuge for escaping slaves and was known as Freedom's Fortress. Confederate president Jefferson Davis was imprisoned in one of the casemates after his arrest on treason charges. Tree-lined avenues with brick officer's residences reflect the elegance of military brass.

Museum of the Confederacy - Appomattox

Tracing its roots to 1896, the Museum and White House of the Confederacy in Richmond today welcomes more than 70,000 visitors annually. The 150th Anniversary of the Civil War and Emancipation has brought a new opportunity for the museum to expand its presence and reach a greater audience when it opens the doors on a second facility in Appomattox in Spring 2012. The $7.5 million museum, featuring 5,000 square feet of exhibit space, will focus on events surrounding the end of the Civil War, the surrender at Appomattox and the reunification of the country. Artifacts associated with those events will be moved to the Appomattox site including the uniform and sword Robert E. Lee wore when he surrendered his army to Ulysses S. Grant.

Williamsburg Pottery - Williamsburg

Since 1938 the Williamsburg Pottery has been a shopping destination for those looking for a wide variety of items at bargain prices. On April 5, the pottery will be reborn with a half-mile of new buildings, more than 160,000 square feet of shopping space and a new cafe, restaurant and bakery. The new facility will emerge as sophisticated yet casual experience that combines the charm and tradition of a European market with the conveniences and sensory experiences with 21st-century shopping.
 
Prince William Ice Center - Woodbridge

Prince William’s new state of the art ice center offers public skate parties and events, meeting space and NHL and Olympic-sized rinks all year-round.

Virginia Arts Festival's Flying PROMS Symphonic Airshow Spectacular - Virginia Beach

A beloved tradition showcasing the beauty of vintage aircraft flying maneuvers accompanied by live music preformed by a symphony orchestra. Share this soaring symphonic celebration! May 5 (rain date May 6)

Patsy Cline Historic House - Winchester

The modest white house that American music legend Patsy Cline lived in from ages 16 to 21 opened to the public in August 2011. The house has been furnished with period pieces (including some originals) from the 1940s and 1950s and appears almost exactly as Patsy Cline would have known it. Guided tours reveal much about the woman born Virginia Patterson Hensley who took American popular music by storm with iconic hits such as “I Fall to Pieces” and “Crazy.”

Space Shuttle Discovery - National Air & Space Museum - Chantilly

Virginia will welcome the Space Shuttle Discovery, the longest-serving orbiter in the NASA space shuttle fleet in spring 2012 at the National Air and Space Museum - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Discovery replaces the Space Shuttle Enterprise, which has been seen by nearly 9 million visitors since the center opened in 2003 and will be moved to a new home. Among its 39 missions Discovery was flown by the first African-American commander and first female commander in NASA history and was the shuttle on which Sen. John Glenn flew in 1998 at age 77.
 
Wine and spirits

Trump Winery - Charlottesville

One of the world's premier names in luxury hospitality has come to Virginia with the purchase the former Kluge Estate Winery near Charlottesville by renowned entrepreneur Donald Trump. The new Trump Winery is situated on 900 rolling acres just down the road from Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The facility provides a memorable visitor experience and is also in demand as a venue for weddings and special events.

A. Smith Bowman Distillery now open for tours - Fredericksburg

Bowman Distillery's status as a producer of fine, hand-crafted, small-batch spirits is unquestioned. For those wishing an up-close and behind-the-scenes look at the process of producing distilled spirits the facility now offers free public tours and tastings Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. No reservations are necessary, but you must be of legal drinking age to participate in the tastings at the end of the tours.

Blue Ridge Whiskey Wine Loop provides vacationers and regional residents a convenient and intriguing travel plan through the Northern Blue Ridge Mountains of Shenandoah Valley. The loop includes recommended visits to numerous sites from Front Royal through Luray, including Virginia Wineries, a whiskey distillery, eateries and other interesting featured locations along the way.

Space tourism

NASA Wallops Flight Facility - Wallops Island

NASA's primary facility for sub-orbital missions is a perfect place to watch a live rocket launch. The Visitor Center has kid-friendly exhibits and an observation deck. Check the facility's website for launch schedules.
 
For tour planners
New Virginia Tour Planning Guide 2012 is now available

Virginia’s newest group tour offerings are featured in the Virginia Tour Planning Guide 2012, which is now available with new content for tour operators including new themed itineraries built around some of the best destinations and attractions in Virginia. Included is detailed information on destinations in each region along with transportation and guide services.

The Virginia Tour Planning Guide 2012 is free and can be ordered by calling (800) 759-0886 or by visiting www.Virginia.org/groups. 

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A new Arkansas Museum of Discovery gets unveiled Jan. 14.

During the past year, the facility was gutted and redone from top to bottom. The result is three new galleries with 85 interactive exhibits.

“It’s certainly a new day at the Museum of Discovery, and we couldn’t be more excited," Executive Director Nan Selz said in a statement. "We we were able to re-dedicate our focus as central Arkansas’s premier math, science and technology center."

A $9.2 million grant from Donald W. Reynolds Foundation provided the primary underwriting for the renovations, which also brought a subtitling of the museum as the Donald W. Reynolds Science Center.

The main entrance opens into the Great Hall, with a kinetic sculpture hanging overhead titled A Helix Wave, with wooden planks undulating and powered by giant piano strings.  

“The Museum of Discovery has long been considered as a place just for children," Selz said. “With the overhaul came the decision to make it more appealing to adults as well.”

The three new areas of exploration are the Amazing You, dealing with the amazing human body; Discovery Hall, where physics, engineering and math are investigated; and Earth Journeys, which examines global earth processes and extreme weather in Arkansas.

The Science Museum of Minnesota worked with the museum to design the three gallery format, select the exhibits and to develop interpretive signs.

Patrons can learn about Amazing Airways, learn to build things in the Tinkering Studio, play with a puzzle of the Arkansas River, visit the Extreme Weather Station and view a  topographic map of the state.

New to the museum is Tornado Alley, where visitors can “ride out” the 1999 twister that hit Little Rock while listening to memories of those who experienced it.

A few favorites have been held-over, including The Room to Grow, which got a facelift.

The theatre remains, but has been relocated to accommodate larger audiences.

Many of the museum's resident critters are back in new and expanded quarters. The 18 live-animal habitats  include ferrets, birds, spiders, snakes, owls, and flying squirrels.

The Window of Wonder (WOW) Gallery is where traveling exhibits will be located. Coming attractions will include “Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Ideas," Jan. 14-April 7; "Extreme Deep," April 28-July 29; "Design Zone," Aug. 11-Dec. 2; and "Grossology," Dec. 15-May 26, 2013.

 A packed calendar of events is already scheduled, including African Rhythms and Music in Nature, Feb. 16-18; Sport Science, March 8-10; State Science Fair, March 31; Nano Days, April 26-28; Bug Out, May 10-12; and Summer Fun Extravaganza, June 14-16.

The Museum of Discovery is located at 500 President Clinton Ave. the downtown Little Rock River Market.

Group rates are available for student groups of 15 or more.

Details: visit www.museumofdiscovery.org or call (501) 396-7050.

The Virginia Home Inn was built c. 1920 for Marshall Field & Company in the mill town of Fieldale, Va.

Now transformed into Macy’s, Marshall Field’s department stores once were a legend in Chicago and the Midwest. Their high-quality goods graced homes, apartments, townhomes and mansions alike.

The mill in the small town just outside Martinsville produced Fieldcrest-Cannon towels for many years, which were sold at Marshall Field’s. An 18-bedroom home was constructed nearby, serving as a women’s dormitory for mill employees.

In the 1920s, more than 100 women lived in the home at a time and took turns sleeping as shifts changed at the mill. After the mill closed, the home sat vacant for decades until two bright entrepreneurs and cousins, William Lewis and Edward Lewis, saw the property for sale online and decided to make an investment in Martinsville-Henry County.

In the two years since they purchased the property, which is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmark Register, the Lewises have lovingly restored the home and transformed it into a beautiful inn.

Virginia Home Inn always stays booked, hosting breakfasts, brunches, lunches and dinners to various civic groups, private parties and overnight guests.

Surrounded by two acres of gardens, the two-story home features an 80-foot-long porch and balcony. Once inside, guests will enjoy exploring an expansive array of antiques in the Gathering Room.

Meals are served, naturally, in the dining room. Selections like chicken cacciatore with fried zucchini and rice and raisin stuffed pork chops are crowd pleasers at the dinner table. Fresh-baked bread accompanies every meal.

As a family tradition, each meal ends with a slice of homemade cake…even breakfast. The dining room seats up to 30 and is a popular venue for group outings.

Upstairs, overnight guests have all the comforts of home. William and Edward remodeled the second floor to transform the 18 bedrooms into eight guest rooms, all with private baths.

Each is named after a Virginia-born president and is decorated immaculately in its own color scheme. The baths have tiled showers, and a cozy robe awaits each guest. A central common area upstairs has a sitting area with flat screen TV, and WiFi is also available.

Near the home, visitors will find the quaint village of Fieldale. The Southeast Tourism Society has just named the annual Fieldale Heritage Festival, held each May, one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast.

Every Friday afternoon, a mountain music jam session kicks off at the nearby antique store. After the jam session, walk over to the Fieldale Cafe, to enjoy an ice-cold Nehi soda in the glass bottle.

The Virginia Home Inn is also near hiking trails and the Smith River. Take a drive into Martinsville to find art galleries, performing arts theaters, the Smithsonian-affiliated Virginia Museum of Natural History and Martinsville Speedway.

After enjoying a day of sightseeing and shopping, guests are invited back each evening for a 4 p.m. social hour. 

Great hospitality is the specialty of the house here; you will come to The Virginia Home Inn as strangers but leave as friends.

NEW YORK — Following the release of Warner Bros.’ 2011 blockbuster hit, Dolphin Tale, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Fla., this week opened “Winter’s Dolphin Tale Adventure,” an attraction that celebrates the film’s star and aquarium’s famous tailless dolphin, Winter.

The attraction is located in the heart of downtown Clearwater’s Cleveland Street District in the Harborview Center and features an authentic, behind-the-scenes experience of the film. Its opening was timed to coincide with the movie’s Dec. 21 DVD release.

The movie is casting a significant spotlight on marine life and attractions. Clearwater’s mission is to restore and preserve the marine environment. The organization rescues, rehabilitates and releases marine wildlife and educates the public through firsthand encounters and raising awareness of issues facing the animals.

For Florida visitors and groups, there are several other marine life attractions from which to choose. They include:

            --The Florida Aquarium in Tampa offers discounts for groups of 15 people or more. Services include advance bookings on exclusive Wild Dolphin Cruises and meal vouchers and gift shop certificates. Groups may ride aboard the 72-foot, 139-passenger catamaran, Bay Spirit II, and see dolphins, manatees and numerous species of birds and fish. (813) 273-4042, www.flaquarium.org

            --The Miami Seaquarium in Key Biscayne offers groups of 12 people or more opportunities to swim with dolphins. The VIP Educational tour is a three-hour interactive program allowing groups to get up close with the animals. Tour guides take visitors through the exhibits, identify animal species and discuss local habitats and environmental issues affecting south Florida. A minimum of 10 people is required with 7-day advance reservation required. (305) 361-5705, www.miamiseaquarium.com

            --Florida’s Gulfarium in Fort Walton Beach features dolphin and sea lion shows; stingray, otter and penguin feeds; and trainings. Discounts are available for groups of 25 people or more. There are no group bookings for June, July and August. Two weeks’ advance notice is required.

            --From the minute they walk through the gator-mouth entrance at Gatorland in Kissimmee, groups are treated to a wildlife spectacle like no other. Located between Orlando and Kissimmee on the South Orange Blossom Trail, Gatorland is one of central Florida’s oldest attractions. It’s a 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve combining Florida charm with fresh new exhibits and entertainment. (407) 855-5496, (800) 393-5297, www.gatorland.com

            --SeaWorld Orlando is one of three SeaWorld locations in the United States (the others are in San Antonio and San Diego), and it is one of the best-known marine wildlife attractions and theme parks in the world. Its rides, shows, exhibits and exclusive park experiences make it a whale of a destination for just about any type of group. Three-hour tours are available for groups of 40–100, with guided tours, reserved seating at two shows, front-line access to popular rides, stingray feedings and a rescue/rehab facility tour. (866) 781-1333, http://seaworldgroupevents.com

THOMSON, Ga. — Thomas E. Watson may not be a household name, but he is a favorite son of Thomson.

Watson served in the Georgia House of Representatives in 1882, the U.S. House of Representatives from 1890 to 1892 and the U.S. Senate from 1920 until his death in 1922.

After he emerged as the leader of the Southern Populists, he was nominated as vice president on the ticket with William Jennings Bryan. He later tried for the U.S. presidency in 1904 and 1908, without success.

Hickory Hill is the elegant home where Watson lived in Thomson.

“The mansion is a turn-of-the-century home, fully furnished with the Watson family’s furniture, books, etc.,” said curator Michelle Zuptan. “One of the upstairs bedrooms has been turned into a small exhibition space, so rotating exhibits are installed there twice a year. Themes vary from Southern history to nature.” 

Outside, the grounds look much as Watson envisioned, noted Zuptan. Rather than formally landscaped gardens, unpaved paths wind through natural areas and outbuildings.

Because of the small staff size and availability concerns, tour planners should make arrangements for group tours at least a month in advance. Tours are available Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

“For groups of 25 or fewer people the visit will be a guided tour of the mansion, and guests may then do a self-guided visit of the grounds,” Zuptan said. 

She noted that larger groups will divide into two or more smaller groups so guided tours can be done of the mansion and grounds in succession. 

Tours typically last 40 to 45 minutes, but they can be shortened if groups don’t visit the back part of the mansion.

Visitors should save a little time to do some shopping.

“We have a gift table rather than a gift shop because we are small and off the beaten path,” Zuptan said. 

The telephone numbers for Hickory Hill are (877) 595-9777 and (706) 595-7777.

Hickory Hill is one of the historic homes watched over by the Watson-Brown Foundation. Two others, the Thomas E. Watson House and the Tom Watson Birthplace, are located in Thomson. The three restored houses are within walking distance of each other and open for tours.  

The foundation was started by Walter J. Brown, a broadcaster, statesman and businessman. He was the youngest son of J.J. Brown, who served as the Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture and was a friend and political ally of Thomas Watson.

Watson’s first home, built c. 1830, is an example of the humble-yet-charming houses typical of the rural South before the Civil War. Today, the home is filled with memorabilia of the Brown and Watson families. A restored Rural Free Delivery mail buggy is a testament to the significant rural delivery legislation Watson authored while he served in Congress.  

A fourth historic home, the T.R.R. Cobb House, was rescued in 2004 from years of decline. For many years, the home was on cinder blocks in Stone Mountain Park, a victim of good intentions, yet tight budgets. The foundation moved the house back to its original neighborhood in Athens and opened it for tours.

Besides owning and caring for the historic houses, the foundation provides scholarships for students from Georgia and South Carolina.

The foundation’s telephone number is (706) 595-8886.