Outdoor Escapades

While museums and historic sites are vital tourism destinations for young groups to explore and learn, there is also an inherent value in spending time outdoors, getting active, and communing with nature. In fact, several studies have shown that time spent outdoors offers the benefit of mental rest and rejuvenation, and has been linked to improvements in memory, attention span, impulse control, and creativity.

From zip-lining and kayaking to swimming and hiking, there are endless options to consider when planning your group’s next outdoor excursion. In fact, adventure parks, state forests, and national parks often offer year-round activities to keep your students engaged, active, and enthusiastic.

So, imagine a world where the thrill of adventure is just around the corner, waiting to be discovered by eager young explorers. Across the country, myriad outdoor activities beckon, offering a perfect blend of excitement, natural beauty, and rejuvenation. No matter where you send your group, these adventures will undoubtedly create lasting memories and help forge bonds of friendship, inviting young groups to step outside and embrace the wonders of nature time and time again.

Midwest

The Midwest is often associated with clear blue lakes and dense forests. It’s home to the picturesque Driftless Area, a topographical region untouched by the flattening effects of glaciers, resulting in preserved bluffs and ravines that spread across southwestern Wisconsin, southeastern Minnesota, and northeastern Iowa. One way for your group to witness the untapped beauty of the area is through a tour with Original Wisconsin Ducks in the Wisconsin Dells. Aboard one of these amphibious vehicles, your students will go for an unforgettable adventure along the Wisconsin River, Dell Creek, and Lake Delton—both on and off land! But that’s just the beginning when it comes to exploring America’s heartland.

Farther east, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, your group can witness the majesty of one of North America’s most iconic destinations. Here, have your group partake in Journey Behind the Falls, where they’re able to stand at the base of the Horseshoe Falls as the water crashes around them. Or, consider trying out the antique Whirlpool Aero Car, which takes tourgoers across the Whirlpool Gorge over the iconic Class 6 whitewater rapids.

Mackenzie Rockbrune, communications and media coordinator for Niagara Parks, says Niagara is full of rich heritage and STEM learning opportunities, too, “from the Butterfly Conservatory, which rears butterflies through all stages in-house, and the Niagara Glen, an old growth forest in Niagara, to the historic Niagara Parks Power Station. … Beyond that, Niagara Parks is home to many heritage sites, including the McFarland House, the Laura Secord Homestead, Old Fort Erie, the Mackenzie Printery, and the Landscape of Nations memorial, which is dedicated to Indigenous allies in the War of 1812.”

Rockbrune says groups can book through the Niagara Parks Group Sales department for help curating the perfect plan for group visits. School groups have exclusive access to perks and bundled deals like the “Pick-3 Experience” package, which includes a free lunch.

“Nowhere else in the world is there such a breadth of naturally occurring phenomena and iconic historical sites,” she adds. “This is a place truly like no other, where youth can discover hidden and untold stories of the past and learn about the leaders of today.”

Midwestern ventures don’t end there, of course. Michigan’s Mackinac Island is the perfect location for biking, horse-drawn carriage rides, touring Fort Mackinac, or boat excursions with Brown Eyed Girl Boat Charters, Or, bring your students to Indiana Dunes National Park in Porter to explore Indiana’s coastal wildlife and swim.

Northeast

Emanating coastal charm and historic wonder, the northeast presents several unique opportunities for outdoor antics. Start your group’s journey with a visit to Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves in Woodstock, New Hampshire. Lost River, which offers group rates for schools and camps, is the perfect place for cave exploration and hiking. While getting active as a group, your students will also learn about the natural and cultural history of the gorge, including topics relating to geomorphology, the region’s geological makeup, and the diverse regional flora and fauna.

Looking to get your students out on the water? Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is a great destination for interacting with marine wildlife and breathing in the fresh ocean air. Book a whale-watching tour with Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises, spend the afternoon at the Adventure Park at Heritage Museum and Gardens, let out some energy at the Cape Cod Inflatable Park, or have your group hit the green at Holiday Mill Miniature Golf.

In New York City, New York, Central Park is a must-see for young visitors. Whether your group is picnicking in the grass, partaking in a birding tour, launching model sailboats on the water, or competing in a park-wide scavenger hunt, this landmark locale has something for all students to enjoy. Visit the Belvedere Castle, play a game of baseball at the Heckscher Ballfields, catch a musical performance at the Naumburg Bandshell, or gather for an array of lawn games.

To the north, at Delaware Seashore State Park, your students can kayak around the salt marsh islands of Rehoboth Bay while looking for wildlife, fish off the inlet’s many jetties, hike Burtons Island, or even try their hand at surfing. And in Vermont, Sugarbush Resort in Warren is an ideal place for skiing, biking, hiking, disc golfing, swimming, and more. And for an especially unique thrill, bring your group to The Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art Village in Oakdale, Connecticut. The 60-acre adventure park includes more than 60 life- size model dinosaurs, a maze featuring a slide through the mouth of a giant T-Rex, and so much more for your students to enjoy.

Southeast

Start your group’s tour of the Southeast at one of most well-known beach communities in the country. Myrtle Beach, located in South Carolina, is home to a massive variety of entertainment options. “Beyond our endless sandy shorelines, we offer a wealth of activities, from an array of mini golf courses to amusement park rides, water parks, dinner theaters, live music, and plenty of thrilling watersport options,” says Sandy Haines, director of group tour sales at Visit Myrtle Beach. “Myrtle Beach is more than just a destination; it’s an adventure waiting to happen, promising a memorable and exhilarating experience for young groups. We can help you create the perfect itinerary filled with excitement and fun.”

According to Haines, some of the most popular attractions in the city include the brand-new Hickey’s InterActive Adventures, an entertainment arena that offers virtual reality experiences, laser tag, escape rooms, and more; student-friendly cruises at Murrells Inlet; Myrtle Beach’s mini golf trail; Huntington Beach State Park; Brookgreen Gardens; and, of course, the pristine beach.

“We have over 60 miles of sandy shores, so it’s no wonder visitors flock here,” Haines explains. “Beyond our famous boardwalk, though, the beach offers a vibrant array of activities including live music, dinner theaters with shows ranging from medieval battles to murder mysteries to Polynesian luaus, a diverse culinary scene, amusement parks, a fabulous aquarium, more than 30 mini golf courses, fishing, and a full spectrum of watersports.”

In Florida, send your group to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, where they just might spot a mermaid in the depths of these crystal-clear waters. For six decades, mermaid performers have mastered mystifying underwater feats during regular shows at the park. Before and after the show, guests can take to the water themselves via kayak, paddleboard, or swimming in the cerulean waters of Buccaneer Bay, which also features two water slides. Back on land (sort of), your group may enjoy a visit to The Lost Sea Adventure in Sweetwater, Tennessee. This underground boat tour will take your group on a fascinating journey through caverns that lead to The Lost Sea, America’s largest underground lake. For a hands-on adventure in the Southeast, the Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo is a fun and thrilling attraction for animal lovers of all ages.

West

Take your group to new heights by kicking off their Western tour with a trip to Highline Adventures in Buellton, California—home of the state’s longest and fastest zip line. Perched in the hills of the Santa Ynez Valley, visitors are driven up to a peak before gliding down three zip lines totaling 7,510 feet in length. That’s nearly 1 1/2 miles!

But don’t let that deter your young group; Jeff Hartman, owner of Highline Adventures, says the zip line is incredibly safe and secure for anyone between 75 and 275 pounds.

“We have the best and latest state-of-the-art safety equipment on our system,” Hartman says. From start to finish, each length of the course is securely monitored by staff, safety checks are regularly performed, and the zip line utilizes an e-launcher and Safe Launch system that make each launch smooth and slow.

“The one group success I thought was probably our biggest was when we had a group of kids with autism come out from [University of California, Santa Barbara],” Hartman says. “They were anywhere from 12 to 17. It was a little challenging getting them convinced on the first [zip line]. But once we got them convinced, they were really stoked.”

Hartman says 18 tourgoers can be accommodated on the zip line at once. Or, for bigger groups, the zip line can run in stations, with some on the zip line while others enjoy the treetop adventure course or gather on the grass lawn for a meal. Highline Adventures is open seven days a week during the summer and four days a week during the rest of the year, but Hartman says they will open for school groups of more than 20 on off days. Highline Adventures also offers “Protea Walking Tours” atop the mountain, where guests can see the thousands of prehistoric-looking orange flowers generally only found in South Africa and Australia sprawled across the landscape.

In Idaho, Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve offers an other-worldly experience for groups looking to hike, learn about lava flows, and explore a truly mind-blowing terrain. Utah is home to several national parks perfect for all types of outdoor recreation. See the iconic cliff faces of Zion National Park, hike to Chimney Rock in Capitol Reef National Park, marvel at the formations of Arches National Park, make memories at Bryce Canyon National Park, and discover the vastness of Canyonlands National Park. For more one-on-one time with nature, have your students explore Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area between Washington and Oregon, home to a range of ecosystems, microhabitats, a sprawling canyon, and several Instagram-worthy waterfalls that will captivate your group.

By Madeline Fuerstenberg

Main Image: Whirlpool Aero Car at Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada; Credit: Adobe/ajamils