Group Tour Magazine - August 2024 - 57

From the Seashore
to Under the Sea
Dive beneath the waves and
stay on theme by checking
out these aquariums as an
extension to your itinerary
Mystic Seaport Museum,
Mystic, Connecticut
The New England Aquarium in Boston
is a place where the penguins
always steal the show. A multistory
reef tank at the center of the space
lets visitors walk up and down to
see the layers of sea life.
Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut
offers the unforgettable experience
of being face to fin with beluga
whales, the only ones found off the
coast of New England.
The National Aquarium can be
found at Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
Spy five different types of sharks in
Shark Alley!
" I always recommend groups plan two to
four hours so they can enjoy a boat ride on
Sabino, one of four historic landmark vessels
at the museum, " says Aisha Jones, group
sales and custom events manager. " Another
option is to book a whaling highlight tour,
which is fascinating in itself, and you get to
throw a harpoon. When will you ever get a
chance to do that? "
visitors to explore Puddle Dock's community,
commerce, and culture over centuries,
creating a hands-on learning experience.
WHALING IN NEW ENGLAND
The global whaling industry was centered
in small island towns off the Massachusetts
and Connecticut coasts.
Check out the New Bedford Whaling
Museum in Massachusetts. An exhibition
on Captain Paul Cuffe-an abolitionist,
merchant, whaler, and navigator-presents
a window into this profession's most lucrative
lifestyle. Because Cuffe's iconic image
is his silhouette, the exhibit also includes
a silhouette interactive-a room in which
visitors can create their own.
The Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut
is America's leading maritime museum.
The grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic
River and include a re-created New England
coastal village, working shipyard, and the
Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship
in the world. The museum is home to
more than 500 historic watercrafts.
NAVAL MIGHT
No exploration of America's maritime heritage
would be complete without experiencing
the time-honored traditions of the
United States Navy.
In Boston, Massachusetts, groups can follow
the Freedom Trail to sites like the Charlestown
Navy Yard to tour USS Constitution.
" Old Ironsides " remains an active-duty Navy
vessel. " That means all the sailors on board
are U.S. Navy seamen trained as interpretive
historians to bring the oldest commissioned
warship afloat in the world to life, " shares
Chris Kauffman, visitor experience director
for the USS Constitution Museum.
A visit inside the distinguished USS Constitution
Museum can help make the experience
aboard even more meaningful. The
museum shares the stories of " Old Ironsides "
and its crew through hands-on exhibits and
tours perfect for adults with a love of history.
Join USS Constitution's 1812 crew and
set sail on a voyage of discovery! Fellow
" sailors " will try everything from scrubbing
the decks to balancing aloft to furl a sail.
Along the way, explore the stories of
real Constitution sailors and their families
through personal narratives and artifacts.
Kauffman also recommends the " Anatomy
of Victory " tour for adults with a particular
interest in naval history. He says,
" Groups can also experience a new half-hour
presentation by our Visitor Experience team
member about the ship's construction, a
marvel of innovation for its time. "
In Norfolk, Virginia, groups go behind
the scenes to explore the role of modern aircraft
carriers, destroyers, and nuclear submarines.
Nauticus is located along the
waterfront, offering a unique form of experiential
learning. The star of the show is the
Battleship Wisconsin. One of the largest and
last battleships built by the Navy, Wisconsin
invites visitors to explore its deck through
a self-guided tour or arrange a guided visit
that will explore the stories that earned this
ship five battle stars during World War II.
In Washington, D.C., visit the historic
Washington Navy Yard along the Anacostia
River. The campus has seen presidents,
royalty, and other historical figures and
has employed many civilian and military
members. Their stories and those of historic
artifacts, buildings, and homes associated
with the Navy Yard are brought to life on a
group walking tour. The National Museum
of the United States Navy presents the
branch's enduring legacy and its contributions
to the U.S. and the historical fabric of
the nation's capital city.
grouptourmagazine.com 57
PHOTO MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM
Group Tour Magazine - August 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Group Tour Magazine - August 2024
