Zip to new Heights at Shepherd of the Hills Vigilante ZipRider Attraction

The Shepherd of the Hills Vigilante ZipRider is a thrilling ride that lets visitors get a bird’s eye view of the Ozarks. When I visited the newly opened attraction, I was ready to experience an adrenaline pumping downhill ride over The Shepherd of the Hills’ 160 acre homestead. There are currently 10 ZipRider attractions in the world, but the Vigilante ZipRider Attraction features the world’s highest tower launch from 230 feet in the air, atop Inspiration Tower. It was sure to be a wild ride!

My fellow companions and I signed consent forms and then traveled in a glass elevator to the top of Inspiration Tower, where we would launch from its open air deck. While we waited for our ride to begin, we had a fantastic view of the Ozark Mountains and were able to see other riders enjoy their journey as well. Once it was our turn, we entered the open air deck, boarded one of the four seated zip lines and eagerly waited for our experience.

The ½ mile ride, during which you can reach speeds up to 50mph, is definitely a rush and well worth the $29 admission fee. It is entirely different from a regular zipline experience and gives one the feeling of being weightless and entirely free to enjoy the view. On a ZipRider ride, guests have no responsibility other than to enjoy the ride.

The Shepherd of the Hills Vigilante ZipRider is an exciting attraction every Branson visitor will enjoy.

Luxury Awaits at Bear Crossing Condominiums Pigeon Forge

The Bear Crossing Condominiums Pigeon Forge offer upscale condominiums in a great location on the Little Pigeon River. The property features numerous amenities that will make your stay in the Smokies a great one. Property amenities include a medium-sized outdoor heated pool with grill area, and easy access to the Pigeon Forge RiverWalk.

The two bedroom condo I stayed in during my visit was lavishly appointed with superior case goods and felt like a home away from home. The open floor plan of the unit felt very spacious as well. The fully equipped kitchen had granite countertops and a dining area with a large, family-sized table. The living room was equipped with comfortable furniture, exceptional décor, a large flat screen television and gas log fireplace. The balcony, which was accessed through the living room, was also a real treat as it overlooked the Little Pigeon River. Some of the units have sunrooms as opposed to a balcony, but the great atmosphere remains the same. The master bedroom suite was very large, equipped with a king bed with top-scale linens and featured a large whirlpool tub for relaxing. The second bedroom featured a queen bed and was also tastefully decorated. It shared the common bath.

The Bear Crossing Condos are an excellent choice for Pigeon Forge visitors. The units are all in great condition and are the perfect place to stay while you visit the Smokies.

Experience an African Adventure at Busch Gardens Tampa

Busch Gardens is an African-safari themed amusement park offering thrilling rides, exciting shows and plenty of ways to experience up-close encounters with wild animals. This unique park, located about an hour west of Orlando, provides the perfect way to discover the beauty of Africa right in southern Florida.

When I visited, I was on a roller coaster mission. Busch Gardens is home to several, including Sheikra, Montu, Kumba and Gwazi. My companions and I tackled the parks dueling wooden roller coaster first, and Gwazi’s 7,000 feet of combined tracks made for a fun ride. Next up was Montu, one of the longest and tallest coasters in the world. It featured seven inversions, including a Zero G Roll and Corkscrew, and was a highlight of our trip. Kumba, which reaches speeds up to 63mph and stands 143 feet tall, was a top-rated coaster as well. The ride lasts almost three minutes so the seven inversions in this ride are well worth your time in line. Sheikra was the last coaster we conquered and it lived up to its promised thrills. This coaster takes you on a 200 foot climb, and then abruptly stops at a 90-foot drop. After hanging precariously in the air, you plummet towards the ground at speeds of 70 mph. It was a huge adrenaline rush and a must-ride for any coaster enthusiasts.

The animals at Busch Gardens Tampa are also a top attraction, and the numerous exhibits were incredible to see. A few of my favorites were Edge of Africa, home to hippos, lions, hyenas, lemurs, meerkats and crocodiles; Myombe Reserve, a lush habitat featuring gorillas and chimpanzees; and the Serengeti Railway, which is a great way to take in the beautiful animals and scenery located throughout the Serengeti Plains area.

The Busch Gardens Theme Park is a unique park that is fun for those of all ages!

Explore Our Nation's History at Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg is an engaging living history museum spread out across 300 acres in historic Williamsburg. Visitors are transported to colonial-era Williamsburg and are immersed in historic culture, including buildings, houses, shops, taverns and costumed interpreters that bring history to life. There are a plethora of exhibits, museums and programs to see, all of which encompass an old world charm.

When I visited, I attended the “Revolutionary City” program which was a lively reenactment that covers the period of 1774 to 1781. Through a series of large-scale streetscape events visitors are able to engage in the reading of the Declaration of Independence, hear the reactions of townspeople as Great Britain tries to tighten control over the colonies, watch Benedict Arnold and the British occupy Williamsburg and witness the General deliver an address before the march to Yorktown, complete with fifes, drums and a cannon salute.

I also had the pleasure of dining at Shields Tavern, a restaurant that serves southern comfort foods inspired by colonial receipts. I dined on the barbeque ribs and drank some of their seasonal ale, all of which was absolutely delicious. The atmosphere of Shields Tavern was also splendid, as the décor and live music were all infused with 18th century affectations.

While I was visiting Colonial Williamsburg I took in one of their evening programs as well. “Cry Witch” is performed at the Capital courtroom building and the one-hour program tells the story of Grace Sherwood, a woman who stands accused of witchery. The story was especially engaging and all of the actors did an excellent job. The audience gets to decide the fate of Grace Sherwood, innocent or guilty, which adds to the interactive experience. During my visit, we found her innocent but the outcome changes with each program.

Experience Colonial Williamsburg and see how much fun history can be!

Incredible Comfort Awaits You at Fairfield Inn Williamsburg

The Fairfield Inn & Suites Williamsburg is a nicely appointed property offering a great location, upscale amenities and in-room creature comforts that create a nice place to stay while you play. When I visited this Williamsburg hotel, I found a very well kept property that was dedicated to serving their clients.

The lobby area, which features a business center with two computers and fax/print/copy services, a sundry station with beverages and snacks, and complimentary coffee, was very inviting. The main floor of the hotel was also home to an extremely large indoor pool area with hot tub, in an atrium style enclosure. It was very spacious and had plenty of room for lounging, and was open from 6am-11pm. A nice size fitness center, with three cardio machines, universal weight machines and TV, was also available. Plus, a restaurant-style breakfast room served a deluxe continental breakfast daily, featuring a delicious ham, egg and cheddar breakfast quiche, Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches and waffle station. A guest laundry with six machines was also located on-site.

There are two room types available at the Fairfield Inn Williamsburg – a King Suite and Double/Double room. The main difference between the two room types is that the King Suite features a separate living area for extra space, and the King Suite is equipped with a microwave and mini-fridge. Both rooms, however, feature the new upgraded linen package and the new Green Tea style room décor package which adds a bright, refreshing ambiance to the rooms. The rooms also feature nice bathrooms, with curved shower rod, tile floors and granite vanity. A desk and chair are also standard in-room, as is free Wi-Fi access.

The Fairfield Inn is a top rated choice for any Williamsburg vacationer.

Go "Under the Sea" at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Ripley’s Aquarium Gatlinburg is an engaging attraction featuring numerous exhibits dedicated to “life under the sea.” With more than 10,000 exotic sea creatures comprised of more than 350 species, the aquarium boasts a plethora of things to see and do. There are 10 main sections of the aquarium, each one dedicated to a specific region or species of aquatic life.

When I visited the Ripley’s Aquarium I really enjoyed the Ocean section of The Living Gallery, which was home to a Pacific Giant Octopus, sea anemones, living corals, jellies and weedy sea dragons. The Coral Reef section was also beautiful, and the emperor angelfish, raccoon butterflyfish and clown triggerfish were all neat to see. The coral itself was impressive too and certainly worth a second look. The largest and most popular exhibit at the aquarium is the Shark Tank, which includes a 340-foot underwater tunnel. There is a glidepath through the tunnel, allowing for a leisurely trip where you’ll see stingrays, sawfish, tarpons, sharks, eels and more.

A Discovery Center for kids is also available. Guests can touch a horseshoe crab, learn about marine animals, test their knowledge and solve puzzles. Some of the other fun displays and exhibits at Ripley’s Aquarium include Stingray Bay, Touch a Ray Bay and the Rainforest display, home to exotic creatures like cardinal tetras, four-eyed fish, poison dart frogs, zebra cichlids, armored catfish and piranhas. The newest exhibit at the aquarium attraction is the Penguin Playhouse. Home to African Blackfooted Penguins, the indoor/outdoor exhibit includes a clear underwater tunnel so that you can get up close and personal to the interesting animals.

The Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is a fun, interesting attraction that every member of the family will enjoy.

Titanic Museum an Interesting, Unique Pigeon Forge Attraction

The Titanic Museum Pigeon Forge is a unique museum that is filled with interesting artifacts, exhibits and a wealth of information regarding the Titanic. The outside of the museum is grandiose in its design, as it is a huge half-scale reproduction of the original Titanic. When I visited the attraction, I was handed a boarding pass, as all “passengers” are, and quickly started my tour of the more than 300 artifacts that are on display.

The authenticity of the museum impressed me from the start, as did its attention to detail and design. There is a treasure trove of artifacts, including a deck chair, Mrs. John Jacob Astor’s actual life jacket, official Titanic dinnerware and a crew member’s pen knife, among numerous other interesting pieces. Plus, the Titanic Museum features exact replicas of the opulent Grand Staircase, as well as third-class, second-class and first-class cabins. The Father Browne Gallery showcases some of the only Titanic photographs taken during the Titanic's passage from Southampton to Ireland, and is a true sight to see.

The Titanic Museum also strives to create interactive exhibits. There is a trough of 28-degree water in which you can immerse your hand (or maybe just a finger, it’s really cold!) to experience the severity of the water that night; you can stand on a ship’s stern and experience the different precise angles of the ship as it gradually descended into the water; you can also simulate shoveling coal, learn to tie rope knots and try and send an SOS signal. On top of that, there is a lifeboat in which voices tell survivors stories and there is a special section called “Tots Titanic” featuring interactive exhibits for guests eight and under.

There are a variety of things to explore at the Titanic Museum. I spent almost two hours inside the attraction during my Pigeon Forge visit and certainly could’ve spent more time. Be sure to make time for a tour during your next Pigeon Forge vacation.