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What’s New in Attractions

It seems there’s always something new competing for our attention. Although new isn’t always better, sometimes new is the best. These attractions recently opened or will soon open, and the new museums and sites treat visitors to spectacular views, interactive experiences and deeper understanding of current issues and historic events.

Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Before the Canadian Museum for Human Rights opened in September 2014, museum leaders knew that the history of human rights is, inherently, about human experiences. So they decided to recount the global history of human rights not through artifacts — the museum has only about 200 — but rather, through interactive multimedia exhibits that tell the stories of such wide-ranging individuals and groups as Canada’s indigenous people and individuals who experienced the Holocaust.

“It really is a personal experience for people when they come to the museum,” said Jacques Lavergne, director of revenue and visitor services.

The museum is the only one of its kind in the world dedicated to global human rights, and the building’s abstract architecture is also unique. A favorite exhibit among visitors is an interactive debate table with 12 monitors where guests can learn about historic human rights court cases, cast their own votes and see how others voted, Lavergne said.

For groups, the museum offers 60- and 90-minute guided overviews of nine of the 11 galleries, which is a “great introduction to get an overall sense of the museum if they have limited time,” he said.

humanrights.ca

 

College Football Hall of Fame

Atlanta

When the College Football Hall of Fame moved from South Bend, Indiana, to Atlanta in August 2014, it became “a whole different experience,” said Jodi O’Gara, manager of education and group sales. “It’s an interactive experience that’s customized to your favorite college football team.”

Each guest receives an all-access pass that uses a radio frequency chip to customize interactive exhibits to greet guests by name, features their favorite team and stores their results to download later. And they get to take the badge and lanyard home with them.

In “The Quad,” visitors find a wall of 768 helmets representing all college football teams in every division. “The Playing Field” is a 45-yard indoor field where visitors can try their hand — or arm or leg — at throwing a quarterback toss, kicking a field goal and running an obstacle course. Guests also love watching the “Game of Your Life” movie in the Game Day Theater and giving sports broadcasting a shot at the ESPN Game Day Desk.

The third floor is the Hall of Fame, where visitors can read bios, browse images and watch video highlights about the 900-some Hall of Fame players and coaches.

www.cfbhall.com

Rachel Carter

Rachel Carter worked as a newspaper reporter for eight years and spent two years as an online news editor before launching her freelance career. She now writes for national meetings magazines and travel trade publications.