Mark Twain wrote, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.” And while that goes for everyone, travel is especially beneficial for young people, who are still finding themselves and opening their eyes to the world around them.
Student trips offer a taste of independence and a wealth of learning opportunities. Here are six places in the Southeast that will give youth groups a rewarding and memorable trip.
Williamsburg, Virginia
For a look at the earliest American history, it’s hard to top Williamsburg, Virginia.
“Ultimately, Williamsburg, Virginia, is the birthplace of America,” said Julia Smyth-Young, chief sales officer for Visit Williamsburg. “We’re home to the first permanent English settlement, and we are an iconic essential American destination. As we approach 2026, the commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it’s a fantastic time for students to come and really appreciate and understand our nation’s.”
Smyth-Young cited the area’s many attractions.
“There’s so much to see and do — from Colonial Williamsburg, the largest living history museum in the U.S., to the Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown,” she said.
In addition to battlefields and museums, there’s plenty of other fun to be had. Williamsburg is home to Busch Gardens. The 422-acre European-themed amusement park is open year-round and offers a range of thrilling rides, including 10 roller coasters, as well as animal shows and beautiful gardens.
Smyth-Young stressed the area’s suitability for youth.
“It’s affordable,” she said, “and for students especially, there is a real safety component. Even though we are so historically rooted, Williamsburg is built and based on hospitality and tourism. Kids are the main attraction when they come here, whether it’s to perform or to learn or just to explore and discover. Within the community, there are generations of innkeepers and restaurateurs and hospitality workers that receive these kids and are so delighted to see them and welcome them. So, it’s a very special place.”
Birmingham, Alabama
As the largest city in Alabama — though a relatively young one, since it was founded after the Civil War — Birmingham has plenty of sophistication. In the 1960s, the city was ground zero for the Civil Rights Movement, where protesters endured vicious beatings, police dogs, fire hoses and bombings, including the infamous 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, which killed four young girls. Today, that painful history is honored in the Birmingham Civil Rights District, which is now a National Historic Landmark.
“Birmingham offers an inspiring and educational experience for youth travelers,” said Sara Hamlin, vice president of tourism at the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau. “From its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement to its bright, vibrant cultural experiences, it’s really a great destination. The city provides a unique blend of history in innovation and entertainment for young people — a place where they can connect with the past while being inspired to help shape the future.”
In addition to its rich Civil Rights history, Birmingham has much to offer. Musical luminaries like Nat King Cole are celebrated in the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, which is located in the historic Carver Theatre. The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame honors athletic legends, such as Olympian Jesse Owens, boxer Joe Louis and University of Alabama football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.
Birmingham is also home to Rickwood Field, the oldest ballpark in the nation. Opened in 1910, it was the home of the Birmingham Barons and the Birmingham Black Barons for decades. Both Willie Mays and star pitcher Leroy “Satchel” Paige played for the Black Barons.
Memphis, Tennessee
At its heart, Memphis is about music.
The Tennessee city on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River has seen plenty of turmoil since its founding in 1819: the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel. But two things have remained constant: the slow roll of the mighty river and the sweet rhythms of the city’s songs, which have influenced music around the world. Rhythm and blues, rock, gospel and soul — these genres and more call Memphis home. “Father of the Blues” W.C. Handy came to the clubs on Beale Street in 1909. He was followed by B.B. King, Ike Turner, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and a kid from Mississippi named Elvis Presley.
While Elvis’s Graceland is the most famous music history attraction in the area, Sun Studio, Stax Museum of American Soul Music and the Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum are all worth visiting to learn about other parts of the Memphis music story.
To engage with the river, Memphis Tourism’s director of public relations Lauren Berry recommends getting youth groups into canoes.
“Mississippi River Expeditions offers half- or full-day experiences in 10-person Voyageur canoes,” she said. “The guide really offers a history of the Mississippi River through stories.”
Berry also thinks visitors shouldn’t miss the famous (and free) “duck walk” at the opulent Peabody Hotel, the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel or Bass Pro Shops in the Memphis Pyramid.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
M yrtle Beach’s 60-mile strand of sun and fun on the South Carolina coast certainly epitomizes the ideal American beach destination. “The Grand Strand” is practically made for student trips, with abundant and affordable lodging choices, amusement parks and a classic beachfront arcade. The area also hosts many sports tournaments, as well as dance, gymnastics, cheerleading, band and chorus competitions, and boasts numerous venues with performance opportunities for student groups.
Budding biologists and nature lovers will soak up the sights, sounds and science on a saltwater marsh eco-tour while exploring Murrells Inlet. The two-hour journey through the pristine estuary allows students to engage with crabs, snails, jellyfish and other wildlife.
Give the group a bird’s-eye view of the entire area from SkyWheel Myrtle Beach, which circles riders almost 200 feet above the downtown and oceanfront. For hands-on learning, WonderWorks is a science-focused indoor amusement park that combines education and entertainment.
In addition to offering group performance opportunities, Alabama Theatre, The Carolina Opry Theater and Legends in Concert lead technical tours and performance workshops.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Whether they’re diving into STEM at the Sullenberger Aviation Museum, exploring the NASCAR Hall of Fame or discovering resilience and innovation at the Levine Museum of the New South, young travelers have no shortage of places to explore in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Nicknamed “the Queen City” in honor of Charlotte, wife of King George III, this North Carolina city offers students four-season opportunities for recreation and education. Groups can head downtown for a selfie with “The Firebird,” an 18-foot-tall sculpture outside the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, part of the Levine Center for the Arts. The giant bird is the work of French sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle. Covered with 7,500 mirrored tiles, it’s affectionately nicknamed the “Disco Chicken.”
Near the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the new 105,000-square-foot Sullenberger Aviation Museum offers immersive learning experiences like flight simulators, interactive exhibits, STEM education programs and storytelling about the Carolinas’ past, present and future in aviation. The reimagined facility honors Captain C.B. “Sully” Sullenberger, pilot of the 2009 “Miracle on the Hudson” flight, which was heading from New York to Charlotte.
Moving from air to water, the 1,300-acre U.S. National Whitewater Center has more than 30 activities, including whitewater rafting, zip lines, ropes courses, climbing, yoga, stand-up paddleboarding and more than 40 miles of trails. The NASCAR Hall of Fame offers more than just speed; interactive sessions give students hands-on activities to discover how math problem-solving skills apply to racing.
Northern Kentucky
Just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, the cities of northern Kentucky have plenty of attractions for students to explore. From history to science and recreation, it’s an affordable destination filled with possibilities.
Students can dive into an underwater adventure at the Newport Aquarium. Named one of USA Today’s 10 Best Aquariums, it’s home to thousands of fascinating aquatic creatures, including sharks, eels and seahorses. Students can stroke a shark or a stingray in the touch tanks; marvel at the vibrant colors and diverse life forms in the 60,000-gallon walk-through coral reef tunnel; and walk the Shark Bridge, a thrilling rope bridge suspended just inches above a tank full of sharks. A special one-hour tour takes students behind the scenes, where they get an inside look at the aquarium’s animal enrichment and care programs, see the complex machinery that keeps millions of gallons of water running and learn about conservation efforts to protect the ocean’s fragile ecosystems.
Almost everyone enjoys a leisurely boat ride, and student groups will be no exception while aboard a sightseeing or dinner cruise with BB Riverboats. Operating on the Ohio River for more than 40 years, the climate-controlled paddle wheelers offer great city views, interesting river lore and exceptional photo opportunities.
For older students considering career options, plan a day with Gateway Community and Technical College and Northern Kentucky University. The six-hour guided tours offer immersive simulations across several disciplines, including AI, cybersecurity and varying medical fields, and students can engage with cutting-edge technologies.
