PERFORMANCE, EDUCATION AND FUN BUILT FOR STUDENT BAND AND ORCHESTRA GROUPS IN THESE THEME PARKS THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHEAST. WITH CULTURE, PERFORMANCE, ANIMALS AND COASTERS THESE PARKS OFFER MORE THAN AWARD-WINNING RIDES.
There are many notable theme parks in the south. The favorable climate allows places such as Disney World and Universal Studios to flourish, but other parks in the south are often overlooked next to these giants in the theme park industry. It can be difficult to afford tickets and group rates to these famous parks, but there are more reasonable options for groups and schools to consider. Here are several theme parks that include wonderful education programs along with amazing rides and entertainment features at affordable rates.
Rollercoasters at Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Credit)
Busch Gardens
Williamsburg, Virginia
Virginia hosts a cultural theme park modeled after European countries including England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, and Italy. Student groups have the opportunity for discounted admission with additional tours. These include conservation classes, wolf encounters, a physics show, and a behind-the-scenes coaster tour. Busch Gardens also supports the performance of student music groups with applications to perform in the park. Voted one of the most beautiful theme parks for 29 years, the cultural themes and learning programs are sure to inspire students as they explore more than 350 acres of rides.
The Dutchman Creek Middle School performing at Carowinds Festival of Music (Credit)
Carowinds
Charlotte, North Carolina
Situated on the border of North and South Carolina, Carowinds celebrates students with their programs and heart-stopping roller coasters. Carowinds offers several opportunities for student groups to perform, including Performance in the Park and Festival of Music. Students parade through the park while playing instruments, singing or dancing for guests. The park hosts days catered to education and job development for students including Career Day, Engineering Day, Marketing Day, Health Sciences Day, and Leadership Day. These events feature seminars, skill development, experiments, and of course, the rides.
Dollywood
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
The Great Smoky Mountains is home to the down-to-earth Dollywood theme park, where families come to reconnect and make new memories. The park’s mission of teaching kids is evident throughout the park and in the educational programs they offer to student groups, such as Science in the Park and the Wings of America Birds of Prey show. With Science in the Park, students can explore the physics of theme park rides. Dollywood also offers an opportunity for band and choral performances within the park, showcasing students’ talent through hard work. With opportunities for performance, education, and thrill rides, Dollywood provides a complete package for student fun and education.
Six Flags Over Georgia coasters and rides (Credit)
Six Flags Over Georgia
Austell, Georgia
Even though Six Flags seems an obvious pick for theme parks, this one stands out with its inclusion of student programs. Educational days offer an interactive classroom for programs on math and physics, giving teachers a fun way to apply lesson plans to real life. With discount pricing for educational groups as well as catering for each group package, this theme park destination checks all the right boxes for student groups. Along with educational opportunities, Six Flags Over Georgia lets student groups showcase their talent by performing in the park, whether it be a marching band or orchestra. With over 150 local performers each season, record roller coasters, and multiple student programs, this park combines fun, learning, and performance at an affordable price.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay concert event (Credit)
Busch Gardens
Tampa, Florida
Explore the continent of Africa at this theme park with rides, exciting shows, and exotic animals to experience. Youth groups are offered a reduced rate for tickets, as well as a picnic package for larger groups with a buffet in a reserved pavilion. Band or orchestra groups can perform in one of the lovely venues and stages available for rent throughout the park. Busch Gardens has hosted many concerts and live events, as well as hosting daily performances with singing, dancing and music. With more than 200 animals, a new roller coaster premiering in 2020 and world-class performers, this park offers many different ways for students to seek fun while learning.
Students at Zoo Atlanta (Credit)
Zoo Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Student groups can discover a world of wildlife wonders at Atlanta’s premier animal sanctuary, Zoo Atlanta. Students can enjoy interactive experiences like giraffe feedings and engaging wildlife presentations. Book a guided group tour with expert Zoo Educators and learn fascinating insights into animal care. The sanctuary welcomes school groups, homeschoolers, and Scouts, with many tailored educational programs available, including overnight camping, twilight treks, wild walks, professional learning, and more. To make your trip planning a breeze, you can create your itinerary right on the website. A virtual exploration of African wildlife habitats brings exotic animals to life before their eyes. Together, these experiences offer an exciting blend of real-world animal encounters and immersive virtual adventures that will create lasting educationally enriching memories.
Rooftop Showdown show at Six Flags Frontier City (Credit)
Six Flag Frontier City
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
This Six Flags location offers several Education Days throughout the year, including April, May and September dedicated specifically for student groups. Education Days at this Six Flags location in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma offers student groups exclusive park access and the opportunity to explore science, math, and physics by both observing and riding mechanical rides and coasters. Groups are offered discount admission, workbooks, and meal packages making this an ideal choice for an educational and fun theme park field trip. Aside from the educational events, the park also offers iconic roller coasters and rides, entertainment and live shows like the Crackaxle Canyon Demo Stunt Show and the Rooftop Showdown, a water park, restaurants, shopping, and more.
Student band playing at Performance in the Park (Credit)
Worlds of Fun, Oceans of Fun
Kansas City, Missouri
At World of Fun students can go on a global adventure at this unique amusement park, inspired by the classic novel “Around the World in Eighty Days” by Jules Verne. This expansive theme park boasts 43 diverse attractions, a modern amphitheater seating 4,000, and convenient on-site accommodations. Students can explore five unique regions, each capturing the essence of different world cultures, including Nordic landscapes, African savannas, European charm, Asian mystique, and American nostalgia. This theme park offers educational programs covering physics, science, math, and leadership for grades K-12, performance opportunities for school bands and orchestras through their Festival of Music and Performance in the Park programs, and catered meals and all-day drinks and dining for student groups. Aside from the educational and performance opportunities, students can enjoy an array of roller coasters, rides, and entertainment.
Kings Dominion Theme Park (Credit)
Kings Dominion
Doswell, Virginia
Discover a variety of adventures for the entire student group at Kings Dominion theme park in Doswell, Virginia near Richmond. One of the east coast’s most expansive theme parks, this park boasts an impressive 60+ rides and attractions, including 13 heart-stopping roller coasters, special and seasonal events, captivating shows and live entertainment, a children’s area, and Soak City Waterpark. The park has a variety of attractions that mix fun and education, including Jungle X-pedition, an immersive experience where ancient civilizations come to life. Plan to visit during the month of July to take part in the Grand Carnivale, an international celebration featuring live music, an international food festival with cuisine from around the world, games, and unique international crafts. There are several options within the park for dining and shopping, but as a student group be sure to check their dining deals for group savings. With a variety of ticket options, including season passes, daily tickets, group tickets, and military tickets, you’ll be able to find exactly what you need to suit your student group. There are also seasonal holiday events like Halloween’s Tricks and Treats, Halloween Haunt, and WinterFest, complete with millions of twinkling lights, festive performances, and holiday cheer are a must-see as well.
Alabama Adventure Water and Amusement Theme Park (Credit)
Alabama Adventure Water and Amusement Theme Park
Bessemer, Alabama
Just outside Birmingham lies the sprawling 200-acre Alabama Adventure Amusement and Water Park featuring a nostalgic tribute to the region’s industrial heritage, roller coasters and rides, child’s play area, entertainment, shopping, places to eat, and other attractions. The water park offers thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, towering water coaster, and more.
School band and orchestra groups can enjoy tailored educational packages that blend learning and entertainment. The park’s special educational programs offer full-day access to the park’s attractions, engaging educational activities, and an included lunch.
City Park Conservancy – Museums, Outdoor Recreation, and Amusement Park (Credit)
City Park Conservancy
New Orleans, Louisiana
With over 1,300 acres, New Orleans City Park is the largest urban park in the United States and features an impressive amount of indoor and outdoor activities, entertainment, restaurants, museums, sports, rides, shopping, and more. Attractions for school band and orchestra groups include a 36-hole mini-golf course, a sculpture and arts garden, a 10-acre botanical garden, train garden showcasing the history of New Orleans, the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Louisiana Children’s Museum, Storyland, the Pelican Greenhouse, and many rides and roller coasters at the Carousel Gardens and Amusement Park. This is an ideal trip for school groups as it combines fun, entertainment, local cuisine, and education in a variety of topics in one beautiful place. Groups can also take part in an array of outdoor activities, including fishing, boating, birding, biking, disc golf, tennis, and more. Learning opportunities are provided through self-guided tours and tailored field trips for school groups for a unique experience of Louisiana’s local ecosystem and outdoor activities.
Native American Dancing at Frontier Adventure Park (Credit)
Frontier Town Adventure Park
Berlin, Maryland
This western-themed amusement and entertainment park offers plenty of outdoor activities, a water park with a lazy river and three thrilling water slides, including a 500-foot water slide, tube slide, and body slide, a water park for children, and cabana rentals. This park also has a whimsical western-themed 18-hole mini-golf course complete with windmills and waterfalls. For the more adventurous students in the group, the Go Ape rope course with zipline offers an adventurous experience filled with treetop obstacles, rope course and bridges, axe throwing, and more. School groups can have fun and learn something about the wild west at The Western Experience. They can pan for gold, ride ponies, experience the thrill of bank holdups and gun fights, experience authentic Native American dancing, and watch cowboys do trick riding in an 1880s replica western town that as real as it gets. Ticket prices vary depending on age, size, and time of day. Be sure to check for any special discounts they have during the summer.
Kentucky Kingdom Theme & Water Park (Credit)
Kentucky Kingdom Theme & Water Park
Louisville, Kentucky
Kentucky’s premier water and theme park, Kentucky Kingdom offers a variety of outdoor amusement and water park fun with over 70 ways to have fun. Student groups can enjoy world-class roller coasters, carousels, bumper cars, cyclones, and more. The Hurricane Bay Water Park features water slides, a four-story water playground, lazy river, tubing, and more. The park has several dining options and even hosts special events throughout the year, including Kentucky’s Red and White Bluegrass Bash, a must-see for school bands and orchestras. The park offers admission discounts to groups as well as educational programs and activities.
Updated: October 30, 2024
