It is no accident that the National Civil Rights Museum is located at the Lorraine Motel, the site of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It's hard to think of a more meaningful location for a museum that chronicles the civil rights movement, and which strives to shed a light on civil rights issues that affect our society today. It is a sobering and powerful visit, not to mention an extremely important one.

Explore Leipzig Zoo, a captivating urban oasis offering six themed worlds that mirror natural habitats. Known for groundbreaking projects like Pongoland with gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans, and the world's second largest indoor rainforest hall called Gondwanaland, it stands out as a leader in conservation and biodiversity, open all year round.

The effervescent Parrot Mountain and Gardens is located just outside Pigeon Forge and is a must for families, friends, locals, and visitors. The four acres harbor hundreds of tropical birds and thousands of trees, plants, and flowers. Guests are given the opportunity to interact directly with the beautifully plumed birds, petting and feeding them in the designated area. There is even a nursery where guests are welcome to hold the baby birds. Overlooking the Great Smoky Mountains is the deck, where lunch from the deli may be enjoyed while the birds serenade. A secret garden is lush with birds flying freely and pathways that display all of the gorgeous flowers.

The Flamingo Beach is one of Costa Rica's most popular beaches with fine white sand, clear blue waters, lagoons, vegetation and lots of activities on offer. The coastline is dotted with secluded beaches, with mountains jutting out into the sea and creating quiet and secluded lagoons. The area is possibly best known for its scuba diving opportunities. There are several dive shops in town which provide service to the Catalina Islands and the Bat Islands. The waters around these islands are teeming with marine life, including the majestic giant Pacific manta.