Spacious Rooms Overlooking St. Johns River

The St. Johns River-which neatly slices Jacksonville, Florida, down the middle-is one of the only rivers in America that flows north. Along its banks, the Jacksonville Landing has been attracting residents and visitors for more than 20 years with swanky shops, creative eateries, live-music clubs, and more than 300 special outdoor events held every year. The Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk occupies a prime spot directly across the river from the Landing and in the heart of the city's trendy San Marco entertainment district.

Each standard room in the hotel features contemporary and warm decor, with marigold-yellow walls and golden-hued linens. In the morning, you can head downstairs for a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast in the Wyndham's St. John's Cafe, then snooze peacefully in the sun while suspended in a hammock next to the outdoor pool.

Jacksonville, Florida: Sprawling City with Public Parks and Open Squares

Located in northern Florida 25 miles from the Georgia state line, Jacksonville has the distinction of being the largest city, area-wise, in the United States. This doesn't translate to vast expanses of pavement and canyons of skyscrapers, however. More than 80,000 acres of parkland lie within the city limits, surrounding visitors with lush landscaping and squirrel networking opportunities. A particularly nice park is Tree Hill Nature Center. Located five minutes from downtown, this green space is crisscrossed with 50 acres of trails leading through shady forests.

The neighborhood where the Wyndham is located, San Marco, is one of Jacksonville's oldest. Noted for its 1920s-era Mediterranean Revival homes-featuring balconies, terra-cotta tile roofs, and elaborate carvings-the area rewards sightseers with interesting architecture around every turn. As the sun goes down, head over to the San Marco Square, an open piazza surrounded by upscale restaurants and an old-fashioned movie theater.

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Family-Friendly Resort with Comfortable Suites

Lined with water parks, dinner theaters, and quirky museums, the Strip in downtown Branson is one of America's most decorated streets. Officially known as Highway 76, the family-friendly road became a tourist spot in the early 1960s, when several country-music concerts and comedy shows turned it into an entertainment destination. With more than 100 venues added since, Branson has earned its "live-entertainment capital of the world" moniker by hosting shows ranging from Chinese circuses to the comedy of Yakov Smirnoff to country jubilees. Located a few miles south, The Suites at Fall Creek makes for a convenient home base to explore the town, offering a family-friendly environment with indoor and outdoor pools and a bustling activities center.

The resort's guest rooms have been decorated in traditional country style with wood furnishings and cozy carpets. At 900 square feet, the one-bedroom suites add full kitchens and screened-in porches. Guests can also fix meals in the studio rooms' partial kitchens. Take a stroll along the property's narrow walking paths for glimpses of manmade ponds and manicured gardens.

Branson: Waterfront Entertainment District with Country-Music History

Located in the heart of the Ozarks and nestled next to Table Rock Lake, Branson is just as famous for its entertainment attractions as its picturesque setting. On any given night, you can find country-music tribute shows and live dinner performances lighting up Highway 76. The six-brother musical troupe known simply as Six performs its award-winning a cappella concert most days from March through November.

Fishing remains one of Branson's most popular activities. Perched at the foot of old Main Street, Lake Taneycomo's clear, cold waters make it an ideal habitat for trout. Ten minutes from the hotel, Table Rock Lake offers some of the country's best bass fishing among forests of oak and hickory trees.

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Bowling is a model for interpersonal relationships-the ball is your scream and the pins are other people's opinions. Make a striking statement with this Groupon.

$25 for Bowling with Shoes, Soda, and Popcorn for Up to Five (Up to a $58.75 Value) Two games of bowling for up to five people (up to a $34.90 value) Shoe rental for up to five people (up to a $12.45 value) Popcorn and a small soda for each bowler (up to an $11.40 value)

Battlefield Lanes' rates fluctuate throughout the week.

Battlefield Lanes

At Battlefield Lanes, the rumbling of rolling balls and clattering of pins fill the air as the alley's flat-screen televisions keep score. On select nights, glow bowling transforms the facility with psychedelic colors set ablaze with black lights. To fuel orb-flinging arms, the alley's snack bar dishes up pizza, popcorn, and hot dogs. After a nibble, guests can vary their competitive activities in the arcade room or at the fleet of billiards tables, where circling sharks munch on dropped pool cues.

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Family-Friendly Lodgings in Downtown Jefferson City

Just steps from Capitol Plaza Hotel, the Missouri State Capitol Building resembles an ancient Roman basilica. Ornately carved 40-foot columns mark its entrance, and a statue of Ceres, the Roman goddess of grain and agriculture, tops its massive white dome. Ceres is a fitting figure to overlook Jefferson City, which began as several gristmills along the Missouri River. A stay at Capitol Plaza Hotel puts visitors in the heart of historical downtown Jefferson City and a stone's throw from the area's nature trails, prime fishing locales, and rolling prairies.

The guest rooms and executive suites offer wireless Internet and cable TV amid warm hues and simple decor. In the two-room executive suite, there's an additional sleeper sofa. For dinner, feel free to lounge in your room and enjoy an artisan pizza from the onsite Plaza Pizzeria, or head down for a light meal and a cocktail at the Fountain Court Lounge before unwinding in the hotel's indoor heated pool and hot tub.

Jefferson City, Missouri: Rich History and German Heritage on the Missouri River

Many postcards of downtown Jefferson City spotlight its domed Capitol Building and the Missouri River, the two landmarks that reflect the Missouri capital's historical and natural spirit. Perched on a bluff that Lewis and Clark crossed under during their historical afternoon beer run, the Capitol Building embraces Missouri's history through its three-wall mural, Thomas Hart Benton's A Social History of Missouri. Located on the third floor of the Capitol, the mural tells the story of Missouri's pioneer days up to the rise of St. Louis and Kansas City.

On Jefferson City's south side, the neighborhood of Old Munichburg conveys a distinctly German feel through its historical churches, Bavarian-style brick buildings, and pubs that serve schnitzel and other traditional dishes. Steps from Old Munichburg, the Missouri River draws visitors looking to canoe or catch catfish. Near the boat-access point, signs indicate how far other cities are down the river, from Rocheport (43 miles) to Three Forks, Montana (2,197 miles). Another popular spot for fishing is nearby Binder Lake, which is filled with bass and bluegill.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

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Eating a hearty steak makes you feel like a king, much like wearing a crown or banishing the dog to a small island in the South Atlantic. Rule with a silver fork with this Groupon.

$15 for $30 Worth of Upscale Steakhouse Dinner Fare and Drinks

Pairs of diners select handcrafted dishes with Argentinean flair, flavorings, and monikers from the dinner menu, such as the bife ancho, a 16-ounce grilled prime rib eye ($32); the costillas de cordero, a succulent rack of lamb ($31); or the corvina rallada, a blue crab meat-topped striped sea bass ($28). A sweeping wine list boasts bottles brimming with sparkling, white, and red offerings in the form of the bubbly Italian Moscato d'Asti ($30), the Norton Sauvignon Blanc hailing from Argentina ($30), or the Californian pinot noir from Au Con Climat ($36).

The Argentina Steakhouse

The Argentina Steakhouse's owners transport the entrees, spices, and atmosphere of their homeland's best restaurants to Springfield, landing the chic eatery on 417mag.com's Best Steaks list for three consecutive years. Chefs rearrange the menu to suit the season, and the restaurant's expert staff meticulously handpicks wines to complement grilled meats. A sleek bar, crisp white tablecloths, and soft lighting intensify the ambience of the dining room, which hosts romantic dinners.

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