French Quarter-Inspired Inn with Onsite Restaurant

Though it's in the heart of Texas Hill Country, Crescent Quarters channels New Orleans, the Crescent City, in both name and design. The hotel exudes French Quarter charm, from its wrought-iron balconies to the hanging planters and gas lanterns. N'awlins also inspired some of the guest rooms, including one decorated with the famous Blue Dog paintings of Cajun artist George Rodrigue and another furnished in festive Mardi Gras purples and golds.

The rest of the rooms and suites carry out much different motifs. The Far East room features Buddhist images against bamboo-covered walls, and the French room channels continental elegance with a fireplace, French boudoir, and life-size cardboard cutout of Napoleon Bonaparte. Some rooms come with other chic touches such as granite vanities and polished hardwood floors, and the two suites come furnished with hot tubs.

Complimentary breakfast is served every morning in the common room. For lunch and dinner, head to the in-house restaurant, Cypress Grille and Wine Bar, run by chefs who trained at the Culinary Institute of America and Le Cordon Bleu. The casual eatery serves comfort-food favorites with creative twists, such as dried-fruit ravioli and smoked barbecue pork sandwiches with grilled pineapple. As a bonus, Cypress Grille and Wine Bar will give Groupon customers a complimentary dessert with the purchase of an entree.

Boerne, Texas: Historic German Town in Texas Hill Country

A popular summer escape for Austinites and San Antonians, the Hill Country of west-central Texas usually enjoys cooler temperatures than surrounding areas thanks to its higher elevation. Among the region's towns, Boerne stands out for its unique history as an early 19th-century German settlement. Some vestiges of the old days are still around, including the bilingual, German-style street signs. Crescent Quarters overlooks Boerne's Main Street-or Hauptstrasse-which features a smattering of shops and restaurants that cater to the influx of out-of-towners that use the town as a convenient home base for exploring the Hill Country.

Boerne is also home to a few limestone caves that have been paved through with walkways and lights for public tours. Cascade Caverns, 4 miles from the inn, features a half-mile stretch of stalactite and stalagmite formations and plunging caves inhabited by a rare and endangered salamander. Tours of the caverns lead through narrow passageways and end with a view of a 100-foot waterfall cascading into a pitch-black pool.

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

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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.

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

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Go big or go home, right? Ask the neighbors to pick up your mail and go big with this week's Escape to the 13-acre, resort-style Hilton Sonoma Wine Country in Santa Rosa. Enjoy a one-night stay for two in a standard king or double queen room, Sundays through Thursdays ($129). High-roll with a $25 lunch or dinner credit to Nectar, the Hilton's on-site restaurant, and two wine tasting vouchers per guest valid at Kendall Jackson and Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards. Spread your wings at every turn on the Hilton's massive property. It starts with your oversize room, complete with an HD flat-screen TV, in-room movies, and video games. From there, you'll have a view of the junior Olympic-size heated outdoor pool and whirlpool, or the seven-mile jogging track. Yes, seven miles. Once your metabolism has kicked in, head to Nectar, and take in gorgeous, unrestricted views of the Santa Rosa Valley as you dine on a panoply of local and international fare, like seared sea scallops, chicken-apple sausage pappardelle, or pan-seared Kobe beef meatloaf. Of course, you'll want to get out and enjoy the wide-open space of the other Valley, too. Luckily, Sonoma is a quick jaunt from your palatial pad at the Hilton, so within minutes you can use your wine-tasting vouchers to sample world-class labels at various local wineries. You can also opt to indulge in a massage, enjoy a round of golf among the redwoods, or just relax as you take in the expansive Valley views. Go big and leave home behind with this week's Escape. You'll be glad you did.

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The spine keeps your brain elevated and beyond the reach of swarming, knowledge-hungry children. Straighten and strengthen your spine with this Groupon.

Choose from Four Options

$29 for a 60-minute custom massage (a $60 value)

$49 for a chiropractic treatment and massage package (up to a $290 total value)

Chiropractic consultation and spinal exam (a $100 value) X-rays if necessary (a $70 value) Chiropractic adjustment (a $60 value) 60-minute custom massage (a $60 value)

$85 for three 60-minute custom massages (a $180 value)

$139 for a chiropractic consultation and spinal exam with three 60-minute custom massages (a $410 total value)

Pomeroy Chiropractic Wellness

After injuring himself during a high-school soccer game, Shawn Pomeroy couldn't shake an aching head and neck. He eventually saw a chiropractor to treat the pain, and found that it subsided after regular adjustments. Now a chiropractor himself, Dr. Pomeroy hasn't lacked for loyalty: he still sees the same doctor for his weekly appointment. His 13 years of experience have only strengthened his belief in the power of spinal science, which he practices at two welcoming offices.

Pomeroy Chiropractic Wellness approaches back, neck, and head ailments from both preventive and rehabilitative angles. The staff scout for subluxations-misaligned bones putting pressure on nerves-with exams and x-rays, soothe muscular tension with massage, and educate patients on proper spinal care by demonstrating how to floss between vertebral disks. As for adjustments, Dr. Pomeroy can utilize his hands or a chiropractic instrument to try to correct backbone imbalances. His focus on family care means that both parents and children can benefit from his personalized, gentle treatments.

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Until mankind first stepped outside in 1934, nature was thought to be a fanciful myth, like yogurt or the clutch hitter. Spend a few hours frolicking through the fresh air of truth with this Groupon.

Choose from Three Options $11 for an orchard tour for two, plus $2 to spend at the market (a $22 value) $21 for an orchard tour for four, plus $5 to spend at the market (a $45 value) $32 for an orchard tour for six, plus $10 to spend at the market (a $70 value)

Regular orchard tours lead groups through the lush orchards and gardens of Becks Farm. At the market, which operates every day of the week, patrons can shop for seasonal produce such as a small basket of peaches ($10), a small container of bing cherries ($5), or tomatoes and squash ($1 each).

Becks Farm

Plump peaches hang heavy from the trees surrounding Becks Farm, set in a serene and fertile location decorated with organic gardens, a farmers' market, and amenable members of the Beck family. After a long season of growth, preparation, and paying protection money to the local hornet mafia, the trees and grounds make themselves presentable to visitors from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Tours for all ages introduce guests to the acres of berries, fruit trees, and gardens as guides spout educational tidbits about the grounds. The onsite farmers' market operates daily and showcases only the ripest seasonal treats. Throughout the summer, fresh produce may include peaches, cherries, and apricots, supplemented by a stock of prepared items such as jams, salsas, and tangy pickles.

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Photographers use fancy terms, such as "shutter speed," "metering," and "clicky metal box that makes time be still." Let pros be pros with this Groupon.

Choose Between Two Options

$35 for one-hour family or children's photo session (a $205 value)

Up to two outfit changes 11"x14" Elite portrait ready for framing with retouching, soft-focus and vignette effects, mounting, and lacquer

$49 for a three-hour high-school senior portrait session (a $409.95 value)

Up to five outfit changes CD with up to 12 low-resolution digital images Deluxe combination frame with designer board with three 4"x5" images in a framed 10"x20" collage composition

On-location shoots can be held within 30 miles of zip code 67204 or farther for an additional fee.

Though Trey Allen Photography sometimes features a discounted price online, this Groupon still offers the best deal available.

Trey Allen Photography

Master photographer Trey Allen boasts a resume of national awards and the experience of snapping shutters for nearly 30 years. He brings that expertise to portrait sessions that frame subjects with copiously colored and styled studio backgrounds or five acres of gardens, wildflower fields, and stone patios along the Little Arkansas River-though he can also travel to a more personally significant destination, such as the site where a couple shared their first meatball sub. Trey readies subjects for each shoot with extensive online tips for session preparation, and reveals the fruits of each shoot at a proofing session as early as the next day. From there, patrons determine which shots are worthy of graduating to one of Trey's prints or digital-image CDs prepped in-studio by his highly knowledgeable staff within a month after the shoot.

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Paintball games settle bets, such as who has the best aim or which two primary colors make green. Calm a color war with this Groupon.

Choose from Four Options $10 for a paintball outing for one (a $20 value) $19 for a paintball outing for two (a $40 value) $28 for a paintball outing for three (a $60 value) $37 for a paintball outing for four (an $80 value)

Each package includes all-day admission with unlimited CO2, mask and marker rental for each player, and 100 paintballs for each player.

Frog Holler Paintball

A purely recreational facility, Frog Holler Paintball accommodates players age 10 and older across 25 acres of outdoor playing fields. The battle zone spans grounds of tall grasses and scrubby trees interspersed with sheltered hiding spots behind particleboard structures, tractor tires, and overgrown marshmallow bushes. Frog Holler Paintball supplies equipment, paint, and CO2 refills, and opens its fields to walk-on players during the weekend and groups of 15 or more on weekdays.

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According to the magazines, 40 is the new 30 -- but maintaining your youthful glow requires a little routine upkeep. Rejuvenate your stylish radiance with today's deal from Bella Chic Nail Salon & Spa. Get a Soli-Tone facial treatment -- plus a LumiFacial for $77 (a $155 value), a microdermabrasion for $82 (a $165 value), or a chemical peel for $87 (a $175 value). Or, get both the LumiFacial and microderm for $115 (a $230 value). Situated kitty-corner from Town East Square, this gem's signature Soli-Tone treatment uses light therapy and special currents to repair signs of aging, sun damage, blemishes, redness, and uneven pigmentation. Inside an elegant spa room with serene accents of red and taupe, these licensed estheticians will tailor each treatment to your skin type -- whether it's the exfoliating microderm, the smoothing peel, or the collagen-boosting facial. Get ready for your close up -- you're guaranteed to look and feel as luminous as a cover model.

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Learning science fundamentals helps kids understand why the sky is blue, where fire comes from, and how to transmute water into chocolate milk. Master the elements with this Groupon.

Choose from Three Options

$10 for a kids' science class on a Saturday (a $25 value)

$25 for a four-week kids' weekday science class session, with classes once per week on Tuesdays or Wednesdays (a $60 value)

$89 for a two-hour birthday party on-site at The Bug Lady's Science Academy (a $185 value)

A 45-minute animal and insect presentation Hands-on activities

During science classes, kids 4 and older soak up a weekly changing curriculum inside the science academy's 2,400-square-foot facility, with classes covering scientific subjects such as animals, insects, weather, and the human body. Pupils can participate in activities such as feeding demonstrations with tarantulas and lizards or painting with cockroaches. Birthday parties treat guests to a similar lineup of activities, with guests devouring cupcakes and sipping drinks between hands-on lessons that fuse entertainment and education better than the MIT faculty's weekly game of flashlight tag (food and drinks not included with this Groupon).

Saturday classes run from 9 a.m. to noon. Weekday classes are available Tuesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday mornings from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The Bug Lady's Science Academy

Carrie Tiemeyer proudly assumes the identity of The Bug Lady as she educates kids with the aid of more than 75 insects and animals. A teacher, Carrie began incorporating live-insect demos and activities into her lesson plans, which caused a former student to christen her with the arthropod-centric nickname. Noninsect cast members also enhance the demos, allowing science students to cozy up to hedgehogs, ferrets, reptiles, and birds. Committed to educating as many people as possible, The Bug Lady can show off her living coursework at the science academy, or escort teams of millipedes to a chariot and travel into the community for mobile demonstrations.

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