The suburban communities surrounding Chicago, which boasts one of the most vibrant arts scenes in the country, are also cultural hotbeds. Groups seeking inspiration can partake in myriad experiences that incorporate the performing and visual arts. Following are some ideas for arts-filled outings throughout the Chicago suburbs.

Across Kansas, art galleries, museums, theaters and public art displays are putting the state on the map as a cultural hot spot.

Both spectator sports and recreational activities that encourage attendees to get off the bench are in play throughout Eastern Iowa.

The Gateway Arch, the signature architectural masterpiece of St. Louis and the icon of the Westward Expansion of the United States, is even more emblematic as a symbol of the city’s resurgence. Fresh off the $380 million CityArchRiver project that made massive improvements to the Gateway Arch National Park surrounding the Gateway Arch, the re-do added a wealth of impressive event options.

The Milwaukee region sets itself apart with one-of-a-kind museums, off-site outlets and entertainment offerings. And for groups, the only thing better than experiencing these venues during the day is to do so after the sun goes down.

The meetings infrastructure in Oklahoma is leveling up with major convention center and hotel expansions in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Meanwhile, Oklahoma's growing food scene provides an abundance of group dining and culinary teambuilding opportunities. Following are some delicious ideas for groups.

If your attendees are being sequestered within the four bland walls of a cookie-cutter hotel to suffer through endless PowerPoints punctuated by flavorless breaks and networking events that rival watching paint dry, you’re going to want to mix it up by using a special venue. Meetings Today teamed up with Chuck Salem to profile some of the top off-site options available in Indiana.

The Kansas City metropolitan area boasts more than 33,000 hotel rooms, with an additional 4,500 keys planned by 2020. Cities on both sides of the Missouri River are experiencing growth and changes that are making the destination easier to access and more convenient to travel within.

Almost anywhere in Wisconsin, sparkling lakes and rivers replete with recreational opportunities and shoreline venues are close at hand. As such, the state abounds with water-related experiences for groups to enjoy, including many tied into Wisconsin’s unique history and culture.