New York City, New York

A Beach at South Street Seaport?

New York City's newest Water Taxi Beach is coming to South Street Seaport!! The new beach, opening Memorial Day weekend on the north side of Pier 17, will cater to New York City visitors in search of sun, fun and food. The unique 18,000 sq. ft. project will feature a sandy beach and a fish shack that will serve fish & chips, steamers, clams and daily specials. Recreational activities will include a 9-hole miniature golf course, ping pong tables and skeeball.

There will be summer concerts at the beach on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and of course the famous Water Taxi sightseeing cruises will continue running from Piers 16 and 17 on New York Water Taxis, ZEPHYR and SHARK. South Street Seaport's Water Taxi Beach will also provide a fun new outdoor venue for groups to host private events and corporate meetings. Meal vouchers and dining packages are available at net rates.

Updates on Water Taxi Beach/South Street Seaport can be found at www.harborexperience.com beginning in May.

South Street Seaport offers a variety of retail shops and restaurants with outstanding views of the Brooklyn Bridge.

It is recognized as one of America's Premier Shopping Places
www.AmericasShoppingPlaces.com

US Eco-Tourism

Conservation International, a non-profit, U.S.-based, international organization, whose mission is to conserve the Earth’s living natural heritage, our global biodiversity, and to demonstrate that human societies are able to live harmoniously with nature, defines ecotourism as, “. . . responsible travel that promotes the conservation of nature and sustains the well-being of local people.”

From Amish villages to the French Quarter in New Orleans, a sub-culture very much its own, to Chinatown in San Francisco, Texas cowboy and ranch communities, Pueblos in New Mexico, the swamplands of the south, to the Appalachians, America is rich in the diverse and the natural.

When planning your next vacation, why not make it an eco-vacation?

Suggested visits:

Lawrence County, Pennsylvania - A self-guided driving tour of the Amish Countryside - www.lawrencecounty.com

New Orleans, Louisiana (French Quarter) - The Cornstalk Hotel, Victorian Charm in the French Quarter - www.cornstalkhotel.com

San Francisco, California - All About Chinatown Walking Tours
www.allaboutchinatown.com

Canyon, Texas - Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, Unlock the hidden world of the ancient past while learning about the rich history of the region. www.panhandleplains.org

El Rito, New Mexico - Northern New Mexico College/El Rito Heritage Retreat Center, hour's drive north of Santa Fe. Historical and unique short-term courses in Spanish Colonial Woodworking, Rio Grande Weaving and Spanish immersion. www.nnmc.edu/elrito/

Houma, Louisiana - A Cajun Man's Swamp Cruise, Swamp Tour on a 49 passenger vessel - www.cajunman.com

Washington, Virginia - Gay Street Inn, 1850s farmhouse in this historic village will welcome you to a relaxing stay in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. www.gaystreetinn.com

Sedona, Arizona

2009 SPRING WEEK END SEDONA SPECIAL
Lodge at Sedona - A Luxury Bed & Breakfast Inn

Available WEEK ENDS
March 3 to May 28, 2009
10 % OFF First Night Rates

Imagine enjoying SEDONA SPRING PERFECT DAYS with Cobalt Blue Skies & refreshing STAR FILLED nights, AAA Four Diamond Service, Gourmet Breakfasts served each morning on our Terrace or Porch, Daily Snacks, Beverages and Sunset hors d' oeuvres - All Joyfully Included.

Fitness Center privileges with pool, exercise equipment and use of the private meditative labyrinth plus two acres of estate grounds.

Let our caring staff at the Lodge at Sedona make your "SPRING SEDONA WEEK END SPECIAL" the Best Ever! Explore adventurous terrain on Mountain bike or Horseback. Treat yourself to an unforgettable views of the Famous Vermilion Cliffs from Helicopter, Plane or Hot-air Balloon. Our knowledgeable staff is ready to point you toward your 2009 SPRING SPECIAL adventure in Beautiful Sedona, Arizona.

Reserve any available Romantic King Suite or Queen room and receive 10% off FIRST NIGHT OF YOUR STAY

Special is valid for all available King Suites or Guest Rooms reserved and is for EARLY BOOKINGS between March 3 to May 28, 2009 (Not combinable with other specials, discounts, packages or prior bookings; not available during holiday periods; subject to availability and the offer is only available at time of booking).

Visit our on-line Availability for preferred dates or to reserve, availability at this SPECIAL RATE is limited. Or use our toll-free number listed at our site.

www.LODGEatSEDONA.com

Mention the "2009 SPRING WEEK END SEDONA SPECIAL"

Albuquerque, New Mexico

National Atomic Museum in Albuquerque Transforms

Museum to re-open with new name, new home

The new National Museum of Nuclear Science & History will open its doors on April 4, 2009. This “new” museum has served as a national resource through its collections and programming for 40 years. Formerly the National Atomic Museum, which opened in 1969 and was chartered by Congress in 1991, the new museum will continue to serve as a repository and steward of nuclear-related historical items and remain a Smithsonian affiliate.

The new location is at 601 Eubank Blvd. SE in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For the first time in more than seven years, the public will be able to view the historic aircraft, nuclear missiles, and other large artifacts belonging to the museum, as those items have been moved from their location on Kirtland Air Force Base to the new site.

The museum’s artifacts range from a minute sample of ekanite, an uncommon gemstone with a high Thorium content, to a B52-B bomber airplane, an item regulated in the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty to this day. The museum’s best-known artifacts are casings used for the Fat Man and Little Boy atomic bombs of World War II.

The Museum has a thriving education effort, designed for life-long learning. The museum's educational programs include docent-led school tours, summer camps, visits to schools by the “Up n Atom Mobile” and lectures for the public.

The museum is open 361 days a year.
The museum’s website is www.nuclearmuseum.org