The Hyatt Regency New Orleans and Audubon Nature Institute are trying to promote New Orleans as a weekend destination for families with a "Wild Getaway" vacation package that is available until Dec. 29.
The three-night package costs $179 per night. It includes accommodations for four, tickets for four to the Audubon nature attractions, one in-room movie, a $30 Hyatt food and beverage credit, 50 percent off hotel parking and shuttle service to the aquarium and French Quarter. Packages for one and two nights are also available.
For reservations or information, call 800-233-1234 and ask for the offer code WILD.
World Birding Center
The headquarters for the World Birding Center at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park near Mission, Texas, has opened.
The headquarters includes exhibit and lecture halls, gift shop, coffee bar and administrative offices built on a former 60-acre farm field that is being replanted with native south Texas vegetation. The center also includes a hawk viewing tower, two bird viewing blinds with water features to attract birds, a hummingbird courtyard, passenger tram service and miles of hiking trails. For information, log onto http:// www.worldbirdingcenter.org or phone 956-584-9156.
FESTIVALS
Fringe in New York
The New York International Fringe Festival opens Friday and runs through Aug. 28. It is billed as the largest multi-arts festival in North America, with more than 200 companies performing for 16 days in 20 venues. For information, visit http://www.fringe nyc.org.
Fly-fishing in Montana
The Ennis on the Madison Fly Fishing Festival is Sept. 1-5 in Ennis, Mont. The Labor Day weekend event celebrates the art and sport of fly-fishing, including seminars and clinics, art and literary events, speakers, equipment displays and music. For information, call 406-682-5642.
THE ARTS
Sports photography
Several photography exhibitions with sports and baseball themes will soon end their run at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. The exhibition "Baseball as America" ends next Sunday. "The Latino Baseball Story: Photographs by Jose Luis Villegas" runs through Aug. 21. "Photographs by Jim Dow: Baseball Stadiums, 1980-1982" runs through Sept. 11. And "Sports Photography from the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston" ends Oct. 2. For information, visit http://www.mfah.org or call 713-639-7300.
ON THE WEB
Pasadena information
Those who hope to see the Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 2 or the National Championship Rose Bowl football game on Jan. 4 might want to check out the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau Web site - http://www.Pasadena.com. Travelers can also request the Southern California city's 68-page visitors guide on the site.
BOOKS
Travel journal
Travelers who have enjoyed Patricia's Schultz's 1,000 Places to See Before You Die may want to check out a recently published companion, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die Traveler's Journal (Workman Publishing Company, $11.95). The journal includes a checklist of the places to see as well as traveler lists, such as eight ways to travel abroad without leaving home and seven places where time seems to stand still.
GEAR
WeightWatchers snacks
Trying to find a snack to take on an airplane or on a car trip can be difficult if not impossible for travelers attempting to shed some pounds.
WeightWatchers has come up with several foods under its brand name designed to fill that need. These include WeightWatchers muffins, cereals, sliced bread, 14 chocolate candy products and snack cakes. The brands have "points," which coincide with the company's system for losing weight. For information, log onto http://www.WeightWatchers.com.
TOP 10: CRUISING ALASKA
Top 10 reasons to enjoy an Alaskan cruise, from CruiseCompete, a free online service in which travel agents vie to offer cruise deals:
1. Glacier viewing.
2. Wildlife sightings, including bald eagles, Kodiak brown bears, polar bears, wolves and caribou.
3. Whale watching.
4. Mountain ranges, including 16 of the tallest 20 mountains in the United States.
5. Seeing the Northern Lights.
6. World-class fishing.
7. Alaskan ports of call.
8. Learning about native cultures.
9. Enjoying outdoor adventures.
10. Days with up to 21 hours of sunlight.
Travel Quote: "Most of my treasured memories of travel are recollections of sitting."
- Robert Thomas Allen
