Hotspots

Get a birds-eye view of Southern California with a helium balloon ride at Great Park. Flights are dependent upon wind and weather, but rides are free and on a first-come, first-serve basis. You only have to pay for parking. And, you don’t have to worry about safety; the balloon’s cage is constructed of sturdy steel with enclosed sides and mesh netting above the rail, so you can have peace of mind while your family enjoys this this sky high adventure! To get there, plug the address into your GPS; otherwise, visit the website for directions.

Rev up your sex life by going sensual at Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity at New York-New York. Explore the many sides of sexuality through imagery, aerialists, comedic vignettes and sultry dancing. While this show has no storyline, it is a highly erotic cabaret of characters that tackle different elements of sexuality in their own ways. Colorful characters such as the Botero twins, two voluptuous sisters decked in French maid uniforms, squeeze their way through the aisles, while show’s Emcee, Edie, known as "the Mistress of Sensuality," is played by a flawless looking drag queen who guides you through the many facets of lust, passion and sensuality. Tickets start at $69, of course.

Dinosaurs still roam the earth, at least in one of the largest scientific institutions in the country. Spend your day with a T-Rex, one of the most prominent displays at Manhattan’s American Museum of Natural History, the place to see hundreds of dinosaur fossils and learn all about them. Witness a gigantic blue whale hanging from the ceiling as you visit the majestic Ocean Life or get an up-close look at ancient civilizations from Africa and Asia. You can also enter a tropical forest filled with over 100 live butterflies at The Butterfly Conservatory. No matter what it is you’re seeking at the American Museum of Natural History, you’ll never get bored or tired from learning something new.

North Avenue Beach offers a lot of outdoor exercise options, especially during the summer months. Run, bike or skate along the lake shore path. Or grab some pals and play volleyball on one of over 50 courts. With the recent addition of the North Avenue Beach House there are also outdoor showers and bike, chair and volleyball equipment rentals available.

Park of the allure of Atlanta Skate Park is that the location is ever changing. One day you might meet on a street in Buckhead, the next it might be an overpass in Cabage Town, you have to check the website to find out where you'll be. And that's only half the fun. Free skate lessons with Atlanta's oldest and best club for inline skating ("rollerblading") and outdoor road skating since 1979, Atlanta Peachtree RoadRollers Skate Club. Sunday afternoon and Monday nights are beginner paced, (under 10mph) Tuesday evenings a bit faster (more than 12mph). It's recommended that you bring pads and a helmet but you can certainly skate at your own risk.

For over 35 years, Prestonwood Forest residents have been going all out when it comes to Christmas lights. Houston locals and visitors alike come out in droves to see one of the best neighborhood light displays in the country. These dazzling holiday lights have been featured in local newspapers, on Houston television, and even nationally on Fox News. About 750 homes participate in the Nite of Lites festival in Prestonwood Forest each year. It's a competition by home, culdesac and block in a variety of categories so the participants really get into it. Check out their website for times, maps and other details.

Agriculturally, Florida is on a reversed season from most of the rest of the country. Our growing starts when the harvest moon wanes for everyone else. Thus, deep winter is the perfect time to get your hands on some fresh fruit. Just up the road from Orlando is Pappy's Patch, a real down-home experience bursting with friendly characters and charm. And once you get over how cute you look in your overalls, you'll see the berries are even more of a draw. Delicious, sweet and right off the vine, it's a flavor and sunny-day outing that can't be beat.

Join the circus without ever leaving home! This theater is doing much more than putting on shows. If you’re looking for alternative strength training methods, you’ve come to the right place. Kinetic Theory offers classes in circus arts and stretch and conditioning, as well as physical theater. Learn aerials, trapeze, contortion tricks, hand balancing and more with skill-based circus classes and theater training. Aspiring performers and energetic kids will find a place in these progressive classes. This place is perfect for the class clown to become a real clown.

From the calm and warm water to the lovely jogging trails and nearby bathrooms, this is the perfect spot for families. Pack a picnic, bring a barbecue, or seek a snack from the concrete snack hut on the beach.   Wedding ceremonies and Independence Day fireworks mark one end of the park, at Magic Island, while pole fishing and a camp ground mark the other end, at Kakaako Waterfront. Orange lifeguard shacks overlook the shallow waters, and a breakwater wall keeps out big waves, making Ala Moana appropriate for swimmers of all ages. Beachgoers can use binoculars to check out the ripped surfers working Ala Moana Bowls, a surf break just beyond the breakwater wall.  Public tennis courts, volleyball nets, and a huge expanse of open grass shaded with a few huge banyan trees complete this urban beach park.