2011 may be winding down, but the remaining months promise travelers to five U.S. cities plenty of new reasons to visit. Offerings run the gamut, from a citywide art exhibition in Los Angeles to displays of previously unknown dinosaurs in Utah, and from the long-awaited opening of the 9/11 Memorial in New York City to the dedication of Washington, D.C.’s Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial. And since we’ve paired news of the new with deals you can use, you’ll be able to visit more affordably.
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Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.'s Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial aims to preserve Dr. King's legacy for future generations. Designed to evoke the themes of justice, democracy, hope, and love through its landscapes, the memorial is woven in along the Tidal Basin among the cherry blossom trees. The August 28 dedication ceremony has been postponed to a date (yet to be determined at press time) in September or October, but the memorial itself is already open and free to the public, with rangers on duty to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. each day.
Washington.org has the latest hotel discounts and packages, such as discounts of 25 percent on certain dates or reduced rates for staying multiple nights. There's also a list of events and exhibitions around the city that will complement the memorial's opening.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.'s Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial aims to preserve Dr. King's legacy for future generations. Designed to evoke the themes of justice, democracy, hope, and love through its landscapes, the memorial is woven in along the Tidal Basin among the cherry blossom trees. The August 28 dedication ceremony has been postponed to a date (yet to be determined at press time) in September or October, but the memorial itself is already open and free to the public, with rangers on duty to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. each day.
Washington.org has the latest hotel discounts and packages, such as discounts of 25 percent on certain dates or reduced rates for staying multiple nights. There's also a list of events and exhibitions around the city that will complement the memorial's opening.
New York City
This September marks 10 years since the September 11th attacks, and to commemorate the tragedy as well as a decade of recovery, the 9/11 Memorial will open to the public on September 12, after an opening ceremony for victimsâ families on September 11. The site of the former World Trade Center will open as a place of reflection, with waterfalls, reflecting pools, trees, and bronze panels memorializing the nearly 3,000 victims of the 1993 and 2001 attacks. Admission will be free, but advance reservations are required to help the memorial manage the millions of visitors anticipated in the first year. In 2012 the memorial will be joined by the 9/11 Memorial Museum.
JetBlueâs current sale includes flights to New York City-area airports and covers travel into mid-November. Book by Tuesday, August 30. Through September 6, nycgo.com has special weekend rates at select hotels in lower Manhattan, including the New York Marriott Downtown and the Best Western Seaport Inn Downtown.
Salt Lake City
Dinosaurs will soon return to Salt Lake City with the opening of the new Natural History Museum of Utah at the Rio Tinto Center. Slated to open in November after three years of construction, the museum's architecture evokes the red rocks and mountains of Utah's geography. Doubling its exhibit space means more dinosaurs—some of which are newly discovered and have never been seen by the public—a Native Voices gallery, a three-story glass wall loaded with artifacts, and outdoor exhibits. Billed as a "trailhead" for Utah, the museum offers a jumping-off point for anyone exploring the state's geology and history.
VisitSaltLake.com lists the most current discounted rates, packages, and specials at hotels around the city and metro area. And Choice Hotels is currently offering quadruple points for stays at any of the Choice Hotel brands through November 3 (registration is required).
Los Angeles
Rarely does an art exhibition get beyond the walls of a single museum or gallery, so itâs big news for more than 60 Los Angeles cultural institutions to band together in celebration of the birth of the Los Angles art scene. Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945-1980 opens in October and will run to April 2012. Individual museums and galleries, such as the Getty and the Norton Simon Museum, will focus on dozens of topics, including Eames design, Mexican-American art, and the photographer Weegee in Los Angeles.
Alaska Airlinesâ fall sale includes flights to Orange County and Los Angeles. Sample one-way fares (before taxes and fees) include $59 between San Jose and Los Angeles and $79 between Portland and Orange County. Book by Monday, August 29. LA INC. lists current accommodations offers, which at press time included 50 percent off a second night at the Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach & Marina Hotel and 25 percent off four nights at the Warner Center Marriott Hotel.
Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Itâs been 40 years since the London Bridge was sold off, packed up, and shipped from England to Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The bridge, originally built in 1831, has spent the last four decades as one of Arizonaâs top tourist attractions, and the city will be celebrating its arrival anniversary this October. Events include the rededication of the London Bridge on October 14 and the annual London Bridge Days Parade on October 15. Visitors can also take a walking tour of the bridge that includes a look at strafing scars from World War II.
To celebrate, the London Bridge Resort, an all-suite lakefront resort adjacent to the London Bridge, is offering special anniversary rates and dining credits during October.
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