A Family Trip to Hong Kong

By Amy Koller
April 26, 2008
0806_hongkong
To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we invited readers to pitch us ideas, and we sent five of them on assignment. This writer, her husband, and their two kids headed to Hong Kong for a week.

About the author
Amy Koller, 32, is a finance coordinator who lives in Yucaipa, Calif., with her husband, Robert, 39, a special-education teacher, and their two kids, Christian and Cassidy. "My husband and I have been blessed with two children who are willing to eat more than chicken nuggets, and we're wasting that by not discovering new places. We've cruised in Mexico, and we're on a first-name basis with Shamu in San Diego, but it's time for these would-be world travelers to see the world. We'll go anywhere, and we'll try anything."

***

Once we hear we'll be going to Hong Kong, we scream and high-five. Then we rush to the Internet to learn more about the city.

The center of Hong Kong is Hong Kong Island; to the north are Victoria Harbour and the mainland, where Kowloon and the New Territories are located. We decide to stay in Kowloon.

I look for air/hotel packages on Expedia, double-check on Kayak, and scour TripAdvisor for feedback on the hotels. Then I visit the airline and hotel websites to make sure I have a deal. Our package, with L.A.–Hong Kong flights on United and five nights' hotel, is $5,905. We'd have to pay about $1,400 per ticket if booking the flights separately—so this way, it's like getting the hotel for free.

Days One and Two

For the 15-hour flight, Robert and I enlist an army of video games and other shiny objects to hold the attention of our 9-year-old son, Christian, and our 8-year-old daughter, Cassidy. Our imaginations help, too. We gape at frozen rivers that resemble albino snakes and look for polar bears sitting on icebergs.

Ten AA batteries, four movies, and one change of clothes later—don't ask—we land. We take the Airport Express train to Kowloon and the free shuttle to Harbour Plaza Metropolis, overlooking Victoria Harbour. We drift off, dreaming of dim sum.

Day Three

I'm nervous about getting everyone out the door by 8 a.m. for the Jetway Express half-day tour of Hong Kong Island that I booked on Expedia, but we're all up early. We hop on the hotel shuttle to Tsim Sha Tsui, the heart of Kowloon. We're happy to learn that only a few other people are on our tour.

The first stop is Victoria Peak, where we survey our temporary domain and vow to conquer it. Next, we board a water taxi that putts around Aberdeen, the floating "island" in Aberdeen Harbour. Enormous yachts are docked within feet of the disintegrating shelters that "boat people" have made out of old fishing boats. I look at my daughter, curious about how the inequality is affecting her. "Mom," she says, "did you see the dead ducks at that restaurant? I think they're going to eat them!"

Around 1 p.m., we find our way to the open-air Ladies' Market in Kowloon. When we're a few feet in, the clouds part and a ray of sun pokes through. I follow the light and the faint sound of angels' voices. It's then I see them—LeSportsac knockoffs. I drooled over one of the bags at LAX, but couldn't justify the $100 price. Unable to stop myself, I buy six for $60.

At Jade Garden Restaurant, we're overrun by small baskets filled with rolls, cakes, and dumplings. It's like Christmas, and each dumpling is like a present, its contents a mystery. Our favorite is the char siu bau, a delicious steamed barbecued-pork bun.

Day Four

We planned on visiting the Hong Kong Science Museum, since Christian is all about the hands-on experiences (and Wednesdays are free). But there are hundreds of schoolkids at the museum's entrance. Our hearts sink, as we know each exhibit will be packed. So we walk over to the Hong Kong Museum of History, where there are only a few visitors. Amazing life-size displays represent different periods of Hong Kong history. The museum even corrects some of our misconceptions. I, for one, was shocked to learn that opium was an English import to China (and not the other way around).

The mall attached to our hotel has a food court with all types of inexpensive Asian food. After a few laps, we decide on a buffet of Thai noodles, sashimi, Korean fried pork, Japanese udon noodles, and boba milk tea. Christian masters chopsticks pretty quickly, but we grab extra plastic forks whenever we see them (as not all restaurants have forks).

Then we go to the Goldfish Market—blocks and blocks of small stores selling pets of all kinds: fish, reptiles, puppies, and kittens. Instead of tanks of fish, they have walls of fish, hanging in bags on hooks. Not just small fish—big ones, too! And there are buckets of baby turtles. (We're glad we didn't buy one when we later spot a "No turtles" sign at the airport.)

That night, we come upon a ping-pong tournament on TV. At that moment, we know we're in China.

Day Five

To get to Ocean Park, Hong Kong's answer to SeaWorld, we figure we'll use the metro. But when the train arrives, well.... We're from California. We don't have many opportunities to practice our subway skills. When the next train pulls in, we get into linebacker positions at the front of the line. The doors open, and we surge, motivated by fear of failure and by other riders pushing from behind. It's clear that the locals find us amusing, but we don't mind.

Ocean Park straddles a hill on Hong Kong Island. It doesn't hold a candle to SeaWorld—except in one area: giant pandas! The San Diego Zoo has a panda exhibit, but we've never actually seen it. The lines have always been ridiculous. But at Ocean Park, we see four pandas up close. Cassidy declares pandas to be her new favorite animal. Christian is less impressed until one yawns. "It has real teeth!" he says.

We hail a (surprisingly cheap) cab and speed off to Stanley Market on Hong Kong Island. In the first hour, we buy so much that we begin to get jelly arms from having to carry it all. Two hours later, we exit the market with two new suitcases laden with clothes, books, purses, jewelry, and anything else we can justify buying. Minutes after leaving the market, I begin to miss it like a long-lost friend.

We hop on a double-decker bus back to the hotel. Robert and I follow the kids up top to the front row. The bus goes all over the island before passing through the tunnel to the mainland. It's like a crazy IMAX adventure that lasts almost an hour. I can't believe the ride is only $5 for all four of us. I'll never forget the kids' wide-eyed faces.

On the bus, Robert talks to a college student, who lets us know which stop is most convenient for us and even offers to get off and assist us with our loot. We're skeptical, but it turns out he's just a friendly guy who wants to help. We tell him that he has a place to stay if he's ever in California.

That night, we go to the Avenue of Stars (Hong Kong's "walk of fame") to watch "A Symphony of Lights," the nightly show along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. The fog that has rolled in adds a bit of drama to the light beams shooting through the sky and the neon swirls on the buildings.

Day Six

As we walk to the Tsim Sha Tsui terminal to catch the Star Ferry to Hong Kong Island, we come upon kids in matching tracksuits clustered around people who are obviously tourists. The kids are students practicing their English. After we answer their questions, they give us a handmade pamphlet about Hong Kong and their teacher snaps a picture. Our kids love it (which means we help out three groups of students).

For less than $1 total, all four of us take the nearly 10-minute ferry ride. The old boats have a vintage feel: The benches are wooden, with a shared metal backrest that can be moved to face either direction.

In the Central district, we poke into the nearest mall for picnic fare. Then we jump on the ferry back to Kowloon and eat as we watch cruise liners and fishing boats sharing the harbor.

The open-air Jade Market, in the Yau Ma Tei district, is spread out across two blocks, and we're amazed to discover how much cheaper the jade is there than elsewhere. The kids pick out carvings representing their animals from the Chinese 12-year calendar and tie them to their jackets. Christian is then free to shop for a gift for a friend. Vendors present trinkets to him, and he ponders them for a moment before waving them off. Soon he and Cassidy are bartering just like smaller versions of Robert and me.

We decide to spend the rest of the day revisiting the places we loved the most. For the kids, that means returning to the buckets of turtles they wish they could smuggle home. Robert has us go back to the food court for more udon noodles and Korean pork. And that night, I go up to the hotel lounge for one last look at the skyline. The trip is already over? There's still so much to see and do. I steel myself for the brutal flight home. This time I have no plan, just a head full of new memories—and three more pieces of luggage.

Operators

Jetway Express
011-852/2336-6916, jetwayexpress.com, half-day Hong Kong Island tour $22

Transportation

Star Ferry
011-852/2367-7065, starferry.com.hk

Lodging

Harbour Plaza Metropolis
7 Metropolis Dr., Hunghom, Kowloon, 011-852/3160-6888, harbour-plaza.com

Food

Jade Garden Restaurant
3 Salisbury Rd., Star House, 4th Fl., Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, 011-852/2730-6888

Activities

Hong Kong Museum of History
100 Chatham Rd. S., Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, 011-852/2724-9042, lcsd.gov.hk/hkmh, $1

Ocean Park
Aberdeen, Hong Kong Island, 011-852/2552-0291, oceanpark.com.hk, $27, kids $13

Shopping

Ladies' Market
Tung Choi St. bet. Argyle and Dundas Sts., Kowloon

Goldfish Market
Tung Choi St. bet. Mongkok and Nullah Rds., Kowloon

Jade Market
Kansu and Battery Sts., Kowloon

Plan Your Next Getaway
Keep reading

America's Favorite Restaurants

**NOTE: This article was updated on Monday, June 29, 2009 ALASKA NEW! ARCTIC ROADRUNNER in Anchorage, Alaska If you're in Anchorage and you've had your fill of seafood, this old-timey burger joint should do the trick. Don't opt for anything too fancy: The standard combo of cheeseburger, milkshake, and French fries or onion rings is delicious and plenty filling. There's no table service, and the place doesn't take credit cards. Order at the counter, take your number and pay in cash, and then consider eating outside at the tables along Campbell Creek, where the salmon you just spared (well, unless you ordered the salmon burger) are known to spawn. Arctic Roadrunner has been in business for four decades; the walls are covered with photos of patrons who've visited this perennial spot for "the best burger in Anchorage." Information: 2477 Arctic Blvd., 907/279-7311. Price check: A standard burger is $5—if you want something more complicated, the Kodiak Islander is $6, and the Keeneye burger, with mozzarella cheese, is $6.25. Milkshakes start at $4. Thanks for sharing: Reader Scott B was the first to tip us off. ARIZONA NEW! ELOTE CAFE in Sedona, Ariz. It doesn't look like much from the outside, and that's putting it nicely, but if you don't get to Elote before 6 p.m., expect to wait an hour or more for dinner. Bide your time at the bar with perfect margaritas (there are five versions) and servings of free popcorn dusted with chile powder. All of the Mexican dishes are prepared imaginatively, with gourmet overtones: Start with the sopa de elote, and then move on to standout plates like enchiladas, carne asada, chile relleno, tacos with mole sauce, or anything slow roasted. The menu's smaller plates are close to entree size, so visitors often keep prices moderate by eating tapas-style. The patio has great views but can be cold at night, especially during the winter months. Elote knows it's popular; unless you have a party of five or more, no reservations are considered. Information: 771 Hwy. 179., 928/203-0105, elotecafe.com. Price check: Chicken tacos with mole sauce are $9.50, quesadillas are $11, and margaritas start at $7. Of the large plates, the chile relleno is affordable at $16.50. Thanks for sharing: Reader sharonlash was the first to tip us off. NEW! FEZ in Phoenix, Ariz. Just off the Indian School light-rail stop in Central Phoenix, Fez serves traditional American staples with Mediterranean accents in a friendly, contemporary setting. The Fez burger is a massive half-pound sandwich on ciabatta, improbably stacked with pears, crispy onions, feta cheese, and cilantro. Lighter eaters opt for the tasty Fez lettuce wraps with minced chicken and dried fruits, or one of the four kisras, Mediterranean flatbread pizzas with toppings like lamb or grilled chicken. Restaurant acolytes love all four types of fries, heaped into generous baskets, but can't agree about which is best. Bring a crowd and order one of each kind, then top it all off with one of the 20-plus martinis to keep the ensuing French fry debate civil. Information: 3815 N. Central Ave., 602/287-8700, fezoncentral.com. Price check: Salads like the tomato taza run about $6.50 for a small portion (it's plenty big!), while fries are $4.50 a basket. The signature Fez burger costs $11; a martini is $9.50. Thanks for sharing: Reader SuzyA was the first to tip us off. FLANCER'S in Gilbert, Ariz. There's nothing ordinary about the Southwestern food at Flancer's. Sandwiches are dressed with condiments like prickly-pear glaze, orange-cranberry barbecue sauce, chipotle mayonnaise, and New Mexican green-chili mayonnaise. Even the names of the sandwiches are unique: It's About Thyme has balsamic-and-thyme marinated chicken with basil mayo, sautéed mushrooms, melted provolone, lettuce, and tomatoes. Owner Jeff Flancer graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and has worked in high-end restaurants. Information: 610 N. Gilbert Rd., 480/926-9077, flancers.com, sandwiches from $6.75. Jennifer Causey, Chandler, Ariz. GELATO DOLCE VITA in Mesa, Ariz. Before leaving Italy for Arizona, Walter Bergamaschi and Marti Printy took a course at Gelato University, outside Bologna. They're constantly adding to their flavor library, which includes dark chocolate and habanero peppers; desert-flower honey; and kiwi and chardonnay. It's not uncommon for a customer to ask for a telephone call when a favorite flavor is available. Information: 5251 E. Brown Rd., 480/329-2143, gelatodolcevita.com, from $2.50. Nila and Scott Erickson, Mesa, Ariz. HIGHWAY 95 CAFE ASIAN CUISINE in Yuma, Ariz. Nothing about the industrial area on the edge of Yuma says gourmet Asian cuisine, least of all the drab exterior of Highway 95 Cafe. But diners who pull into the dirt parking lot are in for a treat. The menu is mostly Mandarin and Thai: BBQ pork drizzled with a tangy sauce, Beijing ravioli, an array of noodle dishes, and outstanding seafood. Highway 95 is packed year-round, and service is crazy fast. Information: 2585 E. 16th St., 928/329-8882, entrées from $5, cash only. Eliana Osborn, Yuma, Ariz. ARKANSAS TRIO'S in Little Rock, Ark. The lack of a men's restroom (there's a women's and a unisex) at Trio's suits its ladies-who-lunch crowd just fine. The menu seems aimed to please them, too. It's easy to pass the afternoon over hot crab dip served with crostini, or Mediterranean tapenade served with lavosh crackers. But the dessert tray steals the show. The choices include Banana Delight, a concoction of bananas, cream cheese, vanilla pudding, and whipped cream in a pecan-shortbread crust; apple-cranberry pie; several kinds of cheesecake; and seasonal offerings such as sweet-potato pie and pumpkin mousse. Information: 8201 Cantrell Rd., 501/221-3330, triosrestaurant.com, lunch entrées from $6.50, closed Sun. Holly E. Callaway, North Little Rock, Ark. CALIFORNIA OCEAN BEACH PIER CAFÉ in San Diego, Calif. The Pier Café has a knack for choosing the tastiest ingredients and letting them shine. Chunks of lobster make the omelets irresistible, the delicious mahimahi stands out in the tacos, and fresh mango brings the pancakes to a whole new level. The interior is pure San Diego: small, casual, and friendly, with wood-plank tables and a view of the beach and of surfers passing by. Information: 5091 Niagara Ave., 619/226-3474, tacos from $3, closed during heavy surf. John Jost, San Diego, Calif. SHABU in Mission Viejo, Calif. Each seat has a hot plate in front of it with a pot of boiling water. You order seafood, chicken, pork, or beef—all raw—and boil it, along with the accompanying mushrooms, tofu, noodles, and spinach, until everything is cooked. The best part is the special sauces that Kumi (a.k.a. Hot Mama), the hilarious owner, makes fresh daily: ponzu, sesame, ginger, and Hot Mama chili soy sauce. Adjust them to your taste by mixing in scallions, garlic, chilies, and daikon radishes. The restaurant is always packed, so reserving is a good idea. Information: 28715 Los Alisos Blvd., 949/588-3225,entrées from $11, closed Mon. Charlice Arnold, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. THE WILD PLUM CAFE & BAKERY in Monterey, Calif. The food is as simple as the decor—rustic wooden furniture, a hand-painted mural, a handwritten menu—but it always has an interesting twist. The roast-beef sandwich, for example, is served on focaccia with Gorgonzola cream, carmelized onions, and garlic aioli. If you don't have time to eat there, pick up a box lunch to go (call ahead to order one). Be sure to try the pastries—the muffins and scones are a treat. Information: 731 Munras Ave., 831/646-3109, sandwiches from $8, closed Sun. Stefanie Kaku, Carmel, Calif. SOUTH BEACH BAR & GRILL in San Diego, Calif. San Diegans know fish tacos, and this joint is considered by many to have the best in town. A lightly grilled flour tortilla is filled with mahimahi, cabbage, pico de gallo, and cheese, and then drizzled with ranch dressing. They're so cheap, you might as well get two orders, plus a cold beer. It takes some time to score a seat, but the tacos are absolutely worth the wait. Information: 5059 Newport Ave., 619/226-4577, southbeachob.com, tacos from $3. Laura Shanley, San Diego, Calif. COLORADO NEW! HEART OF JERUSALEM CAFÉ in Colorado Springs, Colo. Heart of Jersusalem Café, in downtown Colorado Springs, is one of those restaurants where pretty much everything is good. If you can't make the final call between Mediterranean staples like falafel, baba ghanoush, hummus, and tabbouleh—and no one seems to be able to—then order one of the sampler plates, which go for about $6. Dishes are large and filling, but stick around for the baklava and the Turkish coffee—the latter emerges from the kitchen in a traditional pot called an ibik, and is as black as ink and as potent as rocket fuel. Heart of Jerusalem feels like a lunch place; if you're looking for dinner, head to a restaurant where the pace and the preparation is a little more thoughtful. Information: 15 E. Bijou St., 719/477-1777, heartofjerusalemcafe.com. Price check: A falafel sandwich goes for $5, and a single serving of baklava is $1.50. Families can order the special kids' chicken nugget plate with fries and a drink for $6. Thanks for sharing: Reader Andrea was the first to tip us off. WAZEE SUPPER CLUB in Denver, Colo. A comfort-food haven for Denver downtowners, Wazee has broadened its menu in the past few years, but the main draw has always been the Colorado-style pizza—heavy on the toppings, not so much on the cheese. The pizza is good, but really, it's the nicely funky atmosphere that brings people in: exposed brick, high ceilings, checkerboard floors, a bar, and a dumbwaiter that delivers pizzas to the upper level. Information: 1600 15th St., 303/623-9518, wazeesupperclub.com, pizza from $7. Lynn Buschhoff, Denver, Colo. CONNECTICUT CAROLE PECK'S GOOD NEWS CAFE in Woodbury, Conn. Carole builds her big, creative menu on local produce and meats. Her pecan-crusted oyster appetizer with dried cherries, jicama, tomatillo salsa, and chili aioli is alone worth the trip, but once you're there, you'd be crazy not to try one of the entrées, like the wok-seared shrimp with vegetables and garlic aioli, or the free-range rotisserie chicken with mashed potatoes and stir-fried seasonal veggies. Information: 694 Main St. S., 203/266-4663, good-news-cafe.com, entrées from $18, closed Tues. Henry Bissonnette, Woodbury, Conn. FLORIDA E&E STAKEOUT GRILL in Belleair Bluffs, Fla. You can't help but admire the river-rock walls and cherry-wood and copper accents. Once your food has arrived, however, the decor fades and all you can think about is how delicious the rack of lamb is, how fresh the seafood is, and how creative the cooking is. The specials change daily, but if potato-crusted hog snapper with creamy leek-and-garlic sauce is available, order it. Information: 100 N. Indian Rocks Rd., 727/585-6399, 3bestchefs.com, entrées from $14, closed for lunch Sat. and Sun. Phil Meyer, Belleair Bluffs, Fla. PUERTO SAGUA in South Beach, Fla. No South Florida restaurant is more authentically Cuban than Puerto Sagua—just ask the Cubans gathered at the long counter for small plates and café cubanos (also known as Cuban rocket fuel). In the main dining room, there's even an elaborate diorama of a 1950s Havana street scene. The dishes are classic Cuban: arroz con pollo (chicken and rice), ropa vieja (shredded beef), and more. This is Cuban food for Cubans, not tourists—though tourists always love it! Information: 700 Collins Ave., 305/673-1115, entrées from $8. Richard Rosichan, Miami Beach, Fla. GEORGIA TASTY CHINA in Marietta, Ga. Owner Yang Da He hires highly regarded Szechuan cooks and gives them the freedom to cook authentic cuisine with few restrictions and no dumbing down. The result is bold, spicy dishes with a balance of flavors that stand up to the heat. (The menu label "hot and numbing" on some dishes should be taken quite literally.) Skip the two pages of Chinese-American standards on the menu and go straight to the Szechuan specialties. Information: 585 Franklin Rd. SE, 770/419-9849, entrées from $8. Morgan Eubanks, Marietta, Ga. HAWAII NEW! KEOKI'S PARADISE in Koloa, Hawaii Near the southern coast of Kauai, within walking distance of Poipu Beach, Keoki's Paradise restaurant is a campy, fun alternative to eating at the big resorts. Tiki torches, a thatched roof, and the usual assortment of "tropical" cocktails (there are two versions of the mai tai) are a little silly, but it all feels appropriately festive when you're dining in shorts and sandals. Dishes served in the restaurant proper are overpriced, so ask for a seat near the man-made pond in the café and stick with the fresh fish, which the restaurant has mastered. The hula pie dessert is a tasty, gargantuan chunk of macadamia-nut ice cream with hot fudge, big enough for the kids to split. Information: 2360 Kiahuna Plantation Dr., 808/742-7534, keokisparadise.com. Price check: A large fish taco platter in the café goes for $10; the fresh fish entrée is $16. Tropical cocktails like the lava flow (the menu says it erupts with strawberry) cost $7.25. Thanks for sharing: Reader AncSteve was the first to tip us off. ILLINOIS IRAZÚ in Chicago, Ill. You could easily mistake Irazú for a little spot in Costa Rica where you'd stop for a bite. A mural on one wall shows a cottage under palms and tree frogs. Everyone should try the vegetarian burrito with mushrooms at least once—though the steak sandwich is also spectacular. Order a mango-water shake to wash everything down. You'll leave full, satisfied, and out maybe $15 for dinner. Information: 1865 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773/252-5687, irazuchicago.com, entrées from $9, cash only, closed Sun. Amy Johnson, Chicago, Ill. SCHWA in Chicago, Ill. It's rare to find a restaurant that offers great experimental food with no attitude, but that's exactly what you get at Schwa. Everything about the place tells you the food is the main event: The space is small, the decor is bare bones, and the tasting menu—which is the only menu—is served by the chefs, not waiters. In fact, this restaurant pays so much attention to the food that it doesn't even have drinks on the menu; customers bring their own wine or beer. Information: 1466 N. Ashland Ave., 773/252-1466, schwarestaurant.com, three-course menu $55, closed Sun. and Mon. Charlie Baase, Chicago, Ill. KENTUCKY NORTH END CAFE in Louisville, Ky. The most difficult thing about dining there is choosing which meal to eat. If you go for breakfast, you can savor the house-smoked trout hash. But that means you'd miss the rosemary roasted chicken and dumplings for lunch. Then there's dinner, when you have the option of tapas or an entrée (maybe grilled salmon over Parmesan risotto). Of course, you could just stay for all three meals. Information: 1722 Frankfort Ave., 502/896-8770, northendcafe.com, entrées from $10, closed Mon. Cynthia Birkhead, Bardstown, Ky. MICHIGAN UNION STREET in Detroit, Mich. There are lots of options at Union Street—pastas, sandwiches, salads—but you could be forgiven for never ordering anything but the calamari. The tender squid is julienned, marinated, dusted with seasoned flour, flash fried, and then dressed with a lemon beurre blanc, basil, capers, red onions, and tomatoes. Order extra bread and refuse to give up the bowl until you've mopped up every last drop of sauce. (Ask for the sauce "the old way"—the new version of the dish doesn't come with enough.) Information: 4145 Woodward Ave., 313/831-3965, unionstreetdetroit.com, entrées from $13. Adrien Kant, Cincinnati, Ohio MISSOURI THE AMERICAN RESTAURANT in Kansas City, Mo. Well aware that it has one of the best locations in the city—in Crown Center, with views overlooking downtown and the surrounding area—the American Restaurant has oriented most of its tables toward the big glass walls. At night, the lights are dazzling; around Christmas, they're breathtaking. The restaurant could probably get away with preparing mediocre food for its contemporary American menu, but it wouldn't dare. Information: 200 E. 25th St., 816/545-8001, theamericankc.com, entrées from $17, closed Sun. Brenda Tatro, Kansas City, Kans. NEVADA CAFÉ BLEU in Las Vegas, Nev. In the Semmerlin area, Café Bleu is run by Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. Except for the executive chef, the entire staff—from the chefs to the servers—is made up of students. The ever-changing menu includes the kind of high-end cuisine you'd expect from the Venetian or the Four Seasons, but at a fraction of the price. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and it's quite popular; you'll want to reserve well in advance. Information: 1451 Center Crossing Rd., 702/851-5322, vegasculinary.com/onsite_restaurant.asp, entrées from $7, closed Sat.–Mon. Carol A. Shields, Las Vegas, Nev. NEW JERSEY DE LORENZO'S TOMATO PIES in Trenton, N.J. What's tomato pie, you ask? To those in the know (i.e., anyone from Trenton), it's the best darn pizza you'll ever eat: a thin crust topped with tomato sauce, high-quality olive oil, tomatoes, and cheese. Within seconds of coming out of the oven, the pie is on your table, still bubbling, the crust slightly charred. De Lorenzo's is in a converted row house in the Chambersburg neighborhood. In the main room, there are several booths and a pizza oven. The back room—once the owner's living room—has a few more tables. If you're a Mets fan, you're in luck: During baseball season, the game is always on the restaurant's TV. Information: 530 Hudson St., 609/695-9534, delorenzostomatopies.com, pizza from $12, cash only, closed Mon.–Wed. J. Costigan, Trenton, N.J. Stewart's in Tuckerton, N.J. There are three ways to experience this '50s-style drive-in. Take a little boat down Tuckerton Creek, dock in the back of the restaurant, and hang out at one of the canopy-shaded picnic tables; drive up and have your meal delivered on a tray that hangs precariously on your car-window frame; or walk through downtown Tuckerton and take a seat at one of the counter stools. No matter where you are, you'll enjoy a view of Tuckerton Lake and the Tuckerton Seaport. Stewart's makes the most incredible milkshakes—thick, creamy, and expertly blended. Order your favorite flavor with a pork roll sandwich. Information: 102 W. Main St., 609/489-1696, pork roll from $3.75, cash only, open Apr.–Oct. Janet Mihalic, Hermosa Beach, Calif. NEW MEXICO WECK'S in Albuquerque, N.M. The local chain's name doesn't invoke traditional Southwestern fare, and the decor is decidedly plain. It's the Papas that make Weck's a favorite. To get the true experience, order the Original Papas, a huge mound of hash browns topped with diced ham, bacon, sausage, two eggs, and red or green chilies, served with a tortilla. Information: 3913 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 505/881-0019, wecksinc.com, Original Papas $8. Amy O'Donnell, Albuquerque, N.M. BOBCAT BITE in Santa Fe, N.M. Bobcat Bite is a tiny diner in the middle of nowhere, and it serves only a few things, but none of that matters when you sink your teeth into the green-chili cheeseburger. Made from beef that's ground fresh every morning, the burger is so thick and juicy it can be hard to handle. The story behind the name is that bobcats used to come down from the mountains, and the owners of the restaurant would feed them scraps of food. They would warn diners to be careful because "bobcat bite." Information: 420 Old Las Vegas Hwy., 505/983-5319, bobcatbite.com, green-chili cheeseburger $7.50, cash only, closed Sun.–Tues. Valerie Lefler, Tooele, Utah NEW YORK MARYBILL DINER in Merrick, N.Y. MaryBill looks like an old railroad diner car: sliding doors, tile floors, booths that seat two or four, and a counter overlooking the grill where Mary and Nick do the cooking. If you order an omelet (and you should), keep in mind that they're huge—bring an appetite or someone to share with. For lunch, get the turkey salad—it's made from a fresh turkey every day. Information: 14 Merrick Ave., 516/378-9715, from $4.40, cash only, closed Sun. Susan Dillon, Merrick, N.Y. NICK TAHOU HOTS in Rochester, N.Y. People come to this greasy spoon in an old brick train station for the famous Garbage Plate. The base is any combination of home fries, macaroni salad, baked beans, and French fries. For the topping, you can choose from several meat options, including burgers, chicken, sausage, ham, and fish. Follow the locals' lead and order the white hots–like hot dogs but made mostly of pork instead of beef (an upstate New York specialty). The plate is dressed with mustard, chopped onions, and the restaurant's signature sauce. Information: 320 W. Main St., 585/436-0184, garbageplate.com, Garbage Plate from $5, closed Sun. John Domm, Ontario, N.Y. OHIO CASA NUEVA RESTAURANT, CANTINA, & BODEGA in Athens, Ohio Casa, as locals call it, is a slow-food-promoting, worker-owned co-op in the heart of a college town, but it's not your average hippie hangout. For one thing, there's meat—but if you don't want the King Family Farm bacon or spicy sausage, there are plenty of meatless options, too: for brunch, fluffy, lemony cottage cheese pancakes; for dinner, huge burritos made from fresh tortillas and filled with jasmine rice and veggies. The chips and salsa—particularly the black bean version—should be ordered regardless of which meal you eat. Information: 4-6 W. State St., 740/594-8691, casanueva.com, entrées from $6. Maria Surovy, Cleveland, Ohio NAZARETH RESTAURANT & DELI in Columbus, Ohio Despite being in a strip mall, Nazareth is full of character, thanks to the owner, Hany Baransi, who walks around with a baseball bat asking guests how the food is. But there's nothing threatening about Hany. Anyone who's eaten at Nazareth has heard him use his catchphrase, "I love you, man." Customers often give him "I love you" souvenirs—license plates, magnets—which he displays behind the counter. The walls are painted with a scene from Israel, his home. The menu is a combination of Mediterranean and American cuisines, with gyros, French fries, chicken with rice, and more. Information: Columbus Square Shopping Center, 5663 Emporium Sq., 614/899-1177, nazarethdeli.com, gyros from $5, closed Sun. Molly Ray, Columbus, Ohio OKLAHOMA TWO FROGS GRILL in Ardmore, Okla. Two Frogs is in Oklahoma, but it screams New Orleans. It's dark, with a funky party room and bar in the back and bands playing from time to time. Share a Fried Blossom onion to start, and then move on to the fried catfish fillets and red beans. Save room for the apple dumpling with vanilla-custard sauce—one order is enough for two. Information: 2646 W. Broadway, 580/226-3764, twofrogsgrill.com, entrées from $7. Claire Murphy, Ardmore, Okla. OREGON THE RESTAURANT AT KING ESTATE in Lorane, Ore. Just as you begin to second-guess your map or the local who gave you directions, a grand building comes into view—the King Estate Winery visitors center. Many of the fruits, vegetables, and herbs on the restaurant's menu are organically grown on the 1,033-acre estate. Everything else comes from Oregonian farmers, so whether you're eating the beet-and-spinach salad or the delicious pizza with tomatoes and basil, you can rest assured that it's fresh and local. As is, of course, the wine. Information: 80854 Territorial Rd., 541/685-5189, kingestate.com, entrées from $20. Rosemary Gording, Eugene, Ore. PENNSYLVANIA NEW! PAMELA'S P&G DINER in Pittsburgh, Pa. Pamela's breakfast menu breeds the kind of loyalty that sounds a little like addiction. If you're hooked, you dedicate weekend mornings to navigating the long lines and wolfing down huge, debilitating helpings of their pancakes and eggs. The restaurant's signature meal is their crepe-style pancakes, thinner and little more porous than what you see elsewhere—try the banana chocolate chip or the strawberry, both popular with the regulars. If you prefer savory to sweet, the omelets with a side of thick home fries are the best bet. Pamela's, with six branches in Pittsburgh, has little in the way of interior design or ambience, but the friendly service and the great prices (the bottomless coffee pot costs $1.75) more than make up for it. It's cash only, so stop at an ATM before you join the line, which moves mercifully fast. Information: 60 21st St., 412/281-6366. Price check: The crepe-style pancakes go for $4.25 a plate. Most omelets cost about $6.50. The bottomless pot of coffee is served in a thermos table-side for $1.75. Thanks for sharing: Reader robin first tipped us off. TEXAS NEW! GELATO BLU in Houston, Tex. Up to 36 flavors are listed on the gelato and sorbetto menu at Houston's Gelato Blu, and the super-friendly staff lets you sample as many as you'd like before ordering. Homemade cones stuffed with Michelangelo gelato, a unique blend of ricotta and fig, win loyalty from more adventurous palates; others swear by the classics, such as pistachio and hazelnut. The store serves lunch fare and coffee drinks too, but most come for the ice cream—or mix their vices by ordering an affogato, a mound of sweet cream gelato with freshly pulled espresso poured over the top. Information: 5710 Memorial Dr. #B, 713/880-5900, gelatoblu.com. Price check: Small dish for $3.50; medium $4.50; large $5. Add 70¢ for a homemade waffle cone. Nine variations of their affogato drink go for $4.50 each. Thanks for sharing: Member foodie was the first to tip us off. NEW! NIKO NIKO'S GREEK & AMERICAN CAFÉ in Houston, Tex. Niko Niko's, by most accounts, is a Houston institution. Its brusque, no-nonsense efficiency isn't exactly charming, but it's necessary—after all, the lines get long, and you can't wait for your gyro forever. The baby lamb shank and the lemon chicken soup garner high praise, and although the portions are uniformly huge, you should save room for dessert. The homemade baklava and honey balls are terrific. Large plates and a special children's menu, with all items priced affordably, spell "family value." Information: 2520 Montrose Blvd., 713/528-4976, nikonikos.com. Price Check: A gyros sandwich goes for $8. Larger, mixed plates (assortments) average around $13. Thanks for sharing: Members TBowen, djb123, and foodie were the first to tip us off. NEW! MAX'S WINE DIVE in Austin and Houston, Tex. A trendy mini-chain with branches in Houston and Austin, Max's Wine Dive serves food with haute attitude, minus the fussiness. Diners describe plates like the "Texas haute" hot dog with venison chili and the fried egg sandwich with truffle oil as both drippingly messy and unforgettably delicious. Max's tries to keep things local: the chefs get ingredients such as buffalo and alligator meat, and assorted vegetables, from nearby farms. All of the wines from the titanic house list are served by the glass, with a two-glass commitment—you can split the pours with a friend to keep your tippling options open. Information: 207 San Jacinto Ave., Austin, 512/904-0106; 4720 Washington Ave., Houston, 713/880-8737; maxswinedive.com. Price check: Large plates can be expensive, but you can opt for more affordable meals. The popular fried egg sandwich entrée is served with hand-cut potato chips for $13, and a half order of the wild boar pasta is $9. Thanks for sharing: Member jbob was the first to tip us off. NEW! PAPPASITO'S CANTINA in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas/Fort Worth, and other metropolitan areas in Texas Several readers wrote in last year to complain about the inclusion of Tex-Mex chain Chuy's, of Texas—so we know we'll get flak for tipping our hat to another local chain, Pappasito's Cantina, this year. We're messing with Texas, and we're sorry. A Tex-Mex chain that's part of the Pappas family's restaurant empire, Pappasito's doles out huge plates of food to big, hungry crowds—and still manages to satisfy demanding palates. The fajitas, by most accounts, are the star here, with self-described Texan "fajita snobs" vouching for their tastiness. Entrées can run to the expensive side for Tex-Mex, but most portions are good for two, so you should think about splitting your plate with your favorite hombre. Information: pappasitos.com. Price check: Chicken fajitas for $15—but the menu says it serves two. A two-taco dinner served with rice and beans is $10. Thanks for sharing: Members djb123 and ask4texas were the first to tip us off. CHUY'S in Austin, Tex. In a town where there's Tex-Mex on almost every corner, Chuy's is the best. If you can tear yourself away from the enchiladas—blue-corn tortillas filled with chicken, cheese, and tomatillo sauce and topped with sour cream—take a moment to admire the decor: velvet Elvises, hand-carved wooden fish, vinyl chairs, tables from the 1950s, and pictures of patrons all over the world in Chuy's T-shirts. Information: 1728 Barton Springs Rd., 512/474-4452 (plus four other Austin locations), chuys.com, entrées from $6. Sara Ballon, Austin, Tex. UTAH NEW! BIT & SPUR RESTAURANT & SALOON in Springdale, Utah The Bit & Spur is one of the best restaurants near Utah's Zion National Park: The locally brewed beer is top-notch, and Mexican-inspired basics like the house burrito and fresh fruit margaritas satisfy after a long hike, especially if you've snagged a patio seat. Ingredients are high-quality, and the vibe is festive and always friendly. Still, food quality can be erratic, and the prices are higher than they need to be—the seasonal menu, especially, trends towards expensive options (this spring's bistek asado dish goes for $30, and the special tamales are priced at $21). Keep it simple and you'll walk away happy, and full: Grab a good beer or a margarita, try well-regarded favorites like the tacos or burritos, and down it all on the back patio while contemplating the West Temple Mountains. That's hard to beat after an attempt at nearby Angel's Landing, a legendary hike to one of the best summit views in the National Park system. Information: 1212 Zion Park Blvd., 435/772-3498, bitandspur.com. Price check: The chicken, beef, or pork burrito goes for $12.50. Fajitas go for a pricey $18.25. A children's menu is available: The child's portion for a taco or enchilada plate is $6.25. Thanks for sharing: Reader Lois was the first to tip us off. CROWN BURGERS in Salt Lake City, Utah Crown Burgers has grown to include seven locations throughout the area, but there's nothing chain-like about it. For one thing, the company is run by a family, not a big corporation. For another, the owners pay special attention to the food, whether it's the popular Crown Burger—a man-size patty topped with pastrami, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and a special sauce—or the gyros, taquitos, broiled chicken, burritos, salads, fries, or shakes. Every outpost is always packed at lunch, but you never have to wait long for your order. Information: 3190 S. Highland Dr., 801/467-6633, Crown Burger from $5, closed Sun. Richard Miles, Tooele, Utah VIRGINIA CORNER BAR & GRILL in Richmond, Va. Not too sweet and not too heavy, the absolutely perfect mashed sweet potatoes at the Corner Bar & Grill fall somewhere between pudding and homestyle creamy mashed potatoes. Order them as a side to any of the classic Southern dishes on the menu—delicately fried catfish, pork chops, sandwiches, fried oysters, or barbecue Jack grilled chicken. Add the restaurant's spectacular collard greens and sweet, moist cornbread, and you're all set. Information: 1301 W. Leigh St., 804/213-3046, thecornerbargrill.com, sandwiches from $7, mashed sweet potatoes $2, closed Sun. Ellen Young, Mechanicsville, Va. WASHINGTON YUMIKO'S TERIYAKI in Redmond, Wash. It seems like there's a teriyaki restaurant in every Eastside strip mall, but Yumiko's teriyaki sauce, with just the right balance of savory and sweet, makes this place stand out. (The recipe has been passed down for generations and remains a family secret.) You can order steak, shrimp, or chicken, all of which are served with rice, sauce, and a little cabbage salad. Servings are generous, so you may want to go for a half portion. The dining area only seats 19. Information: 15003 NE 24th St., 425/562-8916, entrées from $6.50, closed Sun. Megan Rossman, Edmond, Okla. WASHINGTON, D.C. NEW! JALEO On 7th Street, close to Chinatown and only a short walk from the National Mall and the Smithsonian Institution, the festive Spanish tapas restaurant Jaleo should be a tourist mainstay. Somehow, it's not. The abbreviated lunch menu is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; try sandwiches such as the JLT (jamón, lettuce, and tomato) and the roasted lamb for about $9 each. At night, the restaurant fills to capacity by 6:30 p.m.; if you don't arrive early or book a reservation well in advance, expect to wait 30 or 40 minutes at the bar. The paella is justly famous, but small plates like lamb chops, dates wrapped with bacon, and sautéed spinach with pine nuts are more fun to sample. If you over-order, you'll blow the bank; instead, order plates in groups of two or three, and be sure to get your fill of some of the cheaper staples, like patatas bravas ($6) and pan con tomate ($3). Information: 480 7th St., NW, 202/628-7949, jaleo.com. Price check: The tapas plate of Spanish omelet with potatoes and onions goes for $6.50. The paella with chicken and mushrooms, which serves two to four, costs $34. Thanks for sharing: Reader Valerie first tipped us off. AMSTERDAM FALAFELSHOP Order your falafel and then head to the toppings bar to add marinated eggplant, garlic hummus, tomatoes, cucumbers, baba ghanoush, or jalapeño-cilantro sauce. (A sign gives instructions for the best way to add toppings.) Don't forget the garlic cream sauce and tahini, the two items that the staff invites you to reapply as you work your way through the meal. The fries are prepared Dutch-style, meaning they're fried twice. There's ketchup to dip them in, but it's fun to try the more interesting options such as creamy Dutch mayo and sweet-and-spicy peanut sauce. Information: 2425 18th St. NW, 202/234-1969, falafelshop.com, from $4.50, cash only (including euros!). Laura Nixon, Alexandria, Va. MON CHERI CAFE Whether you're a somebody or a nobody, the guys at the counter and behind the grill only care about one thing: your order. Sure, they love to chat, and if the line isn't too long, they will. But chances are, there will be someone behind you itching to order exactly what you should be ordering—a big, fat cheeseburger with mayo, onions, mustard, and tomatoes, a side of fries, and a Coke. The bun is toasted, the lettuce is crisp, the tomatoes are red (not pink), and the burger is always perfectly cooked. Information: 3015 M St. NW, 202/338-2745, burgers from $4. Jason Carey, Charlotte, N.C. WISCONSIN NEW! THE OLD FASHIONED in Madison, Wis. Much of the menu at the Old Fashioned is locally sourced or inspired. The beer-battered perch, for example, is fish pulled from local waters and then fried in a coating of breadcrumbs doused with Wisconsin brews. It's a principle that threads its way through the menu's smallest details: Even the sweet-cream butter that graces the baked potatoes is from the state. Try the fried cheese curds (Wisconsin cheese, of course) or the huge wurst platter with homemade sauerkraut and mustard—the latter is a nod to the area's German ancestry. For a nightcap, order one of the carefully crafted early-20th-century cocktails such as the sidecar or the bourbon old-fashioned. The restaurant is a calorie-counter's nightmare; try not to think about that and resolve to eat healthy tomorrow. Information: 23 N. Pinckney St., 608/310-4545, theoldfashioned.com. Price check: The slow-roasted pork shoulder sandwich goes for $8. The wurst platter is $16. Cocktails start at $4.50. Thanks for sharing: Reader alandrus was the first to tip us off. BONA CASA FOODS in Cumberland, Wis. Don't expect fancy waiters or sommeliers here. In fact, don't expect pretension of any kind. This restaurant is all about Midwestern friendliness. The menu is limited to "cavatills" (rolled pasta with ridges, like cavatelli), two types of ravioli (chicken or cheese and raisin), and spaghetti. Most people go for the sweet, tangy red sauce, but there's a pepper Jack cheese sauce, too. All dishes are served with meatballs or homemade Italian sausage, and a choice of salad or cottage cheese. The restaurant is popular, so you'll probably have to wait—on the lawn in summer, in your car with the heat on in winter. Information: 754 21st Ave., 715/822-8294, bonacasafoods.com, entrées from $9, closed Mon. and Tues. Liz Zappitello, Superior, Wis. WYOMING STONE TABLE in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Run by Julie Zell Suclla and her Peruvian husband, Gustavo Suclla Schiaffino, this Latin-fusion tapas restaurant takes its food seriously. The cocktails and extensive wine list are reasons enough to go, but once you're there, you'd be crazy not to order, say, the potatoes. Delivered as three Gaudí-esque towers, they're served with crab and ají chili peppers and topped with avocado and garlic-lime aioli. Even the vegetarian offerings are well thought out. The yucas fritas—fried yuca root served with an aioli dipping sauce—are absolutely addictive. Information: 850 W. Broadway, 307/732-0500, stonetablejacksonhole.com, tapas from $3.50. Alisan Peters, Jackson, Wyo.

How to Spend Your Tax Rebate

In May, the Internal Revenue Service begins mailing out tax rebates of up to $600 per person to help Americans weather the current economic slump. We can't think of a better way to take advantage of the extra cash—and grease the U.S. economy—than to spend it on a summer getaway. We've priced out seven possible tax-rebate trips, some for couples and others for families of four. The itineraries are based on the assumption that couples will receive $1,200, plus $300 for each qualifying child (so $1,800 for a family of four). But we've factored in plenty of wriggle room for those who don't end up getting the maximum amount—and there are cheaper hotels and restaurants you can choose, if you don't want to blow the whole rebate. Read the fine print on the rebate at irs.ustreas.gov and estimate how much you'll receive with the IRS's Economic Stimulus Payment Calculator. FOR TWO NEW YORK CITY TO D.C., 3 NIGHTS Getting There The new low-fare bus company BoltBus offers one-way fares between the Big Apple and D.C. for as low as $1.50, including fees—if you get lucky and book weeks in advance. But even average one-way fares are reasonable: $7.50-$20.50, with last minute prices topping out at $22.50. Where to Stay Three nights at the Hotel George, a hip boutique hotel on Capitol Hill, comes to $787, for a King Deluxe Room with a plasma TV and leopard-print bathrobes. A weekday wine hour in the lobby, a complimentary daily shoeshine, and in-room spa services (for an additional fee) are added perks. Something Extra With the money you save on transportation, you'll have plenty left over to splurge on a romantic dinner. Citronelle, a James Beard Award winner, is one of D.C.'s ritziest restaurants. The "Dinner à la Carte" three-course prix fixe menu starts at $95 per person; choose from main courses like veal with steak and sweetbreads or lamb in a white bean and jalapeño sauce. Freebie Watch the cute pandas play on the Asia Trail at the National Zoo, which charges no admission. Tip: Take the Metro's Red Line to the Cleveland Park stop; it's actually closer to the National Zoo entrance than the Woodley Park-Zoo stop, and getting out there will save you an uphill walk. Total: $983 ($491.50 per person) 4x$1.50 (2 round-trip tickets) + $787 (hotel) + 2x$95 (dinner) = $983 • Sleep Tomorrow: Late-Night D.C. MILWAUKEE TO CHICAGO, 3 NIGHTS Getting There Like BoltBus, Megabus offers low-fare bus service: One-way fares between Milwaukee and Chicago start at $1.50 but will most likely fall between $3.50 and $5.50 (last minute fares run as high as $12.50). Megabus has routes all across the Midwest and a few in the Northeast and the West—the Milwaukee-Chicago leg is among the cheapest. Where to Stay Treat yourself to the Palmer House Hilton, which earned a Historic Hotels of America designation for preserving its landmark beaux arts architecture and two-story, gold-tinged lobby. Pause on your way in to admire the ceiling's opulent scenes from Greek mythology. The hotel, which has more than 1,600 rooms, is right by Millennium Park and the theater district and costs $758 for a three-night stay. Something Extra The Chicago Architecture Foundation's two-hour Modern Skyscrapers walking tour—one of 85 led by experts—includes interior and exterior views of the Richard J. Daley Center and 1 South Dearborn tower ($15). Make a post-tour stop at Prairie Avenue Bookshop, an independent store specializing in books on architecture and design, where you can read while perched on Le Corbusier and Stanley Tigerman furniture. Freebie The Chicago Gospel Music Festival, held in May, is one of many free events held in downtown's Millennium Park, whose grounds include art installations and a garden. Download a self-guided audio tour here. Total: $794 ($397 per person) 4x$1.50 (2 round-trip tickets) + $758 (hotel) +2x$15 (architecture tour) = $794 • Eat Like a Local: Chicago DENVER TO SAN DIEGO, 3 NIGHTS Getting There Round-trip tickets from Denver to San Diego on Southwest are $159 (including taxes and fees) in early June. Fares go up later in the month and stay high throughout the summer, but it's possible to find some special Web-only rates for as low as $219 in July and August. Where to Stay The Sofia Hotel is a good bet for mod, earth-toned accommodations in the swinging Gaslamp Quarter. Three nights will set you back $557 midweek ($647 Thursday-Sunday). If you prefer to stay on the waterfront—and within walking distance of SeaWorld—try the 10-acre Dana Hotel on Mission Bay for $638 midweek ($750 Thursday-Sunday). Something Extra The lowest price for a four-day economy-size car rental on Kayak is $75 (Advantage Rent-a-Car). Use your wheels to explore San Diego's many beaches, all of which are free to the public. Watch seals and surfers on the beaches of La Jolla or take a dip at Coronado Municipal Beach. It's right by the iconic Hotel del Coronado, which has hosted European royalty and U.S. presidents and formed the backdrop of Billy Wilder's Some Like It Hot. Freebie The Museum of Contemporary Art has two locations—one on a cliff in La Jolla with breathtaking ocean views, and another in downtown San Diego. Both offer free admission on Thursdays, 5 p.m.-7 p.m., with free tours at 6 p.m. (Members and those ages 25 and under get in free anytime.) Total: $950 ($475 per person) 2x$159 (airfare) + $557 (midweek hotel) + $75 (car rental) = $950 • 25 Reasons We Love San Diego BOSTON TO BAR HARBOR, 4 NIGHTS Getting There The five-hour, 280-mile drive from Boston to Bar Harbor, Maine, will cost about $67 in gas for the round trip in a late model midsize car, according to AAA's Fuel Cost Calculator. Where to Stay The Love in Bloom package at Bar Harbor's Mira Monte Inn covers all the romantic-getaway basics. You'll get four nights' accommodations, wine and cheese nightly, fresh flowers in your room, breakfast daily, and three or four activities of your choice. Options include tickets to the Acadia Repertory Theatre, one-day bike rentals, and dinner for two at a local restaurant. The package starts at $702 (including taxes) for May 25-June 21 and at $877 for June 22-October 25. You can browse similar deals throughout the U.S. on BnBFinder.com. Something Extra In surrounding Acadia National Park, you'll find opportunities for hikes, picnics, scenic drives, and horse-drawn-carriage rides. A seven-day entry pass costs $10 per car May 1-June 22, and $20 June 23-early October. Freebie The Bar Harbor Brewing Company, a microbrewery run by a husband-and-wife team, has daily tastings of its stouts and ales from mid-May to October. Total: $779 ($389.50 per person) $67 (gas) + $702 (hotel) + $10 (Acadia park pass) = $779 • Road Trip: Maine's Mid-Coast FOR FAMILIES OF FOUR DETROIT TO ORLANDO, 4 NIGHTS Getting There A search on Kayak found a round-trip fare from Detroit to Orlando in early June of $129 (Northwest), including taxes and fees. Where to Stay A family of four can stay four nights at the strategically located Best Western MovieLand on International Drive—opposite Wet 'n Wild Water Park and with free scheduled transportation to Universal Orlando and SeaWorld—for $382 in late June. Weekend rates may be higher, and the base rate goes up slightly in July. Something Extra If you book online at least two days in advance, a two-park, unlimited seven-day pass to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure costs $86. (In comparison, a two-park pass for just one day costs $90 when purchased at the gate). The I-Ride Trolley stops at all the major attractions and hotels along International Drive, including the Best Western MovieLand, so you won't need to rent a car. A single ride is $1, or you can buy a three-day pass for $5. Kids under 12 ride free when accompanied by a paying adult. Freebie The March of the Peabody Ducks at the Peabody Hotel, also on International Drive, takes place twice daily. Watch as the hotel's resident waterfowl traipse along the red carpet on their way to and from the lobby fountain. Total: $1,252 ($313 per person) 4x$129 (airfare) + $382 (hotel) + 4x$86 (4 park passes) + 2x$5 (three-day adult trolley passes) = $1,252 • 25 Reasons We Love Orlando L.A. TO SEATTLE, 4 NIGHTS Getting There Round-trip tickets from Los Angeles to Seattle in early June are $179 (Virgin American or American), and a five-day economy-size car rental is $85 (Enterprise), according to searches on Kayak. Where to Stay At the 116-room GuestHouse International Inn & Suites in the suburb of Renton, about 11 miles from downtown Seattle, four nights for a family of four costs $382, with breakfast daily included. If you'd rather ditch the rental car, consider the Sixth Avenue Inn, a short walk from Pike Place Market and the Experience Music Project. Four nights are $620 if you book through the Convention and Visitors Bureau's Seattle Super Saver program. The site is useful for browsing hotels by neighborhood and price ranage (but the price for budget hotels like the GuestHouse will likely be the same as what you'd find on the hotel's website). Something Extra Rent two double kayaks from the Agua Verde Café and Paddle Club on Portage Bay, about a 15-minute drive from downtown. You can fuel up with fish tacos at the café and then paddle in the direction of your choice: toward houseboats or views of the city skyline, or off to Foster Island and the Arboretum. Rates start at $18 an hour for a double kayak. Freebie The nine-acre Olympic Sculpture Park opened in 2007 as an outpost of the Seattle Art Museum, about a mile to the northwest. A Z-shaped path snakes through the park from an exhibition pavilion down to Elliott Bay. Works like the geometric forms of Beverly Pepper and Mark di Suvero's sculptures in motion are scattered throughout. Total: $1,219 ($304.75 per person) 4x$179 (airfare) + $85 (car rental) + $382 (hotel) + 2x$18 (kayak rentals) = $1,219 • Eat Like a Local: Seattle HOUSTON TO NEW ORLEANS, 5 NIGHTS Getting There It's a five-and-a-half hour drive (348 miles) from Houston to the Big Easy. According to AAA's Fuel Cost Calculator, a late model station wagon will need about $100 worth of gas for the round-trip journey. Where to Stay Local Marriott hotels have teamed up to offer the Big Easy Spirit to Serve Getaway. Each participating property will donate $50 per night's stay to the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity and will also give guests a list of local volunteer opportunities. The package rate comes to $913 for five nights ($159 per night) for a family of four at the New Orleans Marriott in the French Quarter, which includes breakfast for two adults. Breakfast for kids under 12 is an additional $6 per day at the hotel's restaurant, and valet parking is $30 per night. Something Extra Kids and parents alike will dig Mardi Gras World, an artists' workshop and museum of memorable Mardi Gras floats. Tickets are $17 for adults and $10 for kids aged 4-11. Freebie Hourlong tours through the French Quarter into Jackson Square depart twice daily from the French Quarter Visitor Center and are led by rangers from Jean Lafitte National Historical Park. Total: $1,217 ($304.25 per person) $100 (gas) + $913 (hotel) + 5x$30 (parking) + 2x$17 (2 adult tickets to Mardi Gras World) + 2x$10 (2 kids tickets) = $1,217 • Fresh Air: New Orleans by Bicycle

On the Road With Mom or Dad

It's called deep denial I was on a flight to visit family, with my 2-year-old toddler and 7-week-old baby. Our first flight was a puddle jumper filled with businesspeople that got us from our rural town to Denver. I was nursing as discreetly as possible while trying to hand a toy to my toddler. The baby somehow got dislodged from feeding, and a stream of milk shot out of my breast. Unfortunately, the milk sprayed my neighbor's neck and shoulder, staining his shirt collar and suit. He never said a word. He just wiped his neck off and kept reading his reports. Jennifer Aguilar, Durango, Colo. He was saving it for later I took my kids, Daniel and Julia, to Walt Disney World when they were four and seven. They were most excited about the plane ride, their first. Before we took off, I gave Daniel a piece of gum and said, "Chew this. It'll help your ears." About 30 seconds later, I was surprised to see him attempting to put his chewed gum inside his ear. Jean Dehne, Whitefish Bay, Wis. Open mouth, insert...foot It had been a long and exhausting day at Epcot, and my husband and I were on the bus back to our hotel. Nearby, a young woman was holding a baby—the child was completely relaxed, arms and legs splayed. Smiling at the woman, my husband nodded at the child, and said, "I wish I could do that." There was an awkward silence, during which we realized that the mother was discreetly nursing. She burst out laughing, and we exited at the next stop—even though it wasn't ours. Sara Thompson, Statesville, N.C. Good thing for you you're never going to age To celebrate my 40th birthday and my mother's 70th, we went to England to see exactly where our ancestors lived. After a week of driving on the wrong side of the road, we were on the wrong side of each other's nerves. Then we got turned around on a roundabout and became lost somewhere in the Cotswolds. I spotted this sign and informed my mom that this was her stop. Tricia Du Four, Twin Peaks, Calif. One for the mantel It wasn't just the crabs in black bean sauce that made Chinatown in Portland, Ore., memorable. There was also this restaurant's sign. Between giggles, I took a picture of my husband, Sam, standing under it. Our daughters are too young to comprehend what we found so amusing. Whew! Claudia Fenner, Dix Hills, N.Y. Some women just won't take a hint When my wife and I went to Thailand for our 10th wedding anniversary, it took a lot of persuading to convince her to leave our 9-year-old son with his grandparents. Naturally, we missed our son, so toward the end, we decided to make a "treasure box" for him, filled with trinkets from the trip. At a 7-Eleven, I showed what I thought were Yu-Gi-Oh! cards to my wife (our son is obsessed with them). She burst out laughing and said, "I don't think our son is old enough for condoms." Byron Lee, Portola Valley, Calif. Hand it to the folks on the other side of the curtain My son and I traveled to St. Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, when he was 4 years old. On each of our flights, we studied the pocket card to review the plane's safety features. We focused on the picture that read, do not throw anything down the toilet. I explained to my son why this was an important rule. Ten days later, on our way home, we again reviewed the safety card on each flight. On our final leg, my son went to the lavatory. Some time had passed when the flight attendant approached me with a horrified look. "He needs you!" she said. My son was behind her, holding up a wad of decidedly used toilet paper. "What am I supposed to do with this?" he asked. John Larson, Dorchester, Mass. Buy the book on amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com.

Slide Show: Animals Gone Wild

She's got trunk in the junk "In the jungles of Nepal's Royal Chitwan National Park, my friend and I were invited to bathe with an elephant in the river that flowed directly in front of our guesthouse. The guesthouse owner told me to grab the elephant's ear with my left hand and the other ear with my right hand. Then he smoothed out the elephant's trunk so it curved downward, ending near my feet. 'Step on its trunk and it'll flip you onto its back,' he said. I grasped the animal's rough, hairy ears and placed one trembling foot on its trunk. Next thing I knew, my crotch was smothering the elephant's face! My friends were too busy laughing to offer any help." Anna Wexler, Cambridge, Mass. Yeah, if Muppets had two-inch claws "In Panama, while driving from Panama City to the coast, my wife and I crossed paths with a three-toed sloth that decided it needed to cross the road. As we watched it slowly make progress (and that's being generous), we opted to give the Muppet-like creature a hand. After cautiously carrying the sloth across the highway, we said our good-­byes and continued our drive looking for wildlife on the Pan-American Highway." Jacob Jones, Poulsbo, Wash. "So we ate it for lunch" "On a recent cruise to Grand Cayman, we went to Stingray City. As the stingrays swarmed around us, our guide explained how tame they are and offered to lift one so that we could pet it. We all laughed at the friendly smile of the stingray as we took photographs of it. I suppose it had enough of our attention, or I snapped one too many pictures, because it spit salt water right in my face." Susan Dodder, Hattiesburg, Miss. For a good time, call Yertle at 555-1321 "Sailing around Panama's San Blas archipelago, I was approached each morning by Kuna Indians in canoes selling lobsters, crabs, and fish. One day they had a 50-pound sea turtle, which they hoped to sell as food. We agreed on a price of $20 and transferred the turtle to my dinghy. When the Kuna were out of sight, I took a Magic Marker and drew a heart on the turtle's back—it was Valentine's Day—along with my name and phone number, and drove it out to the reef and released it." Sam Leming, Indianapolis, Ind. So the giraffe says, "Wanna neck?" "The giraffes we encountered at a Kenyan reserve will eat from your hand, but if you put a nugget of food in your mouth, they'll take it from there, too. My grandson Andrew was eager to give it a try—and he got the best kiss of all. French, anyone?" Aileen Saunders, College Place, Wash. Probably Jovan Musk "While in South Africa, I went on several game drives, and I think it may have been mating season. Or maybe this one impala was just really lonely. Whatever the case, the animal was quite excited to see Jacob, one of my companions. 'Get it off me!' he yelled. 'Get it off me!' Our group was laughing so hard that we couldn't help him out. Besides, the impala clearly wasn't going to hurt him. It just wanted to love him. So we kept asking, 'What kind of cologne are you wearing, Jacob?'" Sheila Siegel, Belleville, Ill. Love hurts "On a cruise from Tahiti, my wife and I opted for a snorkeling excursion. She kept insisting that I allow a man to dangle fish over me to feed the stingrays. I told her no several times before deciding that I should confront my fear. When I got next to the man with the fish, however, a stingray latched onto my nipple, creating an incredibly painful wound. The ship's doctor said he'd never heard of such an incident, adding that the underside of a female ray is white, and maybe when the male saw my belly, he tried to mate with me instead." Richard A. Wood, Las Vegas, Nev. This little piggy went to the bar "I recently went to a sailing school in St. Croix, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with my husband and a friend. One day we went to visit the beer-drinking pigs that we'd seen advertised. We found the bar, but a sign said the pigs were refusing to drink the beer. I persuaded the owners to let me try. I leaned over the pigpen and opened the beer—and a pig got up and grabbed the can out of my hand! It gulped the beer down in a few seconds. I'm not sure who was more entertained, the pig or me!" Shirley Weidenhamer, Venice, Fla. Who says you have to choose? "Before I left on a Gate 1 trip to Peru, my friend Janis warned me to be careful around any llamas. 'I've heard they spit on you and it's really nasty,' she said. At a llama farm near Cuzco, I had no trouble with the llamas or the alpacas. A vicuña, how­ever, bit me and tried to give me a good thrashing with his hooves. I believe I'd rather be spit on if I had to choose be­tween the two." Marlene Jackson, Columbus, Ind. We'll be darned if that camel isn't having a Coke and a smile "I came across a man with his camel near one of the major tourist sites in Petra, Jordan. He pointed at the soda bottle I was holding, so I gave it to him. He took a drink, then gave the rest to his camel, which held the bottle in its mouth and finished every last drop! I was ready to retrieve a beer from my hotel for the camel's next trick, but the man said that his camel doesn't drink on the job." Adam Tennen, Scottsdale, Ariz. Score one for the llama "My fiancée and I enjoy zoos and animal parks. While at a park in Bandon, Ore., I got to spend some one-on-one time with a llama. I was stroking his neck, and he seemed to be enjoying it, when—wham! I was covered from head to waist with the most vile-smelling vomit I've ever known. It was in my hair, on my clothes, even in my mouth and up my nose. As I stood there dumbfounded, wondering what happened, my fiancée was doubled over laughing. She evidently knew that llamas are known to spit—but she failed to clue me in until it was too late. To this day I suffer from llamaphobia." Richard Kyle, Bellevue, Wash. Buy the book on amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com.