The Balloon Fiesta

Inspired by our article about cycling through New Orleans, we list some of our favorite bike tours in Chicago, D.C., New York City, and San Francisco in this Web-exclusive roundup. Let us know about your favorite bike tours! New York's boroughs, demystifiedIt's not easy to choose between Bike the Big Apple's six standard five-to-seven-hour tours; they all take in a great range of neighborhoods often skipped by typical tourist routes. Our favorites might be the Bike and Bite Brooklyn options, one of which weaves through Manhattan's Lower East Side, across the Williamsburg Bridge into Brooklyn, and through the hipster and Hasidic Jewish sections of Williamsburg—stopping at a local brewery and a gourmet chocolate shop—before returning to Manhattan via the Brooklyn Bridge.Bike the Big Apple, 877/865-0078, toursbybike.com, from $65 with bike, helmet, and two guides; kids 8 and older pay the same price.Chicago north and southBike and Roll Chicago's daily three-hour tours wind through the Windy City's residential streets, alternating between routes in the city's North and South sides. The first itinerary takes you north to the mansions of the Gold Coast, through Old Town, along the tree-lined lanes of Lincoln Park, and past Wrigley Field in Lakeview. The second route ventures south to the Mies van der Rohe-designed Illinois Institute of Technology, around the Prairie District, past Clarke House (the city's oldest house), and into Chinatown. Bike and Roll Chicago, 888/245-3929, bikechicago.com, from $30, students from $25, with bike, helmet, and guide; these tours are not recommended for children younger than 13-years-old. Animal attractionsIn addition to daily tours of Capitol Hill and the national monuments, Bike the Sites offers a tour through D.C.'s leafy, residential northwest quadrant that is inspired by the picture book Wild Washington Animal Sculptures A to Z. Beginning with a walking tour of the National Zoo, the Wild Washington itinerary continues by bike along Rock Creek Park and the National Mall, while a guide explains all the animal references found in the monuments and fountains along the way. Bike the Sites, 202/842-2453, bikethesites.com, $40, with bike, helmet, snack, water, and guide; kids under 13 not recommended. Around the bayViews of San Francisco from the Golden Gate Bridge are already impossibly picturesque, but at the pace of a bike, they might be even more so. Depending on your pedaling speed—and whether you want to take a ferry back from the quaint towns of Sausalito or Tiburon—the route from Blazing Saddles' Fisherman's Wharf location, across the bay and back again, can take as little as three hours. Unlike the above tours, this one is self-guided. Blazing Saddles, 415/202-8888, blazingsaddlessanfrancisco.com, day rental $28, kids $20, with helmet and map; ferry from $7. Related Story Rolling by the River: Bike Tours of New Orleans Photo by Tim Parkinson via Flickr and Creative Commons.

Make the Most of Your Time on Earth, which hits bookstores today, pools Rough Guides travel writers' favorite one-of-a-kind experiences, from punting on Cambridge's River Cam to voyaging into Antarctica's unknown. It's the latest in an increasingly crowded field of aspirational, list-like guidebooks (Patricia Schultz's 1,000 Places to See Before You Die being one of the originators). We've selected one of Rough Guides' picks--a pilgrimage to an ancient, mind-bogglingly ornate temple in Tamil Nadu, India--to whet your appetite. Read the excerpt by clicking here. Related: A New Generation of Hip Guidebooks and Trips That Can Change Your Life: Immerse Yourself in India.

Beijing has never welcomed travelers as eagerly as it is welcoming them now. The Chinese capital is determined to make a fantastic impression during its moment in the global spotlight. Our multimedia package offers a fresh look at Beijing—plus some practical travel tips. We're especially proud of this project, so check it out. Photo by Tony Law

On October 1, 1982, EPCOT Center opened its gates to the public for the first time. And while many things have changed over the years—like the name (it's just Epcot now) and the attractions (good-bye World of Motion, hello Test Track)—it still remains the coolest "edu-tainment" theme park you'll ever find. When I was eight, my family was on one of its many trips to the Magic Kingdom, when my aunt, who lived in the area, had gotten us tickets to see a preview of the futuristic new park that Disney was building just a monorail trip away. I still remember standing on the monorail platform, staring out at the not-yet completed buildings, and thinking, "Wow." Twenty-five years later, I still get that feeling whenever I walk in. Epcot elicits strong reactions from people. Some people rank it as their favorite theme park, even above the Magic Kingdom (blasphemy!). Others think it's a waste of time, and only go because Disney started swapping out some of the "educational" rides for thrill rides. As for me? There's nothing I love more than a leisurely stroll around World Showcase, popping in to hear the Voices of Liberty, or learning the importance of conservation at The Land. Disney World marks the milestone on Monday morning with an official rededication ceremony. (It's a celebration that almost wasn't, as detailed by Jeff Pepper in his excellent blog, 2719 Hyperion.) And like anyone celebrating a birthday, Epcot has been going through some changes lately. It started with the phased refurbishment of Spaceship Earth, including the removal of the much-maligned Mickey wand. The Italy and Japan pavilions have just re-opened with new restaurants, while China and Mexico are next on the slate to get revisions. Donald Duck, along with the rest of the Three Caballeros, was added to the Mexico boat ride, and Canada just introduced a new Circlevision 360 movie, starring comedian and native son, Martin Short. If you're thinking of visiting Epcot to join in the celebration, be sure to catch the annual Food & Wine Festival, running now through November 11. If you like to eat or drink (or in my case, both!), this is an absolute must-do. Kiosks ring World Showcase lagoon, and feature appetizer-size foods and wine by the glass from 25 international regions. Add in daily seminars and musical performances from acts like The Four Tops and Sheena Easton, and you've got yourself a rockin' good time! Entry is included in your park admission, and while the samples are not free, they're pretty reasonable. Most food items will run you under $5 and a glass of wine is around that. If you're a little skittish about trying out an unfamiliar cuisine, this is a great way to dip your toe in the water and try something new. And if wine's not your thing, stop by the United Kingdom pavilion where you can still grab a pint of beer at the Rose & Crown Pub.Photo: Epcot's IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth © Disney