This Weekend: Norfolk celebrates the Fourth with Harborfest

Reports are still streaming in about fans building impromptu shrines and tributes to Michael Jackson worldwide, including at spots in London, where Jackson was scheduled to perform a sold-out 50-concert set. And I don't know about you, but it seemed all I heard this weekend was the King of Pop's greatest hits, spilling out of apartment windows and car sunroofs. But I'm curious: Where will Jackson's ultimate shrine be, the mecca of his famous (and often infamous) career? Elvis has his Graceland, and there's speculation that Michael Jackson could have the same kind of touristy, pilgrimage-like following. Will it be Gary, Indiana, the place of his birth? The mayor sure hopes so, as an influx of tourism would help the ailing steel town. Or will it be the Motown museum in Detroit, where the Jackson 5 recorded their first songs? What about creepy Neverland Ranch in California? Roger Brooks, the CEO of Destination Development International, was quoted in an AP article saying, "It was his place as an adult. It was his vision that built the place from the ground up." We'd also throw NYC's Apollo Theater into the ring. Jackson performed there in 1967 at an amateur night with his brothers (and won). As was everything with the King of Pop, it'll be interesting to see what happens.

We've been asking top guidebook writers for their alternatives to iconic attractions. Today's writer is Anna Brooke, author of Frommer's Paris Day by Day and Frommer's Provence & the Riviera Day by Day. Her recommended alternative to the Eiffel Tower is… …Montparnasse Tower The Eiffel Tower may be the quintessential symbol of Paris. But for magnificent views of Paris that actually include Gustave Eiffel's engineering feat, check out La Tour Montparnasse, France's tallest skyscraper. From the 59th floor terrace, or the 56th floor restaurant, the panoramas astound. It costs €10.50 (about $14.50) adult admission to get to the top, compared to €13 ($18) for the Eiffel top platform visit, and the lines are significantly shorter. For the next year or two, it will remain Paris' only inner-city skyscraper, a controversial 1970s building often criticized for its lack of aestheticism. But you're there for the views of the skyline and of the Eiffel Tower from its viewing platform—not to praise the building itself. Tip: Best visited after dark when the Eiffel Tower sparkles (for about 10 minutes, every hour on the hour). Now don't get us wrong. We're suckers for the Eiffel Tower, too. And neither Anna Brooke nor Frommer's is criticizing anyone who might want to go to the top of the famous icon. All we're trying to do here is recognize that lesser known attractions may have their own appeal, too. For tour info for the Eiffel Tower, see its official website. Better than Stonehenge? Better than Florence's Duomo?

Well here's something out of the ordinary: a temporary rooftop restaurant with an unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower! This summer in Paris, the Art Home restaurant has been dropped by crane (video here) on top of the Palais du Tokyo. The ultra-edgy contemporary arts museum has a nice view of the Eiffel Tower from its plebian patio down below (price of admission: as low as a single cup of coffee). Beginning July 1, however, that view will be overshadowed by the possibility of lunch or dinner up on the roof. It's close quarters inside that privileged perch, with room to welcome only a dozen diners for lunch (€60/$84) and dinner (€80/$111). Given so few seats, this is a tough reservation to score. Booking works like at Momofuku Ko in New York—reservations are taken online, beginning at 10 a.m., for a date exactly one month in the future. Be ready to with your finger on the mouse at 9:59! An alternate strategy, up until bidding closed last night, was to enter the eBay battle for opening night seats. But after seeing the price for a single person rise above €1,400 ($1,950!), I decided to settle instead for a free visit. That's right—if you're curious to see this Laurent Grasso installation for yourself, free tours are conducted daily between 3 and 5:30 p.m. (except for Mondays, when the museum, restaurant, and tours are closed), with online reservation required. If you're lucky, there might be a few lunch crumbs left on the table! Art Home at/on the Palais de Tokyo, 13 avenue du Président Wilson, 16th arrondissement, 011-33/1-47-23-54-01. MORE FROM OUR AFFORDABLE PARIS BLOG SERIES Practical Paris: What's closed on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays? Paris bistro buzz: Frenchie Slimming down the lunch bill at Paris restaurants

To the magic-makers at Disney, Being bargain hunters, we've loved 2009's "What Will You Celebrate?" campaign. After all, free admission on a person's birthday to your Florida and California theme parks is what budget travel is all about. And getting to act like a little kid certainly takes the sting out of turning another year older! Which is why we urge you to please extend this program into 2010. You've extended campaigns like this before. (The "Year of a Million Dreams" was supposed to end in 2007, and you took it through 2008.) Sure, we're cautiously optimistic that the worst of the recession will be over by next year. But we also know that a lot families will continue to struggle. During hardship, every little bit of sunshine helps. Walt knew that better than anyone. So we hope you'll extend the free-admission-on-your-birthday promotion to next year. Because there's a little bit of Peter Pan in all of us! Sincerely, Your dearest fans at Budget Travel RELATED Budget Travel's 2009 guide to the Disney parks Our Disney coverage on our blog