How to Brunch Your Way Around the Big Apple

Ready for some exercise? The 214 steps to the top of the Bodie Island Lighthouse are waiting. The North Carolina icon—one of only 12 lighthouses in the U.S. that are more than 150 feet tall—is now open to the public for the first time since it was built more than 140 years ago. A $5 million renovation repaired unreliable stairs, a broken and dirty 19th-century Fresnel lens (which includes 344 glass prisms), and rusted iron work, reports the Associated Press. The reward for making it to the top? Views of the Atlantic Ocean, Pamlico Sound, and the marshland around Bodie (pronounced "bah-dee") Island. The project was spearheaded by the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society, founded the 1994 by a local couple who started the society with their own money. The $5 million in renovation funds came from the National Park Service, and work stopped in 2010 when more serious structural problems were found by contractors and corrected. The Bodie Island Visitor Center is about a 15-minute drive from Nags Head, part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Guided tours will run through Columbus Day from 9 a.m. to 5:45 pm. daily ($8 adults, $4 seniors, free for children 11 and under—but children must be at least 42 inches tall and accompanied by an adult). Other nearby attractions include Jockey's Ridge, which is the largest sand dune on the East Coast and popular with hang gliders, and the Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve. Where to stay: Ramada Plaza Nags Head Beach is right on the beach. 1701 South Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC, ramada.com, doubles from $183. TALK TO US! We want to know: What's your favorite lighthouse in the U.S.? What is it that you love about it?

Admit it. The words food and festival make your mouth water. I know, I know. You're picturing yourself balancing a plate of, say, gulf shrimp with a nice cool glass of local chardonnay. Add a balmy Southern breeze in your hair and you've pretty much got a perfect afternoon. Here, four of our favorite American food festivals coming up in May, served with a heaping side order of affordable hotels. Bloomin' Barbecue & Bluegrass (May 17 to 18). Sevierville, TN, has a lot going for it. Located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and a short drive from Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Dollywood, the town is also host to an annual BBQ and bluegrass blast. Here, you'll meet barbeque cook teams who have been featured on the Food Network, free bluegrass concerts (including the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition featuring finalists from around the U.S. competing for a Nashville recording session), and witness an epic cook-off involving more than 2,800 pounds of meat that includes pulled pork, brisket, chicken, and ribs. Where to stay: La Quinta Inn & Suites Sevierville (2428 Winfield Dunn Parkway, Sevierville, TN, lq.com, doubles from $89) is nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, near Dollywood, Dixie Stampede, and offers a free breakfast. New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (May 22 to 25). You already know this town knows how to throw a party. Now celebrating its 21st year, the NOWFF will include wine dinners hosted by more than 30 NOLA restaurants, the Royal Street Stroll through the French Quarter, and wine tastings from more than 175 wineries (including food pairings from local chefs). The event will also include the 7th annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off, whose winner will represent the state in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off, plus seminars about international cuisine. Where to stay: Holiday Inn French Quarter—Chateau Lemoyne Hotel (301 Rue Dauphine, holidayinn.com, doubles from $167) has a prime central location near Bourbon Street. Atlanta Food & Wine Festival (May 30 to June 2). The organizers of this fest in Midtown Atlanta like to say "the South never tasted so good," and you'll catch their enthusiasm quickly when you immerse yourself in a lavish extended weekend of learning experiences (cooking and cocktail demos, tasting seminars, and panel discussions), tasting experiences (chef-curated tasting tents serving Southern meals, snacks, sweets, sandwiches, and wines and spirits), plus evening dinners and other events. With an advisory council of more than 60 award-winning food pros from 14 Southern states and the District of Columbia, this festival has an additional "southern" angle—it celebrates the food of other southern regions of the world, including Southern Europe, South Africa, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico. Where to stay: Westin Peachtree Plaza (210 Peachtree Street, starwoodhotels.com, doubles from $173) is in central Atlanta, near its Museum of Design, Centennial Olympic Park, and a short distance from the outstanding Georgia Aquarium. Taste of Cincinnati (May 25 to 27). America's longest-running culinary festival, dating back to 1979, this Memorial Day weekend bash celebrates the Cincinnati area's great restaurants and attracts 500,000 foodies each year. More than 40 locals restaurants typically participate, and in the weeks leading up to the event there is a Best of Taste Awards competition in which menu items are previewed and judged. This year's offerings are in the works, but last year's winners included Shrimp & Crab Dumpling with Noodle (deemed "Best Damn Dish" of the year), Fried Peanut Butter & Jelly, and Banana Cream Pie. Where to stay: Wingate by Wyndham Cincinnati (4320 Glendale Milford Road, wingatehotels.com, doubles from $92) is located in the Blue Ash business district. TALK TO US! We want to know: What's your favorite food festival?

Following the explosions near the Boston Marathon finish line yesterday, the city of Boston is open for business (including Amtrak train service and flights to Logan International Airport). However, those of you currently visiting Boston, or with imminent travel plans to visit, will, of course, be directly affected by the explosions, which killed three people and injured at least 140. While the safety and well-being of everyone affected by yesterday's events is of greater importance than anyone's vacation plans, we do want you to know: The area around Copley Square is a crime scene and will likely be closed to visitors for several days, according to Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. That means no access to Copley Station, the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, the Shops at the Prudential Center, the Copley Place mall, the Hynes Convention Center, and the Boston Common garage. (USA Today reports, however, that drivers will be able to retrieve parked cars from the garage.) Boston Common is now a staging area for law enforcement. Many airlines are waiving flight-change fees for Boston travel, and many local hotels are waiving cancellation fees—contact airlines and hotels directly for more information. If you are in Boston for the Marathon and are without lodging, visit Boston.com for a Google doc to match visitors with available places to stay. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston and everyone affected by yesterday's events.

Yoga classes can really add up—I've seen prices as high as $35 per class here in New York City. Luckily, there are a number of free events that take place in cities around the country every summer to help everyone take a breather. If you happen to be in the New York City area on Friday, June 21st, don't miss Solstice in Times Square: Athleta Mind Over Madness Yoga. Join thousands of other flexible friends in an enormous crowd of New Yorkers and visitors alike, all trying to find their inner peace in one of the busiest, loudest, most crowded places on earth. The event takes place all day and you can score freebies like gift bags and yoga mats (given to the first 1,500 participants). Stick around between classes for soothing musical performances, free giveaways, raffles, and a fashion show by popular yoga clothing company, Athleta. Wanderlust: Yoga In The City, an annual event stretching across four U.S. cities this year, is hosted in popular parks and other areas with beautiful views to look at while you practice your poses. San Francisco: Sunday, May 12th, at Little Marina Green from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.Register online for the 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., or 3:30 p.m. class. Chicago: Sunday, June 2nd, at Butler Field in Grant Park from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.Register online for the 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. class. New York City: Sunday, June 9th, at Pier 63 in Hudson River Park from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.Register online for the 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. class. Los Angeles: Sunday, June 30th, at Santa Monica Pier from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.Register online for the 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. class. If all else fails, wait for September when it's National Yoga Month, and the Yoga Health Foundation offers one free week of classes at your choice of more than 2,200 participating studios around the country. Register online this year starting August 1st, and redeem your certificate anytime between September 1st and October 30th. Please note that while these events are free and open to the public, you do need to register for a spot through the appropriate website. Space at the Wanderlust: Yoga In The City events is limited to the first 1,000 people who sign up, while more may be accepted for Solstice in Times Square. Remember to wear sunscreen, bring your own yoga mat, and pack plenty of water.